Craigie Street Bistrot
Hidden in the quiet, tweedy folds of residential Cambridge, this neighborhood restaurant is part exquisite cuisine, part delicious local fare, and all parts homage to true French bistro culture. Entering the intimate, family-owned spot, with its cozy furniture and warm colors, is like walking into a well-loved (and well-populated) living room. But the extremely well-priced menu is anything but predictable. Chef Tony Maws keeps it fluid with his improvisations (Exhibit A: the red chile-marinated prime hangar steak with sultry roasted bone marrow) and an ebb and flow of local produce so fresh, all Montmartre would be impressed. 5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge, MA craigieonmain.com.
Dogspa
Care to try some terrier-misu? Or perhaps the matching pet-owner jewelry is more up your alley. Regardless, the two-legged and four-legged alike are barking up a storm about DogSpa, Beverly's grooming, retail, and nutritional haven. For the languorous pooch, there's an aromatherapeutic quiet room; for the vivacious pup, "Smelly Dog" deodorizations; for all of man's best friends, a chrome state-of-the-art grooming zone with anti-fatigue padded mats, HydroSurge spa baths, and expert stylists. All dogs may go to heaven, but really, what can heaven have on DogSpa? 45 Enon St., Unit 5, Beverly, MA beverlydogspa.com.
WordsWorth Books
Finally, someone has figured out that all writers are frustrated actors. This Harvard Square institution has always been a writers' haven, even for the obscure and esoteric. But now, having expanded its reading room and hired events guru Jim Behrle (formerly of Brookline Booksmith), WordsWorth has gone Hollywood. Before a wall of windows overlooking Brattle Street and with enough seats to daunt even bestselling authors, readings feel more like the Today show than Masterpiece Theatre (although without the inane chatter). There's an equally impressive A-list of literary guests—Ethan Hawke (on the 8th), for example, and Alain De Botton (on the 9th) this month alone. 30 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Polka Dog Bakery
Puffy's not the best shopping companion: drooling on merchandise, constantly demanding attention, invading strangers' personal space. Any place that overlooks —welcomes, even—such unseemly habits scores big with us. This year Polka Dog expanded to accommodate its lines of animal gear with voluminous bins of squeaky cupcakes and rubber telephones, walls of collars, piles of beds, and accessories for literal clothes hounds. As if all that weren't enough, there's the popular buffet of inventive edibles, for when your guests' shoes are no longer an option: liver chips, salmon coins, and catnip "pawbreakers" for delicate breeds; cow thigh bones for those with heartier appetites. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, polkadog.com.
Posto
WHAT’S THE VIBE? Sleek, with a view of the oven that fires pies at over 850 degrees and the clink of refreshing cocktails — see: the well-structured, bourbon-forward “Vitruvian Man.” TASTING NOTES: There’s clear commitment to top-quality ingredients (00 imported flour, San Marzano tomatoes) that once made Posto the first (and almost only) Massachusetts restaurant to get an official stamp of approval from the international Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. And it shows in the char-spotted cornicione and thin, soft crust you might need a knife and fork to finish. 187 Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144, postoboston.com.
Eu2be
Your skin is your body’s largest organ — which means if you’re going to slather something all over it, it better be the good stuff. That’s where local entrepreneur Charla Jones’s newly relaunched line of body creams, oils, and balms comes in. Formulated with nourishing carrier oils (derived from the likes of sunflower, avocado, and sweet almond) that promise to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, the products are also sustainably sourced and packaged, so you never have to wonder if what you’re putting on your body is healthy for you, or the environment. eu2be.com.
Kodomo
Kodomo Boston Once upon a time, children’s clothing was built to last and could be passed down from generation to generation. With two sweet storefronts on Beacon Hill and the South End, Kodomo still operates with that ethos in mind, offering baby and kids’ brands that are as durable and sustainable as they are stylish. Add in genuinely helpful salespeople and whimsical wooden toys (buy your favorite budding feminist a Ruth Bader Ginsburg doll), and you have your new favorite shopping spot. Multiple locations, MA kodomoboston.com.
Sarma
Isn’t pan-Mediterranean mezze pretty much everywhere these days, you ask? Why, yes it is — but chef-owner Cassie Piuma’s free wheeling ethos produces something above and beyond that (see: her avocado muhummara and basturma bánh mì). You’ll understand the many award nods and accolades once you soak up Sarma’s lively yet chill vibe, listen to its erudite, earnest servers, and navigate your own euphoric jaunt across a dozen distinct culinary traditions. 249 Pearl St., Somerville, MA 02145, sarmarestaurant.com.
Faraway
Matt Kisiday The main guest house at this chic boutique hotel may date to 1742, but the interior design is firmly planted in the 21st century. Spread out between six buildings, the property features a central swimming pool and perfectly manicured grounds, with sleek common areas that hint at stylish rooms decorated in warm, neutral tones and appointed with five-star amenities. 23 Kelly St., Edgartown, MA 02539, farawaymarthasvineyard.com.
Henry Bear's Park
Pat Piasecki Bradlees. Child World. Toys “R” Us. These shops were once staples of a Boston childhood that have since been gobbled up by e-commerce. Only quirky Henry Bear’s Park has stood the test of time since the first location opened in Cambridge 48 years ago, selling classic, gender-neutral toys — and, crucially, wrapping them in cheery yellow paper for party-bound parents. Continue reading ... Multiple locations, henrybear.com.
Forevermark Flowers
Bella Wang This season’s wedding florals will be inspired by both the intimacy of pandemic-era nuptials and the joy of once again celebrating en masse. And Vivian Zhou, the owner of Forevermark Flowers, excels in tackling all of the design trends this year will bring. Her petite centerpieces showcase unique textures best appreciated at small parties, while her voluminous installations are must-have accessories for grander soirees. 562 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02459, forevermarkflowers.com.
Southern Proper
When chef Jason Cheek opened Southern Proper this year, he sought to bring a taste of his native North Carolina to Boston. Step inside the South End restaurant, and you’ll see he’s done just that: The eatery takes design cues from Cheek’s grandmother’s living room, serving up comfort food on mismatched plates. The kitchen, meanwhile, cranks out platters of tender fried chicken, not to mention flaky popovers and out-of-this-world homemade pickles. 600 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, southernproperboston.com.
Scullers
It may be housed in the DoubleTree hotel next to a highway overpass, but once you enter this cozy cabaret-style venue of just 200 seats, you might as well have been teleported to a chic lounge in the French Quarter. Get up close and personal with the genre’s leading artists—Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea—or spot the jazz world’s next big thing: Scullers is dedicated to hosting next-gen musicians from local schools. 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston , MA 02134, scullersjazz.com.
Bodega
JARED KUZIA. This Best of Boston Hall of Famer clearly wears the crown for cool streetwear and footwear, but with the opening of its Los Angeles sibling this past year, the brand’s influence has officially gone bicoastal. The new Bodega may draw in A-listers such as Jamie Foxx, Maya Rudolph, and Cameron Diaz, but thankfully, the buzziest lifestyle launches from Adidas, Nike, and Karhu are still happening right here in our own backyard. 6 Clearway St., Boston, MA bdgastore.com.
Bellacquer
Word to the wise: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, because you’ll need extra time to choose from Bellacquer’s seemingly endless wall of colors—more than 1,500 hues, actually. Once you’ve picked your polish, it’s time to move on to the pampering, administered by technicians who wield a nail file and cuticle trimmer with particular precision. Salon connoisseurs will appreciate the blissful hot-stone massage that comes standard with each classic pedicure. 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA bellacquer.com.