If you're looking for something a little upscale, try Avila at One Charles Street in Boston where the delectable flavors from Italy, France, Greece, Spain and Portugal are combined to create an extensive sampling of appetizers and entrees, as well as tapas-like small plates, pasta dishes, and an A La Carte menu. With a blend of class and warmth - and reasonably priced - one feels taken care of in this elegant Mediterranean restaurant. We started off with a quick bite of potato Gnocchi with parmagiano. It was so soft, just like a warm cheese, and melted in one's mouth! The olives were marinated in olive oil and orange zest - I always love olives, and these were fabulous! And then the Escargot, served in garlic butter, Pernod and parsley. How can something smothered in garlic butter NOT be good!

The French Onion Soup is the traditional recipe but presented with a special flair by Executive Chef Rodney Murillo. Rather than the well known crock pot bowl with a melted cheese cloak, which is always a process to work around (and never attractive to eat in public), Chef Rodney serves his version with two cheese-encrusted triangles of toast placed in the center of a wide mouth bowl. So much easier to eat and the bread adds a wonderful crunchy contrast to the cooked onion, and satisfying accompaniment to the soup. And then, for an extra bit of heartiness, beneath the bread resides a morsel of braised short rib. Just excellent!

For my entree I went with the Paella, which was noted as a popular dish by our server. With clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari, it's perfect for the seafood aficionado. Add chicken and chorizo, all bathed in saffron rice... this dish was extremely rich, aromatic, flavorful - and plentiful! I found I had little room left after the previous array of foods and was filled quickly! I took about half of this dish home - which was just as spectacular for lunch the following day! Our server was very knowledgeable about every dish and more than happy to share. When asked what was special, she had a hard time not naming everything on the menu. And, if the entire menu is as good as my meal, I understand why. Everything was so rich and flavorful - and delicious - all presented in a beautiful, elegant style! www.avilarestaurant.com