From burgers to baklava (2)

For late-night munchies

Sometimes you just want food. Nothing fancy like tablecloths or candlelight—you want to eat quickly and you want to do it while hurting your wallet very little. Whether you're willing to take it out or must have it come to you, these are the shops that really mean business:

Aladdin Crown Pizza (260 Crown St., 773-3772), is a rather schizophrenic eatery, offering falafel, hummus, and kebabs as well as pizza, lasagna, and grinders. The Mediterranean-Italian combination is great if you have stubborn roommates with diverging tastes. Most importantly, it delivers until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Chap's Grille (1174 Chapel St., 562-3966) offers standard American fare like large hamburgers and tasty salads at reasonable prices. Though it does deliver until 1 a.m., the store's bustling ambience is well worth the short walk down Chapel.

Est, Est, Est Pizza (1176 Chapel St., 777-2059) is more than a pizzeria, offering calzones, manicotti, cappuccino, Italian ices, and some mighty fine pasta. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a good place to go on a date, but it will also come right to your door until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Main Garden (376 Elm St., 777-3747) has an almost religious following for its late hours and its inexpensive Chinese food. A large portion of fried chicken wings and fried rice is $2.99, and other prices are just as appealing. The General Tso's chicken combo, which comes with rice, broccoli, and an egg roll, is a hit all over campus—you can order in to your dorm until 1 a.m.

Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant (85 Howe St., 562-8444), though it doesn't deliver, is without question one of the all-around best restaurants in the city. It serves great Middle Eastern dishes at low prices and stays open every day until 3 a.m. It is a perennial favorite for late-night partiers—many swear by the falafel, kebabs, and baba ghanoush to stave off hunger pains in the wee morning hours. The dim mood lighting and decorative rugs give it a distinct atmosphere that many Yalies come to love.

Mom's Indian Kitchen (283 Crown St., 624-8771) is home to cheap, tasty Indian favorites ranging from samosas to lamb curry. Though it only stays open until 10:30, there's a 15-percent discount with a Yale ID. If you give them 20 minutes they'll bring Mom's to you.

Vegetarian friendly

All is not lost for those among you who have sworn off eating the flesh of fellow creatures. Along with those that cater specifically to vegetarians, there are many restaurants that provide extensive non-meat options. The cluster of Indian restaurants, located a block from the Broadway side of campus, is especially good on this account:

Claire's Corner Copia (1000 Chapel St., 562-3888) is a venerable vegetarian heaven. Its fully vegetarian menu includes salads, hot soups, sandwiches, Mexican food, and homemade desserts. Its convenient location makes it a constant favorite.

Dos Tacos (39 Elm St., 865-1913), located way down Elm Street, is kind of a schlep, but worth an occasional afternoon visit. There's a separate grill for meat and another one for beans, a fact much appreciated by vegetarians. The burritos are huge and cheap, the cold soup is incredible, and there is a bizarre, yet tasty, brand of soda that you can't get anywhere else. Plus, they have an ancient, table-shaped "Ms. Pac Man" game that you can play until the staff glares at you and makes you leave.

EWAN MACDOUGALL/YH

India Palace (65 Howe St., 776-9010) has a weekend brunch that quickly banishes thoughts of the dining hall's rubbery scrambled eggs and stale bagels. The Palace's walls are covered with exotic prints that make for lively conversation, and its naan is among the best in the Elm City.

Rainbow Café (1022 Chapel St., 777-2390) offers large portions of unique salads, sandwiches, and ethnic entrées. Though it isn't fully vegetarian, many of their best dishes are made without meat. The casual, self-service setup makes a great place for a break from the dining hall.

Royal India (140 Howe St., 787-9493) offers delicious entrees and an elegant interior, complete with gilded ornaments and decorations. The restaurant has a reasonably priced buffet lunch and dinner on the weekends. Portions are large and satisfying, and they have a whole slew of meatless dishes.

Tandoor (1226 Chapel St., 776-6620) offers naan baked with your choice of garlic, onions, or several other tasty ingredients. Its unique combination of '50s diner decor and sinus-clearing tikka masala always makes for an interesting evening.

The Whole Enchilada (21 Whitney Ave., 772-4454) serves healthy vegetarian and low-fat Mexican cuisine. The food is prepared fresh daily and includes vegan options as well as fat-free soups. The great burritos and inexpensive prices are appealing to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

New in the neighborhood

These ventures have just joined the lively dining scene. Will they survive the competition and establish themselves? Or will they fail to draw crowds and slowly founder? It all depends on what happens in the new school year. The fates of these businesses, dear freshmen, are in your hands.

Hot Tomato's Bar and Grille (261 College St., 624-6331) opened last year in a renovated ballroom next to the Shubert Theater. Serving a creative and eclectic Italian-based menu, it could become a top choice among the city's post-theater crowd.

Ivy Noodle (316 Elm St., 562-8800) is the much-hyped Chinese eatery which celebrated its opening just as spring classes were ending. It has all kinds of noodles which you can either take out or enjoy in the restaurant's contemporary atmosphere. Though the jury is still out on taste, its late hours and convenient situation right behind Davenport give it hope as a new Yalie hangout.

Lalibela (176 Temple St., 789-1232) had its grand opening in the newly-remodeled space right across the street from the Omni Hotel. It serves authentic Ethiopian fare accompanied by rolls of traditional sourdough bread. A relaxed, elegant ambience may come to rival Caffé Adulis as New Haven's preeminent African restaurant.

Pizza Empire (16 Whalley Ave., 562-5500) is a new addition to the pizza delivery arena. Though many have commented on its emblem, which bears a striking resemblance to a certain franchise known as Pizza Hut, copyright laws will likely not hinder it from becoming popular.

Roomba (1044 Chapel St., 562-7666) serves "Nuevo Latin" food influenced by Cuban cooking. So far, the elegant underground space and unique taste have brought high praise from its patrons.

Zinc (964 Chapel St., 624-0507) is the new home of creative fusion dishes that mix Japanese, Vietnamese, and Singaporean cuisine. Its décor is cool and fashionable, but the prices are correspondingly high—it could develop into a spot to take parents and dates.

Thai madness

One of the quirkier features of New Haven is its abundance of Southeast Asian restaurants. If you come to Yale uninitiated, you will undoubtedly leave with a discriminating taste for this cuisine. These eateries can serve any Thai food need, from noodle dishes to go to elegant sit-down dinners.

Asian House (1150 Chapel St., 624-9689) offers a menu that can squelch the potentially violent squabbles among friends who can't decide between Chinese, Thai, or Japanese. Asian House's three-cuisine menu and buffet lunch make it a popular location for a quick bite.

EWAN MACDOUGALL/YH

Bangkok Gardens (172 York St., 789-8684) has long been the Yalie's top choice for Thai food. Some entrees can be pricey and there is often a wait, but the menu is extensive, and its glass-enclosed dining area across the street from the Yale Rep make it a perfect place for people-watching.

Indochine Pavilion (1180 Chapel St., 865-5033), along with an excellent assortment of Thai food, has a good selection of Vietnamese dishes. It has a popular lunch buffet and a 10-percent student discount with a Yale ID.

Thai Taste (1171 Chapel St., 776-9802) has a below-ground location that offers more privacy than the glass windows of Bangkok Gardens. A fun fact: the Thai government has named this eatery one of the 15 most outstanding Thai restaurants in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.

Pad Thai (1170 Chapel St., 562-0322) has prices better suited to a student budget than those of Bangkok Gardens or Thai Taste. Make sure to try its namesake noodles, but ask for extra sauce. A Yale ID here also gets 10 percent off the bill.

Let's get smashed

Of course you freshmen, being well under 21, will not need advice on where to go once you are sick of the bar food in all those bars which you, of course, will not frequent. Nevertheless, just in case:

The Anchor (272 College St., 865-1512), with an old-fashioned storefront across the street from the Taft apartment building, is still more of a bar than a restaurant, but its burgers and the famous clam chowder are cheap and very satisfying.

Anna Liffey's (17 Whitney Ave., 773-1776) is a classic Irish pub. The lunches are simple and tasty, and the beer is great—Guinness on tap.

El Amigo Felix (8 Whalley Ave., 785-8200) has drink specials on Wednesdays that are not to be missed, and it also serves some of the best hand-prepared Mexican food in the area.

Miya's (68 Howe St., 777-9760) features Japanese cuisine in a traditional setting. With its reasonable prices and extensive menu, Miya's is usually crowded, especially for the Monday night all-you-can-eat buffets. While it may have the best broccoli tempura rolls and udon noodle soup in New Haven, the extremely slow service can be trying to a hungry Yalie's patience. The wait is known to be more entertaining, however, when it involves sake-bombing.

Viva Zapata's (161 Park St., 562-2499) is the preferred Yale hangout for Mexican food in a casual atmosphere. Great sangría pitchers, tasty chicken nachos, and a wait staff that will accommodate groups of all sizes (and ages, if you know what I mean.)

For the sweet tooth

New Haven is nice to its dessert lovers. You can get an unbelievable Lithuanian coffee cake at Claire's Corner Copia, incredible cookies at Rainbow Café, and to-die-for baklava at Mamoun's, but there are also establishments that exist to serve your sugar highs and chocolate cravings:

Clark's Dairy (74 Whitney Ave., 777-2728) gets points for décor—the aqua-blue counters and swivelling stools enhance the thrill of an extensive selection of ice cream and frozen creations. The desserts come overflowing with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and peanuts, making it a great place for a study break, especially for residents of nearby Silliman and TD.

Chapel Sweet Shoppe (1042 Chapel St., 624-2411), across from Vanderbilt Hall, offers a broad selection of gourmet candy, from Jelly-Bellies to Godiva chocolates and classic treats like a complete soda fountain.

Durfee Sweet Shoppe (basement of Durfee Hall) offers fresh baked goods, frozen yogurt, soda, chips, and a wide selection of candy. Meet friends for a study break here—and then bursar-bill your parents for the snack.

Simply Scrumptious (181 College St., 777-5565) is located within Bo's BBQ Barn, a big barn that serves Texas-style smoked meats. Dessert here involves an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with a head-spinning array of flavors and toppings. The banana splits, sundaes, and ice cream sodas are a worthy grand finale to any dining adventure.

Andrew Krause, Kenrick Ou, Brian Levinson, Rosa Gonzalez, Jason Heller, Liz Oliner, and Yuka Igarashi contributed to this article.

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