Located in the ladder district, Blu is a sleek, sharp American restaurant owned by the folks who created Rialto in Cambridge. With two-story-high glass walls, chrome accents, and a hip crowd to match, Blu is an edgy addition to this neighborhood. If you feel like a taste of the briny waters, start with the Out of the Blu raw bar sampler—an easy fix for anyone with a sushi, sashimi, or shellfish fetish. The kitchen turns out a whimsical and delicious menu of upscale comfort food-ish dishes like seared foie gras on cornbread and stylish, seasonal American plates like roasted chicken with autumn vegetable hash. For a business lunch, a hot date, or just a night out with friends, Blu is a sure thing.

Blu Information:

• American menu. Lunch, dinner. Closed Sun. Bar. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended. Valet parking. Outdoor seating. Credit cards accepted.