Cheryl Ann's of Brookline
Lines form around the block on Friday afternoons and before major Jewish holidays, though this challah is too good to save for special occasions. Cheryl Ann's challah has the soft sweetness of brioche and looks like a food stylist's dream loaf, golden and braided. These breads are not available elsewhere; fanatics admit that their New York relatives beg them to Fed Ex Cheryl's challahs to the Big Apple. 1010 West Roxbury Parkway, West Roxbury, MA .
The Antipasti Martinia
Take 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 1 fennel stalk with leaves, 6 sun-dried tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, 8 black Italian olives, 1 dry hot red Italian pepper, 1 small red and 1 small yellow sweet pepper, and infuse for one day in two quarts of Finlandia vodka. V-8 never tasted like this. Trattoria Il Panino Restaurant, 295 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
The Backroom at Moody's
You've heard the hype: Walls made of limestone reclaimed from a French abbey. A copper spit for roasting chicken and suckling pigs. A $400 glass of Screaming Eagle. But let's be honest: You're really here for the meat—every juicy, wood-fired, artery-clogging bite. And from the smoky-sweet bourbon-bathed pork belly and tender Wagyu brisket to the sliced-to-order charcuterie platters, the sophisticated new wine bar within Moody's deli is a carnivore's dream. 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, moodyswaltham.com.
Madhouse Café
Iced tahini lattes, Lebanese meat pies, sticky-sweet baklava, motorcycles…wait, what? Madhouse Café debuted in Roxbury in late 2022, connected to — and looking into, via a giant window — the acclaimed bike shop Madhouse Motors. (Got kids? They’ll be mesmerized, and you’ll have a chance to sip your espresso in peace.) Dripping with greenery and intricately patterned tables and pillows, the space is lovely, as is the staff, making this a destination whether or not you have a motorcycle that needs fixing. 24 Blue Hill Ave., Roxbury, MA 02119, madhousecafe.com.
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
Bibliophiles flock here not only to explore literary treasures but also to be seen doing it. The highly Instagrammable four-level space boasts unique book selections and a lovely ambiance to linger in, but the best part just might be the tea service. Indulge in a delightful array of tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweets accompanied by a pot of custom-blended tea or a flute of prosecco while flipping the pages of whatever you just picked up for your book club. 71 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, bhbooks.com.
Grainmaker
Finally, Bostonians with gluten allergies can grab fantastic fast-casual meals without fear of cross-contamination. At Grainmaker, guests fill rice, noodle, or salad bowls with vibrantly flavored fixings like sweet-chili shrimp, lemongrass steak, pickled veggies, and zippy sauces such as spicy hoisin — all with absolutely no gluten (or dairy) in sight. It’s a surprisingly hard-to-find concept we hope catches on, and here’s another: Grainmaker’s pioneering approach to reusable packaging, which gives customers discounts for choosing the restaurant’s returnable glass takeout containers and, in the process, saves thousands of pounds of waste. Multiple locations, eatgrainmaker.com.
Bred Gourmet
No matter the time of year, the burgers sizzled here instantly evoke thoughts of sunny summer cookouts. That’s because Bred flattens and seasons its burgers right on the grill, preserving the juiciness of restaurant-quality, grass-fed Maine beef while lending the perfect outer char we love to bite into at backyard bashes with neighbors. The single most lip-smacking result might be the Maui burger, a luau-like lineup of bright pineapple, grilled ham, sweet plantains, and spicy pepper Jack cheese, all doused in sauce from nearby M&M BBQ. 2255 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, bredgourmet.com.
Montien
The city's most delicious proof that life exists beyond pad Thai is found within these neon-lit walls. Authentic and exceptionally fresh dishes dominate chef-owner Tony Suktheva's Thai menu (ask for it specifically, or odds are you'll be handed the Americanized version), and they've earned him a rabid following. It's well-deserved. Straight-from-Bangkok dishes like kai jeaw moo-sub (omelet with shrimp and chili) and larb gai (super-spicy minced chicken) sing with the region's sharp flavors: lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chile. The red curry is smooth, sweet, and teeming with gorgeous veggies. Oh, and for the record: There is pad Thai, and it's superb. 63 Stuart St., Boston, MA montien-boston.com.
Clear Flour Bread
This tiny, nestled-away Brookline bakery may not have prime real estate, but it's easy to find. Just follow the intoxicating aroma of fresh, crusty baguettes down Comm. Ave., turn left at the sweet, wafting scent of brioche, and stop when you catch a glimpse of glossy challah and crackly sourdough through the steamed-up windows. Another sign you've come to the right place: the line of impatient locals streaming out onto the sidewalk, all hankering for an impossibly perfect loaf piping hot from the oven. 178 Thorndike St., Brookline, MA 2446, clearflourbread.com.
Coast Café
Dainty eaters, beware. Only those with a hankering for a little grease and gobs of pork-addled flavor are able to handle the made-to-order plates at Cambridge's stick-to-your-ribs haven. Sure, the chicken's great, but there's also smoked turkey with collard greens, and bread crumb-encrusted mac and cheese, and silky sweet potatoes, and (the only thing harder than settling on an order here, you'll find, is nabbing one of the few seats). Coast Café may not have much competition in these parts—KFC? Popeyes?—but it could surely hold its own in Dixie. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 2139, .
The Scarlet Oak Tavern
The dish is hot crab-and-cheese dip, and it goes a little something like this: chunks of tender, sweet blue crab tossed with heavy cream and supersharp cheddar, then wood-fired to a roof-of-mouth-scorching sizzle. After that, the menu at this guilty-pleasure oasis is your oyster. Or your goat cheese-slathered wild mushroom pizza. Or your flaky chicken potpie with a scrumptious baked side of three-cheese macaroni. The elegant setting is so picturesque you could have your wedding reception here—so long as you let out the dress first. 1217 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, scarlettoaktavern.com.
Stacy Klein, Pigalle
It was the delightful French pixie Amélie who set us on a quest for the perfect, crackable crème brûlée. And it's another sylph, Pigalle pastry chef Stacy Klein (how does she stay so slim?) who's finally delivered it. Klein's creamy custard, infused with sweet corn, is heavenly under a patina of burnt sugar that cracks like glass. Also amazing is her grown-up version of s'mores, toasted á table and paired with milk-chocolate sorbet and candied kumquats. You'll be tempted to skip your main course (but don't!). 75 Charles St. S., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
The New England Soup Factory
Next time you're sick and Mom offers to bring over some chicken noodle soup, ask her if she can swing by Brookline instead. Even the best grandmother can't beat a selection that changes daily and includes mouthwatering, innovative tastes such as artichoke bisque, chilled melon, roasted red pepper and corn chowder, and pureed portobella mushroom. All are thick, delicious, if slightly pricey ($4.25 for 12 ounces, but worth it). The only disappointment is the clam chowder, which runs a little too sweet for our panel of experts. 2-4 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA .
Adam Berke
Vogue named him one of the "most sought after trainers in America": he has a client list peppered with Boston's beautiful people, and his state-of-the-art gym is more Philippe Starke than YMCA grunge. But don't let appearances deceive you: Berke's a task master who realizes people do not want to be sweating their buns off, doing the same old grunts seven days a week. Gym rats addicted to StairMasters, aerobics, and other such standard pursuits be warned: Berke will have you jumping rope, spinning, and taking part in high-intensity weight training. He will also create an individually tailored diet regime, which can include two glasses of red wine a night. $75/hour. Adam Berke Gym, 1260 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Cru
When you slurp an oyster from this hip dockside restaurant overlooking the harbor, it’s likely that the fresh, sweet bivalve was in that very same water just hours before. But it’s not just the oysters, of course, that earn Cru its title. The buttery fried clams, famous lobster roll, and jumbo cocktail shrimp all deserve recog- nition, especially when accompanied by a cool and refreshing “Crucumber” martini. One Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554, crunantucket.com.