Stuff Boston

There’s plenty of good eating to be found in the ’burbs — even without the involvement of a Boston restaurateur. Pony up a few extra bucks at the pump and check out some of our favorites.

Blue Ginger (583 Washington Street, Wellesley, 781.283.5790).
Thanks to charismatic chef (and TV personality) Ming Tsai, you’ve probably already been to Blue Ginger, the most famous of our suburban eateries. But with its recent renovations and expansion, we think it’s worth a fresh look. Tsai’s sophisticated East-meets-West cuisine is a welcome alternative to the standard, mediocre, suburban Italian joint.

Blue-Ribbon Bar-B-Q (1375 Washington Street, Newton, 617.332.2583; 908 Mass Ave, Arlington, 781.648.7427).
Barbecue is one of those hotly-debated cuisines — everyone seems to have an opinion about which Boston-area spot is best. We haven’t quite settled on a favorite, but we’re willing to swing by Blue Ribbon to sample the pulled pork again. And again. And again.

Coriander Bistro (5 Post Office Square, Sharon, 781.784.5450).
Sharon might feel a little bit like a foreign country to us city folk, but we’re seduced by Coriander’s brand of modern French with a local twist. Trust chef Kevin Crawley’s impeccable judgment with the five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu ($65) if you’re looking to truly put dinner in someone else’s hands.

The Fat Cat (24 Chestnut Street, Quincy, 617.471.4363).
We consider ourselves dog people, but we’re willing to make an exception here. When we talk about fabulous bar food, this is the sort of thing we mean. Think fried pickles, barbecue-pork nachos — and no one, and we mean no one, can stop raving about the lobster mac and cheese.

Haddad’s Ocean Café (291 Ocean Street, Marshfield, 781.837.2722).
Best. Fried clams. Ever. We advise coming in sandy and straight off the beach, craving a cold beer and some fried seafood. This place is no-frills, but dishes are fresh and delicious. Try not to piss off the surly fisherman perched at the bar.

Il Capriccio (888 Main Street, Waltham, 781.894.2234).
Il Capriccio’s upscale Northern Italian fare has been charming day-tripping diners for years. The prices might not be what you’d expect in the ’burbs, but then again, neither is the quality. Connoisseurs won’t find fault with Capriccio’s lauded wine list, either.

NewBridge Café (650 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, 617.884.0134).
We’ll be honest: we’ve never eaten anything here but the steak tips. But why mess with a good thing? The preparation is faultless, the fries are hefty and perfectly browned, and the marinade is worth licking the plate for.

Red Rock Bistro (141 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, 781.595.1414).
Seafood always tastes better on the water, doesn’t it? The fantastic skyline views match the caliber of the food here, and regular live music augments the atmosphere.

The Tap (100 Washington Street, Haverhill, 978.374.1117).
The food’s solid, but it’s not like we go here to eat. Instead, we tip back brews like HaverAle and Leatherlips I.P.A., and soak up the old-school pub feel.

Vela (312 Washington Street, Wellesley, 781.235.4449).
The Chowhounders seem quite divided about Vela. We consider that the best reason to give Vela a try and add your own opinionated review to the mix. Executive-chef/owner, Frank Santonastaso, has an eclectic Italian style that’s all his own.