Martin's Coffee Shop
This cozy diner offers a hearty breakfast with your cup of joe. 35 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, martinscoffeeshop.com.
Anna's Taqueria
The burritos are a steal; the house salsa, supreme. Regulars don't mind the lines. 1412 Beacon St #1, Brookline, MA 2446, annastaqueria.com.
Dover Sea Grille
Great food in one of the very few Boston fish houses that take reservations. 1223 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Julien
Marvelous setting, fancy French food. Bring your wallet. Hotel Meridien, 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Dover Sea Grille
Chef Greg Williams has given the city another great fish house. 1223 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Thai Cuisine
The hot food here'll bring tears to your eyes. 14A Westland Ave., Boston, MA .
The Capital Grille
Great steak, fancy bar, swank trappings—everything a steak house should be. 359 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
The Midtown Cultural District
Enough pre-event publicity. Pour the wine, start the music.
The lovely Wilbur Theater was down-scaled into a cabaret house and dinner/dance theater.
The White Heat Orchestra
Swinging at the Roxy. It's the perfect music for your dirty dancing.
Friday's
Perfect dating-bar food to go with your Screaming Banana Banshee. 16 Exeter St., Boston, MA .
The Book Case
Bring in your used books and get cash or credit on their fine, wide selection. 42 Church St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA .
<em>Trip the Light. Fantastic.</em>
The sentiment may be less than sincere, but the message lights up your life. At the Boston Edison plant alongside the Fitzgerald Expressway, Boston, MA .
Coolidge Corner Theater
Very intelligent recycling of cults and classics in an attractive movie house. 290 Harvard St., Brookline, MA .
Monica's Mercato & Salumeria
Photograph by Trevor Reid Generously sized and threaded with feather-light layers of mortadella, Genoa salami, prosciutto di Parma, provolone, and the requisite pickled accessories, Monica's Italian sub won both our hearts and our stomachs. 130 Salem St., Boston, MA 02109, monicasboston.com.