Chef Chang’s on Back Bay
Sichuan, Xinjiang, Shaanxi: The regional cuisines of China are liberally represented by a broad selection of outstanding eats at this garden-level hideaway. From simple pork sandwiches on flatbread to extravagantly spiced “Bashu-flavored” chicken, dressed up with chili pepper and overflowing from a wicker cornucopia, there’s not a dud on the menu. Visit and earn serious food-geek cred. 30 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02215, .
Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar
The lauded whiskey list is reason enough for a visit, but the real draw is the “Pappy Meal,” a western-themed box with a 2-ounce pour of Pappy Van Winkle, the coveted Kentucky hooch. 1310 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, citizenpub.com.
Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar
The cocktails at this funky-meets-casual spot hit it out of the park—order the mezcal-based "No More Parties in Fenway" to channel your inner ’Ye before weaving through Sox traffic on your way home. 1310 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, citizenpub.com.
East Coast Grill & Raw Bar
Celebrated grill god Chris Schlesinger's Inman Square spot is its own Cambridge institution—part community hangout, part nationally known restaurant, part vacation. Wild décor (from the blackboard that shouts daily fresh fish specials to the kitschy "live volcano") and even wilder mixed drinks (like the scotch bonnet pepper—infused "martini from hell") set the scene for equatorial specialties from the world's most spice-obsessed regions. That means terrific barbecue, sweetly rich fried plantains, wasabi-laced tuna, and an inventive postmodern pupu platter to die for. Hot-food connoisseurs shouldn't miss "Hell Night," a fiery food challenge featuring some of the spiciest foodstuffs on the planet. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA eastcoastgrill.net.
Alicia Towns, Grill 23 & Bar
This Harvard-educated sommelier spends most of her nights winning over the suit-and-tie crowd that flocks to Grill 23's polished interior. Towns' wine list is impressive, with solid selections of steak-friendly cabernets and zinfandels, as well as some choice boutique options not available in other restaurants. Her presentations are as flawless as her knowledge is vast. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA grill23.com.
The Oak Bar, Fairmont Copley Plaza
The Oak Bar is, quite simply, everything a hotel bar should be: sexy, formal, and mysterious. It's a place to wallow in grandeur, where, even if you live right down the road, you feel like a visitor to another time and place. The Edwardian décor, billowing cigar smoke, and background piano tunes are reminiscent of the most elite—dare we say it—gentleman's club. Except that the ladies' room is exquisite. 138 St. James Ave., Boston, MA fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston/dining/oak-long-bar-kitchen.
East Coast Grill & Raw Bar
The essence of a perfect margarita is in its simplicity: fresh lime juice, a dash of orange-flavored liqueur, and top-shelf tequila (we prefer gold). Any joint that junks up a fine shot of tequila with that presweetened sour mix just doesn't know what it's doing. That's far from a problem at the East Coast Grill, which does it all perfectly. Purists prefer their 'ritas on the rocks, with salt on the rim. But during an August heat wave, we'll happily endure the Grill's chilled take on tradition. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Jerry Remy's Sports Bar and Grill
Back during the NCAA basketball tournament, we spent an afternoon at the Remy's near Fenway. It almost broke our head. It wasn't just that there were a zillion TVs, but that the two biggest ones over the bar were 11 feet long. (That's, like, two Dustin Pedroias!) With an exceptional beer list and more-than-good-enough food, there's no place better to spend NFL Sunday, college football Saturday, or, really, any day. 1265 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2215, jerryremys.com.
Linda Bean at Back Bay Nautilus
Bean is a model and in great shape, so you know her workouts work. 799 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Lava Bar, Saturday Night Tabu
With an amazing penthouse view of Boston and Cambridge, this intimate club attracts the most adorable girls, who dance to DJ Fran and languish on velvet sofas. 575 Commonwealth Ave., 8th Floor, Boston, MA .
The Plaza Bar at the Copley Place Hotel
Elegant and overlooked. Sample the excellent martinis, request some Gershwin if Bobby Wetherbee is at the piano, and you may decide to continue the party in a suite upstairs. 138 St. James St., Boston, MA .
DeLuca's Back Bay Market
6:05 p.m. Weekdays. 239 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
DeLuca's Back Bay Market
Six in the evening. Any weekday. 239 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen
Darryl’s southern-inflected Sunday jazz brunch is why Roxburians claim this South End spot as their own. 604 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, MA 2118, darrylscornerbarboston.com.
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
Who says northerners can't do 'cue? Here everything's cooked low and slow over oak and hickory hardwoods, resulting in unbelievably tender smokehouse meats — from the North Carolina pulled pork and the Texas beef brisket to the absolutely addictive Kansas City burnt ends. The hearty sides are also top-notch — just be sure to save room for a slice of the blue-ribbon-worthy pecan pie. 1375 Washington St., West Newton, MA 2465, blueribbonbbq.com.