L'Espalier
For a modern Boston tea party, head to L'Espalier on a Saturday afternoon, when the Back Bay brownstone is filled with elegant ladies nibbling on pastries and canapés. We recommend Red Riding Hood's Basket: savory tea sandwiches, melt-in-your-mouth scones with crème fraîche, and chocolate-dipped strawberries or Valrhona milk chocolate mousse tarts. The tea, delivered with a graceful flourish, is brewed just so and punctually refilled. You won't want to spill a drop. 744 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, lespalier.com.
No Name Restaurant
The décor is worn; the waiters, crusty. The low-priced seafood, on the other hand, couldn't be fresher, and the kitchen knows what to do with it, displaying considerable finesse with battered fried clams, seared scallops, and buttery chowder made with leftovers from the catches of the day. While some people may be put off by the No Name's unfussy shtick—the restaurant famously serves water by the pitcher in tiny paper cups—regulars know it's part of what amounts to one of the tastiest bargains in Boston. 15 1/2 Fish Pier, Boston, MA nonamerestaurant.com.
South Street Diner
From eggs, home fries, and pancakes to the turkey club piled with crispy bacon, the 24-hour South Street Diner nails the classics, then ups the ante with plates like chocolatey French toast and fried pickles (not together, thankfully). With Nitzer Ebb and Passion Pit on the jukebox and mimosas available until 1 a.m., we love South Street for the same reason we love Boston: It's steeped in tradition, but never short on quirk. 178 Kneeland St., Boston, MA 2111, southstreetdiner.com.
Audubon Circle
Boston is full of places to grab a beer, a greasy burger, or wings on the cheap. But for a brew and tasty bites that won't cause a morning-after food hangover, sidle up to a barstool—or cozy banquette—at Audubon Circle. The crispy duck salad with sage vinaigrette, the pork schnitzel with pickled onion, the chévre cheesecake—this is the kind of inspired fare that convinces you to sit back and order another Fisherman's Ale...and another. 838 Beacon St., Boston, MA 2115, audubocircle.com.
The Five Seasons Restaurant
Meat-and-potato Brahmin cravings may explain the dearth of veggie restaurants in Boston, but The Five Seasons will convince even the most die-hard carnivore to lighten up. With beautiful, delicious dishes— including the tofu nori-roll appetizer, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and seafood kettle— this spot draws herbies for whole foods without artificial additives and preservatives. The menu includes fresh fish, free-range chicken, and locally grown organic produce. 669A Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Uber
We don't fancy ourselves the "needs a private driver" type—but Uber swept us off our feet (in a luxurious Lincoln Town Car, no less). Launched in Boston last fall, the car-service smartphone app allows you to get a limo ride from anywhere, to anywhere with the press of a button. Apps available for iPhone and Android. Boston, MA uber.com.
Christopher Ricks
Boston University. Maybe it's because he worships Bob Dylan. Maybe it's because it appears that he's committed to memory every word T. S. Eliot ever wrote. Maybe it's because he can recite practically any other line of prose or verse imaginable. Or maybe it's just his students' insistence that he's simply the most dedicated, challenging, energetic, and inspiring teacher in the post-Socratic era.
Surroundings
There was a time when anyone on the South Shore interested in fine furnishings had to make the trek up to Boston. But there's no need now. At this lovely one-stop decor shop, you'll find outstanding American lines like Oly and Hickory Chair, French furnishings made by Grange, and accessories by the Vermont-based Simon Pearce. Overwhelmed? Seek out the in-house designer, Bill Barr, who offers complete interiors service. 81 1/2 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett, MA surroundingshome.com.
Museum of Science
Unlike the Boston Children's Museum over in Fort Point, the Museum of Science offers parking—a not-insignificant bonus to the many family-friendly charms of this 230,000-square-foot institution. For preschoolers, there's the Discovery Center, full of stuffed animals, things to crawl on and fidget with, knobs to turn, and levers to tug. For older kids, there are exhibits about dinosaurs, lasers, and other gee-whiz subjects. And for parents? The profound joy of nobody whining about being bored. 1 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 2114, mos.org.
Bernard Toale Gallery
The burgeoning SOWA (South of Washington) district is now a must-see destination, thanks in no small part to Bernie Toale. Toale's gallery has been a showcase for everything from the sculpture of Roxy Paine to the intricate, layered drawings of ICA Artist Prize-winner Ambreen Butt to the portraits of photographer David Hilliard. The gallery's Boston Drawing Project also provides a much-needed home for other local artists and for worthy smaller projects that might otherwise be overlooked. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Mark Morris and Yo-Yo Ma
Morris' yearly appearances in Boston have become an eagerly awaited tradition, but this year Yo-Yo Ma and his cello joined the dancers on stage at the Wang Center for a dazzling series of duets. The great Baryshnikov also danced, briefly but memorably, still showing more sheer expressiveness in a single gesture than most dancers do in their entire career.
Come
After losing half the band last year, longtime critical darling Come is down to two members—Thalia Zedek and Chris Brokaw. But Come will live on—after all, Zedek and Brokaw have been on the scene in Boston and New York for a decade now, and Come has just released its third CD, titled Near Life Experience
Granite Links Golf Club
The views of the Boston skyline make this Quincy course stand out, but Granite Links is much more than a pretty picture. The private course offers an astounding 27 holes of golf for members and the public, and includes a large, lighted practice range that stays open late. After a grueling round with your buddies, the on-site restaurant is a welcome respite, with a fun-loving crowd and a range of food and drink options. 100 Quarry Lane, Quincy, MA 2186, granitelinksgolfclub.com.
Robert Klein Gallery
Few Boston galleries can claim to have an international following, but this small fourth-floor boutique on Newbury Street is a big-league player. When Robert Klein founded his gallery more than 30 years ago, he was one of the first to exhibit works by Diane Arbus, Annie Leibovitz, and Sally Mann. Throughout the years, his unerring eye for photography's best has resulted in a collection that rivals any in the world. 38 Newbury St. #402, Boston, MA 2116, robertkleingallery.com.
76 Main
This sleek downtown inn offers rooms done up in stripes and poppy colors by Boston designer Rachel Reider, as well as plenty of modern amenities (iPads, Apple TVs). Your best bet is Room 16 or 17 in the guesthouse, each of which features a patio complete with a fire table and a private entrance from the inn’s pretty courtyard. 76 Main St., Nantucket, MA 2554, 76main.com.