BERRY DELICIOUS
Strawberries, the first fresh fruit of spring, are believed by the French to be a potent aphrodisiac. Whether or not you’re looking for summer love, the berry sweetness of these city concoctions will leave you in full swoon.

1. BLU
   The Sports Club/LA, 4 Avery St., 617-375-8550. The Rhubarb Crisp may only take 6 minutes to bake, but pastry chef Michelle Vernier takes the whole day to prepare everything from scratch, including the sweet strawberry preserves, tangy orange-rhubarb compote and crispy butter tart shell. Toasted walnuts, homemade rosewater ice cream and strawberry slivers provide the finishing touches.
    
2. EXCELSIOR
   272 Boylston St., 617-426-7878. Enjoy a sweet treat that will definitely give you a summer glow. The Strawberry Caipiroska may only call for one berry, but each sip surrenders a full punch of flavor by muddling the fruit with two limes, superfine sugar, Chopin vodka and ice.
    
3. PERDIX
   560 Tremont St., 617-338-8070. Devour a decidedly old-fashioned, not-like- your-mama-made-it Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake made with buttermilk biscuits and topped with crème fraiche, a slightly tangy and nutty thick cream.
    
4. 33 RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
   33 Stanhope St., 617-572-3311. If you have a sweet tooth, or better yet a whole set of sweet teeth, the 33 Tini, made of fresh strawberries, sour apple liquor and Hypnotiq liqueur, is the perfect ’tini temptation for you.
    
5. THE CAPITAL GRILLE
   359 Newbury St., 617-262-8900. Order your drink and dessert in one fell swoop with the Fresh Strawberries Capital Grille, a combination of strawberries, vanilla ice cream and ruby port with Grand Marnier sauce.
   
   —Katrina Scanlan