If you cannot get to the North End for some authentic Tuscan fare, try this small, elegant eatery with white-line draped tables in Beacon Hill. Fresh handmade pasta is a staple on their Northern Italian menu and the food has won numerous awards locally and nationally. Chef and owner Vinicio Paoli has filled his menu with pasta and fish dishes. A list of market specials usually includes clams, halibut and salmon. Steak, veal, pork and poultry are also available.

This quiet nook of a restaurant adds its own touch of class, elegance and comfort to Beacon Hill. The restaurant's bistro-like interior, detailed with burnished mahogany and dimly lit, making it a romantic place to bring a date. Pan-Seared Salmon with Quinoa, Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb, Avocado and Macadamia Nut-Crusted Sea Bass and Veal Chop with Rosemary Polenta are just a few of the options on the New American menu. The bar and its wine list are impressive as well.

The Tip Tap Room's pun-intended name does not disappoint. Celebrated chef and restaurateur Brian Poe set up this establishment heavily inspired by his travels. The game specialties include fish and meat seasoned with homemade marinades and accompanied by fresh salads. Indulge in a host of tapped beer and ales, from the local Ipswich Oatmeal Stout to the Belgian Stella Artois. This lovely corner spot is a local favorite and its upscale yet casual vibe attracts many tourists to the city. End your meal with their Blackberry & White Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Uptown Cafe is a popular Italian bistro at the bottom of Beacon Hill serving lunch and dinner. With only a scattering of picnic tables, most customers prefer take-out. However, what the venue lacks in ambiance is made up for by the excellent food. Uptown sets itself apart from other Boston quick bite venues by offering true gourmet food at affordable prices. For a small and nondescript space, (the small corridor also houses an Asian food vendor and a Dunkin' Donuts), the range of Uptown's offerings is truly surprising. From traditional subs and salads to specialty soups, such as their own Cheese Tortellini, and full pasta entrees like traditional lobster ravioli, there is something to suit every appetite. Customers rave about the bread (baked on site daily) and the array of fresh vegetables, which are grilled on the spot for subs and entrees. -Caroline Capon

This basement-level restaurant in Beacon Hill is completely intimate and charming. Hungry I is small but cozy with a romantic feel. Three working fireplaces and simple decor give the feeling of sanctuary from the city outside. The short menu is partnered with a daily list of specials. Traditional French gourmet food is the emphasis here. House specialties include Venison au Pouvre, filet mignon with pancetta and rabbit cooked in a crock. The restaurant has a full service bar.

Asian restaurants come and go, but Bostonians should hope that Ma Soba is here to stay. The restaurant's interior features glass windows that slide open to give the place an airy feel in the warmer months. Try the sushi or the green bean, orange and lychee salad. The Hunan dumplings, dim sum basket and grilled eggplant appetizers are popular. The sashimi and California rolls are fresh. The Tao General Chicken, a spicy tai dish, is a very popular entree.

No.9 Park, located in the shadow of the State House, has become one of Boston's hottest eateries since its opening in 1998. The dark and cool interior has cherry wood and indigo walls for a modern, elegant feel. The menu blends European influences and New England ingredients. Appetizers include Salade de Petite Courgett and Terrine of Foie Gras. Roasted Beef Ribeye is equally amazing. Desserts are superb. Try the Vanilla Creme Caramel or Chocolate & Hazelnut Tart, simply divine!

Scampo is a hotel restaurant, it's true, but this is a hotel restaurant that breaks the mold. Chef Lydia Shire has crafted a menu that embraces the diversity of modern dining, while staying true to the restaurant's Italian basis. The bread at Scampo is Naan, which is surprising, but offsets the Italian dishes nicely. Try the Cod with Cauliflower Mousse-Sweet Lobster Fennel Emulsion. Cleverly, the flavors don't overpower the cod in this dish. The duck also offers a refreshing variation, with dust of licorice and drizzle of orange blossom honey and soft white beans. The heavy use of fennel and licorice is classic Italian, but the combinations of certain flavors certainly doesn't say stuffy old world restaurant.- Anais Wheeler

Harvard Gardens, located in Beacon Hill near Massachusetts General Hospital, offers a causal atmosphere for diners. It is nice and bright with off-white walls. The menu changes frequently, but this establishment is well known for its thin-crusted pizza and comfort food like macaroni and cheese. Pastas and burgers are on the menu and the appetizers tend to be popular as well. The restaurant has a full service bar.

Located in Beacon Hill, the Paramount is a typical diner that serves lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is casual without a lot of fancy décor. For the dinner crowd, things get a little dressier as table cloths and candlelight give the place a more intimate atmosphere. The food served here could be described as typical American with pastas, stir-fries, ribs, burgers, sandwiches and omelets among the offerings. Comfort food like meatloaf and grilled cheese are also menu standards. The Spinach Ricotta Ravioli entrée is a favorite. Alcohol is served.