Pretty lean pickings’ in the posing while dining department in Boston. That’s probably why places like Mistral have been so successful. However, when the elite do meet to eat, they do so at the following establishments: 
**NEW**29 Newbury
**NEW**Bomboa
Mistral    Olives    Brasserie Jo    Clios    Aquitaine
Radius
**NEW**
29 NEWBURY
29 Newbury St.
Back Bay, Boston
(617) 536-0290
29 is an institution in this town…Having staked it’s claim as one of the first spots on Newbury, it’s been feeding all of the city’s most stylish characters ever since. The vibe is understated chic and the bar is the meeting spot for all of Boston’s most prominent scene-makers. Stop in on any given night and find Beantown’s most powerful publicist chatting up the city’s coolest columnist, sitting alongside that hottie blond reporter from the FOX affiliate…What’s all the fuss about at this little low key American bistro? Many may argue it’s all about the most handsome, completely charming and quick-witted bartender in town, Peter Cipriani. You’ll no doubt find Debbie saddled up to the bar working his program (H-H-Hello!!…I know a good thing when I see it! And yes, boys, BALD IS BEAUTIFUL!) Food is fab to boot. Try the Tuna Pastrami with Jicama and the Pan Roasted Sole. And be sure to order Peter’s signature drink: The Black Orchid…..très dangereaux!
**NEW**
BOMBOA
35 Stanhope St.
Back Bay, Boston
(617)236-6363
Yes, kids, Debbie was very sad to see Zinc go, but I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon what has since replaced it. After too much testosterone at Mistral, Bomboa provided the perfect antidote. The place is hip, but slightly more grown up in attitude. Much more appropriate for the hot date I was busy wrapping around my well-manicured finger….The space is still bistro-size, and while the Zebra-print banquettes are slightly "New York 1988", it still was working for Debbie, darling….I was feeling very "Ivana Trump" that night. The changing light behind the bar wasn’t as overproduced I had heard, and the crowd was cool. Professional. Elegant. Don’t imagine they sell much Bud here. Tasty nibblies at the bar, especially the Steak Tar Tar and the Cerviche (and yes, you heard right, doll…my date was hand-feeding them to me). Opening night was all about the fab gay crowd ("Ivana" can be a fag hag at times), but if the number of business card that were slipped my way on subsequent visit is any indication, I’d say the sexual-orientation verdict is still out (or not "out"…or whatever!) Debbie will be adding it to her crawl roster, baby! So, whip out those kneepads and come meet me for a cocktail.
MISTRAL
223 Columbus Avenue
(617) 867-9300
Mistral has been white hot since it opened in May of ‘97. It continues to be THE restaurant of the moment. Chef Jamie Mammano (formerly of the Four Seasons' Au’jour D’hui) and owners Paul Roiff and Seth Greenburg have created the perfect setting in which to see and be seen while dining or merely sipping a martini. The place gets more press than a toilet seat. It appears to have filled a void in the Boston Bar/Restaurant with attitude thing. The minimalist French bistro decor mixes well with the 30-to-55-year-old-successful Bostonian "in crowd." The bar starts to fill up early (6:30 PM) and goes on strong till midnight. Eat at the bar in order to work the crowd or eat in the front "bistro section" for a close up view of the bar scene. If you only have one night in Boston then Mistral should be it!

Best Bets On a Budget: Gourmet pizzas, mushroom carpaccio salad, ...simple yet delicious. All other entrees, while creative and tasty, will run you an average of $25-$35

Getting in: often impossible from Thursday to Saturday without a reservation.

Tactic: grab a seat at the bar and eat there.
OLIVES
10 City Square, Charlestown
(617)242-1999
Todd English, master chef! Handsome, talented and very creative. He knows how to work a room, always welcoming the regulars and often sending out complimentary appetizers or desserts to his loyal customers. He has begun to build an empire as a result of his enormous success with Olives, his first restaurant, in Charlestown. Olives continues to be one of the best restaurants in the Boston area, and manages to do it without any major attitude. It is also the best bar for a women to go to alone. You won’t get hassled since the bar lacks that intense, pick up scene aura. The bar is warm and welcoming as is the long time staff that recognize you when you come in. This place has a wonderful, local, high end neighborhood feel. It is the only restaurant in Boston that knows how to take care of their repeat customers.

There is always an interesting clientele here that is unpretentious, yet upscale. It’s a jeans and sport coat kind of place where you can hang at the bar and let Jeff the sexy bartender, take care of you. Ask Jeff to make you a Sunkist...his personal orange Martini concoction...it slides down easily and you only need one.

The food, while excellent, is very heavy. So if you are looking to eat lightly, go elsewhere. Best Bets: Anything on the menu!

Getting in: No problem if you are willing to linger at the bar till a stool opens up so you can eat bar side...a common happening at Olives. Otherwise, reservations are not taken and people show up early to get a table... the place is filled by 6 PM. Tactic: Do the bar thing, or show up on the later side, after 9:00 when the restaurant starts to empty out.
BRASSERIE JO-COLONADE HOTEL
120 HUNTINGTON AVE.,BOSTON
(617)425-3240
This is Mistral without the attitude or the price tag. The chicken ravioli is fabulous ($6.95 for the appetizer portion and $16 for the entree). The desserts are delicious as well, including the French classic: poire belle helene.The bartenders are adorable, accommodating and mix up some mean martinis. The bar is an interesting mix of the older suburbanites, tourists and Boston’s see and be seen crowd. Best of all is the late night bar menu which is offered till 1:00 a.m. and includes such tasty options as Steak Frites, Pate, or 1/2 a cold lobster.
CLIO
370 COMMONWEALTH AVE., BOSTON
(617)536-7200
A powerful addition to the high end Boston restaurant scene.Clios is pure, elegant, nouvelle French food with a twist. It caters to an older clientele (45-65) range as well as some suits doing power dinners. Located in the newly renovated first floor of the boutique Elliot Hotel (See Hotel Listings), the decor is chic and fresh feeling. The bar is small and quite. Not a place for action but rather, a great date place. As long as your date is the one picking up the tab. My date ordered an appetizer of 4 Nantucket bay scallops. The price? $35.00! The rest of the prices are more in line with a typical expensive French restaurant. Try the Steel Chardonnay, a fabulous and hard to find wine. Reservations should be made several days in advance unless you want to eat at 10:00 PM.
AQUITAINE
569 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON
(617)424-8577
The newest addition to the French bistro scene is in the heart of the South End. It opened last May with a rocking party and has been packed ever since catering to a gay/straight crowd. The classic French bistro fare such as duck, crepe suzette etc. are good. Owner Seth Woods has already proven his bistro prowess with the super successful Metropolis Cafe across the Street. (See Gay Section for write up).
Radius
8 High Street(between Summer St. and Federal St.),Boston
617-426-1234
Radius is the hottest addition to the Boston restaurant scene. Open only a few months, owners Michael Schlow and Christopher Meyers are bound to hit it big with this one! If you are in the mood for power lunch scene this is your best bet. Debbie likes to dine at the "communal table for 20" where ya just never know who you're gonna meet! Be prepared to open your wallet, entrees $25 to $37.






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