Anh Hong
The Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester is filled with exceptional Vietnamese restaurants. But for its skill with dishes beyond the usual pho and vermicelli, Anh Hong rises to the top. Take the vinegary jellyfish-and-shrimp salad, a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Then there's the beef fondue trimmed with Granny Smith apples and fish mint, which you can use to make your own fresh rolls. And the pineapple-ginger sauce that comes with that tender beef? We'd put it on everything if we could. 291 Adams St., Boston, MA 2122, .
Toro
Even diners who prefer their atmospheres serene are willing to brave the frenetic crowd here for one reason: the food. Simple tapas like tortilla espanola shine; the wine-braised short ribs are so rich they could almost double as dessert; and the house specialty, maiz asado (grilled corn with aioli, lime, and aged cheese) has made an addict out of many. Come in early if you're after a seat, as this place packs 'em in like sardines nearly every night. 1704 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, toro-restaurant.com.
Yasu
Nothing sinks the heart of a Korean food aficionado more than seeing steamed broccoli as one of the panchan side dishes of a restaurant's every meal. That won't happen at Yasu, where the kimchi and all variations thereof are abundant and flavorful. Order up beef to grill at the tabl—the kalbi and bulgogi are juicy and tender—plus a hearty, spicy tofu stew to go with it, and your palate will want for nothing. 1366 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2446, yasuboston.com.
Trattoria Toscana
We're reluctant to give up this little storefront gem, but its ribbons of house-made pappardelle and tender raviolis are just too delightful not to share. The bubbling braised tripe and perfectly charred tagliata are right out of Nonna's Tuscan kitchen—which is fitting, since the wood tables, simple wine selection, and servers with alluring Italian accents could be, too. 130 Jersey St., Boston, MA 2215, .
Au Soleil Catering
If God is indeed in the details, Au Soleil must be nigh holy. The operation gets every last request right, and often adds a few flourishes of its own. That might mean having bartenders shake up pitch-perfect cocktails to order. Or creating entrées that play up your favorite ingredients, or that reflect the seasonal bounty at chef-owner Frank McClelland's Apple Street Farm. Whatever occasion you're having catered, you can count on the eats being divine. 148 Hampden St., Boston, MA 2119, ausoleilcatering.com.
TC's Lounge
There's something refreshing about TC's after a Sox game, if you think of its griminess as a filter that keeps the pink hats out and lets the real fans in. These are the people you want to rock the jukebox, share a pitcher, and play Big Buck Hunter with. Besides, nothing screams "dive bar" like calling your signature drink the "OxyContin Shot." If that's not class all the way, we don't know what is. 1 Haviland St., Boston, MA 2115, .
Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project
Talk about microbrewing: This Somerville-based enterprise was founded by husband-and-wife team Dann and Martha Paquette, and now employs all of four people to meet an ever-growing demand. Pretty Things' masterful ales are made in tiny batches, with each bottle and keg numbered (and slightly different from the next); the Paquettes even design their own labels. Restaurants and shops can't get enough of Jack D'Or, a dry saison with a touch of hops; or Baby Tree, a quad made with plums. MA
Central Bottle and Provisions
We like to think we know wine. But like 99 percent of the population, we really just like to drink it. Thank heaven for Liz Vilardi, the nose-in-the-know at sparkling new shop Central Bottle. While her knowledge of wine is encyclopedic, she and her staff take a decidedly non-snooty approach to tasting and selling it. Explain what you're after, and they'll even help you pick out cheeses, cured meats, and house-made appetizers to nibble along with it. 196 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, centralbottle.com.
A. Russo & Sons
When you're ready to put some sizzle in your pan, there's no better place to start than at Russo's. Its esoteric selection of produce—Thai okra, dandelion, Asian pear, lychee nut—provides endless inspiration, while the cheese counter brims with imports from the likes of Italy (Robiola), France (at least three Bries), and Spain (Garrotxa). Plus: fresh pasta, salumi and charcuterie, a full array of baked goods, vibrant cut flowers and plants...better break out the reusable grocery bags now. 560 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 2472, russos.com.
Symphony Sushi
This place is constantly mobbed with lively diners—a sure indication of its status as neighborhood staple. With reasonable prices, speedy service, and generous portions, the sushi bar does particularly well with the area's college crowd. After gorging on maki, order one or two of the mochi ice cream patties; the light (and lightly priced) sweets are a fine way to end your meal. 45 Gainsborough St., Boston, MA 2115, symphonysushi.com.
Lexington Farmers' Market
This ever-expanding outdoor market now includes more than 30 food vendors selling everything from produce, meat, and fish to cheese, bread, pastry, gelato, and local honey (not to mention a couple dozen artisans hawking handmade jewelry, pottery, and the like). There are also occasional classes on topics like raising your own chickens, and an outreach program that teaches schoolkids about eating local and cooking with fresh ingredients. Lexington, MA 2421,
Michael's Deli
If you're looking for deli atmosphere, head to Rubin's—it's like a time machine, taking you back to an era when the term 'hot tongue' had nothing to do with Lady Gaga. But for pure beefy deliciousness smushed between slices of rye, there's no topping Michael's in Coolidge Corner. It's small, it ain't fancy, and there's barely anywhere to sit. But just try to tell us, with sauerkraut and Russian dressing dripping down your chin, that it's not the best corned beef sandwich in town. 256 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, michaelsdelibrookline.com.
O Ya
Yes, $21 for two or three pieces of sashimi is pricey. But less is far more at O Ya, where chef Tim Cushman's top-tier ingredients and meticulous layering of flavors add up to the best mouthfuls in New England. Perfect bites, like fatty Scottish salmon belly with cilantro, ginger, and hot sesame oil, are presented with a careful balance of richness and bracing acid. So yeah, it's costly. But anything else that trips your pleasure centers like this will also cost a fortune—and probably isn't legal. 9 East St., Boston, MA 2111, oyarestaurantboston.com.
Boston Speed Dog
Crummy roadside location? Check. Severely limited menu? Check. The most ridiculously good hot dogs you'll ever stuff in your hungry maw? Double check. Marinated in apple cider, Boston Speed dogs are grilled, then topped with anything from chili sauce to cranberry relish. A smart slash down the middle of the dog helps condiments stay put, and the hearty Portuguese roll sops up all the tasty juices. 43 Newmarket Sq., Roxbury, MA 2118, bostonsuperdog.com.
Cat Silirie
Most sommeliers keep their servers so oenologically clueless, it feels like a job-security scheme. Not so with Silirie, who arms every associate in Barbara Lynch's multi-restaurant gastro-empire with knowledge that extends far beyond by-the-glass pours. Ask about any esoteric bottling on Silirie's famously eclectic lists, and you'll be met with exuberant expertise, not blank stares.