Boston is a great restaurant town, and I have lots of favorites. I've either eaten at these or they've been recommended to me. Listed by neighborhood.

Beacon Hill: No. 9 Park - Very expensive Italian and French. A real treat.

Theater District: Pigalle - Expensive, excellent French bistro. The pastry chef is from our town and apprenticed at No. 9 Park. Teatro - Moderate. Noisy and trendy, but very good Italian

Park Square and Back Bay: Via Matta - Expensive, excellent Italian. Troquet - Wine bar with good food to pair with your wine choice. Bristol Lounge - At the Four Seasons Hotel. Excellent and much less expensive than their formal French restaurant, Aujourd'hui. Parish Café - Casual. Sandwiches created and named by Boston chefs. Also, salads and a few entrees. Brasserie Jo - Good French bistro in the Colonnade Hotel, and it's open late. 1 a.m. is late for Boston.

South End: Lots of good restaurants. You really can't go wrong. Hammersley's Bistro - Expensive. The first and considered the best of the South End bistros. Aquitaine - Very good French bistro. Addis Red Sea - Inexpensive Ethiopean. Metropolis Cafe - Tiny space. Moderate, very good Mediterranean. Claremont Café - Moderate. Excellent American food. Laurel - Moderate. Good French bistro. Bob's Southern Bistro (Bob the Chef's) - Southern, Cajun and jazz

North End: Some North End restaurants do not serve dessert, so you might have to try the coffee and Italian pastry shops after dinner.

Antico Forno, Sage, Lucca, Ristorante Euno and Terramia are all excellent.

Cambridge: Oleana - Great Arabic-Mediterranean food. Chez Henri - Very good French-Cuban.

Faneuil Hall Area: Durgin Park - Touristy, but historic and fun. Serves great slabs of prime rib, also lobster, fish and Indian pudding for dessert. Union Oyster House - Boston's oldest restaurant. Raw bar and chowder recommended.

Most of these restaurants have websites, so you can check out their menus, prices and reservation policies. Also check reviews at http://www.bostonman.com He lists restaurants by neighborhood, and has reviews of some newer ones I've not heard of. Nightingale, another South End bistro, sounds good.

If you're interested in Steak Houses, they're all in the Back Bay. I ate at Mortons once, years ago, but have never been to these others: Smith & Wollensky, Abe & Louie's, The Capital Grille, Grill 23 & Bar, and The Oak Room at the Copley Plaza.

You'll enjoy Boston even in February and we might just have a blizzard for you.

Best regards to all, Charlotte in MA