Olympia Moving & Storage
Courtesy Photo/Meticulously manicured yards like this one are GreenOp’s specialty. The only thing more stressful than moving? Worrying about your movers. Will they show up on time, protect your china, and ensure the table makes it out of the dining room without hitting the door frame? You can let go of all of those fears when you book Olympia: The Watertown-based crew has been soothing anxious clients with their first-rate customer service (think: a dedicated move coordinator), helpful floor-and-wall protection kits, and superb shrink-wrapping skills for some 28 years. 17 Bridge St., Watertown, MA 02472, olympiamoving.com.
The Market
Book well in advance or be prepared to wait: This seasonal spot in Gloucester’s scenic Annisquam section is very small and very popular. That’s because chef Nico Monday calls on his Chez Panisse training to create dishes that are local, seasonal, sustainable, and unforgettable. Everything here is pulled from area farms, fisheries, ranches, and bakeries—even the flower arrangements on the bar might have come from a morning forage of Halibut Point State Park. Three perfect rotating entrées pair with a sustainable wine list and a classic New England landscape (cue the sailboats drifting into the harbor). 33 River Rd., Gloucester, MA 01930, themarketrestaurant.com.
Brookline Booksmith
As megachains and the Internet continue their assault on small retailers, we give thanks to every independent bookshop still out there fighting the good fight. And Brookline Booksmith reminds us why we love bookstores in the first place. From the creaky wooden floor to the smell of freshly printed pages, this is what a bookstore is supposed to be. It's a place for customers to linger, with knowledgeable salespeople and tables full of bargain books. You won't find that (or the quirky newsletter and terrific reading series) on Amazon.com. And there's something else reassuring about visiting this busy store: proof that there are a lot of other people who still read. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA brooklinebooksmith.com.
Salon Mario Russo
As if Mario Russo—coif maestro to everyone who's anyone—isn't enough to make this suave salon Newbury Street's finest, the dream team of stylists with which Russo surrounds himself cements it. With the likes of John Brosnan, who dreams up and delivers spectacular shades of blonde and caramel, and Michelle Hyde, whose impeccable highlights are a natural wonder, it's no surprise fashion books like Vogue and Allure can't stop raving about the place. As for Mario himself, his cuts are across-the-board flattering and as classic as they are cutting-edge. 9 Newbury St., 3rd floor, Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Paradise Rock Club
Avalon is dead; long live the 'Dise. As Lansdowne Street is being tamed for Red Sox fans, Comm. Ave. continues to keep it real, thanks in large part to this 30-year mainstay. The Paradise has gotten even better lately, as it picks up its defunct rival's slack, and now consistently puts together the Hub's best lineup of musical acts. Not only does it book bands to thrill hipsters young (Ladytron, the Go! Team) and less so (X, the B-52's), but its two-level layout also allows audiences their choice of getting dirty down in the pit or enjoying the show from the relative calm of the balcony. 969 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, .
Hot Mess
Booking music for your wedding may feel like the next biggest decision after the dress. Do you want a funk band? R & B? Pop? Hot Mess offers the best of every genre (and the killer vocalists to match), so you don’t have to stress about committing to a single sound for the whole night. The high-energy, bring the-house-down band’s repertoire ranges from the Beatles and Bell Biv DeVoe to Lady Gaga and Flo Rida, but they can also learn new material on request. hotmessrocks.com..
Visual Comfort & Co. Systems
If you need to see something to believe it, book a consultation at this showroom in the Boston Design Center to witness the home-technology design company’s futuristic lighting tech firsthand. You’ll see everything from smart-home controls for architectural and decorative lighting fixtures (yes, the Visual Comfort & Co. Systems team can help you select those, too) to state-of-the-art tunable LEDs that emulate natural daylight. In our opinion, the simulated skylights and windows from Lightglass are the perfect antidote for gloomy, gray winter days; see ya later, seasonal blues! 21 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210, visualcomfort.com.
American Repertory Theater
Another year, another astonishing season at the A.R.T. There were flashy new musicals like the synth-pop millennial saga Burn All Night and Jagged Little Pill, based on Alanis Morissette’s iconic album and featuring a book by Oscar winner Diablo Cody. Then there were world premieres of dramas such as WarholCapote and Claudia Rankine’s The White Card, a provocative play about race in high society. All of these shows prove the A.R.T. is setting the standard for the world of theater, so it makes sense that the company has also invited the world into its theater, such as with the Nigerian drama-and-dance production Hear Word! Naija Woman Talk True. 64 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, americanrepertorytheater.org.
The Tannery
Despite recent hubbub over Salem's retail revival, the miles-walked-to-treasures-found ratio at the Tannery—an old leather mill packed with more than 40 shops and services—remains the most enticing on the North Shore. It boasts two previous Best of Boston winners, Shanti Salon and luxe homegoods shop Wishbasket, as well as two of our favorite kinds of independents: bookstore (Jabberwocky Books) and toy store (Eureka). Summer has the added lure of the local farmers' market; during the holidays, the Tannery has a lock on one-stop gift shopping. 75 Water St., Newburyport, MA 1950, tannerymarketplace.com.
Abe & Louie's
It's the oldest story in the book: Man tours steakhouses, steakhouses run gamut, man eliminates fading relics, lesser chains, and 'modern' meateries where the flourishes outshine the beef. And by the final page, Abe & Louie's and Grill 23 once again have emerged as the heroes of our tale. In terms of overall atmosphere, it's a draw (lively merriment versus relaxed elegance), but Abe & Louie's cuts are a touch more flavorful, the wine list a tad kinder to our bottom line, and the non-steak options—like the addictive crab cakes—a little nearer to perfection. After all, in a showdown this sizzling, victory is measured by degrees. 793 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, abeandlouies.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
Last year Food and Wine magazine named Formaggio one of the five cheese shops in the nation, and Cambridge Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Louise Gluck wrote an ode to the shop, included in her latest book and printed in the New Yorker. Overkill? Au contrarire. Formaggio's selection is amazing: from Pecorino di Pienza and Fontina Valle d'Aosta from Italy to Castellano and Manchego from Spain. The shop even has a ripening cellar where more than 100 cheeses—including English cheddars and Italian pecorinos—age in perfect humidity. Don't get us started on Formaggio's noncheese delectables... 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Bank of America Pavilion
Dock all the points you like for the pricey beer, seasonal setup, and occasional 'Ya Mo B There' booking, and this harborside venue with the graceful sail-like tent and stunning skyline backdrop still posts the winning score. Wide aisles give the B of A's 5,000 seats serious elbow room, while nine jumbo TVs ensure everyone gets an eyeful of the onstage action. Even if you believe the Roxy has the more intimate and interesting space, and the House of Blues (provided it sprays for tourists first) is coming on as a contender, you'd still have to concede that with the right band on the right night, the Pavilion is nothing short of a concertgoer's nirvana. 290 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2210, bankofamericapavillion.net.
Hecate
Photo by Joe St. Pierre The rare spirits and ambitious beverages conjured at this chic cocktail den, named for the Greek goddess of sorcery, are like nowhere else in Boston — then again, neither is the candlelit, cave-like space (max capacity: 24) secreted a stair’s-flight below a dark Back Bay alley. Inside, the leather-bound Book of Hecate spells out intricate, folklore-inspired potions garnished with feathers, smudge sticks, or — as with the savory “Feast of Gévaudan,” saffron-spiked luxury gin with French apple brandy, Hungarian paprika, horseradish, and housemade mustard cordial — bite-sized charcuterie. This is high (witch)craft. Public Alley 443, Boston, MA 02115, hecatebar.com.
Eye Adore Threading
It’s been said that eyebrows should look like sisters: similar, but not identical. If yours look more like total strangers, spend some time with Eye Adore owner Akriti Shrestha Maes. Her skill in threading — an ancient hair-removal technique that uses thread to remove unwanted hair — was honed in her native Nepal. The result? Beautifully sculpted brows every time. And if you want to make the look last longer, Maes also offers brow lamination, which can keep your perfect shape for up to six weeks. Multiple locations, eyeadorethreading.com.
Beatriz Comacho, Hair F/X Studio
Important client in town? Anniversary dinner at a fancy restaurant? Job interview? For those occasions when it's important to have your hair looking just right, a professional blow-dry session is a must. Beatriz Comacho at Brighton's Hair F/X Studio is the person for the job. She can make any style look its absolute best: from long, layered 'dos to short, spiky cuts alike, Comacho is a pro at putting the finishing touches on her clients' looks. Bonus: The Salon has an Aveda cosmetics counter; after blow-drys, Comacho often doubles as a makeup artists for her busy patrons. 627 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA .