Massachusetts Best Restaurants 2010

Best Paella VIVA, Glendale Sharing is at the heart of Spanish dining, and nothing invites communal eating more than a steaming pan of paella. The full-flavored paellas for two or more ($27 and up) at this rural hotspot are as bold and bright as the chili-red and saffron decor. 14 Glendale Road (Route 183). 413-298-4433; vivaberkshires.com

Best Barbecued Ribs ROUTE 7 GRILL, Great Barrington Whether it’s the heritage pig breed or the slow-smoked dry-rub BBQ technique that makes the moist, meaty baby back ribs here so tasty yet lean, they’re guaranteed crowd pleasers. 999 Main St. (Route 7). 413-528-3235; route7grill.com

Best Licorice Selection ROBIN’S CANDY STORE, Great Barrington The whole world loves licorice, judging from the international origins of the 50-plus varieties found at this confectionery temple. Whether you prefer salty double zoute drops, caramel-brown salmiak bella, herb-infused laurel pastilles, long-lasting “marbles,” or even vegan and sugar-free varieties, look no further for your licorice fix. 288 Main St. 413-528-8477

Best Soft-Serve NORTHFIELD CREAMIE, Northfield An Upper Pioneer Valley institution for more than 50 years, this family-run take-out stand features dairy treats of all kinds, from regional ice cream brands to frappes made with farm-fresh milk. The rich, creamy soft serve is a must-have, dipped in one of a half-dozen flavored coatings and sprinkles. 62 Main St. 323-459-5499; northfieldcreamie.com

Best Casual Dining HOPE & OLIVE, Greenfield Delicious food, excellent prices, convivial setting: a cheerful spot emphasizing local grass-fed Black Angus burgers, organic salmon, and free-range chicken roasted with the season’s freshest vegetables and fruit chutney. 44 Hope St. 413-774-3150; hopeandolive.com

Best Variation on Surf & Turf ONYX FUSION BAR & RESTAURANT, Springfield Bringing Hawaiian pizzazz to the banks of the Connecticut River, this eye-catching restaurant features inventive Pacific twists on New England favorites; the snow crab and seared filet mignon sushi roll unites surf and turf in every bite. 1150 West Columbus Ave. 413-730-6699; onyxfusion.com

Best Multigrain Bread NASHOBA BROOK BAKERY, West Concord The seven-grain loaf is studded with bits of organic dates that lend it moisture and a hint of sweetness, perfectly balancing the tang of the sourdough base. You may find yourself consuming half a loaf in one sitting–it’s that good. 152 Commonwealth Ave. 978-318-1999; slowrise.com

Best Scones DORSET CAFE, Wellesley Hills The real thing: Enjoy subtly flavored citrus and currant scones plain or with traditional clotted cream or lemon curd. 352 Washington St. 781-239-8988; dorsetcafe.com

Best Southwestern Cuisine MASA, Woburn Finally, an exciting alternative to the Italian and Asian duopoly on suburban ethnic dining. Try the chorizo-stuffed sole, beer-braised pork, or fruit-glazed short ribs. 350 Cambridge Road (Route 3). 781-938-8886; masarestaurant.com

Best Comfort Food 15 WALNUT, South Hamilton Chef Sam Hunt is zealous about getting back to basics: baking bread, making sausages, curing meats, infusing vinegars, producing fresh mozzarella. Applying this yields his wonderful linguine with wood-roasted veggies and meatballs, or pizza topped with homemade pepperoni, sausage, and pancetta. 15 Walnut Road. 978-468-2434; 15walnut.com

Best Brodetto BRIDGEMAN’S, Hull Brodetto was originally a stew made from whatever catch Italian fishermen couldn’t sell. Next to such simple fare, the luscious brodetto served here–full of mussels, clams, shrimp, and fish in a fragrant tomato sauce over squid-ink pasta–is a cathedral beside a country chapel. It’s a rustic and hearty seafood lover’s dream dish. 145 Nantasket Ave. 781-925-6336; bridgemansrestaurant.com

Best Chocolate Fudge YE OLDE VILLAGE FUDGE SHOPPE, Hyannis A throwback to the era of tried-and-true family-run confectioners. The chocolate flavor is quite simply the creamiest and most chocolaty to be found, period. 576 Main St. 508-778-0350

Best Calamari GRACIE’S TABLE, Dennis Basque cuisine is the specialty at this cozy restaurant. That translates into robust tapas, such as stuffed calamari, a tender whole mantle filled with a garlicky mix of onion and Bayonne ham, roasted in a traditional spicy red-pepper tomato sauce. 800 Main St. (Route 6A). 508-385-5600; graciestablecapecod.com

Best French Toast CHACH, Provincetown Heavenly French toast ($7.50) is reinvented with vanilla custard instead of mere eggs and milk, for a taste and texture that produces audible exclamations of delight. 73 Shank Painter Road. 508-487-1530

Best Cheeseburger ATRIA, Edgartown The Brick Cellar Bar here serves the creme de la creme of burgers ($16): a juicy Angus patty, best ordered medium rare, on a well-glazed bun, garnished with melted cheddar, sauteed onions and mushrooms, and roasted tomato, accompanied by a salad and, if you like, crisp truffled shoestring fries ($2 extra). 137 Main St. 508-627-5850; atriamv.com

Best Mac & Cheese L’ETOILE, Edgartown This paragon of unstuffy high-end dining re-interprets comfort-food staples. Top honors go to the mac-and-cheese ($19), laced with fresh lobster and shrimp, tossed with parmesan and sharp cheddar melted into a rich bechamel, and plated with an arugula/watercress salad. 22 North Water St. 508-627-5187; letoile.net

Best Steak 21 FEDERAL, Nantucket The signature steak is a tender sirloin from all-natural free-range grass-fed Angus steer, served with perfectly crisp parmesan-dusted shoestring fries and seasonal vegetable accompaniment. Tasty enough to make a carnivore out of the most ardent seafood fan. 21 Federal St. 508-228-2121; 21federal.com

Best Global Fusion Cuisine TOWN, Nantucket Asian and Indian flavors combine with seasonal local ingredients to stunning effect. Juicy beef-and-lamb sliders with fresh-baked chapatis for buns, tempura escargot, amazing tandoori lobster, and fenugreek panna cotta give a hint of what’s in store. 4 East Chestnut St. 508-325-8696; townnantucket.com