Conveniently located in the Boston Park Plaza Hotel adjacent to the Theater District, the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Bay Village and the South End, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant maintains a stellar reputation for uncompromising value and quality. This restaurant's classic menu features more than 40 varieties of fresh fish and seafood, flown in daily. In addition to delicious seafood from local shores and both coasts, menu highlights include tempting pasta, poultry and beef specialties from Executive Chef Joseph Bartel.

Radius's team of hipster restaurateurs score yet again with this tastefully mod and highly authentic Italian experiement, which offers diners a choice of top-drawer food and drinks in one of four settings. Try the white-walled main dining room, the outdoor terrace, the late-night bistro and pizzeria, or the bar—a perfect place to meet dates for after-hours drinks. The restaurant offers a host of generously-portioned Italian regional specialties, like the phenomenal Fresh Pappardelle with Long Island duck, dried cherries, and rosemary ($19), but those in a drinking-and-snacking kind of mood should hit the bar for specialty drinks, scene-making, and lightly crunchy risotto balls ($10). The mostly upscale 30-something crowd packs this place nightly, so call for reservations. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. The basil gimlet--fresh basil with lime and vodka--is not to be missed.

On par with upscale chains like Legal Seafood and P. F. Chang's, red and brassy Maggiano's comes without the intimacy and personality of North End restaurants, but it routinely draws throngs seeking its enormous portions of delicious southern Italian food. Groups of 4 can choose a 5-course feast from the “family style menu” for a bargain at $20 each, but a mere half-portion of a single entree like linguine with chicken and pesto (half $12/full $15) will undoubtedly leave leftovers. Other great options include Tuscan-style mussels ($7/$11), homemade gnocchi in tomato vodka sauce ($12/$15), and baked shrimp organata ($23). Weekly specials on Th. Reservations highly recommended. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Amrheins is a Southie institution. Since 1890 this resturant has been serving delicious and diverse fare and drinks to it's eager patients. Amrheins is the proud home of the oldest hand carved bar in America and still has the first Draft Beer pump in Boston on display. Come and enjoy the variety of beers on tap and a great place to watch the Sox score another victory. Entrees range from $6-$16 and the kitchen stays open until past 10 pm and a large brunch featuring a carving and omlette and station is available from 10-2:30 on Sundays.

Davio's is a Northern Italian Steakhouse and restaurant with locations in Boston near Park Plaza and one in Cambridge. Davio's menu is has extensive listings of the variety of cuts of steak that they carry as well as different pastas, salads, seafood, and sushi. Dress is more business casual and they also just opened a new location at Patriot Place in Foxborough.

Flash's is a neighborhood bar at the crossroads of the South End and Back Bay. Expect to find regular folks from the area and plenty of those that work nearby. The basic idea is 'flashback" cocktails from the 1920's and 1930's coupled with diner-style food. American style food at reasonable prices with cocktails: what's not to like? Windows are open to Columbus Ave and Stuart Street in the summer so even while there is no 'outdoor area', Flash's has an open-air feeling. Great place for a TGIF drink with your co-workers...Flash's is also a regular stop for the Povo team!

Rattlesnake is one of the only roof-top bars in Backbay. Serving up drinks and food on three different levels (including a second level pool area), Rattlesnake has a little bit of "scene" for everyone. The first level is crowded- with after-work drinkers. In the summer, the floodgates are open and people pile in to get a spot on the covetted spot on the deck. The menu features grilled pizzetas, burgers, and sandwiches (all of the south of the border influence. Link to the Dinner Menu

Chef Charles Draghi brings us Erbaluce, a new Italian eatery tucked away in Bay Village, named for an Italian grape. Using only the freshest ingredients and local herbs, this chef aims to turn out inventive dishes that are light, with sauces built from vegetables rather than butter or cream, and pairing them with the Italian wine list. The food is said to be unlike that found at any other Italian eatery in Boston, and is influenced by the Piedmonte region of Italy, where the chef's family traces its roots. Main dishes are moderately priced, and a bar menu is available. Reserve by phone or email at: reservations@erbaluce-boston.com.