Mansion House Inn
Vineyard Haven may be a dry town, but you won't need any spirits to lift yours at the Mansion House Inn. The newly renovated inn has roof-deck views of tall ships and blue-gray waters, plus plasma TVs, an ultra-indulgent day spa, and gourmet breakfasts. But it also takes you back to the island of the 1800s with rooms cloaked in authentic period color patterns, archival photos in the halls, and a majestic wraparound porch. 9 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA mvmansionhouse.com.
The Spa at Mansion House
Most vacationers escape to the islands for some serious R&R. If bathing on the beach doesn't do the trick, head to this acclaimed Vineyard Haven spa. The stately sanctuary includes a sauna, swimming pool, gym, and myriad treatment rooms for services including bubbling sea-foam body wraps, illuminating therapy facials, and spa manicures and pedicures. 9 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA mvmansionhouse.com/marthas-vineyard-spa.
The Spa at Mansion House
Vineyarders in the know are already flocking to this petite, year-old day spa in Vineyard Haven's Mansion House Inn. In addition to being the only spa on the island to have an on-site pool, hot tub, and sauna, this laid-back spot offers a full range of massages, body wraps and scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures. Our favorite? The hot stone aromatherapy massage, delivered in a candlelit room using essential oils guaranteed to melt tense muscles (if de-stressing is your aim, go for the lavender). It's perfect after battling the traffic to the ferry. 9 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA mvmansionhouse.com/marthas-vineyard-spa.
Pump House Surf Shop
Opened with the money earned from a dish-washing job by a guy who started surfing on the Cape when he was 5, the Pump House has surf attitude. All the salespeople surf, of course; most wear board shorts in the store, whose back wall is stacked with 100 boards ready to throw on top of the VW and take to the nearest beach, five minutes away. The Pump House also offers rentals, repairs, and lessons, and sells apparel, Frisbees, and the wetsuits that are standard gear for any true New England surfer. 9 Cranberry Highway (Rte. 6A), Orleans, MA pumphousesurf.com.
Beijing House Restaurant
Chef Kwok Cheng's specialties include most of the usual suspects (lemon chicken, Dragon and Phoenix, the ubiquitous Family Delight), but Beijing House is much more Chinatown than anonymous suburban strip mall. The spring rolls, always the first and surest sign of quality, arrive hot, crispy, full of meat (not yesterday's wilting bean sprouts), and almost greaseless. The lightly battered wedges of lemon chicken are unusually crisp, and the Beijing sesame shrimp could be the closest you'll get to Chinatown without having to take the Orange Line. 456 Washington St., Norwell, MA beijinghouserestaurant.com.
Village Coach House
The brogues are so thick here you could spread them on toast. The Irish folk music is loud, the food very good, and the spirits are high (and not in the least dry—you can get tipsy just reading the cocktail menu). The delicious vegetable tempura that comes with the corned beef and cabbage (and all entrées) makes the pub seem no less Hibernian. Brookline Village, MA
Bike Tours of Cambridge
Novice bikers tend to get intimidated by drivers around here—and for good reason. But the gratis Bike Tours of Cambridge—led by the Cambridge Bicycle Committee and escorted by police—will put worried minds at ease. And where else but the People's Republic would you find themed treks covering everything from string theory to public art?
House Speaker George Keverian
For giving the lie to Attorney General James Shannon's charge that members of Keverian's staff had tried to thwart the two-year investigation into alleged corruption in the Speaker's office.
House Speaker George Keverian's
Whose typical response to a political thwarting is to retire to his office for a good long sulk. Will someone please tell George to grow up and take his lumps like a big boy.
Algiers Coffee House
An excellent Eastern interpretation, served outside during the summer months. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Imperial Tea House
It's time to put the Imperial into the Hall of Fame. 76 Beach St., Boston, MA .
Ken's Steak House
Where else are you going to find the great American restaurant except next to a highway? 95 Worcester Rd. (Route 9), Framingham, MA .