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.

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.

A weekend event held each spring. All SOWA galleries, shops and restaurants, many artist studios are open. These streets are the most active: Wareham, Harrison,Plympton, Washington and Thayer Streets. From the website: The SOWA Art Walk is held every spring in the SOWA (South of Washington Street) neighborhood in Boston’s South End. A former mill building district where pianos, canned goods, shoes and other merchandise were made in the 19th century, the district has been home to artists’ studios carved out of the old factories for the last fifty years. Today, the artists have been joined by art galleries, creative businesses, cutting edge restaurants and the recent boom in residential loft buildings. The SOWA Art Walk takes place in late May each year and is a weekend-long standing invitation to visit the artists in their studios. This year, the SOWA Art Walk will occur on Saturday and Sunday May 17-18, 2008 from 11 am to 6 pm. Creative stores, cafes, boutiques and some of the city’s finest restaurants take part in the SoWa Art Walk by opening their doors all weekend, hosting artists who display on their walls and offering special event discounts. The SOWA Open Market, an open-air venue for artists, craftsmen, collectioners, farmstands and other vendors makes its seasonal debut each year in tandem with the SoWa Art Walk HERE. Come stroll through one of Boston’s most vibrant and creative neighborhoods on a spring weekend and you’ll be sure to find a painting, original design/make clothing, a set of antique china … or brunch surrounded by plenty of atmosphere!

On Friday nights, 5:30-8:30 the South End's once deserted industrial district explodes with bright lights and champagne as Boston's burgeoning boho crowd takes in the gallery openings at SoWa. High rents on Newbury St. drove Boston's community of young artists to this converted warehouse complex on the corner of Thayer St. and Harrison Ave. SoWa (South of Washington St.), founded in 1998, actually comprises 6 galleries, showcasing a variety of local work. Galleries along Thayer and Harrison are also open, such as Bernie Toale and Ars Libra Call ahead for the exhibit schedule and opening times. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.