Best of Boston

2001 Best Fusion Restaurant

Chez Henri

Pairing French classics with Latin ingredients has proven a recipe for success for Cambridge’s sexy, laid-back hotspot. It all works seamlessly. Cuban influences complement bistro dishes such as pan-seared quail with red chili vinaigrette and corn-goat cheese gâteau; grilled pork loin chop with black-bean sauce and yucca; and duck confit over garlic risotto and spiced rhubarb. If you’re in the mood for a sampler, hit the intimate bar, which has its own innovative menu, including the popular Cubano—a crispy, buttery, pressed sandwich of pork, gruyère, and roasted vegetables. Fittingly, the drinks match the eatery’s playful mood. Try an apricot-flavored periodista or a bracing mojito.

One Shepard St., Cambridge, 617-354-8980, chezhenri.com/