The past couple of years have brought an absolute explosion of exciting independent restaurants, bars and boutiques to the already-flourishing food scene in Boston—especially in the surrounding towns of Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline. The city's close-knit chef community is devoted to supporting New England purveyors year-round, resulting in menus that change fluidly with the seasons and keep diners on their toes. And while visitors rightfully seek out seafood-centric fare in the sea-hugging historic city (raw bar, anyone?), it's just as easy to track down an inspired scallion pancake sandwich or handcrafted plate of pasta as it is to find a splurge-worthy lobster roll.