The first downtown outpost of the suburban Met chain provides a something-for-everyone experience with an expansive menu, excellent drinks, and just a bit of sparkle. The kitchen doesn’t break many rules, gastronomically speaking, but delivers basics — clam chowder, mac and cheese — done well, along with a few twists (think cedar-miso salmon or Scituate-lobster-and-cheddar dip). And did we mention the ham and cheese bar?

Met Back Bay | 279 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA | 617-267-0451 | http://metbackbay.com/