Clover
This sneakily vegetarian chainlet may have brick-and-mortar locations everywhere from Brookline Village to Burlington, but it got its start as one of the first important food trucks in the Boston area. And Clover’s fleet of six restaurants on wheels is still a leader when it comes to truck-side fare done right—easy-to-eat, inspired, and (bonus!) relatively healthy creations like the sabich-inspired egg-and-eggplant sandwich, rosemary-scented fries, and one of the finest breakfast sandwiches around. Various locations, cloverfoodlab.com.
New Deal Fish Market
You can't get any fresher than this Cambridge spot: On any given day, you'll spot employees hauling out huge whole fish and breaking them down as you look on. Vast and unrivaled elsewhere in the area, the seafood selection includes whole branzino, Spanish octopus, and fresh anchovies—not to mention everything you need to make your own maki and sashimi. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, newdealfishmarket.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha's Vineyard
Photograph by Gregg Shupe/Shupe Studios You may not have a Vineyard abode to call home, but a stay at this family-oriented hotel will make you feel like you own the place. Situated just steps from South Beach, Winnetu offers both kitchenette-equipped suites and weekly house rentals, including four new cottages outfitted with all the comforts of home. For those in the mood to eat out, the hotel's restaurant, Lure Grill, offers excellent seafood with a side of ocean views. And for the kids, there are basketball and tennis courts, day camps, and evening clambakes. 31 Dunes Road, Edgartown, MA 2539, winnetu.com.
Fourth-Floor Apartment
The Combat Zone has a number of good ones, but the best is to be seen on Newbury Street. Each afternoon, the occupant of a fourth-floor apartment near the Ritz disrobes, then cleans house. We applaud her lack of inhibition . . . and shades. Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Somerville Grooves
Photo by Jesse Burke For music nerds, the neighborhood record store used to be a home away from home, and its disappearance in recent years has left us distraught. So it was with sweet relief that we welcomed Somerville Grooves to the scene two years ago. The store focuses mainly on vinyl, and doesn't offer a huge selection, but owner David Plunkett makes up for that with a carefully curated inventory and a friendly vibe. 26 Union Sq., Somerville, MA .
Soma Optical
Photo by Pat Piasecki The future of Soma Optical is so bright, you better, well, wear shades. Home to exclusive sunglasses from around the world — some of them handmade and some you won’t find elsewhere in the area — the sleek South End shop is the passion project of married couple Alissa and Christos Karabelas, who are so knowledgeable about their inventory that just trying sunnies on with them is a treat. But wearing a pair home just might make your summer. 8 Union Park St., Boston, MA 02118, soma-optical.shop.
SRV
Nina Gallant No surprise this Venetian wine bar’s popular prix-fixe option made such a (small-s) seamless transition to takeout. The family-style “Arsenale”—a multicourse, shareable feast featuring Italian delights such as wild mushroom conserva, roasted peach stracciatella, and pork-shoulder rigatoni—always felt more like eating a fine-chef-prepped dinner in someone’s home. The only difference: That home is now yours. 569 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118, srvboston.com.
Bill Rodgers's
Last December, the Boston Marathoner went to the Globe with a sob story about how evil Bank of Boston was foreclosing on his happy Dover home to settle a bank loan to Rodgers's running-goods store. Lo and behold, four months later, Rodgers announced that the bank had given him a fair price on his home and had signed him to a personal-services contract. Hmmm.
Hutker Architects
No two Hutker-designed homes are ever the same. Dedicated to sustainability and longevity, the firm works to connect structures to their gorgeous natural setting. That means using an expansive palette of materials to anchor homes to the landscape and adding wide expanses of glass and outdoor living spaces to take it all in. Good news for city dwellers: In addition to bustling outposts on Martha’s Vineyard and in Falmouth, Hutker now has a location on Beacon Street. 533 Palmer Ave., Falmouth, MA 02540, hutkerarchitects.com.
Ellen Signaigo Brockman, Coldwell Banker/Hunneman realty
With the real estate market showing few signs of slowing, the only way to find your dream home is to have a great broker by your side. Ellen Brockman specializes in Cambridge real estate—she knows every property, every building, every transaction that occurs. For buyers, she's a quick study on your likes and dislikes, and her instincts are dead-on when it comes time to make an offer. For sellers, she offers tried-and-true advice for showing your home at its best and getting the right potential buyers in the door. 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA .
Chicago Auto
Whatever your car's sexual orientation, it may find its home away from home at Chicago Auto, which started out serving the lesbian community, but has some of the mechanics in town. Founded by Boomer Kennedy in 1984, Chicago Auto is committed to helping women and men understand their cars. Customers praise the individual attention and the honest, upfront communication about what their repair and maintenance options are. Another perk: Loaner cars are free. 35 Tudor St., Cambridge, MA .
Harvest
Squirreled away in an unassuming Harvard Square breezeway, the Cambridge institution boosted its profile this year with a renovation that's also made it an attractive option for birthdays, rehearsal dinners, and other special occasions. The new private dining room, a denlike space big enough for 70, looks out over an intimate courtyard and is situated right behind the kitchen for easy access. Factor in chef Mary Dumont's seasonal menu, a glass of wine, and a roaring fireplace, and it adds up to an elegant home away from home. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, harvestcambridge.com.
Tile Showcase
The tile in your home is as much of an artistic expression as any painting you hang on your wall — an opportunity to bring in colors, textures, and patterns. Tile Showcase has long been known as a mecca for all of the above, from stunning New Ravenna sea-glass mosaics to retro penny rounds and classic subway tile. Bonus: The showroom, located at the Boston Design Center, always has an extensive inventory of in-stock tile, so you may not have to play the home-renovation waiting game. Boston Design Center, Ste. 204, Boston, MA 02210, tileshowcase.com.
Hutker Architects
The difference between a regular old house and a stunning home? Careful, deliberate design — and Hutker Architects employs it in spades. The team has repeatedly demonstrated a knack for maximizing views with contemporary flair. Their most recent example involves a masterful illusion: A South Shore home reads like a single-story construction from the street, but opens to a two-story wall with glass panels that frames the salt marshes beyond it. Smart. hutkerarchitects.com.
Format
Many of us tried virtual fitness classes during COVID and found they were about as fun as a trip to the dentist. Not the case with Format. The studio opened in 2020 with the goal of mixing barre with HIIT and strength training. Rather than letting the pandemic get in their way, founders Thalia Bardell and Caitlin Milbury Young launched virtually, holding sessions with cameras on to keep people engaged (and hold them accountable). The result? Online classes that are even more fun than being in-person. 420 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109, formatlive.com.