Fajita's & Rita's, Boston - Even though the seating was prompt and the servers were very friendly, I just couldn't get past the blandness of the food. Only about three blocks from the Boston Common theater, it'll do as quick eats before a flick. But if you're out for cheap and good Mexican, stick with Anna's Taqueria in Porter or Davis Squares.
[link out] [map]

Shabu-Zen, Boston - This Japanese-style Shabu-Shabu restaurant sits in the heart of Chinatown, in the vicinity of the renowned Peach Farm and China Pearl restaurants. This kind of eating marked an "event", in which raw ingredients were brought to the table for guests to cook themselves in boiling hotpots of broth. It was a good bet that the lack of non-native guests indicated a high degree of authenticity. Other than a few tables, gaijin were in short supply.

Even during the bustling late dinner rush, service was fast, polite, and competent. Eating here was a nice change from the usual.
[website] [link out ] [map]

Kudos to the folks at The Helmand, an Afghan restaurant in Cambridge, MA. Great eats in the $12-20 range. Choizilla happily recommends the rack of lamb. One bite and you're done for.