EcoClean Boston
We love the aptly named EcoClean in part because its proprietary supplies are made from sustainable materials, keeping things green, safe, and pleasantly unscented. But we also love them because they arrive on time and get to work in a whirlwind of efficiency. They might even surprise you—one day we came home to find our balcony swept of a winter’s worth of debris. Nice touch. ecocleanboston.com.
Bruno Nicolazzo, Auburndale Plumbing and Heating
We can hardly believe Nicolazzo responds to a 24-hour answering service, appears for emergency work at almost any time (with assistants), and does excellent work. He's even plumber to the stars; that is, he's doing the work on the home of rock singer Ric Ocasek of the Cars. "I remodel old bathrooms and kitchens," the affable Nicolazzo told us, "but not new ones. No challenge. But I will repair them." And for a reasonable price. Newton, MA
Highland Kitchen
Photo by Jesse Burke This Somerville hangout's cuisine is probably better described as "global southern" than "down-home." The menu, after all, features coconut-curried goat stew and pork-belly tacos alongside classic grilled pork short ribs and grits, catfish po' boys, and fully loaded jambalaya with cornbread. One bite of the Buffalo fried Brussels sprouts, though, and you'll be more than willing to cast semantics aside. 150 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA highlandkitchen.com.
B&G Oysters
Maybe it's the two dozen varieties of oysters talking, but we've fallen hard for B&G. Barbara Lynch's imaginative takes on the standards—a lobster roll lined with bacon, Portuguese clam stew accented with pork belly—pair seamlessly with an ever changing menu of flounced-up yellowfin, sole, perch, and halibut. Wash it all down with one of 40 wines on offer and you, too, will feel a wave of affection coming on. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2116, bandgoysters.com.
Katrina Hess
Makeup savant Katrina Hess gives brides a glow so natural they seem lit from within. We'd guess it was magic, but Hess will also provide tips to help you re-create the look at home. And she doesn't tout just one particular line: She blends high-quality products such as Chanel, Laura Mercier, and Shu Uemura to find what works best with your coloring and skin type. 105 Newbury St., Boston, MA katrinahess.com.
Marathon Sports
This is not your average athletic-shoe store. The staff will study your strut to determine whether your feet pronate or roll outward, and whether you need a wide shoe or a skinny one. Then they'll hold your hand and guide you through a sea of brands, sizes, and models until you find the perfect fit. Athletes swear their knees, heels, and other weak points improve after a proper fitting at Marathon. 255 Washington St., Wellesley, MA .
Smolak Farms
You and your little ones can spend a whole day enjoying this family-run farm, whether it’s feeding deer and admiring peacocks in the animal pens, picking your own fruit, or joining in on story and craft times. Mark your calendars for the Fall Festival in mid-October — it’s jam-packed with hayrides, live music, baked treats, and pumpkins. What’s that we hear? Ah, the sound of no complaining. 315 South Bradford St., North Andover, MA 01845, smolakfarms.com.
HealthPoint
What makes HealthPoint the in this crowded category? Three stories of windows overlooking an evergreen thicket, plenty of trainers on the floor at any given moment, an astonishingly clean pool, and a top-condition track. The cherrywood lockers in the dressing rooms give it that Ivy League feel, and the steam and sauna rooms can actually accommodate a crowd. Plus, one side of the lobby offers a café while a Daryl Christopher salon holds court on the other. 840 Winter St., Waltham, MA .
Salt Boutique
Owner Jennifer Devlin opened the first location of coastal-chic Salt Boutique on her home island of Nantucket in 2015, but as of 2020 modish mainlanders can browse beloved brands including Agolde, Citizens of Humanity, and Peony yearround in her Wellesley shop. Although one look at Salt’s fashion-forward floral dresses and bold-colored bikinis, and you might just find yourself beach-bound anyway. 72 Central St., Wellesley, MA 02482, saltnantucket.com.
Columbus Cleaners
In a city with dry cleaners on virtually every block, what makes Columbus stand out when it comes to airing your dirty laundry? For one, the eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning process (no perc here!). Second, the delivery app, which lets you get shirts and suits picked up from your home — and dropped back off — with the touch of a button. All in all, it’s a service that fits like a glove. Multiple locations, columbuscleaners.net.
B&G Oysters
Maybe it's the two dozen varieties of oysters talking, but we've fallen hard for B&G. Barbara Lynch's imaginative takes on the standards—a lobster roll lined with bacon, Portuguese clam stew accented with pork belly—pair seamlessly with an ever changing menu of flounced-up yellowfin, sole, perch, and halibut. Wash it all down with one of 40 wines on offer and you, too, will feel a wave of affection coming on. 550 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 2116, bandgoysters.com.
Fresh Pond Seafood
It's not much to look at from the outside, and the décor inside isn't much of a confidence builder, either. But who cares? The giant 500-gallon tanks hold oceans of fresh-caught lobsters in a range of weights from manageable one-pound chickens to gargantuan granddaddies. The assortment of fresh shellfish is neatly and temptingly displayed on beds of ice. From sushi-grade tuna to cod fillets, the salty dogs at Fresh Pond catch the best. 355 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, MA freshpondseafood.com.
Duffy Design Group
Celebrity relocates to Boston area. Celebrity purchases multimillion-dollar pad. Celebrity homeowner puts Dennis Duffy on speed dial. You'd be smart to do the same. Duffy's jaw-dropping interiors are marked by flawless furniture, one-of-a-kind home accessories, and seamlessly integrated artwork. And whether he's working on a luxe Back Bay penthouse, an industrial South End studio, or the aforementioned A-list manse, he always delivers original touches. 530 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, duffydesigngroup.com.
Wine Sense
Wine Sense is small, but that's a good thing, because you can feel confident that owner Samanta Ettore has vetted every single bottle on display. Don't want any part in the picking? Grab one of the tailored-to-the-season wine six-packs she puts together each month. Ettore also holds public tastings from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and arranges private tastings upon request. 166 N. Main St., Andover, MA wine-sense.net.
American Seasons
It's dark in here. That's one of the reasons couples come in to snuggle up. The other is what amounts to a cross-country tour of American cuisine. We suggest sticking close to home with local seafood and cornmeal polenta, or venturing into the West for hangar steaks and Humboldt Fog goat cheese. Whatever you choose—from here, there, or everywhere—you'll get thoughtfully prepared, seasonal food that's somehow also very sexy. 80 Centre St., Nantucket, MA americanseasons.com.