Eastern Standard
This Kenmore Square institution made its name catering to a wide range of diners—Sox fans, tourists, restaurant industry types, students, the list goes on—and treating them all as if they were the most important people in the room. How do they do it? By taking notes on every diner who comes through the door. Yes, it’s a bit Big Brother—esque, but this kind of close attention ensures that you enjoy your steak frites and whiskey smashes just as much as you did the last time. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Duxbury's Island Creek Oysters are a fixture on menus at some of the nation's top restaurants and a household name among area foodies. So it's no surprise that when oyster farmer Skip Bennett teamed up with local chef Jeremy Sewall and restaurateur Garrett Harker—both of Eastern Standard—on a full-scale eatery, the result would be a smash hit. The Kenmore Square spot offers artfully rendered seafood (lobster-roe noodles with chanterelles), New England basics (chowder, fried clams), and, naturally, an epic raw bar. 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, islandcreekoysterbar.com.
Lower Depths Tap Room
This Kenmore Square taproom raises the, ahem, bar on pub food. Try the build-your-own Fenway Franks, one of the crispy tater tot varieties (like 'poutine tots' or 'tots mexicana'), or the tasty nachos. The 7-ounce burger, meanwhile, comes piled high with whatever unconventional toppings we crave, from chili to chipotle aioli. Apologies to Burger King, but when we want it our way, we come here. 476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, thelowerdepths.com.
Ashmont Grill
While every place on this page gets kudos for channeling neighborhood vibe, credit veteran chef Chris Douglass with being nervy enough to actually create one. Opened in 2005 in less-than-humming Peabody Square, his approachably stylish bistro now draws foodies from near and far with superbly executed, kindly priced ($20, tops) comfort food. And with the recent success of his pasta-centric Tavolo right down the block, Douglass seems primed for a hat trick. 555 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA 2124, ashmontgrill.com.
Blue Shirt Cafe
You feel healthier just reading the menu at this colorful Davis Square corner spot, which boasts healing elixirs like Cold Fighter and Bee Strong, squeezed-to-order fruit and veggie juices, and sorbet and frozen-yogurt blended treats that are neither ice-clogged nor syrupy-sweet. A frothy 'remedy' of wheatgrass, mint, pineapple, and pear leaves a lingering sense of refreshment and revival, while fruitier options such as the Hawaiian Song smoothie can help take the heat out of the sultriest of summer days. 424 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 2144, .
Speed's Famous Hot Dog Wagon
Though they must dine amid the swirling dust and big-rig exhaust of Newmarket Square, frankfurter fiends would endure far worse in the name of Speed's mighty all-beef dog, which gets simmered in apple cider; smoked; charcoal-grilled; basted in barbecue sauce; and served with chili, mustard, onions, and/or relish on a toasted bun. Founder Ezra "Speed" Anderson is now largely retired after 30 years at the grill, but his younger lieutenants maintain his legacy of humble excellence. 54 Newmarket Sq., Roxbury, MA 2118, .
B&R Artisan Bread
Seeing as how first impressions are everything, a restaurant's bread-basket is serious business. Boston's finest eateries, including T. W. Food and Troquet, order their loaves from Sel de la Terre alum Michael Rhoads, who bakes crisp baguettes, hulking sourdoughs, and authentic ryes in his two-year-old Framingham shop. City-dwellers, meanwhile, can fight over B&R's pain levain at Cambridge's Formaggio Kitchen or the Union Square farmers' market. 151 Chochituate Rd., Framingham, MA 1701, .
Ole Mexican Grille
Walking into this colorful Inman Square eatery is like entering the dining room of a spirited Oaxacan family. A five-piece mariachi band plays by the bar, and casually dressed waiters chime in with howls. As for the food, executive chef Erqin Ramos turns out the sweetest tomatillo-spiked salsa verde thsi side of the border, plus other lesser-known delicacies like chayote succotash, a traditional side dish made with an indigenous Mexican starchy vegetables that's a cross between a squash and a pear. 11 Springfield Street, Cambridge, MA olerestaurantgroup.com.
Tremendous Maid
Few things are more intimate than hiring someone to clean your home. Tremendous Maid, thankfully, is all business: Fill out an Internet request form with your square footage and home layout, and you'll quickly hear back about scheduling options. The actual cleaning was both impressive and a bit guilt-inducing, as the team scrubbed items we willfully ignore: baseboards, toaster oven, mini blinds. By the time they were done, our house was as pristine as the day it was built. 270 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA tremendousmaid.com.
Megan Graham Beauty
We're so over marathon trips to techno-salon palaces where we're given just enough attention to warrant an overpriced coloring. Which is why we now place our flaxen tresses squarely in Megan Graham's hands. She sees the nuances in blondes (we're so easy to stereotype), painting in high- and lowlights that hint at her former life as an artist. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, meghangrahambeauty.com.
Barneys New York
You have nothing to wear to the Best of Boston party, which is tomorrow. Hustle your Manolos over to Copley's new superstore, where clothing designers both ultrafamous (Marc Jacobs) and ascendant (Jovovich-Hawk) merge with bags, jewelry, and 3,700 square feet of shoes. What's more, an in-house concierge will offer opinions, fetch you lunch, and even arrange your ride home. (The hot date you'll have to get on your own.) 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
Dance Complex
Walk past this aging Central Square building and you'll hear lively drumbeats and rhythmic foot stomping. Walk in and you'll experience one giant Fame flashback. Four floors of studios allow ballet, capoeira, salsa, flamenco, tap, mambo, street funk, and samba to coexist like a little rainbow coalition of dance, while creating an unparalleled surge of collective energy—all for about 12 bucks a class. 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA dancecomplex.org.
Bird by Bird
Sorry, but your child's first steps must...not...be...in Crocs. Especially not when Inman Square gem Bird by Bird has the kind of footwear that's ideally suited for all the firsts in a pre-hip-kid's lif—tiny slip-on sneaks, rainboots, polished Mary Janes—by brands like Morgan & Milo and See Kai Run. Now, let's talk about that Christmas sweater... 361 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, .
Elegant Entrances
"Cluttered" may not be your adjective of choice when it comes to home décor, but a trip to Elegant Entrances might be enough to make wrought-iron candelabra and Mission lamps on iridescent spring-green tablecloths staples of your permanent decorating style. Crowded with items as varied as Victorian basins and wall-mounted cowbells, this Norwell shop has the feel of a Harvard Square boutique, but without the prices. So leave the Platinum AmEx at home—and bring a car with a big trunk. 430 Washington St., Norwell, MA .
Rauxa
When it moved into Elephant Walk's old Union Square location, Rauxa had sizable shoes to fill—and lived up to the challenge. Step down into the stark cavern for a sampling of delicious wines (including cava), fresh bread, olives, and impeccable entrees. If you thought tapas and sangria were all Spain had to offer, this new Catalan-style restaurant will change your mind. 70 Union Square, Somerville, MA .