Rectify Barbershop & Beauty Alcove
After amassing a loyal following at Love and Mercy salon in Boston, Dayna Gamba and her wife, Shalyn, a brow expert, have struck out on their own with this Mansfield beauty and barbering haven. Opened just last year, Rectify has fast become a go-to shop for those looking for a sharp cut and color or life-changing brow upgrades. rectifybba.com.
Outdoor Voices
Whether your idea of a workout is a leisurely stroll around Jamaica Pond or endless squats at Burnin’ by Ray, this newcomer to the Boston fitness scene has you covered, with lightweight athletic dresses, super-soft knit hoodies, and color-blocked leggings designed with performance and comfort in mind. The Seaport outpost of the chainlet even hosts a hikers’ club, rock-climbing outings, and ’90s-themed yoga, should you need a place to put your new duds to good use. 31 Northern Ave., Boston, MA outdoorvoices.com.
O Ya
Twelve years after owners Tim and Nancy Cushman proved that Boston was ready to pay $20 a pop for sushi served by jeans-wearing waiters, their restaurant empire has expanded to Manhattan and Mexico City, where a third O Ya location opened in April. That hasn’t stopped the original Leather District location from continuing to crank out the kind of dazzlingly avant-garde raw fish that put them on the map—including umami-bomb nigiri like torched hamachi with banana-pepper mousse. 9 East St. , Boston, MA o-ya.restaurant.
New Deal Fish Market
For almost a century, this family-run market has been culling ultra-fresh catch from its generations-deep relationships with suppliers at Boston Fish Pier. It shows in the shop’s unrivaled variety of rosy salmon fillets, fresh-caught sea bass, still-live sea urchin, and lusciously fatty fish collars. Unsure how to cook that head-on ocean perch? Let New Deal’s seasoned pros show you. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA newdealfishmarket.com.
Legal Harborside
For a port city, Boston is surprisingly lean on fantastic waterfront dining. Thankfully, Legal Sea Foods’ Titanic-size flagship offers prime views from lower-level patios and a swinging third-floor rooftop lounge that kisses the space where sky and ocean meet. (A retractable roof and glass walls assist in iffy weather.) Head here to soak up the sun, slurp down oysters, and smell that salty air. 270 Northern Ave. , Boston, MA legalseafoods.com.
Dani Wagener, DW Beauty
Ever wonder how celebrities achieve that flawless red-carpet glow? It's all about the airbrush—makeup, that is. Boston beauty expert Dani Wagener, who's worked with Jenny McCarthy and Emily Deschanel, specializes in this technique. Armed with false eyelashes and the perfect lip color, she'll arrive at your prep site and promptly get about the business of making you look like a star. 326 A St., Boston, MA 02210, daniwagenerbeauty.com.
Moncler
You know it's officially winter in Boston not when the first snowflake falls, but when the first puffy coat appears. And yes, Moncler makes its fair share of those. But there's way more to this outerwear brand than the practical stylings of goose down. Rain-ready parkas, sleek leather jackets, and contemporary trenches are arranged by collection in the handsome, dimly lit Copley Place showroom, making it easy to stay toasty and on-trend through rain, snow, and gloom of night. Copley Place, Boston, MA 02116, moncler.com.
Himalayan Bistro
West Roxbury isn't known as a culinary haven, but Himalayan Bistro transports diners from the suburban western edge of Boston to the eastern reaches of India and Nepal. Enveloped in the warm scents of coriander, turmeric, and curry wafting from the kitchen, they tuck into smoky tandoori chicken, creamy tikka masala, and regional dishes like craªpes stuffed with potatoes and lamb against the backdrop of colorful Hindu art. 1735 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, himalayanbistro.net.
The Wave at Middlesex Lounge
Independent promotions company CLLCTV Boston is combatting the Hub's puritanical closing hours by starting the party earlier. Once a month on Sunday afternoon—a time typically reserved for wallowing in Saturday's mistakes and digesting hollandaise—the Wave invites a rotation of homegrown and visiting DJs to the Middlesex to close out the weekend right. Just over a year old, the daytime dance party provides good beats, promotes good vibes, and attracts a multicultural crowd in an oft-segregated club scene. 315 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, thewaveboston.splashthat.com.
Lash L’Amour
So long, lackluster lashes and sparse brows: Lash L’Amour’s specialists have easy fixes for bigger, better volume. For over-tweezed arches, a set of eyebrow extensions restores original glory. For next-level flirting, a volume extension treatment, which isolates individual hairs and allows up to 500 ultrafine extensions per eye, will have you batting those lashes in no time. 129 Newbury St., Boston, 617-247-1871; 55 Langley Rd., Newton, 617-916-1209. 129 Newbury St., Boston, 02116, lashlamour.com.
Bagelsaurus
Thanks to pop-ups Exodus Bagels and Better Bagels, we can now confidently say that Boston is (finally!) a bagel town. That wouldn’t have been possible without the grand carb doyenne, Bagelsaurus’s Mary Ting Hyatt. Alongside her already-famous lye-dipped pretzel bagels, Hyatt has also given us game-changing schmears and the area’s first bona fide bialy. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, bagelsaurus.com.
Bantam
When Dana Masterpolo and Michelle da Silva introduced Wunderkind to Boston drinkers four years ago, the dry, fruit-forward drink helped usher in a New England cider revival. These days, the small but mighty outfit reliably offers at least seven different ferments on draft every weekend in its taproom, and three year-round blends are available in cans, including in new markets such as New York and Chicago. 40 Merriam St., Somerville, MA 02143, bantamcider.com.
Moonshine 152
To fry up the greatest golden bird in Boston, chef Asia Mei eschews thighs and breasts in favor of the lowly wing. Butchered in-house, dry-brined in a secret spice rub, and marinated for two days in a pool of buttermilk and herbs, the meat melts off the bone. Add in the delicate crust and side of poblano-laced ranch dressing, and you have the epitome of southern-fried goodness. 152 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA 02127, moonshine152.com.
Simco's
What, you might ask, is the only thing better than a hot dog? A footlong. And what’s the only thing that can improve such perfection? The addition of a buttered, griddled bun, and a generous topping of chili and melted cheese. There’s no seating at this Mattapan institution—just a pickup window—but when you factor in that prices range from $3.50 for a naked dog (with classic toppings) to $4.75 for chili-cheese, there may not be a tastier value in Boston. 1509 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan, MA 2126, .
Nicole Simeral, Simeral & Co.
No-show rabbis, MIA groomsmen—Nicole Simeral has seen (and fixed) it all. But the Boston-based planner does much more than fight wedding-day fires; she also recommends vendors, handles contract negotiations, and thoughtfully coordinates each and every detail (lighting, linens, late-night taco stations) throughout the process, all the while keeping each couple’s distinct vision in mind. simeralco.com.