Kitchen Arts
Kitchen Arts is the Chanel of cooking and baking stores: Its surroundings are simply much more stylish than its competitors'. But there's also substance to back up the finery: Kitchen Arts carries all the important manufacturers that professional chefs recommend using at home, from Le Creuset crockery to Wusthof knives to All-Clad pots and pans. These wares aren't cheap, to be sure, but they last forever—if not, the Kitchen Arts staff has been known to be very helpful in replacing parts of worn equipment. 161 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Zimman's
The selection of fabrics is so enticing it makes you think about taking that adult ed upholstery course. Whether you're looking for a snippet for the perfect set of throw pillows or vast yardage for lush drapes to pool along your hardwood floor, this is the place. You'll get decorator-quality fabrics at an honest price. Your only problem will be finding someone who can sew. 80 Market St., Lynn, MA .
Louis Boston
Murray Pearlstein established what is nationally and internationally regarded as the ne plus ultra of fashion speciality stores. Now his daughter, Debra Pearlstein Greenberg, is at the helm, and her mandate is to gently push her customers forward into the next millennium without losing sight of the fact that style often transcends fashion. But the store has always been about buying beautiful clothes of the finest quality and the importance of looking legitimate but amazing—in other words, standing out in a quiet way that's both modern and forward. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Shreve, Crump & Low
Boston's Breakfast at Tiffany's; press your nose to the glass and dream. This is the place to go with your honey when you want to browse without paying mind to price tags, to decide whether the bar-set or the channel-set band looks better with your solitaire. The staff gives everyone an upmarket education in ideal-cut diamonds. This is where you got schooled, and everyone respects the professor. 330 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Luxe at Mohr & McPherson
Run your hand across the wall of hanging fabric and imagine it transforming your home: a swath of creamy silk; a swag of blended cotton or crinkly linen. Resident textiles expert Chloe Sachs gets a dreamy look when she describes how draperies can divide spaces. And you'll discover she's not too far off base when Luxe turns your boxy bedroom into a filmy-walled boudoir. 81 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Brookline Liquor Mart
For lovers of serious french wines, Brookline Liquor Mart is one of the best stores in the country. True, if you are looking for widely available wines, you may find cheaper places elsewhere. But because the store is owned by Classic Wines Imports, it boasts an absolutely extraordinary selection of French wines— many at bargain prices. Brookline's strong suit— older, mature Burgundies— are not just incredibly well priced for their age and provenance; they are also almost impossible to find elsewhere. A friendly, well-informed staff will hlp you find the real treasures. 1354 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA .
Rugg Road Paper Co.
Whether you're looking for a gift or for your own personal use, no other store is more fun to browse in for writing, wrapping, and special occasion papers. Rugg Road carries an unusual and beautiful selection— sold by the sheet or by the box— that is a nice departure from the ubiquitous Crane's stationary, and great for customized invitations. Its heavy stock writing paper is email's most valiant enemy. 105 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Fresh Eggs
After starting her stylish housewares store, F.kia, Ned Hand launched a second store stocked with chic furniture. But mixed in are some smart choices for gifts. Look for the stainless steel kitchen accouterments, beautiful glass items, tablewear, and linens. The bedding and hand painted pillows can't be beat. Here's your chance to give a housewarming gift that will get you invited back. 58 Clarendon St., Boston, MA .
The Dutch Flower Garden
You can't walk by without looking twice. The cascade of color beckons from the pavement, and spontaneity pays. For the romantic gesture of the moment, or a few blooms to grace your dinner table, pick a few posies by the stem or grab a tiny basket of flowering plants and vines. The whole shopfront reeks of romance and fresh beauty from the wrought-iron filigree to the lush sidewalk display. 164 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Mystery Train Records
Mystery Train in Gloucester houses perhaps the most eclectic assemblage of music and tchotchkes in eastern Massachusetts. A Gustav Mahler postcard here, a Charlie's Angelslunch box there—now that's culture. Looking for Arthur Miller reading from The Crucible and Death of a Salesman? How about Patsy Cline on Decca vinyl? You've come to the right place. 306 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Hungry Mother
Sometimes the best way to the heart is with food ;from the heart, and that's exactly what Hungry Mother's Barry Maiden delivers. A Virginia native, he injects southern flavors into French-bistro-inspired cooking, resulting in such genius creations as catfish and grilled Rhode Island squid with hominy and peppers. The restaurant's flickering candles, high-octane cocktails, and shareable desserts? If you weren't already smitten, they'll do the trick. 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge, MA 2141, hungrymothercambridge.com.
Cafe Vanille
Boston doesn't have many patisseries, and our bakeries feel like coffee spots that just happen to have cinnamon buns and cupcakes. Café Vanille, however, seems like a French pastry shop that just happens to serve espresso and tea. One look at the lineup of flaky napoleons, ganache-glazed éclairs, colorful petits fours and fruit tarts, and buttery brioche makes the cookie-and-donut offerings everywhere else seem downright dull. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA 2108, frenchmemories.com.
The Cheese Shop
No one makes booze-and-cheese pairings as easy as Wasik's, as it's known by locals. Walk in toting an obscure red or a craft beer, and depart with a sack full of goodies to go with it. Chalk this up to both experience—the Wasik family was ripening and selling artisanal cheese long before it was a foodie obsession—and a massive inventory that ranges from pungent aged cheddars to Basque sheep's-milk cheeses to Vermont chévres. 61 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 2482, .
Sam LaGrassa's
Whether it's the "Famous Rumanian Pastrami," simple turkey, or a grilled sandwich, these handmade creations hit the spot every time. Though there are vegetarian options, meat is the focal point of most sandwiches here, particularly the pastrami cooked with brown sugar and other "secret ingredients" LaGrassa's owners refuse to divulge. With nearly a dozen on duty at lunchtime, the staff admirably handles the jostling Financial District lunch crowd. 44 Province St., Boston, MA samlagrassas.com.
Peter Welch's Gym
If you prefer a gym that's a glorified spa, look elsewhere. But if you want to train like a pro, then go where actual professionals work out. In the case of boxing, that's Peter Welch's Gym. Hidden in a warehouse in Southie, it's old-school, with real rings, real equipment, and real fighters leading each class. You'll learn proper punching and evasive techniques while getting the best workout of your life. 371 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA peterwelchsgym.com.