Visual Comfort & Co. Systems
If you need to see something to believe it, book a consultation at this showroom in the Boston Design Center to witness the home-technology design company’s futuristic lighting tech firsthand. You’ll see everything from smart-home controls for architectural and decorative lighting fixtures (yes, the Visual Comfort & Co. Systems team can help you select those, too) to state-of-the-art tunable LEDs that emulate natural daylight. In our opinion, the simulated skylights and windows from Lightglass are the perfect antidote for gloomy, gray winter days; see ya later, seasonal blues! 21 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210, visualcomfort.com.
Nightshade Noodle Bar
After slinging “Hot Noods” in kitchens across the area, chef Rachel Miller finally gave her Vietnamese-inspired pop-up eatery a permanent home in downtown Lynn last year. From there, she’s now churning out an ace takeout and delivery program that includes homemade mi kho noodles with caramelized garlic sauce, a warm lemongrass-infused lobster roll, and coconut margarita mix that promises to turn any ordinary night at home into a party. But what’s even more satisfying than the food is knowing that Miller frequently donates proceeds to local non-profits. 73 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 01901, nightshadenoodlebar.com.
Philip Schwartz, Morning Paws
Hands down, Schwartz is the most distinguished walker of dogs in the city. Gray-haired and bespectacled, Philip stalks the streets of the South End, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill with his small leashed brood (including his own gentle doberman, Tara). A former retail executive, Schwartz never had a dog as a child and is making up for lost time, caring for up to 40 a day. He also does some sleepover home-stays—attending to pets, mail, and plants—and gives advice about Parisian travel and cooking. The cost: $10 per walk, $40-$50 per night for home stays.
Portobello Road
Much like its open-air London market namesake, Chestnut Hill's Portobello Road is vibrant, cavernous, and filled with exotic goods. Co-owners Marina Kalb and Kristina Lyons source boho-chic clothing, jewelry, and home goods from all over the world (Santa Maria Novella perfumes, silk basics from Sula) and close to home (breezy linen Nuthatch button-downs, Chan Luu leather wrap bracelets). Even though the boutique is located along Route 9, it feels as exotic as a shop in brightly painted Notting Hill. 55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, portobelloroadusa.com.
The Summer Shack
Whether you order up one of the beautifully done basics—steamed lobster, Boston scrod—or a special like grilled wild striped bass, you'll have ample cash left over for a sinful dessert. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA summershackrestaurant.com.
Hand the Hatter
In one of the grittiest corners of the Combat Zone, Hand the Hatter still plies the ancient trade of blocking and cleaning hats. Your battered bowler and pathetic panama will be restored to their pristine glory. 20 La Grange St., Boston, MA .
Sel de la Terre
We love the hint of sweetness in the fig-and-anise loaf at Sel de la Terre, and covet the bakery's chewy sourdough. But one bite of the buttery brioche at this boulangerie makes us feel we've died and gone to heaven. 255 State St., Boston, MA seldelaterre.com.
Albert Righter & Tittmann Architects
When Yale-trained architects Jacob Albert, Jim Righter, and John Tittmann launched their firm in 1996, the trio were lauded for their expertise in designing traditional New England homes. The firm has since expanded to include other partners who feel strongly that the region’s architecture should also be freshly interpreted. Within the firm’s portfolio, you’ll find a wide breadth of residential styles: a farmhouse that features traits of a Neoclassical European villa; a shingle-style home designed with 12-inch-thick walls to conserve energy; and a coastal property constructed around salvaged barn beams. artarchitects.com.
The Maids
Amid a flurry of cleaning services catering to on-the-go urbanites, the Jamaica Plain outpost of this national operation shows an unbeatable blend of polish and professionalism. After setting the appointment and sending an e-mail confirmation, your cleaning team will arrive armed with grime-busting equipment and a dozen sprays, as well as a rigorous 22-step plan for restoring your home's sparkle. The Maids will even pick up and drop off your keys at work—another excellent reason to fork over the $159 fee, which is lowered if you book monthly follow-ups. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Castle Island
Photo by Chloe Grinberg There’s only one sign of spring that matters: opening day at Sullivan’s. Once Castle Island’s venerable concession stand starts slinging fried clams, we know it’ll soon be time to romp shoeless on the sandy shores of Pleasure Bay and wander the 184-year-old Fort Independence. 2010 Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127, mass.gov/visit-massachusetts-state-parks.
Channel 5
Jack Hynes and John Henning take the news seriously, and it shows. Theirs is an intelligent, thorough and straightforward presentation; it is so well done that it will never be Number 1 in the ratings. Too bad the station decided to put one on at 6 and the other at 11. MA
Brighton Upholstering
With skilled upholstering services, reasonable prices, and a terrific selection of fabrics, this is a great place for one-stop shopping. The shop will also order fabrics normally available to the trade only, or even make custom furniture if that's what it takes to get the job done. 319 Washington St., Brighton Center, MA .
CBS Scene
CBS Scene is perched above the north end zone at Gillette Stadium, allowing fans unrivaled (and yes, unticketed) access to the game-day action. Tailgate among the foam fingers and clouds of Italian sausage smoke, then step inside and watch the instant replay—on some 135 high-def TVs, including one in each booth. 200 Patriot Pl., Foxboro, MA 2035, .
The Barking Crab
We're suckers for any patch of down-home coastal life dropped smack in the heart of downtown Boston. But, even if we weren't, the Barking Crab would still be the best catch in its category. Cheap, straightforward seafood—fragrant steamers, crab legs so big they're architectural structures, and cod that flakes in moist, white chunks—is the draw. Don't expect to write home about the service: This place is on island time. But, somehow, the meal, the kitschy breeze-blown fishing nets on the walls, the salty air, the creaky wooden floorboards, and the ice-cold beer evoke the kind of sunburned day that loosens our standards—and our belts—a little. And isn't that, after all, the very definition of clam shack chic? 88 Sleeper St., Boston, MA barkingcrab.com.
The Sinclair
COURTESY PHOTO Want a kick-ass dinner and a kick-ass show, but don’t want to waste time traveling between restaurant and concert venue? The Sinclair is a one-stop shop. Treat yourself to spiffed-up pub grub (think: bone-marrow burgers and smoked-gouda mac ’n’ cheese) chased by tunes from the likes of Fantastic Negrito and lo-fi legend Bill Callahan in an intimate space with top-notch acoustics. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA sinclaircambridge.com.