Masa

The Scene
In the stylish South End, where upscale bistros seemingly blend into one another, Masa's warm, Southwestern environs stick out like a cactus. One of the neighborhood's most welcoming bars provides a romantic locale for sucking down tasty "masaritas" (the house margarita, made with grapefruit juice). When the weather's agreeable, patrons jockey for one of the the small sidewalk tables.

The Food
Expectations of sizzling fajita platters are squashed after scanning Masa's menu, which is chock full of upscale ingredients and modern cooking styles (think skillet roasted sea scallops and barbecued duck with sweet corn cream). The steak frites (the steak is ancho-rubbed, the frites are chile-dusted) provides a pleasing new twist on an old favorite. Seafood gets similar treatment: ahi tuna is blackened and served with a yellow mole sauce. Deliciously creamy chocolate-mousse tacos are far more than a gimmick; made with El Rey chocolate, the dessert is a chocoholic's dream.