Best of Boston

Eli’s is the rare watering hole that is not too cheesy, too pretentious, or too pricey. Tucked off the main room of the Barker Tavern, this candlelit nook has a gleaming mahogany bar that serves a jovial but civilized crowd. It also serves such scrumptious food as crab cakes with roasted yellow pepper coulis and duck breast with orange honey—hoisin sauce.