Atlantic Fish and Chop House
It’s the closest thing to eating on the deck of a yacht without actually leaving dry land: Perched at the edge of the water, this Edgartown hot spot offers one of the prettiest views around of the boats moored in the harbor and the ferry shuttling people back and forth from Chappy. The view on the plate is equally top-notch — carnivores will delight in the selection of steaks, while seafood lovers can enjoy the fruits of the sea raw, grilled, or in chowder form (also an island best). 2 Main St., Edgartown, MA 02539, atlanticmv.com.
The Proprietors Bar & Table
Hollandaise-drizzled eggs Benny and bloodies are always a welcome weekend indulgence, but there are times—especially on vacation—when we want more from our morning meal. Thankfully, the Proprietors' adventurous brunch menu rises to the challenge. Here, chef/co-owner Michael LaScola's lobster-and-mushroom pancakes are luxed up with crème fraîche and caviar; whipped-mortadella toast is finished with a soft-poached egg; and everything tastes better with a side of "Ranchero" tater tots, slathered with gooey cheddar cheese and scrambled eggs. 9 India St., Nantucket, MA 2554, proprietorsnantucket.com.
Long’s Jewelers
For high-end bling you won’t find anywhere—or on anyone—else, look to Long’s treasure trove of vintage and estate baubles. The venerable jeweler has been collecting unique necklaces, earrings, pins, and more for 135-plus years, with new pieces continually added to its diverse catalog. And if you decide later that you’re more art deco than art nouveau, it even offers a 30-day grace period for your purchase. Multiple locations. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 02110, longsjewelers.com.
Party Favors
After tasting every cake in town—hey, anything for the job—it's official: Party Favors' sinfully rich but not-too-sweet cake/frosting combo is the most delectable. You can mix and match colors and flavors for filling and icing, and sample two combinations before making a decision. Bring in a wedding photo of your cake a year later, and the shop will make you a mini anniversary replica for free—a handy service, considering your reception guests will want to devour every last morsel of the original. 1356 Beacon St., Brookline, MA partyfavorsbrookline.com.
The Icing on the Cake
Whether you choose lemon velvet or double chocolate raspberry, these moist masterpieces, split and filled three times with delectably flavored buttercreams, promise to make any wedding guest's mouth water. The Icing on the Cake's designers work individually with every couple, creating a perfect match for the mood of the wedding. Warning: With this kind of personal attention and attention to detail, the cake's handmade icing flowers and sophisticated white-on-white icing designs threaten to outshine the mother of the bride. 230 Adams St., Newton, MA tiotc.com.
Jurys Boston Hotel
Thanks to a two-year, $68 million renovation of the former Boston Police Department headquarters, Jurys's wall of trickling water, sparkling elevators, lavish suites, and stunning marble bathrooms (with heated towel racks) are a far cry from the holding cells of yesteryear. A sizable accumulation of contemporary Irish art and a helpful staff lend European class to these very American quarters. 350 Stuart St., Boston, MA .
Cambridge War Memorial Pool
The six-lane, 250yard pool is crystal clear and exceptionally maintained. Water temperature gets high marks too: warm enough to draw you in, but cold enough to make you work for a sweat. If the kids are in tow, steer them toward the shallow kiddie pool or the separate diving well. Prices are very reasonable, at $3.25 for Cambridge residents and $3.75 for nonresidents/ 1640 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA .
Luke Aaron
Luke Aaron's sophisticated, ladylike gowns and separates look theatrical for a reason: The budding couturier honed his craft in the costume shop at Tufts, later working for renowned costume designers in New York City. Aaron is especially adept at creating dramatic shapes by ruching and draping fabrics—grace notes that can be seen in his expanding bridal collection. Handmade pieces are available at his North End showroom, inside a restored preindustrial building. 38A Fleet St., Boston, MA lukeaaronboston.com.
Odessa Instant Shoe Repair
Our poor, overloved clogs—not much left of the heel but a few pieces of chewed-up yellow foam. Bracing for a lecture on proper shoe care, we nervously carried them into Odessa. To our delight, the kindly proprietor lifted them up lovingly and assured us they would be fine. And a week later he delivered a perfectly handmade new heel for each, plus fresh soles and heels for several equally battered pairs of boots. 3 Center Plz., Boston, MA 2108, .
BodyScapes
No pain, no gain? We so understand that phrase. Our first day at BodyScapes was a bit of a shock: Our butts were kicked—hard—as one of manager Jerry Labbate's six smiling trainers guided us through a series of squats, lunges, lifts, and sprints so intense we ached for days. But then one morning, two months later, we suddenly awoke with abs. Real, defined abs. And biceps. And calves. And—did we mention?—abs! One Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, bodyscapesinc.com.
Willowbee & Kent
The travel superstore stocks alarm clocks, passport cases, wrinkles-free clothing with hidden pockets, electronic travel gadgets, guidebooks, maps, journals, and a full-service, in-house travel agency. If you can think of anything else you'd need for a weekend getaway or a trip around the world, we'll eat our lightweight, floats-in-water, sun-protective, ventilated safari hat. 519 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
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.
The Field
In Ireland, a pub is just a simple bar, not a junkyard of faux-Irish flourishes like County Cork mile markers or an imported floor. Behind the quaint red exterior of this Central Square spot is an unpretentious watering hole filled with friendly folks from students to punk rockers. Music from the corners, a ratty pool table, and comfy benches make it a great nightcap or Saturday afternoon haven. As for the most authentic measure of any Irish pub: The Guinness is positively soulful. 20 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA thefieldpub.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.
Backbar
This is the year of the cocktail bar, and the city's top new spots are anchored by considerable talent. There's Scott Marshall shaking and stirring at the Hawthorne, and Misty Kalkofen assembling mezcal-spiked drinks at Brick & Mortar. When it comes to making the most of a watering hole, though, we have to hand it to Sam Treadway, who has transformed Backbar's tiny, raw Union Square space into a game-changing operation—all with a broad smile and even broader range of cocktail smarts. 9 Sanborn Court, Somerville, MA 2143, backbarunion.com.