Kitty O'Shea's
It's tough for a newcomer to stand out in a city that already has more Irish pubs than Ireland. Kitty O'Shea's, though, is like a trip to the Emerald Isle. The bar was fashioned from a church pulpit in the Old Country, the fireplace was brought from Dublin, and even the floor-boards are 200 years old. Stained-glass windows of Irish scenes filter out the bustle of the Financial District. Guinness and other Irish beers run from the taps, and the staff is off-the-boat Irish. The only thing that doesn't seem true to the authentic Irish pub theme is the food. It's good. 131 State St., Boston, MA .
Eastern Standard
Out in public, and especially out at the city's better restaurants, you want as few people as possible to notice when your princeling starts whacking his silverware together or gleefully tossing sugar packets onto the floor. Luckily, the popular Kenmore Square brasserie has a dining room that's plenty large and noisy enough to absorb such commotion. Order the refined mac and cheese and strawberry shortcake for the little one, and treat yourself to mustard-glazed salmon or house-made cavatelli. The absence of dirty looks will make everything more delicious. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
T.T. the Bear's Place
With a capacity of only 270, this Central Square haunt has an oversize personality that defies its small scale (and always sticky floor). The volume's appropriately loud, the drinks (served in plastic cups) are priced low, and the shows are so rollicking, you'll be a T.T.'s devotee from your first visit: Over 100 bands—a sonic cornucopia of well-regarded Hub artists and fledgling acts from across the country—take the scuffed stage each month. If you want to see the next big thing before everyone else does, this is the place. 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, MA ttthebears.com.
Patina Designs
Pauline Curtiss brings a level of unrivaled distinction to every space she works in. Gracing the ceilings, walls, and sometimes floors (though her work is far too lovely to be walked on, in our opinion) of homes all over the city and beyond, Curtiss’s custom designs are painted and sculpted with shifting colors that show movement. From geometric and floral patterns to graffiti motifs and themed murals — including one fanciful spin on Alice in Wonderland at a no-holds-barred house in Chestnut Hill — Curtiss’s range is unlimited. She’s also a deeply generous and compassionate person; just ask the loyal band of female painters who work for her. patina-designs.com.
Cuffs & Collars
Even the most reluctant shopper will enjoy Cuffs & Collars, which offers ample options for designing the perfect wedding-day getup. Host a private event in the store, where you and your crew can choose from thousands of fabrics with a cocktail in hand, or book the company’s “We Come to You” service, during which a tailor will take your measurements at your home or office and then send the finished product, made to order in Italy, to your door in just four to six weeks. One Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, cuffsandcollars.com.
A4cade
In a city as proudly nerdy as this one, it's easy to find like-minded friends interested in vanquishing demonic forces. But the speakeasy-style A4cade, a collaboration between Roxy's Grilled Cheese and Area Four, is the only place where you can sip tiki cocktails while playing Ghostbusters-themed pinball and the ’90s classic Simpsons arcade game. (If whaling on bad guys with Marge's vacuum cleaner isn't your style, there's always foosball.) 292 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, areafour.com.
The Table at Season to Taste
Become a regular here, and at some point you'll probably spot chef Carl Dooley leaning over the pass from his open kitchen to high-five his sous or a friend who just walked in. We'd plant a palm on his any day to praise the Table's seasonal, globe-trotting four-course prix-fixe menus, with a choice of two options—how about beef tartare amped up with Vietnamese flavors, or glazed hake emboldened with spiced almonds and chutney?—for each course. 2447 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, cambridgetable.com.
Sweet Cheeks
Tiffani Faison's barbecue temple has taken the smoky crown in this town four years running, and justifiably so. Those fussing over the heftier prices should note—her fall-apart ribs, crackly-skinned sausages, and mammoth slabs of brisket are sourced from the highest-quality purveyors. Meat aside, Sweet Cheeks is also the rare barbecue spot that welcomes vegetarian diners with sublime biscuits and one of the finest salads in town—a crunchy mash-up of farro, candied hazelnuts, Brussels sprouts, grapes, and arugula. 1381 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, sweetcheeksq.com.
Bantam
When Dana Masterpolo and Michelle da Silva introduced Wunderkind to Boston drinkers four years ago, the dry, fruit-forward drink helped usher in a New England cider revival. These days, the small but mighty outfit reliably offers at least seven different ferments on draft every weekend in its taproom, and three year-round blends are available in cans, including in new markets such as New York and Chicago. 40 Merriam St., Somerville, MA 02143, bantamcider.com.
Bringing Up Baby
Whether your brood’s in tow out of necessity or to ensure accurate sizing, Bringing Up Baby makes the experience both convenient (the nursing and changing room) and fun (a toys area, crafts events). With its four organic layette lines and haute-tot labels like Québec-based Deux par Deux, discerning parents and those splurging for special occasions will be more than satisfied. 663 E. Broadway, Boston, MA 2127, .
Natale's
If The Thomas Crown Affair—vintage McQueen version, please—taught us anything, it's that there's no better sandpaper for a man's image than a tailored wardrobe. That kind of polish is stock-in-trade at Natale's, which for four decades has been turning fine Italian fabrics into custom-fitted business and casual wear, complemented by a seemingly endless selection of high-end shirts and ties. The results: seriously smooth. 2001 Washington St., Hanover, MA 2339, natalesofhanover.com.
Vizio Optic
Hey, four eyes: Glasses don't have to be unsightly. Vizio Optic optometrist and co-owner Dr. Galina Rabkin carries more than 1,000 pairs of rimless lenses, titanium frames, and bejeweled plastic specs from hundreds of brands like Bulgari, Prada, and Porsche. Chic prescription shades come from such giants as Mosley Tribes, Beausoleil, and Face Face. See for yourself: You'll look fantastic. 11 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, viziooptic.com.
Barefoot Books
As moms and dads know a little too well, when kids find a book that works for them, they tend to go back to it again and again. And again. The same applies to our pick in this category. Four-time winner Barefoot Books brims with fresh, cleverly illustrated titles, and doubles as an independent publishing house run by parents dedicated to the art of old-fashioned storytelling. 1771 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2140, barefootbooks.com.
Bessie Blue
There's no shortage of painfully chic, designer-heavy boutiques in the western 'burbs. But this four-year-old spot manages to be both artfully fashionable and charmingly approachable—no sizing up or talking down to customers here. The place is stocked with glamorous yet fun apparel and accessories, and the stylish staffers, including owner Lee Gaston, are happy to help you translate the trends to complement your personal taste. 21 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, bessieblue.com.
Jeannette Neill
Out with smelly, stuffy, cramped studios; hello, Jeannette Neill! Proper ventilation and soft lighting set the mood in Neill's four exposed-brick studios, where energetic instructors help dancers of all levels limber up on the bar or uncover the secrets of booty quaking. (It's all in the knees.) The children's program here fosters personal growth rather than producing prima ballerinas, and adults can drop in on jazz, tap, theater, or hip-hop classes. 261 Friend St., Boston, MA 2114, jndance.com.