Epicure

Open since early October, Taste can now lay claim to one of the most beautiful restaurant spaces in the city. Located in the historic Hess Shoe building at the newly refurbished Belvedere Square, the place accommodates up to 170 diners in the main dining room, smaller dining room next to the exhibition kitchen, swank bar area, and a nifty subterranean private dining room. Designed by the firm of Riley & Rohrer, the sleek, modern space features elements like an illuminated glass wine tower and the original sliding board that many fondly remember from the old children’s shoe department (it’s been integrated as a stair banister). And chef Ann Nault has designed a sophisticated menu to match, including the house specialty— cured tequila salmon gravlax. Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday; valet parking Thursday through Saturday. (510 E. Belvedere Ave., 443-278-9001)