Yoshinoya
This Central Square institution has been providing the Boston Japanese (and other tofu freaks) with the ingredients for their home cooking for years. Yoshinoya's endless variety of fish, nori (edible seaweed), fresh fish, and all the snacks and sweets one could wish for make this the place to begin the preparations for any good Japanese meal. 36 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA .
Corinne Schippert
Boston is the home to many extraordinary photographers, but even rivals sing the praises of Corinne Schippert. Her work is a delightful blend of artistry, elegance, and fun; she injects a sense of spontaneity into everything (even that often-stiff staple, the group portrait). One of the cameras she uses is panoramic—an option that provides an unexpected and adventurous perspective. 20 Coolidge Rd., Arlington, MA schippertmartin.com.
David Boley at Hamilton Riding Club
In the rarified world of A-circuit equestrian and competition, the choice of an instructor is as personal as the selection of one's custom-made boots. At the European-style Hamilton Riding Club, master trainer David Boley and his staff fervently pursue show-jumping excellence, while his two-legged charges still have a whole lot of fun. 354 Highland St., Hamilton, MA .
Hi Rise Bread Co.
One step inside this Cambridge bakery and you know you're in a serious place for serious bread. Half of the shop is an open baking area where workers mix, cut, shape, and bake loaves in an oven the size of a station wagon. A heady, yeasty aroma wafts through the air. Owner René Becker uses handmilled wheat for his classic whole-wheat loaves, and rye and corn breads. The daily specials are equally alluring: walnut- or olive-studded rounds, sesame and sunflower seed-coated ficelle, potato boules, or cheddar-pepper loaves. The extra care and craftsmanship comes at a slightly higher price than at many other bakeries, but after one bite, you'll happily hand over your cash. 208 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA hi-risebread.com.
The Lobster Trap
The golden whole-belly fried clams are worth an impromptu day trip. Add in the Buzzards Bay and Back River vistas, the newly built bar stocked with local brews, and the overstuffed lobster roll served on buttery brioche (yes, brioche), and what you've got is, quite simply, one of the Cape's best casual seafood joints. 290 Shore Road, Bourne, MA 2532, lobstertrap.net.
The Cantab Lounge
Proper dive bars may be a dying breed, particularly in developing neighborhoods like Central Square, but amid all the ATMs, one redoubt of a bygone era holds fast. While other dives may offer the same gritty character (and characters), very few couple that with worthwhile live bluegrass bands, jazz, poetry, and folk. 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, cantab-lounge.com.
Jumbo Seafood
If lobster was exclusively meant to be served boiled and dunked in butter, God would not have created ginger and scallions. One mouthful of the crustacean at this Chinatown gem, and you'll rethink the wisdom of the clambake. Equally transcendent are the whole, crispy fish; the jumbo shrimp netted live from an in-house tank and fried in a spicy orange sauce; and the (yes, delightful) Seafood Delight. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA 2111, jumboseafoodrestaurant.com.
Union Street Inn
A hotel is only as good as its amenities, and Union Street owners Ken and Deborah Withrow provide just about every one you can think of: Frette sheets and plush Matouk robes; wood-burning fireplaces; a made-to-order breakfast in the morning; and fudgy homemade brownies in the afternoon. Luxe but not stuffy, it's a cozy spot that feels like home. 7 Union St., Nantucket, MA 2554, unioninn.com.
French Memories
As if life on picturesque Duxbury Harbor wasn't sweet enough, French Memories steps in with a cadre of top-notch carbs to up the ante. On hand are tiny petits fours and crunchy baguettes that would hold their own anywhere along the Seine. But the standouts are the truly irresistible almond croissants. Their crispy, buttery layers and dense, nutty filling condense into one cakelike bite. 459 Washington St., Duxbury, MA frenchmemories.com.
Anna's Taqueria
Sick of hearing the yammering of burrito snobs putting down the local variety? Take them to Anna's and shove one of these foil-wrapped fat boys in their mouths. Chances are, they'll change their minds. Anna's got the whole thing down: the rice, the frijoles, refritos, the guacamole, and the salsa are just like your mother used to make — that is, if your mother happened to be born south of the border. 1412 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Aquascutum
There are certain advantages to Boston's lingering Anglophilia. Aquascutum is one of them. The sole American outpost of the venerable British chain carries trim tailored suits, broad-collared dress shirts, and vibrantly hued ties, as well as the clothier's signature line of elegant raincoats. The slickers are debonair enough to fit into even the dandiest wardrobe—and utterly inspirational here in our puddle-prone city. 450 Boylston St., Boston, MA aquascutum.co.uk.
Sadie Higgins, Sarra
There are plenty of beauty rituals that can survive a rushed appointment. Eyebrow shaping is not one of them. Sadie Higgins spends a full 45 minutes studying the shape of your face while tweezing (no wax) a natural arch precisely where it was meant to be—even if nature had other ideas. She also dispenses at-home maintenance tips, all in a gorgeous loft space. 840 Summer St., Boston, MA sarrastudios.com.
Toscanini's
The one downside to ordering at Toscanini's is trying to choose from flavors like the obscenely rich B3 (brown butter, brownie, and brown sugar); tangy, creamy goat cheese-brownie; and exotic Earl Grey. It's enough to give you brain freeze. The best remedy we know is to get 'em all in a massive cup, douse the whole thing in a river of hot fudge, and dig in. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tosci.com.
Tupelo
Photograph by Keller + Keller Down-home, classic southern food is what pulls locals through Tupelo's doors, and the rustic charm and hospitality are what keep them at the table—downing andouille-and-okra-flecked gumbo and plates of fried oysters. Oh, and those folks wandering in after 9 p.m. looking for crispy grits and locally produced brews? Ain't no thang; this is one joint where that kind of behavior is encouraged. 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tupelo02139.com.
Neiman Marcus
Smaller boutiques deserve snaps for cleverness and class, but no one touches Neiman's when it comes to sheer selection. Sole searchers here can browse through zebra-print Manolos, steel-heeled Kors slingbacks, Marc Jacobs espadrilles, and bejeweled Christian Lacroix sandals. And with plenty of stock and attentive service, it's that much easier to walk out with your best foot forward. Copley Place, Boston, MA neimanmarcus.com.