Anthony's Pier 4 Restaurant, 140 Northern Avenue, Boston, (617) 482-6262. World-renowned seafood restaurant featuring New England lobster and scrod. Enjoy fine views of the harbor and skyline. Recipient of Wine Spectator magazine's Grand Award for one of the world's top wine lists. Free parking. Reservations accepted. Open weekdays, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., weekends until midnight.
Café Budapest, Copley Square Hotel, 90 Exeter Street, Boston, (617) 266-1979. Fine Hungarian cuisine in elegant Old World setting. Violinists and pianists perform nightly, adding to the romantic atmosphere. Specialties include veal goulash, stuffed cabbage, and sauerbraten. Formal, price range $16-$33. Lunch, Monday-Saturday 12-3; dinner, Monday-Thursday 5-10:30; Friday-Saturday 5-midnight; Sunday 1-10:30.
Chez Henri, One Shepard Street, Cambridge, (617) 354-8980. A modern French bistro with a Cuban twist, located near Harvard Square. The menu features updated versions of classic bistro cuisine with a Latin accent, such as steak with yuca frites. The bar serves Cuban-style tapas (empanadas, grilled homemade chorizo) until midnight. See review. Serving dinner nightly and Sunday brunch.
Ciao Bella, 240A Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 536-2626. House specialties include fresh swordfish chop, a daily pasta offering, grilled salad, and veal chop. Modern Italian decor with marble, ceramic tile, and ash woodwork. Sidewalk patio. Lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Valet parking Tuesday through Saturday nights.
The Elephant Walk, 900 Beacon Street, Boston, (617) 247-1500; 70 Union Square, Somerville, (617) 623-9939. Cambodian and French cuisine. A Boston Globe critic called the menu "so intriguing that one is tempted to order one dish after another just to explore all those flavors, all those nuances." Open Monday-Thursday, noon-10; Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.; Sunday, 4-10.
Felucca, 1032 Beacon Street, Brookline, (617) 264-7100. With white-washed walls and azure ceiling, Felucca evokes images of a Mediterranean seaside village. The refreshing ambiance is carried over into the menu, where wood-grilled meats, marinated vegetables, and fresh seafood, robustly flavored with North African spices, form the basis of many dishes. Lunch and dinner daily, and Sunday brunch from 11:30 to 2.
Maison Robert, 45 School Street, Boston, (617) 227-3370. Treat yourself to contemporary French food with Asian accents created by new chef Jacky Robert, while enjoying the grandeur of the formal setting inside Boston's Old City Hall. Downstairs, the more relaxed café is the spot for imaginative bistro fare at provincial prices (including monthly prix fixe selections). Award-winning desserts. Fine wine list. Outdoor terrace and cozy indoor bar. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11:30-2:30; dinner Monday-Saturday 5:30-10:00. Reservations suggested. Valet parking.
Providence, 1223 Beacon Street (near Coolidge Corner), Brookline, (617) 232-0300. American interpretations of European classics, with an emphasis on wood grilling, are served in an ornate dining room. The specialties include a cured and smoked veal brisket "pastrami-style" and a chestnut chocolate marjolaine. Informal. Price range: $12-$20. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30-10; Friday and Saturday, 5:30-11; Sunday, 5:30-9:30. Reservations accepted.
Santa Barbara Café, 1 Arrow Street, Cambridge, (617) 497-5109. Committed to healthy eating as a lifestyle, not a fad. Features health-conscious cuisine, with nutritional information provided on the menu. A casual, quiet spot in Harvard Square, open for lunch and dinner. Signature dishes include the veggie handroll, spicy Thai pasta, low-fat Caesar salad with grilled chicken, and fresh soups.
