Great spots for a special occasion, birthday, or holiday gathering, without breaking the bank. All are close to a T stop, so you can save that Uber money to order another beautiful drink.

Chalawan

1790 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 Menu

Taste a delicious array of bold Southeast Asian flavors at this local upscale restaurant that shifts from working lunch vibes during the day to dimly lit date-night vibes in the evening. Recently, I dropped by for their special menu of homey dishes like nasi goreng, Indonesian fried rice, and laksa, a Singaporean-style coconut curry noodle soup. One of the only Asian places with a separate vegetarian menu.

Price: $$

Reservations: Yes – OpenTable

Yoki Japanese Restaurant

62 Station Landing, Medford, MA 02155 Menu

My first trip to Yoki was for a sushi-making class. Recently, the interior was revamped with modern furnishings, a long bar, and a koi mural. The dishes are designed and plated beautifully. The sashimi and nigiri is fresh and plump. My favorite was the uni spoons – fresh sea urchin, roe, and quail egg.