Siena Farms
If only every produce section at every grocery store were like Siena Farms' bounty of chemical-free heirloom vegetables, fragrant herbs, and tender greens picked just that morning. Instead, we spend all winter staring glumly at the waterlogged iceberg at our supermarket and counting the days until farmer Chris Kurth opens up his stand at Copley Square. It's not just the quality, but the variety of his goods—all displayed with tips on how to prepare and serve them—that keeps us coming back. 113 Haynes Rd., Sudbury, MA 1776, sienafarms.com.
Straight Wharf
The Straight Wharf, which celebrates its 30th birthday this summer, made its name with simple New England cuisine. But with Amanda Lydon (UpStairs on the Square) and Gabriel Frasca (Spire) taking over at the helm, it has become one of the island's serious culinary contenders. The harborfront dining room features a new bamboo floor, and the menu's pairing of traditional seafood with new whimsical dishes—like the summer melon gazpacho with a kick of habanero—shows off the duo's innovative style. Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Taqueria La Mexicana
For muy delicioso and auténtico Mexican food north of the border, make a beeline for this Union Square hot spot, featuring colorful woven tablecloths and walls bathed in warm yellow. Burros overstuffed with juicy steak, smooth guacamole, chunky salsa, and sour cream highlight the menu, but no matter what you order—from the tamales, enchiladas, and flautas to chile rellenos, vegetarian tacos, and homemade flan—you're guaranteed exceptional food at reasonable prices. 247 Washington St., Somerville, MA .
Chez Henri
Some restaurants just make the people dining in them seem more attractive. That's precisely the case at Chez Henri, the French-meets-Cuban hybrid just outside Harvard Square. Within these colorful walls, the Left Bank café feel meshes perfectly with chef Paul O'Connell's luscious food (the steak frites</em with guava barbecue sauce and the Cuban sandwiches are outstanding). It all adds up to a rare balance of coolness and unpretentiousness—two of the best qualities in both a restaurant and a blossoming relationship. One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA chezhenri.com.
Sports Club/LA
The Sports Club/LA isn't a gym—it's an experience. One that features 50 personal trainers, an Olympic-size swimming pool, four squash courts, an indoor basketball court, and 16,000 square feet of weight and cardio equipment. Fitness classes range from the classic (kickboxing, step aerobics) to the modern (BalleCore, Gyrokinesis); clients range from visiting rock stars to lithe locals. Included in the steep monthly memberships ($165-$265) are a nutritionist appointment and discounts at the on-premises Blu restaurant and Splash spa. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, thesportsclubla.com.
The Comedy Studio
Few comedy clubs these days are actually dedicated to the craft—which makes this Harvard Square studio a rare gem. Not only does it fill seats six nights a week with a variety of acts, it also devotes time to nurturing up-and-coming cutups and runs a sought-after comedian-in-residence program. And because it's located above the Hong Kong, you can get your laughs with a side of greasy-good Peking ravioli and a scorpion bowl. 1238 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA thecomedystudio.com.
Antiques on Cambridge Street
Antiques shopping is notoriously hit-or-miss, but at the 12,000-square-foot Antiques on Cambridge, you're bound to run into something special. After all, this depot represents about 100 venerable vendors. Elegant dining tables and chairs, upholstered furniture, and armoires mingle with collectibles, delicate porcelain, and silver in a pressure-free, relaxed space. It's never been easier to browse at your own pace. 1076 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Christina's Homemade Icecream
Cones from this cute Inman Square shop lick sweeter, silkier, and stronger than the rest, and for less moolah. Ice cream here has it all: mastery of the oft-muddled sugar/ salt balance, startling hints of exotica (like kulfi flavor, with cardamom and pistachio), and decadent-sounding varieties that don't hold back (try Nietzche's Chocolate Ascension). 1255 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Life Time Chestnut Hill
Do you still believe managing three gym memberships is the holy grail of wellness? Time to realign those chakras. Sprawled across two floors with an impressive 129,000 square feet, this athletic mecca offers, well, pretty much everything: world-class cycle, yoga, Pilates, and barre; top-notch exercise machines; and a lavish spa where postworkout massages are the norm. It has families covered, too, with babysitting services and even fitness classes for the bigger kids. 300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, my.lifetime.life.
Plymouth G Pub
Hoops and hard cider make a great pairing. That’s the thinking, at least, behind this newly opened spot in West Plymouth Square, which serves up local brews and fanciful cocktails alongside a variety of nostalgic arcade games (pinball, anyone?) that’ll make you feel like a kid again. Elevated pub fare, meanwhile — short-rib poutine, tuna poke bowls — make it a one-stop spot for kicking back when your own kids are with the babysitter. 101 Carver Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360, gpubrestaurants.com/plymouth.
Pho 2000
Windex-starved mirrors line the walls of this snug Vietnamese joint. Maybe it looked less silly around Y2K. Now? We forgive—nay, embrace—the campy environs once our lips hit the steaming bowls of bò kho (slow-cooked beef stew). Like its tableside bottles of sriracha, Pho 2000 is a kitschy vessel full of awesomely kicky flavor. 198 Adams St., Dorchester, MA 02122, pho2000boston.com.
Blades Board and Skate
Next time you're strolling the Esplanade, don't let that cute rollerblader pass you by—strap on some skates of your own and pull up alongside. How to make a good impression when you finally catch up? Stop at Blades first, the ultimate purveyor of all things wheeled and wooden. The staff will hook you up with the best selection of skateboards and in-lines in the city; they'll also keep you looking fly with rack after rack of fashions from Flosport and Aesthetics gear. 349 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Artists For Humanity EpiCenter
For those who prefer to color outside the lines, this vast venue provides the ultimate blank canvas. And the EpiCenter is about to get even more epic—this fall, the AFH unveils a revamped 5,000-square-foot event space. Walls are no obstacle here: Just raise the floor-to-ceiling garage-style door to let your soiree flow seamlessly into the landscaped courtyard. 100 W. Second St., Boston, MA 02127, afhboston.org.
The Dance Complex
Based in an old Odd Fellows meeting hall in Central Square, this institution’s performances—from new modern works to traditional Indian dance to showcases of cutting-edge female choreographers—celebrate diversity and always, always give you something to think about. On top of it all, the Dance Complex hosts regular festivals and eclectic classes, including flamenco, hip-hop, tap, bhangra, and, of course, ballet. 536 Massachusetts Ave. , Cambridge, MA dancecomplex.org.
Cheapo Records
Some used-record stores are disorganized warehouses, while others have sparse offerings to match their small spaces. This circa-1954 Central Square icon manages its wide catalog well, making it easy to hunt down the original gatefold edition of Led Zeppelin III or that rare jazz box set you never knew you wanted. Granted, some dingier shops may have lower prices, but vinyl from Cheapo comes with all the warm, welcome cracks and hisses and hardly any skips or scratches. 538 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, cheaporecords.com.