Shreve, Crump & Low
Special occasions call for spectacular jewelry, and this Boston institution's got it covered. Popping the question? Buy a Shreve Astral Cut diamond. Celebrating an anniversary? Look to designer collections by the likes of Marco Bicego and David Yurman. Getting a divorce? Take home something deliciously sparkly for yourself. A helpful, attentive staff and a wide range of choices—from estate pins to Mikimoto cultured pearls—guarantee you'll always walk out satisfied. 330 Boylston St., Boston, MA shrevecrumpandlow.com.
Marathon Sports
After years of outfitting die-hard and amateur runners alike from its outlying locations, Marathon Sports has opened a high-profile branch right at the finish of the Boston Marathon. Has success jaded the staff or inflated the prices? Not a chance: The salespeople still kneel down to eyeball customers' gaits and find the perfect shoe for their stride; the selection is still excellent and expansive; the prices are still competitive; and now the locations are ideal. 671 Boylston St., Boston, MA marathonsports.com.
Polka Dog Bakery
We'll cop to ordering kibble in bulk and rolls of doggy bags online, but when we want to reward our most loyal friends, we load up on the chicken littles, cod skins, and duck jerky dehydrated in Polka Dog's South Boston kitchen. Beyond the treat jars, the retail shops deal in Big Shrimpy dog beds, Bella Bean collars, and sturdy Tuffy chew toys—certain to command semper fi from your pup—plus a range of purr-inducing cat provisions. 356 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
When it comes to outfitting our home, we want it all—high style, gorgeous fabrics, American-made pieces—at a fair price, of course. That's why we always make this Boston-area furniture chain our first stop. Whether we're placing a custom order or browsing higher-end brand knockoffs, we get the same white-glove service, without breaking the bank. 142 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, mitchellgoldboston.com.
The Barking Crab
For a city with perhaps the nation's highest expectations for clam chowder, Boston offers a pitiful few truly good renditions. Most versions have degenerated into blandness, with a texture that's either too watery or suspiciously sludgy. But it is still possible to grab a creamy, flavorful bowl. Although the service ought to be, on occasion, thrown back, the chowder at the Barking Crab actually tastes like clams and has the right amount of seasoning, with the added bonus of a water view and casual clam shack ambiance right at the edge of the Financial District. 88 Sleeper St., Boston, MA barkingcrab.com.
Redbones
Sentimental favorite Redbones has been challenged over the last few years by a whole herd of new barbecue joints. But there's no beating the heaping portions of Memphis-, Texas-, Arkansas-, and St. Louis-style Fred Flintstone-sized ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and beef brisket; the appetizers, like catfingers and buffalo shrimp; the seemingly infinite draft beer selection; and the hillbilly ambiance. Okay, so the service is more Boston than Baton Rouge. But it makes up in efficiency for what lacks in warmth. 55 Chester St., Davis Square, Somerville, MA redbones.com.
Ole Mexican Grille
Hope at last for those who've tolerated the bland psuedo Tex-Mex prevalent in Boston. A warm yellow-and-orange dining room (in the Inman Square location) with Mexican tiled tales and a tin ceiling takes you away from New England. The tamales are wonderfully tender and steamy in their banana-leaf wrapping and mole sauce, and the Tacos al Carbon are fabulous. 11 Springfield St., Cambridge, MA .
Maison Robert
We liked this Boston institution even before its recent renovation, but it's great to see it at the top of its game. Redecorating its Old City Hall surroundings hasn't hurt, but the real draw is Maison Robert's innovative cuisine. Among the appetizers, its foie gras with sauteed apples and caramelized blinis is spectacular. As for the entrees, its Maine lobster, smoked over applewood, might be the lobster dish in town. French with a twist. Its wine list boasts some terrific values. 45 School St., Boston, MA .
Back Bay Brewing Company
In years past, we anointed Back Bay, but with one reservation. Brewmeister Tod Mott always made the damn small-batch beers this side of the Mississippi. (His seasonal Imperial stout is a classic, notwithstanding that goofy squabble over naming it Boston Strangler Stout.) But the food left something to be desired. New chef Jim Casey has taken care of that, however, with a fine inventive menu devoid the culinary pretense that hobbles other brew pubs. 755 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Cafe Louis
Leave it to Louis Boston to install a cafe that outdoes most of the local stand-alone restaurants. What keeps us coming back to Cafe Louis, even when we don't want to shop. is chef David Reynoso's incredible pizza margherita. It's thin-crusted, with fresh fontina and basil leaves, and so authentic a Neapolitan experience that you'll forget your chic environs and lick your fingers afterward. 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Theresa Paopao, Ribelle
We first fell in love with Paopao when she was the bubbly sommelier at Oleana, in Cambridge—and then, as is often the case with talented hospitality folks, she split for New York, for a prestigious gig as the sommelier for David Chang's Momofuku group. But early this year, Paopao returned to consult for Ken Oringer's impending Toro New York concept, and decided to stick around Boston. And now? She's the one responsible for the wines at Ribelle, her pal Tim Maslow's new Washington Square eatery. 1665 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Pavement Coffeehouse
One of the first places in Boston to offer pour-over and cold-brew coffees, Pavement goes well beyond crafting lattes and cappuccinos (although these are fantastic here, too). From the quality Counter Culture beans and complimentary soy milk at the bar to the strong WiFi connection and inviting tufted couches, this is a true coffeehouse experience, one that both java aficionados and on-the-go professionals will savor. 1096 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2115, pavementcoffeehouse.com.
Rubin's Kosher Restaurant Delicatessen
Sadly, the deli is seriously endangered in this country. Thankfully here in Boston, or in Brookline anyway, at least one shining outpost exists, an homage to a time when eating a sandwich piled high with corned beef, pastrami, coleslaw, and Russian dressing didn't make you think, Oh my God, my arteries just froze. That place is Rubin's and that sandwich is called "The Gramercy Park." It is a monster. Provided that you've got health insurance, please, go and order it. 500 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, rubinsboston.com.
Coppa
We didn't need last year's Food & Wine accolades to tell us that Jamie Bissonnette rocks. The famously inked chef drives the two hottest spots in town—Toro and Coppa (co-owned with Ken Oringer)—which launched our obsession with charcuterie and offal. And while it will pain us to share his skills with New York when a Toro location opens there later this year, we're proud he'll be showing that city what Boston is made of (hint: a whole lotta pork). 253 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2116, coppaboston.com.
No. 9 Park
The name really ought to be No. 10, because chef Barbara Lynch's Beacon Hill institution offers perfection every time. Foodies find inspired pairings of seasonal delicacies like cardoon gratin with black truffle tartine; people-watchers get a chance to see the créme of Boston society; and big spenders love the chance to show off with hard-to-find bottles—and still get their money's worth. No matter which you're after, you'll get attentive, expert service that always satisfies. 9 Park St., Boston, MA 2108, no9park.com.