Waterspot
Feel like having an interactive bathroom experience? Waterspot recently opened a 4000-square-foot show room featuring state-of-the-art displays and a selection of the most current products available, from Kerns-Wilcheck, Porcher, Grohe, Absolute, American Standard, THG, and others. 71 Worcester Rd., Route 9, Framingham, MA .
Mirbeau Inn & Spa
Why escape to the Cape for the weekend when you can unwind right in your own backyard? A weekend at this French-style manor can include slurping local oysters in the elegant on-site restaurant; indulging in a seaweed wrap at the 16,500-square-foot marquee spa; or simply relaxing by the fireplace in one of the cozy guest rooms. 35 Landmark Dr., Plymouth, MA 02360, plymouth.mirbeau.com.
Truc
A warm and radiant person must be at the heart of a romantic restaurant, and chef-owner Corinna Mozo fills this sweet subterranean spot with her love of cooking and a sensual style. Walls in this intimate nook are painted a lusty green. The unstudied mix of artwork keeps you in a relaxed South End mindset. And since the menu is neither exclusively highfalutin nor high-priced, you can turn any meal into a celebration. Hint: The most romantic seats in the house are in the greenhouse. 560 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Life Time Athletic
Consult a dietitian to get mealtime back on track. Hit the squash courts. Take the kids for a spin on the water slides—or drop them off at the on-site summer camp and check into the spa. At this three-story, 123,000-square-foot wellness village, yoga, barre, and kickboxing are just the beginning. 490 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA 1701, lifetimefitness.com.
Bombay Club
There are other Indian restaurants in town, but none present top-quality food as consistently as the Bombay Club. Check out the Chicken Tikka Masala, and try the garlic and onion naan as an accompaniment to your meal. The lunch buffet is easy on the taste buds and the wallet, and the restaurant's top-floor view of Harvard Square doesn't hurt, either. Harvard Square Galeria, 57 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .
Chilmark Tavern
One bite of the burger with Vermont cheddar on a brioche bun, the juicy wings slathered in a honey-jerk dry rub, or the island’s best Bolognese, and you’ll get why this eatery is a favorite hangout of Larry David, Bill Murray, and billionaires bored of their personal chefs’ cooking. Just be sure to show up with a nice bottle of booze, as Chilmark is a dry town. 9 State Rd., Chilmark, MA 02535, chilmarktavern.com.
Corazón del Mar
When we walked through the door and spied the ceviche and raw bar, we were infatuated. When we climbed the staircase and saw the packed, boisterous tequila bar, we were besotted. But once we took a sip of the hibiscus margarita laced with fresh lime and chili salt, it was a full-on love affair. It may not be the scene-iest spot on the island (that would be the Pearl), nor the most debaucherous (the Chicken Box). But Corazón's good looks and charming vibe have completely stolen our hearts. 215 Water St., Nantucket, MA 2554, corazonnantucket.com.
Bespoke of Winchester
Bespoke of Winchester’s custom kitchens look kind of like the ones you see on celebrity cooking shows (who hasn’t lusted after Ina Garten’s sophisticated backdrop?). Perhaps most important for the heart of the home, though, they also feel welcoming. That’s thanks to the team’s expertise in architecture and interior design, which allows them to offer clients a full-service experience, from space planning and custom built-ins to countertops, lighting, and hardware. 25 Thompson St., Winchester, MA 01890, bespokeofwinchester.com.
Jamaica Mi Hungry
There’s no weak link on the menu at this Jackson Square favorite, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year: Simple sides like curry vegetable stew or sweet plantains shine just as bright as the headliners, from hearty beef ribs to the fiery jerk chicken that nods to chef and owner Ernie Campbell’s native Jamaica. Don’t miss the crispy coconut shrimp with sweet-spicy dipping sauce — a crowd-pleaser for kids and grownups alike. 225 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02131, jamaicamihungry.com.
Barre & Soul
You don’t need to be a ballerina (or even a fitness buff) to benefit from this studio’s proprietary barre method, led by cheery instructors who inspire, encourage, and never, ever judge. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a rigorous workout—just wait until you step into those resistance bands. When the going gets tough, the view down to Harvard Square from the tall windows provides a superb distraction. Multiple locations. 36 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, barresoul.com.
Shanti
What started as a neighborhood spot in Dorchester has expanded into a mini empire, its latest outpost bringing fiery vindaloos and perfectly flaky samosas to Kendall Square’s technorati. And what better way to fuel an all-night coding session than with forkfuls of tender lamb biryani? Wind down a long week by sampling a jammy Shiraz from Sula (the vineyard that pioneered India’s fledgling wine industry), which happens to pair perfectly with Shanti’s heavenly goat curry. Multiple locations. 7 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA 02142, shantiboston.com.
Superfine Food
Fans of West Bridge mourned when the Kendall Square favorite closed, but chef Matthew Gaudet has returned triumphant some 30 miles north with Superfine Food, a super-casual joint in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Incorporating ingredients from local purveyors, the high-low menu features pizza and ribs—done to Gaudet perfection, naturally—as well as healthier options, including charred kale salad and a fish burger with crispy shallots. Beer and wine appropriately run the gamut from Bud Light to the Loire Valley. 25 Union St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 1944, superfinefood.com.
Farley's of Newburyport
Sharply dressed men from Andover to Newburyport loosened their ties in dismay when John Farley Clothiers announced it would close last summer after nearly two decades in business. Thankfully, former customer TJ Conte reopened the legend under new ownership in October. Now the 4,000-square-foot shop in Newburyport center stocks fresh duds from brands like Robert Graham and Will Leather Goods while staying committed to the made-to-measure classics and personalized service that made it a North Shore essential. 47 State St., Newburyport, MA 01950, farleysofnewburyport.com.
Colonial Drug
What's your scent? Woodsy? Spicy? Floral? Citrusy? Let the fragrance specialists at this 70-year-old institution help you discover your olfactory predilections as you sample their collection of 1,000-plus perfumes and colognes. Once a Harvard Square mainstay, the Newton boutique stocks classic and limited-edition European fragrances (starting at $35 per bottle), as well as old-school grooming aids such as shaving creams, badger-hair brushes, and, of course, mustache wax. 350 Watertown St., Newton, MA 02458, .
The Big Quiz Thing at Oberon
Bar trivia is a tricky business, but the Big Quiz Thing has the formula down. The free monthly event at Oberon offers kitschy graphics, quirky categories, and appropriately mind-lubricating beverages. Hence, it's the closest analogue to a game show on Boston's nightlife circuit, right down to the final round, where high-performing teams square off in a sudden-death buzzer challenge. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 02138, bigquizthing.com.