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.

The Burren, a great rocky expanse in Ireland's County Clare, is one of the world's truly unique places. Its ancient, awe inspiring stone structures hold secrets from the past that may never be unraveled. Closer to home, The Burren, Irish Pub and Restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square, is now one of Boston's truly unique places. It captures the mythical nature of its namesake with a rich old world feel that takes hold and slowly pulls you toward another time. Open since January 1996, the Burren's history reaches back farther than that. It is actually the realization of a dream shared by two young Irish musicians, Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello. Tommy and Louise began playing together nearly 10 years earlier. Today people can gather to enjoy a drink, the warmth of good friends and the excitement of live traditional Irish music, in the Burren, a dream come true.

OK, so you are in Davis Square. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Check, check. Then head on over to busy Elm Street and pop into the Joshua Tree. Tucked inside this Somerville institution you will find a whole lot of food, and a whole lot of booze. Lots of beer on tap and a lively locals conversing with music in the background, does it get better than that? This lively Tufts hangout packs in the crowds with its enormous bar, a proliferation of large flat-screen TVs, and Top 40 hits playing from the DJ booth. The 65-item menu runs the gamut from Southwestern specialties like quesadillas to more traditional and expensive grilled steak. The bar is definitely the main attraction though, so if you're adventurous, try the 83oz beer tappers ($28.50), served in a long glass tube, or show up during any Red Sox game for cheap beer ($2.50 lite drafts) and half-priced appetizers. Sunday brunch 10:30am-3pm. Entrees $7-16. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

A nearly life-sized bas-relief elephant welcomes visitors to the Elephant Walk, where the pseudo-imperial outpost, Eastern-minimalist-meets-Cambridge-bourgeoisie décor reflects the two-toned, post-colonial menu: half French, half Cambodian. Both sides are outstanding and equally popular, though the Cambodian dishes tend to be more strongly flavored and certainly more novel. On the French side, the beet and sweet pear is tasty, filling, and on par with those of more expensive French restaurants ($9.50). Perfect for sharing, Croustillants de Crabes serves 2 crispy soft shell crabs with chilled spicy noodes in sesame oil, ginger, and scallions. As for entrees, the Loc lac (beef tenderloin in a soy, garlic, and pepper sauce; $19) is better and more unusual than the French steak options, while salads and plenty of seafood and vegetarian dishes abound. Desserts, all sprinkled with elephant-shaped cocoa, includes delectable crêpes de fruit au cointreau ($7). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.