Savenor's
Savenor's made its name as a butcher, and Cambridge cooks who miss the original still travel to Beacon Hill for farm raised lamb, tender beef filet, and reliably tasty chicken, and to gawk at the potentially politically incorrect items like rattlesnake, rhino, and lion meet in the freezer case (all farm-raised, the labels claim). Savenor's is indispensable to gourmets looking for discerningly chosen sauces, oils and groceries, and a selection of the best bread in Boston— and in the world; in exciting news for bread lovers, Savenor's just began importing several hefty, long-lasting, utterly delicious breads from Poilane, the legendary all-organic Paris baker. 160 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Grillfish
There are no ocean breezes or views of passing sailboats at Grillfish's location in the Back Bay. But the fried calamari melts in your mouth without leaving a coating of grease on your fingers, the pan-seared scallops are plump with an appealing crisp on the outside that seals in their juicy flavor, and the grilled fish—from trout to mahi-mahi to catfish—is light, flaky, and cooked to perfection. Who cares if the plates don't match, the wine list is written on a chalkboard, and the columns in the dining room are meant to look like the masts of lobster boats? A little kitsch is not such a bad thing when the fresh fish is so good. 162 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Downtown Crossing Instant Shoe Repair
When most shoe-mending outfits say "instant," they mean "come back tomorrow" or "maybe next week." But at Downtown Crossing Instant Shoe Repair, a tiny stand in the Downtown Crossing T corridor (near the Orange Line northbound platform), we've been known to sit barefoot on a barstool while Steve Ismintsev resoles our riding boots and replaces our cobblestone-ravaged heel taps in a matter of minutes. Given a few hours, he can rescue vintage kicks that seemed beyond saving. "It was the best I could do," he'll say with a frown—and hand back shoes that look better than they did the day you bought them. 7 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 2111, .
Beach House
Kids with winter birthdays, rejoice! It’s always summer at this perpetual party house, where even January and February babies can celebrate with cornhole, Frisbee, wiffle ball, and volleyball on a 15,000-square-foot indoor beach, complete with soft, heated sand (yes, there are showers). Parents, meanwhile, can chill in a comfy lounge outfitted with Bose sound systems and large-screen TVs. 18 Tech Cir., Natick, MA 01760, beachhouseboston.com.
Mirbeau Inn & Spa
Mirbeau’s lush gardens and French-style manor were inspired by the impressionist painter Claude Monet, so it’s no surprise that a stay at this 50-room retreat feels like an escape to the French countryside. The inn delights with in-room fireplaces, French fare made with local ingredients at the Bistro & Wine Bar, and a 16,500-square-foot spa boasting eucalyptus-infused steam rooms and a year-round outdoor terrace with hot tubs and a bar. There’s that joie de vivre we’ve been lacking. 35 Landmark Dr., Plymouth, MA 02360, plymouth.mirbeau.com.
Fasika Café
This Ethiopian eatery is a homey stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on a prominent corner of Nubian Square. That’s thanks to the stewardship of owner Befekadu Defar and his family, who serve robust Ethiopian coffee and prepare traditional dishes like tender beef, lamb, and sun-hued vegetarian stews served sans silverware with a pile of springy injera to swipe it all up. The lentil- or beef-filled sambusas, meanwhile, are fried finger food at its finest. 51 Roxbury St., Roxbury , MA 02119, fasikaresturaunts.com.
Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground
Kids let their imaginations run (truly) wild at this fairy-tale-like 30,000-square-foot playground, which includes benches shaped like animals, a music area where kids can play rain and chime sounds, and a splash pad in the summertime. Universal design details like a sensory hilltop tricked out with a marimba and a wheelchair-accessible maze and swings add to the welcoming spirit, as do the cheery wildlife murals from Dominic Killiany, a Watertown artist with autism. Cambridge, MA 02138,
The Ritz-Carlton, Boston
As part of a dramatic 2017 renovation, the legendary hotelier has elevated its 3,500-square-foot ballroom to even greater heights of opulence. Think: a dazzling backdrop of platinum-leafed wallpaper, antiqued mirrors, a lavish custom-painted mural by Moss & Lam—and, in the center of it all, you and your beloved twirling blissfully during your first dance. 10 Avery St., Boston, MA 02111, ritzcarlton.com.
The Smoke Shop
With the pandemic-time addition of a fourth Smoke Shop location — this one in Harvard Square — we’re now never more than a fork’s distance away from Andy Husbands’s tender pulled chicken or best-in-class burnt ends. The chef recently released his sixth cookbook, The Smoke Shop’s Backyard BBQ, but we’ll still leave our smoked-meat cravings to the pitmaster as often as possible. Multiple locations, thesmokeshopbbq.com.
The Brattle
When cinemas were forced to shutter indefinitely this spring, the Brattle pivoted to a digital format faster than moviegoers could yell “Action!”, offering exclusive tickets to a variety of flicks, from regional premieres of documentaries to foreign films. The Harvard Square theater has also created a repertory series for kids and a weekly podcast in which staffers discuss films on the Brattle’s schedule. All you have to do is dim the lights and log on. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, brattlefilm.org.
Brooklyn Boulders
With a café and lounge space and late-night hours, this 40,000-square-foot oasis of rock-climbing walls is a tempting way to break free from your Friday-night routine. If the upper-body burn and primal joy prove addictive, Brooklyn Boulders offers regular classes to help build your skills. But don’t be intimidated: Beginning climbers are also welcome, and there are knowledgeable instructors to help you get acclimated. Next stop Everest, or at least the Blue Hills. 12A Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, brooklynboulders.com/somerville.
Equinox Chestnut Hill
We get it: Membership at Equinox Chestnut Hill is pricey. But once you consider the 37,000-square-foot gym's unparalleled offerings—including some 100 classes per week in five dedicated studios—the $165 monthly fee seems justifiable. Add the indoor lap pool, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, juice/smoothie bar, and WiFi-equipped lounge, and you may never want to leave. 200 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, equinox.com/clubs/boston/chestnuthill.
Frank Celeste, Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Charlestown-based broker Frank Celeste lays claim to some of the most eye-catching listings in Boston, from historical townhouses in Monument Square to sparkling condos in Southie. He's one of the top-grossing real estate agents in the city (and the country), not to mention a lifelong Bostonian and a walking encyclopedia of nearly every local market. After all, the industry vet has been at it for more than 25 years. 529 Main St., Charlestown, MA 02129, frankceleste.com.
Harvest
With the doors at UpStairs at the Pudding closed, we've turned to another gem for outside dining. Just sitting in Harvest's enclosed, shaded garden patio off Brattle Street provokes daydreams—and offers the evidence that this Harvard Square institution has entered the millennium with style and good service. Chef Josh Foley's everchanging menu is burgeoning with New England ingredients (if there are scallops on the menu, order them) that are as fresh as the patio's air, and make us happy the management extends our unreliable warm seasons with powerful gas heaters. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA harvestcambridge.com.
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Want to experience a European café without the jet lag? Head to Burdick. The true test of chocoholism is actually finishing the iced hot chocolate—a deeply decadent concoction poured over ice, and crowned with a veil of whipped cream. If the craving persists, move on to the signature (and adorable) chocolate mice, filled with cinnamon, mocha, or orange. Or snag a spot at one of the café's tables by the window, and survey the march of humanity in Harvard Square as you linger over any of the 13 truffle varieties and slip into a Proustian peace. 52D Brattle St., Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.