Giblee's Fine Men's Clothing
In an area where the men's clothing selection has traditionally tended toward golf shirts and whale pants, Giblee's is a welcome departure. Italian merino wool sweaters from Bobby Jones share rack space with Hugo Boss leather jackets and Joseph Abboud three-button suits. The shop rounds out its stock with a selection of shoes from such makers as Alden and Bruno Magli and the latest watches from Swiss Army. All in all, definitive proof of life after seersucker. 85 Andover St., Danvers, MA giblees.com.
Jennifer Harvey, The Wellesley Center
With years of teaching under her belt, and a style that's at once soothing and energizing, it's no wonder Harvey has such a huge following. Her phenomenally popular neuromuscular integrative action class feels like MTV-meets-dance-therapy; it's a great workout regardless of your fitness level. Harvey is also great at modification, offering a class as challenging for advanced students as beginners. 140 Great Plain Ave., Wellesley, MA .
New England School of Photography
Known for turning out the area's finest photographers, NESOP also offers workshop classes that allow budding shutterbugs to get top training behind the lens. Once students pass the basic digital-camera and darkroom classes, they dig into studio lighting, portraiture, digital imaging, and street-photography courses, or even put together their own documentary project. Best of all: NESOP's classes include access to the school's top facilities, faculty, and exciting community of artists. 537 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, nesop.com.
Tremont 647
To complement his "Adventurous American Cuisine," chef and owner Andy Husbands shook up an Adventurous version of the classic cocktail as a signature drink. As with any great margarita, the secret is hand-squeezed sour mix (none of that pre-mix swill) and a heaping dose of gold tequila, in this case Sauza. Replacing the triple sec with Grand Marnier doesn't hurt, either. 647 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Phrenology Trivia at the Quiet Few
After keeping fans engaged on social media in recent years, indie quizzer Danny Gottschalk, the brains behind Phrenology, is once again dishing up pub trivia in the flesh — and the best place to catch him is at the Quiet Few. Arrive early to join the fun at this small neighborhood bar, which offers up a Monday special on pitchers and proffers picklebacks as between-round prizes. Pro tip: Earn extra points by ordering the Whiskey of the Week. 331 Sumner St., East Boston, MA 02128, thequietfew.com.
Nightshade Noodle Bar
Photo by Michael Piazza Rachel Miller rode into Boston on a bus as a teen with nothing but a bike. These days, she’s blazing new trails with electrifying French-Vietnamese-inspired seafood fusion. Once a pop-up, Nightshade now offers tasting menus showcasing wild combos like crispy surf clams with tomato-ranch sauce, and glass-noodle “puttanesca” tossed with anchovies, squid, and fermented black beans. Miller’s newest endeavor: Sin City Superette, a neighborhood grocery with equally offbeat prepped foods and pantry essentials. 73 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 1901, nightshadenoodlebar.com.
The Landing
This longtime hangout on the windswept shores of Marblehead Harbor now has an infusion of fresh talent: Executive chef Alex Pineda is legendary toque Lydia Shire’s son, and he worked with her at Scampo; co-executive chef Noe Ortega also comes from Scampo. This translates to an inspired brunch lineup: think lemongrass-curried mussels, candied-pecan French toast, and Allagashbattered fish and chips — all with a side of superb water views. 81 Front St., Marblehead, MA 1945, thelandingrestaurant.com.
Offsuit
It’s a snug, sophisticated, don’t-call-it-a-speakeasy space that opened during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic (yikes). Yet Offsuit pulled off its gambit on the strength of simple cocktails that nail everything that really counts: top-shelf spirits, fresh ingredients, and slow-melting bergs of hand-carved ice. The philosophy turns sleepy standards like the Dark & Stormy or gimlet into revelations, while house originals — such as the Lounge Act, made with chamomile-infused apple brandy — are no less impressive. 107 South St., Leather District, MA 02111, offsuitboston.com.
Boston Sail Loft
For a generation, this minimal-frills North End eatery at the water’s edge has attracted a legion of fans with its herb-y, unpretentious, preposterously thick take on the New England staple. To wit: Each overflowing mug comes loaded with fresh, tender clams and, in an unusual but welcome twist, a handful of chopped dill. There are few chowders in Boston this rich, and none this good. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, thebostonsailloft.com.
Silent Film Music
New Hampshire composer Jeff Rapsis is a man on the move: At least once a week, you can find him traveling throughout the region, performing improvised scores to pre-talkie classics. He’s a regular at the “Silents Please” film series at the Somerville Theatre, where he plays along to both romantic travails and madcap adventures, as well as Arlington’s Regent Theatre and Aeronaut in Somerville. Wild and whimsical, Rapsis’s performances give voice to the days of yore. silentfilmlivemusic.blogspot.com.
Kelly Gardner, Moxie Salon
Kelly Gardner has an eye for contrast, tone, and depth, with a particular fluency in the art of foiling—super up-close and personal with the root, mind you. Trend-seekers, fret not: Gardner will fearlessly dive into those edgy, ultramodern looks, too. For us, it was a bold white-platinum with an inch of blended root. Her second forte is of-the-moment, sun-kissed balayage. Talk about cutting-edge. 691 Belmont St., Belmont, MA 02478, moxiebelmont.com.
Regatta Inn
Thanks to a recent renovation, this centrally located Federal-style building has all of the history but none of the outdated décor. The inn's eight guest rooms boast luxe amenities, including Frette and Matouk linens and marble bathrooms. But perhaps the most compelling reason to stay is new innkeeper Lyn Francis's already-legendary breakfast of such staples as warm muffins and house-made granola. 78 Centre St., Nantucket, MA 02554, theregattainn.com.
Paper Moss
Photograph by Francine Zaslow, styling by Abby Bielagus/Ennis First impressions count, especially when it comes to wedding invitations, which set the tone for the entire event. Work with designers Emily Hostetler and Caitlin Snyder to create custom letterpress or flat-printed pieces jazzed up with on-trend hand lettering, funky geometric patterns, or intricate maps. Don’t have enough time (or budget) to go bespoke? Paper Moss’s ready-to-order collection offers just enough customization options to make it feel personal. papermoss.com.
Gracie’s Ice Cream
The future of ice cream lives in the freezers of this Fluff-cone-stuffing, hot-fudge-slinging, topping-tossing mecca of flavor, now with even more selection: Affable dairy maven Aaron Cohen recently teamed up with Juliet’s Josh Lewin and Katrina Jazayeri to create rich, offbeat flavors such as Swedish apple pie, sweet potato, and peach basil. 22 Union Sq., Somerville, MA 02143, graciesicecre.am.
F1 Boston
Tired of the humdrum pace of that 9-to-5 lifestyle? Head out to Braintree to show the world you’re really the next Danica Patrick in training. Sure, you’ll be driving a go-kart at a slower speed than the average grandmother, but once you’re clad in an actual racing jump suit, helmet on, whipping around the indoor track, you’ll swear you’re ready for the big leagues. Hairpin curves and an endless series of Days of Thunder references await. 290 Wood Rd., Braintree, MA 02184, f1boston.com.