A food aficionado: Bento Express

Bento Express has a convenient location at a former Chinese takeout joint, open since last summer. Tucked steps from Starbucks on the corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets, it is between the Boylston T stop on the Green line and the Chinatown T stop on the Orange line. Bento Express provides simple and filling meals without breaking the bank in the Theater District and Boston Common area.

Discovering simple Icelandic fare

Cold, volcanos, happy people and seafood come to mind when I think of Iceland. Surprisingly, an affordable hot dog is the nation’s favorite dish that even President Bill Clinton had to try. Aside from delicious seafood, there are some famous Icelandic delicacies, such as fermented shark. Being an island, it can get very expensive.

Market Lunch and Teaism in Washington, D.C.

Market Lunch and Teaism in Washington, D.C.

Enso: Kaiten sushi arrives in Boston

Last month quietly heralded the arrival of Enso, a rare kaiten sushi or conveyor belt sushi, in Boston’s Chinatown. Enso, which means “circle” in Zen Buddhism, was opened by co-owner Susan Chang, who has roots in the local restaurant scene.

Bubor Cha Cha’s delicious dim sum hits the spot

Located in the former Grand Chau Chow restaurant, Bubor Cha Cha is in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown. The elaborate interior features a ceiling with swirling clouds and tropical décor, making it stand out. Bubor Cha Cha is named after a Malaysian dessert soup served either cold or hot, consisting of coconut milk, taro, yam, sweet potatoes and corn.

Toro serves mouth-watering tapas and decadent desserts

Toro is a Barcelona-style inspired tapas restaurant nestled in the South End that has garnered countless accolades since 2005. Owner Ken Oringer is a Culinary Institute of America graduate who has consistently served great food from his other restaurants. Toro delivers as a cozy brick neighborhood spot that doesn’t take dinner reservations.