La Campania
Owned by a Neapolitan family, this trattoria offers a delicious gustatory holiday along the southern Italian coastline—right smack dab on Main Street in Waltham. Most dishes and all of the breads are cooked in the wood-burning oven, a technique that adds rusticity and a faint smoky flavor. Traditional handmade pastas like the tiny gnocchi are airy puffs encasing a wild-mushroom filling. A less traditional but perfectly cooked medium-rare steak gets a Mediterranean twist with potato gâteau and sun-dried tomato pesto. Whether it's a minivacation you crave or just a damned good meal, look no further. 504 Main St., Waltham, MA lacampania.com.
Vintage
An outpost for oenophiles in Harvard Square. 14 Eliot St., Cambridge, MA .
Moxie Salon
After one look at our tired tresses, bubbly owner Kerry Zirpolo proposed an action plan (permanent dye, low-maintenance lob) that made us feel understood, not pushed. She even gave us a nook to peck away at our laptop while waiting for the color to kick in. We left refreshed, renewed, and feeling like we'd just met a new friend. Even better? Weeks later, our hair still held its style, and our chestnut-brown touchup looked bold, not brassy. 691 Belmont St., Belmont, MA 2478, moxiebelmont.com.
The Mouse Trap Cabaret
Located in Park Square, it's slightly safer than the Combat Zone. There are two stages, both of them active. And they do take it all off. Park Square, MA .
LaFlamme
Have your hair cut for $9 in the seat of power. Henry Kissinger used to have his hair cut at this eight-chair classic barbershop in Harvard Square. 21 Dunster Street, Cambridge, MA .
Buddy's Sirloin Pit
Edges out Bartley's, another Harvard Square institution. The ambience leaves something to be desired, though. 39 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Cajun Yankee
So successful it can take you weeks to get a reservation. The gentrification of Inman Square continues. 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Warburtons
This Copley Square establishment has some of the freshest muffins in town. 733 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Mike's Fitness
The fully stocked 10,000-square-foot center has great classes, and is less scary than the Y. 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, mikesfitnessjp.com.
Ter-Co. Ice Cream Store
It's tough to find Jackson Square, but the Maui Wowee ice cream is worth some searching. 773 Broad St., Weymouth, MA .
Boston's Nails & Spa
Let’s be honest: Those DIY mani/pedis just aren’t cutting it anymore. When you’re ready for some real pampering, book the next available session at this formidable Back Bay salon, where even the most basic nail services include oh-so-necessary sugar scrubs and soothing massages for tired hands and feet. Pros here excel in polish application of all kinds, nailing classic looks and tricky art trends (ombré dip powder, anyone?) with careful precision. The team’s meticulousness extends to safety, too: In addition to providing masks, sanitizer, and temperature checks for customers upon arrival, the salon features Plexiglas dividers between stations for ultimate client and staff protection. 665 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonsnailsandspa.com.
Nick's
Double cheeseburgers for under $3, cool, dark bar, and grill-type atmosphere. And a classic Harvard Square mix of blue-collar and baby Brahmin. 1690 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Seventh Inn Restaurant
Moved out of Park Square, but still quality all the way. 272a Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Fun & Games
Two hundred games in a 10,000-square-foot space. Video nirvana. Rte. 9, Framingham, MA .
Kitchenwares by Blackstones
This 1,000-square-foot store is packed with culinary goodies including professional-grade knives, plus unusual finds like a milk frother and solid granite drink-chillers. 215 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, kitchenwaresboston.com.