Cambria Grace
Memories fade, but photographs last forever. Thankfully, you can trust Cambria Grace to be everywhere you are and everywhere you can’t be on your wedding day. The Boston shutterbug’s camera is like an invited friend, bringing unparalleled intimacy to every teary-eyed gaze and loving embrace it captures. These aren’t stiffly posed portraits; they’re art prints meant to be framed, hung, and cherished for a lifetime. cambriagrace.com.
SalonCapri
This 45-year-old local hair empire has expanded over the decades, launching its own product line, opening several satellite locations, and cultivating a strong media and runway presence thanks to dynamic lead stylist Nick Penna. But the Newton salon retains a family-owned vibe thanks to regular charity events for local institutions like Boston Children’s Hospital, pop-up shops with neighborhood businesses, and stylists who act like old (albeit exceedingly dexterous) pals. 31 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 02461, saloncapri.com.
Ben Fischman and Maria Gangemi, M.Gemi
After striking gold with Lids and Rue La La, Ben Fischman’s latest business endeavor feels like his most authentic and personal yet. The Boston entrepreneur launched the e-commerce footwear boutique M.Gemi with chief merchant Maria Gangemi. The idea? Commission craftsmen and family-owned Italian factories to make luxury shoes by hand, then sell directly to the customer, cutting out markups from mass retailers. mgemi.com.
Commonwealth Worldwide
Whether you want your high-profile clients chauffeured around town or simply need a lift to Logan, Commonwealth Worldwide has you covered, stylishly. Founded in Boston nearly 35 years ago, the international car service boasts sparkling new fleets of luxury sedans and SUVs, as well as an app that allows users to track their vehicle, contact their driver, or adjust their itinerary with ease. Move over, Uber. 250 Everett St., Allston, 02128, commonwealthlimo.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra
Lauren Genatossio is a brow architect. Those three hairs on top? They exist to keep the ones underneath in place. The stragglers on the end you so desperately wanted to tweeze this morning? Once they’re properly filled in (don’t worry, she’ll take plenty of time to walk you through the finer points of eyebrow penciling), they’ll contribute to a beautiful, full, and perfectly sculpted brow. 840 Summer St., Boston, 617-269-8999; 104A North St., Hingham, 781-749-5599. 840 Summer St., Boston, 02127, sarrastudios.com.
Moody’s Delicatessen
At Moody’s, even the bologna sandwiches are on another level. That’s because owner Joshua Smith crafts everything in house—salumi and sausages, sure, but also the pickled peppers, pimiento cheese, and swipe of herb mayo on your Pullman loaf. And this year, the tireless chef is expanding his meaty empire with a state-of-the-art curing facility down the road, meaning his New England Charcuterie cold cuts will not only be more readily available in Boston—they’ll also be hitting the national stage. 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, moodyswaltham.com.
Ostra
Boston certainly doesn’t lack for seafood. But Ostra, the splashy brainchild of restaurateur Jamie Mammano, rises above the rest with a bricolage of whole roasted fish and a lobster-laden paella served tableside. It’s not all pomp and grandeur, though: Dishes like grilled local porgy with spicy Marcona-almond romesco showcase a mastery of simple yet elegant flavors. One Charles St. S., Boston, MA 02116, ostraboston.com.
Pastoral
Fort Point Italian restaurant Pastoral gets points for a prime location (blocks from the Boston Children's Museum) and an excellent parking situation (get a $5 validation for the nearby Farnsworth Garage). There's ample stroller parking in the takeout area, and tables are widely spaced so antsy children can roam free. The kids' menu, meanwhile, offers thoughtful touches like gluten-free pizza; paper and crayons arrive while you wait. 345 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, pastoralfortpoint.com.
Union Square Donuts
Card-carrying Bostonians that we are, we couldn't really get behind the whole Boston-cream doughnut thing—until we tried the version at Union Square Donuts, with its thick layer of dark ganache frosting and custardy vanilla-laced center. The shop also specializes in unusual flavors like sea-salted bourbon caramel, PB & J, even pizza (hey, it works). 20 Bow St., Somerville, MA 02143, unionsquaredonuts.com.
The Druid
Within the enormous spectrum of Irish-ish spots in Boston, what ultimately sets the Druid apart is its unwavering commitment to the basics (a perfectly poured Guinness, traditional live music sessions, an affable barkeep), plus some surprises, including a seasonal braised oxtail soup, Pretty Things Meadowlark IPA on draft, and trivia nights that pay cash prizes. 1357 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, druidpub.com.
The Sinclair
With top-notch bookings (courtesy of promoters Bowery Boston) and the city's best-designed concert experience, the Sinclair is the House of Blues, only more intimate; the Paradise, without poles obstructing the sightlines; the Middle East downstairs, with a balcony and style. And no other venue can sustain this level of buzz, with surprises like Converse's weeklong run headlined by Passion Pit, Slayer, the Replacements, and Chance the Rapper this past spring. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA 02138, sinclaircambridge.com.
Beer Summit
The Beer Summit's ubiquitous pretzel necklaces, old-school cover bands, and mix of beer fans young and old make us nostalgic for the days when Boston was a beer-festival pioneer. The event's focus on New England breweries and blue-collar craft brewers (no exotic rum-barrel-aged or grapefruit-zest-laden über-beers) is downright refreshing. beersummit.com.
Glossier
Shopping for cosmetics is a tactile experience; how else can you know whether the lip gloss or foundation you’re buying actually works for your face? That’s why we’re so glad this cult-favorite beauty brand recently landed in Boston. Brimming with testers of all the must-haves — from the miracle-working brow pomade to the heavenly gel-cream blush known as Cloud Paint — the pink-hued shop is designed for experimentation and delight. 120 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, glossier.com.
Concepts
You know a store has serious cred when it expands from Boston to New York, Dubai, and Shanghai. The international expansion is no surprise, though, when you consider Concepts’ selection of high-end streetwear from sensations like A Bathing Ape, Ami, Rick Owens, and Common Projects — not to mention its exclusive in-house label, which just so happens to be unveiling a sizzling new women’s line soon. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, cncpts.com.
Viola Lovely
The North Shore outpost of this chic shop, which also has a location in the South End, continues to bring a bit of urban sophistication to the wilds of Wenham. Like its city counterpart, the boutique is known to stock statement pieces that say, “Look at me,” but not too loudly, including clothing, accessories, and shoes from brands such as Lemaire and Robert Clergerie. Plus, you’ll score something hard to find at the Boston boutique: parking. 148 Main St., Wenham, MA 01984, violalovely.com.