In my other life, I'm a food reporter, and I wanted to suggest some new spots I'm incredibly excited about. I hope you can carve out a date night (or a friend night, or a solo night) for yourself amid the madness, too.
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And now, here are my recommendations. Deep breaths!
Bernadette
A friend celebrated her birthday at this French-inflected Salem spot last weekend. The verdict: "run; don't walk." Aaron and Shanna Chambers also run Settler nearby; Aaron, who's British, previously worked with star chef Daniel Boulud in New York City, for Tony Maws at Craigie on Main in Cambridge, and at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, a two-star Michelin destination in England. Get the heirloom tomato salad (while you can), steak tartare, and fruits de mer with lemon saffron spaghetti. They take reservations if you can plan ahead, or pop in for a perch at the 12-seat bar, which serves their full dinner menu. It's just a lovely refuge amid the traditional Salem fall frenzy. 65 Washington St., Salem, www.bernadettesalem.com
Bubble Bath Back Bay
Picture it: Somehow your friends' calendars all align, and you can slip away to the Back Bay for drinks. This is the place to do it: Tiffani Faison's sleek cocktail bar high atop the citizenM hotel serves over-the-top mixed drinks, champagne, and fancy party food that you didn't have to make yourself: miniature lobster sandwiches, steak tartare, smoked salmon. The vibe: festive, escapist, no 7 a.m. carpool wakeup. 408 Newbury St., Boston, www.bubblebathboston.com
Capri
A dreamy fireplaced patio, a prime South End address, and a comforting Italian menu: Bolognese, cioppino, garlic bread. This is the newest spot from the team behind the stylish, satisfying Prima in Charlestown, and here, there's an added perk for those of us driving into the city from the 'burbs: free parking in the lot next door. 500 Harrison Ave., Boston, www.capriboston.com
Darling
If you're feeling adventurous, head to this new dim sum and drinks lair in Central Square, with small plates from Mark O'Leary (JM Curley, O Ya, Shojo) and cocktails from Brian Callahan (Coquette, Tiger Mama). Libations are grouped by sensation -- fresh and cooling; gentle and vibrant -- while the menu is thrillingly unpredictable, ranging from the retro (shrimp toast) to the unusual (a filet o' fish-inspired bao with tartar sauce). It's a worthy update for the beloved former Mary Chung space and very babysitter-worthy. 464 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, www.darlingcambridge.com
Eva's Little Kitchen
A shoutout to this lovable new West Concord café with a Bedford sibling, run by mom-of-three Eva Badra. It's perfect for a workday pick-me-up when you really deserve a treat: sweet and savory danish; focaccia pizza; and a range of Middle Eastern specialties like homemade falafel and a signature labneh box, with za'atar flatbread, mint, veggies, and jammy eggs. 110 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, www.evaslittlekitchen.com
Lou's
An old-fashioned supper club in Harvard Square, with music, live entertainment, and excellent food courtesy of Jason Bond, who ran Cambridge date-night spot Bondir for years. The menu blends familiarity with friskiness: steak frites and roast chicken, but also seldom-seen grilled tilefish and gnocchi with walnut pesto. 13 Brattle St., Cambridge, www.wearelous.com
Nine Winters Bakery
Sometimes, you just need to treat yourself, and this Bow Market spinoff in West Cambridge is a cozy, succulent place to do so, with Korean-influenced sweets and savories: gochujang brownies, peanut butter chili crisp, and Gochujang Bolognese washed down with milk punch or chai. Exhale (for a minute). 292 Concord Ave., Cambridge, www.ninewinters.com
Nine
At long last, a special occasion replacement for No. 9 Park, featuring a gin bar and caviar service, with cuisine from former No. 9 chef Andrew Simonich. It's a definite splurge: Save the $180 chef's tasting menu for when you have something to celebrate (last daycare payment; finally paring down to one sport instead of three). 9 Park St. Place, Boston, www.ninerg.com
The Nightly
The talented Jeff Fournier (51 Lincoln, New Hampshire's Thompson House Eatery) returns to town at this test kitchen above The Daily Market in Dorchester. Stop in for a full dinner menu -- no reservations -- Thursday through Sunday. It's the ideal impromptu stop for better-than-bar-food delights: French onion dip and homemade potato chips, citrus yuzu chicken wings, cheese and charcuterie, and Aperol spritzes. 110 Savin Hill Ave., Boston, www.thenightlyboston.com