Micahel Schlow and Paul Connors, Cafe Louis
Can you get great food in a clothing store? At Louis, the answer is yes, thanks to the elegant simplicity of Michael Schlow's cooking. Also don't miss the superb desserts by the restaurant's brilliant pastry chef, Paul Connors. 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA .
Boyajian Citrus Oils
Boyajian's lemon, lime, and orange oils are the pure essences of citrus captured in a bottle. Carefully pressed from the rind of the fruit, these precious oils are the fine perfumes of cooking—expensive but worth every penny. Boyajian Boston, 385 California St., Newton, MA .
Eastern Standard
Want an S.O. who can actually cook (or do the dishes)? Check out the long marble bar late on Sunday night, when the city's hot, hard-partying restaurant industry blows in to blow off steam. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
Pinardi's
Throw on the Birks, and take the girls to Pinardi's in Jamaica Plain. There might be a short wait for a table, but hey, just look at it as an opportunity to "accidentally" bump into that Cameron Diaz lookalike on the Rollerblades. 711 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Ritz Bar
This is a perennial, and while you might be able to get more booze for your money elsewhere, you'll not get the ambience, service, and joie de vivre that accompany every martini here. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
University of Rhode Island
It may not be haute cuisine, but neither does it crawl off the plate in disgust. Treats like lobster appear regularly on the menu. (Wheaton College in Norton cooks up a close second; they have steak every Saturday night.) Kingston, RI
Gregory Lombardi Design
Pulling off gardens that appear natural, rather than designed, is a tough job, but Lombardi's creations end up looking like Mother Nature's own (only prettier). 2235 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2492, lombardidesign.com.
Tangierino
Photo by Chloe Grinberg Take a trip to Morocco without leaving Bunker Hill: Drinks flow amid desert vibes in Tangierino’s downstairs shisha lounge bar, a low-lit nook perfect for date nights. With a hookah offerings in a wide variety of aromatics (try the strawberry-mint-scented mix), any evening here is sure to be intoxicating. 83 Main St., Charlestown , MA 02129, tangierino.com.
Matt Murphy’s Pub
If the sophisticated dark wood paneling didn’t already clue you in, one look at the backlit bar—showcasing a fine selection of whiskeys and excellent draft beers—reveals that this is a pub for the refined Irish drinker. Drop in on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. for completely free, no-strings-attached oysters. 14 Harvard St., Brookline Village , MA 02445, .
The Sweet Life
ELIZABETH CECIL Proprietors Hal and Erin Ryerson, who took over this island favorite from their pals in 2017, are on a mission to make a sweet spot even sweeter. And they’re succeeding thanks to elegant dishes like potato gnocchi with island-raised lamb, basil, and shiitakes. sweetlifemv.com.
M.Flynn
Sisters Megan and Moria Flynn have transformed old brooches into cool lockets and necklaces into eye-catching earrings. And if you’re looking for something completely bespoke, the jewelers will happily create an entirely new piece limited only by your (and their) imagination. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA mflynnjewelry.com.
Milicent Armstrong, Artemis Design Co.
Photograph by Lizzy Barrett Very few people look at a rug and see a great pair of shoes. Milicent Armstrong is one of them. Made from intricate, colorful kilims sourced from Turkish bazaars, her smoking slippers and loafers are casual enough for a weekend stroll and fancy enough for a groomsman. 119 Braintree St., Allston, MA 02134, artemisdesignco.com.
Jeanne Lee
Photograph by Trevor Reid / Model, Tayla Fernandez/Maggie Inc. Kick back, relax, and indulge in the lost art of a good conversation while Jeanne Lee treats your digits to a detail-oriented manicure ($32) and spa pedicure ($85) that leaves no nook, cranny, or hangnail neglected. The finishing touch? A positively blissful massage. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, jeannesalon.com.
Giblees Menswear
For 50 years, Giblees has been a safe haven for North Shore guys who seek maximum polish with minimal effort. Plenty of variety from names like Zegna, Hugo Boss, Burberry, and Robert Graham—and plenty of help to determine which looks suit you best—make shopping quick and painless. 85 Andover St., Danvers, MA 01923, giblees.com.
Beehive the Salon
Whether you’re looking for a pastel-pink ombré that fades just so or you need help with a few pesky grays, these ladies listen well and execute flawlessly. Unlike at salons in the city, you won’t find tiers of stylists: Here the whole team comes highly recommended and highly trained. 8 Standish St., Duxbury, MA 02332, beehiveduxbury.com.