What? You’re saying you don’t like our local Applebee’s? 
We used to be there quite often with my prior employer. Two places we enjoyed were Jimmy’s Harborside for baked stuffed lobster and a little place called Florence’s in the North End, near Paul Revere’s home, small private owned Italian place, good food, friendly staff.
Giacomo’s in the North End. Italian Seafood. Reasonable prices. Very yummy.
Dessert (to go) from Mike’s Pastry. The best desserts in the world. The WORLD.
Good grief! Nobody has mentioned Durgin Park yet, probably the most historic and unusual restaurant in the city. Check out its website.
What about Algiers, over the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge? They have light food, a lot of it sort of Middle Eastern-influenced, and their coffees, teas, and chocolate drinks are delish. It’s pretty casual but I find it a nice date to see a movie downstairs and then go upstairs and get some food and orange-mint hot chocolate. I’ve always had really nice people working there too.
Well, Sal Ammoniac was the first to mention it, I just agreed with him. I had come into the thread just to recommend it though.
tdn himself mentioned it in post #5.
Besides, I’m pretty sure he knows about it – we’ve had a Dopefest there.
While we’re listing interesting local restaurants…
Atasca, 50 Hampshire St. (walking distance from the Kendall Square station), Portuguese food
Midwest Grill, 1124 Cambridge St. (a little further walk from the Kendall Square Station), Brazillian food (waiters bring a parade of meat to your table until you tell them to stop. Not sure I’d even want to think about bicycling after that.)
I have sort of the opposite problem. I know lots of local restaurants; can anyone recommend a woman?
Boston Market?
tdn, I’ve been to Asmara, but I’m not totally sure I’d recommend it. It’s quite tasty, but not as delicious as other Ethiopian food I’ve had, and I recall it being quite pricy. I seem to remember preferring Addis Red Sea on Tremont Street, and it definitely has a better ambience.
Atmosphere and interesting history matter? The prices are just slightly above your range for dinner, but other than that Union Oyster House is a fine bet. It isn’t just old, it’s the former apartment of the future King Louis Philippe during the Reign of Terror. Its seafood is as good as you’ll find anywhere, and it’s in a great area to go walking around.
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society.
Seconded on the Wagamama and Porter Exchange. The curry at Cafe Mami is quite good (and if you haven’t had Japanese curry before you’re missing a huge chunk of what makes eating great) and the ramen shop next to it is ok as well. Wagamama is ok food, but it doesn’t taste anything close to what actual Japanese food tastes like.
The only downside to the Exchange is that the atmosphere is a little like you’re eating in a mall. Maybe save it for the next dinner you have? Another restaurant along those lines is Taiwan Cafe in Chinatown. The decor isn’t anything memorable, but the food is fantastic every single time. I can’t tell you how many times I came over from Cambridge just to pick up some food from them. The only caveat is to not order the soup (very meh), but make sure you try the eggplant and basil.
I love Artu’s for great Italian food. It’s near the Old North Church at 6 Prince Street. A hole in the wall, but the food is divine.
Hey, I ate there just the other night.
The service sucked ass.
I used to be a big fan of Brown Sugar in Allston, next to the Shaw’s on Comm Ave. If you like the authentic Thai stuff. (They have a “country style” menu as well as the gringo fare.)
I’m a sucker for Spice in Harvard Square, Cambridge, on Holyoke Street, I think. Again, if you like Thai…
The waiter could spit in my face as long as I can get dynamite shrimp. Mmm… Next time you go ask for Andrew, at least I think that’s his name. He’s really tall and big and has worked there for a long time. Always good service.