Anyone heading to Boston for this year's eBay Live convention would be remiss if they didn't sneak a few hours trying out some of the city's fine dining establishments. Besides being renowned for seafood, Boston also has wonderful ethnic neighborhoods, bursting with tempting cuisine. The North End, of course, is famous for its authentic Italian dining. You can walk into virtually any doorway on Hanover Street and sit down to a wonderful meal. Chinatown boasts great Dim Sum, and restaurants in and around Faneuil Hall marketplace have more traditional New England dining choices (Durgin Park, and The Union Oyster House, the country's oldest continuous service restaurant, for example). And we haven't even talked about the seafood yet!

With that in mind, AuctionBytes enlisted the help of the best-known food critic in Boston, the Phantom Gourmet, to recommend some fine eateries within walking distance of the Boston Convention & Expo Center (BCEC) where eBay Live is being held. The Phantom is an institution in the Hub, with a weekly television program, a radio show, web site (http://www.phantomgourmet.com) and a book (that Ina and I keep in the car like a survival guide). If anyone knows where to dine in this town it's the Phantom, who has been eating his way through Boston and 'burbs for the past 15 years.

We asked the Phantom for his recommendations for great food (at good prices!) within walking distance of the BCEC, as well as a few places worth driving to. Without further ado, here are his picks:

LTK
225 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 330-7430
The legendary Legal Sea Foods is leaping into the twenty-first century with a cutting edge concept called LTK. LTK is short for Legal Test Kitchen. And as the name implies, the restaurant is a hot bed of innovation... in both the dining room and the kitchen.

Pressed Sandwiches
225 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 439-0000
All bankers hail to Pressed Sandwiches, a hot little Seaport sandwich shop. The inviting atmosphere is as toasty as the sandwiches themselves, which are grilled panini-style until warm and cheesy.

Eastern Pier Seafood (Chinese, Seafood)
237 Northern Ave.
Boston, MA
(617) 423-4331
Located near the new World Trade Center, this restaurant serves Chinese cuisine and is especially known for seafood.

The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper St.
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 426-2722
The Barking Crab is a rowdy seafood shanty where the beer flows freely and the waterside view of the Financial District is money! The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for unwinding after work.

Intrigue Café
Boston Harbor Hotel
70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 439-7000
*Intrigue Café at the Boston Harbor Hotel is an escape to harbor-side seating in Parisian sidewalk style. Bobbing yachts are tied off Rowes Wharf, just twenty feet away.*

No Name Restaurant
15 1/2 Fish Pier
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 338-7539
*No Name Restaurant isn't marked by a sign or even a name, but the nautical themed double-decker is a seaside standout. The beautiful harbor view from the Boston Fish Pier explains the incredibly fresh seafood, and the semi-open kitchen cranks out wicked awesome entrees by broiling, frying, boiling, and sautéing.*

Sauciety
435 Summer St
The Westin
Boston, MA 02210
617-532-4600
Sauciety is a modern American grill with a culinary twist that builds off of a high-quality regional cuisine, and then focuses on a variety of unique and flavorful sauces, spreads, dips, and chutneys that the guest is able to select from to customize each course of their meal.

Miel Brasserie Provencale
510 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 217-5151
*Miel "Brasserie Provençal" is Boston's only full-service 24/7 restaurant. Michelin rated Celebrity Chef Jacques Chibois has created InterContinental Boston's Provençe themed brasserie celebrating the organic wonders of France's fascinating region including lavender, honey and olive oil.*

Sel de la Terre
255 State Street @ Longwharf
Boston, MA O2109
(617) 720-1300
*Phantom can't help but fall in love at Sel de la Terre...at least with the Southern French food. There's nothing like seared scallops with smoked bacon and wild mushrooms to bring on a delicious, dizzying spell. The skillet pork chop pairs with roasted apples and pears, and the applewood smoked chicken sizzles over lemon spaëtzle and artichokes. Their signature rosemary pommes frites are the most herbaceous, awesome fries you'll ever eat. The chef is also proud of his crusty breads, sold also in the adjoining boulangerie. Early risers can pick up croissants, currant scones, and French pastries, too.*

A LITTLE FARTHER AWAY:
Durgin Park
Union Oyster House
Woodman's of Essex
Legal Sea Foods (Long Wharf)

You can find more detailed reviews for these restaurants, and many more at the Phantom Gourmet's web site at http://www.phantomgourmet.com, or buy the book on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/3d7lxg. You can also find a Google Map we've created, with all of the Phantom's picks - and directions - at http://tinyurl.com/2ao86a

So, loosen your belt a few notches, and get ready for some great food while at eBay Live. Bon Appetit!