A local French bistro with classic decor and a great selection of appetizers and entrees. Tucked below street level where you have a great view of some of the Back Bay's outstanding buildings, and you can watch the Newbury Street window shoppers pass by. Tables are available downstairs near the bar or upstairs in an open, but not-too-noisy atmosphere. A nice selection of wine is available by the glass, half bottle or full bottle. Some menu favorites include the Bouchee burger with foie gras, mussles in white wine sauce with cherry tomatoes, or any of the flatbread pizzas. If you manage to have room left for dessert, there's tarte tartin, creme brulee, and other French treats. Outdoor dining is also available in season. Reservations are recommended on weekends, and can be made on Open Table.

Going to Stephanie's is like going to see a cheesey action flick - you have to be in the right frame of mind to see it right? Well, you have to be in the Newbury Street frame of mind to eat here. It targets the fake tan girls and the yadoods that seem to spontaneously multiply. Try out your new pink polo at this upscale eatery on the front porch of Newbury St. With indoor and outdoor dining, it's a great place to eat regardless of the weather, or occasion for that matter. You can impress a date or have your parents pick up the tab here. Prime New York Sirloin, $30. Meticulously made appetizers include a delightful crispy coconut shrimp, $13. You can also follow a weekly enlightening sermon with a sacred Sunday Brunch. Be proper, the old man in the bow tie sitting next to you might just be your history professor. Entrees $19-27.
This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.
The bathrooms have unusual signage, so instead of the usual look for a slip (women), and for men a pair of boxers. If you are cold, they will bring you soft brown blankets to wear.

This swanky Bay Bay restaurant and bar, connected to the Copley Westin, costs a pretty penny but will blow you away with its classic elegance. Serving New England seafood--including its award-winning clam chowder--in a five-star setting, Turner Fisheries is perfect for the quintessential power lunch. Armed with a $3 million renovation, the venue isn't your typical hotel bar.

The Vox is the perfect place to see and be seen. Although quite the meat market, if you are in the mood to schmooze it up and look your best on a Saturday night, it is a fun place as an outing with friends. Serving 27 of the most creative martinis around in a hip but unpretentious milieu, this swanky bar is Boylston Street's “It” spot. A mostly twenty- and thirty-something crowd fills the bar on weekend nights to down $9 martinis. It kind of has that 'beautiful people' vibe going on... which can be oh so good, and can also be a complete nightmare. There are some creepy types who frequent the place hoping to pick up the aforementioned beautiful people, but thankfully they are amusing to watch. Granted, the drinks are expensive, but with such tempting varieties as the Tiramisu Martini and White Crantini (a clear martini made for men who “don't want to be seen with a pink drink”), who can resist? 8 types of scotch ($8-14), 12 bottled beers and 6 on tap, traditional cocktails ($6-9), and wine by the glass ($7.50-10.50) provide ample variety for those morally opposed to martinis. Thanks to Vox Pop's massive space there's always a quiet corner to retreat to, even on busy weekend nights. No cover.

Vibrant and hurried, this Boylston street classic in the Back Bay is Abe and Louie's answer to seafood. Filled with first dates, client dinners, and family celebrations. UPDATE: The Atlantic Fish Company has re-opened with renovations after the restaurant had to close due to a fire.

UPDATE: Domani has officially closed and will be replaced with the stylish hipster hangout Minibar in December 2008. Located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. Domani Bar & Trattoria offers an approachable "New Italian" menu reminiscent of those found today in hot-spot neighborhood restaurants throughout Italy. Nationally acclaimed Executive Chef Rene Michelena heads up a kitchen staff dedicated to providing each guest with an inspired culinary experience in a fun and comfortable dining environment.

SkipJack's is the lastest addition to the "best seafood restaurant" race in Boston. Okay, so it's more that 16 years old (a "teenager"). It's named after a high-quality Pacific tuna that is rumored to be one strong fish. The atmosphere is a combination of wooden ship with traces of the sea by smooth metal lines and sea color tiles. Enough about the atmosphere, the seafood is f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s. They offer a wide variety of seafood, and some yummy sushi for the adventurous. If (when) you fall in love, ask about their customer loyalty and rewards program! Kid friendly / Kids menu. In a bit of an odd location, but away from the hoards of restaurants, wait periods are shorter or non-existent. They have other locations in the 'burbs, including Newton. SkipJack's is a go-to for seafood. Insider tip: 2 hour free parking with validation.

Zoe's is more than worth the trip away from Harvard Square's much blander, inauthentic offerings. Eating at Zoe's is like eating in China, only cleaner, better decorated, and with a waiter who smiles and speaks (some) English. With Mr. Zhang at the helm (he cooked for Julia Child's 65th birthday party), the flavors are as tasty and authentic as it gets outside of Sichuan, and the regular flow of mostly Chinese clientele gives testament to this. The house specialties of beef and vegetables with hot chili ($9) and braised whole fish with Szechuan sauce ($16.50) come highly recommended. Check out the weekend brunch too. Appetizers $3-13.50, entrees $7.25-25. Free delivery also available—so get off the phone with the Kong. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The 3rd location of this hotspot focused on rustic french fare. With the flagship location on the Boston Waterfront, and one in the Natick Collection, this empire is choosing to expand in posh new digs at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.. Two of the franchise's veterans, Louis DiBicarri in the kitchen and Ian Grossman out front, are leading this third installment. As with their other locations, the food is unpretentious and classic French style fare, done simply but well, in a great atmosphere with first rates service. The space is warm, open, and simply but elegantly decorated. Each floor sports a bar and there's usually a crowd at all typical times, as this back bay locale had been hotly anticipated for quite some time. They serve lunch during the week, dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends, and offer a late night menu Wednesday through Saturday until 12:30. Each menu is a unique twist on their general theme: Lunch Menu Brunch Menu Dinner Menu Dessert Menu Late Night Menu Children's Menu

Be it for a power breakfast, long and leisurely lunch, or night on the town for dinner, Asana in the new Mandarin Oriental, Boston, can offer American and Asian fusion cuisine for all of the above. Stocked with a special cheese cavern and extensive wine list, Asana also offers an exclusive Chef's table for 8 in the kitchen that allows the diners to watch Executive chef Nicolas Boutin at work.