Taurus Records
Three decades in, this reggae- and R & B-focused music shop on Blue Hill Ave. is still playing the role of cultural hub, hangout, and icon of the neighborhood’s vibrant Caribbean community.
Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar
The cocktails at this funky-meets-casual spot hit it out of the park—order the mezcal-based "No More Parties in Fenway" to channel your inner ’Ye before weaving through Sox traffic on your way home. 1310 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, citizenpub.com.
Goodale Orchards
The antique stone barn displays all kinds of produce, but apples are the specialty here—more than a dozen varieties. They appear whole, in tasty pies, doughnuts, pressed into cider; the dry hard cider is a find. 123 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA .
Greenhills Irish Bakery
The crust is thicker than usual—almost cobbler-like—flaky and delicious, holding loads of fresh apples; this pie is terrific. We like it Irish-style, without cinnamon. It's also a bargain, at $6 for a 10-inch pie. 793 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA .
Singing Beach
Leave the car at home. Singing Beach—so named for the lyrical sound the sand makes when you walk on it—is just a 10-minute stroll from the Manchester commuter-rail station. 119 Beach St., Manchester, MA 10944, .
Boyajian Caviar
There is no better source for caviar in Boston, but you can also depend on Boyajian for a slew of expensive treats, including a whole line of smoked delicacies, foie gras, and especially honeys. 33 Belmont St., Cambridge, MA .
Dee Steffen Chinn, Fool's Errand, Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama
As sweets guru for Tiffani Faison’s restaurant empire, Steffen Chinn’s versatility stuns—from down-home desserts to elaborate, whimsical platings. bighearthospitality.com.
Jason's
It used to be the big hangout for the local ad community. But then Joe's American Bar & Grill opened and the whole crowd moved there. Like a big vacuum cleaner. 131 Clarendon St., Boston, MA .
Lucia Small
Lucia Small, who took home the Grand Jury prize at the Slamdance Film Festival for her powerful documentary My Father, the Genius.
Interlocks Salon and Day Spa
There's very little on the cutting edge of hairstyling that hasn't made its way up north, thanks to Interlocks. This full-service salon and day spa may have a small-town feel, but it boasts a pool of stylists and colorists straight from the Back Bay and beyond. Specialty services include strand-by-strand hair extensions, thermal straightening, and imaging software consultations so you can see your hair in any color, style, and length before you take the plunge. Once you're properly coiffed, head over to one of the massaging thrones in the nail salon for a "Margarita Mango" pedicure. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport, MA interlockssalon.com.
Honeycomb Creamery
Former Union Square Donuts kitchen manager Kristen Rummel and her husband, Rory Hanlon, started churning up batches of ice cream for deliveries and pop-ups in 2015. Now their new Cambridge brick-and-mortar dishes out even more of those sweet, fluffy scoops, made with milk and cream from Mapleline Farm in Hadley. Seasonal flavors like Meyer lemon-ginger and cookie-laden alfajores make it tough to choose just one, which is why we usually opt for Honeycomb's ice cream flight—a four-flavor assortment sprinkled with waffle-cone chips. 1702 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, honeycombcreamery.com.
Bondir
Photograph by David Salafia Ambiance is in the eye of the beholder: One man’s intimate mood-lit heaven is another’s cramped low-lit hell. But once in a blue moon an eatery comes along that approaches capital-R Romantic in an unalienable, across-the-board way. The flames flickering in Bondir’s brick fireplace help set the mood, as do the fresh flowers and exquisite farm-to-table masterpieces emerging from the kitchen. But it’s the warm hospitality that seals the deal, conjuring up memories of a magical honeymoon meal of the past—or a premonition of those yet to come. 279A Broadway, Cambridge, MA 2139, bondircambridge.com.
Martha's Stone Soup
Fans of time travel should start peering out the car window halfway down the dirt road to this 18th-century tavern. Upon entering, keep eyes low and to the right (avoiding the buzzkill modern kitchen), and sit at one of the communal tables facing the weathered walls. Exquisitely done cassoulet and pan-roasted seafood perpetuate the historic vibe—if you can ignore the nouvelle complexity of the sauces—while riffs on Asian cuisine tempt those diners keeping it current. The emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, of course, transcends both eras. 517 Old Sandwich Rd., Plymouth, MA 2360, .
Matsu
What’s in the window? That’s the question on Charles Street these days as in-the-know fashionistas stroll by to see what ethereal outfit will swath the mannequin in Matsu’s front display window. One week it may be a white chiffon duster, ecru tutu, and silk tank, while another it could be a multi-tiered tulle dress and sterling pendant. Once inside, the offerings at this jewel box of a boutique — where pulsating music and burning incense seduce the senses — are even more tempting, from handpainted Umit Unal denim to frilly frocks from Louiza Babouryan. Be sure to check out owner Dava Muramatsu’s jewelry collection — and prepare to be enchanted. 76 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, davamuramatsu.com.
Best Handyman Boston
Home-improvement vet Ryaan Tuttle runs the finest mister-fixit operation in town, tackling jobs from furniture assembly to gutter repair with nary a loose screw in sight. 68 Saint Andrew Rd., East Boston, MA besthandymanboston.com.