Most of my favorite restaurants from living in the Boston area are in Cambridge or Somerville. If you are going to MLA Midwinter, I suggest you get out of Boston proper and see the Squares anyway–and don’t just stop at Harvard Square…Kendall (mostly for MIT stuff), Central, Porter and Davis (great cafes) are all worth a look–just head north on the Red Line toward Alewife. Send me a message @AmandaClay or comment and let me know if you go to any of them. And I’m always looking for new places, so let me know what you find. I’m particularly interested in the new shabu shabu restaurant in Harvard Square… Yelp.com is amazing for this sort of thing, on the web or on your iPhone. I don’t have much use for yelp in Starkville, but it was invaluable in New York last month.

Some of these are off the beaten path–I’ve noted when they are near a subway stop or where to catch a cab/bus.

Afghan — Helmand is delicious and elegant. Anything they do with lamb is amazing, especially the Qabelee. Just across from the Cambridgeside Galleria Mall–you can get a shuttle bus from Kendall Square.
Brunch – Henrietta’s Table in Harvard Square has the Most Amazing Brunch of all-time. The restaurant does locally sourced, organic, etc., but the scope of this brunch is beyond belief. Delicious. Pricey–$45/plate. Another Very Special Meal.
Burgers — Miracle of Science has a straightforward menu broken down into a periodic table on a chalkboard in the restaurant. Very MIT. Great vegetarian options and big plank tables to sit. Gets busy at lunch during the week. Head toward MIT after you get off the red line at Central Square.
Chinese — Mary Chungs, Central Square. Order the Suan la Chow Chow or anything “dun dun”–esp the fried tofu. YUM!
Chocolate – Burdick’s. Period. Sit down. Have espresso and chocolate. Amazing. Harvard Square.
Deli — S&S Restaurant Deli Great old fashioned sit-down deli with the best Ruben and blintzes ever. Somerville, MA. Cab from Porter Square (it’s in Inman Square, but only buses go there).
Haitian – Highland Creole Cuisine in Somerville, MA (this is a drive, and the service is terrible, but the food is great–DM me @AmandaClay to find out more) Must haves: fresh squeezed (SWEET) lemonade, Tasso boeuf (sometimes I call first to see if they have this–they run out of dishes), griot (pork), cabrit (goat), plantain, conch, rice and peas. I like the white beans with rice, but again, sometimes they run out. The menus are in English and French. Careful of the “cole slaw” garnish–it’s made with habanero peppers. Cab from Porter Square.
Indian — India Samraat on Mass Ave near the Charles is my favorite. Great paratha, saag, and samosas.
Italian Pastries — Modern Pastry I find there is less of a line than at Mike’s (the other popular North End bakery), and great stuff. There’s also one in Medford, if you are around that area. Close to Haymarket on the Orange Line.
Mediterranean — Definitely upscale, Casablanca is where I have had some very memorable meals, including the first time I ever had skate–delicate, buttery, delicious. Harvard Square.
Micro-brewed beer and locally sourced food — Cambridge Brewing Company a short hike from Kendall Square on the Red Line (the best Porter in the world–called Charles River Porter after the formerly impenetrable river).
Mussels from Brussels (steamed mussels topped with perfect fries and garlic aioli) — Central Kitchen in Central Square (go for lunch and order apps–it’s overpriced for regular entrees and dinner).
Sandwiches – Darwin‘s in Harvard Square is a little off the main Square on Mt. Auburn and is a neighborhoody (gourmet-ish) sandwich shop and cafe. Very inventive sandwiches and a nice place to read the paper.
Tapas — Dali. Hands down a wonderful experience. Have the shrimp in garlic and olive oil, fresh anchovy filets, white asparagus, “meaty” mushrooms, stuffed squid and garlicky chicken for sure. This is in Somerville, but it also has a sister restaurant on Newbury Street called Tapeo. I like Dali better, but Tapeo is easier to get to. Cab from Harvard Square to Dali. Tapeo is near the Hynes Convention Center stop on the Green Line.
Very Special Meal – Rialto in Harvard Square is amazing. Italian in sensibility, but it’s really just amazing gourmet food. Award-winning chef, Best of Boston, etc.