Redline fills the niche between Grendel's (friendly and lowkey) and Noir (expensive poseur). The bar is sophisticated in an unthreatening way, and drinks are remarkably reasonable, topping out at $8 for premium cocktails. Generous martinis are a very decent $7. Redline is usually crowded at night, especially after 1, when it picks up barflys from other local establishments. Despite its size, Redline has room both for lounge lizards and a small dancefloor complete with weekend DJs. Crowds notwithstanding, table service is quick and friendly, so grab a back table if you can. The kitchen specializes in fast, low-prep grill and pasta dishes at the same price point as other Harvard Square establishments attempting to win the sophisticated crowd. Lunch is usually less than $10, and dinner is pricier (appetizers $6-12, entrees $13-20, desserts $7-10). The substantial meat or pasta dishes are a pleasant surprise, proving that this bar and restaurant can indeed both fill your stomach with meat and potatoes and satisfy your jones for drinks and dancing. Sister establishment to Grafton Street and Temple Bar.

Om is a Harvard Square restaurant headed by New York and Providence chef Rachel Klein, who was named Best New Chef by Boston magazine in 2006. Chef Klein challenges her customers with innovative recipes and fresh and funky ingredients. Try Om for a shot of Zen in your dining experience. This place featuresover-the-top Zen luxury decor, a wall-ter fall, fancypants cocktails, and a whimisical bar menu. There are 2 floors to this place, the 1st floor is the dance floor which is pretty small. The 2nd floor is more of just a lounge. They only have single bathrooms, so the lines can be quite long, even for guys. However, don't get stuck in line - there are two sets of bathrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. Deb Klein is no longer the chef and the cuisine last time I was there was disappointing and ordinary. The drinks are still good if you don't mind the NYC prices.

Bombay Club serves savory, MSG-free Indian cuisine. Be sure to sit by the window; glass walls overlooking JFK St. add light and excitement to the otherwise boxy, charmless dining room. The extensive menu of seafood, chicken, lamb, and vegetarian specialties is sure to please. Try a specialty naan baked with chicken, fruit, almonds, or cheese to whet your appetite. Tandooris include Tandoori Mirch, peppers stuffed with spicy cheese from the Punjab region, and Tandoori Shrimp Shashlik from the coast of Kerala. Indecisive diners should consider The Badshahi Thali ($16.50), a culinary sampler including several small dishes, naan, tea, and sweet, sticky gulab jamun for dessert. 10 course lunch buffet only $8, served M-F 11:30am-3pm, while the extensive Sunday brunch goes for $12 with all the mini-dosa your hangover can handle. Entrees $8-16. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Wagamama concept is modeled on the Ramen shops popular in Japan for over 200 years. Ramen are chinese-style thread noodles, served in soups with delicious toppings or griddle-cooked (teppan-fried). Wagamama has also a variety of side dishes including meat and vegetable dumplings, skewered chicken, deep-fried prawns and raw salads. You can enjoy a meal and drink for under $10 per head. Another branch is in Fanueil Hall.

Imagine Spice, add pictures to the menu, and you've got 9 Tastes. Nearly identical in choice, price, and quality to big sister Spice, 9 Tastes serves the Thai restaurant's extensive array of both standard and creative meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Nibble on beef satay or Khao Tang Na Tang (puffed rice cake crackers with shrimp and chicken dip, $6) before diving into your drunken noodles ($10) or mango curry ($12). Spice your meal how you see fit; however, don't miss regional options like the Kha Pla ($13), a “new adventure from Northeastern Thailand” or the conventionally delicious Pad Thai ($7). Delivery in limited area 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm everyday. $2.00 charge for delivery. Minimum order $10.00. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Wholesome and homey, with roaring fires and creaky floorboards, this restored gem of old Cambridge radiates with the glow of a cozy Alpine ski lodge. Dust the snow off your boots, shuffle inside and thumb through a menu of thoroughly good and varied fare, from lobster risotto to Spanish chicken ragout. For those who prefer light dining to feasting, the restaurant offers half-portions at significantly lower prices. The pork medallions a la saltimbocca ($20), stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese, is a succulent, flavorful treat well worth trying. Full-sized entrees range $20-$25, but there's no pricing the genuinely warm, attentive and welcoming service that greets you from the moment you enter. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Executive Chef Wali Ahmad, popular star of the acclaimed Indian TV show "Khana Khazana" ("Food Treasures"), chose a simple, subterranean Harvard Square dining room as the ideal site for introducing his unique offerings to American palates. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, Tamarind Bay offers eclectic yet authentic Indian cooking. Started in 2004, Tamarind Bay combines the knowledge, ambition and traditions of the owners BS Ajai Kumar and Vikas Kapoor and introduces guests to variation of Indian cuisine in a sophisticated yet intimate setting. "Spice of the Month" dinners are held the second Monday of every month. The dinners include a prix-fixe menu, cooking demonstrations and an informative discussion.

A reincarnation of the famed brunch spot UpStairs at the Pudding, UpStairs on the Square is divided into 2 main lounges. Both overlooking Withrop Square, the more casual Monday Club Bar downstairs and the sophisticatedly hushed Soiree Room upstairs are glittering and whimsical creations right out of a fairy-tale. Upstairs, nothing comes cheap: even appetizers run $12-15. Delectable menu options include rabbit two ways ($30) and Maine scallops ($28). The chocolate soufflé cake ($10) borders on a religious experience. The Monday Bar serves more traditional and wallet-friendly fare (in addition to some big screen TVs), though it's true that you get what you pay for. They both share the same pastry chef, though, so don't forget dessert downstairs. UpStairs complements its thesis-length wine list with a wide range of beers ($5.50+) and cocktails ($9.50+). Reservations are highly recommended. Afternoon tea: served from 3 til 5 pm, Thursday to Saturday and consists of a tea of your choice plus savories and sweets. As of May 2007 it costs $25 (add $7 for a glass of bubbly). The tea is poured from antique silver teapots and the food, served on a three-tiered silver stand, is a break from the norm with alternative breads like focaccia featuring highly and a prominent role for bacon-wrapped dates ('devils on horseback'). Interestingly, for $18 you can instead get a peppermint afternoon tea - mint tea, mint chocolate, mint parfait and mint brownie. Go here to impress a date. It'll make you look cultured without making making you feel stuffed up. Tea treats rotate on different days, which is nice. They are also flexible with changing the food to leave out something you don't like, say if you want more sweets than savouries or go vegetarian. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

In the Square's wide selection of Indian restaurants, Tanjore makes its mark with regional specialties. With a longer, more varied menu than your run of the mill Indian restaurant, you're not going to get just a colored chicken curry. This “temple of food” is a vegetarian's delight. The navratan tikka masala ($10) is a lighter, vegetarian version of the ol' standby chicken tikka masala ($11). Come for the plentiful lunch buffet ($7.50), and you'll understand why their motto is “eat at Tanjore and add some spice to your life.” Everything is always fresh, even for the buffet. Have the mango lassi ($3.50) to cool your palate after all that spice. Appetizers $4-9. Entrees $11-14. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Despite the fancy Cantabrigian clientele (including the mistress of munch herself, Dame Julia Child), Henrietta's Table exudes a friendly and relaxed atmosphere well suited to its simple, delicious New England cuisine. Meals begin with the best bread you've ever had, an incredible cranberry-walnut concoction ($16 in Henrietta's mini-store). The menu sticks to the country kitchen basics (meatloaf, fish, pork chops, chicken), all prepared with the freshest of seasonal ingredients. Mix and match from a selection of side dishes ($4.50), including golden, griddle-cooked hash browns. But don't forget to save room for dessert ($7), especially the acclaimed chocolate bread pudding. Good wine list and a separate full bar, as well as patio seating. Also the best and most expensive brunch ($39) in Harvard Square. Entrees $13-17, specials $22-28. Su-Th dinner special 2 courses for $24, 3 courses $30, including sides. Children under 5 eat for free and ages 6-12 get half off! This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.