UPDATE: Minibar is now open for business. The Copley Square Hotel plans to unveil its new urban-chic look on Wednesday, Dec. 31 after a $17 million facelift. Formerly Domani Bar & Trattoria, this new martini bar is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. The interior of Minibar, the soon-to-be-opened lobby lounge and U-shaped bar adjacent to the Copley Square Hotel, is emerging as a sleek example of modern chic. Inspired by lounges at the W Hotels and Miami's Delano, designer/architect Stephen Sousa's Minibar boasts modern design elements including a black-and-metallic color motif and gray-leather seating surrounding a minimalist bar area. After snooping outside of the Copley Square hot spot yesterday, it looks like the interior of the South End's Oishii coupled with the contemporary flair of Vintage Lounge in the Financial District as well as the stark modern design elements of the new Downtown Crossing Italian restaurant Bina Osteria. Of course, Sousa designed Gypsy Bar and nearby Saint so there are obvious design similarities. Minibar will offer a renowned drink menu with signature cocktails and an inspired host of appetizers. All served under the ambient sounds of cool, hip, progressive lounge music. Minibar will be accessible from both the hotel lobby and the street, and will be open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week.

This restaurant and bar is located inside the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Oak Room is a regal, comfortably elegant restaurant that offers a traditional steakhouse menu with a distinctive twist. The Oak Room is adorned with gold, maroon and green fabrics and draperies that complement the dark wood paneling and mirrored walls. Cameos and lacunaria accent the intricate white plasterwork that details the 30-foot-high ceiling and twin Waterford crystal chandeliers illuminate the room.

The Oak Bar has been recently restored and is reminiscent of a British Officer's Club in the Orient. The same dark wood paneling and mirrors that flank the Oak Room are offset in the Oak Bar by smooth marble. Heraldry symbols decorate the ornately gilded and painted coffered ceiling. The furniture and décor create an inviting atmosphere to enjoy a relaxing drink or close a business deal. The dress code is business casual, but after 6pm, no shorts, cut out or tank top T-shirts, hats and sport sandals.

This upscale, chic bar attached to the The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Their drink, wine list and bar is expensive. A bottle of Duval Leroy goes for $75 and a Martini around $13. Definitely not a hipster hangout for youngsters but a hot spot for professionals looking for a luxurious evening out.

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.

Cheesecake Factory is conveniently located in the Prudential Center. Outdoor dining is available if weather permits. Great food and friendly service.

Named after famous boozer-poet Charles Bukowski, this laid-back bar literally has 99 bottles of beers on the wall ($3-8). Catering to non-conformists of all ages, the Bukowski Tavern invites students, musicians, and locals to sample all 99 types of beer and join the prestigious mug club—all members receive their own personal mug inscribed with the name of their favorite dead author. With imports from around the globe and a menu with fabulous descriptions of every brew's flavor and history, this is the perfect complement to your incomplete Harvard education. Enjoy off-the-wall beers with the relaxed, neighborhood crowd. Bukowski's also offers a good lunch and dinner menu (entrees $3.75-7.25) and a great weekday burger special ($1.69). Just make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept Credit Cards. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Cash-strapped students, take note: weekdays from noon to 8pm, plain burgers and hot dogs are $1.69 each (add a buck for cheese or fries).

This modern restaurant/lounge maintains an unpretentious yet hip vibe. A sleek fire display and glass wine room are just two of its many features. Half the space is a restaurant and half the space is a bar. The menu features mini kobe burgers and other stylish menu items. Martinis are the drink of choice, but they still might remember what a beer is (just ask nicely). Come dressed to the nines. This is a place to see, and a place to bee seen. Still not completely exposed to Boston's masses, you still have some elbow room to skim the crowds.

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.

A sophisticated, sexy, and romantic urban eatery that is the little sister of Mistral. The fare (Italian with a Mediterranean flare has been called imaginative and expensive, and the wine list is predominately Italian. As the interior is filled with murals and deep tones, Sorellina consistently called one of the most romantic restaurants in Boston.

At this Boston Mediterranean Restuarant, located in the heart of the Back Bay, lives the soul of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Vlora, named after Chef/Owner Aldo Velaj’s hometown in Albania, opened to the public in Fall 2007. With a menu brimming with old family recipes and unique versions of traditional favorites, Vlora embraces the true Mediterranean lifestyle. The dishes reflect the age-old adage of “eat better and live better.” Believing that food should taste like food, the natural tastes and flavors of the freshest ingredients are enhanced primarily with olive oil and fresh herbs. With an emphasis on freshness and a minimalist cooking style, the naturally healthy menu covers tastes from the Northern Mediterranean region encompassing Southern Italy, Greece, and Albania. The menu and wine list are an extension of the flavors and dishes served in Aldo’s own home, including exclusive hand-picked wines and lovingly prepared signature dishes that are unmatched in the city. The entire restaurant was designed by Aldo to emulate the warm and inviting environment that one would feel in Vlora, Albania. Located below the bustling streets of Boylston, this subterranean space complete with private outdoor patio offers guests a unique atmosphere commonly found in parts of Europe. From the antique wooden door, to the custom-designed water wall that greets you upon entry, Vlora makes guests feel a welcoming sense of escape from the busy Back Bay. Fresh reviving colors and customized lighting set the tone while captivating artwork and sleek furniture evoke an atmosphere that is warm, inviting and hip. The menu features a diverse variety of options of both original and authentic mediterranean food, fitting for all palates and lifestyles including carnivorous, vegetarian and vegan options. The food is prepared using the freshest possible ingredients and authentic minimalist cooking techniques that primarily rely on olive oil, fresh herbs, and the natural tastes and flavors of the ingredient being prepared. Vlora’s signature dishes include watermelon-feta, lemon potatoes, arancini siciliani, barbounia and fork-tender grilled octopus. From authentic Albanian Tava and home-made potato gnocchi, to trio of phyllo pies and vegetarian Pasticcio, Vlora’s menu can satisfy a very diverse set of lifestyles. This family friendly Mediterranean dining restaurant offers a variety of “On the Side” items and smaller hot and cold dishes, all for diners to share. With plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, no diners will feel left out at Vlora. Thanksgiving Menu
Three Courses – Prix Fixe $28.95
(This offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers.) First Course
Apple Butternut Squash Soup or
Greek Peasant Salad
Second Course
Traditional Roast Turkey with Bacon and Sage Stuffing, Baked Sweet Potato topped with Mallow and Brown Sugar Crust, Sauteed Local Green Beans and Cranberry-Orange Relish or
North Atlantic Salmon with Lemon Potatoes, Green Beans and Lobster Reduction
*Vegetarian options available, upon request Third Course
Old Fashioned Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Freshly Whipped Cream or
Traditional Fresh Apple Crisp with Vanilla Crisp Night Cap
Hot Mulled Apple Cider
For Reservations, call 617.638.9699