If there’s a certainty about my visits to Boston, it’s that I will eat well and I will eat often.  This past weekend was no exception; whether it was my sister’s homemade pretzels, the food at my friend Sue’s wedding, the new steamed buns shop near my parents’ house, or everything in between, there was no lack of grub to nosh on.

I took pictures of practically nothing, but managed to fire off a few so I could make these two recommendations for your next trip to Boston.

First off, Chinese food.  Unlike New York, you don’t have to travel down to Chinatown to get the authentic stuff.  There’s good Chinese food everywhere, especially in neighborhoods like Cambridge, Somerville, Allston and Brighton, with their diverse populations of young professionals and students (including a large number of Asian students).

In Cambridge, check out Qingdao Garden.  It’s a tiny family-run place on Mass Ave. (without air-conditioning) known for its homemade dumplings and Northern-style cuisine.  The menu has American-Chinese dishes listed in one section, and a pink section where all the authentic Chinese dishes can be found… pig stomach with sour mustard, anyone?

My family’s not so hardcore (no spicy pork tripe salad for us); we stuck with tried and true, like ma po tofu.

Spicy chicken.

Pork with dried tofu and leeks.

And my favorite of the night, a fiery shredded beef with hot peppers.

This may look like familiar dishes you’ll see in Chinese restaurants, but it’s not.  No goopy sauces that all taste the same, but rather, fresh, bright flavors with a pow of serious heat.

My other recommendation?  Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown, named “Best of Boston Diner” by Boston Magazine, and their award-winning pancakes (featured in Food Network’s “The Secret Life of… Pancakes.”)

I order pancakes maybe once a year, and it’s usually when I’m having breakfast with my friend Alli.  One time we were both already full from our eggs but still decided to share one enormous, platter-sized chocolate chip pancake.

This time Alli ordered a triple stack of blueberry pancakes.  She was nice enough to give me one to try.

They barely need syrup.  Buttery, moist, fluffy and chock full of sweet, soft blueberries.  I need to eat these more than once a year.  And yes, that’s sausage on the plate.  Leave me alone, I was indulging.

Oh, and what did I spot on Mass Ave. in Cambridge, not far from where I used to live?   An Ethiopian restaurant!  Aaagh! Why wasn’t that around when I was there??  That one hurt.  It really hurt.

Qingdao Garden
2382 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA
617-492-7540

Deluxe Town Diner
627 Mt. Auburn St.
Watertown, MA
617-926-8400