I tried to post this once, but it was deleted. Why, I don't know, as its a travel related question!!!

In any case, does anyone have any favorite restaurants in the Boston area that are not well known/publicised? I'm looking for good food at good prices. Examples for me would be

The Franklin cafe
Flour
Nashoba Bakery
Addis Red Sea
Cafe Habib
Himalaya
Shino Express Sushi

Any others?

Rhythm and Spice restaurant in Central Square in Cambridge (central square T stop on the red line--very easy to get to.) Also, lots of affordable but good ethnic restaurants in Central Square. If you go there, go to Toscanini for ice cream.

Central Square kitchen
Centro
Cuchi, Cuchi
all in Central square.

Kalya - what ethnic places do you like in central square?

YES! As a former student in Boston, I know some great spots for good prices.

Hands down, the best deal in my opinion is Carlos Cucina Italiana. It's in Allston or Brighton. I went there so much because the food was amazing, it was very small and family run, and the prices were fantastic. It's ranked very highly in the Zagat's but not very many people know about it, and the average entree is about $10. My favorites were the Fusilli Boscaiola and the Bistecca.

I will look through my restaurant journal and post again later!

Also,

The Brown Sugar Cafe for Thai. The one near Longwood is better than the one in Allston, in my opinion.

It seems like Central Square (Cambridge) is well represented here and I'll add another: Rangzen Tibetan on Pearl Street. Another good choice is Penang in Boston and it's new restaurant in Harvard Square, although I haven't yet eaten at the Harvard Square one. Also the Plough & Stars on Mass Ave between Central and Harvard Squares. It only serves lunch though, but oh, what wonderful lunches!

Pho Pasteur (Vietnamese). I've been to three locations (Allston, Harvard Square, and Chinatown). Outrageously inexpensive and unbelievably delicious food.

A lot of good ideas. I've eaten at most of them, but i look forward to trying Carlos and Rangzen, which I haven't.

House of Tibet outside Davis Square is also good. Another near central is koreana - so far my favorite korean in Boston. House of Siam is my favorite Thai, but I like Brown Sugar as well (and also prefer the Fenway location)

Charles, no one has mentioned Jamaica Plain in any of this. Along Centre Street in the heart of J.P. are eight or nine restaurants -- all "ethnic" --that turn out wonderfully good food at great prices. My favorites: J.P. Seafood (Japanese and Korean), Wonder Spice Cafe (Thai), Bukhara (Indian), and Ban Chiang (Vietnamese).

Has anyone tried Baraka Cafe on Pearl St. in Central Sq? I was reading about it--its tunisian, I believe.

Neal -
Haven't tried any of those, though my girlfriend has been to a couple. I love Perdix on Center street - a little pricey but outstanding food.

Not familiar with Baraka. If it is Tunisian I will definitely go check it out - I've never had tunisian.

Just went to Taqueria La Mexicana in union square, somerville. Excellent taqueria, might be my current Boston favorite (though I'm still quite partial to Tacos Lupita in Davis Square.)

central square Kitchen
centro
cuchi cuchi
salts...all in central sq.

How about Italian? Pat's Pushcart on Endicott. The best IMO.

Is pats pushcart a pushcart, or a restaurant?

Charles,
Pat's Pushcart is a restaurant, which is excellent. It's a small place, but true italian atmosphere and great food!

I'd skip Pho Pasteur. I think it's overrated and overpriced.

Try The Helmand at 143 First Street in Cambridge. It's a wonderful Afghani restaurant owned by the president of Afghanistan's sister. Prices are reasonable, about $11 for an entree. The dinners are excellent, but the bread is exceptional. You'll need to make reservations.

If you're on foot, take the green line to the Lechmere stop and walk down First Street. The Helmand is just passed the Cambridgeside Galleria, but across the street.

Wow. I hadn't thought to see this thread again. The Helmand is excellent, though. And I found Carlo's to be consistently pretty good. Still haven't tried the places on Pearl in Cambridge - I'd forgotten about them.

The Helmand in Cambridge and Definitely Paolo's Trattoria in Charlestown, The best Italian place ever, cozy, fun, great service, great food, prices, and a very neighborhood type feel. Better than any restaurant like it in the north end.