Many of our region’s waterfront restaurants are casual establishments, where patrons with flip flops, baseball caps and sun-burned noses are de rigueur. However, lovely Pearl on the River is a refreshing exception. Offering lofty, high wood-beamed ceilings, vibrant artwork, and an airy, expansive feeling, this attractive restaurant is a great place to bring that Special Someone or a celebratory office party. The restaurant is bifurcated into two levels—downstairs offers a handsome bar area and quiet dining room, upstairs you’ll find a self-contained, intriguing demo-style kitchen and bar plunked into the middle of the dining room, where patrons can watch white-clad chefs expertly cooking up the restaurant’s small plates. The best seats in the house are the tables along the big back windows upstairs, which offer stunning views of the river below. Seafood is the focus at this gracious establishment—the menu changes frequently, but items you may find on your visit include a sumptuous cioppino, filled with prawns, shrimp, clams, crab, mussels and fresh fish; swordfish with roasted red pepper butter; and New England clam chowder. The beer-battered King salmon (an interesting take on fish and chips) is a brisk seller, as is the delicious, light-as-a-feather fried calamari. There is also a nice selection of non-seafood fare such as the grilled baby back ribs; an espresso and cocoa powder-rubbed pork chop; and chicken Marsala with shiitake mushroom sauce. Pearl on the River is a great option for diners longing for a sophisticated dining venue with a beautiful river view. - Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: The Bay shrimp Louis has terrific, housemade Thousand Island dressing.

Reservations: Recommended

Payment methods: AmEx, Discover Card, Diners’ Club, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $15

Hours: Sunday–Thursday: Lunch 11 a.m.–4pm; Dinner 4–10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–11 p.m.