The Alchemist Lounge is a perfect allegory for the recent transformation of Jamaica Plain. It's in the former location of Triple D's. While you can still get a beer and food here, at the Alchemist it's going to be a Bass (or a microbrew) and calamari or a flatbread pizza (while at Triple D's it would have been Bud and pre-constituted chicken wings). Alchemist is a friendly neighborhood place and it's just slightly upscale but in a way that ensures you are getting great tasting food and drinks without all the pretension of someplace downtown. The Triple D's guys still come in to hang out (there's the proof!) And this is JP, so you will see a huge diversity of folks enjoying the bar or noshing at one of the tables in the restaurant. The cocktail menu features really excellent creations, which change seasonally. Food includes flatbreads (pizzas), salads, entrees (sirloin, spaghetti bolognese, stuffed peppers), sandwiches and desserts. There's a late night menu too. There's also live music Thur-Sun and Monday Night movies. The Alchemist Lounge is a great way to experience what is so fantastic about Jamaica Plain in its 21st century guise. Hours: Lunch 11:30-5:00 Daily, Dinner Su-Wed 5-10, Th-Sat5-10:30, Late Night menu 10:30-12, Lounge 5pm-1am

Sorella's has been serving Jamaica Plain for over 20 years. It's the quintessential New England place - breakfast and lunch only. But it's also very JP in its offerings - tofu and other meat alternatives are available. Amazing combinations in the muffins, pancakes,french toast and waffles -- try the ginger, blueberry, hazlenut. YUM! Where else can you get pumkin pancakes with cream cheese and strawberry's? Or how about pancakes with raisins, peaches, walnuts, strawberries, cinnamon and whipped cream? The ingredients are so fresh! The omelettes are out of this world, too. The walls are filled with their original omelette creations, often named after employees. Fresh mozzarella, arugula, basil. If you go any weekday for breakfast you will see the local regulars. On the weekends be prepared to stand in line (outside, there's no room inside). It's fun and funky greasy spoon. There are 2 seating areas - "outsiders" should know to go into the street level door and announce your intentions. You'll be given clearance by the staff if you need to go up the stairs outside into the secondary seating level. Tip: this place is seriously packed with a line down the block on the weekends. Arrive before 9am to guarantee a good seat. It's very tiny and will be very tough for those who require strollers or disability access, so keep that in mind before you go.