Ten Tables
Talk about spreading the love. This year the team at Ten Tables expanded across the Charles, giving Hub cuddlers the choice of intimacy (the tiny J.P. original) or intrigue (the new Cambridge location, full of cozy dark nooks). Both locations feature upscale comfort dishes, like house-made pasta and skillet roasted Giannone chicken, for under $25. Chef David Punch also does a nightly $45 prix fixe, ostensibly for customers with other things on their minds than menu decisions. 597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, tentables.net.
Sophia's Grotto
In a mere four years this precocious trattoria has grown up into an authentic Old World beauty, its cloistered brick courtyard now mature with ornamental trees and grasses and a massive climbing hydrangea. Prices, though, have barely changed at all, with big bowls of pastas and other Italian standbys averaging about $15. With the patio's bee lights twinkling overhead and a glass of sweetly chilled Grechetto in hand, you'll find Roman holidays don't come any cheaper than this. 22 Birch St., Roslindale, MA 2131, sophiasgrotto.com.
S&I to Go
Notwithstanding the beef tendon fire pot at Montien (still the hottest soup around, in both senses of the word), this unassuming Allston 12-seater is your first-class ticket to Bangkok. The Thai-language menu is filled with enough mild-mannered fare to sate even the most uninitiated of palates, while devotees can delight in rare finds like crispy double-fried catfish laced with whole sprigs of fresh peppercorns and volcanic som tums flavored with raw salted crab. 168a Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, .
Grill 23 & Bar
Where others might lean on 'steak wines' like big California cabs (yawn), Grill 23's DeWinter is likely to suggest a Paolo Bea Rosso 2000, from the little Umbrian town of Sagrantino, for your bone-in filet—he's just that excited about the unsung heroes in his cache of some 1,500 labels. Odds are, you will be, too. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.
Rubin's Kosher Restaurant Delicatessen
Yarmulke-bedecked customers attest to the kosher bona fides at this Brookline mainstay, where the takeout case is long and complete, the sandwiches are overstuffed with choice cuts, and the pickles—well, Rubin's knows from pickles, offered free in the tightly packed dining room. And you can bet your tuches that Bubbe would approve of the meat knish: flaky crust setting off pillowy mashed potato and salty ground beef, the whole mess served piping hot. 500 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 2446, rubinsboston.com.
Diesel Café
While the corporate megapercolators spend millions on ads that pit yuppies against average joes, the Diesel buzzes blissfully along, keeping the emphasis on the coffee. Tattered banquettes and walls covered with funky artwork provide a quirky welcome to Davis Square caffeine addicts. And one sip of the house blend—made from beans that are subtly roasted, not burnt to a crisp—confirms that the brew here is highly habit-forming. 257 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, diesel-cafe.com.
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
This is Blue Ribbon's third straight year notching a win, which means we've already waxed rhapsodic about its smoked-to-perfection brisket and tender pulled pork. (For maximum enjoyment, mix the above liberally with any of the house sauces.) Thus, knowing it's the details that make the difference, this year we pay special homage to the baked beans. They're the glue that binds any self-respecting barbecue meal, and Blue Ribbon's are superlative. 908 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2476, blueribbonbbq.com.
blu
Posh as they are, the folks behind the Downtown Crossing eatery Blu recognize that a bar menu just ain't a bar menu without fries, wings, and mozzarella sticks. Except here, of course, the fries are made from polenta and served with truffled cheese. The duck wings are cooked to a crisp, then tossed with charred jalapenos and honey. And the fried cheese? House-made smoked mozzarella slathered in spicy tomato crema and basil pesto. No nachos yet, possibly because they're still fine-tuning the artisanal guac. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, blurestaurant.com.
Nathaniels
Brunch, it seems, has lately been hijacked by the bedhead generation, turning this former Sunday-best meal into an excuse to wear jammies in public and guzzle PBR. Where can a grownup find refuge? Try Nathaniel's, thick with historic elegance, upon whose linen-draped tables you'll feast on eggs Benedict, prime rib, and other refined noshes. As live jazz wafts through the air, pat yourself on the back for being so matur—while reaching with your other hand for that third slice of chocolate cake. 18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 1970, .
Orleans Inn
As the only waterfront restaurant in town, the Orleans Inn has reason to brag. But humble's the default setting at this 132-year-old spot above Town Cove, which has gone through many an incarnation (boarding house, supply store) to reach its current status as the top place to gaze and graze on the Cape, with a dining room serving up local seafood with stirring vistas. 3 Old Country Rd., Orleans, MA 2653, orleansinn.com.
Sel de la Terre
For moms and dads who simply can't bear Ronald McDonald's plastic leer any longer, this French bistro is a godsend. A menu pour les enfants features beignets de poulet (chicken fingers) and tartine au fromage fondu (grilled cheese) with mounds of pommes frites. At brunch, brioche French toast with berries and baskets of fresh pastries will sate and soothe the hungriest toddler. Plus, the service ranks high with frazzled parents: Be it highchair requests or spill mop-ups, the waiters behave like saints. 255 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.com.
Inaho
Sushi aficionados know they've stumbled onto authenticity when there's a certain something missing. Namely, silverware. There's not a fork in sight at Inaho, where owners Yuji and Alda Watanabe have created a minimalist paradise in the land of fish and chips. The long sushi bar sends out tender, just-plucked yellowtail, ahi, salmon, and eel nigiri and sashimi, and tasty maki like the Red Dragon (tuna, avocado, spicy house mayonnaise, and more tuna) and the Naruto roll (fluke, tuna, and salmon roe). 157 Route 6A, Yarmouth Port, MA 2675, .
The Juice Bar
We'll spare all you dogged ice cream testers the brain freeze and bellyache, the stained clothes and the extra pounds: On Nantucket, the only ice cream of consequence is at the Juice Bar. At this sage-green shop, blackberry, peanut butter, mint chocolate chip, and other homemade flavors teeter over enormous, just-baked waffle cones. The only thing not to love is the long line. But the chatty college kids behind the counter are industrious, so your hefty scoop is never too far off. 12 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Mexico Lindo
Assuming the hyperfestive décor at this family-owned joint hasn't already knocked you on your heels, there's no doubt the powerful, wide-ranging flavors will. Surrounded by a rainbow of serapes and folk art furniture, diners are primed with homemade chips and salsa (and usually some high-test margaritas) before getting down to business. Mole is among the strong suits here, as is anything doused with the bright chili verde sauce. Bonus points for solid vegetarian choices, and lunch specials that pack dinnertime heft. 449 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176-3837, .
Lola 41
The Pearl bar is so 1999. Named for the latitudinal line on which Nantucket sits, Lola 41 is the newest spot to toast the start (end, middle, whatever) of your island respite. It has ambitious food with Spanish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Japanese influences; a young and casually stylish crowd (Lilly Pulitzer at a minimum); and strong, strong drinks. The cocktail menu includes two types of mojitos and lots of sake, plus an already infamous blueberry martini made with local Triple 8 cranberry vodka, blueberry syrup, and fresh berries. 15 South Beach St., Nantucket, MA 2554, .