Start at Friday's (26 Exeter St., Boston). Move to Daisy Buchanan's (240a Newbury St., Boston). Wind up at Division Sixteen (955 Boylston St., Boston).
MA
Ma Maison
As Boston’s longest tenured French chef-owner, Jacky Robert still shines at this bustling bistro. His menu offers a superb greatest-hits-of-Paris playlist — escargots, seared foie gras, onion soup, coq au vin, veals, sweetbreads, and nice-priced French wines — that will have you humming “La Vie en Rose” all the way home. 272 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, mamaisonboston.com.
Hemlock Grill
Eating well with a view of a sunny fairway usually requires a tony country club membership. But even non-golfers are welcome at the unassuming 19th hole at Brookline’s proletarian Putterham public links. Here, chef Alex Sáenz plates Boston’s crunchiest, juiciest fried chicken, with bolder duffers opting for his searing, vivid-red “Nashville Hot” style. 1281 West Roxbury Pkwy., Brookline, MA 02467, hemlockgrill.com.
Chris Donovan
Who knew that Boston’s newest fashion superstar would be a retired telephone repairman? After years of dreaming about designing shoes, last year Chris Donovan officially took the plunge and launched his eponymous brand of footwear—and we’re so glad he did. Made in one of Italy’s most famous luxury shoe factories, Donovan’s bold, sculptural boots (pictured) and chic heels are investment-quality pieces that stand the test of time. chrisdonovanfootwear.com.
Marathon Sports
Five years after the marathon bombings rocked the city, Marathon Sports’ Boylston Street location—the site of the first explosion—has become emblematic of Boston’s strength, compassion, and resolve. In addition to outfitting the area’s pavement-pounders with a wide selection of technical clothes and sneakers, the store engages the community with running clubs, classes, high school "team nights" and more. Because everyone’s fitness routine could use a little extra support. Multiple locations. 671 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, marathonsports.com.
Neptune Oyster
The long lines at this 12-year-old North End standout tell the tale: Neptune still reigns godlike over Boston’s seafood scene. Tides may turn, but with some two dozen locally sourced bivalves, as well as more complex offerings—think seared scallops with pear butter and duck confit—Neptune’s consistency remains awe-inspiring. 63 Salem St., Boston, MA 02113, neptuneoyster.com.
El Oriental de Cuba
Jamaica Plain might be Boston’s single best neighborhood for Caribbean cuisine, filled with homey Dominican, Jamaican, and Cuban restaurants all frying or mashing plantains their own way. The subtly sweet mofongo at El Oriental de Cuba, though, with its pork rinds and garlic oil … that’s the one that leads the inter-island flotilla. The specialty Cubano sandwicah, meanwhile, is the standard by which all others should be judged. 416 Centre St., Boston, MA 02130, elorientaldecuba.net.
Stacey Frasca, Studio 28
What do Lorraine Bracco, Bryan Cranston, and Boston’s own Gretta Monahan have in common? They’ve all taken a spin in Stacey Frasca’s chair. With three decades of experience, the makeup artist’s glam yet natural style has attracted countless VIP clients and locals alike, who stop by Studio 28 for special-occasion makeup, spray tans, and one-on-one lessons. And with virtual services, you can up your cosmetic game without ever leaving home. 568 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482, studio28wellesley.com.
Pho Hoa
That its nook in Dot was recently designated the state’s “Little Saigon” by the Massachusetts Cultural Council is a testament to the rich roots of Pho Hoa. The path to becoming Boston’s best neighborhood for Vietnamese dining was paved by the ’92-opened potager, whose superb noodle soups and other specialties were recently joined by menu items from its former neighbor, Ánh Hóng, to ensure the latter spot’s seven-course beef and fish feast never fades. 1370 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02122, phohoarestaurant.com.
<em>Rita's Spotlight</em> by Rixy
This commission from the City of Boston’s Transformative Public Art Program is a resplendent tribute to beloved Allston fixture Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman whose unsolved 1998 murder helped inspire the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. Completed last summer, Rita’s Spotlight integrates personal flourishes from the subject — a love for cheetah print, roses, and pearls — with the luminous hues of ’80s wildstyle graffiti, establishing Roxbury-born Rixy as a formidable artist and exciting talent to watch. 506 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 02134, .
Pure Oasis
Despite having to temporarily close due to COVID-19 just two weeks after opening its doors, Boston’s very first pot shop has already begun building a loyal customer base. And for good reason: Thanks to the knowledgeable, friendly budtenders; the wide selection of gummies, flower, pens, and joints; and the always stress-free shopping experience, you’ll find yourself chilling out before you’ve even made a purchase. 430 Blue Hill Ave., Boston, MA 02121, mypureoasis.com.
Outdoor Dining
The decision to let restaurants reclaim parking spaces for al fresco tables was a pandemic-era marvel that almost certainly kept some of our favorite spots from going belly-up. It also changed Boston’s dining scene, and its streets, for the better (can you even remember the days when restaurants didn’t spill out into their own elegantly decorated parklets?). Filling all of that space with people rather than lifeless hunks of metal was good for the soul — let’s keep it going in the future.
Trillium Brewing Company
In only the past few years the beer makers have opened a Fort Point brewpub and draft-filled Canton headquarters, kick-started Boston’s beer-garden revolution, and announced a forthcoming Fenway taproom. Through it all, Team Trillium continues to create genre-defining New England IPAs and boundary-pushing pastry stouts. They’re also innovating with less-trendy styles, including European-style lagers and wild ales made with fruits they’ll eventually grow themselves at a Connecticut farm/brewery. 50 Thomson Place, Boston, MA trilliumbrewing.com/fortpoint.
Club Cafe
Careening among all those fluorescent tank tops and gyrating bodies, you’ll find twinks, drag queens, even a jilted ex-lover or two—a testament to Boston’s small gay scene. Strong drinks served with a smile pair well with music that skews heavy toward Bieber pop. Unless, of course, it’s karaoke night. Then all bets are off. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116, clubcafe.com.