Caffe Umbra

In the shadow of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Caffe Umbra is about the last place we'd expect a trendy bistro, but veteran chef Laura Brennan quickly drew crowds for a menu of French-inflected specialties with lively flavors. The vegetable aioli, skate wings, and coffee pot de creme are sure to be widely imitated.

Full review.

Price range for entrées: $14 - $23.