THe south end

I grew up in Boston and have moved away but have heard that the South End now has been gentrified and their are new shops and restaurants. Do you have any recommendations for restaurants there? Where exactly is this area. I am hoping to come back for an anniversary splurge and would like to check out this new area for lunch or dinner. Am also thinking of a Beacon Hill restaurant and or a north end restaurant.

So much has changed.

THe south end

Yes, the South End is an extremely trendy part of town now, dotted with great restaurants. I don%26#39;t get to eat there too often, but a good friend of mine whose taste I trust says Perdix is his favorite.

http://www.perdixrestaurant.com/index.html

THe south end

The South End has really changed. But, be careful, many ';South End'; restaraunts not in the South End proper, but on it%26#39;s borders which can still be a bit sketchy at night. Stick to the area bordered by Columbus Avenue, Berkely Street, Washington St and Exeter Street. Great restaraunts well worth a visit are Sibiling Rivalry on Tremont St, Umbra and Union on Washington Street and Davio%26#39;s (actually in Park Square) for dinner. A great lunch or dinner can be had by combining B%26amp; G Oysters with some time next door at the Butcher Shop - a great wine bar with terrific appetizers and some lunch/dinner plates. For shopping, check out Aunt Sadies on Union Street.

To add my two cents worth...

I only recently moved out of the South End after a quarter century of watching the ';gentrification';. It%26#39;s definitely become pricier, with more ';shops'; and restaurants, but has lost a lot of the character that laid the groundwork for that gentrification. The shops, while ';scenic'; don%26#39;t really offer anything unique, and while lots of nice cars pull up to valet parking to avoid the ';dangers'; of neighborhood crime, I think you%26#39;d be in more danger of tripping on an inconsiderately parked baby stroller than encountering a mugger.

Having said that... try the Franklin Cafe on Shawmut Ave, near the intersection of Waltham St. for dinner and drinks (if you%26#39;re so-inclined).

The area you%26#39;re probably most interested in visiting would be bordered by West Newton St., Washington St., Columbus Ave., and Berkeley St. Though the actual South End extends past those ';boundaries';, they pretty much define the ';shops and restaurants'; segment.