Wally’s Café
At the crossroads of the next John Mayer and the original Bleeding Gums Murphy stands a music club that could only live in Boston. Still going strong after 67 years, Wally’s is famously where the city’s old-guard musicians meet the new kids, forging a musical alchemy exclusive to the South End. It’s where the Berklee kids drop in before they inevitably drop out, and jazz and blues fans are the beneficiaries. Any night, no cover and a chance to catch greatness on the cusp—how do you argue with that? 427 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 2118, wallyscafe.com.
Angela's Cafe
Owner Angela Atenco Lopez’s rich, complex mole poblano is one of the dishes you must try before you can claim your Boston food-geek merit badge. On second thought, actually, perhaps we meant Lopez’s citrusy, onion-studded guacamole. Or maybe the plate of chilaquiles, with its crisp tortilla chips, fresh tomatillo sauce, and toppings of crema and queso fresco. Erase any doubts by doing what we do: order them all. 131 Lexington St., East Boston, MA 2128, angelascafeboston.com.
Clover
This sneakily vegetarian chainlet may have brick-and-mortar locations everywhere from Brookline Village to Burlington, but it got its start as one of the first important food trucks in the Boston area. And Clover’s fleet of six restaurants on wheels is still a leader when it comes to truck-side fare done right—easy-to-eat, inspired, and (bonus!) relatively healthy creations like the sabich-inspired egg-and-eggplant sandwich, rosemary-scented fries, and one of the finest breakfast sandwiches around. Various locations, cloverfoodlab.com.
Rafanelli Events Management
Bryan Rafanelli is the Keith Lockhart of party planning: able to orchestrate a dizzying number of players to masterful effect. Even more impressive is his repertoire. He and design partner Billy Everse have personalized and pulled off nearly every memorable wedding modern-day Boston has seen, from the stately and elegant to the outrageous. With impeccable taste and a knack for details, the team provides everything from invitations and tunes to food and decorations. All you have to provide are the tears and hugs. 450 Harrison Ave., Suite 401, Boston, MA rafanellievents.com.
Dependable Cleaners
Maybe you sipped cabernet on your wedding day—and spilled. Maybe, three years later, your stained, crumpled gown is still gathering dust in your closed. Dependable Cleaners has seen worse. There's not an "oops" moment these pros can't handle, and with more than a dozen outlets in and around Boston, you won't have to drive far to complete this most essential errand. dependablecleaners.com.
Cafe Barada
In Boston, it wouldn't seem far-fetched to believe the only food to come out of the Middle East is falafel. Caf Barada disproves that notion, though, with its spicy mujeddara, a blend of lentils, rice, and onions; shish kebabs; and lubia, a comforting lamb stew. Not everything is available every day, but that just gives you an excuse to go back. And you'll want to—because, actually, its falafel alone is worth the trip. 2269 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA cafebarada.net.
Allandale Farms
Straddling the Brookline-Boston line, Allandale offers workshops for urban refugees, summer programs, even a farm stand. We particularly enjoy visiting the bucolic setting for the impressive supply of perennials, herbs, trees, and shrubs: An on-site nursery produces New England-hardy varieties, and sells locally sourced soils and mulches, among other gardening staples (no chemical-laden bags of "dirt" lurking here). 259 Allandale Rd., Brookline, MA allandalefarm.com.
East Coast Alpine
East Coast Alpine, which made its Boston debut last fall, carries a truly comprehensive array of top-name snow-carving equipment, clothing, and accessories. Staffers, meanwhile, are adept at customizing your purchase to your skill level, ensuring that you leave perfectly primed for the mountains (or less terrified about your maiden voyage on the bunny slopes). 860 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, eastcoastalpine.com.
Hudson
Jill Goldberg's four-year-old shop perfectly captures the new Boston aesthetic: a charming balance of country chic (whitewashed woods, salvaged signs), old-money signifiers (vintage French settees), and a touch of modern chrome. Few homeowners can nail the upscale-casual look without a pro's help—Goldberg offers styling services, too—but a couple of well-placed items from Hudson are an excellent start. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.com.
344
As local shoe fetishists know, most reasonably priced footwear in Boston is usually too young, too tacky, or too shoddy. Trend-pusher 344 delivers a surprisingly solid range of grownup kicks—from $39 Novela gladiator flats to $99 Lovely People sequin pumps—that rest comfortably in the "just cheap enough" bracket. 344 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, shop344.com.
Crossing Main
This Best of Boston hall-of-famer continues to preside with authority over South Shore style, offering a citified mix of party dresses and casual daywear from girly favorites Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore, and Vera Wang Lavender. Upcoming spin-off Crossing Main for Shoes, set to open in the fall, promises the well dressed will be equally well heeled. 5 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, .
Marathon Sports
Boston is (as a running city should be) chock full of running shops. But none provides the level of personal attention offered at Marathon Sports, where the staff is rigorously trained to labor over every sale. Salespeople here will consider your budget, your running level, and—above all—your foot structure and stride (test runs included) before weeding out your ideal buy from the store's epic stock. 1654 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA marathonsports.com.
Sandy Poirier, Shag
Some say you should never trust a bald barber, but there's an exception to every rule. Poirier, the tonsured and tattooed owner of this year-old salon in South Boston, is ours. He uses a straight razor and skills acquired during a two-decade tour on Newbury Street to create the kind of just-got-outta-bed looks that hipsters know can only be crafted by expert hands. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA shagboston.com.
Ecoluxe
With reports out almost daily about the dangers of chemical cleaning solvents (perchloroethylene, for example, has been linked to liver damage and cancer), the organic and biodegradable cleaning methods at owner Shelly Mars's Ecoluxe are literally a breath of fresh air. Crunchy ethos notwithstanding, this small Boston chain is also a modern and decidedly bourgeois establishment. The clean, streamlined storefronts are so pretty they could be mistaken for boutiques, the polite and efficient service (from cleaning to pressing) never wavers, and home delivery is available. 1018 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Nine Zero
It may be the newbie on the block, but Nine Zero has swiftly wooed the city with its soft contemporary design and sleek sense of comfort. The posh small hotel effortlessly blends style, luxury, and practicality. And you can't beat the hospitality and attention to detail: goose-down comforters, Mario Russo bath products, and a CD library. If you're having a bad fashion day, ring the personal shopper from Louis Boston—then wear the spoils to dinner at Spire, the hotel's hip glass-walled eatery. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA ninezero.com.