Romagnoli's Table

Home of the new Italian cuisine in Boston. Actually, the location leaves a little (well, a lot) to be desired in terms of ambience. But the food more than compensates. North Market Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .

Parcel 7 Garage

Name another place downtown where you can buy a doughnut or a cup of coffee (from the Boston Public Market below) and pay $3 to park for three hours. Spoiler: You can’t, because there is none. Boston, MA

The Summer Shack

Whether you order up one of the beautifully done basics—steamed lobster, Boston scrod—or a special like grilled wild striped bass, you'll have ample cash left over for a sinful dessert. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA summershackrestaurant.com.

Domain

Accessorizing is what it's about these days in interior design, and nobody does it better than Domain. The selection of upholstered pillows is the best in Boston. But check out the picture frames as well. All locations, .

Waterstone's Booksellers

We drove the British out of Boston more than 200 years ago, but they returned last year with this three-story emporium where even best-sellers are discounted. 26 Exeter Stree, Boston, MA .

"Studio 7," Channel 7

This classy quarterly arts show hosted by opera star Phyllis Curtin, now dean of the Boston University School for the Arts, proves that commercial TV can tackle the arts.

Venus, Seafood in the Rough

The fried clams, fish-and-chips, lobsters, and rock crabs are great, but the paper plates and picnic tables on the harbor make Venus the best. Just what Boston needed. Get there before it closes for the winter. 88 Sleeper St., Boston, MA .

Michael Arnowitt

At twelve, he played with the Boston Pops, and now at fourteen, he composes for both piano and violin at New England Conservatory. By twenty-one, he'll have changed his name to Wolfgang. Lexington, MA

The Either/Orchestra

The future of big-band sound is crafted right here in Boston by the Either/Or, a 10-piece band with a raw power, eccentric touches, a dash of Gil Evans, and a splash of Mingus.

Dinah Mattingly, who has been by Larry Bird's side since he arrived in Boston.

Safest area: East Boston and Charlestown. Most unsafe: Downtown, North End, Beacon Hill and Chinatown.

Bull and Finch Pub

A favorite year after year, and one that even the Boston Globe credits us with discovering. Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston, MA .

Au Bon Pain

By brewing Coffee Connection beans, Au Bon Pain has taken a giant step in the cause of good coffee in Boston. All locations, .

Buddies

Buddies, a new bar at 733 Boylston St., Boston, the site of the old Paul's Mall. An occasional female, too. 733 Boylston St., Boston, MA .

The team of dolphins that Boston attorney Robert Rines hopes to use to photograph the Loch Ness monster.