Feel chic but never awkward at posh Union Bar and Grille. This South End eatery never fails in offering you not only a gorgeous meal (albeit sometimes $), but a chance to get some good people watching in as well. The sleek and modern surroundings are the perfect backdrop to the creative menu and festive drink list. Go ahead, lose yourself in a fruity martini. Don't miss their inexpensive brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Be part of the chic and overtired crowd that comes pouring in late morning in dire need of a cup of coffee, or better yet, a strong bloody mary. October Special: 5 year Anniversary Celebration all month Join the bartenders at Union Bar and Grille all through the month of October for specialty cocktails for $5 and complimentary nibbles between 5:30-7pm

Another trendy and cutting edge restaurant to add to the hot, hot, hot South End dining scene. Along with sophisticated designer lofts and apartments, Banq is opening in the beautifully renovated Penny Saving Bank. Decor is made up of undulating layers of sand colored wood that flow across the ceiling like a soft wave. The restaurant is like the inside of a prehistoric whales body, as depicted by a minimalist Japanese architect. Very chic, spacious, loud and almost anonymous; it could be a spot in midtown Manhattan. You're likely to spend probably 10 minutes staring around at how interesting the space is. Little plants at the tables are a nice added touch that don't get in the way of your food. Which, by the way, is impressive in an Iron Chef sort of way. If you have friends visiting from NYC or London or Tokyo, bring them to Banq to show them that 'lil ole Boston IS a cutting edge Metropolitan city.

Hidden away on an unassuming street in the South End, this trendy but friendly after-work dinner-and-drinks spot is clearly the place to be for locals in the know. Franklin Cafe only has 9 tables, so be prepared to wait 45min. to 1 hour to be seated—the fully stocked bar is a good distraction, and you can eat there if you're in a hurry. The wait, however, is worth it. Wonderful warm bread with a delicious hummus spread will start you off, best followed by one of their light salads or somewhat larger appetizers ($5-9). Entrees ($14-19) consist of straightforward meats, poultry, and fish, grilled and basted with imaginative sauces; try the steak with chive mashed potatoes and a mountain of fried red onions ($18). Although the menu, which changes seasonally, features only 1 vegetarian entree, the waitstaff will happily make substitutions or alter the daily special. The only drawback is that the kitchen is too small to produce desserts, which, after the great dinner, often leaves you craving something sweet. If you're really in a jam, settle for a sweet martini ($7)—there's a reason a martini glass is on the sign. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Gaslight is the highly anticipated new french culinary addition to the SOWA region of the South End. Loud and lively, the Gaslight is always hopping and filled with the beautiful and trendy of Boston's dining scene. The food is classic french bistro, small portions that are full of flavor.

Sage Restaurant is a cozy and intimate setting in one of Boston's oldest neighborhoods. The restaurant rivals the uptown establishments by delivering American and European style cuisine that is both modern and classic.

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This place used to be known for its interesting middle-eastern influenced cuisine, despite the mediocre service. However, the restaurant has changed its menu to a completely generic array of kebabs and humus at South End prices.

The recently opened full-service dining area boasts a warm, cavernous appeal (including a working fireplace, a boulder-like wall that serves as a tactile homage to the elements and an upscale ambiance downstairs with windows peeking out to a rock garden that actually feels like you're dining in a cave) and a stylish, but cramped, space upstairs. The moderately-priced menu boasts a few comfort-food staples like their winning parmesan-garlic fries with chipotle aioli. The fries have a tasty, crunchy coating and score points with its creative cone-style presentation. The South End Buttery's menu has several stellar pasta dishes including its penne with pumpkin seed pesto and serves up some killer braised beef short ribs with parsnip puree that literally melt in your mouth. The vibe is cozy. Perfect for a first date or an intimate gathering of friends. As far as the upstairs cafe area, it's delicious, but small. Kind to children, but no high chairs for this South End local hangout. There is a cafe that serves everything from coffee to cupcakes, quiches to tuna melts.

Dine on pizza and pasta in this tiny place (just 10 tables) on a side street across from the Franklin Cafe. "Big dish" entrees, like sirloin, are very good, but it's the pizza and wine list, which owner Christine Didiuk updates constantly, that keep people coming back.

The recent addition of Rocca to the growing list of top-tier restaurants in the SOWA region of the South End was highly lauded when it opened in Spring 2007. Italian food inspired by the Riviera, this hotspot is not only a fabulous meal with a creative twist, but it also boasts a great bar scene. Rocca's menu is mid-range prices with a fairly expensive wine list. The best way to describe Rocca? Italian-style tapas. Rocca specializes in small portions and a collection of Italian-style tastes like fresh raviolis, gnocchi and the artichoke "taste" dish. There's a rustic water wheel sculpture made out of metal for outdoor diners which punctuates the restaurant's already stunning red-and-silver ambience. Also, Rocca boasts ample free parking which is a definite plus for Boston-area foodies. Check out Rocca's blog HERE.