Best of Boston

When the Galley opened last year in Scituate Harbor, it bridged the gap between townie bars and white-tablecloth bistros. Locals have responded in droves, packing the stylishly weathered wooden tables for chef-owner Brian Houlihan’s smartly executed small plates—fried lobster with wasabi aioli, duck drumettes with Thai chili. The Galley’s unusual weekend brunch menu, complete with grilled grapefruit, apple-cider fritters, and Fruity Pebble French toast, is justifiably popular.