Steel & Rye
Photo by Jesse Burke With its exposed pipes, sky-high ceiling, and wood finishes, the 7,000-square-foot Steel & Rye has an atmosphere best described as industrial-farmhouse chic, yet it's as homey a restaurant as you'll find—the type of place you might want to try on a ho-hum weeknight, or might want to make into a big deal for the weekend. The food, of course,is what seals the deal: Try the homemade flatbreads and pasta. 95 Eliot St., Milton, MA steelandrye.com.
Tomasso Trattoria
First-time owners Tom and Mary Prince have assembled an A-team at their debut Italian restaurant: general manager Lorenzo Savona (formerly of Les Zygomates), chef Tony Bettencourt (UpStairs on the Square), and pastry chef Mary Bergin (Spago). The combination tastes even better than it reads. These new twists on classic dishes (like smoky roast lamb in a tomato—and—black olive sauce) will take you on a one-night trip to Italy. 154 Turnpike Rd. (Rte. 9), Southborough, MA tomassotrattoria.com.
Cantab Lounge
For over 15 years, this Central Square hangout has been giving aspiring musicians their shot at fame (or, at least, a moderate degree of name recognition). Monday is the big night, with high-quality sound and sets that range from blues to folk to a cappella. Presiding over all is host Geoff Bartley, a benevolent presence who keeps the tempo from dragging. 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, cantab-lounge.com.
Museum of Science
Unlike the Boston Children's Museum over in Fort Point, the Museum of Science offers parking—a not-insignificant bonus to the many family-friendly charms of this 230,000-square-foot institution. For preschoolers, there's the Discovery Center, full of stuffed animals, things to crawl on and fidget with, knobs to turn, and levers to tug. For older kids, there are exhibits about dinosaurs, lasers, and other gee-whiz subjects. And for parents? The profound joy of nobody whining about being bored. 1 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 2114, mos.org.
The Market Theater
The Market Theater clamored onto the local scene pledging edgy, experimental works. And it made good with creative programming like Frederick Wiseman's The Last Letter and Biljana Srbljanovic's Family Stories. Now that the company is vacating its Harvard Square location and founder Greg Carr has parted ways with director Tom Cole, the first crop of Market devotees may find themselves back at the A.R.T.
MIT List Visual Arts Center
About every eight weeks, from September to June, the LVAC shows innovative, provocative contemporary work in all media by established and emerging artists, including the likes of Kiki Smith and Louise Borugeois. There are a total of three gallery spaces—more than 4,600 square feet—in this grid-patterned building, designed by MIT alumnus I. M. Pei in 1985. And the atrium, where a giant, colorful Kenneth Nolan painting sprawls across an entire wall, is by far one of Boston's most beautiful sanctuaries. 20 Ames St., Cambridge, MA .
Cabot Street Cinema Theatre
Beverly's answer to the Kendall Square Cinema is as funky as it is friendly. The diverse roster of screenings (don't take that plurality literally—only one movie at a time is shown here) includes everything from second-run films to indies. Service is swift and conversational (most of this crowd is local), and tickets are a bargain at $6. Sick and tired of South Patch Kids? There's a small café serving coffee, tea, and pastries. 286 Cabot St., Beverly, MA cabotcinemamovies.com.
Toscanini's
PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSE BURKE We can confidently say that we’ve sampled just about every cone in Greater Boston—and scoop by scoop, Gus Rancatore’s Central Square ice cream shop remains unchallenged. The endless array of creative flavors—bourbon black pepper, mango-ginger, green tea—keeps things interesting, but it’s the thick, custardy texture that makes this ultra-rich ice cream the undisputed heavyweight champion of the slow-churned world. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tosci.com.
Fat Ram, Fat Ram’s Pumpkin Tattoo
This stuff is permanent, folks, so don’t mess around. While big-name tattoo-parlor options abound, this modest Hyde Square storefront harbors some of the region’s best artists. Fat Ram himself has been inking intricate Madonnas, sublime Medusas, and mesmerizing trompe l’oeil scenes for 26 years, all the while painting and sculpting in his spare time. 374 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, pumpkintattoo.com.
Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon
Though they must dine amid the swirling dust and big-rig exhaust of Newmarket Square, frankfurter fiends would endure far worse in the name of Speed's mighty all-beef dog, which gets simmered in apple cider; smoked; charcoal-grilled; basted in barbecue sauce; and served with chili, mustard, onions, and/or relish on a toasted bun. Founder Ezra “Speed” Anderson is now largely retired after 30 years at the grill, but his younger lieutenants maintain his legacy of humble excellence. 54 Newmarket Square, Roxbury, MA 2118, .
David Punch
Sometimes it just takes a little tweak to make food memorable. That roasted beet salad that's on menus everywhere? At Ten Tables, Punch adds a drizzle of pumpkin seed oil. The roast chicken? He turns—nay, kicks—it up with cabbage, shell beans, and bacon. With a resume that includes stints at UpStairs on the Square and Rendezvous, this chef's talent for making the ordinary extraordinary is serving him, and us, very well. Ten Tables, 597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA tentables.net.
Grendel's Den
Since what's traditionally known as happy hour is illegal in our great state, local establishments have been forced to get creative with the concept. Grendel's, housed in a funky basement space in Harvard Square, puts the best spin on things: Besides the substantial beer selection and surprisingly good sangria, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. all food—a hearty mix of international specialties—is half off when you buy a drink. 89 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA grendelsden.com.
Rob "ProBlak" Gibbs
Photo by Mona Miri You’ve likely seen the larger-than-life work of this talented Roxbury-born muralist (and MFA artist in residence), who’s graced the walls of buildings around Grove Hall or Lower Roxbury over the years with his spectacular depictions of joyful Black youth. Now, as this year’s pick to paint the Greenway’s massive Dewey Square mural, he’s taken his iconic “Breathe Life” series downtown, to the city’s most-viewed, most-talked-about stage. problak.com.
Sacco's Bowl Haven
Once you hear the candlepins crashing, smell the freshly made clay-oven pizza, and taste the beer — lots and lots of locally made beer — you’ll understand why people flock from all over to score a lane at Sacco’s. In fact, try making a reservation, and you might be shocked at just how popular the Davis Square holdover has become. Luckily, several lanes are available on a first-come basis — so show up early and stay late. 45 Day St., Somerville, MA 02144, americanflatbread.com/locations/somerville-ma.
Park-9 Dog Bar
Nora, Emily Gusse and Tess Kohanski’s golden retriever, is Park-9’s "chief happiness officer." / Photo by Reagan Byrne There’s no other place we know of where you can order a cocktail for yourself and a perfectly paired treat for your canine. At New England’s first-ever dog bar, kick back with your BFF and enjoy a 10,000-square-foot space complete with lounge areas, two bars, and a cool backyard vibe. 48 Waters Ave., Everett, MA 02149, park9dogbar.com.