"Nothing says birthday camaraderie like experiencing collective taste bud numbness brought on plates and plates of pepper-spiked Sichuan food. Mala Sichuan in Chinatown (the original of five locations around the city) has an entire menu of Sichuan classics. Pile a group of folks around a lazy susan and split mountains of red oil dumplings, dan dan noodles, and bowls of water-boiled fish. The food at Mala is likely going to impress everyone, and will keep you fighting over each and every last bite. " - gianni greene, chelsea thomas