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Simmering and smoking. Sweet and savory. Mouth watering, messy, and delicious. Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q is a carnivore's dream. Whether you are craving buttery corn and molasses soaked beans, or finger licking meat, this Best of Boston favorite will be sure to please! Families and young professionals come from far and wide to dig into heaping pulled pork platters and imposing slabs of ribs, amid a southern roadside environment (counter service only). Lunch and dinner hours yield vastly different atmospheres: Noontime visitors enjoy a quiet, relaxed environment and rarely have a problem nabbing an open seat (there are only 12), while most nights bring standing-room-only crowds, forcing larger groups to skip the wait for a seat and take their meals to go.

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Scutra is my favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Owner/chef Didier Baugniet puts an incredibly inventive spin on european cuisine - and unlike many of our fancier restaurants, I always have a difficult time choosing between the many options. The decor is very elegant, and the wait staff - led by his co-owner and wife - is as knowledgeable as I've ever come across. Scutra has a European vibe - take your time, let the meal take over your evening, sample the excellent wines, deserts. It's a tribute to their overall excellence that they thrive despite their very humble exterior. I'm sure most people driving by would never guess what treasures lie inside.

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Scallion Pancake Hoi Dup Bap unagi maki, steamed shumai ^[1]

The chef here earned his white hat working the kitchens at Harvest and Figs, and those institutions' styles come through at this “creative new American” eatery all the way up Mass. Ave. The cavernous space will overwhelm any potential romance, although the high prices, colorful yet potent martinis ($9), and yuppie cachet still make Tryst a good place to bring that special someone you're trying to impress—especially if your date knows just enough to appreciate their efforts but not enough to criticize them. The portions are gigantic, so stick to dishes with maritime origins like the salmon and tuna tartare ($11) or the pan-seared sea scallops on a heavenly bed of celeriac ($27) if you don't want to be too full to enjoy the rest of the night. Brunch on Su might be the best bet of all. Appetizers $7-12, Entrees $18-33, Desserts $5-10. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.