Best of Boston

Like spotting a majestic marine mammal in the ocean, it’s relatively rare to find modern Portuguese cuisine in Boston, but this year in particular, chefs throughout the city have been making salt cod cool again — particularly this restaurant from the team behind SRV, Gufo, and the Salty Pig. Named after the Portuguese word for “whale,” Baleia is ably and excitingly spotlighting the country’s ingredients and style, from spritzy drinks made with white port wine to grilled sardines and smoky homemade chouriço sausage.