406 Stuart St., Boston, MA, 02116

Post 390 feels like it’s been here a long time. It’s two levels of wood, fireplaces, open kitchens, and warm lighting, with several bars and an army of employees, and so crowded it’s hard to take any of that in. --The Boston Globe, Dec. 2, 2009

226 Newbury St., Boston, MA, 02116

This new, cozy, Italian spot, adjacent to the more luxurious Piattini Wine Cafe, packs plenty of appeal. Set in the petite parlor of a Newbury Street brownstone, cream walls offset gleaming wooden tables and a wall of well-stocked wine cubbies. -- The Boston Globe, Dec.

600 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA, 02477

Red Lentil is an unusual place. Chef and owner Pankaj Pradhan was raised in New Delhi and is vegetarian; he’s added vegan and gluten-free choices to the menu. All the grains and many ingredients are organic. In the 2 1/2 months since Pradhan opened this bright ... more

26 North St., Boston, MA, 02109

North 26, opened in the Millennium Bostonian Hotel this past fall, has a seasoned chef of the New England school: Brian Flagg, who cooked with Jasper White at Jasper’s and Summer Shack and Todd English at Olives, and was executive chef at Harvard Square’s Harv ... more

204 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA, 02139

City Girl Cafe, a veteran among Inman Square restaurants, opened 13 years ago as an informal place where customers ordered panini and salads and breakfast at the counter. Now City Girl has grown up. This fall, the tiny spot down the street from Ryles began offering ... more