This is definitely a place where burly, and surly, men come to drink! Always crowded with Bostonians, Charles makes a mean burger (for a small $10) and a brunch menu that will impress your mother-in-law (some items have a spirited drink included). In the summer, there are long waits for the patio selection, but the inside atmosphere can't be beat. Dark wood work incapsulates the insides, and a small hint of "saloon" with the famous snottiness of Newbury- this place is wunderbar!

Though it's much more expensive than Cambridge's offerings, the food is only slightly better, meaning you're paying for location in the Back Bay. Which, if you're sitting outside on a nice day, might be worth it. Try one of the Tandoori Specials made on their traditional clay oven, such as the filling Tandoori Mixed Grill ($22) or Tandoori Rack of Lamb ($25). The menu spans the range of classic North Indian offerings: tandoori specials and a wide array of chicken, lamb, beef, seafood, and vegetarian dishes (entrees $15-25). Dim lighting and intimate tables create a romantic setting, but it is not uncommon to see power-lunchers or larger groups chowing down. Your best bet is to enjoy their lunch buffet (M-F 11:30am-3pm, $9; Sa-Su noon-3pm, $12) while sitting on the huge outdoor patio. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Fresh ingredients and a creative menu. Although sometimes hard to find on posh Newbury Street, Croma's prices are reasonable and rarely exceed $16 for an entree. Great place for a date night or dinner out with a friend.

Famous for its sangria, Tapeo is home to authentic Spanish food and European decor. Tapeo is Zagat-Rated. The tapas bar, with its killer selection of Spanish appetizers, offers a lively and adventurous atmosphere daily from 5:00- midnight. Tapeo Restaurant & Tapas Bar's Web site features a virtual tour. Click HERE for the Newbury Street restaurant's menu, with specialties ranging from Piedra (where the food is grilled on a stone from the Canary Islands) to their signature Pescado a la Sal (fresh fish baked in salt where the salt acts as a cooking agent which enhances the tenderness of the protein).

• ADDITIONAL INFO:

Sister restaurant to Dali of Inman Square, Tapéo offers delectable tapas, meaty Spanish entrees, and sweet sangría in the heart of see-and-be-seen Boston. Although the menu changes seasonally, most of the more notable tapas ($5-7) like the baked goat cheese with tomato and basil, roast duckling with berry sauce, and saffron scallops are ubiquitous. Dishes are delivered with admirable alacrity, but lingering is requisite if you want to fully savor the luscious desserts like the chocolate tart ($5.50) and fruit-filled crêpes ($7.50). The real charm of Tapéo, however, lies in its 3 low-lit bodega-style eating areas, where small tables can become surprisingly intimate islands in the sea of bustling waitstaff and playful fellow diners.

The mahogany bar serves the best martinis in town from an experienced lot of friendly bartenders and the brick-oven chums out eclectic pizzas and focaccia throughout the day.It is easy to relax at Sonsie and enjoy the classic music that reflects the ambience of the restaurant as day progresses into night. New at Sonsie, located on the lower level, the Wine Room is the perfect location to enjoy your favorite bottle of wine, cocktail, and sample the menu from Chef Bill Poirier. Open Monday thru Saturday from 6pm to 1 am. 2006 Best of Boston Award Winner. Part Parisian cafe, part elegant dining experience, Sonsie is an upscale hipster joint located, appropriately enough, on Newbury St. Sonsie sets off your pretension alarms from the moment you enter its dim, orange waiting area, complete with cushy sofas. The deep, fancy dining room allows parties to converse comfortably at mealtimes, while those just taking a shopping break for drinks or “lighter fare” crowd around oval tables in front of huge windows opening onto the street in warmer weather. The menu offers a few varieties of brick oven pizzas ($9-21), pasta ($15), and entrees including seared tuna ($25) and the American standard, a 16-oz. steak ($32). Save room for desserts like chocolate bread pudding ($8), and then enjoy unusual cocktails such as iced chai ($10.50) at the bar. Valet parking after 6pm. Entrees $17-32. Reservations recommended. Wireless internet. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Message from Sonsie New American dishes with late-night specials Award-winning chef International cuisine European lounge Sonsie celebrates being on Boston's famous Newbury Street serving top-notch International cuisine from award-winning Chef Bill Poirier. Sonsie boasts beautiful French doors that translate to an open sidewalk cafe in season, as well as a European lounge with deep leather chairs and sofas. Experienced and friendly bartenders serve the best martinis in town at the mahogany bar. Sip mango mojitos or pineapple-infused Finlandia martinis. The brick oven churns out eclectic pizzas and focaccia throughout the day. It is easy to relax at Sonsie and enjoy the classic music that reflects the ambience of the restaurant as day progresses into night. Chef Poirier's menu always introduces fresh flavors and brilliant food combinations. Signature dishes dot the menu as well as seasonal dishes splashed with nightly specials.

This restaurant is located at the 52nd floor of the Prudential Center. It is one of Boston's finest dining destinations, the award-winning Top of the Hub features outstanding cuisine, impeccable service, and a sophisticated ambiance. Soaring 52 floors above the Back Bay, the restaurant and adjoining Skywalk Observatory offer guests a spectacular view of the Boston skyline from every table.
Top of the Hub's creative menus reflect a balance of New England dishes blended with contemporary cuisine influenced by the cooking styles of Asia and California. Selections strongly emphasize the freshest New England fish and shellfish available, including Boston lobsters, New England clam chowder, along with the highest quality beef, veal, lamb, chicken, and game that make up the changing, seasonal menus.

A little off the beaten path in the Prudential Mall, Tossed offers creative salads that can actually be a full meal. Boston has been sorely lacking such a place. I worry their location won't be good enough to sustain the business, but I'm hopeful. From their site: Since 1998, our mission has been to serve the highest quality food, using only the freshest ingredients, in an upscale and fun environment, providing friendly and efficient service. The quality, presentation and creativity of our salads are on a par with those found in fine restaurants.

Above the ever famous Daisy Buchanans, Ciao Bella serves up tasty italian fare like the best. Known for a good cup of capacinno, and equally known for their dark, upscale atmostphere. The prices are moderate. Want a updated version of a classic? Try the mac n' cheese. It's not of the blue box variety. Patio in the summer, and always busy.

With three locations throughout Boston and Cambridge, and a presence at Mohegan Sun, Jasper White is definitely doing something right. In this central Back Bay location, you are on top of King's bowling alley and right behind the Hynes Convention Center. This Summer Shack boasts the largest raw bar in the city. Parking is $7.00 at a lot adjacent to the restaurant. However, a little known fact is that on the weekends the commercial spots on Dalton Street are up for the taking...

PLEASE NOTE: L'Espalier moved to its new home on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.

UPDATE: L'Espalier opened its doors at 774 Boylston Street for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
Fearlessly led by Frank McClelland, one of the top 25 chefs in the nation according to Food and Wine, L'Espalier is as good as it gets. And it gets good. Ascend the narrow staircase into the first of L'Espalier's 2 classically-decorated dining rooms (get a table in the more modern upper dining room if you can) and prepare yourself for high-class French food, catering to no less than serious eaters with serious finances; this is one place that'll get you psyched for Parents Weekend. The menu is a standard three-course prix-fixe for $75: spanning a wealth of tastes, from foie gras to Hawaiian red snapper to grilled lamb, the seasonal selection is substantially varied and guaranteed to delight every palate (course if that isn't enough, there's always the 6-course Degustation Menu for $95; $135 and up with paired wines). But perhaps the best thing L'Espalier has to offer: their special events, like “cheese Tuesdays,” a 4-course dinner with matching wines and a grand cheese sampler, all led by the restaurant's top cheese and wine meisters for a bargain $55. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Afternoon tea: There are two tea service choices offered: 'Make Way For The Ducklings' ($27) - your choice of tea plus a selection of petit fours and pastries - and 'Red Riding Hood's Basket' ($36), which adds tea sandwiches and canapes. For 15 dollars further, a glass of fine champagne can be served with either. Vegetarian substitutions can be requested. The tea choice is a typical 8 or so varieties and your cup is refilled from teapots carried by the staff rather than leaving them on your table. The accompanying food includes lobster salad, cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, strawberry terrine and the classic L'Espalier swan.