New Deal Fish Market
Red snapper, black sea bass, Scottish salmon—whatever you're looking for, the fishmongers at this institution will be more than happy to help you reel it in, explaining the nuances of taste and texture among the ultra-fresh seafood on display along the way. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA newdealfishmarket.com.
Radius
Yes, you'll want fries with—or without—that burger (Radius also took home the award for Best of Boston 2009 Burger). With one genius exception (minced fines herbes), chef Michael Schlow imposes none of his fancy French roots on these golden über-tubers. And thankfully, he's not stingy with the salt. 8 High St., Boston, MA 2110, radiusrestaurant.com.
Rowes Wharf Restaurant at the Boston Harbor Hotel
Jasper White's torch has been passed to chef Daniel Bruce. Many of the ingredients in your meal Bruce has either harvested, foraged, hooked, trapped, netted, and/or shot. Pass the Local Wild Mushrooms over Stoneground Cornmeal Polenta, please. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA .
Blue Nami
A solid sushi bar, with seasonal specialties like soft-shell crab, and traditional Korean dishes like bulgoki, cooked at your table and served with eight separate side dishes, including three kimchis. And you're on a ship docked in Boston Harbor! 310 Congress St., Museum Wharf, Boston, MA .
Ristorante Toscano
Crosstown rivals in the North End have yet to equal the confident simplicity of veteran chef Venito Paoli's cuisine. Paoli turns out matchless risotti, superb seafood, and Boston's best Bolognese sauce. If Italian cooking guru Marcella Hazan came to visit, you'd take her to Toscano. 41 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Symphony Sandwich Shop
The kishke here is cooked on a grill so that the outside (which is the intestinal lining of a cow or calf) gets nice and crisp. The stuffing is a flavorful mixture of matzo meal, onion, rendered chicken fat, and spices, and the whole thing is smothered in a good meat gravy. 182 Mass. Ave., Boston, MA .
Kenzie Kids and K Girl
This is where all the best-dressed kids in school shop. One side of the store caters to wee ones with Little Giraffe onesies, Deux Par Deux dresses and jeans, Splendid tees, and Montclair jackets. The other side, meanwhile, features trendy designer looks (Chloe dresses, Armani jackets) for budding fashionistas in their tweens and teens. 200 Linden St., Wellesley, MA kenziekids.com.
Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs
Women of all ages and lifestyles flock to Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs for the latest trends. The mix—Nicole Miller, Bailey 44, Sanctuary Clothing, and more—is varied and comprehensive enough that, remarkably, mother and daughter can shop together here and both find what they're looking for. 412 Washington St., Norwell, MA lynevans.com.
Arnold Aboretum
Looking for nature close to the city? Grab your walking shoes and head for the Arnold Arboretum. This "museum of living plants" provides you with 278 acres worth of walking, jogging, and birdwatching. But don't pack a lunch—picnicking is allowed only on Lilac Sunday. 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, MA .
Vose Galleries
Vose has been in the same family for five generations, for more than a century and a half. It has a right to be snooty but isn't. The owners will enthusiastically show you an $85,000 painting even if you look as though you couldn't afford its frame. 238 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
The Band That Time Forgot
Short on pretense, long of fun, dressed alike in dark shades and navy jackets, this band plays straight and pure music right out of the sixties. There's a girl thrown in there somewhere for good measure, wearing (what else?) a mini-skirt and go-go boots.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Shoe heaven is, in fact, a place on earth—and you can find it at this second-floor salon, where heels from Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and other stalwarts mingle with pairs from rising stars like Tabitha Simmons and Sophia Webster. In short: If your soles need saving, look no further than Saks. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 2199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Shining Rock Golf Club
Opened only recently, Shining Rock looks like it's been around for years. And actually, it has: The course was built in 2005, but never opened until ownership changed. With multitiered greens and views of the Blackstone Valley Corridor, your toughest challenge will be staying focused on the game. 91 Clubhouse Ln., Northbridge, MA 1534, shiningrock.com.
Lively Kids
This Newburyport kids' shop is sporting a new look after a winter renovation—the better to showcase its excellent stock of cheery Tea Collection dresses, comfy Native shoes, and cooler-than-cool Appaman suits. And for lads and lasses so stylish they need to accessorize? There's an ample selection of hats and hair things, too. 15 State St., Newburyport, MA 1945, livelykid.com.
Miss Laura's
This prewar-era salon looks 100 percent retro, and it's still favored among J.P. lifers in need of pre-church primping. But younger clients with far more cool than cash flock here, too, for edgy styles from a smart, bracingly sardonic staff. 46 South St., Jamaica Plain, MA .