1. Haru, the modern Japanese restaurant with branches in New York and Philadelphia, opened its first Boston branch inside the Prudential Center mall in September 2007. Serving dishes such as lobster mango ceviche, king-crab dumplings, and green-tea margaritas, the 6,100-square-foot space includes a sushi bar, a lounge, a private event room, and outdoor seating.
2. Also in the Prudential Center, upscale Chinese chain P. F. Chang's opened its largest outlet in the region in May 2007, a 10,000-square-foot bilevel space with an open-air patio. The fashionable bistro setting is complemented by the Mandarin-style cuisine, an exotic dessert menu, and an extensive wine list.
3. Chef Geoff Gardner's immensely popular Sel de la Terre launched a second restaurant in September 2007 in the tony Natick Collection mall, 15 miles from downtown Boston. Guests can enjoy signature dishes like seared scallops with corn pancakes or peppered venison with mole during a break from shopping at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Those seeking lighter fare can go for coffee along with breads and pastries at the boulangerie. The 120-seat restaurant is available for events.
This information was previously published in the 2008 BizBash National Venue Guide.