First off, I'll just say that we've been doing this trip for > 10 years, so we know the area well and have our favorites. Yet we always try to eat or visit someplace new, and I find the reports from CapeCodGuy and Phelana especially helpful.

1st night: Pizza, salad, beer at Red Barn in Eastham while watching Sox in picnic area- a tradition, did not disappoint.

Other meals, in random order, include the following:

Hangar B breakfast- Sunday, around lunchtime. Ate outside, loved everything. I had ricotta pancakes, husand had red flannel hash, we shared a red velvet cupcake. No issues that some have reported. Loved it- fun and different.

Arnold's- we are Arnold's devotees. Went twice. Tried Friendly Fisherman a few years ago, and just didn't like it.

Pearl- Honestly, I think we go more for the atmosphere than the food. Food was OK, just not a big destination. French fries, to quote Phelana, are not worth the calories. We were able to eat on the roof deck, and service was good. I had fish tacos, which were fine.

Moby Dick's- ended up there for lunch, spur of the moment. Haven't been in a few years, but was quite good- food and service. I had a very good summer salad.

Land Ho- husband enjoyed his grilled fish, I always treat myself to fried scallops. Not so fun waiting and then being so close to the other diners. We also like the kale soup.

Hot Chocolate Sparrow and Sundae School- too good too often. Thank goodness for Willy's Gym and the bike trail!

Pate's (Chatham)- ended up there by accident, as we headed into Chatham on a Friday evening while both a baseball game, concert, and play were going on. Were trying for Red Nun, but couldn't get near it, so tried this without knowing anything about it. Felt like we were in a time warp based on the decor and clientele. Our college student waiter was nice and friendly, but service was painfully slow, while the food was surprisingly good. Still, we felt that we probably wouldn't go back.

Rosina's- Despite some mixed reviews, we always enjoyed it, particularly because of the patio dining. This time, when we arrived on a beautiful evening, we were surprised to see the patio empty, and tables weren't set. We went inside, didn't see any familiar faces, The hostess then went into a big shpiel about how they don't have a liquor license, are waiting for word from the town of Orleans, can't BYOB, 95% of people leave when they find out they can't have a glass of wine with their pasta, etc. etc. We perused the menu, had 2 teens with us, and just decided it would be easier to stay, though we had our doubts. We inquired about the patio and were told they wouldn't open it until 7/4 weekend (this was a few days prior) because it's "too much trouble." The menu was fairly basic, but we missed our Rosina's standards (seafood fra diavolo for him, shrimp fra diavolo for me). The teens and I all decided to play it safe with linguini and meatballs, and upon request, they agreed to make my husband pasta with fish in the sauce. The food wasn't bad, though the pasta and meatballs was prepared in a bolognese sauce, and this was the only option. We were going along okay as the only diners in the place (the few others had finished their meals and left), when we heard the waitress and hostess talking about us on the way into the kitchen (loudly saying "they all got spaghetti and meatballs...yes all of them...isn't that weird...well one got something else." We were annoyed by their bad manners, though not outraged. The outrage came when my daughter texted after leaving to say that a couple was outside dining on the deck. Sure enough, there they were. I almost went back and said something, but then decided it would be more effective to put it on Chowhound, and know that we will never be back.

Last day- traditional breakfast at Fairway in Eastham. Consistent and good, love their hash.

Oh and how could I forget- 2 trips to PB Boulangerie. Just had pastries and ate outside, but all was wonderful. Also, did the wine tasting and tour at Truro Vineyards this year. A nice thing to do on a gorgeous day. The 3pm tour still leaves most of your day free.

So that is it. Thanks to everyone whose posts have been so helpful to us.

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Hot Chocolate Sparrow
5 Old Colony Way, Orleans, MA 02653

Moby Dick's
RR 6, Wellfleet, MA 02667

Red Nun Restaurant & Bar
746 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633

Land Ho Restaurant
RR 6 Box A, Orleans, MA 02653

I agree with the above suggestions, but would also add Gourmet Decisions in Natick Center. It's a little farther from the Pike, but right near major roads (intersection of Rts. 27 and 30), so it's worth considering. Closed on Monday.

The favorite childhood place for which I'm so nostalgic is Tony's Villa. I imagine you went there too if you're from that area. Who knows if I'd like it as much as an adult, but we sure loved it as kids and teens.

I bought an especially good batch at the Whole Foods in Newton last Friday (Washington Street)

Try this maybe? I don't have personal experience with delivery or catering, but have eaten there in the past. I hope your friend does well.
http://jennifersgourmet.homestead.com/

thanks so much for posting this; I noticed it recently while riding by, and was wondering.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/12/0...

We recently tried Chinese Mirch, and liked it very much. My husband and I were the only non-Asian people (aside from our server)- usually a positive sign. The place was hopping on a Saturday night, but we were able to make a reservation by phone- not on Open Table. I could truly become addicted to the gobi appetizer if I ate there more often. We each had a soup, shared an app, shared a prawn dish and a noodle dish, and shared a dessert, with a little left to bring home, and didn't find it that expensive. I can see how it could add up.

This is a little farther out, but I had a memorable bread pudding recently at the Legal Seafood in Framingham/Natick. It was pumpkin, and when I commented on how good it was to the waitress, she said that the chef has his own recipe, which he varies, and will not sell it to the restaurant.

Cafe Mangal near Wellesley Square. Beware of the ladies who lunch, though- it can get pretty crowded.

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Cafe Mangal
555 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482

Anyway, Rendezvous used to be a Burger King and Lumiere was a Brigham's; neither reminds me of its origins when I'm lucky enough to dine there...

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Lumiere Restaurant
1293 Washington St., West Newton, MA 02465

I frequent the farmer's market on Natick common, which is on Saturday mornings, I believe 9-1. They seem to have some of the items mentioned by the OP, and I always see the Hmong farmer, and someone, I believe from Foxborough, with cheese. Keown Orchards and Tangerini's farm always seem to be there with a good variety and good quality. Parking isn't too bad usually. It's not that far from the city; right at the junction of 135 and 27, not far from Rt. 9

We were there several times during our June vacation; mostly breads and pastries to go, but we did have a pleasant breakfast there. However, my husband went back in late July to purchase more olive oil that they sell; it's imported from France, and they were having a tasting when we were first there. We paid $15/btl in June; when he went back a month later, they charged $23 for the same bottle. One was marked $15, so he complained to the cashier, a young student who didn't know what to do. When she asked, she was told that they had to charge the marked price, but they insisted the others were $23 due to a price increase. I think it's more like capitalizing on their fame, and we're now a little less enamored with the place.

Lumiere- it was wonderful. Too full to write more right now...

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Lumiere Restaurant
1293 Washington St., West Newton, MA 02465

We are just back from a week in Eastham; a little farther out than Chatham, but you should really take the kids to the National Seashore, especially if you're there for a week. Anyway, we love Arnold's for their lobster roll, chowder, and my husband can vouch for the fried clams. Don't be too deterred by the lines, as they keep things moving, but that being said, if you can avoid going between 5:30 and 6:30, all the better. They are right off the bike trail if you do any biking, and have a nice miniature golf course that is only a few years old. Be advised that they are cash only. I also love their onion rings. They do have a bar (and a raw bar), though I don't know how good the beer selection is.If you search this board, you will find another recent thread about it. The Yardarm in Orleans, not far from Chatham, is also good- very local and low key, and a lot of variety on the menu. Sundae School in Orleans is a favorite ice cream place of ours, and you could combine it with a visit to Nauset Beach (not Nauset Light) in the evening, and you might see seals (but bring bug spray for the tiny annoying kind).

Just back from our annual week in Eastham, where we hit up PB more than once. Note that they are closed on Monday and Tuesday. For those that wish to work off the calories, they are located right off the bike trail. Thus, we were able to bike there and back one day, and have breakfast on their beautiful porch. I had a yogurt parfait with a raspberry croissant. I brought a raspberyy brioche back for later and ended up letting my daughter have it, but the taste I got first confirmed it was fabulous. On our way back from boating at Gull Pond later the same day, we stopped and got a loaf of pain fromage, and it was so hot, it was hard to break off pieces. On our breakfast trip, there were some charming French men doing a tasting demo of their own olive oil, which they're importing from France. We met the chef/owner of PB while talking to them- he was very nice and gracious. The fruit tart is to die for, and they decorate it with some real flowers. They also have two herb gardens outside. I have to agree about the iced tea, as I would have loved one, and my teen daughter and her friend ate lunch there, and were surprised to find no salads on the menu. Otherwise, it truly lives up to the hype, and I will no doubt have to put in some extra gym time this week as a result...

What about Summer Shack at Alewife? It gets mixed reviews, but not awful, on the board, but it's large, can accommodate noise and big groups, and even has hot dogs and slushies on the menu. It's one of my teen's favorite places.

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Summer Shack
149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02140

There is also Lola's in downtown Natick, on Rt. 27. I was only in there once quite a whle back; it's also small. And there is one farther out on Rt. 9E in Southboro in the same block of stores as Tomasso Trattoria, perhaps owned by the same people? Sorry, don't remember the name.
http://www.lolasnatick.com/

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Tomasso Trattoria
154 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772

There's a nice independent coffee shop called Brewed Awakenings. It's in South County Commons.in Wakefield. Alos, we like Trio in Narragansett, Nice outdoor dining, and I love the chowder.

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Brewed Awakenings
1395 Atwood Ave Ste 110, Johnston, RI 02919

Skipjack's on Rt. 9 has a room that can be closed off, and I have generally had good experiences there (just dinner, not a function). A little farther out, but not too bad, is Arturo's in Westborough (Rt. 30). Don't know if they do luncheons, and haven't been there in quite some time, but it's not a chain, the owner seems very nice, and they do have a room that can be closed off. I've always liked it in the past, but have not been there recently.

whatever you do, don't get french fries. They've changed them, and it's not that they were great before, but they're limp and awful now.

Another good option that's just a little farther away is Gourmet Decisions in downtown Natick. From NWH, you would go left on 16W to 135; continue west on 135 until you get to downtown Natick. It's a bit tucked away. They have great breakfasts.

Agree- I have always gotten good things from Rosie's in the past. They like you to order, but they usually have some items available in case you don't. Also, I was at Whole Foods on Rt. 16 in Newton last night- they have some honey cakes and chocolate covered matzah. I think they will have more next week, which may not help you.

I know you have more choices than time at this point, which will hopefully mean that you can save some for future visits, but I do think Dante could be a good suggestion, both for its food and location. Unfortunately, their patio won't be open at that time of year. We went there for brunch last year on Father's Day; it was a miserable, rainy day (like most of June, unfortunately), but my daughter (the Subway fan), loved it, and tasted her first carbonara there, which is Dante's grandmother's recipe. Another place that hasn't been mentioned, just to throw it out, is 75 Chestnut, in Beacon Hill. You will find posts on the board about it. The area is very charming and a historic part of Boston. The food is good, though I wouldn't say that it's a destination or anything. I took a relative there for dinner who was visiting from Florida, and just loved it (he had fish and chips, and likes the fish better up here). As for the water, it depends on where you are- we've usually liked Boston water better than Cambridge, but in general, I think tap water is good around here. And I'm not pushing the idea, but I do think Summer Shack is worth keeping on the list if it fits anywhere- I think you'd both enjoy it.

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75 Chestnut
75 Chestnut Street, Boston, MA 02114

Summer Shack
310 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

We are from the metro Boston area, and toured some colleges in NE last month. My daughter's favorite "restaurant" is Subway, so I live in your world. A few random recommendations are as follows: in the Amherst area, we had dinner at the Rt. 9 diner, and the three of us really enjoyed it; I more than I expected. Friendly service, good food, generous portions, reasonable prices, jukeboxes, etc. Greek emphasis on the menu. We had lunch the following day at Bistro 63 at the Monkey Bar, which we also enjoyed. For Providence, you may want to check the New England board (southern); there is a lot on Providence. For ethnic, I would suggest trying Rhode Island clam chowder- it's kind of a hybrid of manhattan and New England styles (broth is a little tomato based, but watery, not thick). We like Pastiche for pastry, a little European style pastry/coffee shop. For seafood in Boston/Cambridge, you may want to consider Summer Shack- it's gotten mixed reviews on the board, but many have recommended it for visitors such as yourselves. It's not a shack per se, but they do specialize in fish, casual atmosphere, both locations are convenient to the subway. It is one of my daughter's favorite places. Also, we ate breakfast at a sort of funky local place in White River Junction, which would be convenient for your Dartmouth trip. I don't remember the name, but my husband may. I do remember the homemade bread, and homemade hash, and very local flavor. I hope you enjoy your trip; this sure has changed since my time...

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Summer Shack
310 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Gourmet Decisions is also a good lunch place- soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. Note that they're closed on Monday. They also serve dinner several nights a week, but I haven't tried it. If you head out a little farther on Rt. 9 to Westborough and Southborough, there is some good Italian: Arturo's in W, and Trattoria Tomasso in S. Ziti's is good for casual Italian- one is at the golf course on Speen St. in Natick, and the other is in a strip mall on Rt. 9 E in Westborough. Some of my other favorites that have been mentioned already are Sel de la Terre and Rasoi. We have generally had good experiences at Skipjack's- it's pretty reliable for fish. We ate at Legal in Framingham last weekend for the first time in ages, as we had a gift card. We had an Open Table reservation, and took first available, which had us seated at a tall booth in the bar area in 5 minutes. Food was quite good, but it was incredibly noisy, and I just found it really annoying that people were standing so close to our booth, near the bar. Servers had to clear a path coming from the kitchen, and some woman's purse was nearly hanging over my water glass.

Hi- We are from Metrowest (MA), so not totally unfamiliar with NE, but less so with western MA, NH, and VT. We are visiting several colleges during my daughter's upcoming February break, and would appreciate restaurant recommendations. Our itinerary is as follows: UConn Tuesday afternoon, driving to Amherst, where we are staying overnight on campus. So probably dinner in Amherst area that night. Wednesday, UMass visit, then driving to Burlington VT, where we are spending the night and touring UVM the following day. Then driving to Portsmouth, where we are staying over Thursday night, and visiting UNH on Friday, then heading home (thank goodness). So recommendations for any and all meals would be most welcome. I would like to try The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, but other than that, we are pretty wide open. Husband is on a heart healthy diet, but likes everything, and most places can accommodate that anyway. The teenager is a little fussier; favorites include Italian, pizza, Mexican, "American," e.g. chicken, steak, salads. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Thanks, you're right. Also, Blue Moon is in Medfield, not Millis- my mistake.

Hi- We did the same move in the early 90s. I still work in Boston, so get my city fix, but for dining, I'm usually in Metrowest. Many of our favorites have been mentioned, but I'll provide a list anyway:
Breakfast: Gourmet Decisions, Natick, Budabing Millis, Sunshine Cafe, Ashland, Maugus Wellesley, Galante, Medway
Subs/sandwiches: Oliva's is great, but for convenience, try Holliston Superette- friendly people, do a lot for the community. They have slices of Framingham Bakery pizza (the kind you get at the Italian bakeries in Medford) individually wrapped at lunchtime. My husband likes the crepes at Pejamajo; I have not eaten there. For pizza, I agree that there isn't much in the area; we usually get it at Sweet Tomatoes on Rt. 16 in West Newton, as I go on the way home. A go-to dinner place is Prezo in Milford- they have the full menu in the bar, lots of craft beers, fun place to watch a game, though they run out of seats early. If you don't want the bar, you can make a reservation on Open Table We had a great meal at Sel de la Terre at mall last weekend, and Nordstrom Bistro is a standby as well. My standard meal there is the salad nicoise with salmon. Haven't been to John Stone's lately, but always used to like it. Ate at 3 in Franklin a while back and liked it. If you like Mexican, check out Aztec on 135 in Framingham. Haven't been there for a long time, but people feel it's better than the chains, e.g. Acapulco. You might like Mango in Milford for Thai. You're right about Patriot Place having some options- if you go, take the back roads- go to Millis, take 115 through Norfolk, then Rt. 1. Also, if you head to Westborough, there is Arturo's, which is good Italian, Ziti's, also good Italian in a storefront type atmosphere (owners originally from North End, friendly service, good specials), and a Tavolino's opened in the fall (I haven't been there, original location at Patriot Place). There is another Ziti's that opened in 2009 on Speen St in Natick at the golf course. There is also a middle Eastern place in Westborough whose name is escaping me right now. They have a location in Worcester, I'm sure it's famliar to someone. Also, for coffee, tea, iced tea, sandwiches, etc. I like Coffee Sensations in Medway, and Blue Moon Bistro in Millis is good- they have a more extensive bakery, and get in a lot of Jewish items for the holidays. The Wine House in Holliston is worth checking out for wine and snacks, and they have tastings and classes- you can get on their email list. From this, it probably sounds like I get out a lot more than I do, but actually I have a teenager, who is happy with Subway, Bertucci's, etc.! I hope you enjoy Holliston- it's definitely an adjustment, but I don't regret it- my daughter has been in the school sytem from kindergarten on, and is halfway through HHS- while nothing's perfect. I think she's getting a wonderful education. Best of luck.

I agree with Maxwell's and Sel de la Terre, but you also may want to consider Gourmet Decisions, which is adjacent to Dolphin Seafood (but not affiliated). We have been there many times for breakfast and lunch and have always enjoyed the food, service, and atmosphere; I can't comment on the dinner, but the menu is on-line.