Kitchen Kibitz
Perhaps because it aligns with our modern taste for all things fermented, preserved, and pickled, Jewish cuisine is undergoing a much-needed renaissance in these parts. Playing a big role in its revival is this recurring pop-up from proprietor Jeff Gabel, who's managed to talk culinary luminaries like Bread & Salt Hospitality's Joshua Lewin into getting creative with everything from brisket-topped latkes to hamantaschen. kitchenkibitz.com.
Meju
When it comes to Korean cuisine, it's all about texture—the springy bite of puffy, cheese-smothered ddeokbokki rice cakes; the crisp bottom layer of rice on a hot stone bowl of bibimbap; the tenderness of long-marinated pork bulgogi. These classics shine at this chic Davis Square newcomer (see: Restoration Hardware-style furniture, copper mugs of frosty Moscow Mules), as do modern, fusion-y dishes such as kimchi-laced crab fritters and pork-belly buns. 243 Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144, mejudavis.com.
Long's Jewelers
A visit to any of our local high-end jewelers will render you an expert on the four Cs in no time. But on selection and service, Long's takes top honors, offering more than 500 styles in-store (from vintage-inspired numbers by Ritani to modern beauties by Furrer-Jacot) and guaranteeing that if a stone shakes loose long after you walk out the door, they'll fix it, gratis. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.
Hudson
You might say Hudson has New England roots and California tips. That's the product of the decor vision of owner-designer Jill Goldberg, whose store is an ecumenical palette of vintage, modern, romantic, and tribal. There are soft, sweet sofas by Shabby Chic; stately Oly chairs and ottomans; and art deco-accented lamps from Worlds Away. It's an aesthetic that can make any Boston home kinder, gentler, and full-on cozier. 312 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA hudsonboston.com.
Estelle's
In a Yankee town full of solid southern eats, Estelle’s has emerged as the area’s standard-bearer, quietly cranking out the same pitch-perfect style of updated regional fare (shrimp po’ boys with green-tomato-corn chow chow, smoked-chicken-liver deviled eggs) that you might find in a modern neighborhood spot in, say, Baton Rouge or Memphis. 782 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, estellesboston.com.
Desfina
You won't find modern, four-star Greek cuisine at this hole in the wall. But in an oddly delightful way, it reminds us of every humble neighborhood taverna we've savored in Greece, from the blue-and-white paper place mats to the scattered but amiable service. The tzatziki is a house specialty, the moussaka hearty and delicious, the ;horiatiki a true Greek salad—all plates so tasty, we'd be loath to smash a single one. 202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA 2141, desfina.com.
David Ives
The president of WGBH will do anything to solicit a buck for Channel 2; luckily for his audience, he's got a class act. At a Boston Pops fundraising special last spring, Ives took on Gilbert and Sullivan, singing innumerable verses of "I Am the Very Model of a Public TV President" to the tune of "Modern Major General"; it was a high point in the history of panhandling. MA
Sam Treadway, Backbar
In just a year, Treadway has taken this already exciting snack-and-cocktail spot and upped the ante even further with his unique mix of seasonally driven classics (like our favorite drink of summer, the grapefruit-and-tequila-based Paloma), modern spins on standards (barrel-aged mai tais), and fun, laid-back options like the smoky mezcal pickleback. 9 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA backbarunion.com.
Manuel de Santaren and Carolina Tress-Balsbaugh of Manuel Santaren, Incorporated
These two designers are as ease working with chintz as they are with sleek, minimalist, and modern. That's largely because they have an eclectic clientele ranging from the Brahmin variety to dotcom whiz kids. No request is too obscure, and no historical period too difficult to recreate. In addition to transforming your abode into a house of style, de Santaren and Tress-Balsbaugh will micro-manage contractors and ensure the finished product is picture perfect, right down to the linens. 1 Designer Center Place, Boston, MA manueldesantaren.com.
Shreve, Crump & Low
Just when we thought the first block of Newbury Street couldn't get any more luxurious, Shreve, Crump & Low opened a shiny new three-level flagship store in a renovated brownstone at number 39. The shop is filled with stylish adornments, including Jaeger-LeCoultre and Blancpain timepieces housed in modern display cases. Another highlight is the 75,000-pound vault, where the homegrown company's finest merchandise is kept. 39 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, shrevecrumpandlow.com.
Helen Cooper
Here's a masseuse who can diagnose your lifestyle ills just by feeling your muscles. A keyboard jockey? She can tell from those ropy tangles in your forearm. Carry a heavy bag on your left? Those crooked shoulders are a dead giveaway. Cooper works to remedy the physical damage of modern living, and gives advice on how to cure bad habits that take their toll on your body. And it feels good, too. Le Pli, 5 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA .
Barbara Krakow Gallery
Buckminster Fuller architectural prints. Richard Serra silkscreens. Works by Jenny Holzer, Bruce Nauman, Tara Donovan, and Ellsworth Kelly. Over the past 12 months, all have graced Barbara Krakow's stark white walls. That caliber of contemporary and modern art would be the envy of many museums, but this little gallery manages to pull it in and keep it coming. Bonus: With its annual exhibition that raises tens of thousands for AIDS relief, the gallery is a good citizen as well. 10 Newbury St. #5, Boston, MA 2116, barbarakrakowgallery.com.
The Old Inn on the Green
This renovated B&B began as an 18th-century stagecoach stop, and to this day there are no electric lights in the dining rooms—only a sea of candles and an open hearth. The food, however, is indisputably modern. Chef Peter Platt's credentials have nearly surpassed those of his early mentors, Lydia Shire and Jasper White, and his decadent handiwork—foie gras flan, squid-ink risotto, braised short ribs with truffled mashed potatoes—is history-making itself. 134 Hartsville/New Marlborough Rd., New Marlborough, MA 1230, oldinn.com.
The Metropolitan Club
A model steakhouse offers classic dishes, great wine, and flawless service. A modern steakhouse, like the Metropolitan Club, does it with style. Here you'll find the usuals bolstered by new wave add-ons like smoky tomato soup served with an adorable mini grilled cheese; an appetizer of watermelon 'steak' topped with French feta; and desserts—like the brown sugar fruit tart or the banana coconut cream pi—that improve on childhood favorites. 1210 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, metclubandbar.com.
Lavender Home & Table
Why shop at a chain store? At Lavender, linens, candles, and other tabletop wares are culled from independent European vendors. And while a French country vibe pervades the shop, it's not all rustic; sleek and modern looks abound as well. If you can't outfit your abode with accents from your own adventures, this exotic home store is the next best thing. 173 Newbury St., Boston, MA .