Orly Khon Floral Boutique
Boston has its fair share of both floral shops and high-end designers, but Orly Khon Floral Boutique gives us the best of both worlds. Khon's portfolio—which includes everything from holiday bashes to corporate events—is packed with installations and decorations that have us pining to plan a party, stat. But if you're just looking for a few blooms for your home or desk, her inviting boutique inside Restoration Hardware is worth the trip. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, orlykhon.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra
Whether she's beautifying a model for a photo shoot or touching up a client for a special occasion, Lauren Genatossio isn't covering flaws—she's enhancing features. She's the queen of natural beauty, with an uncanny ability to blend makeup so flawlessly, it almost appears invisible. Pay her a visit before a swanky soiree, a big board meeting, or any old Tuesday, and leave looking like your best self. 840 Summer St., Boston, MA 02127, sarrastudios.com.
Exhale Back Bay
We'll admit, a bikini wax is not the most enjoyable reason to visit Exhale's pristine Arlington Street outpost—but the spa's serene vibes, privacy-ensuring labyrinthine layout, and fully stocked locker rooms make an, ahem, hair-raising visit as bearable as humanly possible. And thanks to the efficient deployment of the non-irritating, soy-based wax, all it takes is a few deep breaths before you're refreshed and on your way. 28 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116, exhalespa.com.
Lash L'Amour
Full lashes and brows are having a moment, and no salon has embraced the trend with quite as much gusto as Lash L'Amour. Here, rigorously trained aestheticians meticulously apply your choice of synthetic or natural mink fibers to existing hairs, adding length and volume to scant lashes and brows with equal aplomb. They can also hook you up with other hard-to-find specialty services, including lash- and brow-tinting. 129 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, lashlamour.com.
Balans Organic Spa
No need to choose from a menu of froufrou facials at Balans, Boston's first all-organic spa. Here, each 60- or 75-minute session is completely customized to your skin, targeting concerns ranging from acne to aging with a selection of plant-based products from Maria Հkerberg. Need an extra boost? Try the brand-new roseroot-stem-cell treatment, which promises to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles. 216 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonbalans.com.
The Sinclair
With a cozy, intimate vibe and a who's-who of trendy touring acts (upcoming headliners include Sonic Youth legend Thurston Moore), the Sinclair has in short order made itself the hippest place in town for a show. Expanded offerings have included emo night, as well as the occasional offbeat comedy show or Point Break Live! experience. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA 02138, sinclaircambridge.com.
Brattle Theatre
Rule number one for any movie-going experience: Don't forget the popcorn. / Photograph by Toan Trinh, styling by Taylor Greeley/Ennis The fortunes of mainstream movie theaters may ebb and flow with the success of the latest comic-book adaptation, but this small theater will always have a stellar lineup of the odd, the obscure, and the cultishly adored. Whether it's running a Bad Hombres/Nasty Women series (grit your teeth like Clint in A Fistful of Dollars) or taking part in film festivals throughout the city, the theater is sure to introduce you to the next movie that makes you rethink cinema. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, brattlefilm.org.
Aeronaut
In a town saturated with the same old prepackaged bar trivia, Aeronaut has perfected the art of the artisanal quiz. Every Tuesday night at this zany brew hall, local hosts read handcrafted questions on everything from famous drummers to authors who use pen names. Bring your own snacks or enjoy delivery pizza accompanied by an ice-cold glass of "Dr. Nandu," Aeronaut's oh-so-good IPA. And be sure to show up early—trivia night here fills up fast. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, aeronautbrewing.com.
Once Somerville
It's definitely not a bar, though there's no shortage of beers. And it's not exactly a concert hall, but it knows how to pull in national acts and put on one hell of a show. Welcome to Once Somerville, a 9,000-square-foot venue of shape-shifting entertainment. Whatever happens to be on the calendar—Monday-night tacos, heavy-metal yoga, storytelling performances from the Moth—it's sure to beat the regular routine of draining a few pints at your local watering hole. 156 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143, oncesomerville.com.
Bricco Panetteria
This basement-level bakery is part of Frank DePasquale's North End culinary empire, and yet somehow everything about it screams old-world charm. From the tiny space, bakers churn out umami-rich olive-studded loaves and prosciutto-stuffed baguettes that are served at DePasquale's restaurants and, if you're lucky, with your next plate of home-cooked pasta. 241 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, briccopanetteria.com.
New Deal Fish Market
You can't get any fresher than this Cambridge spot: On any given day, you'll spot employees hauling out huge whole fish and breaking them down as you look on. Vast and unrivaled elsewhere in the area, the seafood selection includes whole branzino, Spanish octopus, and fresh anchovies—not to mention everything you need to make your own maki and sashimi. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, newdealfishmarket.com.
Pagu
The debut from chef Tracy Chang, cofounder of the pioneering pop-up Guchi's Midnight Ramen, is part izakaya, part pintxos bar, and fully the chef's "culinary diary." That means reverence paid to ramen, especially the original Guchi's version. Featuring house-made alkaline noodles, three rich broths, and a perfectly cooked six-minute egg, the luxurious bowl is even more satisfying in Chang's sleek permanent digs. 310 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, gopagu.com.
Dig Inn
It's hard to remember lunch before Dig Inn—and judging by the perpetual crowds, we're not the only ones embracing the healthy fast-casual trend. From tricolor carrots with rosewater vinaigrette to cantaloupe and arugula with lime-leaf dressing, you'd be hard-pressed to choose a disappointing add-in for your grain bowl, salad, or noodle dish. Multiple locations. 557 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, diginn.com.
Montien Thai Restaurant
Stuck in a rice-noodle rut, or just maxed out on coconut-y curries? Refresh your Thai-food game at Montien, where the kitchen has dug deep into the cuisine for more than 30 years. Stick to the "authentic" menu for slabs of chewy-crisp pork, raw shrimp bathed in fiery lime juice, and whole fish deep-fried so expertly that you'll crave the skin like cracklings. 63 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, montienthaiboston.com.
Bondir
With a fragrant wood-burning fireplace, country-chic décor, and refreshingly casual vibes, dining at this Area 4 gem feels like sharing an intimate home-cooked meal—only with much, much better food. Chef Jason Bond's elegant six-course tasting menus—think roast duck with tare, and milk custard with green tea and honeycomb—give you plenty of time to linger with your beloved, especially when you splurge on wine pairings. 279A Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139, bondircambridge.com.