L'Espalier
Sometimes it feels as if romance has all but vanished. Luckily there's L'Espalier, where Frank McClelland's sumptuous cuisine is guaranteed to set hearts aflutter. Settle into a table at one of the bay windows of this charming townhouse, and unwind together as a parade of champagne, oysters (served with a sensuous dab of pink sorbet), and decadent chocolates comes and goes as if by magic through our stomachs. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA lespalier.com.
Saltie Girl
Briny oysters are just the tip of the iceberg-size towers of chilled littlenecks, shrimp, crab salad, and more racing out of the raw bar at restaurateur Kathy Sidell’s Back Bay seafood destination: The kitchen also turns out gorgeous composed bites — such as scallop crudo on a half shell, brushed with crème fraîche, uni, and caviar — plus imported anchovies and other seafood soaking luxuriously in tins of EVOO. Somebody chill the champagne, too: Sidell is about to christen Saltie Girl outposts in Los Angeles and London. 279 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, saltiegirl.com.
Pain d'Avignon
This may be Hyannis, not Honfleur, but for a few hours at least, you can pretend you’ve teleported to France’s shoreline with a late-morning meal at this boulangerie/bistro, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Here, les oeufs are served every which way; crêpes get spiked with Grand Marnier; and the French onion soup is an exemplar of the form. The pristine oysters, though? Those are Wellfleet, naturally. 15 Hinckley Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601, paindavignon.com.
SALT Kitchen & Rum Bar
Ipswich may be best known for its clams, but this recently opened gastropub celebrates other local exports—namely, rum (the North Shore’s own Privateer and Folly Cove); beer (Ipswich Oatmeal Stout); and salt (we loved the smoked cherrywood version that came sprinkled atop olive oil). The rustic-cozy dining room brings in hordes of neighborhood types, who come for the grilled oysters, the fish and chips, and, of course, the quirky rum-based cocktails every day of the week. One Market St., Ipswich, MA 1938, saltkitchenandrumbar.com.
Turner's Seafood
Don't let the corporate, almost chainlike interior keep you away: This spot's the real deal. Slurp fresh, cold oysters at the rowdy raw bar, or sit down at a table and dip into Turner's expansive menu. The fried platters come out heaping and hot, and the lobster rolls—the true measure of any seafood shack—come stuffed with sweet claw-meat chunks and only the lightest swipe of mayo. 506 Main St., Melrose, MA 2176, turners-seafood.com.
The Bite
If the location in Menemsha's western cove feels a bit desolate, rest assured: The Bite's bright blue picnic tables will beckon like a desert oasis. You'll quickly find yourself tearing through brown paper bags turned translucent with grease to get at overflowing cartons of oysters, clams, zucchini, and shrimp delicately fried to a flavorful crisp. Grab a cup of the creamy quahog chowder to complete what might be the quintessential summer meal. 29 Basin Rd., Chilmark, MA 2535, thebitemenemsha.com.
Gargoyles on the Square
Visiting Gargoyles only on date night (yes, the lighting flatters; true, the velvet cascades) is like eating oysters only to boost your mojo. Both should be enjoyed, and often, on their own merits—nooky prospects be damned. Wash away the workday with a silky but strong cocktail (we love the summer-in-a-glass Backyard), and refuel for tomorrow with chef Jason Santos's seasonally inspired fare. And, if you must, flirt at the dish sitting at the next table. Somerville, MA 2144,
Franklin Cape Ann
Ferreting out a well-made cocktail and inventive cuisine—minus the pretense—can be a tall order anywhere. Find them in a North Shore beach town at 11 p.m., and it's like striking gold. Discriminating night owls flock to the Franklin Cape Ann, northern sibling of the South End's much-loved Franklin Café; for hearty, affordable (read: under $25) dishes like pan-seared cod with oyster mushrooms and ginger, as well as a killer lineup of old-fashioned drinks. 118 Main St., Gloucester, MA 1930, franklincafe.com.
Cognac Bistro
Who knew a gas station could be so appealingly reborn as a restaurant? And yet, all of Brookline seems to be angling for a seat at this new bistro. Its classic French dishes teem with fresh, local seafood and sustainably raised ingredients (the mussels escargot and house-made gnocchi are particular coups). Bonus points for the occasional $1 oyster specials and first-rate desserts. 455 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, cognacbistro.com.
Fin
The food at Fin is subtle at first, but soon shows its adventurous side. Take the chowder. It's a go-to order at any restaurant on the Cape, but Fin uses oysters instead of clams and adds a drizzle of white-truffle oil. That level of detail and savory depth permeates the offerings here, from the flawless pan-seared scallops to the salted-peanut ice cream. 800 Main St., Dennis, MA fincapecod.com.
5 Corners Kitchen
This French-inspired restaurant is not what you'd expect to find in a quaint seaside town. The feel is trendy but unpretentious; the space is open and airy; and the wine list rivals those you might see in Boston. The food itself is a wonderfully eclectic mix of country cooking and local seafood, with everything from escargots and oysters to bacon cheeseburgers and house-made squid-ink spaghettini represented on the menu. 2 School St., Marblehead, MA 5cornerskitchen.com.
Water Street
Why choose among made-to-order omelets, eggs Benedict, and malted Belgian waffles when you can have it all? The superlative Sunday brunch at Water Street, the Harbor View Hotel's on-site restaurant, features a veritable smorgasbord of everyone's favorites: savory carving-station roasts, a raw bar stocked with oysters and fresh seafood salads, and a dessert table showcasing profiteroles that proliferate beyond your wildest fantasies. 131 North Water St., Edgartown, MA 2539, harbor-view.com.
Grand Chau Chow
No matter whom we ask, Grand Chau Chow is the first place people mention for authentic Chinese fare. In addition to such adventurous dishes as Fish Head with Ginger and Scallions and Braised Duck Feet with Oyster Sauce, you'll find excellent examples of such old faves as Crispy Sesame Chicken and Beef with Scallions. All this, plus a cool faux waterfall. 45 Beach St., Boston, MA .
Sun Sun Company
Stop at Sun Sun to pick up all those items on your grocery list you just can't seem to find at Super Stop 'n Shop: dried oysters, fish heads (some of which seem to be moving), and live crabs, as well as a great selection of produce, meats, and fish. Worth a trip simply to stock your spice cabinet with authentic Oriental sauces and seasonings. Plus, rice in bulk and many herbal and green teas. 18 Oxford Street, Boston, MA .
C. K. Pearl
Patrick Shea, son of the couple behind Essex icon Shea's Riverside, has New England seafood in his blood. So much so, in fact, that he decided to open his own riverfront restaurant, C. K. Pearl, right next door to his parents' joint. Now in its second year, the younger Shea's spot offers a more modern but no less delicious take on the local haul with live music, $1 oyster nights, and a lobster sandwich that rivals Dad's. 112 Main St., Essex, MA 01929, ckpearl.com.