No. 9 Park

For an important dinner, discerning Bostonians turn to No. 9 Park, a sophisticated eatery set in an elegant town house in Beacon Hill. Just down the street from the State House, the dining room hosts politicians and businessmen plus a regular crowd of foodies who flock to feast on executive chef Barbara Lynch’s menu. Lynch, a local food impresario who also owns B&G Oysters, features local ingredients, from costal clams and Maine crabs in the New England gazpacho to artisanal butter from a tiny dairy farm in Vermont. Travelers short on time or money shouldn’t skip the restaurant entirely. The bustling bar area has tables, and a few appetizers will go well with the bartender’s top-notch cocktails. Although this area can be packed in the after-work hours, it’s well worth waiting to get in.