Two weekend visits to this relatively new subterranean Sichuan eatery in Harvard Square (Eliot…read moreStreet) with a very inviting interior and some VERY spicy dishes. -- Vegetarian Cold Noodle: Firm, peanut buttery, satisfying. Not spicy. Not too saucy, so you can "feel" the noodle, but I would have liked more vegetables. -- Yibin Fiery Noodles: Warm and similarly al dente, these were manageably spicy. Meat crumble, seeds or nuts, scallions, and heat. -- Red and Green Pepper Chicken: Batterless but crisp, tender, and not boneless. Relentlessly spicy from several heat sources and kaleidoscopically delicious. The closest comparison is dry hot chicken that also goes by a few other names, but this was better. Elite, and the best thing I ate in all of 2025, but sadly no longer on the menu. -- Stone Pot Tofu: Billed as Ma Po Tofu sizzling in a stone pot, but no sizzle and no stone pot. Identified as very spicy but minimally spicy and more numbing (more "ma" than "la"). I enjoyed the overall flavor (heavily seasoned) and the saltiness of the fermented black beans. Despite some of the menu discrepancies, this was a really good version for my tastes. Near-elite. -- Green Beans With Eggplant: Strong flavor, not too hot spicewise, but volcanically hot temperaturewise. Decent. -- Chicken and Clams: Black bean flavor, whole peppercorns, spicy but loaded with flavor beyond the spice. A deceptively huge and quite delicious. Elite. -- Beef Spring Rolls: Not my choice. Crisp, beefy, and chili sauce on the side added contrast. Solid, but boring, more typical of an Americanized offering, and a waste of an opportunity given Too Hot's killer menu. -- Pork Belly with Fermented Beans: Superb rendition, not drastically different from twice cooked pork, but much more flavor and giant pieces. Near-elite to Elite. -- Shrimp in Dry Hot Pot: Tons of dry rub spiciness, giant shrimp, chopped vegetables, and crinkle cut potatoes. Near-elite. -- Brussels Sprouts w/Shallots: More subtle flavors here but hardly bland. Fried shallots had sort of an onion ringy presence in miniature. Cooked just right. Outstanding overall experience, with the best dish on the first visit and almost all winners on the second. Kudos to the friendly and helpful service, including a server suggestion to switch an item after noticing we ordered two very similar items. Eager to return often and try even more of the menu.

Pretty solid szechuan spot in Harvard Square! I made a reservation to ensure no wait time and at…read morethe time, I had to make it quite early so it seems like a popular spot. Interior felt very modern and sleek - it was a bit small as well so it was a little cramped between tables and walking areas. The menu had a good selection of szechuan fare and we ended up sharing some of their popular dishes. I enjoyed the large fish one which was a good size for a family. Everything tasted authentic, my only qualm was paying for rice - you can't not have rice and it seems ridiculous to pay $3 for one bowl. Overall, a solid restaurant and option for Chinese food in Harvard Square.

Staff was friendly and offered great reca…read more Lobster Roe Pasta with Lobster meat . Worth the $$$. GET IT!!!!! Ribs were super tender. Salmon neck could've used more char but still good. Tuna poke fresh. Matcha ice cream was nice.

*Limited Street Parking (Resident Pass Required)…read more The vibes is here are great, it has dim lighting and is pretty busy but small so I would recommend getting a reservation. They have a limited menu with some items being seasonal but the waiters are very helpful and will let you know. I strongly recommend the toro, it is on the pricey side for $55 but it is one of their most popular dishes and I would say it's worth it. One dish that was recommended by everyone that I was a little disappointed about was the lobster roe pasta. It was good but I didn't enjoy it as much as expected and it started become gummy like so if you don't eat it quickly, it may become like this. It is a little plain without the lobster meat but there is an additional $15 charge so that is up to you. We also got another dish, I forget the name I think it was some black bean octopus over rice. But this dish was great with a little spice to it. Enjoyed the sake flight as well, the menu is pretty descriptive so you can pick and choose which ones that look good to you.

If I could give Lucky Tiger more than five stars I absolutely would…read more From the moment we checked in to the moment we reluctantly checked out hours later this experience was nothing short of amazing. Huge shoutout to Eduardo, the manager, who went above and beyond to make our sisters holiday outing feel special and intentional, and to our server Paulina, who was attentive, warm, and truly wanted everything to be perfect. And it was. Let's talk ambiance first because whew. Chic. Stylish. Aesthetic on aesthetic. Even the walk to the bathroom felt curated. Ladies... the mirror alone deserves a moment. Full body selfie approved. Now the drinks. The mocktail I had was SO good. Balanced, flavorful, refreshing. I like a mocktail that has flavor and layers without being super sweet. The apps thoughhhhhh! They deserve their own paragraph because baby... The crab rangoon was TO DIE FOR. That old school wrap dough situation? I have been hunting for that exact texture and flavor forever. My fave restaurant switched dough and I haven't had a good Rangoon since then until now. It was crispy, nostalgic, and perfect. The fried egg rolls? Delicious. The pickled cucumbers? Bright and refreshing and er literally ate every drop, lol. But the WINNER... those fall off the bone ribs. I might have made a sound when I bit into them. Cooked to perfection. A full blown flavor party in my mouth. The scallion pancakes were the only thing that did not hit for me. The dough was thicker and heavier than I prefer. I love mine light and airy like traditional scallion pancakes. If they leaned that way I would have been obsessed. Our main courses... baybeeee The Dan Dan noodles... I did not even get a bite. I went to ask my sister for a taste and they were GONE. All of them. That says everything. My other sister loved the dumplings and even more that they fried them for her instead of serving them traditionally. And the sauce with those dumplings... Let me tell you about the sauce. I am OBSESSED. I took some home and Eduardo generously gave me more to take. That is top tier service and an at home sauce party, lol. My fried house rice was excellent. The mix of veggies and flavors was perfection. With everything else we ordered I could not even finish it. And then... dessert. Eduardo and Paulina surprised us with a complimentary cheesecake that was so light and decadent, topped with fruit and homemade whipped cream. Next time I am absolutely saving space for that. The customer service was truly top tier. The decor, the food, the staff, the background music. Everything PERFECT. My sisters and I sat for hours. We laughed. We ate. We shared emotions. We were present. That alone tells you how comfortable and welcoming this space is. I would go back today. I cannot wait to bring my husband and some of my fellow foodies. Yelp Elite gang... this place is officially five star approved. GOO!

Such a fun restaurant to check out in Charlestown! We stopped by on weekday nights and it wasn't…read morebeen too busy. We decided to order some appetizers, which were definitely the stars of the meal! Highly recommend the crab rangoons and scallion pancakes. For entree, I recommend getting a sushi roll. Both the salmon and tuna rolls are delicious! The udon noodles were a let down and just too salty but everything else was amazing! It is a bit pricy for the food you are getting but overall a great dinner experience. Staff is super friendly and food comes out really quick. This spot is also stunning on the inside making it a really fun spot to check out.

Myers+Chang is a modern Asian-inspired restaurant that blends flavors from across East and…read moreSoutheast Asia into a menu built around small, shareable plates. We walked into a space with an energetic atmosphere, an open kitchen, a lively dining room, and a contemporary design that makes the restaurant feel both casual and polished. The layout encourages ordering several dishes for the table, and the variety across the menu makes it easy to build a meal that feels different with each visit. The small plates are the biggest draw because they let you try a wide range of flavors without committing to a single entrée. The pork belly buns are one of the signature dishes, featuring tender pork inside soft steamed buns with a balance of sweet and savory flavors. The dan dan noodles are another standout with their rich, spicy sauce, while the Brussels sprouts have developed a strong following thanks to their crispy texture and bold seasoning. We also appreciated that many dishes are available as half portions, making it easier to sample more of the menu without ordering too much food. The menu offers a good balance between familiar favorites and more creative dishes, with each plate feeling thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavor. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, making it easy for groups with different dietary preferences to find something they enjoy. The service matched the pace of the restaurant during our visit. The staff were attentive, dishes came out steadily as they were ready, and the servers were helpful with recommendations for building a meal around multiple small plates. The restaurant stays busy throughout the evening, so making a reservation is a good idea, especially for dinner or larger groups. Myers+Chang is one of the better places in Boston for creative Asian-inspired small plates. The combination of bold flavors, shareable portions, lively atmosphere, and consistently strong service makes it a restaurant that is easy to return to, especially if you enjoy trying a variety of dishes instead of ordering a traditional entrée.

Celebrated Lunar New Year dinner at Myers & Chang! While owners Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers…read morewere away in Asia, the staff did a good job "holding down the fort". Staff was very knowledgeable about each entree, and provided information about how entrees were cooked and served. They also had a "halvsies" menu of half-size portions (ideal portions for one or two diners). Started with the Mama Chang Pork Dumplings, which were excellent, and the cauliflower appetizer (a little spicy, but very good). Liked the udon noodles with chicken and bok choy, although a little less red chili pepper would have suited my tastes better (good for those who like a bit of zing to their food). The lettuce wrap chicken was well worth the 20-minute wait. Finished with the lemon ginger mousse, which was very light. The fortune cookie on the mousse was fresh and crisp, so good that some thought it might have been baked at Joanne Chang's Flour Cafe and Bakery. The finish was extra nice, with a red lucky envelope with chocolates accompanying the check, an orange at each table (signs for good fortune in the New Year), and red decorations hanging in the restaurant to create a festive setting. Good choice for the start of the New Lunar Year of the Fire Horse!

Ordered takeout on a rainy day from The Silk and did not regret it. I got the chicken noodles…read more(street style), chicken manchurian, and cauliflower manchurian - fantastic food! I got everything mild with sauces on the side and that was definitely the way to go. The chicken manchurian is quite hot/spicy even at the mild level so I was glad about the mild selection.

Went to this restaurant as in walking distance in Brookline. This is an apparently elevated Indian…read morefood restaurant. The food was interesting, the saag was blended to smoother creamy sauce with a hint of mushroom or truffle which was unexpected. The food was generally too spicy hot for mild. We are glad we didn't order spicier. naan was delicious. Salad was huge - enough for four to six people. Food tasted good. Good presentation. Staff could work on clearing plates earlier or using smaller plates. The table was absolutely cluttered unnecessarily. A few things stood out as questionable. Our waiter seemed a little spacy. Order didn't go in on time and then also forgot details. So maybe our food was spicier bc he forgot that we ordered mild. Also, I noticed water dripping from the kitchen ceiling and this kind of took away my appetite. Staff very apologetic for delays in our food order.

Walked in on a Thursday 7p, and it looked busy with a few tables open. This establishment clearly…read moredisplays a sign restricting guests to 70min. Street-side metered parking is easily accessible, and you are just steps from the Avon Hill mansions! Vibe: relatively casual with bar, dining, and outdoor seating options. promptly greeted, seated, and served. Food 4.5/5: - I applaud them for their ingenuity integrating Thai flavors into American fare! Everything was very accessible. - I had the crispy basil burger ($20): minimally spicy, perfectly juicy, nice runny egg, not overpowering in flavor but just what I was hoping for, would get again - my friend had the massaman curry burger ($20) which had more cinnamon than I was expecting; solid burger but not genuinely massaman flavored - we shared the larb parmesan fries ($12): great potato fries with spicy larb sauce, but not anything to dream about - real star of the night was the mango sticky rice sundae ($13): I've had my fair share of these; and this was among the most satisfying ones I've had We didn't get drinks, but they looked incredible. In short, if you're looking for a good, $20 burger with a Thai twist or a delicious mango sticky rice in a casual atmosphere, Black Ruby has got you!

Black Ruby completely exceeded my expectations. The idea of Thai-American fusion with craft burgers…read moreand pasta sounded intriguing, but the food was genuinely impressive. Our favorites were the Mussels in Red Curry Rice Wine, Red Curry Bolognese, Massaman Beef Burger, and Mango Sticky Rice. Each packed with flavor and executed beautifully. The Thai Iced Tea was also excellent, while the Thai Ice Espresso Martini just wasn't for me. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the restaurant itself was clean, cozy, and inviting. The only downsides were that they had run out of their sourdough brioche buns, which I was excited to try, and reservations were tough to get as we had to book about a month in advance. Even so, it's easy to see why this place is so popular. I'll definitely be back and hopefully try some of the burgers with those sourdough buns next time.

TLDR: Potentially…read moreone of my favorite Chinese restaurants in all of Massachusetts! Beautiful interior, centrally located, and delicious, high-quality food. Will definitely find a reason to come back here soon. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] STIR-FRIED CABBAGE W/ PORK BELLY (5/5) Presentation was phenomenal (in a clay pot with its own burner underneath to keep it hot). The portion was much larger than expected, and most importantly, it tasted incredible. Generous amounts of pork in this, and the sauce was authentic and addicting. 2. SCALLION CHICKEN (5/5) Another great choice. This was a huge portion with lots of tender chicken, and the scallion was present without being overpowering. 3. CRISPY BEEF WITH FRIED DOUGH STICKS (5/5) I was expecting Chinese you tiao but these were actually the small, ultra crispy manhua twists! Paired with the beef, this was a large and unique dish that I loved. The crispiness of the mahua made this a textural delight to eat. 4. MANGO SAGO DESSERT (5/5) Big portion, wonderful assortment of toppings including grapefruit, mango, sago, and popping balls over a creamy dessert soup base. 5. PEKING DUCK (4/5) I think I'm a tough critic since I just came back from Beijing and had so much Peking duck there. We ordered the half portion here and it had a generous amount of meat for not being the full portion. There were an assortment of accompaniments, including pineapple (new to me) and sugar (like the Beijing style) which were welcome additions. The wrappers were steamed well and didn't curl up on the edges. Overall this was a solid Peking duck, but the meat wasn't as standout as I was hoping. 6. STEAMED PORK SOUP DUMPLING (4/5) Solid soup dumplings. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely hit the spot. 7. SAUTEED PEA SPROUTS (4/5) Another solid classic. 8. PORK MEATBALL IN CRAB MEAT SAUCE (4/5) This was the most unique thing we ordered. I've never had a shi zi tou meatball with crab meat sauce before. The meatball itself was large (maybe size of a tennis ball), tender, and fatty, as it should be. It was then drowned in a generous lake of traditional crab meat sauce. If you're not a fan of crab meat then this might be a bit too fishy for you, but honestly it all combined surprisingly well and I grew to like this dish more and more with each bite. I wasn't the biggest fan to start, but by the end I wouldn't have minded getting another one! ------ AMBIANCE / ENVIRONMENT: * The interior has the classic Asian style of decor, but you can tell it was recently built / renovated because everything felt new and fresh. * The ambiance also felt more new-school luxurious vs. the typical Asian establishments that are more no-frills with as many tables packed in as possible * You're still somewhat close to the tables around you, but it's not overwhelming during lunch time and we still felt like we had enough space regardless * There's a bar area at the front of the restaurant and then a large, spacious dining room in the back * This is a great place for a date or a meaningful family gathering * Right outside is Boston Common, making this restaurant very well-located for lunch before or after a nice day in the park. While there's lots of parking around the park, a spot itself can be hard to come by, so your best bet might be to use the nearby parking garage instead ------ SERVICE: * Overall the service was great and quick. They did forget our tea, but when we asked for it later they apologized profusely and were quick to bring it out for us * This place fills up quickly so be sure to come early if you don't have a reservation or if you're a big enough group, make a reservation for your desired dining time

Xiao Long Bao (5/10): Not worth ordering. To their credit, at least there was soup inside. The…read morefilling was not very flavorful, though. I had this with my Shanghainese relatives and they thought it was so bad Fish Slices w/ Pickled Mustard Greens (6.5/10): This tasted fine. The fish itself was not memorable. The spice level was ok, but could've been spicier. Crab Roe over Rice (7/10): Pretty tasty, but more of a side dish. Peking Duck (7/10): Honestly, I never order Peking duck unless I'm with my relatives. It tasted good to me, but pretty comparable to other Peking ducks I've had in the US. I think this is their #1 specialty dish or something, so knowing that, it doesn't really live up to the hype. tl;dr Too expensive for the quality of food you get.