It’s 7:30am, and as per usual, there’s already there’s a queue forming outside Iggy’s Bread on a quiet suburban street in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Actually, the only time you won’t see a line of hungry customers salivating in front of their hole-in-the-wall bakery is when there’s a hastily scribbled ‘sold out’ sign pasted on the door.

Iggy’s started in Massachusetts in 1994, and they’ve since taken their bakery model all over the world. And despite their laid-back appearance, Iggy’s are doing a roaring trade. As well as attracting droves to their bakery doors, they also supply some of Sydney’s top restaurants and cafes — many of which proudly specify their association with the Iggy’s brand. Although they’re well known for their sourdough, their French-style ficelle and bagels are also some of the finest artisan breads you’ll find around. So in case you’re wondering, yes, the queue is definitely worth it.

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While H.P. Lovecraft regarded The Music of Erich Zann as one of his greatest works, he could have never predicted that his prolific short story would some day be turned into an astounding short film.

Adapted by Jared Skolnick, a Massachusetts-based filmmaker and photographer, this award-winning rendition has screened at film festivals all over the globe: from Cyprus to California, New York to Oregon — even Lovecraft’s hometown of Providence, Rhode Island — bringing Zann’s music to the ears of all those brave enough to listen.

If your quest for the perfect Mexican pit-stop seems like seeking the lost city of gold, then you’ll feel like a proud explorer when you discover Dorado Tacos and Cemitas in Brookline, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston.

In this festive eatery, Chef Doug Organ’s fantastic fish tacos are heavy hitters. These palm-sized delicacies feature improbably fresh-tasting fish nestled on a bed of crispy green cabbage wrapped in a warm and flavorful corn tortilla. Try the namesake, a spicy dorado taco, battered, lightly fried, and topped with a pico-style salsa, chipotle crema and cheerful, peppery radish slices.

The cemitas — a Poblano street food sandwich — are a hit: spicy and saturated with layers of black beans, creamy avocado, feisty cilantro, chewy Oaxaca cheese, and your choice of chorizo, marinated steak, chicken, or portabella on a soft, egg-washed roll. Wet your whistle with a fruity agua de jamaica (hibiscus-ade) or an HFCS-free South American Coca-Cola (featuring actual sugar!).

With lively sides like charred jalapenos, vegetarian rice and black beans, and sweet-and-spicy Mexican-style pickles, no one – herbivore or carnivore – leaves hungry.

Just to seal the deal, Dorado features compostable packaging, low-flow water systems, and energy efficient lighting. Unlike that jive turkey Pizarro, you can walk away with a clean conscience.

Once the stomping ground of Julia Child, Cambridge, Massachusetts just outside of Boston, is replete with gastronomic delights. Innovative, modern cooking served in bank-vaults-turned-restaurants sit beside down-home cafes serving New England comfort food. Hi-Rise Bread Company in North Cambridge falls nicely into the latter category, dishing out absolutely addictive breads, cakes, sweets, and sandwiches. Here, diners sit at long, wooden communal tables — often elbow to elbow — while bakers scurry around the half open kitchen, pulling steaming breads and muffins out massive steel ovens. Whether you go for the hearty oatmeal with cranberries and walnuts or the infamous egg salad sandwiches or vanilla loaf, you’re these scrumptious New England treats are sure to satisfy. [photo via tinyurbankitchen]

There’s some fun, environmentally friendly toys and cards on the Hoopla website, a new gift company based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. They get most of their goodies produced in New England and always use recycled and reusable materials. We asked co-founder Hannah Lavon to tell us about the philosophy behind the business: ‘Our mission is simply to enjoy the fun-ner things in life. We make products that you just can’t help but laugh at — and with. We strive to make even the grumpiest old grump show us those teeth. Or at least those gums. Or dentures. Dentures are definitely funner. Lots of fizzing water glasses and they double as castanets. Light bulb! We feel a new product line coming on …’

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If Pharrell’s calling these guys ‘geniuses’, you’d better watch out! Chester French are Ivy League prep boys from Massachusetts who have mastered an interesting Beatlesque sound tinged with Motown influences. When, in May 2007, the duo — D.A. and Max — completed their recording and their degrees (in African American Studies and Social Anthropology respectively), they were snapped up by Pharrell Williams’ label Star Trak.

Massachusetts-based artist Caleb Neelon is staging his first West Coast exhibition — Caleb Neelon Is Working On It — at West Hollywood’s Carmichael Gallery between May 10 and June 1. He was the author and illustrator of the children’s book, Lilman Makes a Name for Himself, and has a new book of his art coming out this year through Ginko called Caleb Neelon’s Book of Awesome. [also read about the Anything Could Happen exhibition at the Carmichael Gallery]