LES ZYGOMATES
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: French/French-American
Entertainment: yes
Profile: no
Most entrees more than $25
Telephone : 617-542-5108
   
129 South St., 617-542-5108. Chef Ian Just brings his experience working as a chef in Paris to Boston at this delightful neighborhood wine bar. Listen to live jazz in a chic atmosphere while indulging in delectable fare such as grilled applewood smoked pork chop stuffed with bleu cheese and spinach or crepes with goat cheese, eggplant and mushrooms, all accompanied by a top-notch wine selection. Mon–Fri 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m., Sat 6 p.m.–1 a.m.

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LOCKE-OBER
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: French/French-American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees more than $25
Telephone : 617-542-1340
   
3 Winter Place, 617-542-1340. Helmed by local culinary innovator Lydia Shire, this downtown landmark has been refurbished and restored to its former glory. The menu of this Boston Brahmin bastion has been updated, but Shire has kept many of its classics, including the legendary lobster Savannah. L, D, LS.

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THE MARLIAVE
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: French/French-American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $19-25
Telephone : 617-422-0004
   
10 Bosworth St., 617-422-0004. The Marliave has existed as a Boston dining landmark for more than 120 years, weathering two World Wars, the Great Depression and Prohibition. Its current incarnation, envisioned by Chef Scott Herritt of Grotto Restaurant, features French, Italian and New England cuisine, much of it mined from past menus and updated to include seasonal, locally farmed meat and produce. The meticulously restored building is a testament to the restaurant’s rich past, its funky vintage interior providing ambiance and history. L, D, BR, C.

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MAX & DYLANS
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-423-3600
   
15 West St., 617-423-3600; 1 Chelsea St., Charlestown, 617-242-7400. This hip, casual restaurant features appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches and refined comfort food entrees along with vibrant cocktails. Priced for value, this is a great meeting place for groups or friends. Open daily 11:30 a.m.–2 a.m. L, D, LS, SB. www.maxanddylans.com.

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MERITAGE
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees more than $25
Telephone : 617-439-3995
   
Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf, 617-439-3995. Fresh, seasonal cuisine is carefully matched to an appropriate vintage from the 12,000-bottle wine collection. The restaurant’s interior combines slate, marble, exotic wood and leather, creating a luxurious atmosphere to accompany a hearty meal. All menu items come in appetizer and entree sizes. D, LS.

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MIEL
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: French/French-American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $19-25
Telephone : 617-217-5151
   
InterContinental Hotel, 510 Atlantic Ave., 617-217-5151. This “Brasserie Provencal” brings the feel and flavor of the French countryside to Boston’s waterfront. No butter is used in preparing the cuisine, with heart-healthy olive oils and aromatic herbs instead flavoring classic Provencal dishes like bouillabaisse, salad Nicoise and ratatouille. Diners can enjoy the extensive wine list and an exquisite “small plate” SB in a dining room overlooking Boston Harbor.

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NEBO
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: Italian
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $19-25
Telephone : 617-723-NEBO
   
90 N. Washington St., 617-723-6326. Located just 252 steps away from the TD Garden, Nebo is an upscale pizzeria and enoteca with a familial vibe—likely due to its chefs/owners, sisters Christine and Carla Pallotta. The restaurant offers up a pleasing menu of antipasti, homemade pastas and 30 varieties of Neapolitan-style pizza, all served in a stylish environment of natural wood, chocolate suede and brick walls. D.

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O YA
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $19-25
Telephone : 617-654-9900
   
9 East St., 617-654-9900. Diners and critics alike are enthused about this contemporary and edgy sushi eatery that was crowned Boston’s best restaurant of 2009 by Boston magazine. A simple, natural decor perfectly complements the exquisitely created dishes. The intimate seating capacity of 37 diners makes reservations a must. D, C, VP.

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OCEANA
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: Seafood
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-227-3838
   
Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, 296 State St., 617-227-3838. Executive chef Joseph Chaves serves seasonal dishes, including fresh seafood delivered directly to the hotel’s dock, in a dining room offering panoramic views of Boston Harbor. www.marriottlongwharf.com. B, L (Mon–Fri), D, SB.

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PARKER’S RESTAURANT
Location: Downtown
Cuisine: American
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees more than $25
Telephone : 617-725-1600
   
Omni Parker House, 60 School St., 617-725-1600. Executive chef Gerry Tice celebrates nostalgic cuisine with a contemporary flair. The stately dining room reflects the rich culinary heritage that lives on at the birthplace of Boston cream pie and the Parker House roll. B, L, D.

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