From the posh Mexican-inspired cuisine that utilizes New England ingredients to the authentic hand-painted toilet bowls, every aspect of Lolita Cocina and Tequila Bar in Boston’s Back Bay brims over with flare. Located only paces from the Copley T stop, Lolita is a must for anyone interested in great food, tasty drinks and a lively atmosphere.

Just a few steps below street level, Lolita’s lavishly dark interior immediately envelops the senses: windowless walls are covered from floor to ceiling in velvety red and black wallpaper, antique wrought-iron doors frame the walk-up tequila bar that’s inlaid with black alligator skin tile, and silent black and white Mexican films are projected onto the mid-19th century brick that was hand-selected by owners and siblings Chris and Stephanie Jamison.

Since opening the restaurant just under a month ago, Chris and Stephanie seem to have gained quite a positive reputation for Lolita; when we went here for dinner on a Saturday, we waited 30 minutes for a table. The wait was eased, however, by a $6 pint of the dark, chocolaty Lolita Craft Brew.

As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by a dramatic amuse-bouche: a silver bowl brimming over with dry ice smoke, filled with a grapefruit granita, an Italian ice-like dessert, and doused with a complimentary shot of tequila. The sour grapefruit and sharp tequila were a great way to wake up our palate for the meal ahead. Then we dove into a large basket of homemade tortilla chips served with three of Lolita’s homemade salsas.

Lolita boasts a liquor cabinet with over 200 tequilas, and its drink menu is just as diverse. We enjoyed the Bonita margarita ($14), rimmed with sugar and flavored with ginger and white peach, and the Lolita margarita ($12), rimmed with salt and flavored with grapefruit and lime. If dining with a crowd (or a couple of big drinkers), Lolita also offers their signature margaritas by the pitcher.

At the end of a meal, every table is presented with this sour apple cotton candy shooter scattered with cherry Pop Rocks candy.

Lolita’s dinner menu is studded with a variety of tantalizing options that marry traditional Mexican recipes with local New England ingredients. We started off our meal with the Crispy Masa Oysters ($11), a plate of fried oysters served atop fresh salsa and chipotle crema, and the Tres Ceviches ($12), a trio of ceviches ranging in taste from sweet to spicy, each in an individual shot glass. For our main course, we had the pulled pork tacos ($12), served with pickled onions and salsa verde, and a side dish of the Iron Pan Corn Bread ($6). The corn bread came out floating in a pool of garlicky butter sauce, and paired beautifully with the tangy tacos. For a complimentary sweet treat at the end of the meal, every table is presented with a whimsical glassful of homemade sour apple cotton candy scattered with cherry Pop Rocks candy, a unique take on a childhood favorite. Our waitress playfully alluded to Marge Simpson’s blue coiffure as the inspiration for this sticky delight.

Owners Chris and Stephanie opened Lolita last month with the hope of creating “an upscale, decadent experience with the rock ‘n roll atmosphere usually associated with tequila and Mexican food.” We think they’ve struck the perfect balance between comfort and elegance. Lolita is an ideal spot for either a romantic date or a group of friends looking to kick back, savor scrumptious food and sip on fantastic drinks. We longingly look forward to our next visit.

PITTSFIELD — Two hours down the Massachusetts Turnpike to exit 2 and another half hour north on Rt. 20 brings you to Pittsfield and all the splendor of Lake Onota and the Berkshires.

You might as well get some good food while you’re here.

There is good Italian food in the Berkshires, and there’s some of the best pizza in Massachusetts (I’d say that’s thanks to a New York and Connecticut influence), but it’s Asian Fusion we’re discussing when we approach Jae’s Spice on North Street, in a bustling neighborhood near the train station.

If you like any variety of Asian food, you’ll find something to satisfy yourself at Jae’s Spice. And if you don’t like Asian, there are flatbread pizzas, ($11.95-$19.95) salads, and a large wine and cocktail menu to keep you occupied.

The menu is a little overwhelming — really it’s huge. There’s an ample sushi selection, but I was craving something hot after a long day on the New York border.

The mandoo beef dumplings ($6.95) are a good starter. I had them fried, but you could also order them steamed. They are flavorful and satisfying without being too filling. The dish leaves you comfortable while ready for the main course.

Healthier and huger is the Jae’s paradise chicken with peppers, onions, pea pods, black mushrooms, and spicy Szechuan sauce ($13.95). It’s a massive dish that comes with white or brown rice (I had brown).

I left several pea pods and onions on the dish, and I would have added many more mushrooms and just a little more chicken, but there’s really not much to complain about with this dish. The sauce adds bite without a burn. The chicken is all white meat. The pods are crispy and edible. It’s a dish that leaves you full with no regrets.

For a more traditional fare, Jae’s Spice has a version of General Tso’s called General Lee’s chicken with broccoli $14.95). There’s also an oven roasted trout with roaster cauliflower and sesame-soy dressing ($16.95) and a delicious sounding macaroni and Maine lobster with spinach, bacon and chive creme fraiche ($22.95) that may be worth a second visit. I’m also interested in the Kobe meatloaf ($14.95) and the miso and sake glazed bass ($22.95).

For flatbread pizzas, try the Maine lobster, tomato, ricotta, arugula, and truffle lemon aioli option ($19.95).

And again, there are dozens of sushi selections.

The restaurant is “smart casual” with attentive service and knowledgeable bartenders. There was a lot of business talk going on in the bar on my recent visit.

The Berkshires are great for a romantic weekend, and Jae’s Spice gives you a little urban flavor in a small town package.

ORLANDO, Fla. — I’m no food connoisseur but I will be the first to tell you how much I like to eat and eat well. I can’t say I disagree with the fact that Orlando was recently ranked to be less fun than Poughkeepsie but I can say that the City Beautiful will never be short on dining options. From southern comfort food to fine dining, we have it all. If you’re willing to venture out of the chain comfort zone you find yourself gravitating to because they are close to your hotel and eat like this local, you just might be willing to try something new in your own town.

Brunch/Lunch/Dinner

Harmoni – Market Bistro Wine Bar

407-637-8050

If you just happen to be craving local, fresh ingredients in a causal bistro scene look no further than Harmoni. Mediterranean based dishes provide a great range guaranteed to satisfy everyone with a motto of “Better is better” each meal is nothing short of delicious. With a majority of their items coming from local vendors, farms and fisherman it doesn’t get much fresher.

Open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 10-3pm, you can experience Cinnamon Challah French Toast with vanilla cream sauce ($7.50), that is sweet enough to not require maple syrup. Lump crab Benedict served with seasonal fruit and roasted red breakfast potatoes ($11). The mixture of the abundance of crab that is melt-in-your-mouth good paired with the roasted potatoes and of course the sauce make this breakfast decadent. Breakfast Panini’s, flatbreads and omelets’ with the locally blended coffee, and a low key setting with just the right amount of live music playing set the mood for a great way to start or end any weekend. If you happen to stop in for dinner try the fresh Baba Ghanoush as a starter($4), Gumba flatbread with rib eye, mushrooms, caramelized onions, tomatoes and bleu cheese ($10.50), Mediterranean Cobb salad ($9), Scallops with tomato parmesan couscous and wilted spinach ($16.50), and Basil Pesto pasta with their very own house made mozzarella ($10). Harmoni also has an impressive wine list with over 150 different varieties, locally brewed beers, occasional live music and a full bar round out this unexpected find at either of their two locations.

Lunch on the run

Black Bean Deli

407-628-0294

I discovered the Black Bean Deli many years ago while working down the street from their Winter Park location and it has since been a favorite. Rated “Best Cuban Food” and “Best take out” by Orlando Weekly and Orlando Sentinel for 5 years straight along with being ’ZAGAT RATED’ and best of AOL CITY SEARCH is proof this little gem has managed to win over a few others too. To avoid the lunch rush, it’s best to call your order in ahead of time because it’s typical for the line to snake out the door of the small order/pick-up area. With a menu of simple yet delicious Cuban favorites, I hardly ever deviate from the lunch special which is served daily until 3pm. It features a hot pressed Cuban that is always perfectly toasted and never fails on providing the exact balance of salty, sweet, crunchy, and melted cheese goodness that you come to expect when you think of a great Cuban. It comes paired with a small cup of black beans and rice ($5), which beats any value meal for the same price. Other favorites include Papas Rellenas, a mashed potato ball stuffed with Picadillo served with rice, beans, plantains’ and salad for ($6.75), and Flan ($2) to cover your sweet craving.

Comfort

Olde Dixie Fried Chicken

407-855-0681

Olde Dixie Fried Chicken, an Orlando landmark since 1962, has been serving up anything but mediocre fried chicken since the day they opened their doors. The decor hasn’t changed since that day either it seems with the original vintage sign still out front but neither has the menu. Their chicken is always fresh, never frozen and delivered daily. Their chicken is the definition of good fried chicken; crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned and delicious. 3-pc chicken dinner with choice of two sides (potato, coleslaw, baked beans or macaroni salad, mashed potatoes, fries), hot rolls ($6.10) which is just basic good eatin’. Bucket o’ shrimp which features 25 large hand breaded shrimp, coleslaw, hot rolls, and their own tangy shrimp sauce ($22.95) claims to be able to feed 5-7 but I’ve seen it devoured by less. Fish or chicken sandwich ($4.10) are also just as equal in providing the love you feel after consuming any fried food.

Sushi

Nona Sushi

407-381-7777

I’ve become quite the sushi snob after my neighborhood was blessed with Nona Sushi. Set at the end of a nonchalant strip mall they have managed to set the bar high on serving up fresh delicious rolls in a very casual environment with excellent service that has me basing any other establishment off of. Edamame ($3.95), Tuna Kobachi ($8.95), and Seaweed Salad ($5.25) are my favorite ways to start. A wide variety of traditional and exotic rolls fill the menu but the Mexican that features shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, jalapeno and eel sauce($10), Fresh Salmon Roe($5), Spicy Tuna roll with cucumber($8) and Dynamite roll with salmon, imitation crab, cucumber, battered and fried, topped with spicy hot sauce($8) are my favorites. A daily menu that offers new options from rolls to entrees for something different but entree list that doesn’t disappoint is always available. Chilean Sea Bass that is steamed with ginger & scallion soy sauce ($23.75) or Walnut Shrimp with mayo-flavored sauce and candied walnuts ($19.75) each entree is served with rice and your choice of Miso Soup or Ginger salad. Desert isn’t debatable with the Tempura cheesecake ($7.95) that is perfect for sharing.

Fine Dining

Bull & Bear Steakhouse

407-597-5500

If you really want go all out, a night at Bull & Bear is the way to go because the statement "go big or go home" is what they are all about. Even though Orlando is a far cry from New York City, we’re more than appreciative when not only the renowned Waldorf Astoria Hotel opened their doors in late 2009 bringing with it original creations such as the Waldorf Salad, Veal Oscar, Red Velvet Cake, Thousand Island Dressing and of course the Manhattan but introduced us to the several award winning Bull & Bear. From the attentive service, the plush gentleman’s club interior, fresh daily selections, and lengthy wine list; their promise of an extraordinary dining experience follows through.

Start with the Iced Shellfish Platter that features chilled Maine lobster, oysters, crab cocktail and gulf shrimp that are quite the statement on the oversized silver platter ($56) and Heirloom tomato salad with Burrata cheese and arugula ($15). Rack of Colorado Lamb features double cut loin chops ($42) cooked medium rare are not in the least gamey which just might have those reluctant to try something other than the norm. Broiled Diver Scallops that were almost the size of a half dollar in Tarragon scampi butter ($38) are nothing short of divine. Though Bull & Bear is known as the first restaurant on the East coast to first serve Certified Angus Beef which they display on five of the six beef selections, there is also the 10 ounce American Kobe skirt steak ($52). The skirt steak is not known for being a tender cut but if a butter knife could do the job then you know it’s good. Mac and cheese with pancetta ($8) that is so rich it is nearly impossible to consume more than a few sinful bites and Seasonal fresh mushrooms ($8) completed the meal.

WALTHAM — “Best food ever” is a lofty title I have only awarded to a handful of meals: lasagna in Rome, fresh corn pie in July and Hershey’s milk chocolate.

The last one is more of an addiction than an honor.

So in my 22 years of life I can think of two legitimate foods deserving of the title "best food ever." TLC wants to change that. The Learning Channel has decided to break away from highlighting families with way too many kids and brides-to-be with $15,000 to blow on a wedding dress to try to create, for your viewing pleasure, a list of the best food ever. John Goodman narrates, and ginormous sandwiches and over-the-top food ensues.

Waltham restaurant Jake’s Dixie Roadhouse & BBQ & Blues made the cut for the June 20 Buzzworthy BBQ episode. The thought that New England could boast some of the best BBQ in the country made me a tad bit curious. So I just had to try it out.

Jake’s Dixie Roadhouse is located on Moody Street in Waltham. Its website boasts "we keep getting better so check back soon" in the Reviews and Awards section. Waltham is a long way to go to hope they’ve reached the pinnacle TLC thinks they have reached, but I was already committed. Thanks to a lovely online menu, I already knew what I wanted to try at Jake’s. Fried pickles, North Carolina Pulled Pork, Kansas City Burnt Ends, and as a finale to the meatfest deep fried Twinkies. Don’t worry I brought along my trusty meat-loving date so I didn’t have to eat all of this food by myself.

The fried pickles or frickles, as they are called on the menu, were delightful. I hate getting an appetizer, because I am never hungry for the meal after eating it. But these crunchy tempura battered spears were ideal. The batter was the perfect thin crust and the pickles arrived hot out of the fryer. It was a great clog-your-arteries way to start the meal and the BBQ experience.

Every entree at Jake’s comes with baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread and watermelon. We tried the pulled pork first. The pork was perfectly moist and salty. The cornbread was a little dry and not terribly corn-flavored. It definitely needed butter. The baked beans and coleslaw were a perfect sweet to the spice and salt of the pork. And the watermelon. Well who does not love ending a meal with something as refreshing as watermelon?

In order to have room for the fried Twinkies, I ordered the Kansas City Burnt Ends in sandwich form. Out came a massive sandwich piled with smoked brisket covered in BBQ sauce. The meat fell apart and was in perfect bite sized pieces. The sauce was everything I wanted in BBQ, rich smoky flavor with a slight spice. The sandwich also came with baked beans and coleslaw, but didn’t come with cornbread or watermelon. For half the price of the entrees, the sandwich boasted the same quality meat and large portions.

Fried Twinkies scared me. The thought that a food as terrible for you as a Twinkie could possibly be made more terrible for you just seemed like a bad idea. I tried so hard to hate the idea, I really did. But when the freshly fried Twinkies covered in blueberry sauce and sprinkled in powdered sugar arrived at my table, I had trouble controlling my urge to devour them. One bite proved my worst fears. They were delicious. The battering and frying had turned the lowly snack food into something ethereal. As a pastry chef my goal is always to surprise customers so when they bite into my creations they lose themselves for a few minutes, while trying to grasp what it is that makes what they’re eating taste so incredible. This dessert did that. And it has forced me to adjust my list of "the best food ever." Fried Twinkies, lasagna in Rome, and fresh corn pie in July. Maybe TLC was onto something about Jake’s.

After watching the first episode of "The Best Food Ever" on TLC, I can almost promise you Jake’s entree The Bubba will be the menu item featured on the show. The Bubba is an entree with pulled pork, 1/4 chicken, beef brisket, and Memphis spareribs. Most of the choices on this week’s "Sensational Sandwiches" episode were probably entirely delicious, but were also huge. The Bubba seems to fit that category nicely.

While I do not know if Jake’s Dixie Roadhouse gave me "the best food ever" experience with its BBQ, it was a great place to enjoy delicious BBQ and fried treats. It was a true taste of BBQ in an area of the country known for clam chowder and baked beans. That authentic taste alone made Jake’s impressive enough to visit more than once. That and I just don’t think I can live without trying some more fried Twinkies, just to make sure their quality remains consistent.

I enjoy fusion in every aspect of my life. I love it in my fashion, decor, music and especially cuisine. I even love it in my dance (I teach a Bellydance Fusion class at Life in Synergy after all). So when I heard about an Indian Chinese restaurant taking over the spot once occupied by hotel The Jewel of Newbury at 254 Newbury Street I decided to see if this was a fusion made in foodie heaven.

Two strong cuisines such as Indian and Chinese stand on their own known for very specific and strong flavors, spices and cooking techniques. Mumbai Chopstix attempts to bring to Boston something I have to admit I’d never heard of; Indian Chinese food.

Indian Chinese cuisine mixes Chinese spices and cooking techniques with Indian flavors. It is said to have originated in India, being developed by a small Chinese community there.

In an attempt to make the restaurant entice Newbury Street foot traffic, the hostesses are almost entirely of Eastern Asian descent and sport brightly colored, traditional Indian saris. This kitschy representation focused a bit too literally on the idea of fusing two cultures together. On a visit to Banq a few years back there was not an Asian man wearing a beret, yet one member of our party still walked out of (and into) the restaurant knowing that what they experienced was an original restructuring of two completely different cuisines. I, having never been to Banq, can’t back up this statement.

The wine list is an unexciting afterthought. Consisting of less than a dozen choices total, the diner is only given the option to enjoy old standbys, such as Mark West Pinot Noir. Mumbai Chopstix only offers a handful of choices all of which are easily found inside any suburban liquor store. At the bar on the lower level just inside the outdoor patio area below street level, there are a few tables set up and a casual, lounge feel. The bartender was attentive and fairly knowledgeable at wine recommendations.

When we requested a cocktail during our dinner, the specialty drink, which came recommended by our server, was an ultra-sweet combination of Sake, Chardonnay, and Rambutan Juice. Rambutan: a tropical fruit that’s similar to a lychee. Lychee: a fruit that is similar to a grape, only less juicy or “moist” (Wikipedia’s word not mine). There was no depth to it. The bartender, seemingly, created the drink in five minutes while scrambling before the shift. This unnamed concoction would have been palatable with any sparkling wine, but without the carbonation, or any other element, to cut through the sweetness of the rambutan juice, the swallowed drink sat on the tongue like slightly exotic grenadine. When we asked what type of sake had been used in our drinks the waitress said Nigori, and yet Nigori was not listed on the sake menu. I found it a little too confusing for a Sunday night.

An appetizer of Sweet Corn Soup with Crabmeat was simple and tasty. With a base flavor of a slightly salty broth thickened by corn starch the soup did not try to do too much and succeeded. The corn and roughly-chopped ginger worked well together, with carrots and peas floating in the mix. Chili Paneer was a sizable and incredibly spicy starter with thick strips of paneer cheese. I’m accustomed to cube-sized paneer in my go-to dish of spinach and paneer so this took some getting used to. Sauteed with fresh chilies, green and red peppers, as well as onions in a “light soya sauce” it felt heavy for a first course. The heat overpowered the flavor of the cheese, but I still couldn’t stop heating (I’m a spice masochist).

Service was pleasant, friendly, and not programmed. The young woman was friendly, but overly busy managing the entire front room of the upstairs portion of the restaurant. After clearing our appetizers she placed them on a tray stand five feet from the table on top of other discarded, used plates. They sat there, in all their unappetizing glory, until after our meal was served. When asked about a specific dish she timidly stated that it was "great" without elaborating at all.

The Hakka Chili Chicken entree I decided to order is described on the menu as an “Indo Chinese Classic.” You can choose to have it served dry or with light gravy. I opted for light gravy which ended up being an almost identical sauce to my Chili Paneer appetizer, and with the same veggies too. The boneless chicken had a heavy breading/flour/starch bath and was slightly better in flavor and texture than standard sesame chicken, your run of the mill Chinese restaurant staple.

A Chinese takeout menu staple, the Sweet and Sour Pork was chosen with intentions to compare the dish to its boxed, dinner-special-which-comes-
with-an-eggroll cousin. Vastly superior to what one would usually order at 2:30 a.m. and consumed in conjunction with a Keystone Light, the dish was covered in a pleasantly sweet sauce with a ketchup and soy base. Fresh bell peppers and pineapple chunks were tossed into the dish and well prepared. The subtle flavor of the pork was balanced well with mild, earthy Indian spices that added depth to the dish missing from the much-too-hot Paneer appetizer.

A side of Chopstix’ Vegetable Hakka Noodles, a Szechwan style spicy blend of lo mein and vegetables including baby corn, and mushrooms with roasted garlic, underwhelmed. Not only was it not spicy in any manner, but the flavor lacked depth. I was thrilled we ordered it however because I used it in between bites of my entree to calm the fire in my mouth from the fresh chilies.

Dessert was pleasantly refreshing and delicious in its simplicity. Rambutans with ice cream featured approximately eight of the round silver-dollar sized, half-inch thick fruit paired next to a scoop of strawberry ice cream. The presentation was non-existent with the little suckers sliding all over the place, but their palate-cleansing clean flavor and texture was a really nice way to end the meal. The standout of the whole evening was most definitely that strawberry ice cream. Talk about the perfect texture, the perfect amount of cream, and huge, full-strawberry sized pieces of the frozen fruit. It honestly tasted completely fresh and homemade. Another dessert of Apple Toffee with ice cream served with the same strawberry flavor was also very good. In retrospect I wish I’d snagged more of Andrew’s dessert rather than just the half apple sliced I forked. It was not overly sticky and had a nice toasted undertone that paired well with the ice cream.

The restaurant is operated by One World Cuisine a Boston group of restaurants, nightclubs and stores. Their very successful hot spots include the Indian restaurant Kashmir, Mela in the South End and Mantra Restaurant & Lounge in Downtown Boston. Corporate Chef Ranveer Brar is a warm and welcoming front of house presence divulging is hobby of art and paint (he even painted the murals in the restaurant). The decor in the restaurant includes a blend of contemporary lighting fixtures, and colorful wall art blending textures, tones and Indian, Chinese and contemporary basics.

You will enjoy Mumbai Chopstix, just as long as you are not expecting another overdone Newbury Street restaurant. On the surface the restaurant’s location and facade of mind-altering fusion, seems like it should be a level above what it is. However, upon entrance the reality is that you are about to experience a solid meal, with decent service, in a pleasant and attractive atmosphere.

Andrew Castronovo contributed to this report.

617-965-678NEWTON — Our Visit to O’Hara’s Irish Pub was quite a treat this weekend.  The food was excellent and well worth a short wait.    The freshly squeezed lemonade and homemade dinner rolls were a great way to get us started.

Moving into the main course; the chicken Parmesan with toasted ravioli ($13.50) was both very tasty and well proportioned.  A generous piece of chicken with 6 fried raviolis was more than enough food for one person.  Since the back of the menu is completely dedicated to O’Hara’s pizzas and calzones, we decided to diversify and go for a pie.  The Buffalo Chicken Pizza ($14.95) was excellent and very fresh. It is not your typical pizza shop buffalo chicken pie thrown together and boxed up.  Notably, the hot sauce was perfect, (probably a medium hotness on a typical restaurant scale) and it did not make the pizza too runny or messy.

As it was 8 p.m. on Friday, we did have to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but there is a nice square wooden bar upon entering the restaurant, so we didn’t mind.  The dining room was a bit smaller than anticipated — around 20 tables — but the staff seemed very efficient with keeping track of who was next to be seated and adjusting tables to keep things moving smoothly.

But if you’re looking for a loud hot spot for young people or college kids, this is not your place, it tends to attract more of a middle-aged crowd. Everyone was very friendly though, and the staff was welcoming and attentive.  O’Hara’s is located a short walk from the Newton Highlands stop on the Green Line/D-Branch. There is also well-lit metered parking in the area as well.

In short, for a tasty reasonably priced meal, O’Hara’s is definitely worth the short trip to Newton Highlands.  It’s something different that’s just outside Boston.

I usually refrain from using the word hip, what with being a New Yorker born in the mid-80s and all. But I’m going to say it now, Dorchester Center’s Ashmont Grill restaurant is one hip and happening spot. I mean damn, the place simply oozes charisma. It’s just hip, there I said it.

Arriving an hour before our table will be ready, my dear friend Gina (yes, we rhyme) and I head to the bar area to the only two remaining seats. You’ve got to be hip if your Dorchester restaurant is kicking at 6:30 p.m. on a random and freezing Thursday in early January.

The bartender even had pizzazz, a fiery woman serving up drinks, laughs and snide jokes to her regulars seated next to us. The best part was being made to feel like a regular during our first visit. Gina started out with an Antioxitini, a fun and colorful tongue-twister made with pomegranate and berry liquors and juices. Light, refreshing and good for you what more do you really need in a cocktail? I myself started out with a Pineapple Cosmpolitan which was also too good to be true. The bartender, and mistress of ceremony it seemed, served up everything with flare and even pointed out her beloved award hanging up on the side of the bar that named her as Best Bartender for two recent years in Boston Magazine. As we chatted with the friendly locals and each other we were at ease, truly enjoying a slowed-down night out, something I rarely get and something that is hard to find in Boston.

We ordered a second round, a Peartini for me and Christmas Punch for my buddy topped with a mint leaf and pomegranate seeds to resemble mistletoe. The bartender overheard me saying how much I love pomegranate seeds in salads and whipped out her Tupperware and placed a spoonful in my hand, talk about feeling like a regular. My delicious pear cocktail was perfect and tasted like real pear, legitimately one of my all time favorite fruits and was adorned with a giant wedge of Bartlett. Yum-my.

We were shown to our table by the hostess and met our delightfully upbeat and hilarious waiter (I guess I just think he’s hilarious because he laughed at all my ridiculous comments and chimed in with his own jokes). We had been studying the menu for awhile, a few days before our visit actually to get technical (what else are you going to do at work) and decided we were going to have to get the Train Wreck Fries ($8), a hefty portion of hand-cut fries smothered in melted jack cheese, with bacon, jalapenos, sour cream and scallions. I think the "smothered" part of that sentence is a bit of an exaggeration as it was more "lightly coated" with melted jack cheese. And I ordered a side of sour cream to make up for the amount given which between two sour cream lovers is most definitely not enough. I also was intrigued by the sound of the Beer Battered Shrimp with creole tartar sauce appetizer offering ($10). These are not your ordinary battered and fried shrimp, these are ample crustaceans fresh, delicious and battered to perfection and served with a tangy and slightly smoky dipping sauce I couldn’t get enough of. Yes there were only four shrimp with the order, but the quality of the seafood makes the price understandable and is worth coming back for.

I don’t usually eat red meat since I honestly don’t have the time or patience to make it on any kind of regular basis so I decided to indulge, as I often do when someone else is cooking for me, and ordered the 12 oz Flank Steak ($20). I wanted medium rare but since I knew my dear friend Gina would be needing a bite or two I went ahead and ordered it medium. Much to my delight it was cooked perfectly and while I would’ve personally enjoyed it rare it pleased both of us and had enough pieces with beautifully near-pink centers that I was happy. It was seasoned-well and cooked perfectly to our desire, the two most attractive characteristics I look for in a desirable steak (and mate but that’s a whole other story). My entree was served with a huge portion of creamy garlic mashed potatoes, red wine butter and sauteed baby spinach. There wasn’t one aspect of my meal I didn’t like except I do wish there was a bigger portion of the spinach it was cooked so well and I loved it. And while I couldn’t finish the entire serving, I had the perfect amount of leftovers for lunch the next day.

Gina got the New England Pasture Raised Burger ($12), made with local pasture raised beef and served with cheese, mushrooms or grilled onions. Having not realized the "or" in the description meant she would have had to ask for mushrooms and grilled onions in addition to the cheese her burger arrived sans accouterments, but when she asked the waiter if she could have some he promptly was able to fulfill my needy friends wishes. She also got a side of the garlic mashed potatoes ($4) because she couldn’t resist, and who honestly could if it doesn’t come with your meal. We also decided to indulge in the Classic Macaroni and Cheese side ($5) which was served piping hot, so hot in fact we had to let the air circulate and let the dish settle for more than five minutes before we could jump in. It’s a classic, no-fills macaroni cheese that was good, but not stellar as was nearly everything else thus far.

For dessert I was all prepared to order the Chocolate Pear Upside Down Cake which I had seen on the online menu but alas they were not serving it. I settled for a new Lemon Tart served with Blueberry Compote which was delicious. I’m not a huge fan of crust and there was a substantial amount, but the tart lemon filling was balanced perfectly with the sweet and not-to-rich blueberry topping. We also ordered the Chocolate Brownie Sundae, nothing short of a delight. Rich, thick brownie topped with two kinds of ice cream including coffee was decadent and reminiscent of childhood desserts and frivolity. Oh, to be young again. Sigh.

Replicating the successful model used bi-annually by American Express, eight participating restaurants will each offer "show off" three-course dinners for $30.10 in addition to their usual menu offerings. This reasonably-priced restaurant experience is one that I know well, and something that could really help boost the visibility of not only Ashmont Grill but some of the other great under-known spots in both Dorchester and Milton. The Dorchester-Milton Restaurant Week will run January 17-31 excluding Friday and Saturday nights. Other restaurants participating include 224, 88 Wharf, Abby Park, Blarney Stone, Dbar, Ledge, and Tavolo. I highly recommend booking early for the upcoming Restaurant Week.

So indulge in a new hot spot at a great price for a three-course meal. Who knew these couture-quality gems were hiding in Dorchester Center and Milton, the unlikeliest of places. Now you do, so live long, prosper, and eat well.

One of the rare surprises about a “pizza and sub shop” comes when the ingredients are fresh and the appetizers aren’t packaged, frozen, pre-made cheapos.

Ozzie’s Pizza & Cafe in Brookline will also deliver to Allston/Brighton. Boston University and Boston College students are covered as well as some of the Northeastern students on Mission Hill, so you might want to consider giving this place a try for something different than your local “House of Pizza.”

This is a Greek place, and the pizza is thick to match. Variety is a strong point. There are dozens of calzones and pizza choices to pick from. Ozzie’s specialty is their Classic, ($9.99/$14.99) which has pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, onions and tomatoes. There’s also a white asiago pie with ranch ($9.99/$14.99) and a sweet cherry tomato pizza ($9.99/$14.99) that looked good.

Getting on to the real food, the chicken tenders (four sizes, $6.99/$7.99/$9.99/$14.99) were especially good. They weren’t processed, packaged garbage. They were moist, fresh and flavorful. They are simple, flour-battered tenders that break apart nicely — you can actually tell that they’re chicken.

Ozzie’s offers a grape leaves appetizer ($5.49 for six). It’s a more traditional Mediterranean dish of rice and vegetables wrapped in a grape leaf. They have a peculiar, if acquired taste, but they were fresh and very fragrant.

The biggest disappointment of the meal, however, was the fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers salad ($7.99). There was some mesclun mix and fresh greens, but the vinegary taste of the red peppers did not mix well with everything else in the dish. The mozzarella was fresh and neutral, but you only get two peppers and one piece of cheese. The rest of the dish is just a regular old garden salad, with 90 percent plain iceberg lettuce. It’s a regular salad with a little kick. It didn’t feel like its own dish.

The menu is giant. There are also burgers, subs and seafood dishes to try if you feel adventurous. There’s also frozen yogurt and various natural juices to wash it all down. They are very friendly on the phone, and even threw in a few extra chicken tenders. Much appreciated!

Ozzie’s promised 30-35 minutes, and the food was here in a half hour flat. It’s fresh, tasty and wicked cheap (especially the pizza). It’s not a gourmet meal, but it’s very above average, for delivery.

CAMBRIDGE — If the name doesn’t pique your interest, the food certainly will. Lord Hobo (92 Hampshire St) is the new Cambridge restaurant that replaced the hip B-Side Lounge. Chef Matt Bailey of Teatro is serving up a mouth-watering palette of kinda-fancy American fare. We highly recommend you stop in for a bite.

Located just past Inman Square, Hobo plays up its too-cool-for-school vibe right from the get-go. The restaurant is located on the corner, but there’s no sign to tip you off. Instead, look for a bouncer slouched against the wall outside. Half restaurant, half bar, the place is surprisingly 21+. We were ID’d and then ushered in through a red velvet curtain.

Once inside, the atmosphere feels hipster-industrial, with bare, low hanging lights, exposed pipes crossing the ceiling and typical Cambridge professionals in their mid twenties to early thirties at the bar. The tables are slightly too close together, but we didn’t mind since our neighbors were kind enough to let us try their truffle fries.

Ah, the fries. Nearly every table in sight had ordered one of the three tempting options: curry chips, gravy chips, or truffle chips. We (me and my culinary educated friend, Meredith) chose the curry chips ($7). Both of us are used to the beyond delicious curry served with fish and chips in England and Ireland, and oh-my-God, this was just as good. The truffle sauce was equally enchanting, and we’re heading back soon for the gravy fries (the neighbors to our left were not as share-happy).

For our second appetizer, we opted for the Maine lobster mac and cheese ($12). The sauce was delicate and mild, allowing the flavor from the lobster to permeate nicely. The pasta was just a little less than al dente and the lobster was a little lacking (but, then again, you can never have enough lobster, especially when it’s drenched in cheese). All in all, a nice starting dish, but not the best thing on the menu.

Our third course was a salad of frisee and duck confit, which seems to have disappeared from the menu. However, it was simple and elegant, and very hard to stop eating, so we’re assuming the two salads ($9, $10) now listed on the menu will be as well.

Entr©e number one was house made gnocchi with oxtail and squash in a Parma cream sauce ($18). The gnocchi was a little too doughy for Meredith’s liking, but the oxtail was pure heaven. Reminiscent of short rib, it was tender and juicy. The sauce was a nice complement.

I had a hard time deciding on my entr©e. I was originally excited for the gnocchi, but Meredith was already schooled in oxtail, so I let her get it (I had no previous oxtail experience, but won’t hesitate to order it again). I was tempted by the hanger steak and fries, but something about the half roast chicken ($19) called out to me.

I haven’t been a huge chicken fan lately, always opting for a giant steak instead. But the dish seemed so simple — served with carrots, celery, chippollini onions and roast potatoes — that I figured it would give me a good base for grading the food. As I waited for it to arrive, I was beginning to regret my hasty choice. Why hadn’t I chosen the steak or something a little more unique, like the pan roasted skate? I decided to look forward to sampling the oxtail and tried to ignore my potentially poor choice.

When the chicken arrived, it was huge. I recruited Mere to gobble up the entire leg and pushed it over to one side of my plate. Then, I dug in. I carefully cut off a nice slice with some bad-for-you-but-oh-so-good skin on top. I swirled it around in the gravy and popped in my mouth. Then, it happened. My eyes closed and a shiver went down my spine. This was, without a doubt, the absolute best chicken I had ever tasted. Ever. The meat was juicy and succulent and the skin was as indulgent as it should be. And the gravy — oh dear God, the gravy. Creamy, buttery and just plain heavenly, it elevated the dish from delicious to absolutely fantastic. I practically binged on the meal. People around me were probably staring, but I wouldn’t have noticed. Perfection.

Okay, now that my unabashed praise of the chicken is out of the way, let’s get to the cocktails ($9). After conferring with the waiter to ensure that I wouldn’t choose anything too fruity-sweet, I went for the Cat Wagon (vodka, Chambord, Lillet Blonde, fresh lemon and Proseco). It tasted like a cherry Jolly Rancher. It wasn’t the usual sugary, more than one will make you sick cocktail. It tasted like candy and childhood (well, childhood if your mom was a raging alcoholic). It’s one of my new favorites.

Mere ordered the Triple C, which is also a no-show on the online menu. It tasted like a cherry pina colada, and we’re hoping it’s still available.

After we drained our glasses, we each ordered a glass of the 2007 Mitolo Jester Shiraz ($12). The wine list offers a nice variety, but it’s the beer lovers who will return again and again. Boasting over 40 draught beers and 38 bottled, you’ll have to head to Hobo 78 times before you’ll be truly satisfied.

In addition, the service was very good. Our waiter was knowledgeable and happy to give his opinion. He didn’t hover, but the entrees did seem to take a little bit too long to come out (most likely not the waiter’s fault).

Lord Hobo opened November 18 and has since been getting "crushed" just about every night, according to the manager, Daniel Lanigan. It’s easy to see why. The food is definitely in the A range and the drinks were clearly expertly chosen. It’s a fun place to be, offering great food and drink and the opportunity to people watch (and sometimes eavesdrop). It’s not a romantic place, but it still fits the bill for a great date or a birthday dinner with friends. Don’t pass this one by, it totally deserves a try.

Transplants from Texas to New England long for abundant sunshine, open roads and — most importantly — Mexican food. "But we have Mexican food!" Bay Staters doth protest, unaware that the lumpy burritos and watered down tequila that count as authentic Mexican cuisine up here would never pass muster with even the least epicurean-minded Texan. Therefore, I set out to perform a service to lost Texans and New Englanders alike: find the best Mexican food in the Boston area.

First, let’s get a few things straight.

Number one: Burritos do not count. No amount of Qdoba, Chipotle or even Anna’s Taqueria will suffice to fulfill my Tex-Mex cravings. "Burrito" did not enter my vocabulary until chains like Taco Bell appeared on the scene, and in fact burritos originated in that most un-Texas-like place: California.

Number two: Hot sauce, salsa, and pico de gallo are three separate condiments. While some Texans may indeed use the terms "hot sauce" and "salsa" interchangeably — much like Coke can also mean Dr. Pepper — we would never mistake pico de gallo for salsa. Pico de gallo (which means "rooster’s beak"), often served with other sides like sour cream and guacamole, is a chunky combination of raw tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeno peppers. Salsa is the cooked, liquefied version, usually served with chips, and hot sauce can be defined as any of the thin, vinegar-based sauces like Cholula and Tabasco. Most of the Mexicans I know put hot sauce on everything. I once traveled through Austria with a few folks from Ciudad Ju¡rez who kept hot sauce in their pockets and even doused their Wiener schnitzel. Some taquerias specialize in their own sauces, which at one of my favorite taco stands (operated out of a roadside trailer) is nothing more than liquefied jalapenos — not for the faint of heart.

I’ll summarize other ground rules by clarifying that real margaritas have salt and fresh lime juice. tequila shots can be taken straight, with lime and salt, or even with cinnamon and orange, and I’m not even going to get into the bastardization that is Velveeta-spawned queso (cheese dip). With that out of the way, we are ready to begin with my top five finalists.

Tu y Yo, Somerville

Fashioned after a Mexican fonda (a hostel with home-cooked meals), Tu y Yo is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. This tiny gem, tucked into Powderhouse Square (about a ten-minute walk from the Davis Square T stop), offers food deeply rooted in Mexican culture. Tex-Mex purists may feel a bit lost at first, but will undoubtedly be won over by the flavor and colors of "You and I."

While dinner is excellent, if a bit steep ($13-$18), I actually prefer stopping by Tu y Yo for brunch on weekends, which is not only cheaper but features my favorite dish, huevos divorciados (two eggs sunny-side up on a fried tortilla, with red and green sauces and refried black beans). The caf© de olla is a treat (coffee brewed with chocolate, cinnamon, and orange peel), and while Tu y Yo does not offer liquor, they do serve a range of wine, sangria, and beer. A Slow Food snail icon adorns the menu, much like yellowed reviews and awards adorn the crimson and orange walls. Those in need of a Mexican food education will appreciate the pictorial glossary at the back of the menu (with entries like nopales, huitlacoche, and amaranth). Best of all, the menu proudly proclaims "No Burritos!!!" — encouraging even the sepia-tinged se±ors hanging out over the bar (photographed with guns, sombreros, and abundant mustaches) to crack a smile.

La Paloma, Quincy

Of all of my finalists, La Paloma represents the truest Tex-Mex feel. While it’s a bit of a trek for those of us near Boston proper, La Paloma is definitely worth it. I know a couple of Colorado transplants who make monthly pilgrimages out on the red line (La Paloma is a short walk from the North Quincy T stop). The d©cor is laid-back with a "homey" atmosphere, and the menu and drinks are all reasonably priced (dinner entrees from $7-16). A vegetarian pick: cheese and onion enchiladas with verde sauce. La Paloma offers a wide range of tequila and a long list of margaritas and specialty drinks under $7. With these kind of prices (not to mention the freshly made salsa), I almost feel like I’m back home.

Ol©, Inman Square, Cambridge

Ol© offers a citified atmosphere and menu that may bode well for Houston and Dallas residents used to chi chi gourmet food — not to mention the expense. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for: superb margaritas, to-die-for guacamole (prepared right at your table), and excellent mole (a traditional sauce made with chocolate and pumpkin seeds). While no Tex-Mex restaurant I can recall offers organic baby spinach and Canadian goat cheese, Ol©’s flavors still form a veritable fiesta in your mouth. Entrees range from $15-26, and the menu features a plethora of seafood and creative concoctions, like a vegetarian "lasagna" with chile poblanos on a corn puree. Save your pennies and treat yourself, or that special someone, to Boston Mexican done right.

Boca Grande, Brookline, Boston and Cambridge

Boca Grande caters to those in the market for Mexican fast food—but not too fast. While there is no table service and the counter ordering process can prove a bit hectic, Boca Grande still offers real plates and silverware to dine-in customers (a plus for the eco-conscious), and there are plenty of complete meals (an entr©e served with rice and beans) on the menu. All of the food is prepared fresh on location, and I particularly appreciate the vegetarian specialty, marinated tofu enchiladas. (My omnivorous partner-in-crime can vouch for the chicken tamales, which are roughly as big as your head). The d©cor of the Coolidge Corner location may leave a bit to be desired, but the atmosphere is nonetheless cozy and cheerful, perfect for treating those recession winter blues.

Your Own Kitchen

Have you tried all of the above and still felt something lacking? Then never fear, because the perfect Mexican meal is never farther than your own stove. The biggest challenge to preparing authentic Mexican food may be knowing where to shop, but neighborhoods with concentrations of Latino immigrants are always a safe bet. My favorite Hispanic grocery is Hi-Lo in Jamaica Plain, which offers bins full of ripe avocados and plantains (however, the organic-minded should shop elsewhere). Within its haphazardly organized shelves, Hi-Lo features a wide variety of imports at reasonable prices (much more diverse and reasonable than, say, Shaw’s cheesy "Shop the World" section). I like to stock up on packages of dried chiles, fresh tortillas, and the ubiquitous Mexican white cheese. To get you started, here is my favorite salsa recipe, adopted from my college roommate’s host mother during her study abroad in Mexico. ¡Ol©!

Francesca’s Salsa

4 tomatoes (preferably in season)
Enough water to cover the tomatoes
3 dried red chiles (may vary amount depending on desired spiciness)
2 cloves garlic
1 medium onion, diced
1 fresh jalape±o, diced
Finely chopped cilantro, to taste

Boil the tomatoes with the red chiles and one garlic clove, until the skin of the tomatoes begins to break. Drain but save the water (can be used to thin the salsa later if necessary). Put the boiled ingredients, plus the jalape±o, half of the diced onion, and the other garlic clove into a blender; blend but leave chunky (add retained water if too thick). Pour contents of the blender into a bowl, stir in the remainder of the onion and the cilantro, and serve with chips or fresh tortillas.

CAMBRIDGE — I’d been to Bambara before, about three years ago for Restaurant Week. One of my better Restaurant Week experiences for sure, I still remember that awesome Blueberry Mojito like it was yesterday. And the food was well-cooked and insightful. When I heard about Bambara’s “Happiest Hour” menu I needed to try it. So I got on the Green line to Lechmere and walked a pleasant five minutes toward the restaurant, flanking the Cambridgeside Galleria on the Edwin H. Land Blvd.

The menu has five offerings, slightly smaller versions of many of their menu appetizers, for only $2 a piece. I was promised a good portion, and I held my breath as I sipped on my decadent, if not slightly too-tart, Caramel Apple Martini. Side note: I caught myself licking the caramel swirl inside the glass more than once as I was wishing for a caramel-dipped rim to balance out the apple cider and Stoli Apple.

I placed my order for the “mini arancini” and “mini grilled flatbread.” The description of the arancini which were anything but mini, were described as Crispy risotto balls, with short rib, Parmesan, fontina, herbs with tomato and aioli sauces. The combination: divine. The arancini rice balls were denser than I was used to with my Brooklyn, New York upbringing, but it worked. The outside was crispy and delicious and the marinara sauce had a touch of cream giving it a lighter color and deep flavor. The flatbread was a hearty, light, fluffy bread reminiscent of thicker Syrian bread and took up the entire large plate. (I’d say the pizza was approximately 10 inches long and 7 inches wide) and it was just delicious. The ingredients, roasted garlic, goat cheese, over dried cherry tomatoes, arugula, and aged fig vinegar, were perfect and this dish was filling enough as a light dinner. Arugula and goat cheese is the perfect marriage of peppery greens and creamy goodness and the aged fig vinegar was sweet and I feel a strong need to go out and purchase some to dip all my bread in, all the time. It was … I was … needless to say, I was enjoying this meal and I was getting full off of only two bar menu dishes, cashing in at a total of only $4.

Last dish up for me to try was the “mini fried squid.” I can’t stop myself from using the quotes because honestly, mini has to be some sort of sarcastic inside joke between Executive Chef Jay Silva and his warm staff, which were attentive and informative. Served with spicy, tangy aioli, fried lemon slices and chili paste the fried squid was very good. I, however, wasn’t doing as good because I was getting ridiculously full. I only managed three (okay maybe five) bits of squid including tentacles (yum!) and just couldn’t finish. It was kind of perplexing to me how they, the little squid guys, managed to have the full, robust flavor of deep fried squid, but with not the traditionally thick breaded coating you find at many chain American eateries, and even small mom-and-pop run Italian restaurants. It was damn good, and overflowing oval bowl loaded with the seafood was mind-boggling. So for $6 dollars I’m sure a friend and I could have polished off every last arugula leaf and fried squid-breading for a filling, gourmet dinner that was extremely wallet-friendly.

In the spirit of not being wasteful, I couldn’t just leave my sad little squids alone in their bowl, and overheard a quabble with my neighbors at the bar. “Is this one bowl for both of us, why didn’t you get me my own serving,” the late-arriving man said to his friend while he eyed the plate of mini fried squid. I instantly offered up my own fried squid seeing as it would only go to waste since I was about to explode, and had a back-and-forth while he decided to take me up on my generous offer.

It turns out Frank and Frank are New Yorkers in town for business staying at the gorgeous Hotel Marlowe, where Bambara is housed in. (Apparently Hotel Marlowe is one of the only pet-friendly hotels in Boston, who knew?!) We had some good laughs and toasted the large portions that we just feasted on, and I made some new friends from my hometown of New York City.

So if you’re looking for a mellow atmosphere with light jazz music in the background and fragrant food smells wafting from the partially open kitchen, head to Bambara between 4-6 p.m. (I suggested they extend it until 7 so we’ll just have to wait and see if they take my advice) for their Happiest Hour menu and bring a few friends, or just meet some new ones. I’m planning to head back to try the herb french fries with spicy mayo (I kind of have a serious thing with spicy mayo, we’re involved AND exclusive) and the mini fish cakes. Their menu, and in turn Happiest Hour menu, is always changed seasonally to reflect the best ingredients.

Skip down to the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue and cool off with some of the best and most refreshing cocktails and sashimi plates in the city.

Uni Sashimi Bar and Lounge may be extremely cozy (read: tiny) but it is definitely the hippest sushi spot in Beantown. Executive chef and co-owner Ken Oringer, also of the innovative South End tapas restaurant Toro, has let go of all inhibition and explored new territory when it comes to sashimi, seafood and ambiance. In addition, the service was impeccable from the hostess, to both our waitresses, to the owners themselves. The staff was not only knowledgeable regarding every single dish they placed on the sushi bar, but they were friendly and extremely attentive.

Uni is located right inside Clio, the restaurant at the Hotel Eliot on Commonwealth Avenue. Clio serves up inventive French-American cuisine, and Uni, directly off the hotel’s lobby, compliments it nicely. Sashimi chef and co-owner Chris Chung was on fire the night a friend and I stopped by for some pleasantly refreshing drinks and fusion sashimi that made my mouth water at the very first glance of the menu descriptions.

Our first course, Hirame (fluke for any sushi-neophytes out there) with toasted garlic was delicious. The fish was fresh and light, and the citrus flavors played nicely against the wonderfully strong and aromatic garlic which is a staple in many of the dishes (as it should be because it added so many levels of flavor to the different fish).

The seaweed salad here is inventive, if not directly up my alley. Unlike the standard bright electric green, uniformly sized strands of seaweed that appear in every single salad I have ordered in this fair city, the seaweed salad at Uni has a variety of different sizes, colors and textures of the ocean delicacy. It has a slightly bitter flavor and is perfect for anyone seeking to try a new take on this Japanese restaurant staple. It features four seaweeds with soy sauce, brown rice vinegar and tuna flakes adding a strong salty oceanic flavor.

Something that was truly another standout was the Rock Shrimp Tempura seasoned with spicy red pepper aioli and Korean pepper threads. It was delicious and perfectly fried. It was popcorn shrimp on steroids (the good kind, whatever they might be). These bite-sized morsels were definitely not for the faint of heart, packing a very spicy kick. They’re also not for anyone on a diet.

Another great standout in my mind was the octopus, a sashimi fish rarely eaten by the unadventurous sushi enthusiast. The way‚  Chung prepared the delicacy, it was mild and delicious. The octopus, sliced quarter-thin, had great texture and was drizzled with wonderful chili oil (and of course that toasted garlic we can’t get enough of).

One of my absolute favorite dishes was surprisingly simple, decadent and completely and utterly refreshing on that exceptionally hot and humid July day: the spicy lobster salad. It was phenomenal. It boasted papaya, perfect lobster meat and that wondrous toasted garlic again. It was heavenly and the perfect thing to cool off on a hot summer’s night.

And not only is it my favorite dish, it happens to be sashimi Chung’s favorite dish as well.

“The idea for this salad original is derived from the traditional Thai salad Som Tum,” Chung said. He believes that the freshness of the fish is the most important thing.

“My cooking method is to use traditional flavors and techniques and add in a touch of French cooking technique,” he said.

Some ingredients Chris often utilizes behind the sashimi bar at Uni include soy sauce, yuzu, and fleur de sel. He also feels that using seasonal vegetables and fish will result in the best meal possible.

Fellow dancer and sushi-lover Vanessa and I were seated on the edge of the sushi bar and couldn’t help but shimmy and tap our feet to the restaurant’s soundtrack. The music was a fun variety including some hip hop, pop and Latin hits, including a personal favorite, Juanes’ “A Dios Le Pido.” When Oringer stopped by to say hello to us, he let us know his wife had created the playlist and I had to commend her taste, in both music and men (Ken is the epitome of surfer-cute with medium-length brown hair, a five o’clock shadow and a sweet demeanor).

Of course, I can’t forget about the fun summer cocktails – the perfect pick me up, or relax me down drinks – on this exceptionally humid day. The Ginko-Bai artfully showcased plum-infused and Asian pear sake with a mountain peach and sugared rim. It was delicious, light and not too strong which is a must for any summer alcoholic beverage.

We ended the meal with two desserts, the standout being the Strawberry Fields dessert (can anyone say Strawberry Fields forever, and hopefully ever and ever?!). This dish of fresh sliced strawberries and wonderfully light and delicious cocoa “soil” and coconut sorbet with rose dew was divine. The rose dew used is perfection because I have never been so excited about a dessert, ever. Usually, I’m disappointed and left too full with an unsatisfied sweet-tooth.

The Frozen Capsule of Bing Cherry and Amaretto Toffee packed a fun surprise with the toffee spilling luxuriously out of the center. It was pretty good, but not even a close second to the Strawberry Fields dream-dessert status.

This is a great date spot; it’s intimate and fun with inventive dishes that are thought-provoking as well as palate-enticing. Creativity is often overlooked in Japanese cuisine so it’s great to see a Boston restaurant embrace innovation and create new dishes using the freshest products and ingredients we may not typically expect to pop up in our sashimi.

And, Uni is partaking in Restaurant Week for those on a budget, happening now. Their first course offerings include a spicy shrimp salad with cucumber, mango, lime and chili or yellowfin tuna with sweet onions, sesame, seaweed and pickled mung bean (so much yummier than it sounds!). Their entree choices feature a slow poached Scottish salmon prepared with yuzu salsa and served with an organic rice ball, kobe short rib with a side of spicy cabbage salad and chirashi with the chef’s choice of exotic sashimi fish and various vegetables.

So if your feeling a little too hot under the collar, skip down to the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue and cool off with some of the best and most refreshing cocktails and sashimi plates in the city.

The libations were plentiful and tasty; the portions generous and abundant with Southwestern flavor; and style and service was nothing short of great.

One of my friends had done a little research on the Masa website which paid off for us. They were having a special promotion where pitchers of Sangria were only $5. The pitchers were served in beautiful, if not small, glass carafes that contained approximately 1.5-2 servings of beautifully rich and flavorful red wine sangria flavored with a hint of cinnamon.

The restaurant was definitely in full force and completely crowded from the moment we stepped in at 6:45 p.m. until we left, full and completely satiated to the extreme at about 9.

As good as the restaurant week menu choices appeared in print, the taste was even better. The first course offering of duck empanadas was amazing. The duck was moist and plentiful and delicious, and the mole sauce was sweet, thick and completely authentic. It was served with a refreshing watercress salad that complemented the empanada in its flaky and sturdy crust and spicy sauce perfectly.

The chipotle spiked clam chowder had a very earthy taste and was served with brioche crackers. The tender romaine salad with crispy red corn tortillas was served beautifully with roasted green chile dressing and smoked cotija cheese. When I first looked over the menu it seemed to be the least impressive choice, but the flavor was incredible. It was delicious and the perfect way to start the meal. I definitely asked for more than one bite from one of my fellow diners, and friends, (as we whined over who hated their boyfriend more that day).

I had been eying each plate as it passed and was excitedly anticipating our entrees. Lucky for us, there were four offerings and four diners with my party, and we each ordered a different item.

My Southwestern style steak frites with chile dusted fries was incredible. I asked for the steak medium rare, with an emphasis on rare, and that is how it arrived. Perfectly pink, deliciously and liberally spiced and overflowing with juice and flavor. The chile lime arugula salad was the perfect recipe to calm the heat. Paired with a Guajillo bourbon sauce, I was in pure heaven. It was one of the best entrees I’ve had of this March 2009 Restaurant Week in Boston, or any other of my past Restaurant Week adventures.

The blackened rare ahi tuna steak with yellow mole was equally pleasing. It was served with Yukon gold potatoes and wild mushrooms. I would’ve preferred the tuna to be less cooked, but that is a personal preference (caused by a bad experience with blackened tuna that was half cooked all the way through and completely unappetizing which resulted in a trip to the emergency room and a Benadryl shot in my behind).

The vegetarian offering, a spicy tres chiles polenta served with marinated mushrooms, arugula and cotija cheese was on the very hot side, which my friend was not warned about. It was hearty and filling, a treat for vegetarians who often find themselves out of luck and out of choices at many restaurants during restaurant week. The chicken was well seasoned and overall spiced well with Adobo and had a refreshing corn avocado salsa.

We forged on toward dessert; the third course offering. We had a sampling of them all, and the molten chocolate cake, despite being delicious, had nothing molten to offer up, at all. Expecting a liquid, creamy and rich center we were slightly disappointed to find the cake solid, through and through. The selection of sorbets: pineapple, strawberry and lemon were divine, refreshing with real fruit taste served in the perfect size, not too much and most definitely not too little.

The flan, however, fell flat. It was a bit too solid, and not being a fan of flan, that did nothing to change my mind about the quivering dessert.

Overall, this was an excellent Restaurant Week choice and a great experience with friends. The lively atmosphere and inventive and delicious food paired perfectly for a great South End dining experience.

This is most definitely not your Chili’s Southwestern experience!

Restaurant Week in Boston is my favorite time of year. With seven prior restaurant week experiences in the books (and being an overall obsessive foodie) I consider myself a reasonable critic of all food. I’m not a picky eater when it comes to ethnicity, spiciness, or texture, but I hold very high standards for quality, freshness and overall experience.

Plaza III Kansas City Steakhouse seems to have found a way to upset all that.

The problem with Plaza III may have been that I went into my lunch date with a friend from college with the highest of expectations. Coworkers and friends had been raving about this restaurant for days telling me how jealous and excited they were for me that I was going there.

I should’ve seen the signs right away. When we first entered this Faneuil Hall upscale locale, the hostess gave a half-hearted “hello” and told us our table need to be cleaned off and it would be a two minute wait. Needless to say, all around were visibly empty and clean tables, and not just one or two, but approximately two dozen.

When we were finally escorted to our table, a nice window seat looking out onto the cobblestone walkways of Faneuil Hall directly facing Abercrombie & Fitch, the hostess did not make any eye contact and walked away after placing the menus on the table in front of my friend and myself. There was one waiter working about five tables around us, and when he finally made his way over he took our drink orders and walked away, even though we were ready to order. Then it took an unnecessarily long to get our drinks (a ginger ale and a water I might add). We finally ordered, excited to eat but mainly because we were very hungry now.

Our salads came after almost 15 minutes and were incredibly unimpressive looking. The Plaza III Garden Salad was on a too-small plate, tossed in boring ranch dressing with a small wedge of tomatoes and sprinkled with bacon and hard-boiled egg. It tasted good but wasn’t anything special.

After a half hour after we got our appetizer salads (which we received after the next table got theirs, and they arrived 10 minutes after us) our entrees finally came. Again, the presentation was worthy of a yawn, the “garlic” mashed potatoes tasted like they came straight from a box without a hint of garlic, and our fillet mignons were completely dull and overcooked at medium well, when we both asked for medium rare.

The asparagus was good — thin and cooked to a crispy and delicious finish. The Bƒ©arnaise sauce however was way too sour and very unappetizing.

If I hadn’t been so hungry and pressed for time I would’ve sent it all back.

Trying to maintain a positive outlook and spirit we ordered dessert. I went for the classic New York style cheesecake with strawberries and my friend ordered the Godiva chocolate mousse. They both ended up being delicious, if not predictable. The strawberry syrup not obviously out of a jar from the supermarket.

Overall I would rate my Plaza III, The Kansas City Steakhouse, Restaurant Week lunch experience as average. The trick might be to go in with low expectations so that I could’ve been happily proven wrong, but I’m still not sure that would’ve happened.

BROOKLINE — Like most restaurants that don’t feature dollar menus, The Fireplace is serving a special menu for Valentine’s Day. With the crisp crackling of a roaring fire in the background, their “aphrodisiac inspired” dishes include includes Lobster Bisque with Vanilla-Squash Dumplings and Oesetra Caviar ($21) and Pan Seared Venison with Red Currant Bourbon Sauce over Crispy Cornmeal Johnnycake, Honey Braised Cabbage & Golden Onion Rings ($37).

What no one should forget is that The Fireplace is romantic all year long. A recent visit — my first time here — was no exception. I hope.

The restaurant gives off melded feelings of youth and maturity. Boston Magazine recently awarded the restaurant for its brunch, but Fireplace’s reputation is as a dinner destination.

Despite the bounds of progress I’ve made in the last 10 years in adding food items to my personal repertoire, I’ve never tried mussels. That changed.

If you’ve never tried a mussel, it looks disgusting. But now’s not the time to look squeamish in front of a date. Prying this sliminess out of the familiar black shell, I plopped it in, chewed, and swallowed.

Yum. Yum? Yum.

Fireplace’s Cape Cod Mussels Steamed in a Lemon, Garlic & Toasted Almond Broth ($12) are delicious. Sadly, I can’t give you an official comparison to anything else yet. One of them did taste fishy, but the rest were buttery and neutral.

The Grilled Sirloin ($33) which could have been a little leaner but was cooked perfectly medium and very savory. The second dish is a bit of a mouthful to say in one breath: “Mustard Crusted Swordfish over Grilled Red Potatoes, Sautƒ©ed Leeks and Cherry Tomatoes w/Red Pepper-Bacon Vinaigrette & Crispy Onion Rings” ($28). It was a very mild fish, cooked just right.

Two things to check out are their cheese menu and their wine list. Dessert is $8, and though we were full, I’d be curious on a future visit to try the Apricot & Mulled Cider Crisp with Gingerbread Topping & Cinnamon Ice Cream. That just sounds amazing.

Atmosphere mixes with a rich menu and excellent service. We had a cozy corner table and everything.

WESTWOOD, Calif. — It’s easy for a Bostonian to lose himself in Westwood Village. After all, it looks like a combination of Newbury Street and Tremont Street, complete with shopping, moviegoing and eating.

Tanino, on Westwood Boulevard, is a beautifully designed Italian restaurant and top-shelf bar. It’s perfect for dinner for two, dinner for the family or in this case, a quick escape while my co-worker goes shopping for a new outfit across the street.

I recommend a nice Italian drink like lemoncello or espresso with sambocca. I had a Scotch, but that’s because I was in a Scotch mood. And they have a very good selection of Scotch, Irish Whisley, Bourbon and much more.

Tanino doesn’t miss in the food department either. The Burrata caprese salad ($13.50), was an excellent mixture of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, basil and olive oil — one of my top 10 favorite dishes, and they didn’t disappoint.

I’d also recommend the lombatina di vitello ($36), a 16-ounce veal chop with raosted potatoes and sauteed spinach.

There are also more than an dozen pasta dishes including four-cheese gnocchi ($17) and three kinds of risotto.

I was impressed with the old country feel of the restaurant, it’s knowledgeable and attentive staff and most of all its deep variety of fresh food.

I sat at the bar and made chit-chat with a new, veal-ordering friend and the bartender, both also from Boston. I came away from Tanino with a great experience that will bear repeating on future trips westward.

LOS ANGELES — La Bella Cucina, conveniently located near the convention center, is an inexpensive Italian option when you’re craving carbs after a long day at E3.

The casual restaurant and bar features a diverse menu of appetizers, soups/salads, pasta, pizza and seafood. But several of the offerings are marred by either over or under flavoring.

The Pizza Bianco ($5.95) is their take on garlic bread. It’s a personal-sized pizza crust topped with what appears to be jarred, minced garlic. Fresh garlic would be a much better option, as the scoops of jarred garlic tend to overpower.

I was hoping to try their gnocchi ($11.95), but they were out when we went, at 6 p.m. Monday.

The farfalle botega ($9.95) was my final answer — bow tie pasta in cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken and fresh spinach. Somehow, this dish was bland. I don’t know how you can make a tomato, spinach, chicken, cream sauce dish bland, but I was unscrewing the cap off the pepper to add some flavor.

The rigatoni quatro formaggi ($8.95) was also a bit bland and off tasting. Would not order again.

The restaurant offers dozens more pasta options ($7.95-$13.95), 14 specialty pizzas ($7.95-$14.95) and even a seabass with capers dish (market price).

La Bella Cucina has excellent, attentive service, a good variety of food and drink, and a very casual atmosphere in a neighborhood that can easily break the bank.

The food isn’t that great, let’s be honest. But it was filling and fairly fresh and wicked cheap. If you’re hankering for Italian, you could do worse.