Dante
Okay, so the guy went and named a restaurant after himself. Clearly, chef Dante de Magistris is focusing his subtlety elsewhere—on, for example, his nuanced dishes. In actuality, each is served with a side of humility; he and his brother Filippo are in the house most nights, seeing to it that the eatery is far less about fanfare than about making regulars out of newcomers. The offerings range from humble (arancini with truffle honey) to homey (handmade gnocchi with pancetta, almonds, and pecorino), and by virtue of the high-quality ingredients (bavette steak with truffled cauliflower), ultimately soar. 40 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 2141, restaurantdante.com.
Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions
Photograph by Michael Piazza To be clear, the word " delicatessen" in Moody’s moniker is not meant to imply eats of the kosher Jewish variety (though after a bite of the piled-high pastrami sandwich or peppery corned-beef version, you may be convinced otherwise). No, this Waltham destination sets out to celebrate every kind of animal protein, with the most astonishing breadth of fastidiously house-cured and smoked meats you’ll find anywhere in the area (all of which, of course, still pair perfectly with a side of house bagel chips and a can of Dr. Brown’s cream soda). 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 2453, moodyswaltham.com.
Tirado Photography
After the plates have been cleared and the last floral arrangement spirited away, what remains of the wedding day is the photos. Couples who entrust these all-important mementos to husband-and-wife team Rene and Melissa Tirado get an album's worth of artistic black-and-whites and unique candids, plus whimsical group shots that are a world apart from the police-lineup feel of formal portraits. All of which makes it possible for brides and grooms to catch the moments they missed (and remember what, exactly, those flowers looked like) long after the final confetti has flown. 148 Russell St., Peabody, MA tiradophotography.com.
Mr. Sid
In the 21st century, Boston's been getting used to the idea of dynasties, what with the Red Sox winning two World Series championships and the Patriots a trio of Super Bowls. Mr. Sid has similarly dominated its field: Since 2000 the family-owned men's clothing mainstay has taken the hardware every year this Best of Boston category has been judged. Add that streak to its continued strong performance in custom fitting (with seven in-house tailors), selection (running from Agave to Zegna), and amenities (free cocktails enjoyed before vast flat-screens), and it's clear why men are still walking out of Mr. Sid looking like winners. 1211 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, mrsid.com.
French + Italian
“Look on the bright side” is owner Aimee Lombardi’s motto — something she made very clear over the past year with her selection of cheerful cobalt-blue cashmere crews, citron flats, and yellow track pants. Rolling with the times, the stylish shopkeeper focused on keeping shelves filled with WFH threads that could be Zoom-ready on top, and completely comfy on the bottom — think cardigans and flowy skirts from superstar European lines like Molli, Acne Studios, Ganni, and Sofie D’Hoore. The best part? Every last piece transitions seamlessly to any post-vaccine brunch and vacation plans. 119 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, frenchitalian.com.
<em>The Donkey Show</em>
Follow the glitter trail to Oberon, where nearly every weekend, a blizzard of pixie dust transforms the cabaret into an immersive disco inferno. This lamé-and-polyester-sheathed version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—an ode to both the Bard and Studio 54—may have launched in New York, but its 2009 revival in Cambridge gave it new life: After throwing 800-plus dance parties in the venue (christened in honor of the show’s Shakespearean fairy king turned sleazy nightlife impresario), it’s clear this disco is far from dead. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 02138, americanrepertorytheater.org/oberon.
Dragon Pizza
NINA GALLANT These pies clearly show a passion for the art of pizza-making without being too precious for a Tuesday-night snack. Toppings are top-notch and cover every craving: There’s the ruddy spice of house-made red-wine-and-garlic sausage. The sweet-and-salty dialogue between bacon and drizzles of chili-spiked maple syrup sourced from a sugar shack in the Adirondacks. Even citrus accents to balance the richness in Dragon’s lemon-chicken pizza, a nod to the signature dish at the late, great Hamersley’s Bistro. Read more 233 Elm St., Somerville, MA .
Grampus Trippel, North East Brewing Company
North East brewmeister Dan Paquette is one to watch, mainly because his Grampus Trippel is one to drink. Served up in a 10-ounce brandy snifter that lets you see its clear amber color and appreciate its aroma, the trippel is fermented with a yeast strain from Belgium's Westmalle, one of only six Trapist breweries in the world. And while this Belgian-style ale may be the of Paquette's lot so far, keep an eye on the horizon. He's churning out brews that no one else in New England—let alone Boston—is concocting. 1314 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA .
Furniture by Dovetail
In the traditional-furniture smackdown, the allure of an artisan hunched over his work right here in Massachusetts always wins out. So in Dovetail, a 20-year-old family-owned company based in Holden, just 50 miles from Boston, it was clear that we had our champ. Using hand-selected hardwoods, these folks turn out masterfully crafted, individually signed Shaker, Mission, Arts and Crafts, and Prairie furnishings, as well as custom work fit for any Ivy League reading room. Which, since Dovetail counts Harvard, Yale, and Princeton among its customers, only stands to reason. 2284 Washington St., Newton Lower Falls, MA 2462, furniturebydovetail.com.
Nine Zero
Hip enough for Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, yet sophisticated enough to attract the likes of Bill Clinton, Nine Zero treats all its guests like celebrities—even the penguins en route to the San Diego Zoo that it accommodated in 2007. With daily wine hours, pet-friendly services, and charming themed suites (including the presidential Cloud Nine), we give Nine Zero a clear 10. Book the Skyline View rooms and your loaner iPad will come preloaded with tourist tips, a music library, even retail-therapy apps. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA ninezero.com.
Alisa Neely, Scout
Bolstered by a fashion design background (she cofounded the children's line Due Sorelle), the 37-year-old Neely has earned raves for her hip and highly practical consulting services, which mix the affordable (H&M, Anthropologie) with the high end (Barneys, Dress). Free advice: "Trends come and go very quickly, so it's best to steer clear of extremes. The really skinny jeans Kate Moss would wear don't work on everyone; a straight leg in a dark denim with dressy heels would be better." Boston, MA
Fugakyu
This giant temple to raw fish may look like a Zen sanctuary, but don't expect any peace or quiet. Between the circular sushi bar's clamor and the bustle of waitresses trying to keep up with the relentless demand for maki, it's difficult to meditate on the menu, let alone anything else. But then the reason for all this fuss arrives at your table: shining piles of pliant, deep ruby mahuro sashimi, briny and sweet abalone, luscious and firm yellowtail maki, and buttery, sweet toro. The exotic and artistically rendered fish here is unrivaled in the city—but even that, like the rest of Fugakyu, is more mind-blowing than mind-clearing. 1280 Beacon St., Brookline, MA fugakyu.net.
Arthur & Pat's
Arthur & Pat's, in the words of one sage local, "doesn't cater to the fancy-pants crowd." And indeed, the restaurant's worn exterior, wooden signs, and random rock soundtrack are unabashedly down-home. But if those details create a misperception of slapdash management, it's immediately cleared up by the glorious grub. We're talking fluffy pancakes with piles of berries; eggs Benedict with real crab; crispy, greaseless fried clams; bottomless cups of strong, hot coffee. After your meal, you may feel tempted to undo your belt—and given the easygoing air, it'd almost be acceptable to do so. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .
Beehive
It's easy to agree on where to mingle if you and your posse are bent on skimming from the same pool, whether that's just-graduated daddy's girls (Foundation Lounge), martini-swilling cougars (Cuffs), or baseball-capped frat dudes (Clery's). Finding a pheromone-drenched locale that covers a variety of predilections is a much taller order. The South End's Beehive measures up nicely, drawing a clientele as diverse as its all-star team of bartenders and as tasty as the cocktails they stir up. And whether you're seeking a tattooed hairstylist or a sweater set-clad preppette, the uncharacteristically well-lit (for a bar) space means you'll get a clear view of your quarry. 541 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2115, beehiveboston.com.
Heirloom Pictures
Ask any newlywed couple about their wedding, and you’ll hear a familiar lament: "It was over in a flash." You can’t stop time—but you can enlist Marcella Hoekstra, owner of Heirloom Pictures, to help make the magic last. The RISD grad excels at capturing the moments that mean the most (your heartfelt vows, the hug you gave your maid of honor), editing up to nine hours of crystal-clear footage into a 10-minute highlight film you’ll actually want to watch year after year. MA heirloompictures.com.