Radius
The circle is a fitting symbol for a restaurant like Radius. This sleek, stylish Financial District hot spot is a dining experience so complete and so completely perfect, that coming to the end of a meal only makes you want to start again. Chef Michael Schlow's sophisticated French cooking makes the most of seasonal ingredients, showcasing them in dishes like this summer's roasted loin of veal with fresh black mission figs, fennel, sweetbreads, and pancetta. The discreet, professional staff moves the meal along seamlessly, while the impressive wine list designed by co-owner Christopher Myers complements each dish. And though beloved pastry chef Paul Connors left Boston earlier this year, Julien Wagner has stepped into his shoes with ease, crafting stunning desserts like the signature goat cheese and huckleberry cheesecake. It all means that a night out at the three-year-old Radius still begins and ends as sweetly as ever. 8 High St., Boston, MA radiusrestaurant.com.
George Wright Golf Course
Okay, so it's not in pristine condition. In fact, on a recent visit, we found what appeared to be a large fishing net half-buried in the fairway of the 12th hole. So what's so great about this municipal course? For starters, it's right in the city—a verdant oasis hidden in Hyde Park, with a clubhouse that looks like a medieval castle. This course was designed in the 1930s by Donald Ross, the famed Scotsman who built some of the finest courses in both the state and the nation. The best thing about George Wright, however, is that a loop around these greens runs Boston residents just $24 ($27 on weekends). While you play, take the time to imagine what this course could become with a just little tender loving care. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA cityofboston.gov/golf/GWGC.
The Flaherty Enterprise
Here's state representative Michael Flaherty and his partner Robert Kenney, putting in the winning (though by now means lowest) bid on a city-owned vacant lot in Sothie, where the two plan to put up many pricey condo townhouses. There's Kenney, former Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) director, and another partner, John Flaherty, Michael's brother, submitting the winning bid on another city-owned vacant lot nearby, where they plan on putting up more pricey condo townhouses. There's Joseph Santa Fe, Michael's cousin, doing likewise on another city-owned vacant lot. There's James Flaherty, Michael's cousin and campaign manager, sitting on the BRA board that votes on the new zoning plan for the area—he doesn't vote on Flaherty-related business. South Boston, MA
New Deal
When trying to lay your hands on the freshest catch in Boston, you could get up at 4 a.m., pull on rubber boots, and clump along to the fish pier to haggle with salty characters. Or you could sleep in until a decent hour, then do what the city's smartest cooks do: head to this venerable storefront in East Cambridge, where owner Carl Fantasia makes buying and preparing seafood a breeze, even for novices. He'll not only steer you to the tastiest specimens in the display case, but also point out which Portuguese olive oil will bring out the best in those bright-eyed sardines, and supply the nori needed to turn that sushi-grade tuna into hand-rolled maki. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2141, newdealfishmarket.com.
Brendan Pelley, Xenia Greek Hospitality
Chef Brendan Pelley is the culinary director for Xenia Hospitality Group, the team behind Krasi, Greco, and Bar Vlaha. / Photo by Jimmy Pineapple Krasi, Bar Vlaha, Greco, Hecate, and more to come: Xenia Greek Hospitality is on fire these days, thanks in part to the 2022 addition of Brendan Pelley as culinary director. Pelley’s been a power player in Boston-area Greek dining for the better part of a decade, from his Pelekasis pop-up to his time at Doretta Taverna, and the backing of this ever-growing restaurant group is giving him a bigger stage than ever to showcase things such as his famous 100-layer spanakopita (find it on Krasi’s brunch menu) or a rustic braised beef-cheek stew from the cuisine of the nomadic Vlach people (at Brookline newbie Bar Vlaha). We can’t wait to see what he does next. Multiple locations, xeniagreekhospitality.com.
Branch Line
Blame it on the lazy-Sunday-ness of the bocce, the youthful intensity of the beer program, or the location outside city limits. But we don't think Branch Line gets enough credit for its eye-popping wine list. Co-owner Andrew Holden and wine director Charlie Gaeta delight in the variegated expressions of French terroir: high-toned wild-cherry elegance, deep limestone litanies, Corsican floral bombs—all of which, turns out, go well with rotisserie chicken. Anyhow, here's some credit. Correction, June 26, 11 a.m.: In the July issue of Boston, we misstated the job titles of Holden (co-owner along with Garrett Harker) and Gaeta (wine director). We regret the error. 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472, branchlinearsenal.com.
Formaggio Kitchen's Saturday Barbecues
Some less enlightened staffers here at Boston magazine argued against this pick, citing its limited availability (Formaggio fires up its sidewalk grill once a week, and for only half the year) and the unforgivable snobbishness of awarding the title of best street food to a purveyor of $7 hot dogs. But proponents were unmoved, pointing out that said dogs weigh in at a juicy half pound. And that—like the house-made sausages and the pulled pork, chicken, and lamb—forms part of what just might be the Hub's most joyous eating experience. That status is owed largely to Formaggio's new grill-master, Kurt Gurdal, whose infectious enthusiasm will surely stand him in good stead through season's end, in mid-November. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA formaggiokitchen.com.
Savenor's
Boston has become a bona fide haven for conscientious carnivores, what with Whole Foods boasting displays packed with New England meats and Lionette's Market touting pork from central Massachusetts and Vermont. Still, only Savenor's hits it right on the snout, with its reasonable (for the quality) prices and wide selection, which includes grass-fed Vermont beef and lamb for the leave-tiny-footprints contingent, plus generously marbled wagyu and sweet wild boar bacon for the occasional indulgence. Call ahead to its Cambridge flagship or its smaller shop on Beacon Hill, and they'll prep almost anything you'd want to roast or grill—from a trimmed crown roast to a trussed and ready-to-stuff whole goose. 92 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA 2138, .
Leon & Co.
Remember when you used to sneer at bottle blondes? Stylist Leon deMagistris and his staff of colorists have changed all that with bold, rich hair colors that look better than the real thing. (His latest venture, known as California highlighting, mimics the look of sun-kissed hair without foil strips or hours of harmful sun exposure.) Moreover, deMagistris's talent and sway go far beyond the Boston-area beauty scene. He's the former U.S. creative director for the venerable Italian product line Tocco Magico and regularly grabs international attention with runway coiffures in Europe. None of which stops him from running his 33-year-old Belmont salon like a finely tuned machine. 84 Leonard St., Belmont, MA leonandco.com.
Ken Oringer, Clio
Oringer is fast becoming the Tom Hanks of Best of Boston. Oringer has captured the best-chef nod in three of the past four years—and the year he didn't win, his restaurant, Clio, was named the best in town. It's not that he's such an all-around nice guy (which he really is) that makes Oringer the winningest chef in recent memory. It's that he creates such beautiful food, perfectly balanced in flavor, texture, and proportion. Clio's French menu impresses at every turn with its Asian influences and emphasis on fresh ingredients, from the cassoulet of lobster and sea urchin with yuzu and Japanese pepper to the entrée of roasted Muscovy duck with kumquats and black radish confit. Oringer's new pet project, the sashimi bar Uni inside Clio, shows his versatility and talent. And, as anyone who follows awards presentations knows, those qualities separate the winners from the also-rans. The Eliot Hotel, 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA cliorestaurant.com.
George Wright Golf Course
This Donald Ross-designed course in Hyde Park is the perfect diamond in the rough. The imposing clubhouse recalls a staid Victorian manor, but the staff is downright friendly, whether organizing weekday tee times (reservations are accepted only for weekends and holidays) or teaching chip-shot fundamentals. The par-70 course—5,131 yards from the red tees, 6,096 from the whites—covers a beautiful, hilly terrain, and includes the breathtaking 10th hole, whose green lies in a serene, tree-ringed dale. Greens fees are also breathtaking: just $22 for Boston residents on weekdays ($25 for nonresidents), and $25 on weekends ($28 for nonresidents). Of course, that doesn't include the balls—or bets—you lose. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA cityofboston.gov/golf/GWGC.
Oompa
It’s already been a huge year for Lakiyra “Oompa” Williams. In January, the Roxbury-born rapper and two-time Boston Music Awards winner performed at Governor Maura Healey’s inaugural ball at TD Garden — an event historic both in scope and symbolism and her biggest indoor stage ever. That same month, Oompa returned to the TD Garden spotlight, taking over the Celtics’ halftime for a five-minute center-court set. But the February single “Think Too Much” represents a greater leveling up, with Oompa trying out her singing voice over airy Afro-Caribbean rhythms and showing a softer R & B range that promises her year can only get bigger. oompoutloud.com.
Hong Kong
If you’ve never had a night out end with a hazily remembered jaunt to this Faneuil Hall spot, you haven’t done after-hours in Boston right. Amid the bustle of the seven-night-a-week party—a blend of college kids, off-the-clock restaurant staff, and coworkers from downtown office buildings—the generously spiked scorpion bowls offer liquid courage in no short supply. The $1 chicken-teriyaki-on-a-stick, served (how else?) from a tin-foil-wrapped bucket, is tastier than you’d think. Sure, you may have to wait hours for your turn at the mike, but if you’re in the mood to get "Born to Run" off your chest, there’s no better place than the Kong. 65 Chatham St., Boston, MA 02109, hongkongboston.com.
Brookline Booksmith
Well into the Kindle era, Boston still hits out of its weight class when it comes to bookselling, and we treat big-name authors like visiting royalty. The Booksmith is where our memoirists, like Andre Dubus III and Gail Caldwell, and our suspense gurus, from Hank Phillipi Ryan to Joseph Finder, come to tell their tales. It’s where Atlantic columnist James Parker throws a celebration of his literary magazine the Pilgrim—the one produced 10 times per year by the city’s homeless population. And it’s where Barney Frank turns up to talk baseball. In sum, it’s the kind of place you keep going back to, because you never know what they’re going to think of next. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, brooklinebooksmith.com.
B&G Oysters
When summer finally arrives in Boston, every restaurant with a patch of sidewalk scurries to put out a few wrought iron tables and hang its 'al fresco' shingle. Sure, we'll take every ray of sun we can get, but our kudos in this category is reserved for spots with expansive, more thoughtful outdoor spaces. While Oleana's courtyard has long been a standout, there's just something wildly appealing and Secret Garden-like about the sunken back patio at the South End's B&G. Almost primitive in design, with seemingly rogue vines gripping the stone walls, it feels the way a real outdoor eatery should: comfortable and slightly magical, a lovely aesthetic backdrop to the splendor on the plate. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2116, bandgoysters.com.