CAMBRIDGE. Tired of the same old pizza? Head to Emma's, where you're sure to find anything but the usual. Emma's serves piping hot creations with paper-thin crusts and fanciful toppings that render pepperoni and mushrooms passé. Try a pie graced with goat cheese, hot pepper, prosciutto, and Tuscan rosemary sauce, or go for a fresh salad adorned with homemade dressing. Sandwiches also have their share of fans.

CHINATOWN. Recognized as having some of Boston's freshest, tastiest sushi, this popular restaurant also serves until late in the night. Signature maki rolls are good enough to transform first-timers into regulars, and other Japanese dishes like yakiniku and nabemono-barbecue also prove satisfying. Waitresses decked out in traditional Japanese kimonos hurry about the room, making sure guests are accommodated.

WEST METRO. Folks west of Boston need not travel all the way into the city to enjoy great sushi. No, they can get that at Watertown's rather stylish New Ginza, younger sibling of the popular Chinatown spot. Like its elder, this location draws rave reviews for its creative takes on maki, nigiri and sashimi, all of them made with fresh-from-the-sea ingredients and some of them named after local icons like the Pats, Sox and Celtics. In addition, their delicious "hot" dishes like yaki-niku and nabemono are sound alternatives if you're not in the mood for the raw.

BROOKLINE. Take a pair of brothers whose capacity for creativity knows few limits, give them fresh seafood, and if you're lucky you'll get something like this popular sushi bar. Such delicious devotion to achieve the perfect harmony of flavors ­ a never-ending quest for the Brothers San, to be sure ­ explains the large crowds intimate Oishii draws from night to night. Specialties include seaweed-wrapped Oyster Sushi, Shiitake Mushroom Tempura Roll, Fluke Sashimi and Boston Maki. Fairly-priced lunch box specials come with miso and salad, and the restaurant also serves up clams, nabemono dishes and yaki ishi plates prepared tableside.

MATTAPAN. It's Southern-style BBQ up North! Regulars have almost made a cult following of this Mattapan barbecue joint. You can smell the delicious beef ribs and tangy chicken cooking as soon as you get close to this small eatery. Down home food like homemade macaroni and cheese and candied yams round out the menu. The food is exceptional--especially when you can get a full meal at about $8.00 per customer! Takeout available.