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An artistic blend of Sardinian and Catalan cuisine spells intense flavors (pork with vinegar peppers and broccoli).

A glamourous hipster scene prevails at superchef Jamie Mammano’s flashy trattoria, which boasts a killer wine list.

Anchoring the XV Beacon hotel, the Federalist combines luxurious dishes (think braised lobster with seared foie gras) with a savvy wine list.

This pan-Asian spot is at its best with such Malaysian dishes as jumbo shrimps battered with coconut. Reasonable prices make it a student favorite.

The Central American flavor of this area of East Boston really comes through at this casual storefront Salvadoran restaurant. The sopa de mariscos is filled with calamari, shrimp, scallops, and clams in their shells and is served with a lobster tail and claws draped over the bowl. Redolent of cilantro (coriander), the soup is accompanied by a stack of thick, homemade corn tortillas.

Don’t let the chic interior fool you; Torch offers one of the most unpretentious French bistro-style dining experiences in town.

Chef Andy Husbands’ New American cooking favors big portions, bold flavors, and lots of smoke with the meat. The bar is a magnet for local trendsetters.

A stylish restaurant where wines get top billing, with suggested small plates of French bistro fare to accompany each flight of drinks.

The elegant space in the street-level corner of the Westin Copley Place is for smart dining, with an emphasis on large portions of select fish in season. Start with a Caesar salad laden with anchovies, then tuck into a bluefin tuna steak so large it hangs off the plate. Opt for either the airy outer room with windows onto Copley Square or the cozier lounge near the bar where there’s live jazz on weekends.