Tired of hamburgers, pasta and chicken dishes? Break your eating rut and spice up a Friday or Saturday night with a trip to Yama Zakura Sushi Bar & Fusion Cuisine. Yama Zakura has won awards every year since its opening in 2005, including the Worcester's Best Chef 2010 People’s Choice Award for Asian food. From the house specialty Lobster Bomb (cucumber, avocado and panko roll that is topped with lobster baked in a creamy lemon sauce, and drizzled with Zakura sauce, panko, and tobiko) to the Uni Sashimi (sea urchin), the dishes are as varied and unique as they are delicious. Not a fan of …

Sometimes the best way to unwind after a long, stressful week is to enjoy a leisurely weekend morning at brunch. At Gourmet Decisions Cafe & Grill, brunch is as much about the food as it is about the ritual: Catching up with friends and indulging in dishes more decadent than your usual bowl of Special K. Casually sip a cup of the full-bodied house coffee while devouring the Tuscan toast (French toast stuffed with sautéed apples, mascarpone cheese, cinnamon and spice), or perhaps try one of their many omelets. The café is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Whether you are an …

North End Treats has an overwhelming array of indulgent brick oven gourmet pizzas, from the caramelized onion pizza (caramelized onions, pine nuts, olive oil and mozzarella) to the steak pizza bourbon (steak, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella). Large calzones and paninis provide tasty alternatives to the classic pizza. But something else beckons patrons. It is the rich and extravagant pastries lining the shelves of the glass cases. Sample a tiramisu cup. Sink your teeth into one of the popular lobster tail pastries or try a peanut cup. North End Treats is sure to have something to satisfy …

Allora is not your run of the mill sandwich shop or eatery. This is an upscale restaurant serving Mediterranean and Italian dishes. Although the lunch menu won’t break the bank (sandwiches range from $8 - $14), many would see dinner at Allora as something reserved for special occasions and events (main entrees range from $18 - $42). The dilemma here is that each dish sounds as intoxicating as the next. Kick off the meal with the tender Sicilian Fried Calamari, followed by chianti braised beef shortribs, which are served over butternut sage risotto with broccoli rapini. Allora is currently …