The Club by George Foreman III
Photograph by Marian Siljeholm George "Monk" Foreman III has done something truly unique in Fort Point: He merged a boxing gym with a luxury fitness studio. While the 15,000-square-foot space offers two boxing rings—his father is two-time heavyweight champion and lean mean grilling machine George Foreman, after all—it also has spa-quality locker rooms with steam, sauna, and showers; an on-site juice bar; classes including yoga, Pilates, and indoor cycling; and plenty of cardio equipment and free weights. 15 Channel Center St., Boston, MA 02210, everybodyfights.com.
Kendall Café
In addition to its popular Tuesday Night Music Club—a music series featuring unplugged sets by leading local musicians—the Kendall introduced a new program this year, Earfull, pairing local musicians with authors reading from their works. It's the kind of thing that could happen only here, in this grubby, smoky, intimate, and delicious Kendall Square hole in the wall. Any night's crowd is a Who's Who of the local rock scene. Every night's performers are up-and-coming or already-there singer-songwriters of the most polished aural sort. And the grilled chicken and selection of cold draft beers ain't bad, either. 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Equinox
Too busy, too tired, too pale, too preoccupied hunting down errant sneakers...there are ample excuses to skip the gym. The trainers at Equinox dont want to hear it. Theyre toned, tough, and, when not in one-on-one sessions, inclined to roam the 40,000-square-foot gym handing out sweat towels and stretching tips. While the classes are choice and the equipment upscale (oh, hello, Kinesis machine!), a welcoming vibe is what gives Equinox a leg up on the more intimidating Sports Club/LA. Plus, the chains new Financial District location doubles the convenience, further cutting down on the excuses. 131 Darmouth St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Siena Farms
When farmers' market season arrives, it's off to Copley Square for us, where we stock up on greens and herbs from Sudbury's Siena Farms. Come winter, though, we suffer from fresh produce withdrawal. Luckily, the farm now has a year-round store in the South End, where owner Chris Kurth fills his tiny space with homegrown goods like fairy-tale eggplant, pink potatoes, and pattypan squash, along with prepared foods from wife Ana Sortun's café, Sofra. 113 Haynes Road, Sudbury, MA 1776, sienafarms.com.
Mepal Spa
If you're the type who balks at micromanaged vacations, you'll find nirvana at this secluded country sanctuary, where there's nary an itinerary in sight. With its fitness studio, beauty salon, and soundproof treatment rooms, Mepal's modern 6,000-square-foot spa stands in splendid contrast to the main turreted manor, which was built in 1907. A private Pilates class followed by a hot stone massage, manicure, and soak in the peaceful outdoor Jacuzzi will leave you so relaxed, you won't even be able to think about sightseeing. 100 Stone Manor Dr., New Marlborough, MA 1230, mepalspa.com.
Ed Owens
When Ed's father, Henry, started the business in 1927, his equipment consisted of one horse and one buggy. Today, the list reads: seven vans, four trailer trucks, two pickups, two cranes, and a thirty-thousand-square-foot warehouse. Affiliated with Global Van Lines, Owens Movers (129 Sherman St., Cambridge, 876-8390) will handle everything from moving large companies (Prudential and Gillette have been moving their customers) to moving pianos (a specialty). "Even so," Ed Owens says, "we're a small, union firm, basically a father-and-son operation. We're honest with folks. We have more to lose, and everything to gain." Owens Movers, 129 Sherman St., Cambridge, MA 617-876-8390.
The Sports Club/LA
Though this polished 114,000-square-foot gym and spa is every bit the haven for fully grown and well-paid adults, it seems there's room here for younger fitness fans to get in on the action, too. Besides Family Day every Sunday and a grab bag of special classes held throughout the year, one of the star attractions is the weekly kids' yoga workout led by Cambridge pro Claire Carroll. Under her gentle guidance, youngsters ages three to five learn ancient—and surprisingly fun—exercises (stretch like a dog! bend like a cobra!) designed to help increase flexibility, coordination, and strength. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, .
Clementine
With the opening of the Street and Chestnut Hill Square, the western ’burbs have experienced a retail renaissance of late. Yet nothing compares to the experience at the always-darling Clementine, in Wellesley. Owner Judi Rizley selects the most exclusive designers and styles for her boutique, from Piazza Sempione’s fitted fall jackets and Repetto’s luxe ballet flats to elegant dresses from Harvey Faircloth. One stop here practically guarantees you’ll never show up at a soiree in the same brand—let alone the same outfit—as someone else. 445 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 2481, ourclementine.com.
T.T. the Bear's Place
With a capacity of only 270, this Central Square haunt has an oversize personality that defies its small scale (and always sticky floor). The volume's appropriately loud, the drinks (served in plastic cups) are priced low, and the shows are so rollicking, you'll be a T.T.'s devotee from your first visit: Over 100 bands—a sonic cornucopia of well-regarded Hub artists and fledgling acts from across the country—take the scuffed stage each month. If you want to see the next big thing before everyone else does, this is the place. 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, MA ttthebears.com.
Tess & Carlos
Feeling in need of a foreign fling? Come dally among the handsome imports at Newton's Tess & Carlos—at 4,000 square feet, the biggest and most temptation-filled of the retailer's three stores. Co-owner Tess Enright has a gift for sifting Euro treasures from Euro trash, yielding Hoss Intropia dresses fit for American gamines, stern-but-chic work separates by Jil Sander, classic Etro knits, and baby-soft Majestic tees. Save yourself the airfare and put that useless phrasebook away: A Bostonian's tour of the world's fashion capitals begins, and ends, right here. 1241 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, tessandcarlos.com.
Suya Joint
Suya Joint's beef suya. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal At this Nubian Square mainstay, Nigerian chef and owner Cecelia Lizotte showcases spicy, smoky grilled beef skewers (the restaurant’s namesake suya, best served extra-spicy) alongside traditional stews and more from various regions of West Africa, particularly Nigeria. Our favorite? Taushe stew from northern Nigeria, a thick and creamy peanut-and-vegetable blend served with your choice of protein (try cow foot or goat) and your choice of fufu, the starchy side dish made of pounded yam, cassava, or other tubers. 185 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA 02119, suyajoint.com.
Topgolf Boston-Canton
You don’t have to know the difference between a flop shot and a stinger to have a blast at this golf-entertainment complex. Opened last November, Massachusetts’ first Topgolf location boasts 90 high-tech hitting bays and a full-service restaurant across 60,000 square feet and three floors — all reasons the gamified driving range has quickly become a reliably popular destination for family outings and birthday parties. Best of all, the spacious bays are climate-controlled, so parents can chaperone restless kids here year round, bad-weather days be damned. 777 Dedham St., Canton, MA 02021, topgolf.com/us/canton.
Andrew Brady, Field & Vine
If you’ve been lucky enough to discover chef/co-owner Andrew Brady’s secret garden of vibrantly flavored, veggie-heavy cookery, hidden behind an unmarked green door in a Union Square alley, you know he’s a star who deserves more exposure. Exuding cool, mellow confidence in the kitchen, Brady makes the most of seasonal bounties: Marinated purple beets are gorgeously plated on a green bed of ramp yogurt; mint-flecked mussels escabeche sing on sourdough brushed with curry aioli. In a wide field of talent, he’s growing in the right direction—and thriving. 9 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA 02143, fieldandvinesomerville.com.
Harvest
Out of Town News? Folded. The Curious George store? Closed. Harvard Square has lost many landmarks, but Harvest endures through all seasons — likely because its brunch remains the best reason around to get out of bed. The 46-year-old institution’s new chef, Nick Deutmeyer, carries on the very civilized tradition, serving up tempting weekend treats such as fried chicken and waffles dripping with foie gras butter, burnt honey, and wild-apple purée. The Ivy League eavesdropping is timeless, too. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvestcambridge.com.
Honeycomb Creamery
Former Union Square Donuts kitchen manager Kristen Rummel and her husband, Rory Hanlon, started churning up batches of ice cream for deliveries and pop-ups in 2015. Now their new Cambridge brick-and-mortar dishes out even more of those sweet, fluffy scoops, made with milk and cream from Mapleline Farm in Hadley. Seasonal flavors like Meyer lemon-ginger and cookie-laden alfajores make it tough to choose just one, which is why we usually opt for Honeycomb's ice cream flight—a four-flavor assortment sprinkled with waffle-cone chips. 1702 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, honeycombcreamery.com.