Though located a stone's throw from Chinatown, this upscale drinking and dining destination has nothing in common with the area's ubiquitous takeout joints. The sleek lounge area is popular with nearby Financial District workers for its tantalizing drink concoctions (addictive kumquat mojitos and cactus pear margaritas) and inventive finger food (orange-and-tamarind-glazed spare ribs are a must-try). A top-shelf sushi bar and colorful desserts (delicate ginger-lemongrass creme brulee) round out the lengthy menu.

Rialto is so unique - you can come dressed in blue jeans or black tie because this is Cambridge's Harvard Square. Located at the top of Charles Hotel this classic Mediterranean restaurant offers fresh seafood, tuna tartar, while seared scallops, Long Island duck and many other dishes blended with New England ingredients. Chef Jody Adams created impeccable food, and the best is saved for last - desserts, especially the lemon chiffon cake with lime-yogurt mousse, astound.

Mantra's cuisine is like nothing else in the country. Located in the Ladder District, Boston's hottest new neighborhood, MANTRA offers a sophisticated blend of French flavors and techniques with subtle Indian "accents." The atmosphere combines the stateliness of a large turn-of-the-century former bank building with the modernism of laser-cut steel mirrors, chainmail drapery, leather flooring, raw silk upholstery, and a 30' woven wood structure affectionately called The Hookah Den. It's a 10-person den with red suede banquettes for enjoying cocktails before dinner, or an Eastern waterpipe with fruit-flavored tobaccos after dinner.

EVOO, an acronym for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, serves eclectic, New American cuisine. The chef Peter McCarthy is using as many local ingredients as possible, changing the menu as different ones become available. The venue owns a share of a farm, and purchases produce and livestock from local farmers. Delicious, colorfully titled entrees include "Duck, Duck, Goose" (confit, foie gras and breast meat, respectively). EVOO not only offers great food but great service. The staff is welcoming and very knowledgeable about the menu.

Troquet name is French slang for "small wine cafe." As indicated by its name, Troquet is tribute to wine, boasting over 300 bottles and 42 wines by the glass (over half are premium wines). The style of the food is New American, using the freshest ingredients available for the season. The menu is evenly divided between meat, pasta, game and fish, as well as surprises such as "Roasted Suckling Pig with Soft Polenta, Spiced Pears and Glazed Root Vegetables." Cheese is taken very seriously here: every evening up to eight cheeses are available in any combination of goat's, cow's and sheep's milk. All desserts and breads are made on the premises.

Located at XV Beacon hotel, this culinary destination has an atmosphere that evokes the stately tradition of the world's most prestigious private clubs. "The Fed" offers artistic imagination in the preparation of dishes ranging from a quintessential New England Lobster Bisque to a millennium version of Beef Wellington. Executive Chef David Daniels uses a rooftop herb garden to ensure culinary perfection. The food can be extravagant and sometimes outrageous, but every bite rings true.