Rialto
The city's Italian-dining scene skews either reasonably authentic (yet undistinguished), or posh (but not quite legit). Rialto bridges the gap with seasonal, from-scratch cooking (strands of bucatini with lobster and saffron; salumi with house-made ricotta) and attentive, special-occasion-worthy service. Chef Jody Adams's regional menus, which spotlight a different part of Italy every two months, are delightful, especially when paired with the suggested wines. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, rialto-restaurant.com.
Clio
Want to know a secret? We love eating at a fine-dining establishment's bar, where we get the same great fare and ambiance sans obsequious servers. And the best spot in town is Clio, which offers selections from the main menu as well as superlative bar-only options (togarashi-spiced fried chicken, fall-apart duck drummettes). Of course, the best part of the experience just may be picking the brain of bar whiz Todd Maul (his burnt-cherrywood Old Fashioned, by the way, 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, cliorestaurant.com.
Chez Henri
Harvard Law students flirt with hipster artists at the bar. Undergrads flirt with their first taste of grilled octopus in the dining room. Software publicists pitch clients in the bistro's corner, between gulps from the smartly chosen wine list. And the best part is that everyone is genuinely, utterly relaxed. Does Harvard Square get any more real than this? One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA 2138, chezhenri.com.
Petal & Leaf
Nothing spruces up a space like fresh flowers. And no florist arranges fresh flowers quite like Jamaica Plain's Petal & Leaf. From spare, arty decorations to lively, full bouquets, owner Cat Thomson's creative floral stylings include short-stemmed pavé groupings of Thai orchids and classic tulips, and pretty pitcher plants with water reeds. 461 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Lucky's Lounge
A lounge used to be a place where you could mingle with strangers and tie one on at any time of day. Now it's usually just home to overdressed scenesters and overpriced drinks. But Lucky's is a throwback to the glory days. A speakeasy-style bar with dim lighting, vintage leather booths, and walls covered in Rat Pack photos, it's an ode to the three-martini lunch era. 355 Congress St., South Boston, MA 2210, luckyslounge.com.
Rangoli
The prized entree at this southern Indian restaurant is called dosa—a huge crunchy crepe stuffed with rice, lentils, and your choice of meat. But that doesn't mean you should neglect the dahi bhala (lentil balls and yogurt) or the tomato-coconut shorba (soup). The chef works with a cunning palette of tart and sweet flavors guaranteed to tickled your buds. 129 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA .
Babycakes from Brian's
He wants the Boston Cream Pie, she likes the Lemon Custard cake, their dinner guests are partial to mousse cakes and fruit tarts. How to make everybody happy? Order little individual cakes for each person in his or her favorite flavor. They're all so good, you'll be tempted to swap samples. 8 Elm Street, Braintree, MA .
Clear Flour Bread
You see the customers patiently waiting outside this off-the-beaten-path Brookline bakery on rainy weekend mornings, and you think, Surely the baguettes can't bethatgood. They are, actually, but here's betting it's the chock-full-of-fruit flaky tarts, addictive sticky buns, decadent brownies, and no-messing-around chocolate brioche that regulars consider worth getting soaked for. 178 Thorndike St., Brookline, MA clearflourbread.com.
Emma's
The super-thin crust that flies out of Emma's kitchen is addictive in its own right. Add to that such innovative combinations as Canadian bacon, caramelized onions, and rosemary sauce, or a scallion, garlic, and gorgonzola mix. The restaurants may have just changed hands, but nearly everything else about it has stayed the same—right down to the à la carte toppings (three kinds of tomatoes, sweet and gold potatoes, capers, even dried cranberries). Friendly service (the waiters offer detailed reheating instructions) rounds out the experience. 40 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA emmaspizza.com.
Gretta Luxe
Time was when Wellesley only meant straight and preppy. Well, no longer—thanks in no small part to this new boutique. Gretta Luxe carries an eclectic mix of international designers, from the clean, modern likes of Samsonite and Strenesse to more fashion-forward styles from Nanette Leopre and Ulla Johnson. There's a jeans bar stocked with denim from Earl Jean, Parasuco, C by Chloé, and Jean Paul Gaultier. And the shoe selection, including must-have models by Robert Clergerie, rivals any you'll find in the city. 94 Central St., Wellesley, MA grettastyle.com.
Regattabar
Jazz in its live form requires a venue that does it justice. With a slew of world-class acts ranging from timbale guru Eguie Castrillo to prog-funk trio Garage à Trois, this 220-seat space packs in the tables but leaves room for dancing out back. Bands play on the floor rather than a stage, making banter with the audience a common occurrence. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, regattabarjazz.com.
Avalon
Big venues usually mean small performers—not in terms of musical stature, but because you're so far away the act looks like a dot with a guitar. So thank God and Pat Lyons for Avalon, where despite its capacity of 1,950, you never feel far from the stage. A spacious main floor, tiered stairs, and a balcony with great stage views make seeing big-time indie performers—Rhett Miller and Doves—seem almost intimate. 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
Lizard Lounge
As the new host to The Fringe's (Best Jazz Band) Monday night jams— and occasionally to delights from the free-form experimental acid-jazz group Club d'Elf (Best Cutting-Edge Band)— this lounge has the coolest in-the-round setting. Owing partly to a respectable selection of booze and excellent vibes, the unassuming Lizard Lounge has slithered to the top. 1667 Masachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Blue Ginger
True, Ming Tsai is part of America's elite cadre of celebrity chefs. His cookware, cookbooks, and PBS cooking shows are ubiquitous—all for good reason. He and sous-chef Jonathan Taylor lead a crackerjack team at Blue Ginger, where the garlic—black pepper lobster is a wonder. The tightly run restaurant has unparalleled service and a standout wine selection. 583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA ming.com/blue-ginger.htm.
Goody Whitcher
Goody Whitcher doubles as Amesbury's town witch and favorite ghost. She specializes in banging her loom shuttle day and night, three centuries after she gave up the ghost. Her act has far more finesse than the severed-head-in-hand, street-walking routine reportedly practiced by another deceased Amesbury resident. Amesbury, MA