Top end
Grill 23 & Bar
161 berkeley st, +1 617 542-2255, (http://www.grill23.com/). certainly a contender for the best steaks in boston. also serves excellent seafood entrees. private dining rooms available. make sure to make weekend reservations at least a week in advance.
Abe and Louie's
793 boylston st, +1 617 536-6300. su-th 11:30am-11pm, (http://www.abeandlouies.com) f-sa 11:30am-midnight. a happening steakhouse with some of the best cuts in town. make sure to get reservations or come in on off hours.
Top of the Hub
Prudential center, +1 617-859-0648, (http://www.prudentialcent...). dine in luxury at the top of the prudential building, the second tallest building in the city. light jazz, good food, and high prices accompany a view of the city and everything around. on a clear day, you can see maine and cape cod. $40/person, $60-80 with drinks at dinner.
L'Espalier
30 gloucester st, +1 617 262-3023, (http://www.lespalier.com) the flagship french restaurant in boston headed by award-winning chef frank mcclelland. impeccable service and memorable cuisine make this a top choice for special occasions. choose from several fix-priced multi-course menus no a la carte menu available. make reservations way in advance. note: l'espalier would move from its current location to a new place near the new mandarin oriental hotel in september 2008. the new location is only a couple minutes' walk from the old one, but given the complex nature of moving a restaurant, do call ahead and ask.
Morton's Steakhouse
699 boylston st at exeter st, +1 617 266-5858, (http://www.mortons.com). located near the hynes convention center and newbury street. a conservative dinner for two without drinks will run you about $150, not including tax and gratuity.
Nud Pob
708 commonwealth ave, +1 617-536-8676. m-f 11:30am-11:00pm, s+s 12:00pm-10:30pm. a student favorite for years, this little thai jewel is cheap and delicious. tucked away below street level this place is easy to miss but worth searching for. the food is fast, cheap, and some of the best in boston. their pad thai is perfect and their yellow and green curry dishes are to die for.
Pour House
907 boylston st. across the street from hynes convention center and the prudential center, +1 617-236-1767. specific day specials. cheap eats. check it out. oh and it's seat yourself.
Herrera's Mexican Grill
8 park plaza transportation building., +1 617-426-2350, (http://herrerasmexicangri...) mexican dishes at cheap prices made quickly with fresh ingredients.
Noodle St.
627 commonwealth ave near bu east t, +1 617-536-3100. 11:30am-10:30pm. this newer establishment has been a hit with the student crowd with its complex menu of create-it-yourself thai fusion at reasonable, if not quite insanely cheap prices. try the special buckwheat noodles or the noodle st. soup.
Summer Shack Restaurant
50 dalton st, across from the hynes auditorium, +1 617-867-9955. wonderful selections of seafood which change on a daily basis. the summer shack has a rotating selection of oysters and clams, and always have fresh lobsters for boiling or grilling on a wood flame. in addition, their fried seafood is great. try their raspberry mojitos from $15-$40. also, this is where you can try the famous pan roasted lobster one of julia child's all time favorite dish by the chef-owner jasper white.
The Upper Crust Pizzeria
222 newbury street., +1 617-262-0090. located in the midst of newbury street, one of the countries best shopping destinations, the upper crust pizzeria sits high above newbury street with great views of the bustling network of shops and resteraunts. founded in 2001, the upper crust menu operates of the simple concept based on traditional neapolitan style pizza, which is characterized by a thin crust and chunky sauce. since 2001, upper crust has been awarded "best pizza in boston" multiple times by the annual "best in boston" magazine issue. with fresh ingredients and a diverse menu of specialty pizzas, the upper crust is one of the top pizza destinations in boston.
The Parish Cafe
361 boylston street, (http://www.parishcafe.com/). a casual place with a moderate side walk cafe. their specialty is sandwiches designed by some of the best chefs in boston.
B. Good
131 dartmouth st., +1 617-424-5252, (http://www.bgood.com/). m-sa 11am-10pm, su 11am-9pm. vegetarian offers health-conscious veggie burgers with great fixings, like salsa and guacamole, and sides of tasty steamed veggies. the fries are air-baked and taste like real potatoes!
Hsin Hsin Café
25 massachusetts ave., a very cheap and fast chinese food joint, popular among students living in the area.
Fire and Ice
205 berkeley st., +1 617-482-fire3473. you get to pick your own food and sauces, and they cook it right in front of you on a large communal grill. $16.95, all you can eat. rather touristy.