Allston Car Wash
When you were a kid, the car wash was a magical journey through a world of gigantic brushes, gushing foam, and torrents of water. Now that you've joined the ranks of car-owning adults, it takes considerably more to impress you—namely, scrupulous hand-drying and endless service options (including detailing). You'll find it all at this time-and-again favorite, known for cheerful professionalism minus the up-selling. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
The Oak Room
Some hotel bars are trendy watering holes with rooms upstairs; others are mediocre places for conventiongoers to pickle themselves. The Oak Bar is another species entirely: an escape that's equal parts time machine (jazz piano; career bartenders doling out snack mix) and glorious splurge ($17 martinis delivered in an icy shaker; a Chateaubriand sandwich on brioche). 138 St James Ave., Boston, MA 2116, oaklongbarkitchen.com.
Lower Depths Tap Room
This Kenmore Square taproom raises the, ahem, bar on pub food. Try the build-your-own Fenway Franks, one of the crispy tater tot varieties (like 'poutine tots' or 'tots mexicana'), or the tasty nachos. The 7-ounce burger, meanwhile, comes piled high with whatever unconventional toppings we crave, from chili to chipotle aioli. Apologies to Burger King, but when we want it our way, we come here. 476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, thelowerdepths.com.
Suishaya
The ok dol bibimbop still has our mouths watering: a bed of rice, crispy at the bottom where it meets the hot stone serving pot; heaps of beef and vegetables; a golden egg yolk that works its way onto everything our chopsticks touch. Nothing could be better—except perhaps the seafood udon, which tastes like that morning's catch. The modest storefront may not boast of the riches inside, but there's no better Korean around. 2 Tyler St., Boston, MA 2111, .
Savas Shoe Repair
While longtime sole man Arthur Savas might not, as one pal jokes affectionately, 'win any personality contests,' he is undoubtedly a shoe's best friend: re-heeling, re-soling, and otherwise patching up even the saddest specimens. But could he handle the spanking-new Pradas with the torn fabric-covered heel? Savas protested we were expecting too much...yet a week later the job was done, the work irreproachable. 260 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, .
Victoria Turovsky, City Salon
Victoria will take feet that haven't seen a good file in a year and make them clean, soft, and sandal-ready. In her cozy room in the back of the salon, she soaks feet in scented bubbling water, eliminates nasty corns, massages toes, then paints toenails a pretty color. She also offers sage advice on how to keep feet looking healthy (no synthetic shoes please!). 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Addo Novo
Photo by Jesse Burke It's easy to get swept up in interior trends, but when you're looking for edge (that won't later cut you), Addo Novo offers the midcentury's greatest hits, along with contemporary interpretations. What's so brilliant about the Barcelona couch or the George Nelson Bubble Lamp, you ask? These thoughtfully designed pieces are perfectly scaled for Boston's smaller, European-style living spaces. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA addonovo.com.
Flock
You know that cool aunt, the one who dabbles in ceramics and goes to music fests and has faded photos of herself with Jimi and Joni on the walls of her Topanga Canyon bungalow? Well, mother-and-daughter team Lisa and Danielle Kupsc have designed their boho-chic boutique with her in mind. Corey Lynn Calter dresses and Chaser tees are darling, of course, but the colorful bags, statement scarves, and funky pieces from under-the-radar jewelry designers like Alkemie and Pepita are what set this place apart. 274 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, flockboston.com.
Raven Used Books
When Raven opened an outpost on Newbury Street in 2010, a good deal of head-scratching ensued: a secondhand book store on Newbury? Two years later, the well-organized, sunny location is thriving, offering shoppers a wide selection of used books—from recent titles to esoteric tomes—in great shape. (By the way, we love that a Back Bay shop has such a well-stocked section on "Anarchism.") 263 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Aura
First, the bad news: There's no clear view of the water. Now, the good news: With seafood this fresh, you know you must be close. Unusual pairings such as scallop and crab come matched with exactly the right sides—in this case, fava beans. Even the plump lobsters come seared, with a subtly balanced, ever-so-tangy sesame ginger broth. There are plenty of beef, lamb, and chicken dishes on the menu here, too, but it's the seafood that stands out. Seaport Hotel, One Seaport Lane, Boston, MA aurarestaurant.com.
Belfry Inne & Bistro
Chef George Willette's menu of New England-with-a-twist fare is murder on decision-making. Should we start with Hudson Valley foie gras or Brie-cranberry spring rolls? Sea scallops with pineapple-raisin relish or curry-rubbed duck? Why, oh why, hadn't we brought friends? So we went the responsible route and ordered everything—plus the Thai-roasted cauliflower on the side. Five clean plates later, we were glad we left our pals behind. 8 Jarves St., Sandwich, MA 2563, belfryinn.com.
The Wauwinet
This is the place to truly get away from it all. Located on the idyllic (and blissfully quiet) northern side of Nantucket, here you can indulge in an Atlantic seaweed wrap or wildflower-and-herb-infusedmassage at the spa, get refined with port and cheese in the library, explore the quaint town of 'Sconset on bikes, or simply relax on the hotel's private beaches. And if you're for some reason missing the crush of day-tripping tourists, you can hop the complimentary water taxi to downtown Nantucket. 120 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket, MA 2584, wauwinet.com.
WHDH
WHDH-TV, Channel 7, whose Jeff Derderian was slapped in the face on camera by an alleged sex offender's girlfriend while he was trying to interview her, and whose Mike Macklin—once reportedly charged with assault in an incident involving his girlfriend (the charges were later dropped)—was told on camera by an alleged priest sex victim: "We all have our problems."
Maureen Fleming
In her stark solo show, "After Eros," Maureen Fleming conjures images ranging from spiraling water to bone fragments to a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon. Using her own elegant brand of Japanese Butoh to communicate the process of regeneration, Fleming sifts through shapes with an excruciating slowness, nearly holding time still in a breath.
Scott Farmelant
After revealing that Cambridge mayor Ken Reeves (a) was overpaid by $30,000; and (b) had run up another $30,000 on his city-owned MasterCard, the Cambridge Chronicle's city hall reporter was vilified at a rally by Reeves's supporters as an "aggressive white male" and subsequently fired by the newspaper. The New England Press Association later awarded Farmelant a first-place prize for investigative reporting, and third-place honors for coverage of "racial or ethnic issues."