Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston

Behind the Name: Barbara Lynch is one of Boston’s leading restaurateurs, and oversees some of the city’s most beloved gourmet dining, catering, and culinary-training establishments. She also earned the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, and has been nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chefs in America.

Establishments Under The Lynch Umbrella: No. 9 Park, 9 At Home, B&G Oysters, Drink, Sportello, The Butcher Shop, Stir, and Menton

Where to Go:

• For seafood: B&G Oysters in Boston’s South End, which pays tribute to New England’s most iconic mussel in a neighborhood bar decorated in maritime blues and grays.
• For gourmet-quality meats: The Butcher Shop, which features dine-in charcuterie and velvety cuts of marbled beef for takeout
• For a casual Italian meal: Sportello, which serves sleek, trattoria-inspired Italian dishes.
• For an expertly blended beverage: Drink, which dedicates itself to the pursuit of crafting the perfect craft cocktail with techniques and recipes that date back to the prohibition era.
• For a complete fine-dining experience: No. 9 Park, Lynches first, and flagship, restaurant, where she perfected her continental fusion cuisine. In fact, this upscale eatery inspired her catering company, 9 At Home.

What’s It All About?: innovation. No matter which restaurant you end up at, the common element between all of restaurants is creative, modern takes on familiar fare, so be prepared to see old favorites in a new light. That includes bar food, such as Drink’s chips and dip with shallot, truffle, and caviar, and the Butcher Shop’s BLT, which is made with lamb bacon, fried green tomato, and green goddess.

Inside Tips:

• Put your trust in the experts. For instance, you won’t find a cocktail list at Drink. What you will find, however, is a bartender who can make whatever you ask. And if you don’t know, he or she can whip something up based on your preferences.
• If you discover something that especially tickles your fancy, schedule a class at Stir, Barbara’s demonstration kitchen and cookbook store. You can even arrange a private class on a particular favorite cuisine.
• When planning a private party with 9 At Home, make sure to check the seasonal menu first for an idea of what’s possible. Since freshness is paramount, you’ll only find yellow watermelon gazpacho in summer, roasted halibut with blood orange beurre blanc in fall, and seared pheasant breast in the winter.