Boston Harbor Hotel
Meet your sweetheart under the enormous American flag swaying in the breeze, then stroll hand in hand into this waterfront hotel, which has been setting the standard for luxury in Boston since 1987. Romance packages include sweet touches such as champagne, chocolates, and breakfast beneath the silky Frette sheets, but if you really want to wow your SO, book one of the stunning suites with a terrace overlooking the harbor. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, bostonharborhotel.com.
Perfect 10 Unisex Salon
One look at Perfect 10’s “hair transformation” videos on Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll understand why this salon is a repeat Best of Boston winner. Stylist and owner Kanessa Alexander is adept at working with all hair types and textures, producing some of the most gorgeous crochet braids, silk presses, and all-over color and highlights around. But the most important thing to Alexander is that her clients have healthy hair — something that’s evident in every style she produces. 1896 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, perfect10hairsalon.com.
True Bistro
There are many places to eat meatless meals in Boston these days, but only one place to enjoy a truly sophisticated, fine-dining experience with an entirely vegan menu. Dishes like the crispy oyster mushrooms in guajillo chili sauce with a horseradish-dill aioli will not only dazzle the vegan and vegan-curious in your crew — they’ll also win over the carnivores. 1153 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144, truebistroboston.com.
Jessica Thornton, Green Room Boston
Photo by Creative Crop/Getty Images Where do Boston’s old-money mavens and new-money titans go to get pampered? This one-woman, single-chair salon, tucked away along a side street on Beacon Hill. Owned by expert stylist Jessica Thornton, the concierge hair studio offers a comfortable oasis where great hair, discretion, and the quick-witted Thornton herself are always the stars of the show. Encore! Encore! 40 River St., Boston, MA 02108, greenroomboston.com.
The Quiet Few
Courtesy of The Quiet Few We’re calling it: If it isn’t already, the Quiet Few will soon be everybody’s favorite spot in Eastie. Since opening three short years ago, it’s already become a vital hub of neighborhood life — a walk-in-only joint watered by 100 whiskeys (one of the city’s best selections) and fed by five-star bar food. See: the “Frito pie” dogs covered in adobo-stewed pork, pickled onions and jalapeños, cumin crema, and corn chips. 331 Summer St., East Boston, MA 02128, thequietfew.com.
Kaitlyn Greenidge
Book cover courtesy of Kaitlyn Greenidge The Arlington native’s 2021 release Libertie is ambitious in scope, encompassing the story of one of the country’s first Black female doctors during Reconstruction. But what makes the book sing is Greenidge’s lyrical prose, which focuses less on the trailblazing doctor and more on the aching question of what it means to be the daughter of someone so successful when you don’t want to follow in her footsteps. kaitlyngreenidge.com.
Frank Vocals
You know you’ve made it when your song has soundtracked not one but two TV shows. The embodiment of modern-day R & B, Frank Vocals’s delicate, sexy croon can now be heard on an episode of the Starz series BMF, as well as Power Book II: Ghost. No surprise when you consider the lyrical vulnernability and pure romance of his 2020 EP Cure. frankvocals.com.
Brant Point Grill
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil We firmly believe that enjoying oysters and clams on the half shell from this elaborate buffet at the White Elephant resort is the only good way to spend a Sunday on island. Decadent desserts (served in miniature sizes for plentiful sampling, natch) and a hefty quarter-pound-lobster-laden bloody mary keep even the busiest of gogetters anchored to their chair for hours to enjoy that one-of-a-kind view of sailboats bobbing on their moorings and ferries gliding in and out of the harbor. White Elephant Hotel, 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining/brant-point-grill.
Casa Design Group
True connoisseurs of contemporary design, the eagle-eyed team behind this SoWa staple has a real gift for curation, outfitting its Harrison Street showrooms with only the most deserving furnishings and accessories. Trust them to help you pick out just the right Giorgetti coffee table, Molteni&C bed, or sectional from Linteloo — one of the newest additions to their long list of powerhouse brands. 460 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118, casadesigngroup.com.
Bloomingdale's
When it comes to finding the perfect bathing suit, the only solution is to head to a store with the most shapes, styles, and sizes known to humankind. All hail Bloomingdale’s, which devotes a healthy chunk of its Chestnut Hill real estate to bikinis, tankinis, and one-pieces. For Bond girls, there’s Agua Bendita and Ramy Brook. For the modest among us,there are classy options from Polo Ralph Lauren and La Blanca. Come on in; the water’s fine! 225 Boylston St. , Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, .
Peng Bags
Photo of Meichi Peng's tools by Timothy Gilman Studio. Photo of purse, courtesy. It takes Meichi Peng up to 50 hours to craft one of her bespoke handbags. (For context, Hermès artisans spend about 25 hours constructing a Kelly bag.) With painstaking precision, each of her belt bags, crossbody pouches, and totes is created with top-quality leather, canvas, cowhide hair, and even lace, with color options that could fill a rainbow. The result? Timeless and creative with a jolt of jazziness. Grace Kelly would approve. pengbags.com.
Strega by Nick Varano
Even celebrities need to eat when they’re in Boston, and nobody — we mean nobody — packs ’em in like North End restaurateur Nick Varano. Want to catch a glimpse of Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey, or Pedro Martínez? To say nothing of Celtics super-fan Donnie Wahlberg or the Celtics themselves, including Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum? There’s literally only one place to go. (Stargazing tip: Book a table before or after TD Garden events, especially when a VIP is in town.) 379 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, stregabynickvarano.com.
Glamour Cosmetics
There’s a difference between what makeup looks good in person and what appears best on camera. Thankfully, Garineh Ashjian has mastered the art of balancing the two. In the years that she’s been working with Boston brides, Ashjian has been lauded not only for her skill with cosmetics but also for her calming and upbeat demeanor. She listens carefully to her clients, with the goal of making them look like the best version of themselves — because no bride wants to be unrecognizable on one of the most important days of her life. glamourcosmeticsoffical.com.
Bar 25
Sarah Walsh From the fruity rum-and-matcha colada to the Dragon’s Blood with mezcal, blood orange, and hibiscus, each drink at this Prohibition-inspired bar is inventive and totally Instagram-worthy. For the perfect date night, enjoy your craft cocktails with a side of mezze on one of the bar’s three floors. Hanging with a larger group? Go all out with a 12-glass champagne tower. 38 State St., Newburyport, MA 01950, bar-25.com.
Café Fresh Bagel
A great bagel does three things well: texture, flavor, and shape. And this longtime takeout favorite nails them all. A glossy, crackly crust with a slight chewiness gives way to an interior with plenty of “pull” to it. A hint of sweetness balances any savory toppings you might add (think: lox; chicken salad; or bacon, egg, and cheese), and a perfectly sized middle makes for even toasting and plenty of room for one of nine available flavored cream cheeses. Add a large iced coffee, and every morning is yours for the taking. 896 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494, .