Eastern and Western cuisines are magnificently combined by celebrity chef Ming Tsai. The house specialty is Chilean Sea Bass with Vegetarian Soba Noodle Sushi. Other delicious entrées that you’re sure to enjoy include Asian lacquered chicken, Indonesian curry pasta, grilled rack of lamb, and thyme-poached Maine lobster. Be sure and leave room for the jasmine rice pudding or the floating bird’s nest for dessert.

Among the crop of tapas joints springing up, the authentic Spanish fare served up at this edgy bar shines. Spring for an exquisite plate of paella or suckling pig with sherry, bountiful enough to share with your entire table. Among the plethora of succulent small plates are maiz asado (grilled corn) flavored with garlic mayo, cotija cheese, pepper and lime, and beef tongue with vinaigrette and lentils. Distressed flooring, a fireplace and stainless steel bar accent the casual interior.

Mantra, whose 100-year-old bank building home is dressed in contemporary style, serves cuisine that couples French and Indian culinary styles. Fresh ingredients, pungent spices, and a creative approach make for tasty combinations, like tandoor-spiced lobster, caramelized monkfish, grilled lamb rack, and seared veal tenderloin. The interior features chain-mail curtains and restrooms with one-way mirrors.

The creative kitchen staff at ever-popular Blue Room rarely fails to impress. This is especially so on Sundays, when the restaurant puts on a buffet brunch that promises delights like Moroccan spiced chicken, fried pork chicharrones, octopus salad and Persian rice pudding. As to the setting, this atmospheric restaurant sports weathered brick walls, rough ceiling timbers and an open kitchen. Displays of original artwork, rotated seasonally, give the space further charm. Nice wine list and outdoor dining during summer months.

This restaurant is a clever juxtaposition of French and Cambodian cuisine, which makes for very dynamic menu combinations. Some of the best dishes produced by the consistent kitchen include lemongrass marinated lamb with rice and mushrooms, pan-seared duck breast and venison flank steak brochettes spiced with fresh ginger. Vegetarian dishes available. The interior of this restaurant is quite lovely with warm, rich tones and soft lighting.

This intimate dining room appears on the short list of many folks looking for an excellent meal. French-Cuban cuisine makes for an exciting menu and features trout a la meuniere, steamed mussels, cassoulet, and steak frites. The bar provides a nice selection of Cuban-style tapas, along with reasonably priced drinks. Prix fixe dinners are available as well. Reservations taken for parties of six or more. Smart casual dress.

For Thai that’s virtually unrivaled in Boston, visit Brown Sugar Cafe. The menu is filled with authentic offerings such as steamed mussels, chicken satay, and pad Thai. Vegetarians will also be delighted with the abundance of selections tailored just for them. For the meal’s grand finale, order the satisfying ginger ice cream or the winter squash filled with custard.

Amid a tropical setting, guests feast on authentic Malaysian cuisine, which culls its influences from China, Thailand, and Portugal. Try homemade roti canai (Indian pancake) with spicy sauce as an appetizer, and then browse the extensive menu for a stir-fried noodle dish or something with pork, chicken, or vegetables. Beef simmered in coconut milk, baby oyster omelet, and mango chicken also prove tempting. The pleasant interior features light-colored woods, tiers, and soft lighting.

This excellent Russian restaurant serves hearty fare that includes authentic treats such as potato croquettes, delectable lamb and chicken dishes (including chicken Kiev), and a great house specialty – mushroom barley soup. And, of course, you must order the obligatory vodka for an authentic touch. For dessert, delicious blintzes are practically mandatory. To make sure you do it correctly, allow your waitress to instruct you on the proper Russian way to take tea at the end of a meal.

This restaurant is a very popular hangout serving tasty Pan-Asian dishes. Guests enjoy the interior that features huge aquariums. The menu is just as dazzling with tasty stir-fries and excellent sushi and sashimi. Plus, it also includes an abundance of faithful standbys–steak, chicken and pork. Desserts are whimsically named and finish off an evening in perfect style. Nice raw bar and wine bar.