Celebrity chef Mario Batali has a lot of love for Boston's food scene, which isn't a surprise considering he's opened a few ventures in the Hub over the years."The Chew" co-host is back in the city this week for the 2017 Inbound conferencein the Seaport, so expect him to stop by some of his favorite restaurants while he's in town. Batali tells Metro that he's a big fan of New England cuisine, emphasizing its focus on fresh, "farm to table" ingredients.

Batai praises the region's abundance of quality seafoods like shellfish, cod and lobsters, as well as its offerings of meat and cheeses. The decorated chef believes that Boston area restaurants consistently raise their game to meet the ever-changing needs of picky foodies.