Tim's Bar & Grill
This brick-walled South End hole in the wall reminiscent of an Alabama dive bar serves up the perfect antidote for a hot, sticky day: cool shade, cheap beer, and a cheeseburger the size of a small cow. Trust us; you won't be asking, "Where's the beef?" Oozing with fatty juices, these burgers taste as if Dad just flipped them off the backyard grill onto the not-big-enough Kaiser roll. The steak fries may be like lead paperweights, but Tim's friendly devil-may-care atmosphere, brewery mirrors, boom box funk music, and gap-toothed regulars make up for any feeling of weightiness. 329 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Brookline Liquor Mart
There are plenty of great wine stores in Boston, but what keeps Brookline one step ahead of the pack are its serious French wines—particularly Burgundies and Rhones. BLM has been bringing in Guigal's great Rhones for more than a generation, and the result is a selection that is extraordinarily broad and deep. Bargain hunters can look for finds in BLM's basement and close-out bins, and special at its Saturday tastings. And for the real oenophile cum computer geek, its e-mail newsletter, with Roger Ormon's informative tasting notes, keeps you abreast of a wide range of special offerings, as does its Web site at www.blmwine.com. 1354 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA .
Chuck Bass, Jean-Pierre Salon
Chuck Bass isn't fond of small talk (so don't even try to land any Gossip Girl jokes). Sure, there'll be the usual banter about what you're looking for in a trim, but as soon as he lifts the scissors, he'll go ninja on your locks, stealthily maneuvering through his multi-step shearing (first wet, then dry, and once more after the blowout). By the time you leave, every hair on your head has been restored to its rightful length and place. 116 Newbury St., Boston, MA chuckbass.com.
SalonCapri
Three decades in the biz and not a whiff of mustiness about Salon Capri, where a phalanx of Penna family members (who also run a Hyde Park location) and their team of high-end stylists translate runway looks to suburban locks. One of 10 elite L'Oréal centers in the country, Capri scores extra points for its colorists, who'll finish that face-framing cut with sexy highlights. That goes over big with the married-with-kids clients who flock here, figuring, Why put up with mommy hair when you can have who's-your-mommy hair? 31 Lincoln St., Newton, MA 2461, saloncapri.com.
Pomodoro
On any given night you can find crowds gathered on the sidewalk outside this cramped, noisy, hole-in-the-wall North Ender, jostling for the chance to dive into some of the freshest homestyle Italian cooking in Boston. Pomodoro is not fancy; it's cash only, and offers only two wine choices, house red and white. But it is damn good. Our advice: While you wait for a table, nibble from a plate of crisp, lightly fried calamari with tomato sauce, and save room for pastas, seafood, and veal dishes that sing with simple bold flavors. Ever-present properietor Siobhan Carew makes this place a gem. 319 Hanover Street, Boston, MA .
Café Fresh Bagel
Generous but not too doughy, these fat, warm bagels draw long lines of in-the-know commuters every morning. And the counter staff brooks no delays, welcoming regulars without missing an order. The bagel selection rivals that of any New York bagelry, with flavors such as blueberry, spinach, and rye, and there's an equally wide assortment of gourmet coffee flavors to wash them down. The location on Needham Heights' veritable Gourmet Row may get stiff competition from nearby Zathmary's, Trader Joe's, and even another bagel shop, but the crowds always line up at Café Fresh. 896 Highland Ave., Needham, MA .
Kings
Bowling alleys don't traditionally offer Veuve Clicquot. But then, Kings is not your traditional bowling alley. It's part lounge, part pool hall, and all fun. Dimly lit nooks, red fluorescent running lights, and upbeat dance tunes pumping through the cavernous one-time movie theater help make Kings the hippest place we've ever bowled (tenpin of course—none of that candlepin stuff). While away the wait (it can take upwards of two hours on the weekends to snag one of the 16 lanes) chowing down at Jasper White's Summer Shack or de Ville Lounge, both right on the premises. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA kingsbowlamerica.com/boston.
The Nields
The Nields were once an acoustic trio—two Nield sisters, Nerissa and Katryna, and Nerissa's husband, David, who took their name—before evolving into an electric quintet. Although the Nields successfully made the transitoin form folk to rock—its latest release, Gotta Get Over Greta, was produced by U2/Sinead O'Connor producer Kevin Moloney—the band has not completely lost touch with its folk roots. It now lies somewhere in between, and is part of the new breed of folk that includes artists such as Ani DiFranco and Sarah McLachlan.
Meghan Thompson, Townsman
Meghan Thompson’s seasonal desserts aren’t merely a source of Instagram envy—there’s nostalgia and accessibility beneath the aesthetic. Take her frozen yuzu soufflé with poached quince, wild-bay-leaf ice cream, and toasted meringue shards, scattered like a broken robin’s egg. It looks like a late-era Metzinger, but swipe your fork through each element and take a bite. Yep, tastes like lemon meringue pie. This avant-garde ingenuity is everywhere on her menu, from the jerk-spiced bagels at brunch to the complimentary brown bread augmented by Korean doenjang. 120 Kingston St., Boston, MA 02111, townsmanboston.com.
Roux
Owners Allison Baldwin and Ilene Mitnick (a.k.a. the "Roux Deux") call their restored 1870s Victorian in P-town's East End Gallery District a "French girl about to have a wonderful party," and she's a saucy lady indeed, with cheekily named rooms like "Not Your Mama's Rouge" (bright-pink walls, claw-foot tub) or "Blame It on Mozambique" (animal prints, tribal masks, shower for two). Mingle at a daily "happier hour" over savory snacks, and at dinners with visiting chefs, who cook with ingredients from Roux's on-site garden—or simply retreat to the mellow front porch for a cup of joe. 210 Bradford St., Provincetown, MA 02657, rouxprovincetown.com.
Airi Jewelry & Gallery
We all have go-to ensembles, the ones we pull from the closet at least once a week because they make us feel good. But when you need just a little something extra to make yours special enough for [insert occasion here], a pair of statement earrings goes a long way. Enter the wearable art from Boston-based Airi. Crafted from stainless steel and tarnish-resistant brass, founder Maya Alia’s geometric wired pieces — we especially love the golden arches and the floral-shaped “ear jackets” — make even the simplest outfit look chic. shopairi.com.
Roundhead Brewing Company
This 2022 Hyde Park arrival has brought a thrilling lineup of creative beers to Boston, including a red ale made with Peruvian purple corn and a tart dragon fruit Berliner Weisse. It feels like a bonus that the brewery is truly a family-friendly, community-driven space — perhaps no surprise, given co-owners Luis Espinoza and Craig Panzer met at their kids’ soccer games. Also no surprise? Espinoza, a chef whose family ran a group of bakeries in Peru, cooks up some tasty pizzas (try the carne asada). There’s ice cream and churros, too, and a great live-music roster. Powerhouse at Westinghouse Plaza, Hyde Park, MA 02136, roundheadbrewing.com.
The Catered Affair
This culinary juggernaut is the in-house caterer for a slew of the city’s high-end venues, including the Boston Public Library, Harvard Art Museums, and the Boston Athenaeum (where it also runs a brand-new café open to the public). Which begs the question: If they trust the Catered Affair to handle their cuisine, shouldn’t you? The answer: Yes, you absolutely should. With the goal of creating unforgettable dining experiences, the team here can curate a personalized menu for your big day — think king-crab tostadas and broiled oysters with sea urchin and black lime — that looks as good as it tastes. thecateredaffair.com.
Pelham House Resort
Should you take your spicy marg by the beach or the pool; the swanky rooftop restaurant or the cool firepit-equipped patio? These are the toughest decisions you’ll have to make at this newly Luxe Dennis Port Hotel, which reopened in 2020 with freshly renovated oceanfront rooms and a slew of fun amenities. And with the opening of two new satellite properties this summer — each with its own unique look but connected to the main resort’s beach bonfires and poolside live music via shuttle — the Cape’s newest hot spot is only getting hotter. 14 Sea St., Dennis Port, MA 02639, pelhamhouseresort.com.
Laura Preshong
Looking through this South End designer’s compendium of engagement rings and wedding bands, two words spring to mind: heirloom quality. Gleaming and guiltless thanks to the brand’s exclusive use of conflict-free and lab-grown diamonds, the wide array of locally made bling runs the gamut from art deco-inspired sparklers boasting emerald-cut center stones to simple solitaires paired with knife-edge bands in rose gold. Opt for a “prix-fixe” style, choose your setting and stones separately via the à la carte service, or custom-design something entirely new. 558 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, laurapreshong.com.