Your guide to Restaurant Week

Get ready to put a hold on your diet — Restaurant Week is right around the corner!

For two weeks the top restaurants in and around Boston will offer prix-fixe menus ranging from about $15 (lunch) to $30 (dinner).  So how will you choose where to dine? Restaurant Week is your opportunity to hit up some of the most popular, and most expensive, places in the city. Check out Blast’s list of the best of the best and some of the mouth-watering dishes they’ll be offering.

Beacon Hill Bistro:

Nestled in the middle of Charles Street, Beacon Hill Bistro offers so much more than a charming atmosphere. Opt for a window seat and enjoy the view of passers-by while you indulge.

Try the:

– Butternut Squash Velout¨ with graham masala, pomegranate and argan oil

– Lentil and Farro Burger with baby spinach, spiced yogurt and red pepper salad

– Spiced Chocolate Cake with valrhona chocolate mousse, teach poached Asian pears and dulche de leche

25 Charles St., Boston, (617) 723–7575 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (617) 723–7575      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (617) 723–7575      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, beaconhillhotel.com

The Beehive:

Prepare to be amazed by The Beehive’s impressive list of wines and champagnes. Their food has been taken to the next level by Executive Chef Rebecca Newell and their classic jazz club atmosphere hits all the right notes.

Try the:

– Candied Garlic Spareribs

– Irish Lamb Stew

– Butterscotch Pudding with Pretzel Praline

541 Tremont St., Boston, (617) 423-0069, beehiveboston.com

Bina Osteria:

Osteria is Latin for guest, and Bina Osteria certainly takes care of theirs. This modernly decorated restaurant is located in vibrant Downtown Crossing, where you can also indulge in a little shopping before you indulge in a delicious meal.

Try the:

– Tuna Bocconcini Sicilian style (ricotta, red onion, lemon, basil) with a small salad

– Wild Boar Goulash three cheese poletna

– Gelato/Sorbet

581 Washington St., Boston, (617) 956-0888, binaboston.com

Clink:

Once the Charles Street Jail, Clink resides on the lobby level of The Liberty Hotel; the original jail cells now act as the perfect dining setting.

Try the:

– Roasted Beet and Mozzarella Salad with Arugula and White Balsamic

– Port Clyde Monkfish Sandwich with Turmeric, Dill, Cilantro, and New Potato Salad

– Frozen Lemon Souffle with Cake Crumbles and Young Coconut Water

215 Charles St., Boston, (617) 224-4004, clinkrestaurant.com

Dante:

Enjoy the view of the Charles River and Boston’s skyline while you experience Italian cuisine like you’ve never seen before.

Try the:

– Semplice: seasonal greens, cucumber yogurt, red wine vinaigrette

– Merluzzo: baked cod "oreganata,” green bean salad

– Panna Cotta: vanilla, passion fruit, banana caramel

5 Cambridge Parkway, Cambridge, (617) 497-4200, restaurantdante.com

Eastern Standard:

Whether you choose the dining room or the Ann Corio lounge and porch at this upscale Fenway eatery, you’ll enjoy the ideal backdrop for your dining experience.

Try the:

– Spring Dug Parsnip soup: curry cr¨me fraiche

– Crispy Confit Duck Leg with lentils, roasted shallot, braised greens

528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, (617) 532-9100, easternstandardboston.com

Gaslight:

This South End favorite has a romantic feel and swoon-worthy food to accompany it.

Try the:

– Braised Red Onion Tartlette with Thyme Cr¨me Fraiche and Banyuls Syrup

– Smoky Braised Beef Brisket with Ratatouille Stuffed Cabbage Leaves and Sauce Braisage

– Chocolate Ganache Tartlette with Peanut Butter Mousse and Caramel a la Cr¨me

All meals come with a complementary glass of Merlot Chateau Abaye de Sainte-Ferme ’04 Bordeaux or Sauvignon Blend, Reserve St. Martin ’08 Languedoc

560 Harrison Ave., Boston, (617) 422-0224, gaslight560.com

Grafton Street:

At 5,000 square feet, Grafton offers its patrons the cozy atmosphere of an Irish pub as well as the amenities of a full service restaurant.

Try the:

– Fish Tacos: Local Cod, Shaved Cabbage, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Smoked Chili Cream

– Guajillo Statler Chicken

– Mexican Chocolate Sauce, Kiwi Brulee

1230 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, (617) 497-0400, graftonstreetcambridge.com

KO Prime:

This steakhouse is one of the fanciest on Tremont. Don’t leave without first tucking into one of their superior steaks.

Try the:

– Slice of Ice: Iceburg Lettuce, Point Reyes Blue Cheese, Lardons (small pieces of thick cut bacon), and Fried Onions

– 10 oz NY Strip, Chantenay Carrots, and Mushroom Ragout

– Espresso Ice Cream, Chocolate Brownie, and Dark Chocolate Sauce

90 Tremont St., Boston, (617) 772-0202, koprimeboston.com

Locke-Ober:

The main dining room and lounge are located on the first floor while the Ober and Camus rooms are on the second. The third floor is home to six private dining rooms; the JFK room is the most sought after.

Try the:

– Fresh Pea and Spinach Soup with Coconut Milk and Curry

– Crusted Broiled Schrod with Crab Butter and Steamed New Potatoes

– Strawberry Pavlova

3 Winter St., Boston, (617) 542-1340, lockeober.com

Mare:

Mare is Boston’s first restaurant to have all organic and/or all-natural ingredients. The majority of the menu consists of seafood from both the U.S. and Italy.

Try the:

– Grilled Octopus Genovese Pesto, Potato Mousse

– Chicken Under the Brick, Gorgonzola Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts

– Apple Bread Pudding with Apple Caramel Sauce

135 Richmond St., Boston, (617) 723-MARE (6273), marenatural.com

Petit Robert Bistro:

Ever notice that the majority of bistros are rather upscale and expensive? Petit Robert is a true Bistro in both cost and atmosphere.

Try the:

– Shrinp and Lobster Macaronis and Cheese

– Soup du Jour with Shrimps

– Fillet of Sole Bonne Femme

480 Columbus Ave., Boston, (617) 867-0600, petitrobertbistro.com

Pigalle:

If a romantic and elegant ambiance is what you’re looking for then Pigalle is the restaurant for you.

Try the:

– Cream of Turnip Soup, Spiced Almonds, Smokey Paprika Foam, and Turnip Pickles

– Steamed Littleneck Clams, Braised Fennel, Fish Fumet (stock used to add flavor), Pernod and Romesco Crouton

– Classic Vanilla Cr¨me Brulee

75 Charles St., South Boston,  (617) 423-4944, pigalleboston.com

Rialto:

Rialto specializes in Italian cuisine with a New England twist.

Try the:

– Radicchio-Artichoke Salad, Dates, Almonds, and Celery

– Three Cheese Ravioli, Roasted Tomatoes, Green Herb Sauce

– Chocolate Espresso Torta with Strawberries and Cream

1 Bennett St., Cambridge, (617) 661-5050, rialto-restaurant.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House:

When you visit Ruth’s Chris Steak House be sure to visit Curley, their upscale bar named after the late Boston mayor, James Michael Curley.

Try the:

– Crab and Corn Chowder

– Filet with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

– Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

45 School St., Boston, (617) 742-8401, ruthschris.com

Top of the Hub:

Top of the Hub offers a classy and romantic setting with the live jazz music and an unbeatable view.

Try the:

– Crispy Westphalian Ham

– Grilled Colorado 12oz Lamb Chop, Roasted Garlic, Calamata Olives Sauce, Spinach and Goat Cheese Lasagna

– Cherry Napoleon, Kirsch Brandy Anglaise

800 Boylston St., Boston, (617) 536-1775, topofthehub.net

Toro:

Toro boasts authentic Spanish-style tapas right here in Boston. Once you step inside you will feel as if you’re in Spain.

Try the:

– Aceitunas: Marinated Olives in Bay Leaf, Lemon and Spices

– Queso Mahon: Marinated Cow’s Milk Cheese from Menorca

– Uni Bocadillo: Pressed Uni Sandwich with Miso Butter and Pickled Mustard Seeds

1704 Washington St., Boston, (617) 536-4300, toro-restaurant.com

Tratorria Il Panino:

Tratorria Il Panino is a favorite North End spot for it’s cozy outdoor area and tantalizing Italian fare. Be prepared to wait at peak times, especially as locals who know the owners are often allowed to cut.

Try the:

– Caesar Della Casa

– Linguine Puttanesca

– Limoncello Sorbetto

11 Parmenter St., Boston, (617) 720-1336, trattoriailpanino.com

Tremont647:

Tremont647 takes advantage of locally grown ingredients, allowing them to constantly change their menu and keep up with what’s fresh.

Try the:

– Famous Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Ritz Cracker Topping and Chives

– Rock Shrimp Black Truffle Risotto, Roasted Garlic Puree, and Baby Spinach, Fresh Oregano, and Shaved Parmesan (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday ONLY)

– Chocolate Marquise, Cocoa Meringues, Blackberry Merlot Sauce

647 Tremont St., Boston, (617) 266-4600, tremont647.com

Upstairs on the Square:

Are you craving more than your traditional dining out experience? Upstairs on the Square exudes hospitality and cheerfulness to provide you with a dinner party feel.

Try the:

– Maple Sugar Custard, Giant Asparagus, Sauce Gribiche

– Toasted Barely and Mushroom Soup with Green Garlic Toast

– MCD’s Meatloaf Sandwhich on Potato Bread with Sliced Pepper Dressing and Sweet Potato Chips

91 Winthrop St., Cambridge, (617) 864-1933, upstairsonthesquare.com