Unums, Nashua

As you breathe in the aromas of sizzling meats and Mediterranean spices that drift among baroque wooden embellishments and Spanish-style lanterns, you might feel as though you've been whisked away to a foreign land. But if you were to trace these scents back to their source, you'd wind up at the open kitchen of Unums. Here, chefs dart to and fro, transforming fresh and locally sourced ingredients into meals inspired from cuisine around the globe. Angus steaks are charbroiled, grilled salmon brushed with sun-dried-tomato-dijon mustard, and fried eggplant arancini set atop pools of roasted corn bisque. Though the dishes are carefully composed, many can be altered to accommodate vegetarians, guests with gluten allergies, and those who just want everything mashed into one big bowl. All are safely conveyed to tables by Unums' attentive staff, who travel among low-lit corners and a serpentine marble-topped bar with ease. With its unique atmosphere and exotic cuisine, it's no wonder the eatery has received such recognitions as an OpenTable Diner's Choice Award for Neighborhood Gem in 2011.