Brasserie$$$kenmore-fenwayMon-Thu 11:30-22:00, Fri 11:30-23:00, Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-20:00
Garrett Harker's Eastern Standard reopened in the Bower complex on Beacon Street in 2023, recovering the Kenmore Square brasserie template Boston lost.
Signature: Burger and frites, Oysters Rockefeller
Order: The ESK burger with house frites and an Aviation cocktail.
Tip: Pre-Sox-game dinner books out by 17:30. Late-night service runs to midnight on weekends.
Steakhouse$$$$beacon-hillMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-21:30, Sun 11:00-20:30
Jamie Mammano's modern steakhouse inside the XV Beacon Hotel has anchored Beacon Hill in Boston since 2007. Priced at $$$$. At 15 Beacon St.
Signature: Dry-aged porterhouse, Tomahawk for two
Order: The 28-day dry-aged ribeye, medium rare, with bone marrow.
Tip: Lunch is the under-the-radar seat. Pre-theatre menu at 17:30 prices the steak below the dinner card.
Eastern Mediterranean$$$cambridgeMon-Thu 17:30-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:30-22:30, Sun 17:30-22:00
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.
Signature: Sultan's delight, Spiced chickpea fritters
Order: The sultan's delight: tamarind-glazed beef on smoky eggplant cream.
Tip: The garden patio in summer is one of Cambridge's best outdoor seats. Books out three weeks ahead in season.
Eastern Mediterranean$$$somervilleMon-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-01:00, Sun 17:00-00:00
Cassie Piuma and Ana Sortun's meze room on Pearl Street in Somerville has run Turkish-style small plates since 2013. Kitchen leans eastern mediterranean.
Signature: Meze plates, Lamb manti
Order: Lamb manti, Turkish dumplings with yogurt and chili butter.
Tip: Order the chef's choice tasting; the kitchen will send the best of the night unprompted.
Italian$$$$cambridgeMon-Thu 17:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-00:00
Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Priced at $$$$.
Signature: Bolognese with house tagliatelle, Lumache cacio e pepe
Order: The tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.
Tip: Resy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.
Afghan$$cambridgeSun-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. At 143 1st Street. Reservations advised.
Signature: Kaddo, Aushak
Order: Kaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic-yogurt and meat sauce.
Tip: Reservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.