Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
The deep, pink ring along the outer rim of a slice of Blue Ribbon brisket proves it's been smoked long and slow, the hallmark of authenticity. No surprise: The counterspace-only joint looks like it was lifted from a dirt road in Texas, right down to the corrugated tin walls plastered with battered license plates. Equally down home are North Carolina pulled pork, beans that smack of earthy molasses and brown sugar, and corn bread that's good enough to bring tears to a southerner's eyes. 908 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2476, blueribbonbbq.com.
South Street Diner
From eggs, home fries, and pancakes to the turkey club piled with crispy bacon, the 24-hour South Street Diner nails the classics, then ups the ante with plates like chocolatey French toast and fried pickles (not together, thankfully). With Nitzer Ebb and Passion Pit on the jukebox and mimosas available until 1 a.m., we love South Street for the same reason we love Boston: It's steeped in tradition, but never short on quirk. 178 Kneeland St., Boston, MA 2111, southstreetdiner.com.
Savenor's
The exotics section—black bear, kangaroo, rattlesnak—may score all the novelty points, but it's the top quality of the more-conventional meats at this family-run business that has won the dedication of home cooks and area chefs alike (including Julia Child). The vast majority of the offerings are free of hormones and antibiotics, and they're local, too: Vermont Berkshire pork, Maine-raised sirloin from alfalfa-fed herds. 92 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA 2138, .
Il Casale
When dining at Il Casale, don't be surprised if your companions—having mopped the last bit of tangy, rich marinara from their plates—start hatching a plan to move to the suburbs. Who wouldn't want to get closer to food like this? Dante de Magistris's newest venture is not only stylish and affordable, with most entrées under $20, but it also does full justice to the Italian home cooking that inspired it: rustic minestra, feathery gnocchi, seriously good meatballs. 50 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, ilcasalebelmont.com.
Tu y Yo
Tu y Yo With nary a taco or burrito on offer, Tu y Yo serves traditional recipes from southern Mexico, all prepared according to strict slow-food standards. The mole sauces are luscious and complex, the chicken yunkaax is touched with the sultry smokiness of huitlacoche, and in the colder months the rejuvenating powers of the chili relleno en nogada (a poblano stuffed with beef, raisins, and almonds) are nothing short of miraculous. 858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 2144, tuyyo2.com.
The Five Seasons Restaurant
Meat-and-potato Brahmin cravings may explain the dearth of veggie restaurants in Boston, but The Five Seasons will convince even the most die-hard carnivore to lighten up. With beautiful, delicious dishes— including the tofu nori-roll appetizer, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and seafood kettle— this spot draws herbies for whole foods without artificial additives and preservatives. The menu includes fresh fish, free-range chicken, and locally grown organic produce. 669A Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Les Zygomates
When Cossack soldiers, roaming the streets of occupied Paris in 1815, wanted drinks in a hurry, they'd snap, "Bistro, bistro!" (quick, quick). Given the circumstances, you can be sure the help hustled. These days, fast service is still expected in a bistro—that and good old French-style home cooking. Les Zygomates has the food, the service, and a great bar. 129 South St., Boston, MA .
Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers
No, it's not flashy. And yes, the lines are reminiscent of a bygone era. But don't confuse traditional with passé. Thos. Moser's handmade black cherry furniture, with its customized accents and craftsmanship, never looks dated. Plus, all the store's wares (dining tables, armoires, sleigh beds) come with lifetime guarantees—something any home has room for. 19 Arlington St., Boston, MA 2116, thomasmoser.com.
The Market Theater
The Market Theater clamored onto the local scene pledging edgy, experimental works. And it made good with creative programming like Frederick Wiseman's The Last Letter and Biljana Srbljanovic's Family Stories. Now that the company is vacating its Harvard Square location and founder Greg Carr has parted ways with director Tom Cole, the first crop of Market devotees may find themselves back at the A.R.T.
Bernard Toale Gallery
The burgeoning SOWA (South of Washington) district is now a must-see destination, thanks in no small part to Bernie Toale. Toale's gallery has been a showcase for everything from the sculpture of Roxy Paine to the intricate, layered drawings of ICA Artist Prize-winner Ambreen Butt to the portraits of photographer David Hilliard. The gallery's Boston Drawing Project also provides a much-needed home for other local artists and for worthy smaller projects that might otherwise be overlooked. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
The Jesuit Urban Center, South End
True, many happy couples found their love in the Ralph Lauren paint department of Homo Depot—er, Home Depot. But Sunday morning Mass at the Jesuit Urban Center spawns more blessed pairings. The Urban Center's liturgy is both classic and contemporary; its mixed congregation is mostly gay; its AIDS and HIV support programs are some of the in town; and its coffee hour is a great place to get phone numbers. 775 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Celeste Oliva
Name a major motion picture filmed in the Hub in the past decade, and chances are you saw Celeste Oliva in it. But she's also a stage veteran who this year shone in the Lyric Stage's production of David Henry Hwang's satirical play, Chinglish. Acting with a graceful mix of strength and poignant vulnerability, Oliva stole every scene in her role as the provincial bureaucrat Xi Yan.
Goodwin’s High End
If you think music sounds best through ear buds and films are meant to be watched on laptops, skip Goodwin’s. The guys here take high-end audio seriously: Before talking components, they’ll review your home’s blueprints or even make a house call to ensure that the speakers, amps, and digital equalizers they recommend will achieve mind-blowing sound. 899 Main St., Waltham, MA 2451, goodwinshighend.com.
Esperia Grill
Building the perfect gyro is a Herculean task. The pita must be warm and soft. The meat must be flavorful and tender. But the real key is the sauce holding it all together, the tzatziki. This is where so many good gyros go bad. At Esperia, the classic Greek cucumber-yogurt sauce is just the right combination of creamy and tart, making it the perfect complement to the juicy chicken or pork. 344 Washington St., Brighton, MA 2135, esperiagrill.com.
Dave's Fresh Pasta
Can a person live on pasta alone? At this Somerville specialty shop, you could certainly try—and last for months without ever repeating your order, thanks to a massive roster of take-home, house-made pastas that includes ravioli (with fillings ranging from shrimp and fennel to pumpkin and smoked mozzarella), ribbons of handcut strands infused with everything from squid ink to saffron, and a slew of sauces to pair with them all. Laying off the carbs? Peruse the expert selection of gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, and vino instead. 81 Holland St., Somerville, MA 2144, davesfreshpasta.com.