FBN Construction
Transparency tops FBN Construction’s list of priorities, and that’s a good thing. The firm’s commitment to communication—to say nothing of its proven planning and building skills—practically guarantees satisfaction, whether you’re overhauling the kitchen in your high-rise condo, creating the ultimate master suite in your suburban Colonial, or simply designing a functional yet elegant home office with loads of built-ins. 17 Wolcott Ct., Boston, MA 02136, fbnconstruction.net.
Cambridge Arts River Festival
Photo provided Celebrate art in all of its forms—that’s the mission of this bash on the banks of the Charles, which brings musicians, poets, and even circus artists to 150,000 of the area’s culture vultures. No matter who takes the stage, though, the prime feature of this festival is its interactivity for the whole family: think art tables for the kids and the goofy and wonderful People’s Sculpture Racing invitational, where moving artworks compete based on aesthetics and speed. MA 02139, cambridgema.gov/arts/programs/riverfestival.
Peter Sacco, Adelante Shoe Co.
Ever stopped to wonder where your shoes come from? Peter Sacco did. Deeply troubled by the economic inequality he saw while on vacation in Central America, he dedicated his life—and his business—to finding a way to help. The designer’s high-quality, made-to-order leather boots and loafers are created by craftspeople in Guatemala who are paid 75 percent above the market rate, providing them with a livable wage. In other words, there’s plenty of soul in these classic soles. Bow Market, One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, adelanteshoes.com.
Hotel Pippa
COURTESY OF HOTEL PIPPA Opened in 2018, this Nantucket newcomer first charmed us with its well-designed guest rooms, complete with local artwork, smart pops of color, and beds dressed with Fall River–made Matouk linens. But Hotel Pippa, the brainchild of longtime islanders Christopher and Asta Skehel, is much more than a pretty face: Set on the cobblestones of downtown Chestnut Street, it’s also an undeniably lush home base for a weekend spent exploring nearby restaurants, art galleries, and (of course) miles and miles of pristine beaches. hotelpippa.com.
G2O Spa + Salon
Sure, you could stop by for a quickie body scrub or facial at this recently relocated Back Bay spa, but we wouldn’t recommend it—not when you can spend the whole day pampering yourself between treatments in the flotation pod and salt cave. After 25 years in the relaxation biz, G2O knows exactly what its clients want, and that’s as many blissful ways as possible to escape the chaos outside. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA g2ospasalon.com.
Vows
Fear not, budget-minded brides: You can have your Vera Wang without having to cut the guest list in half. This outlet has high-end designer gowns at wholesale prices—50 to 70 percent off retail. Better still, you don't have to worry about being caught in a stampede or hoping the dress will fit. Vows takes appointments and has plenty of dressing room space. 334 Watertown St., Newton, MA bridepower.com.
B&G Oysters
If hyperfresh seafood is the sole requirement, Legal and McCormick can deliver the same still-quivering quality for a few clams less. It takes a hypertalented chef like B&G's Barbara Lynch, however, to gussy it up with refined flavors and textures that accentuate without stealing the show. That intense focus on pristine ingredients is evident throughout the small, cleanly constructed menu. The cult-spawning lobster BLT is a study in restraint, and a sauteed halibut rings sweet above grassy artichoke, tangy tomato, and briny black-olive consomme. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA bandgoysters.com.
Midway Cafe
Real women appreciate good beer and know how to cut loose when the music starts. That's why so many of them frequent the Midway. Thanks to an event calendar of crowd-pleasers like Queeraoke, the bar's dance floor quakes seven nights a week to a soundtrack spanning R&B to death metal; the anti-decor is underscored by neon beer signs and sprinklings of Americana. And while definitely a home base for the girl-meets-girl crowd, this J.P. joint welcomes good-timers of all persuasions. 3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA midwaycafe.com.
East Coast Alpine
East Coast Alpine boasts the broadest inventory of winter toys in the area, encompassing top brands (Völkl, Atomic, Ride, Mountain Hardware) and the latest technology. Rent skis and snowboards for your kids; snag new boots, poles, and helmets; or bring older equipment in for an evaluation and tune-up. You'll leave fully prepped, be it for black diamonds or bunny slopes. 860 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA eastcoastalpine.com.
So Good
Photograph by Jared Leeds Jewelry can be a lot like relationships: Sometimes it's forever, but other times it's only a fling. For those seeking tonight-only bling, the So Good store in Downtown Crossing never disappoints. Two stories filled floor to ceiling with necklaces, earrings, and other eye candy offer maximum flash for minimal cash. This may not be the kind of stuff you take home to Mom, but hey, it'll be fun while it lasts. 443 Washington St., Boston, MA 2108, .
Cross
Parents, face the facts: Bics and Trapper Keepers are way over; your kids wouldn't be caught dead with them. Today's junior scholars want Cross's ultracool chrome-plated Tech3 pens, vividly colored goatskin envelopes, and canvas totes in groovy blue-wave, pink-swirl, or neutral-flower patterns. The bright side: The last two items at least still hold a lot of homework assignments. Zero Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, cross.com.
Ata Cycle
The expert bicyclists who double as the sales staff of ATA not only love to ride, they love to ride what they sell: a wide selection of bikes, accessories, and parts ranging from recreational hybrids to top-of-the-line racing models. A family business, the full-service store will do tune-ups or dole out maintenance advice just as happily as it will sell you a new set of wheels. 1773 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA atabike.com.
Ecoluxe
With reports out almost daily about the dangers of chemical cleaning solvents (perchloroethylene, for example, has been linked to liver damage and cancer), the organic and biodegradable cleaning methods at owner Shelly Mars's Ecoluxe are literally a breath of fresh air. Crunchy ethos notwithstanding, this small Boston chain is also a modern and decidedly bourgeois establishment. The clean, streamlined storefronts are so pretty they could be mistaken for boutiques, the polite and efficient service (from cleaning to pressing) never wavers, and home delivery is available. 1018 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Mare
Less is more at Mare. Whether it's the unusually stark décor (more SoHo than North End) or the delicate hand chefs use on the restaurant's high-quality seafood. No heavy sauces here. The whole sea bass is grilled with just a dash of lemon, salt, and herbs, and meaty scallops sit pristinely atop homemade lemon angel-hair pasta. The tasting menu is worth every penny. 135 Richmond St., Boston, MA 2019, mareorganic.com.
El Pelón Taqueria
Pictures of Mexican wrestlers, Day of the Dead skeletons, and photos of Pancho Villa bolster the authenticity of this Mexican outpost in the Fenway. Unlike at other assembly-line burrito joints, the burros here don't mush together into a single taste on the palate. Each ingredient—Mexican rice, succulent, homemade guacamole, and grilled steak, chicken, or fish—bursts with its own spicy flavor inside the symphonic whole of the roll. A word of warning: If you ask for extra hot sauce, you better mean it. 92 Peterborough St., Boston, MA elpelon.com.