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.
Izakaya Ittoku
At an authentic Japanese izakaya, the food is meant to serve as a supporting role to the endless flow of sake. But at this Brighton hangout, the infinitely snackable dishes—flame-licked yakitori-style skewered meats, crisp fried oysters, the noodle omelet hybrid known as omusoba—are just as much of a draw. Maximize your experience of the massive menu (and the hefty platters of pan-fried pork and kimchi) by indulging with friends. 1414 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2135, .
The Wauwinet
We're partial to this place as much for its spectacular location (straddling the border between the island's wild and civilized ends) as for its lengthy menu of perks: spa, private beach, afternoon nibbles of cheese and glasses of port, champagne at sunset. Guests are left with the feeling that they're staying not at a hotel but a very well-to-do friend's home. 120 Wauwinet Rd., Nantucket, MA 2584, wauwinet.com.
Oleana
Nobody satisfies our wanderlust quite like Ana Sortun, whose still-vital Cambridge classic spreads itself around the Levant, taking a few key regional flavors with it wherever it goes. Sesame-forward tahini, for instance, is stuffed into Armenian topik, spiced pockets of potato hummus; used to sauce spinach falafel with beet tzatziki; and combined with lemon in a broth for cooking parchment-wrapped halibut. The signature Baked Alaska dessert, meanwhile, always brings us back home. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, oleanarestaurant.com.
Esperia Grill
Its name nods to twilight, but may the sun never set on Esperia Grill. The Greek-family-run spot is pure old-school Boston, an inconspicuous place where the cash register constantly ka-chings! with sales of sweet, honeyed baklava, and where anyone seeking real-deal Hellenic home-cookery can hunch over tender lamb kebabs and baked shanks — or generous bowls of bright and creamy avgolemono — while the city outside fades into soft focus. Let it wait. 344 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135, esperiagrill.net.
Lily P's
Boston has plenty of places to find down-home platters of southern-style fried chicken, but lately, we can’t get enough of the chef-driven polish acclaimed toque Chris Parsons — previously known for upscale seafood — brings to the poultry at his newish, fit-for-franchising Cambridge outfit. Pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, the tender, buttermilk-brined meat has just the right crunch whether you devour it by the full bird or in a crispy sandwich topped with everything from black-pepper honey to spicy kimchi. 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA 02142, lilypschicken.com.
The Coast Café
Purveyors of proper American soul food are scant in Boston, so we’re grateful that after a brief hiatus, this Cambridge takeout star is again serving up some of the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken in the city. That’s hardly all: Barbecued pork ribs, fried catfish, hefty sides (of collard greens, candied yams, and mac ’n’ cheese), and old-timey desserts (like sweet-potato pie and coconut wonder bars) should all be a part of your next beachside picnic or casual home supper. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 02139, coastsoulcafe.com.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
At this point, it’s no secret that the Mandarin is the place for a spa getaway (we could spend a whole night, in fact, in the plungepool-equipped relaxation area). But there are plenty of other ways this opulent hotel makes you feel well cared for during a stay here, from the thoughtful nightly turndown service in the surprisingly large rooms to the 24-hour room service from the buzzy Ramsay’s Kitchen downstairs. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com.
La Saison Bakery
Be the hero of the next family gathering by showing up with La Saison Bakery’s rich, heavenly chocolate cake — or treat yourself to a slice any old day, ideally paired with a cup of iced Persian tea or sweet masala chai. Dense, moist, and just the right balance of sweet-but-not-too-sweet, the treat will put all your plans on hold for the day as you sit and savor bite after irresistible bite. 407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, lasaison-bakery.com.
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
With narrow roads and speeding tourists (no, not you), riding a bike on the Vineyard isn’t quite as relaxing as you might envision. But the State Forest boasts a network of well-maintained hiking and mountain-biking trails that will not only get you off the road, but away from people altogether. If you want to tack on some sightseeing along the way, swing by Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown, then swoop through town and along the Beach Road path into Oak Bluffs. If you get tired, you can always catch the bus home. Edgartown, MA 02539, mass.gov/locations/manuel-f-correllus-state-forest.
Linens on the Hill
When’s the last time you upgraded your linen closet? If you can’t remember, it might be time to pay a visit to this high-end textile haven. Owner Lynne Wolverton’s stacks of locally made Matouk bedding, elegant Sferra tablecloths, and soft Yves Delorme bath towels (a godsend for rough, over-washed hands) make staying cozy at home as easy as wash, dry, and repeat. 52 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, linensonthehill.com.
The BMC Vaccine Dance
After a year spent working shifts at COVID patients’ bedsides, you could forgive healthcare workers for being in no mood to dance. But when vaccines finally arrived at Boston Medical Center in December, staffers there were ready to bust a move, performing a choreographed dance to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” as a cell phone captured the moment on video. Ultimately reaching millions of viewers online, it was a scene of jubilation that allowed many of us to feel hopeful about the future.
Tawakal Halal Cafe
From-scratch sambusa wrappers stuffed and fried to a hot, flaky crisp, followed by tangled piles of spaghetti sauced with a velvety stew of fragrantly spiced braised goat: Such soul-warming Somali comfort food certainly takes the edge off these anxiety-ridden times. Bonus points for bottles of signature hot sauce available for enlivening humdrum home cooking with East African herbs. 389 Maverick St., Boston, MA 02128, tawakalfoods.co.
The Smoke Shop
Kendall Square has never seen anything like the Smoke Shop. The brainchild of world-championship pit master Andy Husbands, this is a stylish take on a timeless barbecue joint, but with a whiskey program that would make Jack Daniel blush. In other words, if you’re looking for the smokiest, juiciest brisket around, and want to wash it down with a flight of whiskey, welcome home. Multiple locations. One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, thesmokeshopbbq.com.