Community Boating
One hundred, and count 'em, fourteen sailboats; fifteen to twenty-four footers. Anyone between sixteen and seventy-five can join. 21 Embankment Rd., Boston, MA .
Kevin Fennessy
From Grapes of Wrath to Emil and the Detectives with nary a bump, Fennessy is quietly making his mark as one of the finest stage masters in town.
Michael Albor, the Loft
In the words of one $350-a-cut stylist (who thought the handiwork was his own), our Albor-made chestnut brown "has never been better." 207 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, theloftsalonanddayspa.com.
Olio
Yes, the industrial-chic look is still in—and no one nails the aesthetic better than Olio, an early-20th-century theater turned 6,000-square-foot event space. 43 Main St., Peabody, MA 01960, oliopeabody.com.
The Charlotte Inn
This meticulously manicured Edwardian escape is a little pocket of bliss amid the bustle of an island summer. With ornate rooms to wander through and one of the finest restaurants on the island, you may never even make it to the beach. thecharlotteinn.com.
Sophia's Grotto
Tucked into a little courtyard behind Rozzie Square, this lovely Italian spot is one of our favorite places to while away a warm evening with a pitcher of sangria. What to Order: The antipasto; spicy mussels. 22 Birch St., Boston, MA sophiasgrotto.com.
Tasty Burger
Photo by Jesse Burke Far from flimsy fast-food patties, Tasty slings plump, one-third-pound balls of chuck. We go for the classic Big Tasty, with chopped pickles, onion, and plenty of special sauce. 40 JFK St., Cambridge, MA tastyburger.com.
Keezer's
Just go and get one here. You'll have it for life, it won't cost you a million, and, best of all, you can forgo those gruesome shoes. 140 River Street, Cambridge, MA .
Speed's hot-dog cart
If you haven't had a Speed Dog (with these special sauces), you don't know from hot dogs. Ezra "Speed" Anderson is one of the Hub's greatest culinary treasures. Somewhere in the Newmarket parking lot, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Newmarket Square, Boston, MA .
Catherine Silirie, Rocco's
Like a master alchemist, Silirie mixes and matches form one of Boston's best wine lists and certainly the Hub's most eclectic menu. And she ain't a snob about it. 5 Charles St. South, Boston, MA .
Michael Arnowitt
At twelve, he played with the Boston Pops, and now at fourteen, he composes for both piano and violin at New England Conservatory. By twenty-one, he'll have changed his name to Wolfgang. Lexington, MA
The Ground Round
Henry Kloss created a seven-foot screen to be used in bars, but, so far, no one has built a bar for the Advent TV. As a result, The Ground Round, in the Prudential Center, gets credit for being the best of the worst. The Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Borromeo
One of the hottest classical acts in the country, the Borromeo Quintet is in residence at the New England Conservatory this year. Keep a close watch for local show times—these international performers are in high demand.
Boston Celtics vs. the Orlando Magic at the Garden
After a year of whining, bitching, and generally brutal basketball, the Green summoned up one more moment of pride to wake up the echoes and close the building with style. The fact that they lost was immaterial.
The Julien Lounge at Hotel Meridien
Talk about a makeover. This former vault of Boston's old Federal Reserve Bank is adorned with massive oil paintings and one of the most elegantly decorated ceilings in town. A fine dining room is just a few steps away. 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA .