Hamersley's Bistro is a four star French inspired restaurant in the South End. Hamersley's features one of Boston's first open kitchens, allows you to see the chef, Gordon Hamersley, while he cooks your dinner. The design of Mistral is both elegant and casual, resonating with the ambiance of Provence as arched floor to ceiling windows drench the room with light. Hamersley's prides themselves on fresh, never dull ingredients and impeccable customer service(the majority of the waitstaff have been with Hamersley's Bistro for years). Select menu items include "Halibut and Clam Roast with Bacon Braised Greens, Big White Beans and Black Trumpet Mushrooms-$29," "Grilled Beef Rib-Eye with Garlic, Marrow Bone and “Bistro” Potatoes and Red Wine Sauce-$36," and "Maple Brioche Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream and Walnut Praline-$9."

Oishii Boston is located in the South End SOWA district and its contemporary decor and ambience reflects the artistic side of this up-and-coming Boston neighborhood. Awarded a stellar 28 (their highest rating) by Zagats for its food, this upscale sushi restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Ting San who is dedicated in crafting his creations with the freshest ingredients and literally treats each plate as a work of art. While this hidden gem is perfect for a romantic evening out, locals frequent Oishii for lunch to sample prix fixe Japanese cuisine at its best.

Thornton's, located across from the Prudential Center and down the street from Northeastern University,is one of the best brunch spots around. During the winter, locals will stand out in the cold to get a spot at a table inside, but during the summer, the outdoor tables and the newly opened addition make plenty of space for hungry customers. The service isn't the quickest, but the plates of food that eventually arrive are worth the wait. Perfectly seasoned home fries, big plates of eggs and toast, chocolate chip pancakes, and huevos rancheros are among the best options. Ask for an iced coffee in the summer, especially after a late night: the stuff is like rocket fuel, and you can literally feel your eyelids opening wider as you sip. Come early for a table outside in the summer, and large parties may have a hard time getting seated quickly. They also do to-go at the inside counter! Perfect spot for peoplewatching--you can see kids playing in the fountain at the Christian Science Center, and fancier folk on their way to Copley Square hotels. Staying at the Colonnade Hotel but don't want to eat there? This is two seconds away, and a much cheaper option.

This quaint bistro has earned its many Best of Boston awards. Owned by chef Andy Husbands, a former apprentice to famed East Coast Grill maestro Chris Schlesinger, Tremont 647 is serious food. The MoMos ($8) and the lemon butter roasted mussels ($9) are appetizer favorites, and entrees like grilled tuna ($26) and Chilean sea bass ($25) reflect the cosmopolitan flavors the menu has to offer. Don't skip the killer desserts, which rotate at the chef's whim. Valet parking available ($8). Appetizers $10-12, entrees $18-30, desserts $7. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Consider the breakfast pizza. It's topped with eggs, home fries, ham, and bacon. During the dinner hour, Tremont 647 offers fare described as "adventurous American cuisine." Although the brunch is family-friendly, you may find dinner somewhat less so. The restaurant does not offer a children's menu, and the atmosphere is clearly geared toward adult dining. $2 Tacos every Tuesday night!

Metropolis occupies what was once an ice cream parlor; today, there is no better place in Boston to spoon up cinnamon ice cream with chocolate bread pudding and caramel sauce ($8), one of the restaurant's rarefied desserts. While the ice cream here is exquisitely prepared, this trendy bistro focuses on innovative, Italian-influenced cuisine. Dishes such as the roasted duck with sun-dried plum, goat cheese, and smoked bacon tart ($20) exemplify how Metropolis' chef melds diverse and complex flavors with excellent results. The date-worthy atmosphere more than compensates for the lack of elbow room and the inevitable wait (call ahead). Entrees $15-20. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Customers squeeze into the tightly spaced tables and read the paper at the wrap-around bar.

If you're looking for the perfect pre-/post-theater date destination, look no further. Situated off the lobby of the Colonnade Hotel, the lively Brasserie Jo offers classic French cooking in a casual but stylish setting. Although steak frites ($22) is the main attraction (and understandably so), a variety of other simple bistro entrees including swordfish, salmon, and roasted chicken are available and uniformly good. The wine list offers lots of affordable options, and desserts are absolutely marvelous. Entrees $15-25. Bar with a “light menu” open daily 11am-1am. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Aquitaine Bar à Vin Bistro has established itself as one of the premier French Bistro in the South End. You'll sigh in culinary ecstasy from your first sip of Perrier to your last crumb of profiterole. Everything—from appetizers to dessert—is absolutely mouth-watering and cooked to perfection. Starters range from gourmet escargot with garlic and parsley butter ($12), mussels ($9), or rabbit and foie gras terrine ($14) to the more traditional endive salad ($9). Equally delicious entrees include everything from salmon, sole, or cod to goat cheese ravioli, or steak frites (entrees $19-30). And if you're feeling ambitious, Aquitaine's extensive wine list offers a host of options for that $200 hangover you've been craving. Saturday Prix Fixe Brunch for $9.95 per person. They also serve a slightly pricier and more elaborate brunch on Sunday. If you are going to visit Aquitaine for dinner, and you want to be really impressed, try the filet au poive w/ congnac cream, grilled scallions and green peppercorns ($29). Aquitaine also has a sister restaurant - Aquitaine Bis - located in Chestnut Hill.

The venerable Garden of Eden has closed after 12 years in business. A large meal tax misunderstanding, high rents, and a declining customer base led the Lionette family to close the restaurant, though Lionette's Market remains open. Full Article

Mela comes to us from the One World Cuisine team who also run Bukhara, Diva, Kashmir, Mantra, and Cafe of India. The lunch buffet is very reasonable for the area: $10 weekdays, $13 weekends. Mela is likely the only Indian restaurant in the South End, but a very welcome addition. The service is friendly to children, but expect tight spaces, no kid cups or kid menus and to emphasize "very very mild spices please"/ They will however store your stroller for you.

JJ Foley's is the oldest, continually family run Irish bar in the city of Boston. It was here almost 100 years ago that the Boston Police decided to unionize. Although there are 2 locations throughout the city (with the other location in between the Financial District and Chinatown), this bar has retained it's character and personality through the revamp of the South End. Don't be fooled by the fact that they now serve food and have a restaurant (with great pub grub) attached to the bar. You will still find a variety of people huddled up to the bar ranging from young and swanky, to old and toothless. Whether you are one of the ol' regulars that has been a patron for 50 years, or a new addition to the South End, JJ Foley's promises to deliver one of the best dive bar experiences around.