Kashmir
Kashmir is as authentic as Indian cuisine gets in this town, and with its elegant outdoor summer dining, it's a good place to get a feel for some of the tastiest ethnic cuisine in town. Try the chicken masala or the vegetarian appetizer platter—a variety of fried treats that are considered snack foods on the subcontinent. Entrees come in copper vessels atop tea-lights to keep them warm. You can request how spicy you want your food: mild for the wuss, and spicy for the brave. 279 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
Whether it's North Carolina pulled pork, Kansas City burnt ends, Texas sliced beef brisket, or Memphis dry-rubbed ribs, the key to Blue Ribbon's success is, like all great barbecue, slow cooking at low temperatures, in this case, over oak and hickory hardwood. Whichever style you prefer, it makes for incredibly tender 'cue with just the right smoky flavor. Good prices, great sides, but no real dining room. Sit on a stool by the counter, or take your bounty home. 905 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA .
Truc
A warm and radiant person must be at the heart of a romantic restaurant, and chef-owner Corinna Mozo fills this sweet subterranean spot with her love of cooking and a sensual style. Walls in this intimate nook are painted a lusty green. The unstudied mix of artwork keeps you in a relaxed South End mindset. And since the menu is neither exclusively highfalutin nor high-priced, you can turn any meal into a celebration. Hint: The most romantic seats in the house are in the greenhouse. 560 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
John Dewar & Co.
Cognoscenti (including top chefs) admit that it's impossible to buy better meat anywhere in the city. Great cuts, fair prices (for the extraordinary quality you get), and straight talk about how many racks of lamb you need to feed your six ravenous friends. You might spend more here than you would elsewhere, but there won't be a morsel of meat left on anyone's plate. 753 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA .
Saus
First, Idaho russets are aged for at least a month before the peeling, cutting, and rinsing commences. Next comes a low-temperature dunk in the fryolator. Finally, the Belgian-style frites are flash-fried to order in a vegetable-oil blend, salted, and corralled into a stiff paper cone—and only then are they ready to be dunked into one of the 12 house-made sauces on offer (we're partial to the curry ketchup, cheddar Duvel, and "Saturday-night chive"). 33 Union St., Boston, MA eatfrites.com.
Shiki
Most Japanese restaurants around here are either sushi specialists or theatrical hibachi houses. Shiki, a subterranean spot tucked away on a Coolidge Corner side street, is the outlier. Offering a massive selection of traditional small plates—tangy tsukemono pickles, fluffy agedashi tofu, and mushroom-packed, sticky-rice-stuffed squid, along with plenty of sake to pair with them—this spot was designed for the true Japanophile. 9 Babcock St., Brookline, MA shikibrookline.com.
Pavement Coffeehouse
One of the first places in Boston to offer pour-over and cold-brew coffees, Pavement goes well beyond crafting lattes and cappuccinos (although these are fantastic here, too). From the quality Counter Culture beans and complimentary soy milk at the bar to the strong WiFi connection and inviting tufted couches, this is a true coffeehouse experience, one that both java aficionados and on-the-go professionals will savor. 1096 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2115, pavementcoffeehouse.com.
Sportello
The gleaming, U-shaped bar here is your gateway to Barbara Lynch's homemade pastas (the tagliatelle with Bolognese is a perennial favorite) and sophisticated plates like whole-roasted trout with anchovies and olives. True, this casual trattoria can be pricey for a weeknight meal—especially when Drink, Lynch's downstairs bar, is tempting you with aprés-dinner cocktails—but the return on investment is reliably delicious. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 2110, sportelloboston.com.
Woodward at the Ames
When you're looking for someone to pick up what you're puttin' down, try the Ames hotel's saloon, where a glass-topped bar and stainless steel accents lend an upscale gloss to the robust singles scene. If you're not ready to chat up a Financial District suit, head for the dance floor—or plot your next move while nursing a motivationally named cocktail, such as the "Skip and Go Naked." 1 Court St., Boston, MA 2108, ameshotel.com.
Orleans Inn
As the only waterfront restaurant in town, the Orleans Inn has reason to brag. But humble's the default setting at this 132-year-old spot above Town Cove, which has gone through many an incarnation (boarding house, supply store) to reach its current status as the top place to gaze and graze on the Cape, with a dining room serving up local seafood with stirring vistas. 3 Old Country Rd., Orleans, MA 2653, orleansinn.com.
The Juice Bar
We'll spare all you dogged ice cream testers the brain freeze and bellyache, the stained clothes and the extra pounds: On Nantucket, the only ice cream of consequence is at the Juice Bar. At this sage-green shop, blackberry, peanut butter, mint chocolate chip, and other homemade flavors teeter over enormous, just-baked waffle cones. The only thing not to love is the long line. But the chatty college kids behind the counter are industrious, so your hefty scoop is never too far off. 12 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Mexico Lindo
Assuming the hyperfestive décor at this family-owned joint hasn't already knocked you on your heels, there's no doubt the powerful, wide-ranging flavors will. Surrounded by a rainbow of serapes and folk art furniture, diners are primed with homemade chips and salsa (and usually some high-test margaritas) before getting down to business. Mole is among the strong suits here, as is anything doused with the bright chili verde sauce. Bonus points for solid vegetarian choices, and lunch specials that pack dinnertime heft. 449 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176-3837, .
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.
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.
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.