With its romantic, dimly-lit interior and elegant decor, Gargoyles on the Square is the perfect restaurant to bring a date and hide the fact that he's more Tom Hanks than Brad Pitt. This fantastic Somerville establishment offers innovative and affordable fare that ranges from the classic to the exotic. The menu changes at least once a month; past dishes include appetizers of Salmon Carpaccio ($12) and Country Style Pate ($9.25), and entrees like Seared Duck Breast ($23). There are only a few vegetarian entrees, such as Saffron Gnocchi ($18), but these are supplemented by several veggie appetizers and salads. Adventurous carnivores will be delighted with the chef's original presentation of game meats (Grilled Venison $21). A cheaper but equally gourmet bar menu starts at 5pm and is a well-kept secret of restaurant regulars. Reservations recommended. Appetizers $9-11, entrees $18-24. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

For those who have a craving for a Nathan’s hot dog but can’t make it to Coney Island, Spike’s Junkyard Dogs is the next best thing. At Spike’s, it’s all about the toppings—with a separate table dedicated to everything from Sauerkraut to relish to various types of mustards. Each concoction has a clever dog-themed name—everything from the Junkyard Dog to The Mutt (a plain dog on a roll) Non-meat eaters rave about their veggie hot dogs. And fry enthusiasts love their curly Poodle fries topped with cheese.

There’s a lot of fried goodness at Cristo’s 7 Star Pizza. With awesome cheese sticks and fried mushrooms, it’s the perfect spot to indulge after a hangover. Greek pizza is generally less greasy. However, it takes several napkins to sop up the drippings from this Davis Square joint. Try Cristo's traditional Greek goods—like their Gyro special or their tasty chicken kebab instead. And for the folks who are lucky to live in the Davis Square area, Cristo’s offers speedy and free delivery. Here's their menu: http://www.mit412.com/menus/Cristos_Pizza.pdf

Owners Dechen and Choesang Martsa recently revamped their quaint storefront restaurant on Elm Street in Davis Square. The duo serves up some tasty traditional dishes from their native Tibet as well specialties from India. Martsa on Elm Street serves up great vegetarian dishes including bhajis (crispy onion and potatoes deep fried in chickpea batter) or vegetable momos (steamed or fried half-moon dumplings). Also, the prices are reasonable so you can have a nice sit-down dinner on the cheap.

Craving an authentic Mexican burrito with traditional flavors and healthy ingredients? Anna’s Taqueria at Davis Square is a refreshing respite in an area full of overpriced Mexican joints. The décor is no frills compared to nearby Qdoba and the new kid on the block, Chipotle. However, you’ll go loco over Anna’s top-notch meats and poultry. And, with meals averaging $6 and under, you can’t beat the price.

Namaskar offers fine Indian cuisine with a Pakistani spin. The food is authentic and the restaurant’s curry chicken is some of the best in the area. Compared to Diva, their prices are on the cheap but their décor lacks some of the flair offered by their Indian neighbor. One caveat: Namaskar's $7 lunch buffet boasts fewer options and it’s probably best to order straight from their dinner menu.

In an area with almost no fast-food restaurants, this is an atypical McDonald’s in the sense that the food is fresher and the service is better than expected. The location hosts a bevy of Davis Square old-timers who meet up daily for coffee and to swap stories and neighborhood gossip. It’s a great place to get plugged into what Somerville was like before the onslaught of yuppies and Tufts students.

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