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Two Massachusetts Bistros Make Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants List

Two Massachusetts Bistros Make Bon Appetit‘s Best New Restaurants List Bon Appétit Magazine’s Best Restaurant List is like my foodie GPS. It’s the ultimate culinary compass, guiding me to flavor…

Photo of caviar. Bon Appetit names two Massachusetts Restaurants Best in the Country.
Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for GQ

Two Massachusetts Bistros Make Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants List

Bon Appétit Magazine's Best Restaurant List is like my foodie GPS. It's the ultimate culinary compass, guiding me to flavor nirvana.

It's like having a food-savvy BFF in your pocket. They've got taste buds of steel and a knack for uncovering hidden gems. I mean, who doesn't want a BFF who's always craving a culinary adventure?

The list is a living, breathing foodie bible. It's like Moses parting the Red Sea, but instead, it parts the sea of mediocre dining options, leading you straight to food heaven. No more wandering in a tasteless desert.

And it's not just about the fancy-pants places either. Bon Appétit isn't snooty. They'll steer you to food trucks, mom-and-pop joints, and hole-in-the-wall treasures. Every bite counts, and they know it.

Plus, they update that list regularly. Restaurants come and go faster than my self-control at a dessert buffet. Bon Appétit keeps their finger on the foodie pulse so you'll never be caught slurping last season's soup.

In a world where a bad meal can be a tragedy, Bon Appétit's Best Restaurant List is your comedy relief. It's like a food safari with a comedian tour guide, making sure your taste buds are laughing all the way to food utopia.

And TWO Massachusetts restaurants made the top 25 list in 2023.

Moëca, a seafood restaurant in Cambridge

According to Bon Appetit:
"Get the scallops at Moëca....Order the Cape Cod scallop, and you’ll receive a plump puck of meat seared then swathed in a heady green crab americaine (a reduction made from the shells of a local invasive species). You also must order the custardy semolina gnocchi topped with “scallop trippa alla romana."
"We’re excited to share that Moëca has been named one of @bonappetitmag ‘s 24 Best New Restaurants of 2023! Congratulations to our hardworking team!" they posted on their Instagram.

Rubato, a modern Hong Kong cafe in Quincy

According to Bon Appetit:
"Warm bolo baos, buttery fist-size buns with an irresistibly sweet crackly top, are wonderful on their own but sing louder when sandwiching slices of cold butter or craggy fried chicken thighs. Thick slabs of French toast gilded with condensed milk and cookie crumbs burst open to reveal a giddy gush of “lava egg yolk” custard.."

“This is unreal hungry fams,” Rubato posted on Instagram. “Recognition and accolades have never been the driving point behind what we do day in day out, but for a little mom and pop shop like ours to be seen, recognized, and celebrated is HUGE.”

Bon Appétit’s Top Restaurants of 2023

  • Bar Spero, Washington, D.C.
  • Brochus Family Tradition, Savannah, Ga.
  • Chilte, Phoenix
  • Dakar Nola, New Orleans
  • Ensenada, Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Este, Austin, Texas
  • Fishmonger, Atlanta
  • Heavy Metal Sausage Co., Philadelphia
  • Indienne, Chicago
  • Kann + Sousol, Portland, Ore.
  • Kono, New York
  • Kuya Lord, Los Angeles
  • Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit
  • Mamou, New Orleans
  • Maty’s, Miami
  • Moëca, Cambridge
  • Neng Jr’s, Asheville, N.C.
  • Noodle in a Haystack, San Francisco
  • Pietramala, Philadelphia
  • Pijja Palace, Los Angeles
  • Rubato, Quincy, Mass.
  • Seabird, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
  • Sedalia’s Oyster & Seafood, Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • Shuggies, San Francisco

The Top 9 New England Fall Food Festivals You Must Visit This Autumn

The Top 9 New England Fall Food Festivals You Must Visit This Autumn

Fall in New England is like nature's way of showing off, and if there's one thing we New Englanders know how to do, it's celebrate the season in style.

And by style, I mean devouring delicious food at New England fall food festivals!

If you haven't experienced the gastronomic wonders of New England during autumn, you're missing out on a mouthwatering adventure.

Picture this:

You're sitting by the sea, salty breeze in your hair, and a plate piled high with fresh oysters in front of you. That's right, oysters by the sea! New England's coastal charm and bountiful seafood make it the perfect place to slurp down some briny, succulent mollusks. At fall festivals, you can feast on these oceanic treasures while taking in the stunning waterfront views.

But it's not all about seafood.

New England takes the whole "farm to table" concept to a whole new level during the fall. You won't find food fresher than at these festivals, where local farms showcase their finest produce. Crisp apples, juicy pumpkins, and everything in between—these festivals are a cornucopia of autumnal delights. And let's be honest, who doesn't want to enjoy a slice of homemade apple pie or a hearty bowl of pumpkin soup on a crisp fall day?

Speaking of pumpkins and apples, they are the undisputed kings of fall in New England.

Pumpkin patches as far as the eye can see, apple orchards ripe for picking—you'll feel like you're in a fall wonderland. And the best part? You can taste the fruits of your labor! Freshly baked apple pies, cider donuts that practically melt in your mouth, and pumpkin-flavored everything—it's like autumn threw up in the best way possible.

But wait, there's more!

New England's fall food festivals are a testament to the region's culinary prowess. From clam chowder competitions to lobster roll showdowns, you'll be in seafood heaven. And let's not forget about the chowder. Creamy, savory, and oh-so-delicious, a steaming bowl of clam chowder is the ultimate comfort food on a brisk fall day.

New England's fall food festivals are a must-visit for anyone who wants to savor the flavors of the season in a picturesque setting.

Oysters by the sea, farm-fresh goodies, pumpkins, apples, and a whole lot more—these festivals have it all.

So, pack your appetite and get ready for a foodie adventure that'll leave your taste buds singing and your stomach happily full. New England, we salute your culinary delights!

The Big E, Sept. 15 – Oct. 1, Springfield, Mass.

The Big E in Springfield, MA is a fantastic food festival because it brings together the best of New England's culinary delights all in one place, offering visitors a chance to savor the region's iconic dishes and unique flavors. With a diverse range of food vendors, you can explore everything from clam chowder and lobster rolls to farm-fresh produce, ensuring that there's something to satisfy every palate at this epicurean extravaganza.

Fryeburg Fair, Oct. 1-8, Fryeburg, Maine

Pig scrambles, sheep dog trials, draft horses show, an anvil throw, a woodsman's field day? This is an outdoorsy person's NIRVANA. Not to mention the FOOD: BBQ, deep fried everything and homemade jams and other delights!

Billings Farm and Museum’s Harvest Celebration, Oct. 7-8, Woodstock, Vt.

OK, so there's traditional barn dancing, live music, pumpkin bowling, crafts and beautiful fall foliage. Guests can take a wagon ride through the pastures, husk and shell corn, and press apples into cider. And definitely try the cheese!

Connecticut Garlic and Harvest, Oct. 7-8, Bethlehem, Conn.

http://www.garlicfestct.com/

Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, Oct. 14, Newport, R.I.

Fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, chowder, fried calamari, clams, oysters, signature cocktails and cold beer accompany continuous live music, and family fun, all beneath the Wharf’s colorful tents. And it was voted one of the “10 Fabulous Fall Festivals on the Coast,” by Coastal Living Magazine!

Keene Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 14, Keene, N.H.

Giant pumpkin weigh offs, pumpkin pyramids, pumpkin illumination...this festival is a pumpkin-palooza. Orange you glad we suggested it? (Get it??)

Wellfleet Oysterfest, Oct. 14-15, Wellfleet, Mass.

t an oyster festival, you can expect to savor a variety of oyster dishes, including raw oysters on the half shell, grilled oysters with delectable toppings like garlic butter or parmesan cheese, and fried oysters for those who love a crispy crunch. These events often feature creative oyster-inspired recipes, such as oyster po' boys, oyster chowder, and oyster shooters paired with zesty sauces. With oysters harvested fresh from the sea, you're in for a briny, oceanic feast that celebrates this delectable mollusk in all its culinary glory.

Applefest at Wachusett Mountain, Oct. 14-15, Princeton, Mass.

At Applefest, you can expect a delightful array of apple-themed treats, from freshly baked apple pies and cider donuts dusted with cinnamon sugar to crisp caramel apples dipped in sweet, gooey goodness. These festivals also offer savory options like apple-infused sausages and hearty apple cider-based dishes, making it a true apple lover's paradise.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjl14FYp2wK/

Harvest on the Harbor, Oct. 25, Portland, Maine

Harvest on the Harbor is back for 2023, showcasing premier Maine distillers, brewers, oyster farmers, and purveyors of outstanding hospitality. Since 2007, this festival has delivered unforgettable culinary experiences. And it's on the harbor in Portland, which is a scene all by itself!