Shanghai Gate
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

204 Harvard Ave
Allston, MA 02134

Anubha T. writes: Ok, anyone who goes for lunch here and orders entrees instead of the lunch special should be fired (aka my friend). Seriously, the darn lunch specials are like $5.95! So go for it..

There is nothing that I didn't like at this place. They are…

Infusions Tea Spa
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

110 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134

Ligaya T. writes: Proper bubble tea with just a hint of sweetness that they expertly shake up in a martini shaker and lid melt. I like my balls a bit soft on the outside but firm in the middle, just like they do em up here. They've always got a gajillion people behind…

Marche Restaurant
Neighborhood: Back Bay

800 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02199

b b. writes: I was proposed to here, once upon a time.  I'm still single...probably why it's closed.

An extra star goes for the potato rostis.  Any foodstuff that involves both sour cream and applesauce deserves generous props!!

Cafenation

380 Washington St
Brighton, MA 02135

Sasha R. writes: I'm afraid I won't be allowed back here.  Because of the many available delicious crepe options, I took an extra long time making up my fickle mind, which, at first, was patiently tolerated by the be-bandana'd pretty girl at the counter.  But I…

Ole' Mexican Grill
Neighborhood: Inman Square

11 Springfield St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Joe R. writes: As I approached, time slowed like I was in a fight scene from the Matrix.  The clouds parted to send a single shaft of light down to illuminate the stairs.

'Doubting Thomas!  Dost thou believe good Mexican was not to be had in New England?' - the…

Emma's Pizza
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT

40 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Chi N. writes: Oh, yes.

Yes, yes, yes. The pizza at Emma's is the Sean Connery of pizza. Sexy, tasty, and full of Scottish love.

Comparing Emma's to any other pizza shop in Boston is like comparing Facebook to Myspace. Or an iPhone to a broken-Nokia. Or my Audi to a…

Busy Bee Diner

1046 Beacon St
Brookline, MA 02445

Tom E. writes: My first breakfast in Boston (and the second, third and fourth) was at the Busy Bee Diner. It was the closest place that looked like it did breakfast to my B&B whilst I was here for an interview. And what a place...  a real American diner with…

Santarpio's Pizza
Neighborhood: East Boston

113 Chelsea St
East Boston, MA 02128

Ligaya T. writes: So I hears this guy tawkin' and he says, "Jimmy, ya gotta get to this spot near the highway in Eastie for the best tomater pies in Bawwston." So I listens, drivin' through Chelsea watching the big billboard to find my way, ya know.

We sits down, me…

Toscanini's Ice Cream
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

1310 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Eli G. writes: I used to frequent Toscanini's in Harvard on those first days of spring in high school when I couldn't bear to stay in class and I would run out of the building and escape to Harvard Square. I'd grab 2 scoops of the chocolate (yes I'm a simple man,…

Il Panino Express
Neighborhood: Charlestown, North End

266 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113

Nicole C. writes: As my quest to get pizza that tasted like home (NY) continued throughout my college career in Boston, a friend from NY told me to check out Il Panino Express. Now I of course was skeptical because I had been sent to many places before that were…

Fogg Art Museum
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

32 Quincy St
Cambridge, MA 02238

Tom E. writes: [][][][][][][][][][][][][ ][][][][][][][][][][][][] [][][][][][][][][][][][][ ][][][][][][][][][][][][]
[]                                                                                                 []
[]          T h    e                    I    …

Emack & Bolio's
Neighborhood: Back Bay

290 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115

Tom E. writes: Smoothies... why are they so damn expensive?! Is there some kind of luxury tax on them? Surely they should be subsidised by the state so that we all drink them and lead much healthier lives. Until then, coffee it is.

But if you do have $5.50 to burn…

Safar Coiffures
Neighborhood: Back Bay

235 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116

Annie P. writes: When I was leaving.. Omid gave me his last name so I wouldn't confuse him with another stylist with a similar name but of course I lost it. After reading a few of these reviews... it's likely to be this Omid Maxey.
Especially with this article:
…

Chacarero
Neighborhood: Downtown

426 Washington St
Boston, MA 02108

Niko N. writes: The Chacarero is a sandwich creation so tasty that it deserves its own set of taste buds.

Supposedly of Chilean origin, the stack consists of thinly sliced grilled chicken or beef with long string beans, smeared with a spicy green avocado like sauce…

Sel De La Terre
Neighborhood: Waterfront

255 State St
Boston, MA 02109

Maria V. writes: I've been here now twice and was still very impressed by the menu. The prices are quite reasonable, the service is prompt and polite, and the most important part -- THE FOOD -- is phenomenal.

Given that this restaurant has a chain location (in Natick)…

Pizzeria Regina
Neighborhood: Charlestown, North End

11 Thacher Court
Boston, MA 02113

Alex R. writes: I have no idea why everyone raves about Regina.  Consensus is that it's the best pizza in the North End, and by extension all of Boston...but it's exactly average in every way.  Seriously: exactly average.  Ambiance; also exactly average.

It gets four…

Tu Y Yo

858 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144

Juliet P. writes: I LOVE this place!  It is not your typical peasant mexican food - (all of the talk below about "authentic" vs. "non-authentic" is annoying because just like any country, Mexico is a pretty freak'n big place with different regions and socio-economic…

Blue Man Group

74 Warrenton St
Boston, MA 02116

Jeffrey H. writes: I was thoroughly creeped out several times. Perfect.

The show is very entertaining and engaging from start to finish. I'm not the kind of person to get very engaged during shows, for example, it's not really my scene to clap along with the audience or…

Pino Bros Ink
Neighborhood: Inman Square

1100 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Annie P. writes: I don't get why there are two orange head reviews here with Deirdre Doyle as their artist. It's sort of scaring me but at the same time that's okay because I'm a real head and Deirdre is one talented and chill person to go to.
The final product is so…

Back Bay Hair Designs
Neighborhood: Back Bay

291 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02115

Michael T. writes: I learned today that my regular stylist, Larry, won the Improper Bostonian's "Most Politically Incorrect Hairdresser" back in the day.  Now that I look back on my conversations with him, yeah, he's a bit politically incorrect, but he'll cut your hair…

Petit Robert Bistro

468 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

Chi N. writes: There's one thing totally wrong about this place.

Food? No, that's really, really good.

Well, then you're thinking Service? Well, nope, because for a French restaurant, it's about as good as you'll get.

Must be the atmosphere then, eh? Nope, it's…

House of Siam
Neighborhood: South End

542 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02118

Ligaya T. writes: If the cheetah print carpet and open levels don't do it for you, what about MSG-free pad see ew. They do it in caps like this "Pad C-U" so what about now?

If you're not convinced a little man will hobble to the table, giggling, no less and make…

Pho Pasteur
Neighborhood: Chinatown

682 Washington St
Boston, MA 02111

Deepa C. writes: Phirst time for pho? You betcha! We had been planning for a while, and it just never panned out. but, um, then it did.

I liked:
- the clientele - businesspeople, doctors and nurses, couples and old Asian grandmothers. chatty and loud, they gave the…

Pho Republique
Neighborhood: South End

1415 Washington St
Boston, MA 02116

Tom E. writes: Pho Stars for Pho Republique my Mo-Phos!

Yes, this is a great haunt way up Washington St opposite some spooky ugly church. I've been here for cocktails on a Saturday, dinner on a Friday and now freebie drinks and snacks on a Yelp event Tuesday.…

JP Licks
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain

659 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Jeffrey H. writes: Employee: "May I help you?"
Me: "Yes. I'd like a small Pumpkin in one of those festive Autumn waffle cones."
Employee: "........"

Apparently he doesn't appreciate a festive Autumn ice cream delight as much as I do.

Thanks to my 23 years of Fat Kid…

Charles Playhouse

74 Warrenton St
Boston, MA 02116

Chloe D. writes: Alright, so sometimes you go to the theatre and get drunk downstairs and are told that if you like, you can finish your drinks in the lounge. There's a lounge? Whurr? Oh. Upstairs? Deal.

We carry our drinks upstairs, peer in to see a large flatscreen…

City Girl Cafe
Neighborhood: Inman Square

204 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Erica S. writes: Really? Delicious pizzas, paninis, salads, soups, pastas, dessert, and weekend brunch, too??? City Girl has fallen from the heavens.

I say this because not only can I find a million things on their menu that I love at all hours of the day, whether it…

Mul's Diner
Neighborhood: South Boston

80 W Broadway
Boston, MA 02127

Damon I. writes: The bright neon sign and silver tiling outside portends a fine diner experience.  Located at the iceberg tip of South Boston, Mul's caters to the quickly gentrifying part of Southie (There's a catholic church-cum-condo building next door).  Though…

Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe
Neighborhood: South End

429 Columbus Ave Apt 3
Boston, MA 02116

Morgan F. writes: - HUGE classic breakfast selection

- EVERYTHING on the menu is under $15 (and most is actually under $10)

- They seat you at Formica tables with random other people

- AND there are pictures of neighborhood children and the family who runs the place on…

Wine Emporium
Neighborhood: South End

607 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118

Christian H. writes: This place, as liquor stores go, is pretty unbeatable.  They have a killer selection of wine for a place this size, and they have a great beer selection too.  They have standard and "boutique" liquors.  It's getting increasingly difficult to keep up…

Curious George Books and Toys
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

1 Jfk St
Cambridge, MA 02138

Aimee L. writes: TONS AND TONS OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS!

LOADS AND LOADS OF STUFFED ANIMALS!

WALL TO WALL CHILDREN'S THEMED TOYS!

And Hello Kitty and Curious George too.

Remember parents, don't spoil your kids.  Well, okay, at this store, maybe it's okay.  I was super duper…

La Pupusa Guanaca
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain

378 Centre St
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Kenny L. writes: I'm not in Brookline anymore!

This is my first time exploring JP during my stay here at Nate's. Thanks to Derek Z of LA for introducing pupusas to me during the pupusa crawd where he said that "Someone told me Pupusas tasted like a fluffy cloud with…

Man-Ray
Neighborhood: Central Square

21 Brookline St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Quinn E. writes: I'm not much for milestones, but I'll make an exception for my 300th review and pay homage to an old haunt- the gone but never forgotten ManRay. Okay, many of my memories of ManRay are very foggy. Some were never remembered, only re-told to me by…

Dunkin' Donuts
Neighborhood: Back Bay

715 Boylston Street Lobby
Boston, MA 02116

Tsada K. writes: I live in a part of California with--gasp!-- no Dunkin' Donuts.  When I visit  Beantown this is the first place I hit when I wake up in the morning.  The chocolate honey-dipped are the best donuts in the world.  I'm sad that they've discontinued the…

India Quality Restaurant

484 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215

Denis K. writes: Once in awhile, life throws you a bone. You'll find that first experience was, in fact, the best one and the rest that follow seem to pale in comparison.

I ate Indian food for the first time at India Quality. India Quality. What a funny name when you…

Sunset Grill and Tap
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

130 Brighton Avenue
Allston, MA 02134

Tom E. writes: This place is Disneyland for beers and so attracts a lot of amatuers, to be frank (ie. 21 year old who orders a yard of ale and then sips it all night). It's a great place to go every once in a while but no-one would ever make this their local. It's…

Channel Cafe
Neighborhood: Waterfront, South Boston

300 Summer St
Boston, MA 02210

Ryan W. writes: This place marked my first foray into the Fort Point Channel area, which has been getting a lot of love lately from the Boston free-daily press.  Although you'll never hear me say this again, Improper was right on when  they termed it a "Best Kept…

Baraka Cafe
Neighborhood: Central Square

80 Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Colin N. writes: Baraka is my secret date spot. Here are some tips you'll need to know for a trip to Baraka.

No booze is served here.  Be prepared to be interesting and not drunk.

The menu is Algerian - think couscous, lamb, fish, eggplant, tomato.

The service is…