Grace by Nia
How thrilling to get a stunning live-music venue in the Seaport, a neighborhood increasingly (and thankfully) moving away from its chain-filled reputation. A dream-team collab between Nia Grace (of Roxbury/South End favorite Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen) and Big Night, the hospitality group behind some of Boston’s snazziest nightclubs, the newly opened venue is now the place for both soul music and seriously decadent soul food — did someone say carrot-cake chicken and waffles? 60 Seaport Blvd., 3rd Floor, Seaport, MA 02210, gracebynia.com.
Mamaleh's
Now that it ships nationwide “nosh” packages such as the Dorm Fridge Deli — a packed-on-ice splay of superlative pastrami, corned beef, potato salad, and more — Mamaleh’s moves that much closer to being Boston’s more-youthful answer to Katz’s Delicatessen in New York. Meaning: the place you remember whether you live here forever or a semester, and turn to whenever you need a taste of fresh-challah-, pickled-kraut-, and spicy-mustard-scented home. Multiple Locations, mamalehs.com.
Cusser's Roast Beef & Seafood
Sorry, Kelly’s: We’ll gladly bypass Route 1 road rage in favor of this street-side walkup window in Boston’s Back Bay (with an outpost at a nearby food hall), which perfects a beefy North Shore–style “Three-way” sloppy with barbecue sauce and mayo. More than that, though, it also dresses up its plump, brioche-like buns for the city: see the “80T,” a mile-high pile of herb-rubbed Wagyu sliced thin, juicy, and pink, with sharply pickled onions that cut through spicy aioli and cheddar. Multiple locations, cussersboston.com.
Woods Hill Table
"Farm to table" is much more than a catch phrase at this spot from natural-food activist Kristin Canty. Her own 265-acre New Hampshire farm supplies meat for chef Charlie Foster’s refined-rustic fare, from pasture-raised chicken with sauce Périgord to beef tartare with a fresh quail egg. And the farm is growing (newly debuted: ducks) to keep up with Canty’s additional projects, including the just-opened Mexican joint Adelita and a forthcoming restaurant on Boston’s Pier 4 site. 24 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, MA 01742, woodshilltable.com.
Bikes Not Bombs
Some bike shops take themselves too seriously—What, you don’t know how to change a chain? At this unassuming yet hip workshop, however, even complete novices are welcome. Staffers will patiently answer any questions about the trials and tribulations of urban cycling before steering you toward a superb selection of sleek new city cruisers from brands like Bianchi and Linus, as well as refurbished wheels. And that kindness extends to all aspects of the nonprofit: Bikes Not Bombs ships thousands of refurbished two-wheelers to partners across the world, and supports the community closer to home with a youth-employment program for Boston’s aspiring mechanics. 18 Bartlett Sq., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, bikesnotbombs.org.
Bos. Shop South End
Since it replaced the beloved Olives & Grace last summer, this sweet boutique, which showcases goods from Black-owned businesses, has taken over the mantle of Boston’s most thoughtful — and beautifully merchandised — gift shop. Drop in for a bag of loose-leaf herbal tea, a box of locally made chocolates, or a cute little “plant baby” for your dinner-party host (even better, spring for the curated gift box). No matter what you choose, you can be confident you’ll always get the same thing from the person receiving it: another invite. 623 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, blackownedbos.com/bos-shop.
Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale, the Koji Club
When nationally noted sake pro Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale left O Ya in early 2020 to open Boston’s first sake bar, she couldn’t have imagined the pandemic-related obstacles she’d face. But after pivoting to offer virtual drink-to-learn sessions, she’s finally opened the doors to her intimate brick-and-mortar bar at the Charles River Speedway, where she delights locals with sakes never before seen in the Hub — like the fresh and lively namazake, a springtime special — and enlightens them on Japan’s national drink with the approachability and sense of fun of a most-formative teacher. thekojiclub.com.
Bianca
Imagine eating at O Ya, Boston’s swankiest sushi spot, but with children (actually, maybe don’t imagine that). Dining at its sister restaurant gets you pretty close, with a few very important distinctions. One, an excellent kids’ menu that includes a Wagyu cheeseburger and a Valrhona chocolate-chip cookie. Two, plentiful outdoor seating, perfect for those who haven’t quite perfected their indoor voices. Grownups, meanwhile, appreciate the O Ya–quality sushi (e.g.,hamachi crudo with Meyer-lemon ponzu) — and everyone loves the pizza. 47 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, biancachestnuthill.com.
Marvelous Barber Lounge
Ready to make a statement? Trust your next ’do to Lex Andre Daluz and his team of artist-slash-barbers, who have taken Boston’s barbering world by storm since expanding here from Brockton two years ago. While they’re deft with standard cuts for all hair textures, the showstoppers are their custom designs, for which they shave complex geometric patterns and draw lifelike portraits on the backs of clients’ heads — all with just a set of clippers and a straight razor, and maybe a pop of attention-grabbing hair dye. They also operate the single most impressive hair-related Instagram account we’ve seen … ever? Multiple locations, marvelouscuts.com.
Lunette Optic
With the opening of a sixth boutique in Cambridge — and a seventh in the Back Bay on the way — we can officially crown husband-and-wife team Ted Mogtader and Michelle Rahimian the king and queen of Boston’s optical world. The titles are well deserved: Showcasing hard-to-find brands like Jacques Marie Mage and Blake Kuwahara, their chainlet of shops even has its own line of eyewear, dubbed the Mora collection. On-site optometrists, meanwhile, perform eye exams with state-of-the-art equipment, including a digital imaging tool that’ll capture a picture of your retina within seconds. 35 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, lunetteoptic.com.
Sault New England
As long as Boston’s stylish men never lose their taste for leather-scented candles and pants held up with twists of nautical rope, Sault will continue to be indispensable. A new women’s section appears not to have affected the store’s emphasis on laid-back yet fashionable accents for the fellas, from killer railroad-spike-inspired bracelets from metal jeweler Giles & Brother to leather bi-folds from Todder. And lest men be excluded from the self-care trend, the shop also offers an assortment of high-end grooming products, including beard oils and one very preppy whale-shaped nail brush. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA saultne.com.
WERS
We love a tote bag as much as the next person, but after a while, the GBH and New Yorker ones start to pile up. WERS, Emerson College’s radio station, not only plays some of the best eclectic music around town — from singer-songwriters, rock, and R&B to show tunes and a cappella — its live-music swag also beats all. Baseball caps, T-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs all blare your allegiance to Boston’s best college radio station and make you look younger and hipper than you actually are. 120 Boylston St., Theater District, MA 02116, wers.org.
Pastry Love, Joanne Chang
Just before self-isolation drove all of us into home-baker mode, the sugar-speckled sage behind Boston’s Flour Bakery + Café empire released her latest tome (and with it, scored her most recent James Beard Award nomination). Its 125 recipes, accompanied by brief journal-like backstories, cover everything from caramel popcorn cookies to s’mores pie to orange-almond pudding cake. Each helped us experiment beyond simple sourdough and, during socially distant times, felt like a loving hug from a local dining legend. flourbakery.com/books.
The 'Quin House
Boston’s swankiest, sexiest new hangout has plenty of James Bond–style secrets: The first-floor speakeasy, Scottie’s, features “champagne buttons” to summon bubbly, while a hidden room a few floors up is revealed by pulling on a bronze bust. But really, the best reason to finagle an invitation to lunch at Sandy and Paul Edgerley’s fresh take on the members-only club is the who’s who of power players known to walk through the doors every day. Who, you ask? That’s the biggest secret of all. 217 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02116, thequinhouse.com.
Salon Mario Russo
No matter who you make an appointment with at this style sanctuary, you’re guaranteed to leave looking and feeling your best. That’s thanks to the leadership of Italy-born, London-trained maestro Mario Russo, who has amassed a team of Boston’s most talented, trend-savvy stylists for his twin salons. And now that they’ve packed up those scissors for a move from Newbury to the Heritage on the Garden this spring, there’s a shiny new space to get that sharp cut or color transformation you’ve been dreaming about. Seaport and Back Bay, mariorusso.com.