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.