Dirk Diegel, Bradley & Diegel
The alliterative name practically begs for a Boogie Nights allusion, but that strikes us as just a little too easy. There's probably also a You Don't Mess with the Zohan joke to be made here, perhaps something playing off the no-nonsense demeanor, the accented repartee, the military precision of the scissor work—or anyway there would be if we'd seen Zohan, which we haven't, since we're waiting for it to be released to On Demand, allowing us to watch it without risk of running into someone we know. So instead we'll praise the German-born Diegel (a standout at Vidal Sassoon before cofounding his own Newbury Street outfit this summer) with a different pop culture reference: After 45 minutes in his chair, we walked out looking like George Clooney. If only from the scalp up. 77 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Bob Smith's Wilderness House
First things first: If you're still skiing on old-fashioned straight skis, you should be ashamed of yourself. Skiing has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, thanks to improvements in equipment. Shorter, curved skis can make first-timers look like Picabo Street, and Bob Smith's Wilderness House is where to find them. The accessible, knowledgeable staff begins by determining where you'll be skiing (hard-core New England ice and rocks, or pansy-pants West Coast powder), your ability level, and budget, then points you to (and custom fits) the perfect pair. The wide selection—from Rossies to Völkl, K2 to Dynastar—means there's a fit for everyone. The shop also stocks a wide range of apparel and accessories, with everything from glove liners to back-country ski gear, and its end-of-season sales are a favorite with skiers in the know. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Upstairs Downstairs
It has the air of a country roadside antiques store, with friendly prices and unexpected treasures (a satin-wood inlaid floor-length dressing mirror, with marble-topped side tables, 1927, $1,650). If you want to go totally rustic, consider a painted jelly cabinet from New Hampshire (33"x57," $325), or if solid, functional stuff is more in line with the decor, how about a Sheraton chest in mahogany and pine, with turned columns ($895), or a bowback Windsor chair for $145? A year ago, we found four lovely caned chairs a la Napoleon, for $240. Take your time, look carefully, and you're bound to find something you love and need—and can afford. 93 Charlest Street, Boston, MA .
Watch City Brewing Company
In trying to determine a bar's worthiness, here's a helpful question: If in the company of the most fantastically annoying people imaginable (say, the combined casts of A Shot at Love and A Shot at Love 2), could you still have a good time? Signs point to yes at this beer hall situated on Waltham's restaurant row, where the master-crafted suds and a merry vibe take the edge off in a big way. Locals mix with Brandeis types and code crunchers from the 128 tech corridor at the U-shaped bar or in the large open seating area, downing nachos and buffalo popcorn shrimp and, naturally, pint after pint of house brews. Though signature recipes like the Hops Explosion IPA dominate the taps, look for the seasonal, uber-strong Oktolager—a few rounds of which could make any yammering nincompoop at your elbow sound like an alum of the Algonquin Round Table. 256 Moody St., Waltham, MA 2453, watchcitybrew.com.
Sophia's
We like our dance clubs sexy, and nothing's sexier than beautiful, sweaty couples twisting to Latin-flavored conga beats. Sophia's, which has that and more, is a sure-fire fun night on the town. Diners clamor for tables to sample tapas and sangria; on the dance floor, after the free beginner salsa and merengue lessons, the Saturday-night crowds burst into full-fledged dance marathons. The multilevel club also offers a choice of music, with live bands playing endless salsa on the first floor and DJs on the second and third floors spinning the hottest Latin hip-hop. For mellower folk, the roof deck provides an incredible—and romantic—view of Boston's skyline. Looking to meet someone? Come solo and you will. 1270 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Matt Shearer
This WBZ NewsRadio reporter has become so recognizable for his roving video stories — consistently clever, often amusing segments about colorful local characters and regional idiosyncrasies — that local toymaker Wicked Joyful (a.k.a. Nick Lavallee) immortalized the social creator as an action figure. Fitting, since Shearer did something low-key heroic in December when he orchestrated a recording-studio session for unhoused singer Ara Bolster, whom he’d encountered randomly on the street, and helped her release an original single on Bandcamp, where the song quickly earned her thousands of dollars. Bolster cried joyously, Dunkin’ recruited her to perform at Logan Airport with the Boston Pops, and a CBS Evening News segment took note. This dude really is that good. instagram.com/reportermatt.
Laurel Elliott, Vidal Sassoon Hair Salon
The words "natural" and "hair color" rarely occur in the same sentence. That is, unless you're talking about the work of color artist Laurel Elliott, who is herself something of a natural wonder. Clients lucky enough to snag an hour with Elliott at Vidal Sassoon leave with hair that shines, shimmers, and is undeniably real. Brunettes grow richer with chocolate single processes, while blondes are brought back to that elusive sun-kissed color of their childhoods. Elliott's talents run much deeper than boosting the wattage of ordinary locks. She's also an expert at correcting the damage done by lesser colorists. What's more, this pint-sized prodigy, a J.Lo look-alike with the style to match, couldn't be sweeter or more understanding to the follicly distressed. Which makes us wonder what we ever did without her. 14 Newbury St., 4th floor, Boston, MA .
Dr. Ramsey Alsarraf, The Newbury Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
The Botox frenzy—you know, the one that has everyone and her mother running off to unwrinkle their brows with Botox injections—belies one important truth: The treatment may be easy, fast, and essentially risk-free, but that doesn't mean just anyone should inject it. It's still a medical procedure that requires expertise, safety, and finesse. Dr. Ramsey Alsarraf stands out on all of those fronts for his credentials (Harvard, Yale, a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and board certification); his integrity (if you don't need it, he'll tell you); and his finely tuned aesthetic sense (his work is known for being subtle and natural-looking). If you're going to do Botox, the last thing you should be worried about is whose hands you're in. And on that front, Alsarraf gives you fewer reasons to furrow your brow. 69 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Allston Beat
American men count on their counterparts in the Mother Country, Great Britain, to do two things: support the White House's military policies and show the rest of us how to dress. Here in Boston, guys who seek to effect the casual cool of The Naked Chef's Jamie Oliver (as opposed to, say, the dandyish look of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw) can browse the racks at Allston Beat, which turns in the best local imitation of a fashionable-but-affordable High Street boutique. This Newbury Street shop, once better known for peddling over-the-top clubwear, now stocks a more understated inventory that leans heavily towards jeans by Levis, G-Star, and Earl, retro-inspired button-downs by Ben Sherman, and Fred Perry warmups. The back of the store is devoted to shelves lined with old-school trainers (sorry—sneakers) that you're not likely to find at Foot Locker. 348 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Bella Sante
We've tried it at home. We've done the booth. We've stood stark naked before strangers and had every inch of our bodies airbrushed, only to emerge St. Barts brown on one side, Back Bay white on the other. But we never got the elusive all-over glow until we went to Bella Santé, where an almost painfully thorough full-body exfoliation precedes careful application of Phytomer's clear (!) bronzer. It won't streak when you sweat or rub off on your clothes, which means that even after a sticky, slow ride to the beach, we pulled up looking as if we had been there all summer long. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Sonsie
Ever since Europe found itself firmly on Dubya's bad side (and the dollar took a nosedive), the idea of traveling overseas for a café-and-culture fix has grown a little less appealing. No matter. With its continental feel and sidewalk-side tables (not to mention its potent, delicious espresso), Sonsie can supply your Eurofix. Of course, it takes more than attitude to make a great neighborhood restaurant, and chef Bill Poirier takes care of that by serving up tempting, fashionable fare, from brick-oven pizzas to café classics like steak au poivre. And now that the downstairs Red Room lounge provides a place for cocktails and late-night revelry with the restaurant's own soundtrack mix, who needs Europe? 327 Newbury St., Boston, MA sonsieboston.com.
The Plough & Stars
A real pint of Guinness takes time to pour. So while you're waiting at the bar in this old Cambridge haunt, take a gander at the great menu (with standbys like steak and roasted fish, all under $10) or a soccer game broadcast from Europe. Or just kick back and listen to one of the surprisingly talented musical acts that show up nightly. The crowd—a mix of intellectuals and down-and-outers, young and old, casual drinkers and straight-up drunks—makes for good people watching. Not a Guinness fan? The bar serves 20 different beers and all the usual boozes. And if you're in the mood for a smoke, go ahead and light up (at least until October 1, when Cambridge bans smoking, too)—you're not in Boston anymore. 912 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA ploughandstars.com.
Jeannie Rogers, Il Capriccio
Jeannie Rogers is a soft-spoken woman, but when it comes to wine she sure knows her stuff. After 20 years of building the incredible cellar in Waltham at Il Capriccio, Rogers knows her customers and works hard to give them what they want. Sometimes, that means a little education: No wonder Rogers is on the founding advisory board of the Boston University Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource center. Through her feet are deeply planted in the Boston area, Rogers' head and palate look toward the vineyard-dotted, rolling hills of Italy. Her interest in Italian varietals is duly noted on her hand-picked wine list (90 percent of selections are Italian), but not at the expense of some great varietals from Austria, Germany, France, and even Santa Barbara. Don't miss the grappa selection on the dessert wine list. 888 Main Street, Waltham, MA ilcapricciowaltham.com.
Joe McGuirk, B-Side Lounge
The B-Side Lounge has the feel of a real neighborhood establishment, but ever since Joe was written up in Details magazine as a great bartender, tourists have been showing up looking for him. What makes him so great? He's flirtatious with the ladies and chummy with the regular guys. He'll hand over a cocktail menu and with an impressive snap of the shaker, he'll pour an elegant drink. Proud of the fact that B-Side "isn't anything like Sonsie," Joe is as genuine and real as his bar. He got started in the business eight years ago after saying to a friend, "If I don't get a raise, I'm bartending for the summer." It's been a long summer. 92 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA .
Maura Kilpatrick, Oleana and Sofra
Plenty of pastry chefs around town put together fussy, high-styled confections that scream "innovation." But if you're looking for someone versatil—someone who can do comfort sweets as well as fine dining—there's no topping Kilpatrick. With both Oleana and Sofra bakery as her platforms, she twists her way through composed desserts (a funky take on baked Alaska; nougat glacé with apricot sorbet) and fly-off-the-shelves-good coffee cakes, sesame scones, and sugared donuts. What's more, her inventive use of Mediterranean ingredients produces stellar (and utterly addictive) results across the board. Oleana, 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-661-0505, oleanarestaurant.com; Sofra, 1 Belmont St., Cambridge, 617-661-3161, sofrabakery.com MA