Eastern Coat Manufacturing Company
Suits, slacks, sports coats, and overcoats by name designers are 30 percent below retail. Alterations are free, and tailoring is done on the premises. 76 Coolidge Hill Rd., Watertown, MA .
Christopher Lydon on WBUR's <em>The Connection</em>
He's witty and insightful. Now if he can just tone down his pretentious enunciation of "The Connection."
Today's Bread, Ltd.
A neighborhood secret, already discovered by top caterers. Get here early, or it's gone. 701 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Burlington Mall
Burlington is awesome. And once the renovations are finished, it will be wicked awesome.
<em>Master Harold and the Boys</em>
James Earl Jones substantially enhances his reputation.
The Mount
For weddings awash in nature, there’s no rivaling the flower power of the Mount’s lush French and Italianate gardens. And did we mention the Berkshires estate was once the residence of novelist Edith Wharton? 2 Plunkett St., Lenox, MA 01240, edithwharton.org.
East Boston Public Library
For a mental vacation, take the Blue Line to the Airport stop and head to the library. Once inside the newly renovated building, settle into the sun-drenched reading room, which offers a vista of urban greenery and distant skyscrapers. 365 Bremen St., Boston, MA 02128, bpl.org.
Top of the Hub
This Stouffer's restaurant once microwaved nearly everything out of packages. Now there's a real kitchen, with a real stove and a real staff. Caveat: it's still got a way to go to catch L'Espalier. Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Cardullo's
Cardullo's is the quickie-mart gone gourmet, stocking daily victuals and delicacies from around the world. 6 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, cardullos.com.
Lloyd Bentsen
True, once the votes were counted, the Texas senator proved he was no Lyndon Johnson. But then, the Massachusetts governor was no Jack Kennedy, either.
Rosie's Bar & Grille
Open, welcoming, and serving until the wee hours, it has twice the ambience and none of the stage lights or lines. 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA .
Jim Rice
An MVP year in 1983. Too bad he'll probably be gone in 1986.
Seventh Inn
Favorite eating place of performers, from Celtics players to Combat Zone strippers. 288 Boylston St., Boston, MA .