Wed. & Thurs. (20, 21 & 27,28) in December

 We've always enjoyed the Washington Square (in Brookline) restaurant called Fireplace for its fine dining and owner Jim Solomon's gregarious personality. Last month, Solomon re-started up an intimate jazz program on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The lineup for the rest of December follows: Guitarist Steve Fell on Dec. 20, progressive jazz from Rob Mitzner on Dec. 21, bassist Jef Charland and company on Dec. 27 and the James Merenda Trio, playing piano jazz standards and improv on Dec. 28. Note: The Fireplace is a  CBS-4 nominee for "best romantic" spot. The reason for the jazz? They had it for three previous years, but took the summer off. Solomon says he's found "the introduction of jazz to the Fireplace really works, really fits. It's an extentsion of what we've been playing (over the sound system). But live jazz has returned with a vengeance, drawing more people than we ever have." Check out the website below for cuisine details, though the revival.  entrees tend to be in the $25-$30 range. Music goes from 9:30 to midnight.

1634 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-975-1900 fireplacerest.com