Phở Hòa and Ánh Hồng
Diners cook several courses of bò 7 món at the table at Phở Hòa and Ánh Hồng. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal Since these two Dorchester Vietnamese favorites teamed up under one roof last year, it’s been easier than ever for diners to get the best of both worlds. Now past the three-decade mark, Phở Hòa is probably best known for its extensive selection of phở, noodle soups with a seemingly endless combination of meat options. But the addition of Ánh Hồng brings along bò 7 món, a thrilling seven-course parade of beef dishes (including some you’ll cook at the table yourself ). The third course, thinly sliced eye of round steak marinated in lemongrass and sesame, then grilled in hot butter, is among our favorite bites of the year. 1370 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, phohoarestaurant.com.
The Four Seasons Hotel Boston
Many a bride has descended from this icon’s dramatic staircase for first-look photos; now, with a recent reimagining of the ground floor public spaces by designer Ken Fulk, you can also strike a pose in a chic lounge offering rich velvet seating accented in silk fringe. Upstairs, the former restaurant Aujourd’hui has reopened as a delightful event space framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that capture leafy views. And if you prefer to take the party outside, the Sanctuary, the hotel’s new brick-clad terrace, is positively dreamy, too. 200 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116, fourseasons.com.
The 'Quin House
Photo by Jenna Ohnemus-Peffley Looking for business and creative professionals with eclectic experiences and abilities who are passionate about the arts, innovation, philanthropy, and more? All inside a gorgeous and historic Commonwealth Avenue mansion that showcases one of the city’s finest art collections? Then you have the makings to become a member of the ’Quin House, the jaw-dropping achievement of Sandy and Paul Edgerley, who brought the former Algonquin Club back to life several years ago with a deep commitment to building community in Boston. With a new tequila bar coming soon, the ’Quin remains the members-only place to see old friends and make new ones. 217 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02116, thequinhouse.com.
Fit Revolution
In an era when there’s a boutique fitness studio for every day of the week and personality type, local mini chain Fit Revolution manages to offer one-stop sweating without the feel of a bland big-box club. Sure, there’s the latest equipment for gym rats and the now-standard hyper-luxe locker rooms. But there’s also boot camp, indoor cycling, yoga, barre, boxing, and personal trainers at the ready. Owner Michelle O’Connor even offers a program for would-be fit kids. Multiple locations. 23 Concord St., North Reading, MA 01864, fit-rev.com.
Sun Tan Van
Look like you’ve been to the tropics without leaving your living room: That’s the goal of Abby Reid’s mobile spray-tan unit. Step into her van (or a portable tent in your home) and let the glow master work her magic from head to toe with a hand-sprayed solution made of sugar, food coloring, and no preservatives. Having worked in the beauty industry for years, Reid will put you at ease while applying a wish-you-were-here tan that’s anything but orange. MA suntanvan.me.
Erbaluce
Named for a rare Piedmont grape, Charles Draghi’s Erbaluce is the rare 2018 restaurant that manages to do just about everything right without calling too much attention to itself. Maybe it’s the tucked-away Bay Village location, or, more likely, the fact that the veteran chef isn’t on Instagram and hasn’t tweeted in years, but is still in the kitchen night after night, churning out a soulful deep dive into northern Italian cooking, from wild boar meatballs that resemble breakfast sausage in the best way possible to an impeccable duck-egg-yolk carbonara with house-made bucatini. 69 Church St., Boston, MA 02116, erbaluce-boston.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
Looking for the feel of a Vineyard family estate without the squabbles over taxes and when to sell? Welcome to the Winnetu. Built in grand New England style, with summertime clambakes, easy access to South Beach, and a brand-new pool and hot tub, this family-friendly destination is the perfect place to make memories year after year. Whether you curl up in front of the fire in one of the resort’s sprawling two-bedroom cottages or uncork a chilled bottle of pinot grigio in a kitchenette-equipped studio, you’ll feel right at home. 31 Dunes Rd., Edgartown, MA 02539, winnetu.com.
Boston Park Plaza
A wedding’s not a wedding without a little opulence, and celebrations at the Boston Park Plaza—which wrapped a renovation in 2016—have it in spades. Already a prime destination for guests with its onsite restaurant, top-notch suites, and posh fitness club, the hotel woos couples with its Grand Ballroom—complete with gilded balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and breathtaking Baccarat crystal chandeliers. In addition to its undeniably elegant look, the show-stopping 780-person event space has hosted theater productions, so you can expect top-notch acoustics for your swanky soiree, too. 50 Park Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, bostonparkplaza.com.
Jessica Thornton, the Green Room
Pat Piasecki Okay, so you caved and bought boxed hair dye from the drugstore before you got the vax, and it didn’t go well. There’s no shame at Thornton’s exclusive one-chair salon — just unparalleled color correction and plenty of good vibes. Let her wave her magic wand (er, comb) and create exactly the look you’ve been dreaming of since quarantine ended — whether that’s a head full of rich, gorgeous highlights or just all-over color that makes you feel like you again. 40 River St., Boston, MA 02108, greenroomboston.com.
WERS
We love a tote bag as much as the next person, but after a while, the GBH and New Yorker ones start to pile up. WERS, Emerson College’s radio station, not only plays some of the best eclectic music around town — from singer-songwriters, rock, and R&B to show tunes and a cappella — its live-music swag also beats all. Baseball caps, T-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs all blare your allegiance to Boston’s best college radio station and make you look younger and hipper than you actually are. 120 Boylston St., Theater District, MA 02116, wers.org.
Woods Hill Pier 4
Years after the Seaport building boom started, we finally have a restaurant patio worthy of the water’s-edge views: Restaurateur Kristin Canty’s splashy, sprawling, 92-seat terrace, where Miami swing meets New England ka-ching! There, the indoor/outdoor bar slings thirst-quenching cocktails infused with local ingredients—think foraged lavender or honey from Canty’s own beehives—that perfectly complement chef Charlie Foster’s day-to-night patio menu of farm-to-fork fare: say, lobster popovers or a Cubano sandwich made with ham from Woods Hill Farm in New Hampshire. 300 Pier Four Blvd., Boston, MA 02210, woodshillpier4.com.
Alisa Neely, Style Scout
Photograph by Pat Piasecki You've kept the same old clothes in your wardrobe for years while blowing money on discount finds that don't quite fit or flatter. Take a time-out and call Alisa Neely. She arrives with the demeanor of an old friend, which makes it that much easier to open your closet, pour your heart out, and fill bags with stuff you know you're never going to wear. "Let's release this one back into the wild," she likes to say, referring to that frock you bought in high school. After the great purge, her designer and shop recommendations are spot-on, fully tailored to your look, body, and lifestyle. stylescout.net.
James Flynn, The Federalist
One hundred seventeen pages long, with upwards of 32,800 bottles, the Federalist's wine list is a tome to be reckoned with—if not downright feared. But as inaccessible as the list may seem, sommelier James Flynn navigates it with cool confidence and a breadth of knowledge underscored by a sincere affection for wine and food. He can select a single perfect wine for a table filled with even the most difficult of entrée combinations—say, aged beef sirloin cooked rare, roasted scallops, and poussin—and serve the resulting (and invariably delicious) bottle promptly and at the ideal temperature with barely a bat of his eye. 15 Beacon St., Boston, MA .
West Side Lounge
From the day it opened, the West Side was a draw for Cantabrigians looking for a perfectly made cocktail and a darkly lit booth. But when chef Alex Jenkins arrived last fall, there was another reason to visit: Her menu of Mediterranean and creative American standards goes a step above most bar food, mixing flavorful recipes with straightforward presentation. The reasonably priced menu changes seasonally and makes good use of local ingredients. Tried-and-true dishes like centra di tavola—with artichoke and olive spreads—and the bistro pizzas are the best bets. 1680 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA westsidelounge.com.
Peter Cipriani, 29 Newbury
Sure, the only requirement for a good bartender is that he's quick with a drink. For a great bartender, stir in some personality. But to be elevated to Bar God status, you need a whole lot more. Peter has the perfect recipe: Take equal parts wit, charm, and smarts, add lightning reflexes with a lighter, perfect name recall, and fabulous looks, and top with a huge dollop of humor. No wonder 29 has been a magnet for big personalities- scientists and hairdressers and club kids and club owners - during the five years that Peter's held court. He thinks the patrons pack the small watering hole because they're "united in their love of alcohol." Ask a regular, and it's for Peter's sake. 29 Newbury St., Boston, MA .