Fromage Wine Bar and Restaurant

"Located in the heart of the Tinder Triangle formed by places like Loco Taqueria, Lincoln Tavern, and Cappo, Fromage is the quiet older sister who just wants to have a glass of wine and then curl up on the couch. Ignore the weird blue lighting that makes you feel like a tropical fish being gawked at by a group of 10-year-olds on a field trip, and you’ll find that this is one of the best places on Broadway to have a calm night out or catch up with friends. It’s a wine bar first and foremost, but if extensive bottle selections or flights aren’t your thing you’ll also find good craft beer and a menu of small plates and charcuterie that go well with whatever you’re drinking." - dan secatore

"Fromage is a wine bar in Southie that seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. There are flat screens with the game on above the bar and the weird electric blue lights that make you feel like you’re trapped in an aquarium. But it takes its wine seriously with an extensive selection and lots of flight options, which are always fun. We recommend using it for drinks and a light bite rather than a full meal, starting with one of the cheese boards." - Dan Secatore

"Les Zygomats is a French restaurant in what real estate agents call the Leather District, but what everyone else calls “that area near South Station with the old brick buildings.” The main draw here is the free live jazz, which you can find just about every night starting around 5:30. The food is pretty standard American-French stuff, but it’s served in a cool setting with a lot of brick, Parisian bistro-y decor, and an extensive Old World wine list. It’s a good option for a business lunch or dinner with someone you don’t know that well, since the music provides an easy conversation topic." - Dan Secatore