Buddha's Delight is the only restaurant of its kind in Chinatown, serving strictly vegetarian dishes derived from the Buddhist monastery cuisine of China and Vietnam. I-can't-believe-it's-not-pork, -chicken, -duck, and -shrimp options abound, but the artfully manipulated gluten and soy-based mock-meats become boring very swiftly. Stick to the fresh vegetable and noodle dishes instead. The spin-off, Buddha's Delight Too, has the same menu and an amazing drink selection, but with slightly more upscale décor; their mango shakes and iced milk coffee are delicious. Be ware of the 'satan', or imitation beef; boy will that give you some mad gas! Lunch sets $6-8; dinners $10-12. All-veggie buffet daily 11:30am-4pm (M-F $7.50, Sa-Su $9.50). Buddha's Delight Too located at 404 Harvard St., Brookline (617-739-8830; Green C-Coolidge Corner or #66 Bus). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Took the place of Hu Tieu Nam Vang.

The major selling point of Kaze is its low-key ambience and beautifully tasteful décor. This Chinatown restaurant offers fresh shabu-shabu with a stellar variety of meat and fish. Great place for a group gathering and the perfect spot for a first date. Also, it's opened late (until 3am on the weekends).

Penang is some of the best value for food that you will find. The menu is huge and pretty much everything is delicious and rarely over $7 or $8. Even with a good Malaysian beer you can walk out of Penang with a full, satisfied belly for under $15. One thing to keep in mind is that most dishes have fish, however, there's options for vegetarians and a very tasty chicken and mango dish hidden at the back of the menu for those that eat meat but not fish. Yum.

The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common's stunning in-house dining room serves up classic American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Situated on the ground floor of the Ritz Carlton Residences and the The Sports Club LA, Jer- ne is a sophisticated and polished place to grab a drink, quick bite, or enjoy a long meal with friends. Their winelist is extensive and they serve elegant American flair with a bit of a twist.

The best pho in Boston. It's not a big place and you will definitely have to wait but the food is worth it. You can get many different Vietnamese specialties here, but the recommendation has to be the pho - chicken, beef, even tofu is great. The decor is nothing to write home about but you won't notice once the put that big, steaming bowl of goodness in front of you.

I worked in the Chinatown area for 20+ years and in the last few, this was my favorite eatery. Vietnamese soups, wonderful on a cold day - and also a variety of other meals on the menu. Their shrimp spring rolls are a must-have, and I love the barbecue chicken dish with noodles. Also on the menu- (great in summer!)... fruit shakes (smoothies), fresh spring rolls,rice plates. Friendly service and great prices.

East Ocean City's attentive waitstaff and upscale décor makes it one of the snazziest spots in Chinatown. The beautiful traditional landscapes gracing the walls might be one reason for the relatively high prices, but the food is just as beautiful and traditional, and in-the-know patrons are willing to shell out a little extra for it. The restaurant specializes in seafood, featuring unusual dishes like yu xiang scallops ($16.50) and fried crisp softshell crabs with spicy salt ($20), but its vegetarian selection is also strong. The stir-fried Japanese egg tofu with mixed vegetables ($12) appeals even to those who usually shy away from bean curd, and the Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce ($7.50) is sublime, cooked to perfect tenderness. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

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The Jacob Wirth Restaurant has been a Boston favorite since 1868. While Jacob Wirth's is Boston's only German restaurant and beer hall, it's a pretty authentic one. While an odd mix of regulars and theatergoing out-of-towners fill the airy dining hall's communal tables, area workers pack the front bar area to watch sports and enjoy bargain happy hour food specials. Friday nights attract exceptionally boisterous crowds for a giant sing-along that's driven by a live pianist. They have a whole book of lyrics for anyone (old and new) who inclines to join. They're hardcore! Check the restaurant's website for its weekly specials (three-course meals on Sundays for $20, all-you-can-eat pasta on Tuesdays for $10). Not to mention the beer club! No dues, no hassles, good people, great beer.