Georgetown Cupcake
In this, the age of the bacon-topped cupcake, it's nice to know that a simple vanilla confection can still be done right. At Georgetown's first Boston outpost, the Madagascar-bourbon-vanilla cake is delicate and moist, and the cream cheese frosting is fluffy and rich. If you do have a craving for something a touch more exotic, the specialty cupcakes (fresh strawberry, Earl Grey-lavender) are praise-the-heavens delicious, too. 83 Newbury St., Boston, MA georgetowncupcake.com.
Drink
Photo by Jesse Burke Drink is a bar of firsts—the first high-profile craft-cocktail joint in South Boston; the first place that some of the city's top bartenders worked; and, most notably, the first place that many people discover their favorite cocktail. There are usually a few drink suggestions on the board behind the bar, but don't miss out on chatting with the expert mixers, who will design a sipper based on your preferences. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA drinkfortpoint.com.
Anne-Cecile Curot
It's bad enough getting waxed—best to do it in a fun, distracting atmosphere (with Donna Summer cooing softly in the background). What makes this place unique is Cecile, a charming French woman who brought a trade secret with her when she came to Boston— azulene , a green wax that's as soothing as such a thing can be. And her efficiency and professionalism will prevent you from wondering what you're doing there in the first place! Jean-Pierre David, 24A Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Eastern Standard
Every evening, somewhere around midnight, a magical—if vaguely treacherous—moment occurs in Boston. High up onto the back bar of one of the city's most beloved restaurants clambers an employee who, teetering precariously, writes the late-night specials onto a gargantuan mirror. The items differ—flatiron steak with bérnaise, or maybe a Cubano with house spicy mustard—but what remains constant is the anticipation generated, and the rush of orders that inevitably follows. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
Casa Romero
With a rash of Mexican and Latin-inspired restaurants invading Boston in recent months, there's finally some competition in this category. But sometimes shiny and new can feel cold or corporate. And a see-and-be-seen scene doesn't mesh so well with oozy plates of homemade enchiladas verdes and tamales. So let the cool kids have their herb-infused mezcaltinis for now. Until the hype dies down, we'll be at this homey little spot in a Back Bay alley, downing sangria and ceviche with a smile. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA 2115, casaromero.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
Craving a tangy taste of ash-coated chevre? A mouthful of manchega? A genuine Gorgonzola? Proceed directly to Formaggio Kitchen, the closest you'll come to a European cheesemonger on these shores. A recent addition to what is already a mecca for Boston chefs and epicures is an innovative cheese-ripening cave, the first of its kind in a retail store in this country. A 100-pound wheel of Beaufort, still not quite ready, has been down there for two years. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Babycakes from Brian's
He wants the Boston Cream Pie, she likes the Lemon Custard cake, their dinner guests are partial to mousse cakes and fruit tarts. How to make everybody happy? Order little individual cakes for each person in his or her favorite flavor. They're all so good, you'll be tempted to swap samples. 8 Elm Street, Braintree, MA .
Santarpio's
Who knows pizza better than teenagers? We sent four teenagers who had trained on a field trip to Italy to sample pies in the North End and East Boston. Their pick: Santarpio's, with caveats. The wait staff is surly, the dining room is grungy, and the location is convenient only if you're heading to Logan. But the pizza is still the best. We suggest takeout. 111 Chelsea St., East Boston, MA .
Sel de la Terre's Lunch Prix Fixe
It's easy to get a great meal in Boston if you've got money to burn. But frugal gourmets need an assist from benevolent restaurateurs. At bustling Sel de la Terre, the three-course lunch menu changes daily but always costs just $19 and includes expensive-tasting dishes like asparagus-lemon soup with crab dumpling; a grilled sausage, prune, and pine nut tajine; and strawberry cream cheese chocolate torte. 225 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.com.
Oleana
Boston has no shortage of outdoor dining options, but for our money, none is as transporting as the backyard terrace at Oleana. It's a fairyland of flora and fauna—swags of crawling green draped over wooden trellises, fruit trees burgeoning with ripe fruit, flowers of every variety waving in the summer breeze. That's more than most of us needed to set the scene for a relaxing meal—so when chef Ana Sortun tosses in her soothing and exotic Mediterranean menu, it's just glorious gravy. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA oleanarestaurant.com.
Matthew Pearl
Cambridge's Matthew Pearl has combined literary mystery with historical fiction in such best-selling novels as The Dante Club and Poe's Shadow. He recently released his fourth novel, The Technologists, a big, burly thrill ride of a book that takes readers back to 1860s Boston, where students in the inaugural class of MIT seek the cause behind a series of catastrophes in the city. MA matthewpearl.com.
Barbara Krakow Gallery
Photography by Bob O'Connor When the MFA has an Alex Katz retro-spective, this Newbury Street gallery has the clout to run its own Katz portraiture show at the same time. Bold, courageous, and experimental, Krakow has brought Boston the finest contemporary works in every medium since 1964. Mixed in with the big names (Sol LeWitt, Chuck Close, and Tara Donovan) are exciting newcomers poised to break out onto both the local and national scenes. 10 Newbury St #5, Boston, MA 2116, barbarakrakowgallery.com.
WMBR (88.1 FM) and WZBC (90.3 FM)
They aren't just a whole lot cooler than 'FNX, 'BCN, and all the other top-40 alterna-drivel, these college stations aren't even allowed to broadcast commercials. From M.I.T. and Boston College respectively, these kids pump out a wild array of shows, often with scary bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and Slits.
Leonard Florence's
In a one-week period in September 1985, Florence then CEO of Towle Manufacturing, sold 43,600 shares of the East Boston silverware manufacturer at prices ranging from $8.37 to $9 a share. Two months later, the 54-year-old Florence was asked to resign. Last March the 296-year-old company filed for protection from its creditors under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code. The company's stock is currently hovering around $3.50 a share.
Oishii
Faithful followers suggest that perennial Best of Boston winner Oishii serves the best sushi in New England. Rare (and delectably dangerous) options such as blowfish hold court with traditional rolls and sashimi creations. Don't miss the toro tata, Kumamoto oyster sushi, and hamachi torched maki topped with caviar. Note to claustrophobes: The Chestnut Hill location is tiny. 612 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill, MA oishiiboston.com.