Il Casale
When dining at Il Casale, don't be surprised if your companions—having mopped the last bit of tangy, rich marinara from their plates—start hatching a plan to move to the suburbs. Who wouldn't want to get closer to food like this? Dante de Magistris's newest venture is not only stylish and affordable, with most entrées under $20, but it also does full justice to the Italian home cooking that inspired it: rustic minestra, feathery gnocchi, seriously good meatballs. 50 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, ilcasalebelmont.com.
A. Russo and Sons
If you're fed up with the less-than-appealing look and less-than-inspiring selection of veggies at your local chain grocery, head over to A. Russo and Sons. It may be a bit of a hike, but you'll realize it's well worth your while as soon as you step into this adorable shop overrun with greens and boasting the best selection and best-tasting produce around. Never again will you be satisfied with that limp zuke from the chain groceries. 560 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA .
Dall Restaurant & Tapas Bar
With its various Andalusian artifacts, scarlet walls, and mysterious clothesline of lingerie strung through the middle of the restaurant, Daft looks like a whorehouse from a Bunuel film. We like to make entrees of the tapas: particularly strong are the pork sausage with figs, the green-lipped mussels with avocado, and the roast duckling with berry sauce. Those willing to offend their partners and coworkers may brave the pungent garlic soup. 415 Washington St., Somerville, MA .
Marcuccio's
Boldly layered flavors, as in charred calamari with black olive puree and red pepper jus, and imaginative twists on staples, as in fusilli in a parmesan broth with walnuts and sundried tomatoes, make this copper-kitchened restaurant one of the brightest sports in the North End. Charles Draghi and his staff love to cook so much that, for diners who repeatedly order the six-course chef's choice menu (with accompanying wines), they'll even ad lib an occasional dish. 125 Salem St., Boston, MA .
Les Zygomates
When Cossack soldiers, roaming the streets of occupied Paris in 1815, wanted drinks in a hurry, they'd snap, "Bistro, bistro!" (quick, quick). Given the circumstances, you can be sure the help hustled. These days, fast service is still expected in a bistro—that and good old French-style home cooking. Les Zygomates has the food, the service, and a great bar. 129 South St., Boston, MA .
Joey's
Herren of Steve's Ice Cream has won this award. But Steve has sold Steve's to Joey Crugnale, who owns Joey's. And Joey is putting a bit more effort into Joey's than he is into Steve's (also, the lines at Joey's are shorter). Very smooth and light ice cream (Joey says he uses a "fast-whip" process). A make-your-own sundae bar, and chocolate-cinnamon-raisin to boot. 1161 Broadway, Somerville, MA .
Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers
No, it's not flashy. And yes, the lines are reminiscent of a bygone era. But don't confuse traditional with passé. Thos. Moser's handmade black cherry furniture, with its customized accents and craftsmanship, never looks dated. Plus, all the store's wares (dining tables, armoires, sleigh beds) come with lifetime guarantees—something any home has room for. 19 Arlington St., Boston, MA 2116, thomasmoser.com.
Kitchen Arts
Gadget lovers will find their utopia at this Back Bay culinary treasure trove. Need a butter curler? Kitchen Arts stocks them, along with a huge variety of pots, pans, appliances, and seemingly any tool a novice or expert chef could want. It's easy to stock up here on the little extras that make cooking fun, from a mortar and pestle for grinding your own spices to pastry bags, cutting boards, dish towels, measuring cups, and an array of knives that would make a surgeon jealous. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Naz Kupelian Salon
The talented stylists here give you exactly the cut you need (and maybe never even knew you wanted)—one with shape, body, and texture in all the right places. The salon's proprietary line of curl enhancers, shine sprays, and styling gels, meanwhile, will keep it looking that way long after you leave the styling chair. 311 Woburn St., Lexington, MA nazkupeliansalon.com.
Clementine
This sweet shop is positively bursting with eclectic clothing and accessories from designers you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the area—Gary Graham frocks, Goldsign jeans, N.D.C. boots. Whether you're seeking a special-occasion stunner or a casual weekend getup, the inspired styles and personalized service here ensure you'll be the belle of the ball (or the soccer field). 445 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA ourclementine.com.
Tosca
Tosca, designed to feel like a Tuscan villa on Hingham Harbor, has been rolling out some of the South Shore's best food for nearly two decades. And guess what? It's still tops. It's tempting to stick to the pizzas and hand-rolled pasta, but don't miss the fresh seafood—the wood-oven-baked cod is cooked to perfection. 14 North St., Hingham, MA toscahingham.com.
21 Federal
Much as we enjoy fighting for a bar stool with sunburned tourists and libidinous and over-lubricated college students, we do sometimes crave a slightly more civilized scene. 21 Federal, inside a classic Nantucket 1847 Greek Revival building, features a sophisticated downstairs bar and another cozy one upstairs. In-the-know Nantucketers congregate here for masterfully poured drinks; an award-winning wine list; good-looking, genial bartenders; and a crowd that knows how to have a stylish sort of fun. 21 Federal St., Boston, MA 21federal.com.
Lenox Hotel
Whether you're a movie star craving anonymity or a suburban couple looking to flee the rugrats for a night, the Lenox beckons with European elegance and discretion, meaning the doorman may know your name but he'll make sure nobody else does. Escape into the newly renovated (at a cost of $20 million) Back Bay jewel, with its imported crystal chandeliers, working fireplaces, lush carpeting, Victorian wallpaper, gilt-framed Italian, French, and English prints—and the fabulous Anago restaurant. 710 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Sayle's Seafood
More of a fish market than a dining destination, this Nantucket favorite deep-fries clams to crispy perfection. The crunch of the outer coating is followed by a burst of sweet and briny bivalve—the stuff of summer dreams. Sayle's also offers lobster rolls, whole lobsters to go, and superfresh raw catch for you to cook at home (although you might struggle to match the savory flavors of Sayle's). 99 Washington St. Ext., Nantucket, MA saylesseafood.com.
Pageo
When that sleek, high-tech DKNY shift dress demands some appropriately modern punctuation, look to Pageo for slender wraparound bracelets, brilliant bezel-set rubies, and lustrous diamond lariats. The low-key staff will brief you on the pedigree of any piece, help you narrow down the options, or simply sit back as you linger over the cases. 843 Beacon St., Newton Centre, MA pageo.com.