Uni
When this newly revamped sushi hot spot introduced a weekend-only, late-night menu, we put it into our regular post-party rotation. With its umami-packed ramen topped with barbecued eel; blistery bonito-topped shishito peppers; soft, unctuous pork-belly buns; and deep-fried hot dogs with miso-mustard sauce and pickled vegetables, Uni provides us with an excellent excuse for sleeping till noon on Sunday. 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, unisashimibar.com.
Sam's at Louis
We've been known, on those perfect 72-degree days, to work an "emergency" business lunch at Sam's into our schedule. Neither Newbury Street's sidewalk cafés nor Cambridge's funky hidden patios can match the scenic respite from the daily grind that this Seaport gem delivers. And considering the crowds on the huge, sun-drenched deck—noshing on polished yet unfussy fare (like the tomato-marmalade BLT)—it seems we're not the only ones who've caught on. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, samsatlouis.com.
Allston Car Wash
When our test vehicle went in, it was encrusted with mud, pollen, tree buds, and bird droppings. When it came out, it looked like it had just rolled off the assembly line. These guys attack each car with painstaking indvidual attention, all for just $7.25 for an exterior wash ($6 with a fill-up at the adjacent pumps); they even shine the rear-view mirror. Here, "hand-dried" doesn't mean a halfhearted swipe with a dirty towel, either. There's usually a line, but the wait is worth it. 434 Cambridge Street, Allston, MA theirving.com.
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.
Tomasso Trattoria
Owners Tom and Mary Prince are not only gracious hosts, they're also obsessive about their food: beautifully executed Italian fare that features light-as-air Neapolitan-style pizza crusts, hand-cut tagliatelle and pappardelle, and homemade sauces (we're talking 'roast-our-own-tomatoes' homemade). The Italian-heavy wine list and the servers' well-informed chatter make you feel—just for a minute—that you're closer to Firenze than Framingham. 154 Turnpike Rd., Southborough, MA 1772, tomassotrattoria.com.
The Juice Bar
Island living might seem easy, but it sure ain't fair. Hear us out: Stroll past the Juice Bar and the aroma of homebaked waffle cones comes wafting out. Inside, the list of rotating flavors like cherry chocolate chunk and peanut butter cup proves irresistible; after just one taste, eating (and eating, and eating) ice cream becomes inevitable. Our bikinis are getting tighter just thinking about it. 12 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
No. 9 Park
It should be called No. 1. Barbara Lynch's spot tops our list as the best in the city for inspired, seasonal cuisine like bacon-wrapped trout with pickled ramps, baby red potatoes, and Swiss chard. Feast on a nine-course chef's tasting menu in the softly lit dining room, or enjoy a light(er) plate of steak tartare (it comes with brioche and truffle aioli) at the bar. 9 Park St., Boston, MA no9park.com.
Oleana
Boston has no shortage of outdoor dining options, but for our money, none is as transporting as the backyard terrace at Oleana. It's a fairyland of flora and fauna—swags of crawling green draped over wooden trellises, fruit trees burgeoning with ripe fruit, flowers of every variety waving in the summer breeze. That's more than most of us needed to set the scene for a relaxing meal—so when chef Ana Sortun tosses in her soothing and exotic Mediterranean menu, it's just glorious gravy. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA oleanarestaurant.com.
Jake's Seafoods Restaurant & Market
Minimalism is to fresh New England seafood what media attention is to Tom Cruise—which is to say, essential to its very being. Jake's serves up our region's underwater treasures the way they're meant to be: straight from the ocean and nearly unadorned (save a squeeze of lemon here, a toss of bread crumbs there). The result? Dishes—cedar-roasted salmon, swordfish with anchovy-and-olive relish—that let unsullied flavor shine. 50 George Washington Blvd., Hull, MA jakesseafoods.com.
Viola Lovely
This impossibly hip Wenham shop is back on our radar this year, and for good reason: Owner Lisa Cancelli Picard fills racks with stunning pieces from the kinds of cutting-edge designers—Kenzo, Giada Forte, Tila March—that you’d expect to see in a chic city boutique. In fact, you can find them in the city: Cancelli Picard opened a sister location in the South End last year. 148 Main St., Wenham, MA 1984, violalovely.com.
Grill 23
The better story would have been that finally, in this, the year of the cow, one among the city's numerous new upscale meateries had managed to dethrone our 14-time of Boston stalwart. Nothing doing. Mooo inherited the Federalist's matchless wine list. KO Prime has the offal around. But for a prime, dry-aged rib-eye with a power client (downstairs) or a significant other (the more intimate upstairs), Grill 23 still rules the herd. 161 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.
Mellie Hair Design
We love a salon with cushy sofas and lemon water, but those details mean nothing if the stylists aren't hair-care experts. Most Mellie employees have 10-plus years of experience — but more important, we left feeling fab after a stylist turned our awkward layers into a look we couldn't wait to debut. 376 Granite Ave., Milton, MA 2186, melliehairsalon.com.
Zaftigs West
Fancy-schmancy menus that focus more on mimosas than food? Feh. When we crave brunch, there's no better place than Zaftigs West. Though the breakfast menu is offered all day — and night — our favorite time to gorge ourselves on banana-stuffed bourbon-vanilla French toast; buttermilk pancakes with strawberries; smoked fish; and a multitude of scrambles, hashes, and omelets is on a weekend afternoon, when the service is especially laid-back and friendly. 1298 Worcester St. (Rte. 9), Natick, MA 1760, zaftigs.com.
Aquitaine
Though the restaurant is in a strip mall, its interior is all dark wood, banquettes, and candlelit conversation—the Left Bank, via Route 9. After enjoying dishes like filet au poivre, blissfully heavy on the cognac crème, it's easy to forget where you are...until you spill out the door and into a parking lot. Our advice? Postpone the inevitable, and stick around for a digestif. 500 Legacy Pl., Dedham, MA 2026, aquitainededham.com.
Corazón del Mar
When we walked through the door and spied the ceviche and raw bar, we were infatuated. When we climbed the staircase and saw the packed, boisterous tequila bar, we were besotted. But once we took a sip of the hibiscus margarita laced with fresh lime and chili salt, it was a full-on love affair. It may not be the scene-iest spot on the island (that would be the Pearl), nor the most debaucherous (the Chicken Box). But Corazón's good looks and charming vibe have completely stolen our hearts. 215 Water St., Nantucket, MA 2554, corazonnantucket.com.