Dorfman Jewelers
The old-world charm of this boutique on the first block of Newbury Street harks back to a time when people dressed for dinner, casual Friday was something out of an Orwellian nightmare, and men really did spend a month's salary on trinkets for their wives. It's also a place where the collective gem knowledge of the staff goes way beyond the four Cs of diamonds. Its lines include Picchiotti for stones, DeVroomen for enamel jewelry, Tahitian and South Sea pearls, a Bulgari boutique, Patek Philippe watches, and Van Cleef & Arpels. 24 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Louis Boston
A double winner here. The four-story style mecca is the arbiter of quality men's fashion for both those who are looking to stand out from the crowd and those who are classic and cautious. You'll find Italian made-to-measure masters, standard faves like Ralph Lauren's purple label, and Louis' own line. Fashion-timid men may require some education— not to mention a platinum credit card— but Louis' staff are masters in the art of dressing. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Gaslight
Over the past four years, Gaslight has proven it's more than just the restaurant du jour. It consistently turns out terrific takes on French classics in an authentically Parisian atmosphere. Crowds pack the dining room for dishes like the falling-apart duck confit with orange gastrique, and quite possibly the most sinful meat entrée Boston has ever seen—the bar steak, smothered in luscious cognac cream sauce and caramelized shallots. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, gaslight560.com.
Sports Club/LA
The Sports Club/LA isn't a gym—it's an experience. One that features 50 personal trainers, an Olympic-size swimming pool, four squash courts, an indoor basketball court, and 16,000 square feet of weight and cardio equipment. Fitness classes range from the classic (kickboxing, step aerobics) to the modern (BalleCore, Gyrokinesis); clients range from visiting rock stars to lithe locals. Included in the steep monthly memberships ($165-$265) are a nutritionist appointment and discounts at the on-premises Blu restaurant and Splash spa. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, thesportsclubla.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha's Vineyard
Photograph by Gregg Shupe/Shupe Studios You may not have a Vineyard abode to call home, but a stay at this family-oriented hotel will make you feel like you own the place. Situated just steps from South Beach, Winnetu offers both kitchenette-equipped suites and weekly house rentals, including four new cottages outfitted with all the comforts of home. For those in the mood to eat out, the hotel's restaurant, Lure Grill, offers excellent seafood with a side of ocean views. And for the kids, there are basketball and tennis courts, day camps, and evening clambakes. 31 Dunes Road, Edgartown, MA 2539, winnetu.com.
Bristol Lounge
Life should always pause around 4 p.m. so people can revive themselves with a cup of tea. Besides this genteel refreshment (or coffee, if you must), the Four Seasons Hotel serves the traditional three-tiered silver trays of dainty crustless-cucumber-and-smoked-salmon sandwiches, scones with lemon-curd and Devonshire-cream, miniature fruit tarts, and tea bread. A pampering staff and exquisite views of the Public Garden provide almost more afternoon comfort than kindergarten naptime. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
New England Soup Factory
At least four different seasonal soups made form scratch every day, as well as chili, chowder, triple—strength chicken vegetable soup, and a range of appealing salads make this a popular destination among Brookline's lunch seekers. We loved the root vegetable for gloomy days, the chilled wild berry for sunny ones. A perfect takeout idea for dinner when packed to travel. And their Soup-o-Gram is just the ticket for friends who are under the weather. 2-4 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA .
Capone Foods
When it comes to pasta, Capone is the champ. Our favorite is lemon, but we wouldn't turn up our nose at wild mushroom, curry, or saffron to name just a few of the 25 flavors and four cuts which Capone's has available, most on a daily basis. What's more, the management has thoughtfully provided a chart to help you through the which-sauce-with-which-pasta maze. 14 Bow St., Somerville, MA .
Brewer's Fork
As much as we’ve enjoyed the silver lining that was takeout four-packs with our wood-fired pizza, nothing compares to a beer — fresh from the draft! — at the Brewer’s Fork bar. That’s because co-owner Michael Cooney brings craft-beer-world bona fides to this suds-and-pies joint, making it a place to find rarities — like an IPA from Bissell Brothers or sour beer from Jester King — from the buzziest breweries. 7 Moulton St., Charlestown, MA 02129, brewersfork.com.
Urban Hearth
Photograph by Nina Gallant. Styling by Madison Trapkin. The four-seat chef’s counter offers a front-row seat to the culinary ballet performed seamlessly by chef Erin Miller and her team, who weave together an adventurous tasting menu from the freshest seasonal ingredients in the tiniest of kitchens. Here, it’s high-end dining sans snobbery — while dishes are plated to tweezered perfection, the vibe is alway sconvivial and warm. 2263 Massachusetts Ave. , Cambridge, MA 02140, urbanhearth.net.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.
Courtside
Photograph courtesy of Istockphoto Karaoke at this Cambridge dive can be a Darwinian proposition—despite Courtside's rec-room feel, every singer's out for herself on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. But that's part of the fun. Lubricated by cheap pitchers of beer and egged on by crowds that only get feistier as the night wears on, singers who take Courtside's "stage" revel in their four-ish minutes of glory, leaving the next person itching to try to win over the room with even larger antics. 291 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, courtsidekaraoke.com.
CinemaSalem
This indie movie theater has been a community favorite for years, with live music, film festivals, and art shows bolstering its new and classic big-screen offerings. While it's homegrown, it's hardly old-fashioned, with a coffee bar on offer from the beloved Atomic Café. Meanwhile, four screens mean a flick for (virtually) everyone—go ahead and put the kids in something animated while you hit the latest action movie. One East India Sq., Salem, MA 1970, cinemasalem.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
We approached the crew at Newbury Tailoring Company with a horizontal-striped dress and an innocent question: "Will hemming it mess up the pattern?" Turns out, we had no need to worry. Flavio Rivas and his team have tackled far greater challenges, inspiring customers to follow first as they moved down Newbury Street in 2009, then over to Boylston four years ago. We can see why: Exactly a week after dropping it off, we were reunited with our beloved frock—every last stripe intact. 376 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Stellabella Toys
Photograph by Toan Trinh So often, toy shopping is an experience in extremes: You’re either wading in aisle-to-aisle plastic packaging or browsing precious baubles curated to please parents’ aesthetics, not kids’. Stellabella, however, has found the sweet spot at its four Boston-area stores. Its stacking cups are environmentally friendly but also fun for your growing infant, and the baby dolls are soft, cuddly, and ethnically diverse. Also find German-made tricycles, sturdy play kitchens and firehouses, and Legos galore. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge; and other locations, stellabellatoys.com.