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.

Where's the beef? The first Daily Grill to open in New England, Daily Grill Boston is located at The Shops at Prudential Center. The venue has a bar area boasting its array of signature cocktails as well as a stellar selection of surf and turf including a New York Strip Steak that has been aged for 28 days ($28.75) and prime rib with au jus only served on Saturdays and Sundays ($27.95). Their sauce seems to be, well, their secret sauce ranging from savory red wine to creamy horseradish. Also, the dining area and bar is completely open--or alfresco--on sunny days and is the perfect spot to people watch as tourists trek up and down Huntington Ave.

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.

A tiny restaurant located on Mass Ave and Marlbourough Street, The Wine Cellar is a popular fondue and wine place. The owner is a vibrant wine enthusiast who loves educating on wine as much as he loves Boston. He is often found handing out wine cards on the street that depict wines and their vintage. Inside, there is a great full mural of Boston's garden. It was awarded by the Wine Spectator 2005 'Two Glasses' of Excellence for its extensive 600 plus wine list. Situated in the garden level of the building, The Wine Cellar is decorated to make you feel as though you're in Europe. The food is above average, but the presentation, fondue style, is really the draw for this place. The menu includes 9 cheese appetizers (roughly $20 each), then fondue meat plates ($20-$40), followed by chocolate fondue (roughly $20 each). There are over thirty fondues here. There is also a non-fondue menu, and features french style items. Indulgence for Two is an $88 dollar full menu meal that includes a cheese fondue, 4 menu items, and chocolate fondue. Mass Ave, where the restaurant is located, is a typical Boston thoroughfare: ridiculously busy with all sorts of one-way side roads, cow paths, and alleys that lead to nowhere. In other words, driving and parking around the restaurant is a challenge or an adventure, depending on the perspective. However, the restaurant reserves two spots right out front for its diners, so if you're dining and you're a little lucky, you can park directly in front of the restaurant.
Back Bay residents get 10% for being "locals". Ask about it....

PLEASE NOTE: L'Espalier moved to its new home on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.

UPDATE: L'Espalier opened its doors at 774 Boylston Street for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
Fearlessly led by Frank McClelland, one of the top 25 chefs in the nation according to Food and Wine, L'Espalier is as good as it gets. And it gets good. Ascend the narrow staircase into the first of L'Espalier's 2 classically-decorated dining rooms (get a table in the more modern upper dining room if you can) and prepare yourself for high-class French food, catering to no less than serious eaters with serious finances; this is one place that'll get you psyched for Parents Weekend. The menu is a standard three-course prix-fixe for $75: spanning a wealth of tastes, from foie gras to Hawaiian red snapper to grilled lamb, the seasonal selection is substantially varied and guaranteed to delight every palate (course if that isn't enough, there's always the 6-course Degustation Menu for $95; $135 and up with paired wines). But perhaps the best thing L'Espalier has to offer: their special events, like “cheese Tuesdays,” a 4-course dinner with matching wines and a grand cheese sampler, all led by the restaurant's top cheese and wine meisters for a bargain $55. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Afternoon tea: There are two tea service choices offered: 'Make Way For The Ducklings' ($27) - your choice of tea plus a selection of petit fours and pastries - and 'Red Riding Hood's Basket' ($36), which adds tea sandwiches and canapes. For 15 dollars further, a glass of fine champagne can be served with either. Vegetarian substitutions can be requested. The tea choice is a typical 8 or so varieties and your cup is refilled from teapots carried by the staff rather than leaving them on your table. The accompanying food includes lobster salad, cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, strawberry terrine and the classic L'Espalier swan.

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.

Though it's much more expensive than Cambridge's offerings, the food is only slightly better, meaning you're paying for location in the Back Bay. Which, if you're sitting outside on a nice day, might be worth it. Try one of the Tandoori Specials made on their traditional clay oven, such as the filling Tandoori Mixed Grill ($22) or Tandoori Rack of Lamb ($25). The menu spans the range of classic North Indian offerings: tandoori specials and a wide array of chicken, lamb, beef, seafood, and vegetarian dishes (entrees $15-25). Dim lighting and intimate tables create a romantic setting, but it is not uncommon to see power-lunchers or larger groups chowing down. Your best bet is to enjoy their lunch buffet (M-F 11:30am-3pm, $9; Sa-Su noon-3pm, $12) while sitting on the huge outdoor patio. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Famous for its sangria, Tapeo is home to authentic Spanish food and European decor. Tapeo is Zagat-Rated. The tapas bar, with its killer selection of Spanish appetizers, offers a lively and adventurous atmosphere daily from 5:00- midnight. Tapeo Restaurant & Tapas Bar's Web site features a virtual tour. Click HERE for the Newbury Street restaurant's menu, with specialties ranging from Piedra (where the food is grilled on a stone from the Canary Islands) to their signature Pescado a la Sal (fresh fish baked in salt where the salt acts as a cooking agent which enhances the tenderness of the protein).

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Sister restaurant to Dali of Inman Square, Tapéo offers delectable tapas, meaty Spanish entrees, and sweet sangría in the heart of see-and-be-seen Boston. Although the menu changes seasonally, most of the more notable tapas ($5-7) like the baked goat cheese with tomato and basil, roast duckling with berry sauce, and saffron scallops are ubiquitous. Dishes are delivered with admirable alacrity, but lingering is requisite if you want to fully savor the luscious desserts like the chocolate tart ($5.50) and fruit-filled crêpes ($7.50). The real charm of Tapéo, however, lies in its 3 low-lit bodega-style eating areas, where small tables can become surprisingly intimate islands in the sea of bustling waitstaff and playful fellow diners.

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.

The Jury's Hotel in the Back Bay is part of the Jury's family that is based in Dublin and quite popular throughout Ireland and the UK. This location offers a swanky hotel as well as two restaurants: Stanhope Grill and the bar Cuffs at the Jury's Hotel. Special room rates for the Boston Marathon® available through Marathon Tours and Travel. This is a comfortable business oriented hotel based in a former police station with very busy bar on the lower ground floor.