Mystic Brewery
In 2011, Bryan Greenhagen founded Mystic on saisons, gruits, and other Old World styles. So when trendy, hop-forward beers such as Voltage IPA first hit shelves last year, he certainly had our attention. The brewmaster’s fruity, dry, farmhouse-style Table Beer is still our favorite, but even with a generous dose of hops, his suds are balanced, aromatic, and lush like no others. 174 Williams St., Chelsea, MA 02150, mystic-brewery.com.
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage
As a country, we take our hamburgers seriously; they are, after all, our native food. Luckily, the fine citizens at Mr. Bartley's offer more than 20 top-notch variations, each reasonably priced, awesomely juicy, and served with a free side of snark: The George Bush Jr. ('not bad for a C student') combines tangy cheddar and Texas barbecue sauce, while the Ted Kennedy comes with a 'liberal' pile of mushrooms and cheddar. It's enough to make a satisfied patron stand up and sing 'God Bless America.' 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, mrbartley.com.
Suishaya
The ok dol bibimbop still has our mouths watering: a bed of rice, crispy at the bottom where it meets the hot stone serving pot; heaps of beef and vegetables; a golden egg yolk that works its way onto everything our chopsticks touch. Nothing could be better—except perhaps the seafood udon, which tastes like that morning's catch. The modest storefront may not boast of the riches inside, but there's no better Korean around. 2 Tyler St., Boston, MA 2111, .
Central Bottle and Provisions
We've had it with snotty wine sellers. You know what? Sometimes all we want is an oaky California chardonnay. Instead of judging our palates or wallets, the folks at Central Bottle approach our preferences and budget like a fun riddle. That the in-store tastings are built around themes like "Bad-Ass Winemakers" only confirms this shop's populist approach. 196 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, centralbottle.com.
Barneys New York
A wise woman once said the only thing separating us from animals is our ability to accessorize. (Actually it was Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias, but still, she was on to something.) What luck that Barneys has arrived to pacify our inner savages. The new two-story spot features bags, bangles, and beaded things from 220 designers, including totes by Goyard, shades by Oliver Peoples, pendants by Sonya Ooten, and cashmere scarves by Evelyne De Clercq. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
Atria
First things first: On an island, going out for a great dinner shouldn't mean you have to shackle yourself in a sport coat. That's why this contemporary but elegant Edgartown restaurant wins our praise and our devotion for its delicious interpretations of standard New England dishes—wok-fired lobster, with an outstanding taste and texture, for example. So settle into a seat in the low-key dining room or the surprisingly hip subterranean lounge and dive into the pan-seared Georges Bank scallops. 137 Main St., Edgartown, MA atriamv.com.
Mr. Bartley's
As a country, we take our hamburgers seriously; they are, after all, our native food. Luckily, the fine citizens at Mr. Bartley's offer more than 20 top-notch variations, each reasonably priced, awesomely juicy, and served with a free side of snark: The George Bush Jr. ("not bad for a C student") combines tangy cheddar and Texas barbecue sauce, while the Ted Kennedy comes with a "liberal" pile of mushrooms and cheddar. It's enough to make a satisfied patron stand up and sing "God Bless America." 1246 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 2125, bartleysburgers.com.
Blick Art Materials
This cavernous space is stuffed to the rafters with paints, pencils, brushes, canvases, sketchpads—basically, all the tools needed to create a masterpiece, or just a big, pretty mess. Everything is arranged in supermarket-style aisles, the better to help aspiring Pollocks and Hoppers conserve mental energy for their work; classes led by the artsy employees teach the rest of us how to tell our alkyds from our acrylics. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA dickblick.com.
Folklorica
The idea of handcrafts is intriguing; the reality, often ho-hum. Folklorica, however, hones its edge with one-of-a-kind creations by big names (Alexis Bittar, Jane Diaz) and sharp local talent. 61 Union St., Newton Centre, Newton, MA 2459, .
George Wright Golf Course
Locals love this challenging Donald Ross–designed course for its hilly terrain, blind spots, and a clubhouse that could stand up to any private one. The best part? No matter how you play that day, your wallet wins. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA 02136, cityofbostongolf.com.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Sometimes, you need to check in to check out. And that’s just what the Mandarin’s three- and five-day wellness retreats offer. The lineup of classes and spa treatments promises to nourish your mind and body, while the included plant-based meals mean you’ll never have to leave the hotel. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com.
Zuzu's Petals
This romantic wine and dessert bar is delightfully screen-free — but even without your iPhone camera, the memory is sure to last. The Earl Grey–infused dark-chocolate mousse and the tonka-bean crème brûlée are the ultimate shareable treats, especially with an intriguing glass of red wine. 204 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, zuzuspetalscambridge.com.
Dumpling Café
Photograph by Nina Gallant. Styling by Madison Trapkin. Known at this Chinatown mainstay as “mini juicy buns,” these soup dumplings are steamed-to-springy-perfection pouches of dough ready to spill molten pork broth into your spoon for slurping. Less dramatic yet equally delicious are chef Peter Wang’s Taiwan-style pan-fried dumplings featuring aromatic minced pork. 695 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, dumplingcafe.com.
Architectural Kitchens
Bill Prachnick and his design team are masters at creating and building classic New England kitchens replete with elegant custom cabinetry and fully integrated appliances. Their bedside manner is impeccable, which helps when you're renovating the most important room in the house. Wellesley Hills, MA architecturalkitchens.com.
Siemasko + Verbridge
Thad Siemasko and Jean Verbridge lead a skilled team of organized, disciplined architects whose greatest talents come from knowing what makes a house a home, as seen in such recent projects as a cozy mountain retreat built into a quiet urban hideaway. Beverly, MA svdesign.com.