It’s a measure of Krista Kranyak’s love for Jamaica Plain that she opened Grass Fed in the neighborhood. The casual and sleek burger bar was a concept previously lacking in JP’s growing culinary landscape. When the former Bon Savor space became available last fall, after the owners became locked out of the country in a heavily chronicled visa saga, Kranyak jumped on the opportunity to take over the property, just three doors down from her flagship and much-lauded Ten Tables restaurant on JP's part of Centre Street. “I was focused for some time on a concept where quality food could be served…

Overview: Opened in 2011 by Christopher Lin and his father Joseph, Seven Star Street Bistro offers a fresh take on Chinese cuisine with local ingredients and several dishes made in house. The bistro was inspired by Seven Star Mandarin House, which was successfully run by Joseph in Newton Center for more than two decades, before it closed in the late-1990s. The father and son team have taken a tiny space on the Roslindale side of Belgrade Avenue, given it a facelift, and now operate an American-Chinese restaurant that has received rave online reviews and garnered its own story in the Boston …

  Overview: Porter Café, which opened in June 2011, is the newest addition to Centre Street’s restaurant scene in West Roxbury. Located on the same block as The Upper Crust and across the street from West on Centre, Porter rounds out the area with a modern Irish pub option. Co-owners and Ireland natives, Paul Murphy and Dermot Loftus, have worked at various establishments around Brookline and Dublin, taking their expertise and experience to West Roxbury.Atmosphere: Long and narrow, the pub utilizes its small dining space with a few tables and a lengthy bar. Red walls, warm lighting, high …

  Overview: Jamaica Plain’s Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge moved from its Centre Street location to its current home at the Brewery Complex. A hop, skip, and jump away from the Stony Brook MBTA station, Bella Luna is adjacent to Ula Cafe and several other businesses around the brewery. Although the establishment is nestled in a quiet, residential neighborhood, the restaurant and bar were bustling with diners and energy, creating a lively scene for a casual, midweek dinner.Drinks: The well-lit bar is stocked with bottles of various types available for the range of specialty …

When you eat food outside of West Roxbury, where do you go? I'm not just talking about fine dining, but takeout, too. West Roxbury Patch runs a Bites Nearby column, so I'd like to know where readers dine out so we can review some restaurants in those neighborhoods. What is your favorite restaurant outside of West Roxbury? Or is there a place you've always wondered about, but would like to see someone try it out before you do? Then let us know in the comments section.

Overview: With several Best of Boston accolades under its belt – the most recent of which was Improper Bostonian’s “Best Brookline Neighborhood Restaurant” in 2011 – Lineage has become a Brookline favorite. Located on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner, Lineage enjoys a convenient and central location. Co-owners, chefs, and married couple, Jeremy and Lisa Sewell, attribute the restaurant’s namesake to Jeremy’s own family lineage. With a menu which changes daily, Lineage focuses on fresh, healthy, and seasonal cuisine.Atmosphere: On the restaurant's website, Jeremy Sewell writes, “It is our …

Overview: A longstanding establishment in Roslindale’s restaurant scene, Delfino always seems to be bustling. This South Street staple has become a local favorite and an integral part of the village. It offers authentic cuisine, affordable prices, a cozy atmosphere and friendly service, making its neighborhood success unsurprising.Drinks: A wine list is to be expected at an Italian restaurant and Delfino provides several options. White, red, blush and dessert wines are offered by the glass ($5.25-$10), some of them by the bottle ($19-$75) and half-bottle ($14-$19). Beer (all selections, $4.95…

Overview: As its name suggests, Birch Street Bistro is located at the edge of Birch Street in Roslindale Village. Versatile in its offerings, the venue provides a casual pub scene; a private dining area for romantic dinners or larger parties; a dynamic sports bar with live entertainment twice per week; and an open patio for seasonal al fresco dining. On its website, the restaurant is self-described as “casually chic dining.” With a full selection of wines and draft beers, specialty cocktails, and an extensive menu proffering what its executive chef calls ‘comfort food’ he learned to make in …

Overview: Adding to Roslindale’s downtown restaurant scene, Bel Lounge opened in August on Washington Street, where Gusto was formerly located. Delving into the neighborhood, the restaurant represented at the 2011 Taste of Roslindale event. At barely one-month-old, this new kid on the block is still working out the kinks common to a restaurant opening. Open seven days per week for both lunch and dinner, Bel Lounge serves up French and Creole cuisine from the West Indies, as well as a broad selection of beverages, including specialty cocktails.Atmosphere: From the street, Bel Lounge resembles …

Overview: Himalayan Bistro, nestled between Thai Basil and The Upper Crust on West Roxbury’s Centre Street, is the first Nepali restaurant in the greater Boston area. The chef, Dammar Thapa, serves Indian cuisine as well as signature dishes from his native Nepal. While similar, the two cultures boast dishes that are distinctly, if subtly, different in both flavor and preparation.Atmosphere: The restaurant comfortably seats patrons in private booths lining the walls or open central seating in a spacing dining room with high ceilings. A string of Tibetan prayer flags hangs over the entrance/…

Overview: In June 2010, Scotsman Jason Waddleton opened The Haven, Boston’s first Scottish restaurant and pub. Formerly Zon’s, the newest culinary incarnation of this spot is located on Perkins Street in Jamaica Plain’s Hyde Square. Known for its Scottish brews, authentic, house made meals and deep fried everything, The Haven has carved its niche in Boston’s restaurant scene. On the heels of its maiden year, the Scottish hot spot earned its place on the Best of Boston 2011 list for best bar menu/specialty restaurant.Atmosphere: If Stuart Rankin–Mike Myers’ ‘All Things Scottish’ character on "…

Overview: Since it opened on Washington Street in Roslindale Village last spring, Café Rialto has been a fixture in the neighborhood. Offering sandwiches, salads, calzones and its specialty, pizza, at a value, the restaurant has gained popularity among locals. The entrance of Café Rialto was even reported to have accidentally collided with a Chevy Cavalier this summer, boosting its notoriety.Drinks: More than 20 bottled beers ($3.25-$4.50, with the exception of $9 Duvel) and a handful on tap are available ($2.50-16.95, depending on size and flavor). Red Bridge, a gluten free brew, and …

Overview: Tres Gatos opened on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain in February 2011. Formerly the Rhythm and Muse book and music store, opened by brothers David and Scott Doyle in 1998, the space now hosts a wine and tapas bar. The Doyle brothers revamped the space last year, adding a funky Spanish café and rounding out the business triumvirate. The name’s origin remains somewhat of a mystery, but speculation abounds. First, it appropriately applies to the literary, musical and culinary trifecta. Also, it pays homage to a Barcelona bar, “Els Quatre Gats,” where Picasso started his career. Finally…

Overview: Vee Vee, named for its owners Dan and Kristen Valachovic, opened three years ago on Jamaica Plain’s restaurant-laden Centre Street. The self-proclaimed American Bistro promotes a menu long on seafood, vegetables and grains, as well as local produce, when available. It also has seasonal and weekly specials, like summer wine tastings and vegan prix fixe Wednesday.Atmosphere: Orange–bright, jovial and often used to evoke hunger–is Vee Vee’s signature color. It works well in the small dining space, ceiling fans and warm lighting, creating a cozy environment. When full, Vee Vee is …

Overview: Pleasant Café is a Roslindale fixture with its own lot across the street, which provides ample free parking. It has enjoyed its Washington Street location for more than eight decades and has no intention of leaving anytime soon. If Mel’s Diner and Cheers spawned a local restaurant, it would be this one. The bartender informed me that the guys from New Kids On The Block are regular patrons and that Donnie Wahlberg’s younger brother hates to be called ‘Marky Mark.’ By the time I left, I felt that everyone did know my name and I hoped to hear one of the waitresses blurt, “Kiss my grits…

Overview: One of Jamaica Plain’s newest additions to the neighborhood restaurant scene is Canary Square, which opened last year on South Huntington Street. The eco-friendly venue provides a chic, comfy and affordable dining experience. The food comes from local purveyors, including Allandale Farm, in Brookline, and Russo’s, in Watertown. The head chef, Marco Suarez, is a member of a Boston advisory board on green and sustainable practices. The focus on local agriculture and eco-conscious practices is reflected in Canary Square’s menu.Drinks: Three chalk boards hang over the bar, clearly …

Overview: Located on Washington Street where Geoffrey’s Café used to be, Redd’s in Rozzie (R’n’R) opened its doors to the public last month. The vibe of the space and the dishes are fun, mixed with a little country and, suggested by the name, a little rock and roll. The menu is short and sweet, mostly comprised of locally provided or housemade comfort food. The cuisine is unexpectedly tastier and healthier than one might expect from the descriptions. A side note on the menu indicates R’n’R’s commitment to being a green and responsible local business: local, organic, hormone-free and recycle-…

Overview: Village Sushi and Grill is centrally located on Corinth Street, which runs through the heart of Roslindale Village. Although best known for its sushi, the menu offers Chinese, Korean, and Thai cuisine, as well. The restaurant provides both indoor and al fresco dining (weather permitting), as well as take out. Village Sushi shares its outdoor patio with Sophia’s Grotto, located just behind it on Birch Street. Also, delivery is offered in Roslindale and West Roxbury from 5-9:30 p.m., with a $20 minimum order purchase and $2 delivery fee.Ambience: The exterior is comprised of large …

Overview: Formerly known as Vintage, and Fontaine’s before that, Sofia Steakhouse has been open as its current moniker since August 2009. With ample space and an eclectic menu, this West Roxbury/Dedham ‘steakhouse’ is almost a misnomer for this venue. Indeed, the dinner options include five steak variations, including filet mignon ($29) and 14-ounce New York sirloin ($34). Considering the service, quality, portions and atmosphere, Sofia is a $$$ restaurant at $$ prices.Ambience: Sofia welcomes patrons with a dimly lit, leather and wood clad interior, comparable to that of Morton’s or Grill 23…

Overview: Located on the Roslindale side of Belgrade Avenue, in the former home of Boston Brickhouse, Arbri Café is the neighborhood’s only Albanian restaurant. When asked the difference between Albanian and Greek cuisine, the waiter replied, after a pregnant pause, “not much.” Indeed, many of the same ingredients overlap on their website with Italian and Greek offerings under their Mediterranean style. However, there are subtle differences between each country’s respective dishes, if only nominally. Decor: Eclectic. The exterior is a simple brick façade, with tiny holiday lights dangling …