West Bridge
Photograph by Kristin Teig The egg in a jar is one of Boston's most-talked-about dishes, and for good reason. But don't let that overshadow West Bridge's many other offerings—rather, grab a spot at the bar, befriend the knowledgable bartenders, and let them guide you through a small-plate odyssey. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, westbridgerestaurant.com.
Liquid Art House
The MFA may be a world-class marvel, but not for a nightcap. At gallery/restaurant Liquid Art House, striking visuals—starting with an enormous, scorpionlike Murano chandelier—complement boundary-pushing cocktails at the circular marble bar in the center of the art-bedecked atrium. Drink one or two. Or three. Say, were those paintings always so blurry? 100 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116, liquidarthouse.com.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Photo by Jamie Ducharme This is the most intense workout we’ve unearthed. The only sound louder than the whir of treadmills was our panting as we sprinted on a 12 percent incline for one minute straight. Barry’s will leave you sweating, shaking, and planning your next masochistic workout. 30 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 02111, barrysbootcamp.com.
Down Under School of Yoga
In a saturated yoga market, studios have two routes to survival: They can push flashy classes and retail, or they can elevate the basics to an art form. The latter's what you'll find at Down Under, where Patricia Walden, one of America's foremost Iyengar yoga practitioners, is on the faculty. Multiple locations. 1054 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446, downunderyoga.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.
Boston University Aquatic Center
BU's swim program can teach any child, from infant to teenager, to flourish in the water. A warm, shallow recreational pool helps instructors ease wee ones into the wet; as learners progress, they can move over to the deeper competition pool to improve their strokes. 915 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, bu.edu/fitrec.
Sunday, April 21
The Celtics beat the rival 76ers in game one of the NBA playoffs. The Bruins beat the rival Canadians 6-4 to even their NHL playoff series. The Red Sox sweep a double-header against the Royals. And the Patriots get a future first-round draft pick by trading Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo.
Injeanius
There's the selection: 70-plus styles from labels both trusted (Rock & Republic, Citizens of Humanity) and up-and-coming (Goldsign, Fidelity). But it's owner Alison Barnard's uncanny gift for knowing precisely which one will give us longer-looking legs and a perkier behind that lures us back time and again. 441 Hanover St., Boston, MA injeanius.com.
Trattoria Toscana
This Tuscan specialist hits all its marks: good wine, great pasta, glorious espresso. Grab one of the 28 seats, and relax in the mellow atmosphere (and the knowledge that nothing tops 20 bucks). 130 Jersey St., Boston, 617-247-9508 130 Jersey St., Boston, MA .
Summer Shack
Boiled lobster is the Ramada Inn of regional cuisine: the same wherever you go. But no one puts a tastier spin on the bugs than chef Jasper White. His pan-roasted version with chervil and chive sauce elevates lobster to new heights, yet preserves the fun of extracting every bit of meat from the shell. 149 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 2140, summershackrestaurant.com.
Kane's Donuts
Fluffy, not too sweet, never greasy—these were the criteria by which old-school favorite Kane's earned its nod. Stars include the fluffy honey-dipped and the insanely moist buttercrunch cake, dubbed by one taster as 'the best I've ever had.' 120 Lincoln Avenue, Saugus, MA 1906, .
Area Four
Area Four Since opening in 2011, this all-purpose spot has become Kendall Square's community dining room, the place Cantabrigians gather to enjoy wood-fired pies and hearty salads. Feeling social? Ask to dine at one of the long communal tables. What to Order: The garlic knots; "Kitchen Sink" salad; puttanesca pizza. 500 Technology Sq., Cambridge, MA areafour.com.
Gentle Giant Movers
Everyone we spoke to said that moving with Gentle Giant was a pleasure—believe it or not—and that the movers were good-humored and exceptionally competent. One happy customer raved that precious antiques and personal effects were transported with the utmost care, while another said the Giants were not merely reliable, but truly extraordinary. 29 Harding Street, Somerville, MA .
CD Spins
In spite of hefty competition, CD Spins did well enough with its used-CD niche in its Allston location to open up a new store at the high end of Newbury Street last year. You can buy and sell used compact discs—and if you're buying there is a one-week guarantee. 324 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
"Boston Romance Package" at The Bostonian Hotel
Canopy beds, Jacuzzis for two, fireplaces in many of the rooms, lush bathrobes, a continental breakfast, champagne, and a horse-drawn-carriage ride through the city make a weekend here a perfect way to celebrate a new relationship—or toast an old one. North and Blackstone streets, Boston, MA .