Places to eat

1 L’Espalier

Set in a gracious townhouse, lit by candles, and staffed by impeccable waiters and brilliant cooks, romantic L’Espalier serves Boston’s finest contemporary French cuisine. Chef-owner Frank McClelland’s vegetarian entrées are every bit as sophisticated as those with meat.

Address: 30 Gloucester St
Phone: 617 262 3023
Opening info: Closed lunch & Sun
Price range: $$$$$

2 Rialto

Chef Jody Adams takes a luscious approach to Mediterranean cuisine, working magic with a simple basil cream soup, or using grilled tomatoes to give extra depth to her gazpacho. A green olive and balsamic vinegar sauce perfectly balances the unctuousness of her signature roasted marinated duck. The comfortable and soothing dining room is ideal for special occasions.

Charles Hotel
Address: 1 Bennett St, Cambridge
Phone: 617 661 5050
Closing info: Closed lunch
Price range: $$$$

3 Hamersley’s Bistro

Chef-owner Gordon Hamersley presides over this defining South End restaurant. The menu is inspired by French provincial cooking but features the best of mostly local produce (don’t miss the lemon-infused broiled chicken). The bar scene is lively, and the outdoor dining tables provide one of the neighborhood’s prime social settings in summer.

Address: 553 Tremont St
Phone: 617 423 2700
Closing info: Closed lunch
Price range: $$$

4 Clio

One of the country’s most-lauded young chefs, Ken Oringer is dedicated to innovation. With an ever-changing menu he always looks for new flavor sensations. Few Boston chefs would dare to serve bone marrow custard with nougats of wild mushrooms and black truffles.

Address: Eliot Hotel, 370 Commonwealth Ave
Phone: 617 536 7200
Closing info: Closed lunch & Mon
Price range: $$$$$

5 Locke-Ober

Everything old is new again since über-chef Lydia Shire took over Boston’s oldest gourmet restaurant (c.1875) and breathed new life into the classic haute cuisine dishes. Her crisped duck with elderberries and ginger achieves the perfect crackling over succulent meat. The city’s most established families dine here.

Address: 3 Winter Place, MA02108
Phone: (617) 5421340
Closing info: Closed Sun
Price range: $$$$$

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