Restaurants

Near Arlington (Mass.)

China Cafe

Very good Chinese food in a small restaurant near Arlington Center. We often get their vegetarian dumplings or scallion pancakes. No smoking, no credit cards, no large tables. Review

Giuseppe's Kitchen

Heading up Boston Ave. in Medford, just off Route 16, you'll see this place on your left and think that it's just another greasy sub shop. But they not only have excellent pizza but a variety of other Italian entrees. Their only concession to expectations is water served in small plastic cups. No credit cards except Transmedia.

India Globe

Central Square, Cambridge. Review

New Mother India

This restaurant has flourished on Moody Street in Waltham's Indian Quarter. Review

Panda Palace

We used to go here at least once a week until we discovered China Cafe which is more convenient. But we still go occasionally for the buffet. Be careful to get a table that doesn't border on the smoking section. The TV is distracting, but the food is great.

Sound Bites

S&S Deli

Yogurt Bar

Greater Boston

Cheesecake Factory

Located in the Atrium Mall (route 9, border of Newton & Brookline), this restaurant has a huge menu and sufficiently large portions that it's difficult to save room for their trademark desserts. They're happy to bring fresh-baked bread--the whole wheat is especially good--but you have to ask for it.
The only downside is that their waits can get very long; expect at least two hours if you get there around 7:00 on a Saturday evening. The wait is made much more tolerable by a the presence of a Borders bookstore in the mall, but for the time being, please just browse--Borders is being boycotted due to unfair labor practices.
This restaurant is also a bit more expensive than the other ones on the list, but the frequently leftovers will provide the next day's lunch, so the value is still good.

Edgewater Cafe

Mandarin Taste

Far Away

Antique Sandwich Shop

Tacoma, Washington. If you're familiar with the Someday Cafe in Somerville, this place has a similar atmosphere, but more casual. While you're here, another mile down the road is Point Defiance, with beautiful gardens.

Cafe Pavone

Manchester, New Hampshire

Chen Yang Li

Bedford (just south of Manchester), New Hampshire. Home Page

Dos Amigos

Belfast, Maine

Dynasty

Fishkill, New York

Old Wives' Tales

Portland, Oregon

Rein's

Vernon, Connecticut (near Hartford; just off route 84). If you're headed for New York or points south, get an early start, then stop here for breakfast (and maybe get a sandwich to pack for lunch). A big menu, with all the traditional American deli dishes.

Stazi Milano

Philadelphia

Szechuan/Mandarin

Philadelphia

Woodstock Inn

Woodstock, New Hampshire. A good place to go for brunch on a Sunday morning before a long hike in the White Mountains. For about ten bucks, you can get enough delicious food to keep you going all day. As an added bonus, you can watch the cook carving meat while simultaneously making three omelets (choice of about a dozen fillings) and a waffle (to which you can add strawberries, chocolate chips, nuts, maple syrup, etc.).