Highlights of Boston

1. The hot lobster roll at Neptune Oyster, dare I say hands down the best lobster roll ever. As you are seated, you are handed a small slip of paper that lists the oyster offerings of the day, with descriptions of how they taste. Get at least a half-dozen; these are incredibly fresh and sweet oysters. Naturally, the kitchen's focus and specialty is seafood, so you would be wise to avoid the Neptune burger if you are there for lunch.

2. Clam chowder, because you are in Boston.

3. Boston cream pie, straight from the source at the (Omni) Parker House Hotel.

4. Dinner at Stella in SoWa (in the portmanteau fashion so popular these days). A short cab ride away from the tourist areas, and so affordable and tasty. Our party of four loved the perfectly cooked sea bass Siciliano, with capers and tenderly roasted potatoes, the roasted cauliflower side, and the grilled pizza with shiitake, cremini, oyster mushrooms brought to life with white truffle oil.

5. Italian pastries along Hanover Street in the North End. I didn't think I liked cannolis, but every one of the four I sampled over the weekend changed my mind. Mike's Pastry is the place to go.

6. Ice cream from Toscanini's. Everyone raves about the burnt caramel, with good reason. Rumor has it Toscanini's is sold at Whole Foods in Manhattan, but I've yet to verify this. Soon, though, soon.