_

_

A well-known secret among the restaurant-savvy, Casa Portugal is a great off-beat place for a dining experience that can't be replicated in the Square. Diverse and creative fare, affordable wine, and romantic lighting make Casa Portugal the perfect place to bring a first date. The friendly staff serves mostly seafood and meat dishes (vegetarians beware!) on beautiful Portuguese pottery that also adorns the walls and tables. Try the chourico assado no fogareiro ($7), a pair of sausages served in a flaming clay pig, or the arroz à la valenciana ($14), a paella-esque saffron rice, chicken, linguiça, shrimp, little neck, and red pepper concoction. 1-liter pitcher of sangria $12. Appetizers $7-9, entrees $12-19 (all include a plate of rice and Portugese fries). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

_

_

The renovated Akbar India has transformed itself into the illustrious Haveli. Royal tapestries line every wall of this spacious, relaxed restaurant, decorated in warm reds and golds and accented by lamps and tables from Rajastan. Endulge in vegetarian or meat samosas ($3-3.50), or one of Haveli's inventive cocktails ($3-5), as you wait for one of the delicious entrees ($8-19), from a traditional vindaloo to the more daring lamb jaffrazi ($12). Meals can be ordered a la carte or as a complete dinner, which includes a soup and dessert. All-you-can-eat buffet ($6.95) daily noon-3pm. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

_

There is such a thing as a Fried Green Tomato and you'll find one, and other succulent creole specialities, at Magnolia's, a rare Southern jewel in the heart of Cambridge. Yankees and Rebels alike feel at home in the comfortable and potentially romantic café-like dining room with its fanciful turquoise-and-yellow walls and tiled tabletops. Crispy Fried Oysters ($8) and Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Pecans ($7) are necessary first acts to traditional Jambalaya ($15) and Duck with Raisin rice ($18). You've heard it before, but at Magnolia's you really should save room for dessert—the delightful pecan pie ($5) is fit for any Southern sweet tooth. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

_

_