Drysdale's All-Natural Carpet Care
Owner Mark Dullea is to dirty carpets and sofas what Mr. Clean is to the rest of your house. And unlike other companies, Dullea uses non-toxic cleaning agents that won't harm the kids or upset the pets. 140 Main St., Suite 148, Charlestown, MA .
Maid Pro
When your pad needs some tender loving care, call on Maid Pro. Ask for Blanca; she was able to turn our test flophouse into a glistening palace in less than four hours. 25 Myrtle St., Boston, MA .
Louis Boston
If Louis Boston rented out sleeping space, there'd be no reason to ever leave. The four-story Newbury legend can clothe you (quite well, in Dries Van Noten and Mayle, and as the only place in town that carries Marni), accessorize you (with quirky jewelry from Mannin and Francisca Botelho), coif you (Salon Mario Russo, third floor), and feed you (from chef Pino Maffeo's on-site kitchen). The only part of the store you'd have little use for is the otherwise excellent home goods collection—your new address comes already very nicely appointed. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
The ’Quin House
The ‘Quin House Cofounder Sandy Edgerley at the private club. / Photo by Mona Miri When the reimagined and redesigned Algonquin Club opened in 2021, the six-story mansion generated instant buzz for its gorgeously over-the-top design, from a button to summon champagne in the first-floor “speakeasy” to a Sinatra bust that you press to reveal a secret door. But its social capital is more than just aesthetics. The space has quickly replaced the old Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons as the place for a power-rendezvous, except now the CEOs are rubbing elbows with social justice activists, and the membership is legitimately diverse. New Boston, indeed. 217 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA thequinhouse.com.
The Bristol Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel
The foie gras of hamburgers is thick, juicy, and perfectly seared. Served on fine china and squeezed between a poppyseed bun with just the right amount of lettuce, onion, and tomato, this ground beef patty is actually worth its steep price of $15.50. Kick back in an armchair in the clubby room and enjoy a sloppy but oh-so-civilized lunch. 200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston/dining/the_bristol_lounge.
Bristol Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel
The Bristol is a refreshing respite from the cigar-chompin' clubbier bars around town, yet it still manages—with its white-coated waitstaff, marble bar tops, and Vose Galleries art—to maintain a stately feel. Maybe that's why visiting celebrities (Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan, Billy Joel) flock to its sofas and armchairs. Or maybe it's the signature martinis (stiff and serious, even in the more frivolous forms such as the green apple) and warm nut mix that keeps them coming back for more. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston/dining/the_bristol_lounge.
The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel
Finger sandwiches, Scottish cones, Viennese pastries, English tea breads, pots of preserves, genuine tea caddies, and service stops at 4:30 p.m. on the dot. Hotel GM Robin Brown's standards are strict—as befits a bloke from Grantham, Lincolnshire. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Dance Complex
Dance classes aren't just for kids in pink tights and ballet slippers. A top-notch studio offers a variety of options that can make anyone feel footloose. The Dance Complex does just that by hosting an astonishing array of classes, including the traditional (ballet, jazz, tap), cultural (Afro-Brazilian, flamenco, Kathak), and simply funky (hip-hop, street funk, capoeira). Four floors of studios house the artist-run organization, which boasts teaching talent from some 20 countries. There's a decidedly unpretentious and inclusive atmosphere in the affordable, drop-in classes—a relief when you're getting up the courage to try Irish dance. 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA dancecomplex.org.
Bison County
With the cowboy music in the background and the beady-eyed bison head over the bar, you'll swear you wandered right onto the streets of Laredo when you walk through these doors. Great ribs (both Carolina and Texas style), bison steaks, barbecued brisket, beans and slaw, and big beautiful buffalo burgers. Just steer clear of the apple pie, a dessert in which the menu writer's skill clearly surpassed the pastry chef's. 275 Moody Street, Waltham, MA .
Lord's Cleaners
They remove oil-based paint from a silk blouse, and charge but $2. They also deliver. 155 Belmont St., Belmont, MA .
Daloz the Cleanser
Custom work; leather too. 1 Humphreys St., Dorcester, MA .
Upstairs Downstairs
It has the air of a country roadside antiques store, with friendly prices and unexpected treasures (a satin-wood inlaid floor-length dressing mirror, with marble-topped side tables, 1927, $1,650). If you want to go totally rustic, consider a painted jelly cabinet from New Hampshire (33"x57," $325), or if solid, functional stuff is more in line with the decor, how about a Sheraton chest in mahogany and pine, with turned columns ($895), or a bowback Windsor chair for $145? A year ago, we found four lovely caned chairs a la Napoleon, for $240. Take your time, look carefully, and you're bound to find something you love and need—and can afford. 93 Charlest Street, Boston, MA .
Deprisco Jewelers
Shopping for bridal baubles at this 55-year-old family-run emporium is almost as satisfying as striking a deal directly with the diamond cutter in Antwerp. In their cozy showroom four floors above Downtown Crossing, DePrisco's white-haired salesmen steer anxious grooms-to-be into private cubicles, where they use jeweler's loupes and expertly handled tweezers to show off naked stones. DePrisco often knocks a few hundred bucks off its asking price—so the customer at least feels like he's getting a bargain. And if he (or, more likely, she) later decides the ring needs more bling, DePrisco will always buy it back and let the happy couple use the cash to trade up to a bigger rock. 333 Washington St., Suite 448, Boston, MA deprisco.com.
Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons Hotel
It's nice of the attentive staff to give you space to conduct your business. Truth be told, as much networking gets done among the breakfast tables at this Four Seasons restaurant as at them; most diners spend their mornings circumspectly stealing glances past the potted palms to see who else is in the room, which all but hums with power. If that isn't enough to distract you, there's always the superlative view of the Public Garden. And the food (though predictably priced in the expense-account stratosphere) is worth five stars. Along with your fresh-squeezed juice, try the banana-stuffed French toast with strawberry syrup, the warm New England fruit compote, or the Japanese breakfast of grilled salmon, boiled egg, shiitake mushrooms, rice, seaweed, and miso soup, all on a black lacquer tray. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .