Valter Vitorino opened Cafe Brazil, Boston's home for Brazilian cuisine, in 1986. Much of the clientele consists of the area's substantial Brazilian population (though that has evolved along with the demographics of Alston), who come to enjoy true-to-home versions of Brazilian classics like and Brazil's national dishes, like feijoada, Moqueca, churrasco, black beans, rice, salads, and desserts. Vitorino himself hails form the town of Minas Gerais, and as it is generally accepted that Brazilian dishes tend to differ slightly from place to place, Cafe Brazil reflects the regional cooking Vitorino grew up on in Minas Gerais. Brazilian hospitality abounds from the moment a customer enters the restaurant, and the staff welcomes you as though you were in their home. Service is prompt and friendly, and the entire staff works together to cover the whole restaurant. The food comes out very quickly, too. The menu is quite extensive, and if a diner is unfamiliar with Brazilian cuisine, the staff will happily guide you to something delicious. Many of the dishes come on sizzling plates, and all of the food is very fresh. There's also a karaoke room with a small stage in addition to 2 dining rooms.

With over 112 beers on tap, this “University of Beer” could offer you a new brew every night of senior spring and still have more than 300 bottled varieties left over. Believe it or not, however, pints, yards, and table taps are not the only reasons that serious scholars of beer matriculate here: unlike at many other bars, the food is actually good. Old-fashioned favorites like huge burgers ($5), BBQ ribs ($15), and nachos ($6-10) help fortify your stomach against the onslaught. If you feel like shaking things up, try a “beertail” like the “Dirty Ho”—half Lindemann's Framboise and half Hoegaarden ($6)—or “Black Magic”—a mix of Magic Hat #9 and Guinness ($5). A full menu until 1am will satisfy any late night craving. Entrees $5-20. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. I would say the only downsides are that they close fairly early and that parking is tough to come by on weekends. But the hike is worth it if you are looking for a place with good beer, good people, and a great atmosphere. Check out the complimentary "midnight madness" buffet on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights, midnight to 1am.

Enjoy the 3 Ps of college nightlife—pool, pizza, and pitchers—at this friendly pool hall and bar. Its a great place to start a night, either catching the big game on the plasma screens (Su-Th $4/hr before 6pm, $10/hr after 6pm; F-Sa $6/12)or starting some action of your own in one of the two full ballrooms of 21 champion-sized pool tables, which offer both the amateur and the shark a comfortable environment. $20 gets you an hour of pool, a 1-topping pie and a beer of your choice. You'll need to have your game face on to attack the incredible number of draft beer choices at the bar, which can wash down the extensive pub menu (appetizers $4.25-7.50, sandwiches $5.50-7) served until 1am. There's also a private lounge complete with a pool table, leather couches, and TV. A favorite for college kids on the weekends, Big City attracts a mellow business and local crowd during the week. Enjoy free pool with the purchase of lunch M-F 11:30am-3pm. Celebrate your billiards victory or forget your sorrows as you dance the rest of the night away at any one of the surrounding young singles' hotspots. Live music downstairs W-Su 6-9:30pm. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Tasty fusion (southeast asian and indian) and also a straightforward indian menu. Not too pricey. Replaces a bland pizza/kebab joint. New lunch buffet on Saturday and Sunday.

Opened by the owners of the Somerville staple India Quality, the Allston-area restaurant Punjab Palace doesn’t disappoint on many levels, including décor (the restaurant has a big screen TV playing Bollywood movies), service and, of course, food. In an area of sub-bar Indian restaurants, Punjab Palace specializes in authentic Indian (everything from the Chicken Tikka Masala to Lamb Vindaloo). Punjab Palace offers dishes with or without meat—so, it’s a great place to satiate a vegetarian friend while pleasing the typical carnivore. Punjab Palace also has take out and delivery in the same modest price range.

With better-than-cheap eats, fast service, and a genial pub atmostphere, this local bar is a great place for a casual dinner with friends. Later in the evening the local college crowd ups the parting and decibel levels, but the White Horse never loses its footing and remains a cut above seedier bar scenes elsewhere. Sunday Nights at 8:30 pm you will find the trivia action in Boston at Whitehorse Tavern. Whitehorse Tavern is one of the best trivia places in Boston.

Soul Fire BBQ, located in Allston, is SoulFire specializes in authentic pit smoked barbeque served with soul. Our ribs, chicken, pork and brisket are dry rubbed and then slow smoked in the pit using a blend of local wood. We serve our barbeque dry, which means that the guest can choose from a variety of homemade sauces representing the major barbeque regions in the country. (From their website)

Privus is an upscale nightclub, lounge, and sushi restaurant in Allston owned by the proprietors of the Kells. It has music 7 days a week and has a double sided 80 inch TV that is visible from inside and outside the club showing music videos.

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All-vegan Chinese cuisine, featuring a wide array of faux meat and all-vegetable dishes. One of the busier vegan restaurants in town, Grasshopper can sometimes get crowded, but the wait is never long. Sunday a month they offer an all-you-can-eat brunch. Popular selections off the rather large menu include the No Name, Sweet and Sour Sensation, and the Cheesecake!