Vinalia Restaurant, Lounge and Wine Bar

The staid Downtown Crossing dining scene is characterized by fast food and old-school cuisine, with shoppers hitting Souper Salad for snacks while politicos park their limos at Locke-Ober. With the opening of Vinalia, the neighborhood officially shed its status as a dining wasteland, attracting foodies by the droves to the space formerly occupied by Dakota's. Named after the Latin term for "wine festival," this airy upstairs destination is a collaborative effort between Ed Costa and chef Justin Villa, both alumna of the wine-focused Boston Harbor Hotel. In refreshing counterpoint to Meritage (the BHH's expensive temple to wine-paired cuisine), Vinalia offers no entree priced over $20. The economical menu affords cost-conscious diners more latitude when choosing from the extensive wine list, which offers excellent possibilities for pairing in addition to more than 40 wines by the glass.