Fabric Place
Had there been a Fabric Place down the road from the von Trapp family, Maria could not only have outfitted those seven kids in patterns and colors more exciting than the bedroom drapes, but she could've consulted with an at-home decorator to replace the drapes themselves. Armed with "New England's largest selection of in-stock drapery and upholstery fabrics," as state in the brochure, the experienced, trained staff takes the fear out of decorating. There's a reason why Fabric Place has won kudos from us in years past: Its selection is unparalleled. Route 139, Randolph, MA .
Trish McEvoy
New from New York, the McEvoy line offers hip, practical palettes for lips, eyes, and cheeks, and even has a zippered filofax-style case that you can fill with customized inserts (for all those important little daily appointments to powder your nose). The trained crew at Neiman's invites you to try before you buy. Educating rather than arm-twisting, patiently demonstrating special techniques like "push and wiggle" so you can line your lids like the pros—even after you get home—they do one side of your face, then it's your turn. Neiman Marcus, 5 Copley Place, Boston, MA .
Summer Shack
Talk about knowing your audience. With its giant bucket of crayons on the hostess stand and army of highchairs standing at the ready, this seafood favorite not only welcomes tots with open arms—there's even a balloon sculptor and free sundaes on Sunday evenings—but it also serves the grownups in tow some very respectable chow (think ceviche and wood-grilled lobster). The latter accommodation, in fact, nudged the Summer Shack ahead of perennial pick Full Moon, which, while wonderful for its party vibe and fully stocked play area, keeps the food on the so-simple-you-could've-made-it-at-home side. 149 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 2140, summershackrestaurant.com.
Square Café
Suburban restaurants often thrive precisely because they're away from the city: A captive audience takes what it can get. Square Café by contrast, could compete fiercely in any Boston neighborhood. This New American eatery radiates a laid-back confidence born of a masterful affinity for different cuisines. Another compliment, and one that may come out wrong: Menu descriptions that sound like overwrought disasters ('stuffed pork chop with spinach, prosciutto, cheddar and cornbread stuffing, sweet potato-vidalia gratin, and golden raisin demiglace') turn out to be carefully calibrated balancing acts of texture and flavor. 150 North St., Hingham, MA 2043, .
Au Soleil Catering
Turning out memorable meals in private homes—which often means tight quarters and picky palates—is a task that could sap any chef's muse. No surprise the catering arm of the vaunted L'Espalier/Sel de la Terre group is more than up to the challenge. Planning a small fete, we laid out the hurdles: seafood allergies, vegan diets, decorating don'ts. Au Soleil fired back with scads of ideas, including using petits fours as favors and dressing the table with bouquets of our favorite blooms. From intimate dinners to 600-person galas, this event-maker handles every gathering with aplomb. 148 Hampden St., Boston, MA 2119, ausoleilcatering.com.
Pigalle
Tasting menus are so in vogue that it seems only a matter of time before McDonalds rolls out a McTasting. But at Pigalle, chef Marc Orfaly's five- and seven-course menus are anything but watered-down. Each course hits the high notes of his exquisite French fusion—butter-poached lobster in Thai broth, duck confit with Kung Pao vegetables and kumquats—all for far less than you'd pay if you ordered à la carte. Now that's what we call a Happy Meal. 75 Charles St. South, Boston, MA 2114, pigalleboston.com.
Provisions
Its name may sound utilitarian, but don't be fooled. This homey café makes the most tempting sandwiches on the island, like the aptly named Turkey Terrific: Thick, home-baked wheat bread topped with smoked turkey, buttery stuffing, cranberry sauce, and just enough mayo creates portable perfection for the beach or taking in the Straight Wharf view. Our only advice: Try not to order it every day; the entire sandwich menu, as well as the homey, baked goods and sweets (lemon squares, cranberry-walnut pound cake), deserves your full attention. 3 Harbor Sq., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Doremi
The chance to sing for hours in a disco-ball-outfitted private den with loud, sweaty friends armed with tambourines is reason alone to love DoReMi, but did you know this bastion of Asian-style karaoke offers off-key nightlife in 13 languages? In the rec-plush lobby—inexplicably furnished with an exercise bike—you’ll inevitably bump into the purest international cross-section of Allston. Way preferable to battling a bachelorette party, dumped out of an SUV limo, at one of those downtown singalong joints. Note to budding Demi Lovatos: Croon here soon before the space gets razed by redevelopers, who have been sniffing around. 442 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 2134, doremikaraoke.net.
Artepicure
Armed with the diplomacy and precision that come only from years of European-training—and a tricked-out kitchen sporting the latest sous vide accoutrements—chef Mark DesLauriers helps novices and gourmets alike sidle up to the stove with confidence. New this year: couples’ cooking classes ($170 per duo) on Friday evenings. Woo that special someone over a meal of roast duck breast with warm shallot dressing, red-wine-braised duck leg and pan-seared foie gras with vegetables roasted in duck fat, and chocolate pot de crème. One Fitchburg St., Somerville, MA 2143, artepicure.com.
Vows Bridal Outlet
Dress shopping can bring out the Bridezilla in any woman; Vows is the place to go for the ones who want to spend less than a manicured arm and a high-heeled leg. The showroom is constantly stocked with hundreds of exquisite gowns from dozens of designer labels (yes, girls, that means Tyler, Wang, and Hjelm) at often less than half the original prices. The young, thoughtful, and well-informed staff gives its attentive service to one customer at a time, making the dress-shopping experience not only less expensive, but infinitely less stressful. 334 Watertown St., Newtown, MA bridepower.com.
Harvard Book Store
Sticking it to the corporate chains is most satisfying when you can do so without, you know, sacrificing anything. Seventy-five years after Boston native Mark Kramer opened a bookstore in Harvard Square, the supersize word-maven haven is still family-owned (by Kramer's son, Frank) and still doing everything right, with a public library's worth of used tomes, and new releases to rival Barnes and Borders. In a particularly Cantabrigian touch, the shop vows to go to court before disclosing your purchases to the government or anyone else, should they for some reason ask. Take that, Patriot Act! 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA harvard.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.
The Altered Bride
The dress may garner most of the attention, but no vision of white tulle is complete without a few painstakingly chosen accessories. And the more perfect they are, the better the odds they came from the Altered Bride. For more than a decade, Boston brides (and bridesmaids) have made this boutique a crucial stop on their way to the aisle. They come to quiz the knowledgeable and experienced staff and browse the exquisite offerings of jewelry, shoes, and veils, as well as the area's largest collection of handmade tiaras. In her new and expanded Boylston Street space, owner Roseanna Martino acts as a guide, strategizing ensembles that are both simple and extravagant. And when even that is not unique enough, she's happy to provide custom-designed headpieces and veils. 376 Boylston St., 2nd floor, Boston, MA .
Rafanelli Events
If there's a party on earth that Bryan Rafanelli and his staff can't pull off with élan, we've yet to see it. Renowned for creating grand entrances, Rafanelli has arranged everything from a Dixieland band leading an entire wedding party into a reception hall, to a links-loving couple's arrival in a golf cart. With every last detail taken care of (and we mean everything, from personalized save-the-date cards to attendants' gifts and even pantyhose) harried brides can rest easy on their big day, a luxury worth any price. 450 Harrison Ave., Suite 401, Boston, MA rafanellievents.com.
The Maids
We aren't ones to cry over spilt milk, as our floors can attest; our couch has more hair on it than our cat. Without a speck of judgment, the Maids clean up our act month after month, dusting baseboards, degriming showers, and all but eliminating any traces of pet (except for, of course, the pet itself). They're quick, well priced, and unobtrusive: Aside from the preternatural sparkle and neatly triangled toilet paper, you'd never know they'd been there. maids.com.