Taqueria La Mexicana

Don't let the hairnets scare you: This Union Square joint is the closest you'll find to authentic Tex-Mex in Boston. It even saved one of our friends from moving back to the land of the Rio Grande. The red peppers and zucchini used for the veggie burros are grilled to a juicy crispness while you watch. Don't miss the fabulous homemade corn tortillas! 247 Washington Street, Somerville, MA cantinalamexicana.com.

East by Northeast

Prix fixe doesn't have to mean predictable. At this Inman Square restaurant, Phillip Tang offers a chef's-whim selection of Asian-inspired small plates—pork-belly-stuffed buns, crisp daikon salads, chewy hand-rolled noodles—in generously portioned five- or eight-course tasting menus, letting you sample a dizzying array of dishes at a very fair ($35 or $45, respectively) price. 1128 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA exnecambridge.com.

The Charles Hotel

Few hotels can boast politicians, dignitaries, and celebrities among their clientele. The Charles can. The Harvard Square hotel houses jazz and martini bars, a renovated presidential suite, a multimillion-dollar art collection, and two award-winning restaurants. The J. Crew—uniformed staff is discreet and efficient, while the down comforters, lavish minibars, and Origins bath products in the rooms are simply the icing on the cake. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA charleshotel.com.

Redbones

The name of the place means barbecue, and you'd have to be a fool or a vegetarian not to sink your teeth into a few of the ribs here. This Davis Square favorite also serves up the tastiest soul food in town. Start the gut-stuffing with fried okra and hushpuppies, jump to lip-smackin' cornbread and catfish, and cap it with rich pecan pie or the infamous "White Trash Sundae". Too sloppy for a first date, but a great test of soul on the second. 55 Chester St., Somerville, MA .

Restorations & Originals

This shop's forte is an outstanding mix of antiques, from imported European country pieces to pine reproductions, plus offbeat accessories and lamps—in short, everything you need to decorate an upscale eclectic home. The 18,000-square-foot warehouse at 1580 Commercial Street stocks whatever doesn't fit in the store, but it's open only weekends. 21 Park Ave., Weymouth, MA .

International Buddhist Progress Society

You'd never know it from the outside, but the Buddhist Society, between Harvard and Central squares, is an oasis of peace, zen, and—great food! Start of with a little mind-clearing in the meditation room, pick up some literature about spiritual happiness, then settle in the beautiful tea room, sip superb tea ($5 "donation" per pot), and snarf up eye-opening snacks ($3 "donation"). Nine to five will never be the same. 950 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .

Credit Barnicle with this one too. In a column that outed Joe Kennedy and taunted then state senator George Bachrach, Kennedy's closest rival for Tip O'Neill's Eighth Congressional seat, Barnicle had this to say: "You can always tell Bachrach voters. They go to the Out-of-Town Newsstand in Harvard Square and ask Eddie Doyle, Are Pravda and Le Monde in yet?"

Lucia Lighting & Design, Inc.

Lynn may be a ways past the city limits, but this 8,000-square-foot lighting nirvana set in a historic mansion proved an irresistible beacon to our Best of Boston judges. The brainchild of spunky Salem State College grad Lucy Dearborn, Lucia comprises 12 showrooms with themes like 'The Crystal Room' (sparkles galore) and 'The Loft' (sleek and funky). With approximately 1,000 fixtures to choose from, and the guidance of in-house designers, customers are bound to find something here that turns them on, and vice versa. 311 Western Ave., Lynn, MA 1904, lucialighting.com.

Forty Winks

Feeling sexy begins with what’s underneath your clothes. Let this four-year-old Harvard Square outfitter help you build a beautiful foundation with its fine selection of intimates from Elle MacPherson, Chantelle, Claudette, Hanky Panky, and other luxe lines. In addition to underpinnings and unmentionables, Forty Winks has you covered—literally—for all four seasons with sophisticated hosiery, flirty swimwear, and soft cotton pajamas. 56 JFK St., Cambridge, MA 2138, shopfortywinks.com.

Le Couturier House of Alterations

Favored by some of the city's most discriminating boutique owners and clotheshorses, Dick Robasson is a stitch wizard straight out of another era. Holed up in his spartan Central Square space, with two sewing machines and a radio humming jazz in the background, the one-time Zegna staffer employs the same concentration when hemming pants as he does when whipping up a suit from scratch. 550 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 2139, .

Hot Off the Press Café

That sandwiches are better toasted is a given—consider, for example, the unfailing success of the grilled cheese. This Central Square café understands the power of the press, turning otherwise competent sandwiches into the Southwestern Turkey Around. And the Ham on Swiss Around. And the Best…okay, you get the gist. The genius is in the kitchen's liberal interpretation of what, exactly, is grillable. Check out the PB&J: It tastes like hot candy. 736 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, hotoffthepresscafe.com.

Hingham

It's actually two markets in one: On Wednesdays you'll find goods by the town clock in Hingham Square, while on Saturdays the vendors set up shop at Hingham Bathing Beach. Either way, South Shore denizens stream in for the colorful array of produce, meats, and seafood from stands like Weir River Farm, Great Cape Bakery, River Rock Farm, and more. Saturdays May through November, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hingham Bathing Beach; Wednesdays June through October, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Hingham Square, Hingham, MA hinghamfarmersmarket.org.

Dress

Blessed with great taste and strong buying instincts, co-owners Martha Hilfinger and Jane Schlueter have stocked their airy 900-square-foot Back Bay boutique with work-to-play separates and delicious dresses from modern favorites (3.1 Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Vanessa Bruno) and exclusive up-and-comers (Lyell, Lofli denim). The shopping experience is a joy; if you've left your best friend at home, one of the chatty girls here will be happy to dish out reliable opinions on her behalf. 221 Newbury St., Boston, MA dressboston.com.

Alpha Omega

The Handa family has been selling time for 26 years, and their superstore's watch selection is accordingly untouchable. The nine-time winner has more brands—including Baume & Mercier, Panerai, and Blancpain—than any jeweler in the area. This year, the three-level Harvard Square flagship introduced Platinum Rewards, which lets members shop online and earn points toward new statements for their wrists. MA

Dickson Brothers

The most popular institutions in Harvard Square have a way of disappearing (can you say Tasty Diner?) but Dickson Brothers is still hawking hardware after more than 75 years. The three-story warren is full of products ranging from pretty housewares to power tools. But the little touches are what make going to Dickson Brothers a treat—like the Good Humor fridge where you can scarf down a Klondike bar in the time it takes employees to cut your keys. 26 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA dicksonbros.com.