Mary Chungs

Mary's has been a favorite among MIT students and community for a long time. It unfortunately closed in 1991 for several years, but Mary found a new space in Central Square a few years later and has been there ever since. She tells me that MIT (who owns the building) has given her a lease for life.

Mary's is Szechuan style in general, and while everything is very good, there's a handful of things that go even above and beyond "very good". In particular:

• Suan La Chow Chow. This "soup" is often very spicy and is the one thing that I can't possibly go to Mary's without getting.
  
  
• Pan-fried Peking Ravs. In other places, called "pot-stickers" or the like. Mary knows how to do these right.
  
  
• Crab Rangoon. My wife loves these.
  
  
• Dun Dun Noodles. These tend to be very very spicy, and are great for clearing out your sinuses.
  
  
• Mongolian Beef. Also called "embarrasing beef" because they serve it at your table on a hot skillet which makes a very loud noise, causing most of the other patrons in the restaurant to turn your way.
  
  
• Kung Pao Chi Ding. I really like this chicken with peanut dish, though it's not as universal a favorite.
  

If you're in Cambridge and want good Chinese food, Mary's is the place to go.

Baby Friendly Restaurants

Mmm, Rav Sauce

Since Genevieve was born, we've decreased the frequency we eat out, but not nearly as much as I thought we might. The good news is that the majority of restaurants we tried have been somewhat or very infant and child friendly. We've had good experiences at Johnny D's, Mary Chung's, the 99 Restaurant, Pizzeria Uno's, Cheesecake Factory, Paparazzi, and Macaroni Grill. Especially in the Cambridge area, we've noticed a lot of families out with young children and infants.

Mary Chungs' was an especially nice experience with Genevieve. We've
been eating at Mary Chung's for a long time and the staff comes over
and plays with Genevieve a little and brings her extra fortune cookies
(to toss around and the like, not yet to eat). Johnny D's in Davis
Square is also worthy of special mention. In addition to having a
substantial "early dining" (which is all the dining out with a baby)
discount, they have toys for babies and toddlers and a very good menu.
Their appetizers in particular are quite good. Further, while they're
a bar with live music later at night, they are a quieter/calmer
environment earlier, but with enough interesting things around to keep
a curious baby very entertained while looking around.

On the flip side, Chili's, which we usually love, is a bit noisy for Genevieve, and "Joe's American Bar & Grill" which we'll probably not return to for a variety of reasons (menu, service, baby-friendliness) was not especially accomodating.