Masa is a Southwestern restaurant with a flair (think Border Café casualness combined with more experimental, daring cuisine.) Not only a great restaurant, Masa is proud of their bustling happy hour crowd that enjoys $1 tapas as well as $5 pitchers of Sangria. Masa is known to have live entertainment from time to time and offers late brunch on the weekends. The chandeliers are an oddity in the room, and the copper bar is interesting, but it's all casual; dressing down is an acceptable custom here. Masa in Spanish means 'dough.' However, you shouldn't only be concerned about the variety that’s being kneaded in the kitchen. The dough to which I’m alluding is the amount of cash that leaves your wallet at the end of the evening. Be prepared to spend a lot (outside of happy hour) but consider the money well spent. The food is divine. Thursday night is Latin Night from 9pm to 1am with Salsa dance lessons from 10:30pm to 11:30pm. Tip: Make a reservation, even for brunch. Throughout the month of December Masa will be offering a $29 pre-fix menu. (at certain hours only) Come in Sunday through Wednesday 5PM to 10PM or 5PM to 6:30 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Mommies at Masa for Christmas Masa will be hosting a Mommy and child holiday floral workshop on either Dec. 10th or 17th 11am-2pm.

A subterranean space in the South End laden with dark mahogany and fringed lampshades gives Icarus a clubhouse-tinged-with-art-nouveau-sophistication feel. A classical statue of Icarus presides over a refined crowd and the professional presentation of multi-sensoral delights such as classical guitar. Live jazz is now offered on Thursday and Friday nights from 7-11pm with a ever evolving roster of New England Conservatory talent. Food that is as lovely as it is indulgent (entrees $21-32). A wide variety of meat dishes, from Foggy Ridge rabbit to skate wing (both $28), and a creative blending of flavors (Grilled Shrimp with Mango and Jalapeno Sorbet, anyone?) exemplify fusion cuisine at its finest. The decadent chocolate molten souffle cake with raspberry sauce (for two, $16) is the perfect finish to a pampered and elegant foray into the South End.

Sibling Rivalry, a restaurant located on Tremont Street in the South End, was started by two brothers. The brothers Kinkead, both chefs at the restaurant, have their own menus-diverse in nature and have to utilize the same ingredients while preparing a variety of dishes. Sibling Rivalry has what is called a "Chef's Bar," where people can sit and watch the kitchen staff in action. The bar and wine list is extremly creative, not to mention fresh. Sample menu items from Chef David's side of the menu include: "Pan Roasted Veal Chop Fontina Cheese Fonduta, Black Truffle Jus and Caramelized Onion and Potato…$38.00," "*Barbequed Lamb Chop Lollipops with Roast Acorn Squash and Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Gratin...$32.00"--and from Chef Bob's menu: "Boneless Short Ribs of Beef with Roast Beets, Ragout of Salsify, Pearl Onions and Carrots, Mashed Potatoes & Horseradish Cream…$28.00," "*Pancetta Wrapped Monkfish with Celery Three Ways: Braised Celery Hearts, Celeriac Puree and Celery Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette…$26.00." The bar at Sibling Rivalry is also a happening place and serves a variety of inventive cocktails with an extensive wine list.

This place has the buzz. Situated in the South End, with the atmosphere of an artist's studio, you feel as if you're attending a great dinner party. Relax and take in the sounds of jazz and sip on a martini or a glass of wine. The food is fabulously yummy with fare from Moroccan to Italian, making any craving satisfied here. The best thing about this place, other than its funky vibe and hip atmosphere? It's open late. Get your food on until 2am, nightly. The Beehive will be hosting a Santa Christmas Brunch on Sat. Dec. 20th from 11:30am-3pm. There will be carol singers and photos with Santa. Families are welcome!

Occupying the old quarters of the Piattini wine bar on Columbus, Da Vinci Ristorante moved into this space that straddles the Back Bay and the South End. Da Vinci comes to us from the same owners and chefs of La Campania in Waltham, and hopes to bring the same Italian flair to this eternally struggling restaurant space. With Valet parking, a full bar, and average prices for city dining, Da Vinci is hoping to make a splash in the city as well as the suburbs.

Mistral caters to both foodies and trendy poseurs alike, with a massively creative kitchen and a notoriously hawkish crowd of people-watching society types. The gorgeous, white-draped dining rooms offer-Lucullan splendor without too much drama, except on weekends, when a boisterous pre-clubbing crowd of i-bankers and their model arm candy light up the bar. Be prepared to make the scene, but also eat well: most diners laud Mistral for its exceptional culinary consistency and obliging service. Entrees $30-45, with a fabulous tuna tartare for $19. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Laurel Grill and Bar is ideally located on the edge of the Back Bay and the South End. Convenient to all the Back Bay has to offer the trendier South End location is a little more relaxed than its Back Bay counterparts. The contemporary American restaurant specializes in a variety of fresh fish, steaks as well as pastas and vegetarian selections. The location was home to the owner's first restaurant the Blue Wave over since 1991. Several years ago the chef owners transformed the large open space into more intimate and less noisy dining environment. Originally designed as an urban oasis the restaurant continues to remain both a relaxing place to enjoy your meal and still feel the buzz of the South End dining experience.

Smith and Wollensky is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant located in the Bay Village area of Boston. Smith and Wollensky is located in one of Boston's historic landmarks that is known to many as "the castle." The space has been restored meticulously to recapture the integrity and beauty of the original millwork, masonry, and wrought iron ornamental work. While Smith and Wollensky is primarily known for the steaks, things like seafood and other meats are great as well. Smith and Wollensky's menu is a la carte, meaning that you order the meat you want and then order a few sides for the table. Sides such as "Truffled Macaroni and Cheese" are served family style so that everyone can indulge. The menu also includes things such as Oysters ($9), World Famous Split Pea Soup ($6) and Thin Crust Pizza ($9-12). The wine list is extensive, featuring over 500 wines.

A hidden gem in the South End that serves cocktails and oysters! From their website: In 2003, Barbara opened B&G Oysters providing the city with a classic yet stylish oyster bar. At the center of the dining room of this subterranean restaurant is an open kitchen surrounded by a white marble bar and black bar stools. Cool blue and grey tiles accented by stainless steel lend a calming oceanic aura to the space while the funky music playing keeps the mood fun and social. The menu offers exquisitely fresh seafood including a daily selection of 12+ oyster varieties, ready to be shucked, New England classics like lobster rolls and fried clams, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The selective and reasonably priced wine list features a number of whites and sparklers as well as a selection of smooth reds that compliment shellfish and seafood. Never tried a Gigamoto? No worries. This is a staff that loves their mollusks and bivalves: they can discuss oysters the way other servers might discuss a fine wine, able to describe a particular oysters origin, flavor profile, and farming method.