Food in Boston

 Yigal M. wrote:

 >Chinese food:
 >1. Joyce Chen in Park Plaza has great Chinese food, though not on the
 >   cheap side. I consider it the best Chinese restaurant in Boston,
 >   though personally I prefered their other branch, in Somerville,
 >   near Alewife station.

 Well, I don't want to start a "chinese food in boston" flamefest, but
 I really must disagree with this.  Joyce Chen is about as sterile of a
 Chinese restaurant I can think of in Boston.  Any place in Chinatown
 has this one beat hands down.  I mean, come on, they are more
 interested in selling their Joyce Chen (C) Savory Stir Fry Sauce than
 preparing an authentic Chinese meal.

 >2. Don't miss the Dim Sum celebration in the Golden Palace in Chinatown.
 >  Try to go on a weekend around 1pm, when the food is plenty. You'll
 >  probably have to stand in line, though.

 This is actually a fun place to eat.  I haven't been there in
 about 3 years, but I can't imagine that things have changed that
 much.

 Since the poster asked about places close to Northeastern, I
 thought of another place:

 Jae's Cafe, 520 Columbus:  Excellent Korean-style food.  Lots of
 stir-fry type dishes.  Everything is fresh and tasty, and the
 prices are great (I think the most expensive dish is like $10).
 Get there early, thought, as word has spread....

 -- cmk

 Yigal M. wrote:

 [snip]

    Chinese food:
    1. Joyce Chen in Park Plaza has great Chinese food, though not on the
       cheap side. I consider it the best Chinese restaurant in Boston,
       though personally I prefered their other branch, in Somerville,
       near Alewife station.

 I can't agree that this is the best Chinese in Boston.  There are a
 lot of "homestyle" places within a few blocks of Joyce Chen/Boston,
 which IMHO are both better and cheaper.  Joyce Chen shows a tendency
 to cater to the "in town for the theater" crowd, who mostly want
 something safe and familiar and not too adventurous.

    2. Don't miss the Dim Sum celebration in the Golden Palace in Chinatown.
      Try to go on a weekend around 1pm, when the food is plenty. You'll
      probably have to stand in line, though.

 I second this.  The regular menu here is good too.

    other stuff:
    1. For Mexican food go to Border Cafe in Harvard square. Too popular
       for my taste, but the fajitas are great, and don't miss the
       shrimp popcorn.

 Or head up MassAve a bit and go to the Forest Cafe.  More authentic,
 less generic, and you're less likely to be inundated with People with
 Perfect Teeth.

    2. Go to the restaurant on the top of the Hyatt for coffee and cake,
       which are not too expensive. The view is great, especially at night,
       and especially when there's a game at Fenway.
    3. Seafood at Legal Sea Food. A little expensive, though.

 Or take a cab to Fish Pier and try the No Name.  Even with the cab
 fare it'll be cheaper.  The preparation is real basic but the fish
 is very fresh and good (but I haven't been here in a while).

    4. Great French restaurant is Maison Robert, in the old city hall.
       They have a cafe downstairs, which is not formal and has a fixed
       menu which is not too expensive (started at 14$ for a full dinner
       last time I was there). You have to call to make reservations, and
       after dinner go upstairs to the real restaurant to see how real
       people dine.
    5. There are great deals during lunch time in Indian restaurants
       around Boston. I personally prefer the one in Main street, near
       Toscanini icecream (another treat you shouldn't miss), where
       they have a buffet lunch 7 days a week for about 6$.

 To clarify: this is in Cambridge, not Boston, but easily reachable.
 I believe the one referred to here is the Taj.  There are about
 half a dozen others in the neighborhood (Central Square).  All are
 good.

     A general advice: there are a lot of coupons you can get (at least
      I know where to get them at MIT), which are good for 2 for 1 dinner,
      and similar discounts.

      Have fun.

     Yigal Meir

 I've been to No Name twice in the last 3 years, and don't recommend
 it.  The food quality has gone down, and prices have gone up.  It's no
 longer the good deal it used to be.
                         dave

 Yigal M. wrote:

 > 1. Joyce Chen in Park Plaza has great Chinese food, though not on the
 >    cheap side. I consider it the best Chinese restaurant in Boston,
 >    though personally I prefered their other branch, in Somerville,
 >    near Alewife station.

 A warning to everyone who reads this: this man is pulling your legs.
 Joyce Chen was an outstanding restaurant 12 years ago, and these days
 is just plain awful.  Avoid it.