They may differ in character, but one thing all summer destinations have in common is a plethora of possibilities for good eating, ranging from simple seafood shacks to elegant oceanfront dining rooms. Following are some options worth checking out in four popular areas, along with places where you can enjoy that getaway feeling even if you're stuck in the big city. Note: not every place listed accepts reservations and some are seasonal, so call ahead.
California Wine Country
Tried-and-true
Bistro Don Giovanni:
This Napa Valley darling bustles every night thanks to satisfying Italian cucina and a Tuscan villa–like setting (707-224-3300).
Bistro Jeanty:
Rub elbows with Napa wine notables at Philippe Jeanty's casual and friendly French bistro (707-944-0103).
Domaine Chandon
Domaine Chandon:
Though it's being relaunched in June with a new name (Etoile), design and tweaked menu, what hasn't changed at this long-standing restaurant attached to the sparkling winery is its bucolic surroundings and emphasis on the namesake bubbly (707-944-2892).
French Laundry:
Thomas Keller's burgeoning empire hasn't detracted from his fabled Yountville French–New American that started it all (707-944-2380).
Hana Japanese Restaurant:
The simple Sonoma setting belies chef-owner Ken Tominaga's impeccable sushi and Asian-Euro dishes (707-586-0270).
John Ash & Co.:
For a quintessential wine-country experience, head to this Cal classic in Santa Rosa's Vintners Inn (707-527-7687).
Up-and-coming
Annalien:
Small plates of contemporary Vietnamese vittles provide wine-country visitors a break from the Napa culinary norm (707-224-8319).
N.V.:
This cosmopolitan Californian newcomer is luring Napa night owls with a late-night lounge menu served till 2 AM (707-265-6400).
Redd Restaurant:
"A new star has risen in Yountville" report early visitors to chef-owner Richard Reddington's New American entry (707-944-2222).
Wine Valley Restaurant:
Affordable, unpretentious Cal-Italian fare complemented by regional wines is attracting locals to this St. Helena arrival (707-963-3371).
If you're stuck in San Francisco
Hog Island Oyster Bar & Co.:
Watch the boats come and go from the outdoor communal picnic tables of this Ferry Building bivalve bar (415-391-7117).
Jeanty at Jack's:
For classic French bistro fare, try Philippe Jeanty's Downtown boîte – it's a lot closer than his rustic Yountville outpost (415-693-0941).
Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket
Tried-and-true
American Seasons:
This foodie's dream in Nantucket serves regionally themed Americana in a space decorated with folk art (508-228-7111).
Beach Plum Inn:
A view of Menemsha's harbor enhances the New American fare at this Martha's Vineyard favorite (508-645-9454).
Chesca's:
Long waits in high season attest to the popularity of this Martha's Vineyard Eclectic-Italian with a particularly romantic porch (508-627-1234).
Chester:
Considered a must in Cape Cod's Provincetown by fans of its New American fare and ultracivilized air (508-487-8200).
Chillingsworth:
This Brewster New French may be a splurge but it's among the crème de la crème on the Cape (508-896-3640).
Front Street:
A longtime Cape Cod crowd-pleaser, this Provincetown grotto offers Continental fare as well as Italian classics (508-487-9715).
21 Federal:
Synonymous with fine dining on Nantucket thanks to high-end New American fare and a classy setting in a 19th-century cottage (508-228-2121).
Eldredge Room
Up-and-coming
Détente:
This elegant Edgartown entrant entices Vineyarders and locals alike with its New American menu and polished setting (508-627-8810).
Eldredge Room at the Queen Anne Inn:
The inn may still channel the Victorian era, but its made-over dining room now serves cutting-edge American cuisine on the outer Cape (508-945-2990).
HannaH's Fusion Bar & Bistro:
Asian fusion fare plus sake cocktails and sushi make for a change of pace on Cape Cod (508-778-5565).
Sharky's Cantina:
Another change of pace, this one providing Vineyarders with Tex-Mex eats and flowing margaritas (508-693-7501).
If you're stuck in Boston
Anthony's Pier 4:
During the summer, this waterfront institution is offering diners free trolley service to and from the concert series at the Bank of America Pavilion (617-423-6363).
Tavern on the Water:
Now that this Charlestown Navy Yard mariner is under new ownership, the American menu may finally match the outdoor deck's serious views (617-242-8040).
East End/Hamptons
Tried-and-true
American Hotel:
This Sag Harbor classic serves French-American fare in an atmosphere that blends 19th-century charm and Hamptons chic (631-725-3535).
Della Femina:
A perennial East Hampton fave thanks to its New American fare as well as its prime people-watching (631-329-6666).
Duryea's Lobster Deck:
Fresh-off-the-boat fish, sunset views and an ultracasual setting sum up the appeal of this seasonal BYO seafooder in Montauk (631-668-2410).
Harvest on Fort Pond:
Bountiful portions of Italian-Med fare and views across Fort Pond distinguish this romantic Montauk outpost; booking an inside table can be tough, but there's always the no-reserving garden (631-668-5574).
Nick & Toni's:
This rustic East Hampton Mediterranean is known for its sophisticated seasonal fare and celeb-dotted crowd (631-324-3550).
Starr Boggs:
Noted East End chef Starr Boggs dishes up imaginative food in a beautiful setting at his seafood-centric New American in Westhampton Beach (631-288-3500).
Up-and-coming
Almondito:
The owners of Bridgehampton's ultrapopular French boîte Almond are behind this gently priced Wainscott Mexican yearling (631-329-6700).
Annona
photo: ADM Advertising
Annona:
High-end Italian in an offbeat location: the second floor of a Westhampton Beach luxury car dealership selling Bentleys, Rolls and the like; there's a patio too (631-288-7766).
CoCo:
Set in the Maidstone Arms, one of East Hampton's oldest inns, this American's charming setting includes several fireplaces and a pretty patio (631-324-5008).
Madame Tong's:
Elaborate decor, a tree-lined patio and a Chinese menu supplemented by a solid sushi lineup star at this Southampton yearling from Jean-Luc Kleefield (631-204-0300).
Trata East:
Seafood gets the Greek treatment at this Water Mill spin-off of NYC's Trata
Estiatorio (631-726-6200).
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If you're stuck in NYC
Ditch Plains:
Named for the Montauk surfer's beach, this diminutive Village newcomer offers a decidedly urban take on the classic fish shack (212-633-0202).
Water Taxi Beach:
This seasonal Long Island City beach bar, opening March 26th, is situated on 400 tons of trucked-in sand and offers sweeping Manhattan skyline views (www.watertaxibeach.com).
Jersey Shore
Tried-and-true
Blue:
A sophisticated, seasonal Surf City BYO serving Cal-Eclectic fare in a sleek space (609-494-7556).
Bobby Chez:
Two words – crab cakes – say all you need to know about this Margate link in a mostly take-out South Jersey chain (609-487-1922).
Ebbitt Room:
This Cape May class act offers New American fare (and piano music) in a charming boutique hotel (609-884-5700).
Matisse:
Fab ocean views enhance the New American fare at this Belmar BYO (732-681-7680).
Moonstruck:
High-class Mediterranean fare and a romantic vibe make this Asbury Park spot a North Shore favorite (732-988-0123).
Red's Lobster Pot:
A little bit of Maine in Point Pleasant Beach describes this BYO seafood shack with a perfect beach bum atmosphere (732-295-6622).
Steve & Cookie's By the Bay:
Channeling Martha's Vineyard in Margate, this New American draws crowds from Philly and points beyond (609-823-1163).
Washington Inn:
Wine choices abound at this Cape May standout where a 900-bottle list augments the American fare (609-884-5697).
Up-and-coming
Copper Fish:
An airy setting and eclectic seafood dishes are helping this dinner-only New American settle into the Cape May scene (609-898-0354).
Mia:
Legendary Philadelphia restaurateur Georges Perrier (Le
Bec-Fin) bets on Atlantic City with this dinner-only Italian in Caesars on the Boardwalk (609-348-4411).
Washington Square
If you're stuck in Philadelphia
Jamaican Jerk Hut:
Escape to the backyard of this Center City Jamaican featuring curry and jerk dishes, tiki torches and steel-drum bands (215-545-8644).
Washington Square:
Every Sunday throughout the summer (noon–8 PM), Stephen Starr's stylish New American cooks up an "All-American Barbecue" that's best enjoyed on the outdoor patio paired with its signature "cocktails for two" (215-592-7787).