Childs Gallery
Since 1937 Childs has been a flagship of Boston's fine art market. Specializing in pre-World War II American and European paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture, Childs is where you go to find treasures ranging in importance and price from a small thing of beauty to a centerpiece of an established collection. Owner Roger Howlett's knowledge of his expansive inventory makes Childs nothing short of a museum with price tags. 169 Newbury Street, Boston, MA childsgallery.com.
Museum of Fine Arts
Boston's foremost art museum has it all: mummies and amphorae, French impressionists, and abstract expressionists. The jaw-dropping highlight, however, is the Arts of the Americas Wing, opened in fall 2010, which has taken many pieces formerly displayed in dark basement galleries and given them space to breathe in a brightly lit, glassed-in viewing area. The galleries themselves are nearly as inspiring as the art they feature. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2115, mfa.org.
Bank of America Pavilion
This is not the place to go to make some great new musical discovery—the Pavilion's schedule remains heavy on well-known arena rockers. But there's no better spot to catch your favorite '80s band than this open-air venue, especially once the sun sets, the breeze picks up, and you settle in with a couple of frosty beers. Bonus: As Boston's waterfront continues to develop, so do the Pavilion's pre- and post-show drinking and dining options, such as Morton's, Legal Test Kitchen, and Atlantic Beer Garden. 290 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2210, bankofamericapavillion.net.
Anna's Taqueria
The true test of a good burrito is: Will you travel for it? In Boston, burrito lovers have little choice. This is, after all, a city with a whole lot of average Mexican food. To find an affordable burrito worth eating, we recommend taking any and all forms of transportation to one of Anna's Taqueria's three area locations. The restaurants are clean, the service is speedy, and the food is fresh. And the burritos? Well, they're so big and tasty, you might just forget you're in Boston. 1412 Beacon St., Brookline, MA annastaqueria.com.
Ginza
This is where Boston's other sushi chefs eat on their nights off. Memorable maki comes with ingredients ranging from burdock root to Japanese basil. The fish is unbelievably fresh, the presentation stunning, the extra-long hours ('til 4 a.m., Tuesday-Saturday) convenient. 14 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Ristorante Toscano
Crosstown rivals in the North End have yet to equal the confident simplicity of veteran chef Venito Paoli's cuisine. Paoli turns out matchless risotti, superb seafood, and Boston's best Bolognese sauce. If Italian cooking guru Marcella Hazan came to visit, you'd take her to Toscano. 41 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Club Cafe
With brunch, trivia, late-night drinks, dancing, and a solid crowd of regulars, Club Cafe has it all. For decades, this place—at a prime intersection of the Back Bay and the South End—has been the Cheers of Boston's gay scene, and it's easy to understand why. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA clubcafe.com.
Emerge Spa
When was the last time you pulled up to a spa, threw your keys to the valet, and were led into a private VIP suite? The answer, obviously: never. But now you can do just that at the four-story Emerge, Boston's new grande dame of day spas, which boasts a host of standard and medical services for both genders (men get their own area), two in-house doctors, a juice bar, and locker rooms stocked with posh Kerstin Florian products. Spend an afternoon here, and you needn't exit as discreetly as you arrived. 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, emergespasalon.com.
Claire McArdle, Beauty Therapies
Lasers have—figuratively, of course—exploded onto the beauty scene in the last few years. That's especially true in the realm of hair removal. Alas, in the hands of neophytes, such powerful new weapons can leave clients with red marks, patches of untouched hair, and unjustifiably high bills. You'll find none of these at Beauty Therapies, where R.N. Claire McArdle relies not on big-talking promises, but on cutting-edge technologies, diligence, and skin-care expertise. One of Boston's first laser practitioners, she permanently removes hair from anywhere on the body—eyebrows to bikini lines—with a steady hand that zaps clients smooth faster than light speed. One Brookline Place, Suite 302, Brookline, MA .
Club Café
This fairly upscale bar, club, and restaurant is still the staple of Boston's South End gay scene, despite its consistently overpriced food. Still, you don't come here to eat. You come to be seen, drink with friends, and flirt with the many single men and women who flock here, especially on Thursday nights. The crowded back room and video bar is where most of the action is (no, not that kind of action), and it's a great place to meet new people—or bump into exes you hoped you've never, ever see again. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA clubcafe.com.
Wally's Cafe
Its old location, across the street from where it is today, hosted the likes of Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. The present-day stage has seen Branford Marsalis and Chick Corea. For all that, it's still a neighborhood joint. Wally's offers live jazz every night of the year, no cover, and some of the cheapest drinks in the city. But there's something else about it—the history, the perpetual smokiness, the cramped stage, and narrow bar—that makes it Boston's jazz scene. Jazz was meant to be heard at Wally's, where customers get on stage and jam with the band and the musicians don't need to be pretty. 427 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA .
Iggy's Bread of the World
What does "Bread of the World" mean? For Iggy's, it translates into old-fashioned, naturally leavened, hearth-baked breads made from ingredients that have not been chemically treated in any way ("as close to the tree as possible") and available at a price "for all people." For the yeast-addicted, it means the yummiest bread in Boston, from country sourdough to brioche to the decadent orange chocolate cherry. If you can't make it to the retail store in Watertown, Iggy's breads can be found at various stores in Boston (Bread &Circus, Savenour's, select Star Markets) or ordered by mail. 250-4 Arlington St., Watertown, MA .
The Catered Affair
This culinary juggernaut is the in-house caterer for a slew of the city’s high-end venues, including the Boston Public Library, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boston Athenaeum (where it also runs a brand-new café open to the public). Which begs the question: If they trust the Catered Affair to handle their cuisine, shouldn’t you? The answer: Yes, you absolutely should. With the goal of creating unforgettable dining experiences, the team here can curate a personalized menu for your big day — think king-crab tostadas and broiled oysters with sea urchin and black lime — that looks as good as it tastes. thecateredaffair.com.
Kodomo
Guaranteed you will eye at least one article of clothing at Kodomo and wonder if there is any amount of tailoring that could make it adult size. The selection of apparel—think flowy striped jump suits for girls and oh-so-cool printed sweatshirts for boys—appeals to any age with relaxed, contemporary silhouettes and muted colors and patterns that feel more joyful than cutesy. Bonus: The shops' featured designers all practice ethical manufacturing. 579 Tremont St., Boston, 617-936-3808; 45 River St., Boston, 617-530-1140; kodomoboston.com. 579 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, kodomoboston.com.
Uni
Boston's sushi scene got an upgrade last year when Ken Oringer and Tony Messina expanded their tiny sashimi-only bar into a full-blown izakaya with new makimono and nigiri menus. Don't miss crazy-creative maki such as spicy tuna with aj_ amarillo and charred pineapple; salmon dotted with red curry; and a "White Castle burger" roll (exactly what it sounds like), available on occasion. More traditional nigiri—including the must-order fatty tuna dotted with uni powder and a nori reduction—pack just as much of a punch. 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, uni-boston.com.