Bakers' Best Catering
When the only thing the family can agree on is not to sweat over a hot stove, 10-time winner Bakers' Best has got something to satisfy every craving: Dieting Dad will love the grilled vegetable, hummus, and cucumber wrap. Mom will savor the crab cakes with spicy rémoulade on the side. And the kids will fight—good-naturedly, of cours—over who gets second helpings of the cream cheese brownies. 27 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 2461, bakersbestcatering.com.
Eastern Standard
At this spacious, boisterous Kenmore Square brasserie, groups can reserve a round table, slide into a cushy leather booth, or pull together a few tall tables at the bar to enjoy a casual feast. Brisk service, a well-stocked raw bar, and a varied menu filled with small plates that range from salt cod fritters to fried calamari makes for easy sharing—whether you're with simpatico diners or fussy friends who don't share your enlightened palate. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
Jimmy's Pasta
Do not order your own entrée here—the portions are enormous. Not in the mood to share? Well, don't say we didn't warn you. Heavy on garlic and olive oil and served still in the pan, Jimmy's pastas—linguine ;puttanesca, frutti del mare—are so good you might just eat the whole thing yourself. And that might hurt. Owner Jimmy Cippola doesn't take reservations, so expect to wait in line (even if you're Bill Clinton). 32 Kennebec Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, .
Coonamessett Inn
With its glossy, red shingles and gabled roofs, the Coonamessett Inn is the epitome of old Cape Cod, a perfect setting for high-style weddings and anniversaries alike. But you needn't wait for a special occasion: Sunday brunch features an array of delicious classics, from make-your-own omelets and baked salmon with special weekly sauces like beurre blanc or citrus, melon, and mango, to oversized fruit plates and gorgeous renditions of sweet favorites like chocolate mousse and carrot cake. 311 Gifford St., Falmouth, MA 2540, capecodrestaurants.org.
Arthur & Pat's
The ramshackle exterior and the proudly mismatched chairs and handmade signs that shout out house specials at this seaside Brant Rock favorite may be no-frills, but the menu itself is thrill-packed. Dig into omelets stuffed with serrano ham and Manchego cheese or buttery pancakes piled high with fresh berries. It all arrives fast, and invariably accompanied by a snarky comment from the curmudgeonly but efficient waitstaff. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .
Sweet Life Cafe
Ten bucks says if you were asked to imagine your ideal evening of outdoor island dining, you'd pick something with a water view. Oh, naive soul: On the Vineyard, the most delicious outdoor experience happens in Sweet Life's fragrant garden, where threads of tiny white lights illuminate a handful of white-tableclothed seatings. The food is similarly divine: Lively island fare such as sweet-and-spicy roasted scallops, savory halibut with curry onion rings (a must), and salmon with lemon salsa round out the experience. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, sweetlifemv.com.
Casa Romero
Not many restaurants are willing to dedicate a chunk of valuable real estate for the few weeks that merit outdoor dining. But chef-owner Leo Romero's mission is to let guests experience the joys of una noche Mexicana, and his colorful patio, lit with twinkling candles, does just that. Try the utterly un-Tex-Mex enchiladas verdes and cool house margarita—then enjoy a memorable evening under what might as well be the starry skies of Veracruz. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA 2115, casaromero.com.
Les Zygomates
The pleasures of wine-drinking diminish considerably when everything a restaurant pours (a) puts you in debt or (b) comes from a vintner or varietal you've never heard of. Cheers, then, to Les Zygomates for its accessible list aimed at connoisseurs on a shoestring. Arranged by color and grape, the menu boasts dozens of wines under $50. There's even a quick-hit guide to bottles that can be had for an Andy Jackson or less, a handy resource for diners who are really pinching pennies. 129 South St., Boston, MA 2111, winebar.com.
L'Espalier
For a modern Boston tea party, head to L'Espalier on a Saturday afternoon, when the Back Bay brownstone is filled with elegant ladies nibbling on pastries and canapés. We recommend Red Riding Hood's Basket: savory tea sandwiches, melt-in-your-mouth scones with crème fraîche, and chocolate-dipped strawberries or Valrhona milk chocolate mousse tarts. The tea, delivered with a graceful flourish, is brewed just so and punctually refilled. You won't want to spill a drop. 744 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, lespalier.com.
South End Formaggio
We have a tendency to think of South End Formaggio as a great spot for fancy cheeses, unctuous olive oils, and other hard to find treasures. And it is. But there's plenty more here. The chewy, sesame seed-coated mini ficelle loaves lined with thinly sliced salami and slivers of sharp cheese are a treat you can eat with one hand while you drive home. That'll stop you from snacking on these fancy cheeses you're saving for your dinner guests. 268 Shawmt Ave., Boston, MA southendformaggio.com.
Mamma Maria
Valet parking and reservations? In the North End? Absolutely, at this house of refined and authentic Italian cooking tucked away in North Square. Better still, it's perfect for large parties, thanks to well-timed service and tables spaced just far enough apart to provide both privacy and a jolt of the room's energy. Add Rockwellian views of the neighborhood, the menu's mix of traditional and creative dishes, a diverse wine list, and you've got large-party dining nailed. 3 North Square, Boston, MA mammamaria.com.
Little Stevie's
Miss your adolescence? The Formica booths at Little Stevie's aren't just seats, they're time machines that sweep you right back to braces, babysitting money, and after-school specials. And the pizza's right there with you: pillowy, bubbly, and doughy edges with a paper-thin and oven-charred crust, sweet and tangy tomato sauce, and a hot, dense layer of mozzarella. Say what you will about teen angst; pie this good makes it all seem worthwhile. 1114 Boylston St., Boston, MA littlestevespizzeria.com.
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Want to experience a European café without the jet lag? Head to Burdick. The true test of chocoholism is actually finishing the iced hot chocolate—a deeply decadent concoction poured over ice, and crowned with a veil of whipped cream. If the craving persists, move on to the signature (and adorable) chocolate mice, filled with cinnamon, mocha, or orange. Or snag a spot at one of the café's tables by the window, and survey the march of humanity in Harvard Square as you linger over any of the 13 truffle varieties and slip into a Proustian peace. 52D Brattle St., Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.
Hi-Rise Bread Co.
There's some damn fine bread in this town, but we're throwing down the gauntlet and calling it for Hi-Rise. Why? Shelf after shelf of simple but flawlessly executed loaves: chewy sourdough, rich stone-ground cornbread, sweet and yeasty brioches, and hearty raisin-pecan. Holidays bring special orders of exemplary stollen and challah. House baker Rene Becker is a self-proclaimed fanatic about ingredients and techniques, and it shows. He's the Leonardo da Vinci of carbohydrates. 208 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA hi-risebread.com.
DeLux Café & Lounge
Walls covered in '50s album covers, an Elvis shrine offset by Christmas lights, a crowd as thick with tattoos as with suits, restrooms wallpapered with old Eloise and Spiderman clippings—DeLux is so funky and cozy, we'd come even if the food weren't terrific. But terrific it is: fat quesadillas stuffed with moist chicken and an abundance of veggies; a grilled-cheese sandwich with artichokes and tomatoes, that melts on your tongue; and a shrimp and crab tamale that evokes warm Latin vibes. 100 Chandler St., Boston, MA .