Marseille

When looking for a great pre- or post-theater experience with fine dining, style and ambience, look no further. This charming theater-district Brasserie has seating for 150 in dining room, and can additionally accommodate 25 at upstairs the handsome zinc bar and 45 to 60 in lower-level bar. With an excellent and extensive wine list, the restaurant's wine cellar is located in a former bank vault.

Terrific appetizers include a fine goat cheese tart, a wonderful preparation of scallops, and some rather amusing shrimp beignets. You might also opt for house-cured sardines or grilled octopus. Soups are delightful, and main courses span the range from a decent bouillabaisse marseillaise (no shellfish), steak frites, moules provençale and Moroccan chicken.