Vidal Sassoon
Still think Vidal Sassoon is about those cheesy '80s commercials? Not anymore. This international house has spearheaded trend after trend, and the Boston branch is particularly blessed with a dream team of hair artistes in colorist par excellence Laurel Elliot and the exacting stylist Dirk Diegel. Add to all that a widespread practice of professional but personal treatment punctuated by a notable lack of pretense, and you've got the consummate coiffure. 14 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
B.J. Wang
The renowned proprietor of E. Shan Tang apothecary, Wang stocks an exotic A-Z of medicinal herbs. But his clinical expertise is what sends Bostonians flocking to him for treatment: He teaches at the Boston Shiatsu School, lectures at Harvard Medical School, and is widely acclaimed as a leading practitioner of toyo hari , or traditional Chinese pulse diagnosis. He's also a trained chef—ask about his herbal recipes for soups and main dishes, a clever way of masking his prescriptions' pungent flavors. E. Shan Tang, 157 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA .
Umbria
Does Boston need another Italian restaurant? If it's Umbria, the answer is a resounding yes. Chef Marisa Iocco is turning out flavorful cuisine from Italy's bucolic central region, which means straightforward grilled, slow-braised, or brick oven-roasted food. It also means melt-in-your-mouth buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes, and moist, pan-seared cod loin with creamy celery root purée. And unlike its North End brethren, Umbria offers desserts—amazing ones, at that. 295 Franklin St., Boston, MA umbriaprime.com.
Toscanini
There are plenty of Boston ice cream shops worthy of caloric indulgence, but none as enticing as this one. The selection may not be the biggest in town, but it's varied enough for even the pickiest of palates, with about a dozen incredibly smooth and rich flavors including Hydrox cookie, Vienna Finger, burnt caramel, and ginger-snap molasses. The real draw, though, is the super-light texture, which especially comes through in the richly flavored nocciola (hazelnut) and Belgian chocolate varieties. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA tosci.com.
Akris
The praise doesn't get any higher: The late Liz Tilberis, editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar, once commented at a charity event in Boston on how elegant the women looked in their Akris suits. The suits are exquisitely crafted in fabrics like double-faced wool, cashmere, silk chiffon, linen, and cotton voile; even those of us who have to work for a living can appreciate that. 16 Newbury Street, Boston, MA akris.ch.
The Bristol Lounge
The best-loved burgers in Boston fall into two camps: the frills-free fast-food type (Flat Patties, Tasty Burger) and the oversize variety topped with high-end accoutrements (Radius, Craigie on Main). Bristol's version, though, stands alon—a layering of juicy beef with a hint of char, aged Vermont cheddar, cool lettuce, sweet tomato, and house-made pickles on a buttery bun. It's the basics done absolutely right—and worth every cent of the $21 it costs. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Cafe Vanille
Boston doesn't have many patisseries, and our bakeries feel like coffee spots that just happen to have cinnamon buns and cupcakes. Café Vanille, however, seems like a French pastry shop that just happens to serve espresso and tea. One look at the lineup of flaky napoleons, ganache-glazed éclairs, colorful petits fours and fruit tarts, and buttery brioche makes the cookie-and-donut offerings everywhere else seem downright dull. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA 2108, frenchmemories.com.
Bond Restaurant & Lounge
Boston is often called the most British of American cities, so it's only natural that it offer plenty of afternoon tea options. Bond's daily Metropolitan Tea takes place under a soaring red ceiling and enormous chandeliers, making it feel like a swanky retreat. But the unusual teas, exquisite sandwiches, homemade scones, and attentive servers are what make this tea service tops. If you linger, you'll see the transformation from posh lounge to upscale watering hole. 250 Franlin St., Boston, MA 2110, bondboston.com.
Flat Breads Cafe
At this clean, bright restaurant across from Boston College they've spent six years perfecting roll-up combinations with ingredients such as their own homemade roasted red-and-green-tomato-cilantro salsas, Haas avocados, premium breast-meat chicken salad. Specials include Asian, Mexican, deli, barbecue, and even seafood roll-up combos. And the frequent-eater program gets you one free wrap for every 10 you buy. 11 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA .
New Leaf Flores
From 1 to 3 p.m. each day, Jeb Taylor and Daniel Lopez-Ospina close up their petite J.P. shop for an afternoon siesta. Perhaps that's when they dream up otherworldly designs for their host of high-end clients, from the Boston Lyric Opera to L'Espalier. They also provide seasonal décor and stunning arrangements with unexpected textural elements (fruits and herbs, painted twigs, leaf-wrapped stems) for posh area homes. 599 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, newleafjp.com.
Brasserie Jo
Not only is the airy, spacious feel of this Alsatian bistro a great atmosphere in which to conduct business, but the lunch menu is a treat. Any appetite can be satisfied: There are fresh omelets, spunky sandwiches (roasted chicken and brie on a baguette), plentiful salads (a traditional frisee et lardon avec ouef), and the best fries in town. We should know: Noontime here is the best place to spot a Boston Magazine employee. Note: For those who don't practice midday prohibition, the martinis are classic. The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA brasseriejoboston.com.
Parlor Sports
So many sports bars in Boston these days feel like impersonal warehouses, strewn, as they are, with a bajillion giant TVs over a zillion square feet. Parlor is the rare gathering place that feels cozy and intimate. Crucially, the bartenders are adept at knowing when to turn up the volume on the commentators and when to flip it to music (a major problem at bigger sports bars). And while the place is known as a haven for basketball geeks, it's really worth checking out on any game night. 3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA parlorsportsbar.com.
Biddy Early's
Biddy Early's is the city's best dive every day of the year, a fact that was proven on Friday, April 19. That day, while police hunted the remaining marathon bomber, all of Boston shut down. Not this spot. The old Financial District landmark—with its dim lighting, dusty wood floor, and jukebox—remained open. So even when there was no other place to go and everything seemed beyond reason, people could still haul themselves here for a much-needed, no-frills drink. And that, friends, is everything a dive bar should be. 141 Pearl St., Boston, MA .
Hunter Caldwell
Whether it's a question of what to wear every day, or for a special occasion, Caldwell is the one to call. An encyclopedia of colors, he pays some attention to industry trends, but mostly listens to what his customers say and want. He's also available for private bookings (he did Dennis Hopper's wedding, for example), but he's popular in Boston, so call early for an appointment. Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Red Rock Bistro & Bar
The sweeping view of the Boston skyline is nice (especially at sunset), but when it comes down to the matter at hand, Red Rock delivers the delicious goods: great food. Chef Allen Bohnert sticks to a primarily seafood menu with such traditional choices as a creamy clam chowder teeming with freshly shucked clams, as well as contemporary takes like roasted salmon with tamarind glaze and carrot flan. He also has an admirable touch with pork—don't miss the "Pig Out," a spread of pork served three ways. 141 Humphrey St., Swampscott, MA redrockbistro.com.