Tawakal Halal Café
This national-caliber Somali kitchen makes and bottles its own luxuriously supple-textured mango-habanero hot sauce, which adds just the right zhoosh of incendiary complexity to coconut-milk grits with slow-cooked chickpeas; unctuous braised goat (hilib ari) bursting with turmeric and cardamom; and, honestly, any leftover taking up space in your fridge right now. 389 Maverick St., East Boston, MA 02128, tawakalfoods.co.
Lenox Sophia
Southie didn’t need another pub. It needed, and received in Lenox Sophia, a fine foodie destination for popping in on the way home from work — having reserved one of the four chef’s-counter seats, ideally — and decompressing over a set prix fixe: steaky king trumpet mushrooms with honey-fermented garlic, miso, and tart dried plum might be on the menu from ones-to-watch chefs Shi Mei and Yesid Areiza. The wine? That’s whatever you bring: It’s BYOB. 87 A St., Boston, MA 02127, lenoxsophia.com.
Moonshine 152
If you live in the neighborhood, you know the menu — the crowd-pleasing jalapeño crab rangoon, the legendary mushroom tofu burger, the famous fried chicken and waffles. You know the staff, too, especially effervescent chef-owner Asia Mei, who’s always there with a smile as she checks in on diners. For weeknight dinners and weekend date nights, this is the living room of Southie, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 152 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA 02127, moonshine152.com.
Steve Johnson
An alumnus of Chris Schlesinger's East Coast Grill and Gordon Hamersley's eponymous bistro, Johnson is the quintessential product of Boston's familial and sometimes incestuous restaurant scene. Bridging the gap between the austere classicism of Hamersley's and the raucous atmosphere and aggressive flavors of East Coast Grill, Johnson also draws on sophisticated French and Asian influences. Having also mastered Schlesinger's grilling techniques, he has now come up with his own imaginative and well-prepared rendition of the new American cuisine. All of which means that his combination of talent, patience, and perseverance is a winning one indeed. And as one of the founders of the local chapter of the Chefs Collaborative and the Fresh Sheet - as well as a tireless mentor - he's a culinary gift that keeps on giving. The Blueroom, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA .
Row and Ride
Indoor cycling studios are so 2014. These days, it's all about group rowing classes, and now New England has its very first dedicated rowing studio right here on the South Shore. Launched by Kerry Connolly, a longtime news anchor for CBS Boston, Row and Ride offers group rowing and stadium-style cycling classes for a new spin (ahem) on the latest fitness trends. The squeaky clean facility also has a fully stocked locker room with showers to rinse off after sweating it out in class. 200 Webster St., Hanover, MA 02339, rowandride.com.
Hole in One
Who knew brunch in a takeout box could be so sweet? Before escaping to the National Seashore, pick up some much-needed fuel at this restaurant and bakery with locations in Orleans and Eastham, which offers its beloved stacks of cinna- mon-roll pancakes and scallion-cheddar biscuits smothered in sausage gravy to go. Word to the wise: Whatever you get, don’t forget to add a dozen hand-cut doughnuts (including specials like blueberry crum- ble, s’mores, or Reese’s) to your order. 98 MA-6A, Orleans, MA 02653, theholecapecod.com.
Mike's Pastry
You can spot Mike’s signature string-wrapped cannoli boxes in the hands of practically every tourist, and that’s exactly why some of our crabbier natives don’t give the place its rightful due. Honestly, though, the cannolis deserve all of the attention they get, with a crackly-crunchy shell overstuffed with dense, sweet-and-cheesy ricotta. Just one bite reminds us why out-of-towners — and yes, plenty of locals, too — will always line up for them on Hanover Street. Multiple locations, mikespastry.com.
Oona’s
If you lack the patience to sift through piles and paw through racks to find vintage gems, head to this Harvard Square institution, where staffers have done the treasure-hunting for you. Waiting to meet your closet: sweet Twiggy-era shift dresses, a sequined Valentino jacket, and baubles to satisfy every taste, all at not-that-outrageous prices. Guys can get in on the fun, too, with Hawaiian-print shirts, striped ties, and denim jackets. 1210 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, oonasboston.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.
Newburyport Farmers' Market
Given its northerly location, Newburyport has an edge over other area markets: It's able to draw in vendors from southern New Hampshire. But it's the sheer magnitude of the selection—which ranges from standard-issue fruits and veggies to raw honey, locally caught fish and shellfish, and sustainably raised goat meat, not to mention prepared goodies like sweet and savory tarts from Puff—that draws crowds. Sundays May through November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tannery, Newburyport, MA 1950, thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org.
Boarding House
Like sitting on a South End patio, you'll see everyone during weekend brunch here. People-watching aside, the covered, fenced-in Federal Street terrace is also a cool and shady spot to take in Seth and Angela Raynor's outstanding service and locally sourced fare. Go sweet on pillowy house-made brioche doughnuts and soufflé pancakes, or ease into the day with a savory grilled pizzetta topped with fontina, arugula, and prosciutto. Whichever way you go, the BoHo's classic bloody mary is a must. 12 Federal St., Nantucket, MA 2554, boardinghousenantucket.com.
B&G Oysters
If hyperfresh seafood is the sole requirement, Legal and McCormick can deliver the same still-quivering quality for a few clams less. It takes a hypertalented chef like B&G's Barbara Lynch, however, to gussy it up with refined flavors and textures that accentuate without stealing the show. That intense focus on pristine ingredients is evident throughout the small, cleanly constructed menu. The cult-spawning lobster BLT is a study in restraint, and a sauteed halibut rings sweet above grassy artichoke, tangy tomato, and briny black-olive consomme. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA bandgoysters.com.
Brown Sugar Café
Serving huge portions of flavorful curries and other Thai specialties at affordable prices, Brown Sugar is a perfect match for the tastes and budgets of the undergrads, musicians, and medical students who live in this neighborhood. In addition to less fiery offerings like "Siamese Twins" (shrimp and chicken in a sweet-and-sour sauce), there are such authentic dishes as laarb gai (minced chicken in a spicy lime sauce). Service is prompt but friendly, and the free parking—limited, but a rarity in these parts—means outsiders can enjoy one of the city's best pad thais, too. 129 Jersey St., Boston, MA brownsugarcafe.com.
Gabriel Frasca, Spire
After years of working with some of this city's best (Gordon Hamersley, Michael Schlow, Seth Woods), it's Frasca's turn to soar at Spire, the restaurant at the Nine Zero hotel. And soar he does, with entrées like his fresh pea soup, an earthy ode to summer with a tinge of sautéed pea shoots for brightness and a sweet, nutty crab dumpling for contrast. We hope more young chefs will follow Frasca's lead. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA .