Looney Tunes
Some people will never be swayed by the pure, clean, digital sound of compact discs—they prefer their music to be on vinyl. You can get the best of both worlds—used CDs and LPs—at Looney Tunes. And best of all, many are under $10. Looney Tunes is particularly strong in teh jazz and rock departments. They also carry collectibles: In June, at the Boston store, the avid Beatles fan could take possession of the rare and coveted "butcher cover" for a mere $600. 1106 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Harry Mantos
There have been three generations of Mantoses at Boston Bootmakers, 115 Summer St., a firm that itself is fifty years old—suggesting that they must be doing something right. For repairs or actual design and construction, Mantos and his ten-man crew are at your service. "We charge the best," Mantos says, "we give the best, and we do the best. In other words, we're very fair. We give quality." Boston Bootmakers, 115 Summer St., Boston, MA .
Market
Provincetown is awash in style-savvy men. We're guessing that best dressed of them frequent Market, a small but flashy clothing destination on Commercial Street. Pick up a new pair of swim shorts by a notably chic designer such as D&G, Hugo Boss, Jean-Paul Gaultier, or DSquared2. What's even better? Market has two sister stores in Boston, so you can still shop till you drop when you get home. 173 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA .
Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
With an unadulterated sound and a timeless, gamine look, Aly Spaltro, a.k.a. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, upstages every testosterone-fueled act in Boston. Her voice is light yet certain, as are her banjo and guitar stylings, which will sound even better when properly recorded (until now, her bedroom has served as her studio). Next to Spaltro's spare verses and trancelike repetition, everything else sounds like a whole lotta noise. ladylambthebeekeeper.com.
Café Vanille
Experienced sweet-tooths know exactly where to turn when sugar cravings hit. Vanille's pastry cases are chock full of tantalizing treats: cappuccino cheesecake, chocoholic bliss tart, Boston cream pie. Don't fret if you can't decide. Just sample the bakery's petit fours—bite-sized sensations that include the ethereal diva (chocolate and caramel mousse) and the encore-deserving opera (coffee buttercream cake). We dare you to resist becoming addicted to this Beacon Hill sweet spot. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA frenchmemories.com.
The Kendall Café
As the many framed posters around the bar can attest, big named have played this small room situated on a Cambridge backstreet, among them Jewel and Elvis Costello. This year, the Kendall bolstered its currency with local talent, creating a "Tuesday Night Music Club" series that features a Who's Who of Boston musicians trying out new or experimental material. Add great food and cheap beer specials, and it's easy to see why this is the hangout of choice for local rock glitterati. 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Parish Cafe
What if great Boston chefs such as Todd English of Olives, Lydia Shire of Biba, Jody Adams of Rialto, and Chris Schlesigner of East Coast Grill designed sandwiches? Well, they have, and they're on the menu here, along with other hearty creations contributed by the kitchens of the Tuscan Grill, Ambrosia, and the Elephant Walk, Up Stairs at the Pudding, and the Capital Grille. It's all served in a cheerful atmosphere with sidewalk tables and a friendly wait staff. 61 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Santarpio's Pizza
Long before the neighborhood became known for high-end loft conversions and favorable price-per-square-foot ratios, Santarpio's was making superlative pizza in East Boston. Now in its fourth generation in the pie-slinging business, the Santarpio clan continues to draw pilgrims from across the area to its no-frills, out-of-the-way, cash-only restaurant, beloved for its homemade sausage links, fresh-tasting sauce, gooey cheese, and reliably crunchy crusts. 111-113 Chelsea St., East Boston, MA santarpiospizza.com.
Lucky's Lounge
Lucky's easy-to-miss subterranean location in the Fort Point area and its lack of signage do little to thin the crowds that pack the retro hangout, looking to swill cocktails and sway to live music on weekend nights. But unlike the college kids and middle managers on the make who populate many other Boston hot spots, the artists, young digerati, and stylish singles mingling under the signature red lighting here make for a scene you won't mind having to squeeze into. 355 Congress St., South Boston, MA luckyslounge.com.
JMW Gallery
People who are stuck on Stickley already know about JMW, a gallery filled with Mission furniture, art pottery, and accessories of the American arts and crafts movement. A century ago, Boston was in the forefront of craftsman design, and JMW celebrates that tradition by searching out some of the finest local art pottery. These are antiques to live with, from mustard-yellow J. & J.G. Low tiles out of Chelsea for the fireplace, to an achingly elegant matte-green Grueby vase for the front hall. And maybe, just maybe, a Stickley table to set it on. 144 Lincoln St., Boston, MA jmwgallery.com.
Ginza
For authentic Japanese cuisine, Ginza quite simply can't be beat— and we looked. We love the wide, flat platters of sushi and sashimi; love the fast service; could do without the bright lights. Nevertheless, whether you're seeking tempura, sushi, seafood, or meat, Ginza's locations in Chinatown and Brookline serve the most delectable Japanese delicacies in Boston. 16 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Mr. Barley's Burger and Salad Cottage
It might not be the first thing you'll smell walking down street, but a frappe from Bartley's may be an even better reason to stop in than the tantalizing aroma of frying beef. Between batches of Elvis burgers and sweet-potato fries, Mr. Bartley's turns out one of the most consistent, reliable, straw-pluggingly thick frappes around, beating tony Boston ice cream parlors hands down. 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Ristorante Toscano
When Vinicio Paoli first arrived in Boston in the early '80s, he says it was just like a scene from Big Night: "People would order risotto and then ask why they didn't get a side of spaghetti!" Despite this less-than-fortuitous initiation, he continues to serve the choicest cuts of meat, the freshest pastas, and the most satisfying sauces. 47 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Make/Shift
Collaborative workspaces—centers where many different businesses work in one area, bouncing ideas off one another—are redefining the way we work in Boston. The best of the bunch? The South End's Make/Shift, which merges creative businesses like Spirited magazine, graphic design firm Golden Arrows, and Web design and development company Quilted. Boston, MA 2118, makeshiftboston.org.
Duffy Design Group
Celebrity relocates to Boston area. Celebrity purchases multimillion-dollar pad. Celebrity homeowner puts Dennis Duffy on speed dial. You'd be smart to do the same. Duffy's jaw-dropping interiors are marked by flawless furniture, one-of-a-kind home accessories, and seamlessly integrated artwork. And whether he's working on a luxe Back Bay penthouse, an industrial South End studio, or the aforementioned A-list manse, he always delivers original touches. 530 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, duffydesigngroup.com.