Also known as "New Shanghai" (that's how they answer the phone) Shanghai Cafe offers gourmet Chinese cuisine from different regions of China prepared with the "finest ingredients" (their laguage). Located close enough to Chinatown to boast authenticity and centrally accessible to please the Theatre District crowd, this top-notch Chinese establishment also boasts karaoke. Deliveries outside their small circle (such as the South End) have a small delivery charge ($4?)and often take 45+ mins. They are consistent in quality.

Located on the outskirts of Chinatown and within steps away from the Boston Common, this Chinese restaurant offers excellent vegetarian dishes including the Family Style Bean Curd (deep fried curd sauteed with veggies) and the Vegetarian Delight (Chinese veggies cooked in a light sauce). While Beijing on the Common is more Americanized compared to the eateries in nearby Chinatown, this restaurant serves up healthy, larger-than-usual portions at reasonable prices.

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.

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Recognizing that the community it served was part of a more diverse one, Cathay Bank adopted the motto "An Open Door for All." Its rapid expansion was fueled by successive waves of immigration, burgeoning trade between America and Asia, and the economic development of the surrounding community.

Two large concrete stallions greet patrons at this classy Theatre District restaurant. The ambience at P.F. Chang's China Bistro is contemporary Asian with a traditional Chinese twist. Regulars rave about the menu with its tasty orange-peel beef and wok-fried scallops with lemon sauce. Foodies also enjoy the bistro’s presentation which includes table-side service where sous chefs prepare the restaurant’s signature sauces and eclectic Asian flavors. Also, their wine selection is excellent.

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.

Hong Kong Eatery is located in Chinatown and is a Chinese restaurant serving traditional dishes as well as barbecued duck, port, chicken, and beef. This is a popular restaurant in the neighborhood, so expect the authentic experience.

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).

Sweet pineapple buns, flavorful curried beef pastries, and delicate airy sponge cake with whipped cream frosting-- if your mouth isn't watering yet...what are you, dead? Eldo Cake House makes sweet and spicy delicacies that will have you going back for more, so try one of everything if you can because they are very reasonably priced. This is the little bakery that could...and does.