HISTORIC DISTRICT. A historic mansion dating from 1790, this property was restored and opened as an inn in 1976. Its restaurant recalls a brick-and-beams tavern, and its excellent American Continental menu features dishes like pecan-crusted grouper, coq au vin, and crab-stuffed shrimp. You'll also find a half-roasted duckling, veal medallions, and a NY strip with sun-dried tomato butter. Happy hour specials attract crowds to the inn's lounge, which (like the property itself) is apparently haunted by the ghost of a lovesick young woman.

HISTORIC DISTRICT. Brick walls adorned with artwork set the scene for a visual feast at 45 Bistro, which also features a long, curved bar, a covered courtyard, and inviting upholstery. These physical attractions go hand-in-hand with the kitchen's eminently satisfying cuisine, which takes lovely ingredients and treats them to seemingly effortless preparations. Look for a luscious lasagna composed of scallops, mascarpone, and spinach, or consider a Black Angus filet that gets a measure of spice with crushed peppercorns. Other possibilities include herb-roasted chicken, pan-seared grouper, and salmon served Mediterranean style with artichokes and olives.

HISTORIC DISTRICT. Soft lighting, pristine table settings, fresh flowers, and impeccable service conspire with an inventive cuisine to make 45 South one of the city's most desirable dinner destinations. The menu takes the ingredients and preparation of American cookery and imbues them with a new boldness and life. Expect grilled pheasant breast with wild mushroom cream sauce, salmon poached in white and green teas, Maine lobster with a coconut lime veloute, and a grilled Angus filet with a port-rosemary glace. A wide-ranging selection of wines (by the glass, half-bottle, and bottle) and spirits is also a restaurant perk.

HISTORIC DISTRICT. Although housed in a 19th-century mansion, 700 Drayton has a pronounced modern sensibility that creates a dynamic tension in its cuisine and decor. Beautiful architecture, vibrant artwork, and high ceilings set the scene for updated dishes that include blue crab-crusted red snapper with lime-tomatillo sauce, a stuffed pork chop with homemade apple sauce, cabernet-braised short ribs, and pan-roasted grouper and shrimp fricassee with a country ham and herb grit cake. A fun lounge is also part of the package, and if you become enamored of the cuisine, the inn's on-site cooking school will teach you how to prepare it on your own!

HISTORIC DISTRICT. A comfortable space, complete with muted colors, stone walls, and a lounge with a fireplace, puts folks at ease when they frequent this appealing restaurant with its quirky name. While the menu changes seasonally, it's always a font of stellar fare. Steaks, veal, fish, venison, and lamb figure into the carefully composed dishes; among them are steak frites, seared and smoked duck breast, and diver scallops given added richness with a hint of truffle. Terrific desserts are also happy-making, and vegetarians are far from neglected by the talented kitchen.