Ole
Don't write off Olé for its unremarkable exterior. Inside you'll find a peppy atmosphere and Boston's most bona fide Mexican fare: In place of sloppy enchiladas, chef Erwin Ramos serves up inventive plates including tacos de cangrejo, crabmeat tacos with crème fraîche and baby spinach, and costillas de puerco, pork ribs cooked in banana leaves with a chili ancho peanut glaze, which go down even better when accompanied by pitchers of the potent house sangria and bowls of fresh guacamole prepared tableside by friendly waiters. 11 Springfield St., Cambridge, MA 2139, olegrill.com.
The Maids Home Services
A lack of hassle is one major thing to look for in a cleaning service; the other, sparkling results. The Maids are the sole local pros in the tidying-up business who nail both every time. Armed with a serious stash of cleaning products, the uniformed crews deploy from their sunny yellow vehicles with a speed-oriented, no-fooling-around plan that leaves every corner of the target home immaculate. And unlike some experiences we've had with other, larger services, the Maids have yet to mix up our keys with another client's, or let our indoor cat outside. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Verrill Farm
Open year round, Verrill's is the kind of farm stand where you can find every single ingredient you'd need for a last-minute gourmet party. Which is why visitors often find themselves elbow to elbow with famous Boston chefs choosing the best of the crop from the rows and rows of crisp, fresh-picked local produce. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the stand also stocks gourmet supplies including imported olive oils, fresh breads, seasonings, and pastas, while the on-site deli offers cheeses, soups, sandwiches, prepared dinners, and freshly baked desserts. The wide and stunning selection of flowers means your table will look as fresh as your meal will taste. 11 Wheeler Rd., Concord, MA verrillfarm.com.
Mike Bent
Asked to describe himself, Mike Bent says he prefers to be thought of as a human oddity rather than a magician. bent, who practices a unique brand of comedy-magic with a pseudo-scientific spin, has been hooked on practical jokes since he was a school kids. His favorite tricks still have decidedly adolescent overtones although the plastic vomit of his youth has now morphed into glow-in-the-dark atomic waste. "Be the half life of your next party!" he exhorts. Showtime, ABC, and area comedy clubs are betting that this oddity is the next hot commodity.
Tara West Fashion
This Boston-based personal stylist and lifestyle blogger is who you call when a “good enough” outfit just won’t cut it. From L.A. glitz to East Coast chic, Tara West has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, curating jaw-dropping looks for any occasion (including, most recently, the Nantucket Film Festival). Need a bigger clothing overhaul? West has an uncanny knack for turning closet chaos into organized fashion nirvana and can even put together a “lookbook” of your new outfits so you’re always dressed to impress. tarawestfashion.com.
Legit Activewear
Yeah, we know it’s been three years since lockdown, but we’re not looking to get out of our athleisure any time soon. And thanks to Legit’s stylish selection, we don’t have to: From floral statement sweatshirts by Essentiel Antwerp to edgy, wear-with-everything tanks by Cotton Citizen, we trust owner Jen Schneiderman’s taste for what’s on-trend. Plus, we’re digging her new lifestyle collection with equally spunky accessories for the home (see: Pretti.Cool’s “Garbage Collection” milk jug vase). 33 Boylston St., Ste. 3350, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, legitactivewear.com.
Caveau
The party’s on at all hours at this new hot spot from COJE Management Group: Unlike most clubs, doors at Caveau open at 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday (7 p.m. on Saturdays) to accommodate early birds, while the kitchen serves chef Tom Berry’s menu of small bites, inspired by French Polynesia, until 11 p.m. No matter what time you arrive, the space — designed to look like an abandoned subway station turned secret party — will make you feel like you’re in a class of your own while you dance the night away. 1 Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108, caveauofficial.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
It’s notoriously difficult to unseat an incumbent. Such is the case with the city’s standard-bearer steakhouse, a Best of Boston winner year after year (after year, after … ). Look, we’d love an excuse to vary our endorsement, but — straight talk, people — nobody throws red meat to the voters (i.e., our stomachs) like this chief-executive-courting chop shop with a world-class wine program and hand-rolled cigars. And besides, as those famous 100-day-aged rib-eyes make clear, some things only get better with time. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Designed by Delsie
Requiring serious organization skills, fine-tuned attention to detail, and unbridled creativity when it comes to design, modern-day wedding planning is not for the faint of heart. Yet somehow, Pearl “Delsie” Farquharson — the mastermind behind Boston- and Rhode Island–based Designed by Delsie — makes the whole thing look easy. Past collaborators rave about the expert’s poise under pressure, on-point vendor suggestions, and proactivity, while her smoothly executed (and highly personalized) events at posh venues including the Boston Harbor Hotel speak to her unwavering commitment to her clients’ visions. Consider us impressed. designedbydelsie.com.
Release Well-Being Center
Heated benches and cozy chairs by a fireplace. A well-appointed locker room with a eucalyptus steam room. Two kinds of saunas and two cold-plunge pools (one for the brave and one for the very brave). Hot tea and cool cucumber water on tap. One visit to this brand-new spa, and you’ll not only feel great, but you’ll want to come back for more. Good news: Release offers several membership options that can make frequent visits a breeze and save you money. Combine that with the wellness coaching and workshops, and you’re looking at a new you. 28 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116, releasewellbeingcenter.com.
Nelse Karini, Beauty by Nelse
Want to know who all of Boston’s black-tie swans use for their gala looks? Nelse Karini, that’s who. The makeup artist has worked her magic on fashion runways, celebrity TV appearances, and magazine fashion spreads, so she has a sharp sense of what’s hot in makeup. Plus, not only does she beautify clients to a fairy-tale level, but she also teaches them about the right products and techniques for their skin. Right now, she’s Boston’s best-kept secret, so shhh — don’t tell anyone! beautybynelse.com.
Thom Solo
When would you ever wear a ruched periwinkle thigh-high boot? When would you not, Thom Solo would respond. His Elton John-meets-Michelangelo designs have graced the feet of Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, and Britney Spears, among others, and even got a showcase in the MFA’s “Gender Bending Fashion” exhibit in 2019. This year Solo poured his pandemic-lockdown energy into the Nostalgia collection, an explosively creative line of caged heels, loafer-style Mary Janes, and, yes, ruched thigh-highs. thomsolo.com.
Chilacates
Socrates Abreu’s J.P. restaurants may be small, but the aromas coming out of his Mexican street-food kitchens are big and bold. There’s no wrong way to go with the mix-and-match menu here: Just choose your "canvas" (taco, burrito, torta, and more), meat, and toppings. Our favorite combos: spicy chorizo and potatoes packed into a burrito, and herbaceous pork enchiladas smothered in salsa verde. Look for two more super-fresh locations coming soon, in Mission Hill and Chestnut Hill. Multiple locations. 224 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, chilacates.mx.
Lux Bond & Green
Anyone can buy a wristwatch, but it takes expertise to pick out an heirloom timepiece. When you’re searching for a machine that’ll be in the family for years to come, head to Lux Bond & Green and ask for Jack Winer. For more than a decade, he’s been explaining the differences among the finest brands on the market with patience and genuine admiration for each piece. He’ll listen to what you’re looking for and help you make the right choice, whether it’s a Patek Philippe, a Rolex, or something completed unexpected yet still utterly timeless. 416 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, lbgreen.com.
Clementine
“What’s on the hanger sometimes looks different on the body, and there’s never any pressure to buy,” owner Judi Rizley assured us when we called to discuss sartorial options for a summer wedding. The in-store service is just as friendly, whether you make an appointment or simply pop into the women’s clothing shop—which recently relocated to a sunny new Wellesley space—to browse racks brimming with indie brands like Dorothee Schumacher and Innika Choo.You’ll walk out knowing you’ve scored an original, and maybe made a new friend. ourclementine.com.