Marina Kan, Bella Sante
We used to prefer our pedicures short and sweet. But after just one Bella Foot Facial with Marina Kan, we've grown more than happy to linger. What's not to love about dozing for 80 minutes in a plush armchair while your tired pups are exfoliated, massaged, masked, and moisturized? Kan's all-business approach spares you the chitchat, and her palette of scrubs and creams looks almost good enough to eat. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Salem Diner
Escape the school groups screaming outside the Witch Museum and hit the Salem Diner, a former classic one-ended streamliner train car. With its quintessential counters and stools, The Salem starts the day at 5 a.m. with artery-clogging greasy spoon staples. It also serves stellar stick-to-your-ribs daily lunch specials such as baked fresh scallops and homemade stuffed cabbage. 326 Canal Street, Salem, MA .
Finale
Inevitably, most whoopie pies fall victim to one of two disaster scenarios: The cookie is too hard (demanding a Herculean biting effort that causes most of the frosting to get squeezed out the sides) or it's too soft (resulting in a cakelike pie that fails to satisfy). Finale, thankfully, offers up just-right chocolatey bookends for the real star of the show: the heaping helping of cool, gooey cream cheese bliss. 1 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 2116, finaledesserts.com.
Coppa
One of the biggest misconceptions about Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette's South End enoteca is that it's for hard-core meat eaters only. Sure, the restaurant was named after a cured cut of pig and boasts some of the best meatballs in the city, but it also serves beautiful marinated cauliflower with ricotta salata and crispy shallots, briny squid-ink pasta studded with lobster and olives, and cool glasses of bubbly Lambrusco. With this many options (let's not forget the fully loaded pizzas), it's a destination suitable for all. 253 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2116, coppaboston.com.
Hunter Caldwell
Whether it's a question of what to wear every day, or for a special occasion, Caldwell is the one to call. An encyclopedia of colors, he pays some attention to industry trends, but mostly listens to what his customers say and want. He's also available for private bookings (he did Dennis Hopper's wedding, for example), but he's popular in Boston, so call early for an appointment. Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Saporito's Florence Club Café
Packed every weekend with straight-from-the-beach diners, this casual 14-booth Italian-Mediterranean outpost is as much about laid-back socializing as its menu is about great flavor. Locals lounge against the white lattice under the faux grape arbor, tucking into fresh-as-can-be tiger shrimp with truffle fettucine and cream sauce. Even better are the tender scallops with ricotta and asparagus ravioli. Factor in well-priced wines, and you've got one sweet slice of Florence on the South Shore. 11 Rockland Circle, Hull, MA saporitoscafe.com.
Andrew Zona Studio and Day Spa
Past the bustling ground-level salon is one of the area's most soothing (and healing) oases. Andrew Zona's second floor is a temple of quiet body treatments, cleansing facials, and massages so relaxing they're practically coma-inducing. And if you just can't stand to bypass the boutique, browse its selection of international products and pick a tube of Kérastase shine serum or Sundãri moisturizer that will keep your skin in shape until the next visit. 65 South St., Hingham, MA .
Long's Jewelers
Long's wrote the book (The Diamond Book) on buying diamonds, and eagerly uses it to educate customers at regular diamond seminars. But when it comes time to pony up and buy the rocks, this is old-fashioned shopping—complete with meticulous, informative salespeople and some of the brightest gems around. As one of the few stores in the region with both AGS (American Gem Society) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certification, Long's has not only a high-quality stock but also a knack for finding the right stone for each customer. 60A South Ave., Burlington, MA longsjewelers.com.
Petrushka at ArtsEmerson
Master puppeteer Basil Twist's adaptation of Stravinsky's ballet about a tragic love triangle among a clown, a ballerina, and a Moor managed to convey humanity and grace in the movement of Japanese-style marionettes. One compact hour long, it begged for repeat viewings from both kids and adults. Unique productions like this during ArtsEmerson's inaugural season have proven that this organization should be central to Boston arts for years to come. 559 Washington St., Boston, MA 2139, artsemerson.org.
Kings
As with so many scenes, Bill Murray puts this one over the top. Or his bowling ball does, anyway: The alley has the actor's translucent rose-in-the-middle Kingpin orb on display, along with a few other items from the Farrelly Brothers classic. Pumping music and a Rat Pack-chic lounge complete the glitzy packaging, but Kings' 16 lanes and $5 draft beers keep it firmly rooted in the throwback thrills that make rolling for strikes such a singularly good time. 10 Scotia St., Boston, MA 2115, kingsbackbay.com.
Club Cafe
One of the few gay bars you can go to where your friends— male and female, gay and straight— can all have a good time. Whether in a group or with a friend this is the best bet for a good time. The weekend can turn into a meat market, but the atmosphere is friendly enough that you feel comfortable approaching that cute someone in the baseball hat. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Tom Stemberg, Staples
Except for his feckless attempt at twisting the Globe's arm during the Barnicle scandal, Stemberg has made one right move after another in building his office-supply company into the industry leader. As a topper, he bagged the naming rights to the soon-to-be completed Los Angeles arena—just in time for next year's Democratic National Convention. At least someone from Boston came out a winner on that deal.
The Brotherhood of Thieves
This casual spot offers a three-for-one boozing experience: The bustling biergarten, which features beer, wine, and spirits from Nantucket's own Cisco Brewers; the relaxed upstairs bar, perfect for kicking back with a cocktail mixed with the island's own Triple Eight Distillery spirits; and the cozy 19th-century-style "whaling bar' downstairs, where you can chat up the bartender about the band that's playing—and which scotch to try next. 23 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 2554, brotherhoodofthieves.com.
Olivia Rose Children's Boutique
There are kids so adorable they make clothes look cute, and then there are clothes so cute they make kids look adorable. This shop has plenty of the latter, with Baby Lulu tangerine plaid capris, New Potatoes red wagon—covered jumpers, and Mulberribush polos. These clothes will withstand any childhood adventure until your little one outgrows them. 1945 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA oliviarosechildrensboutique.com.
Murray's Toggery Shop
No prepster would be caught dead without a pair of Nantucket reds, and Murray's happily sells pair after pair of the pinkish shorts and slacks to covetous customers. The other inventory (including equally preppy madras shorts) remains traditional and in good taste. And you can count on great service from one of the many Murrays who operate this family-owned staple. 62 Main St., Nantucket, MA nantucketreds.com.