[digthis2007]

The Best Places to Eat

By Dig Staff

 

SEAFOOD

EAST COAST GRILL AND RAW BAR

If you can't make it to the waterfront, let the fresh seafood swim your way. Menu offerings-from fleshy fish to toasted tentacles-change daily at this long-standing favorite in Inman Square so you know you're getting that day's fresh catch. Belly up to the compact bar (don't worry, you can squeeze in) for the freshly shucked, supremely slurpable oysters-even more so when served "Asian"-style with pickled ginger, aged soy and wasabi. With good food in a casual atmosphere with tons of wine, beer and Tiki-lounge inspired cocktails (a Flaming Volcano for two, please), no wonder this place has been a neighborhood favorite for decades. [1271 Cambridge St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. 617.491.6568. eastcoastgrill.net]

Runners-up: Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, Skipjack's, Miel Brasserie Provencale

 

BBQ

BLUE RIBBON BARBECUE

Superlatives are no match for Blue Ribbon, a perennial reader favorite. After all, the phrase "wicked awesomest bestest ever" only goes so far, and it's not even close to describing Blue Ribbon's legendary pulled pork, burnt ends, dry-rubbed ribs and chili mac 'n cheese. The stuff is otherworldly. Sauces, rubs and marinades span several southern regional styles, and the minimalist storefront is always packed. And that's a stronger testimonial than we could ever conjure up. [908 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington. 781.648.7427. blueribbonbbq.com]

Runners-up: Koreana Restaurant, Soul Fire, Midwest Grill

 

BREAKFAST

SOUTH END BUTTERY

Skip the sun salutations or morning meditation and let the Buttery loosen you up. The creamy inside of this café is just the mellow tone to ease you into the day. Whether you're a cherry almond scone or smoked salmon bagel kind of person, you'll find the variety of pastry (sticky buns! pain au chocolat!) to fortify you for what lies ahead. For an extra bit of rib-stickage, try the signature Buttery country biscuit, a restorative meal of eggs, bacon and aged cheddar on a homemade buttermilk biscuit. Friendly service (and several resident dogs' tails) sends you on your way, ready to conquer the world. [314 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston. 617.482.1015. southendbuttery.com]

Runners-up: Hot off the Press Café & Bakery, Bagel Rising, The Breakfast Club

 

BRUNCH

ZAFTIGS DELICATESSEN

Sunday morning finds many of us starving for a good hearty meal to cap off the weekend rightly. Hit up Zaftigs when you want everything brunch can entail, from breakfast served all day to hearty deli-style lunch sandwiches. Die a happy death inhaling butter-smothered Challah French toast or partake in "The New Yorker" sandwich with 12 oz of hot pastrami and corned beef. You could do worse than to wash it down with a cup of fresh coffee or bottle of beer. Relax amid the bustle of this Brookline deli as you snack on freebie bagel chips and crunch into a crisp pickle, taking comfort in their slogan: "Let us be your Jewish Mother." Oh mama, yes. [335 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline. 617.975.0075. zaftigs.com]

Runners-up: Picante Mexican Grill, Renee's Café, Geoffrey's Café

 

BURGERS

UBURGER

UBurger's a great spot for quick and dirty burgers without the, uh, dirty feeling afterwards. The food's cheap, ingredients are fresh, not frozen, topping combinations are endless, and the fries are universally hailed. Depending on whether you're enrolled in BU, UBurger's location is either heaven-sent or in the middle of d-bag hell. And, while it's not exactly healthy fast food, it's not entirely unhealthy fast food, either. If that makes your skull hurt, just have a frappe and forget about it. [636 Beacon Street, Kenmore Sq., Boston. 617.536.0448]

Runners-up: Audubon Circle, Bambara Restaurant, Porter Belly's Pub

 

BURRITO

BOCA GRANDE

Dreams are made of these: plump, warm, foil-wrapped surprises. Burritos 'round these parts are a dime-a-dozen, but a good, fresh, respectfully stuffed burrito is a most beautiful thing, well worth the extra measures. At the early hour when you're still a-drool on your pillow, probably dreaming about said burritos, Boca Grande is busy making the crucially well-crafted salsa, guac, rice and beans for your lazy, hungry ass. However you roll-chili verde, grilled steak, al pastor, to name a few-they'll assemble it upon order with your specific black-beans-hot-sauce-extra-guac-thanks situation. All set for burrito-flavored kisses.

[Three locations in Brookline and Cambridge. 617.354.7400. bocagranderestaurant.com]

Runners-up: Taqueria la Mexicana, Burrito Express, Boloco

 

CAFÉ

THE OTHERSIDE COSMIC CAFÉ

The OtherSide is a coffee shop with a drinking problem, which is to say, it's our kind of café. There's a fridge full of good, cheap beer, alongside coffee, tea, and one of the best vegetarian/vegan menus in town. Local art hangs on the walls, they take requests for music, and bad attitudes of all kinds are palpably absent. When it gets cold, we often knock off for a three-hour lunch, hide out upstairs with a cup of vegetarian chili and a few cans of Narragansett, and, you know, do nothing at all. You wouldn't even know you're still on Newbury Street. Which is kind of actually the point. [407 Newbury St., Boston. 617.536.8437]

Runners-up: Sherman, Mariposa, Grand Prix Café

 

CHEAP EATS

BROOKLINE LUNCH

We all have that favorite neighborhood eatery to crash the morning after, to lazily fill up with the goodness of fried eggs, pancakes and bacon, with home fries all a-scatter and grateful mug-fulls of coffee. In a bar-raising move, Brookline Lunch does it all at an obscenely low price-truck-stop-sized platters barely breaking a fiver-a mystery we dare not pry into too closely. There's usually a long wait (and unpredictable hours) with one hard-working waitress always dependably there, but it's worth it for the surprises like goat or escargot small plates, a kickass hot sauce and homemade banana-eggplant-plum jam for your triangles of toast. [9 Brookline St., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.354.2983]

Runners-up: Mr. Sushi, Rami's, El Triunfo

 

CHINESE

SHANGHAI GATE

In the United Nations gastronomic clusterfuck that is Allston, Shanghai Gate holds up its end of the ethnic bargain with an authentic (and vaguely trendily styled) approach to Shanghai-skewed Chinese dishes. In a stark white restaurant space anchored by a maze of seats and a minimalist mural painted on the back wall, the restaurant serves up comfort food like lion's head casserole, large pork meatballs swimming among a flowing mane of soft cooked cabbage. Or if you'd rather play archaeologist, poke chopsticks deep into the Paradise mountain chicken's pile of chili peppers to successfully find the nuggets of tender, smoky meat. [204 Harvard Ave., Allston. 617.566.7344]

Runners-up: Potluck Café, Changsho Restaurant, All Seasons Table Restaurant

 

COFFEE SHOP

1369 COFFE HOUSE

If you serve good coffee, they will come. Cue caffeinated regulars reading the paper, chatting with neighbors, getting biscotti crumbs all over their laptops. With its extensive coffee, espresso and tea menu (plus plenty of pastries, snacks and take-home beans), 1369 is the kind of coffee shop that draws a friendly, eclectic set. At both the Central Square and Inman Square locations you'll find a mixed bunch of students, townies and commuters in comfortable café cohabitation. Coming here is an easy way to support local biz, and no one's stopping you from tipping the tireless baristas generously. [Two locations: Inman Sq. and Central Sq. 617.576.1369. 1369coffeehouse.com]

Runners-up: Boston Beanstock Coffee Company, Caffé Vittoria, Zume

 

DIM SUM

CHAU CHOW CITY

Tank-lined walls of this veritable seafood galleria make Chau Chow City Chinatown's dim sum capital. The vast, multi-level Chinese restaurant attracts club-goers for Mai Tais and plates of familiar favorites like tangy orange chicken and fried peppered squid on Saturday night until 4am. Come Sunday morning, early-risers grab dumplings from a hectic industry of rolling carts. If you've had enough Kung Pao chicken in your time, try a specialty like soup of eight delights with winter melon, sea conch with yellow chives or stewed abalone with mustard greens. [81 Essex St., Chinatown. Boston. 617.338.8158]

Runners-up: Mary Chung Restaurant, Hei la Moon, Shangri-La Restaurant

 

FRENCH

PETIT ROBERT BISTRO

Any place that promises "9 of Happiness" automatically gets a gold star (they mean the house burgerdog on a baguette ... or do they?), but Petit Robert Bistro deserves a trophy full of shiny escargots for its utterly tasty, totally affordable, tout francais dining experience. Nab something on the blackboard special (especially if you're not sure what it is), and sing yourself a little song called soupe à l'onion gratinée. They're not afraid to throw around the offal, which you'll forgive anyway with the last sweet crumbs of dainty macarons. Voulez-vous manger avec moi, ce soir? [Two locations: Kenmore Sq. and the South End. petitrobertbistro.com]

Runners-up: Les Zygomates Wine Bar & Bistro, The Hungry I, The Wine Cellar Restaurant

 

GOURMET SHOP

FORMAGGIO KITCHEN

Formaggio is our go-to place for sandwiches and soups. Seriously, we're in there every f'n day, so we can say with relative certainty that they're fine people. They're also quite adept at stocking specialty spices, salts and fennel pollen (we've got no idea what you'd do with that stuff, but if you do, you should get yours here), crazy-ass kinds of olives, freshly baked bread, several varieties of olive oil, gourmet pastas, crackers, candies and chocolates. And, of course, there's tons of cheese to be had. Both stores stock fine-and often affordable-wines from Italy and France, and while the Cambridge location is renowned for its cheese cave, we'll be eternally in love with the South End incarnation, which not only turns a blind eye when we gorge ourselves on the free cheese samples, but also keeps us stocked with 22-ounce bombers and 750s of hard-to-find beers. [Two locations: Cambridge and the South End. 888.212.3224 formaggiokitchen.com]

Runners-up: Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe, Salumeria Italiana, Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods

 

ICE CREAM / GELATO

JP LICKS

Boston has more ice cream shops per capita than ... whatever. You fill in your own metaphor; point is, we love us some ice cream here, and the competition is stiff. It's a testament to the quality of Vince Petryk's frozen creamed-crack, then, that JP Licks always comes out on top in these little exercises in democracy. The stuff is unnaturally delicious (except that it's all natural and homemade-WTF???), as is their home-roasted coffee. There's sorbet and lactose-free options for the lactarded, and yogurt selections for the weight-watchers. [Seven locations in JP, Newbury St., Coolidge Corner, Davis Square, Brigham Circle, West Roxbury and Newton Centre. jplicks.com]

Runners-up: Lizzie's Ice Cream, Toscanini's Ice Cream, The Gelateria, J.P. Licks

 

INDIAN

KASHMIR

With previous incarnations as a grad student, we know the gluttonous joy of the Indian lunch buffet and for its providence as such, glorious and good. However, there's undeniable value in more painstaking efforts for dinner, and Kashmir elevates the typical Tikka Masala meal into an experience fine and extraordinary. Start with buttery aloo paratha or try the Peshawary naan, a bread baked in a clay oven with dried fruits, shredded coconut and potatoes. Dosas, thin South Indian crêpes, can come stuffed with savory lamb or chicken, but save your stomach for homemade pistachio ice-cream as the sounds from the Newb lull you gently into night.

[279 Newbury St., Boston. 617.536.1695. kashmirrestaurant.com]

Runners-up: Namaskar, Royal Bengal Restaurant, Shanti

 

ITALIAN

VIA MATTA

Spaghetti and meatballs? How about maltagliati with shrimp, zucchini, lemon and thyme? Even Italian grannies need a little variety at the table. Under the direction of certified non-Italians Michael Schlow and Christopher Myers, this Back Bay destinazione puts a fresh, local spin on traditional Italian cuisine. Schlow's menu is highly seasonal and changes frequently, but whatever emerges from the kitchen is consistently, jaw-droppingly excellent. Pick amongst fish, game, and homemade pasta, or pony up $85 for a five-course tasting menu and let the kitchen do the deciding for you. [79 Park Plaza, Back Bay, Boston. 617.422.0008. viamattarestaurant.com]

Runners-up: Trattoria Pulcinella, Rialto Restaurant, Mare

 

LATE-NIGHT JOINT

THE FRANKLIN CAFÉ

Not many spots can swing with the Franklin Café when it comes to AM munchies. There are some late-night places where you have to queue with South Shore turbos just to lick the greasy spoon, and others where the food is swell but the ambiance is lacking. At the Franklin Café, in addition to sheer comfort and diverse clientele, items like the Boston Bog cranberry-vodka slam are ritualistically unique treats for being drunk and tired in this town. Rumor has it that the Pan Seared Local Cod even has a Beantown accent. [278 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston. 617.350.0010. franklincafe.com]

Runners-up: Ginza, Fugakyu, Pops

 

LIQUOR STORE

BLANCHARD'S LIQUORS

For anyone reading this too young to buy booze, stop reading, because it sucks to be you and this will only make it worse. Blanchard's refreshingly treats wine snobs and beer geeks with equal care. They stock six-packs, bombers and 750s of in-demand craft brews and European imports, and frequently discount their extensive wine stock. They often add to the wine-buying experience by providing free samples of the product. And, hey, even if you don't let the bottle breathe before you take a slug, take pride in knowing there's no better way to appreciate a good purchase than by being reeled in by free booze. [103 Harvard Ave. 617.782.5588. blanchards.net]

Runners-up: Charles Street Liquors, Downtown Wine & Spirits, Marty's Liquors

 

MEXICAN/CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICAN

OLÉ MEXICAN GRILL

Although it seems pretty foolish to spend one's last dollars on a bunch of smooshed avocadoes, the famed guacamole at Olé, freshly handmade at the table, may convince you otherwise. Paired with a handful of crispy chips and a frosty bottle of Tecate, life seems that much richer. The warm, relaxed spot purveys complex Mexican dishes such as legumbres en pipian oaxaqueño, stewed vegetables with pickled cactus in pumpkin seed sauce, and chiles rellenos de huitlacoche, poblanos stuffed with the darkly delectable corn fungus served with polenta. Save room for ancho chili chocolate tamales, or buy rounds of house margaritas and salty-spicy Micheladas 'til last call. [11 Springfield St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. 617.492.4495. olegrill.com]

Runners-up: Muqueca, Orinoco, Ole' Mexican Grill, Tacos El Charro

 

MIDDLE EASTERN

MIDDLE EAST RESTAURANT

You'll likely need some fuel if you're going to be jamming out all night at this mecca of music. Often overlooked as a dining option, this Central Square landmark has some of the tastiest, authentic Middle Eastern food around-particularly satisfying on a drunken, hungry night out. Typical dishes like hoomis, tabouly and shish kababs are all natural and made in-house, served with that unmistakable plastic bag of pita bread to sop up the stuff. Use your discretion while daubing the spicy harissa sauce about. And in case you're still in Central the next morning (wink wink), you can always stick around for pancakes at brunch. [472 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.492.9181]

Runners-up: Baraka Café, Brookline Family Restaurant, Lala Rokh

 

NATURAL FOOD STORE

WHOLE FOODS

Never has produce looked so orgasmic. Seriously. And just as it's hard to pick a featured vegetable or two to accompany your signature dish, you may find yourself unable to even leave the prepared foods section, rendering your kitchen useless for the night. Specialty diets are a cinch here too, with a multitude of options when there are such few elsewhere. Just remember to pace yourself and not come hungry. Otherwise, you may find yourself pawning delicacies off on your roommates (who will love you for it). But come now, food this good just shouldn't go to waste. [Five locations: Boston, Cambridge and Brighton. wholefoodsmarket.com]

Runners-up: City Feed and Supply, Harvest Co-op, Lionette's Market

 

NEWCOMER

GASLIGHT, BRASSERIE DU COIN

A brasserie is a pretty appealing kind of place: inexpensive and a little more unbuttoned, if you see where we're going with this. Brasserie means "brewery," manifested in a relaxed place to take in a meal of honest Parisian provisions. Gaslight, Brasserie du Coin (the Corner Brewery), debuted in the South End this year; look for classics among the nightly specials: coq au vin à l'ancienne with pommes purée on Wednesday; cassoulet toulousain with garlic sausage, lamb and duck confit on Sunday. Daily, look for bar steak with caramelized shallots and mustard cream sauce, and sautéed skate with haricots verts and caper beurre noisette. [560 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston. 617.422.0224. gaslight560.com]

Runners-up: Myers + Chang, Suvarnabhumi Kiri, Rocca Kitchen & Bar

 

OUTDOOR DINING

STEPHANIE'S ON NEWBURY

A longstanding Newbury Street institution, Stephanie's has proved to be a perennially popular spot to grab some lunch and sun while gawking at the pretty people as they teeter by. Its patio, one of the largest in the city, is also a pretty decent place to camp out and have a few thousand eyeballs trained on you, if that's your thing, which, since you're here in the first place, it probably is. Don't forget about the food in front of you, though; it'll likely be the best-looking dish you'll see all day. [190 Newbury St., Boston. 617.236.0990. stephaniesonnewbury.com]

Runners-up: Oleana Restaurant, The Neighborhood Restaurant, Garden of Eden

 

PASTRY

FLOUR BAKERY AND CAFÉ

Scrumptious scones, buttery brioches and cookies you won't be willing to share: The bounty of sweet treats beckons you from the open countertops of this South End favorite. Dive into a tart, bright "Lemon Lust" or the "Milky Way," chewy caramel and milk chocolate mousse. The sweetness of the place is in the space and staff as well as the food. Communal tables make the cheerful space even more cozy and the staff seems as if they were sprinkled with sugar crystals. [Two locations: South End and Fort Point. 617.267.4300. flourbakery.com]

Runners-up: Lyndell's Bakery, Clear Flour Bread Bakery, Petsi Pies

 

PIZZA

THE UPPER CRUST

The seven locations of the Upper Crust's empire throughout Boston are unified by pizza excellence, while individually reflecting their local environs. The Newbury eatery is efficiently upscale with pizza-box sculptures in the window, while the casual communal-table Beacon Hill location is a neighborly refuge for everyday appetites. Good news to the insatiable: Additional restaurants in Watertown, South End, and Downtown are in the works. The consistently tasty pizza boasts a thin, slightly but deliciously charred crust; and the selection of toppings-chorizo, gorgonzola and hearts of palm, to name a few-gives us some craaaazy ideas. [Three locations: Beacon Hill, Brookline, Newbury St. 617.723.9600. theuppercrustpizzeria.com]

Runners-up: Emma's Pizza, Pinnochio's Pizza & Subs, Picco Restaurant

 

HIGH END

EXCELSIOR

You've been waiting, eyes looking forlornly in the window with furtive glances at the menu, for the perfect occasion to blow a wad on a fantastic meal. So when old Uncle Moneybags knocks on your door, you can proudly take your sweetheart(s) to Excelsior, where an $80 tumbling seafood tower of green lip mussels et al and a $46 entrée of Maine Lobster Tail "Schnitzel" will make getting some absolutely foolproof. Downstairs, a more affordable menu of small plates, brick oven pizzas, and at-the-bar dishes keeps the plebes well-fed; when in doubt, blow the last $8 in your wallet on a plate of damn good French fries. [272 Boylston St., Boston. 617.426.7878. excelsiorrestaurant.com]

Runners-up: Icarus, O Ya, Sorellina

 

SANDWICH

CITY GIRL CAFÉ

City Girl Café turns the slap-dash midday sandwich grab into a chilled-out respite. This Inman Square spot features pizza, pasta and their trademark panini. If you manage to bypass specials like the butternut squash lasagna, or their Italian-themed baguette and focaccia sandwiches, pile ingredients like creamy roasted eggplant, tender baby greens, tomatoes and aioli onto a crackly Clearflour loaf. During a recent visit, co-owner Meredith Moscato hand-delivered lunch to the marble-topped table, chatted about our reading material and expounded on the wonders of local bread. [204 Hampshire St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.2809. citygirlcafe.com]

Runners-up: El Oriental de Cuba, Chacarero, The Carving Station

 

SMALL PLATES

TAPEO

No matter how many times people mishear you saying "tapas" as "topless" (seriously-mention your dinner plans at work and see who looks at you sideways), it's worth coming off as the office pervert for the small plates at Tapeo. The delicious tangy sopa de ajo (garlic soup), trucha al vino tinto (trout with red wine sauce and toasted hazelnuts) and codorniz de castilla (broiled herb and garlic quail stuffed with bacon) make these tapas triumphant. Dim and intimate for its bustling Newbury Street location, Tapeo also fills larger plates with Spanish specialties like their signature baked salted fish, pescado a la sal. [266 Newbury St., Boston. 617.267.4799. tapeo.com]

Runners-up: Dali Restaurant & Tapas Bar, Middlesex Lounge, Flat Iron Tapas Bar & Lounge

 

STEAK HOUSE

RUTH'S CHRIS

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a chain, yes. But it delivers on what they're known for, great steaks served impeccably. The décor is upscale, the dining rooms are spacious and the bar well-stocked. Sides, like the one-pounder baked potato or butter-sautéed mushrooms, are family-sized servings of mouth-watering awesomeness. We're totally cool with our own tendency to splurge on money and calories here, and you get what you pay for: A huge slab of perfectly cut and cooked beef, well-heeled neighbors and a great dining experience-if, of course, you're not distracted by the fact that Boston's seat of government used to reside where you're now dining. Eat up! [45 School St., Old City Hall, Boston. 617.742.8401. ruthschris.com]

Runners-up: Smith & Wollensky, Abe & Louie's, Grill 23 & Bar

 

SUSHI HIGH-END

OISHII BOSTON

The story of Oishii reads practically like a fairy tale set to the soundtrack of knife blades and sake pours. With a boisterious, tiny as a thimble but worth the wait unparalleled sushi bar on Route 9 in Chestnut Hill and another location in Sudbury, the Oishii empire's third location anchored on South End's Washington Street reaches new heights with a sleek modernist tilt, a lavishly experimental menu and prices to match. In addition to feeding the dining well-to-do with Japanese delicacies like ama-ebi with white asparagus yuzu, or madai with tricolor daikon and ikura with citrus pomegranate chaser, the purists' sashimi selection cleanses with fresh oceanic minimalism. [1166 Washington St., South End, Boston. 617.482.8868. oishiiboston.com]

Runners-up: O Ya, Douzo Modern Japanese Restaurant & Lounge, Uni

 

SUSHI ON A BUDGET

MR. SUSHI

Don't be fooled by the name-this is no plasticized mall food court counter. Instead, this no-frills Brookline storefront serves up sashimi and maki as good as any trendy joint, minus several superfluous dollar signs. All the fish is fresh and expertly prepared, and while the restaurant's décor likely won't be a selling point, the speed of service and quality of rolls certainly are. Nothing flashy here-just straightforward and raw, the way sushi should be. [329 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline. 617.731.1222]

Runners-up: Suishaya, Shino Express Sushi, Blue Fin

 

THAI

HOUSE OF SIAM

The South End's House of Siam satisfies our curry cravings with sweet, fragrant dishes like Shrimp in the Pot (shrimp, glass noodles, mushroom, celery, scallion in ginger sauce steamed in a hot pot), and Five King (sautéed shrimp, mussels, scallops, squid and fried fish in red curry sauce with peppers and basil). Check out the flamboyant Duck Delight, a roasted, batter-fried half-duckling, sauced and flamed at your table. With House of Siam's wallet-friendly prices, date night in the South End need not be cause for a second mortgage. [542 Columbus Ave., South End, Boston. 617.267.1755]

Runners-up: Pepper Sky's Thai Sensation, Dok Bua Thai Kitchen, Spice & Rice

 

VEGETARIAN

GRASSHOPPER

We're going to make peace between the meat-eaters and the vegetarians once and for all, okay? No matter what survivalist mantra may go on between the brain, mouth and stomach, anyone can appreciate awesome-tasting food that gives tribute to the humble plant-like peapods, taro and your best friend, soy. Grasshopper goes super-inclusive with an all-vegan menu (the Vegi-Squid is serious protein alchemy) and plenty of stir-fries with an Asian tilt. For the voracious among you, the monthly Sunday buffet for a hearty rousing (or nap-inducing) start to the week. All-you-can seitan: knock yourself out. [1 North Beacon St., Allston. 617.254.8883. grasshoppervegan.com]

Runners-up: My Thai Café, Veggie Planet, Organic Garden Café

 

WINE SHOP

WINE BOTTEGA

Despite its Old World-leaning location, this unexpectedly young, modern and experimental wine shop rightly aligns with North End's gastronomic vibe. Every week we look forward to Friday evenings at the Bottega-wine tastings downstairs with a relaxed, educational and delicious series of pours. Themes range from grape varietals to "Turkey wines" (handily featured on November 16), with occasional surprises like a recent German/Austrian wine tasting's inclusion of Styrian roasted pumpkin seed oil served with freshly baked focaccia. After picking the brains of the laid-back, experienced staff, don't be surprised when they produce a carefully hand-selected mixed case for you to enjoy at home. [341 Hanover St., North End, Boston. 617.227.6607]

Runners-up: Wine Gallery, Bauer Wine and Spirits, Brix Wine Shop