My "baby" sister's turning 50 and I'm coming into Boston next week to help celebrate. She actually lives in Lynn, and is all about hip and fresh, somewhat of a foodie, good wine selection mandatory, just about any ethnic or exotic cuisine works. Since I'm not a local any longer, I've got no idea of where to take her. Downtown's fine, but if something meets this criteria on the North Shore, all the better. Any online resources you'd recommend that have good restaurant reviews? (what's the "underground" weekly called there - I've forgotten!) Thanks!

Chronicle last night featured the Blue Ox right in Lynn. It looked great. I think it falls into the category of hip and fresh, though I have never been.

If you are willing to go as far north as Newburyport Ten Center Street is pretty cool

You could check out the Boston Phoenix too- not so underground newspaper.

the Boston Phoenix, of course! Man, it's been way too long. I'll bet my sister has probably been to the Blue Ox if it's right in Lynn, but I'll check with her. I do love Newburyport, though, that sounds like a good suggestion.

Rabia on Salem St. in the North End is my fav restaurant in Boston.

tekwriter - I have to correct myself. The Blue Ox wasn't the restaurant featured on Chronicle. It was featured in North Shore Magazine - I watched the show and read the magazine the same night so I got it confused.

http://nshoremag.com/year-ox/#more-5906

Other options in Newburyport include the Black Cow - though not new and Aquatini - also been there for a few years now but both are good. All are in walking distance of each other so you could do a progressive kind of evening too.

62 on the Wharf in Salem (Pickering Wharf) is fabulous.

www.62onwharf.com

I always have a hard time when someone asks for a recommendation for a hip restaurant--I don't really know what that is.

I was at Helmands last week and it was fabulous. Can't wait to go back for their raviolis. It is an afgan restaruant behind the Cambridge Galleria and you can find street parking.
http://www.helmandrestaurantcambridge.com/

In Swampscott one of my favorites was the Red Rock Bistro, right on water on the Lynn line. But, the last time I was there it wasn't so good. One of these days I will give it a second chance.

Someone recommended Black Cow in Newburyport. I was there this past summer and really enjoyed my meal and the setting. Don't know if I'd consider it hip, tho. But Newburyport always make for a good daytrip for me--shopping, eating, doing the galleries.

I usually just go to Boston.com for restaurant reviews and sometimes check tripadvisor reviews.

There is a fantastic restaurant on Humphrey Street in Swampscott called G Bar and Kitchen.

It is new, hip, funky and very nice. The food is delicious. Great bar.

http://www.grestaurant.com/