20 dishes to try this winter

Cape Scallops Provincial on Delicate Rutabaga Tart with Crisped Oxtails
$22, Towne Stove and Spirits
Back Bay’s Towne, a collaboration between friends and local culinary celebs Lydia Shire and Jasper White, offers a variety of global-inspired dishes. In the winter months, don’t miss the Cape Scallops Provincial. Sweet, seasonal Nantucket scallops are lightly browned on either side and then placed atop a buttery rutabaga tart and garnished with crispy oxtails that have been braised with onions, tomatoes and spices. 900 Boylston St, Back Bay, Boston (617-247-0400, towneboston.com)

Braised American Lamb Shoulder with Parsley and Potato Gnocchi  
$20, Russell House Tavern
Russell House Tavern began serving its seasonal classic American fare last spring.  While there are plenty of hearty dishes on the menu, our favorite is the rich Braised American Lamb Shoulder featuring sustainably-farmed lamb, handmade parsley and potato gnocchi, young Pecorino cheese and a soft-poached egg fresh from Chip-In Farm in Bedford, Mass. 14 JFK St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617-500-3055, russellhousecambridge.com)

Cajun Gumbo with Pulled Chicken and Smoked Andouille Sausage
$12, Tupelo
Tupelo takes its Southern food seriously. It so happens that the Inman Square spot's comforting cuisine is just what we need when mitten season rolls around. The spicy Gumbo made with pulled chicken and smoked Andouille sausage is our old standby, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. 1193 Cambridge St, Inman Square, Cambridge (617-868-0004, tupelo02139.com)

Pork Shank Bourguignon
$19, Bon Savor
JP's Bon Savor specializes in French- and Southern-inspired cuisine. Paired with mashed red potatoes and winter vegetables, the Pork Shank Bourguignon is the ideal winter pick-me-up, especially when accompanied by a glass of wine. 605 Centre St, Jamaica Plain (617-971-0000, bonsavor.com)

Beef Noodle Soup
$10, East by Northeast
East by Northeast’s Chef Phillip Tang studied traditional French cuisine, but his passion is for the Chinese dishes he grew up with.  One trip to this Inman Square spot and you’ll be glad Chef Tang returned to his roots. We can’t get enough of his Beef Noodle Soup. Made with homemade wide egg noodles, beef from the local PT Farm, seasonal vegetables, and pickled pepper relish, this dish is sure to keep you cozy on a chilly winter night. 1128 Cambridge St, Inman Square, Cambridge (617-876-0286, exnecambridge.com)

Chitarre with Guanciale, Pecorino, and a Poached Farm Egg 

$15/$28, Rialto
Every two months, Chef Jody Adams of the Charles Hotel's Rialto chooses a different Italian region to focus on. This November and December she turns her eye toward Lazio, where pasta alla carbonara is a popular local dish. Chef Adams’ Chitarre is her own spin on this Italian classic. The dish features house-made square-cut string pasta tossed with Guanciale (an Italian bacon), freshly grated Pecorino Romano and cracked black pepper, all topped with a slow-cooked poached egg. 1 Bennett St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617-661-5050, rialto-restaurant.com)

Asado de Huesos
$6, Toro
Offal (a fancy word for entrails) might sound a bit scary, but in the case of Toro’s Asado de Huesos, you can be sure that your leap of faith will be rewarded. Chef Ken Oringer roasts the bone with two pieces of bread and then tops the flavorful slices with sweet braised oxtail marmalade. The creamy marrow and a fresh radish and citrus salad round out what is one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. 1704 Washington St, South End, Boston (617-536-4300, toro-restaurant.com)

Duck, Scallion and Jalapeño Risotto
$22, The Beehive
Known for its nightly live music, The Beehive promises to send a little—or a lot—of heat your way with their Duck Jalapeño Risotto. Chef Rebecca Newell’s fiery risotto features slow-roasted duck cooked to perfection and topped with a jalapeño confit. 541 Tremont St, South End, Boston (617-423-0069, beehiveboston.com)

Yankee Pot Roast
$17, Henrietta’s Table
In his “honest-to-goodness New England cooking,” chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table models his menu after the culinary philosophy of using fresh-from-the-farm ingredients. Comfort food at its finest, the Yankee Pot Roast is made with braised beef and served with mashed potatoes and gravy. 1 Bennett St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617 -661-5005, henriettastable.com )

Woodbury Clams with Black Beans

$12, Myers + Chang

Myers + Chang serves up fresh interpretations of Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese specialties. This winter, don’t miss the Woodbury Clams with Black Beans. Wellfleet clams are steamed in sake and then topped with a bright black bean sauce made with ginger, garlic and just a touch of butter. This is a dish best enjoyed with a bowl of rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce. 1145 Washington St, South End, Boston (617-542-5200, myersandchang.com)

Latin Style Sweet & Sour Braised Short Ribs with House Chipotle

$23.50, East Coast Grill
Inman Square’s East Coast Grill might be famous for its Hell Night, but it’s the restaurant’s fresh seafood and tasty BBQ that keep us coming back for more. During colder months, try the Latin Style Sweet & Sour Braised Short Ribs. Topped with the house chipotle, these ribs are finished with cumin spinach and mashed sweet potatoes. 1271 Cambridge St, Inman Square, 
Cambridge (617-491-6568, eastcoastgrill.net)

Cassoulet
$24, The Butcher Shop
All eyes might be on Barbara Lynch’s newest venture, Menton, but it’s The Butcher Shop’s Cassoulet that keeps us toasty when the temperatures drop. A slow-simmered dish of pork belly, sausage, beans and root veggies, this rustic meal is the perfect tonic against icy winter evenings. 552 Tremont St, South End, Boston (617-423-4800, thebutchershopboston.com)

Tuna Kibbeh Nayeh with Turkish Spices, Pickled Onion & Herb Salad
$12, Oleana
Tuna tartare doesn’t exactly scream comfort food, but Oleana’s Mediterranean twist on the classic dish certainly brings some brightness to otherwise dreary nights. Made with yellowfin tuna mixed with Turkish red pepper paste, lemon and spices, the Tuna Kibbeh Nayeh is served with fresh herbs, pickled onions and crispy pita. 134 Hampshire St, Inman Square, Cambridge (617-661-0505, oleanarestaurant.com)

Pomegranate Sliced Duck with Macomber Turnip, Dino Kale & Autumn Leaves
$27, Upstairs on the Square
As if Upstairs on the Square’s zany décor wasn’t enough to wipe away your winter blues, this Harvard Square institution ups the ante with their Pomegranate Sliced Duck. Seared with a sweet pomegranate glaze, the juicy duck breast is accompanied by crispy kale and a puree of buttery Macomber turnips fresh from Westport, Mass. 91 Winthrop St, Harvard Square, Cambridge (617 864-1933, upstairsonthesquare.com)

Bourbon Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder
$23, Hungry Mother

At Hungry Mother, French cooking techniques are combined with New England and Southern-inspired ingredients to create dishes such as Bourbon Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder served with Rancho Gordo pinto beans, sunchokes, and chow chow, a pickled vegetable relish. 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave, Kendall Square, Cambridge (617-499-0090, hungrymothercambridge.com) 

Low Country Cacciatore  
$13, Trina’s Starlite Lounge    
The cocktail menu at Trina’s Starlite Lounge offers plenty of creative ways to keep warm, but if you’re looking for something more substantial, try the Low Country Cacciatore. Pecan smoked sausage and braised chicken cacciatore is served over creamy hominy and greens and topped with fried ricotta. 3 Beacon St, Inman Square, Somerville (617-576-0006, trinastarlitelounge.com)

Chili Roasted Heirloom Pumpkin
$12, Lineage
Lineage offers a seasonal approach to modern American cuisine. Hold onto your favorite autumn flavors deep into the winter months with the restaurant’s Chili Roasted Heirloom Pumpkin served with American prosciutto, thinly-sliced fried chestnut chips and Maine cranberries. 242 Harvard St, Brookline (617-232-0065, lineagerestaurant.com)

Grilled Flat Iron Steak
$27, Bergamot
Specializing in New American cuisine, Somerville’s Bergamot offers plenty of innovative takes on comforting dishes. When you’re in the market for some good ol’ meat and potatoes, try the flawlessly cooked Grilled Flat Iron Steak with crème fraiche-laced potatoes, mushrooms, dehydrated red onions and sauce made from wild leeks. 118 Beacon St, Somerville (617-576-7700, bergamotrestaurant.com)

Apple Wood Smoked Pork Porterhouse
$24, Eastern Standard Kitchen
Along with inventive cocktails, Eastern Standard offers a number of dishes that will keep you feeling cozy. Order the Apple Wood Smoked Pork Porterhouse when you’re in the mood to indulge. It’s served with apples, charred onions, pancetta and cheesy mimolette gratin. 528 Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square, Boston (617-532-9100, easternstandardboston.com)

Butter Soup
Market price, Menton
When Barbara Lynch told us this was a dish we needed to know about, we listened. Made with lobster, littleneck clams, and American sturgeon, Butter Soup appears only occasionally on Menton’s menu, so when you see it, order it. You’ll thank us later. 354 Congress St, Fort Point, (617-737-0099, mentonboston.com)