Zendaya
Even in a city accustomed to A-listers, Zendaya’s time in Boston was the buzziest celebrity residency in years. All spring, fans chronicled her Tatte coffee dates with boyfriend Tom Holland, and roamed the Back Bay hoping to snag the season’s most valuable keepsake: a selfie with Spider-Man’s MJ herself. Zendaya clearly has great taste: She was spotted at Eastie’s beloved Angela’s Café not once, but twice.
Wally's Cafe
With the shutdown of the Willow and the yuppification of Bob the Chef's, Wally's proposed expansion into the space next to its current Massachuetts Avenue hole-in-the-wall is the best thing going. 427 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA .
Design Within Reach
We’ve all become more interested in sprucing up our home offices over the past year, and Design Within Reach’s eye-catching and efficient workspace furnishings get the job done. Should you need a Nathan Yong filing cabinet, a posture-improving Eames chair, or a Herman Miller desk that makes you feel like the #boss you are, the store has flair (and options) to spare. 1045 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, dwr.com.
Flair Brides Maids
Christine Walber Colon knows bridesmaids play no minor role in pulling off a wedding, so she outfits them accordingly. Her third-floor suite carries the bright hues, comfortable fabrics, and flattering cuts of designers such as Charsa, Lynn Lugo, and Jenny Yoo. There are no wear-it-once sateen selections here—just gracious service and moderate prices. Finally, someone who gives the supporting cast its due. 10 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, flairbridesmaid.com.
Brookline Booksmith
Their fiction inventory is faultless; their nonfiction, superb. But it's Brookline Booksmith's book cellar that again propels this independent store to the top of the pile. If you're going to browse, be sure you've got a whole afternoon to spar—it's easy to lose track of time while scanning the shelves. The shop's reading series is also second to none, often hosting marquee authors such as David Sedaris and Jonathan Safran Foer. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, brooklinebooksmith.com.
Luke Aaron
Luke Aaron's sophisticated, ladylike gowns and separates look theatrical for a reason: The budding couturier honed his craft in the costume shop at Tufts, later working for renowned costume designers in New York City. Aaron is especially adept at creating dramatic shapes by ruching and draping fabrics—grace notes that can be seen in his expanding bridal collection. Handmade pieces are available at his North End showroom, inside a restored preindustrial building. 38A Fleet St., Boston, MA lukeaaronboston.com.
Fresh City
These avowed wrapmasters hone in on a few select points: even distribution of ingredients; made-to-taste variety; and overall freshness, heftiness, and yumminess. They succeed. For those finicky wrapsters among us— you know who you are— there's no overabundance of rice here, or goopy sludge of extra sauce to soak up your roll. Living up to such standards of wrapsody, Fresh City in Brookline blazes the way toward the future of fast food. 1335 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA .
Claire Caso
Clever Claire managed to hold down a full-time city job as an aide to City Counselor John Kerrigan (her $300-a-week salary nicely supplemented her husband's hefty paycheck from the federal government), run a smooth household, raise eight lovely children, and even pick up a little extra money taking care of the neighbor's kids. If she had showed up at City Hall every now and then, her talent as a housewife would probably have gone unacclaimed.
Tonino
Photograph by Joe St. Pierre. Styling by Madison Trapkin. After honing his culinary dexterity at local hot spots such as Sarma and Giulia, Luke Fetbroth is reimagining the Italian-American comfort food of his childhood at Tonino, where he is both chef and co-owner. That translates to light-as-air tomato-pie slabs, Taleggio-and-balsamic-stuffed cappelletti, and ethereal tiramisu served by the massive bowlful. 669A Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, toninojp.com.
Room & Board
Once you start purchasing Room & Board’s modern, artisan-crafted furniture, you’ll never shop anywhere else again. The brand’s pieces stand the test of time in both style and durability: Think a sculptural coffee table that holds up to bumps and beverage stains, a plush sectional that can host years of movie nights, or a storage-equipped bed frame that you can pass on to the next generation. 375 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, roomandboard.com.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.
Pollen Floral Design
In the past year alone, Pollen Floral Design owner Krissy Price has dreamed up masterpieces for a distillery engagement party, a restaurant wedding, and seaside nuptials on the Cape. She’s as comfortable working in jewel tones as she is in pastels, giving big, beautiful blooms the starring role in every custom installation, free-flowing bouquet, and color-packed centerpiece she crafts. MA bostonpollen.com.
Belmont Carwash
Once or twice a year, lavish love on your buggy with the $30.99 full treatment— an exterior wash and interior cleaning and vacuuming, with all the bells and whistles. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, and the car washers don't make you feel like a curmudgeon for pointing out that little smudge just to the left of your rear bumper. Given the gentle touches and attention to detail, we wished they buffed car owners, too. 521 Trapelo Rd., Waverley Square, Belmont, MA .
Benny Ho
This tailor honed his craft at Louis Boston, and it shows, especially when it comes to pants. Benny Ho is the master of finding that extra inch, making sure the break falls in the right place, and giving a suit an almost made-to-measure look. And for that jacket that's a little tight across the chest, Ho can open up some breathing room. 1405 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA .
Rialto
How does the Rialto keep getting better? By growing itself is the only serious restaurant in the Square; by being so comfortable and discreet yet lively, both in the main restaurant and the super welcoming bar; and by paring away the Spanish, southern French, and Italian curios that once seemed essential to hold diners' attention (and still do at other restaurants) so that what's left is food you want to eat. The duo of chef Jody Adams and impresario-inspirer Michela Larson is rock-solid. The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA .