Franklin Cafe

Hidden away on an unassuming street in the South End, this trendy but friendly after-work dinner-and-drinks spot is clearly the place to be for locals in the know. Franklin Cafe only has 9 tables, so be prepared to wait 45min. to 1 hour to be seated—the fully stocked bar is a good distraction, and you can eat there if you're in a hurry. The wait, however, is worth it. Wonderful warm bread with a delicious hummus spread will start you off, best followed by one of their light salads or somewhat larger appetizers ($5-9). Entrees ($14-19) consist of straightforward meats, poultry, and fish, grilled and basted with imaginative sauces; try the steak with chive mashed potatoes and a mountain of fried red onions ($18). Although the menu, which changes seasonally, features only 1 vegetarian entree, the waitstaff will happily make substitutions or alter the daily special. The only drawback is that the kitchen is too small to produce desserts, which, after the great dinner, often leaves you craving something sweet. If you're really in a jam, settle for a sweet martini ($7)—there's a reason a martini glass is on the sign. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.