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SteakhouseBeacon Hill
Jamie Mammano's modern steakhouse inside the XV Beacon Hotel has anchored Beacon Hill in Boston since 2007. Priced at $$$$. At 15 Beacon St.
OrderThe 28-day dry-aged ribeye, medium rare, with bone marrow.
TipLunch is the under-the-radar seat. Pre-theatre menu at 17:30 prices the steak below the dinner card.
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Eastern MediterraneanCambridge
Ana Sortun's Inman Square room has run an Eastern Mediterranean kitchen in Cambridge since 2001. Turkish, Syrian and Lebanese plates from Siena Farms produce.
OrderThe sultan's delight: tamarind-glazed beef on smoky eggplant cream.
TipThe garden patio in summer is one of Cambridge's best outdoor seats. Books out three weeks ahead in season.
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Eastern MediterraneanSomerville
Cassie Piuma and Ana Sortun's meze room on Pearl Street in Somerville has run Turkish-style small plates since 2013. Kitchen leans eastern mediterranean.
OrderLamb manti, Turkish dumplings with yogurt and chili butter.
TipOrder the chef's choice tasting; the kitchen will send the best of the night unprompted.
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ItalianCambridge
Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Priced at $$$$.
OrderThe tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.
TipResy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.
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AfghanCambridge
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. At 143 1st Street. Reservations advised.
OrderKaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic-yogurt and meat sauce.
TipReservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.
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SpanishJamaica Plain
Tres Gatos on Centre Street is Jamaica Plain's tapas-bar-and-book-shop in Boston since 2011. Order the the chicken croquetas and a glass of manzanilla sherry.
OrderThe chicken croquetas and a glass of Manzanilla sherry.
TipWeekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday is the best-kept secret. The book shop and record stall open at 17:00.