Rafanelli Events
You have a vision. Bryan Rafanelli can make it a reality. From save-the-dates to servers in period costume, Rafanelli's got it covered. So whether you want something exotic and over-the-top or a refined and elegant affair, here's one guarantee: Your special day will be remembered forever, as Team Rafanelli fades sweetly into the background and you take all the credit. 142 Berkeley St., Second Floor, Boston, MA rafanellievents.com.
Ventuno
Under Gabriel Frasca and Amanda Lydon, the aging Twenty-One Federal was remained as Ventuno—a stellar dining option for the island. The Italian-focused small plates showcase many ACK-grown ingredients, while handmade pastas (strozzapreti with braised rabbit, spaghetti alle vongole); substantial antipasti (burrata, braised local conch); and a thought-provoking wine list make this eatery a vacation must. 21 Federal St., Nantucket, MA 2554, ventunorestaurant.com.
Violet Furxhi, Salon Mario Russo
No post-appointment plans? You'll be scrambling to make some after a visit to this ego booster/blowout artist extraordinaire. Calling on fierce wattage and killer technique, Furxhi shapes locks into your desired frizz-free configuration, from stick straight to full-on Jessica Simpson—all the while complimenting in an exotic growl your "gorgeous," "hot" new look. One glance in the mirror, and you'll be hard-pressed to disagree. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Game On
If you're like us, you can't stand watching sports without the benefit of booze and high-def. At Game On, two bars amply stocked with top-shelf hooch get fans out of the Coors Light rut while they take in their choice of competition on one of the 90 televisions. The burgers, too, are excellent, and almost as diverting from the on-screen action as the people-watching parade that streams in before and after Sox homestands. 82 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
Steven Zevitas Gallery
The best galleries have a knack for spotting cool things early. In recent years, the Harrison Avenue space featured Andrew Masullo’s cartoony paintings before he appeared in the Whitney Biennial and presented "Not About Paint," a survey of gonzo assemblage that went on to inspire a deCordova show. Last year’s coup was Ben Sloat’s "One Blast," which explored how technology modulates everything via paintings of a dazzle-camouflaged ship riding digital waves. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, stevenzevitasgallery.com.
Woodman’s of Essex
This New England institution churns out all manner of crispy delicacies, but it’s the fresh clam bellies—plump, briny, and fried to perfection—that keep crowds of tourists and locals alike in the dining room year round. In fact, rumor has it that the place actually invented fried clams nearly 100 years ago, right here in Essex. The bivalves taste even better when enjoyed at one of the restaurant’s outdoor picnic tables, which offer views of salt marshes and the Essex River. 121 Main St., Essex, MA 1929, woodmans.com.
Sevan Bakery
Come to Sevan for one thing, and you’ll likely end up with three bags’ full of exotic ingredients you didn’t know you needed. It’s no wonder: The international market, which specializes in Armenian and Mediterranean essentials, offers an array of tantalizing choices, from olive and nut bars overflowing with the choicest morsels and a prepared-foods case packed with freshly made grape leaves, meat pies, and hummus, to bags of exotic spices and a vast selection of international cheeses. 599 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 2472, sevanboston.com.
Natale’s
Photograph courtesy of Natale's Though Natale’s focus is on suiting (with more than 2,000 suits and 1,000 sport jackets available), this one-stop shop also offers golf shirts for hitting the fairway, cuff links for hitting the boardroom, and everything else you need to smartly (and stylishly) dress for all your days. And because Natale’s provides free alterations for the lifetime of its fine suits, pants, and sport jackets, your wardrobe can grow with you. 171 Washington St., Norwell, MA 2061, natalesclothing.com.
Les Zygomates
Gleaming, deep-cup Island Creek oysters. Salty-sweet Wellfleets. Fleshy shrimp and crab so tender, they go down in one gulp. This is the ocean's bounty as originally interpreted by way of French brasseries: an icy onslaught of shellfish that is mostly raw (of course), but occasionally cooked (as with the Jonah crab claws). Everything is so fresh, the sauces and mignonettes ought to be superfluous—and yet they're so damn tasty, you can't leave them alone. 129 South St., Boston, MA 2111, winebar.com.
Sunset Grill & Tap
With 112 drafts and 380 total beers to choose from, this just ain't much of a competition. Sure, other places offer great lists: The Publick House has a slate of about 35 beers on tap. But 35 is not 112. And where Lord Hobo—another bar with an admirable lineup—can come off as aggressively hip, friendliness rules the day at this Allston spot. The servers enthusiastically steer you through the menu in search of a pint that'll suit your mood. And that mood, more often than not, is a good one. 130 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, allstonsfinest.com.
River Gods
Central Square is one of Greater Boston's most eclectic neighborhoods, and no restaurant captures the area's unique vibe quite as well as River Gods. Small but not cramped, energetic without being earsplittingly loud, it's usually populated by a mix of students, yuppies, old-timers, and Che Guevara acolytes. On top of a great beer selection, there's a menu that should satisfy everyone from the pickiest vegans to the most carnivorous diners. 125 River St., Cambridge, MA 2139, rivergodsonline.com.
Lower Depths Tap Room
This Kenmore Square taproom raises the, ahem, bar on pub food. Try the build-your-own Fenway Franks, one of the crispy tater tot varieties (like 'poutine tots' or 'tots mexicana'), or the tasty nachos. The 7-ounce burger, meanwhile, comes piled high with whatever unconventional toppings we crave, from chili to chipotle aioli. Apologies to Burger King, but when we want it our way, we come here. 476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, thelowerdepths.com.
Ashmont Grill
While every place on this page gets kudos for channeling neighborhood vibe, credit veteran chef Chris Douglass with being nervy enough to actually create one. Opened in 2005 in less-than-humming Peabody Square, his approachably stylish bistro now draws foodies from near and far with superbly executed, kindly priced ($20, tops) comfort food. And with the recent success of his pasta-centric Tavolo right down the block, Douglass seems primed for a hat trick. 555 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA 2124, ashmontgrill.com.
Parish Cafe
It's hard to compete with a sandwich joint that's tapping into the culinary genius of just about every megachef in Boston. Among the delicacies on the roster of almost two dozen sandwiches: Chris Schlesinger's smoked ham and cheese with mango chutney, Lydia Shire's lobster salad sandwich, and Michael Shlow's rare sirloin with caramelized onions and horseradish cream. The only real problem here is figuring out which one to order. 361 Boylston Street, Boston, MA parishcafe.com.
Cutty's
After 40 years of Best of Boston, it takes a lot to shock us. But if you told us that we would eat a sandwich that doesn't even have meat—Cutty's eggplant spuckie, a ciabatta roll filled with mozzarella, olive-carrot salad, and, of course, roasted eggplant—and that it'd be one of the best sandwiches we've ever eaten, we'd be shocked. Guess what? We were shocked. Also great: the sandwiches that actually have meat (go Saturday for the special pork). 284 Washington St., Brookline, MA cuttyfoods.com.