The Handel and Haydn Society
The august ensemble approaches its bicentennial season in peak shape, with an artistic director, Harry Christophers, who understands that early music should be not just "authentic" but also, you know, musical. With excellent guest conductors like Scott Metcalfe and Richard Egarr—and programming that last year ranged from Purcell’s The Indian Queen to Beethoven’s Seventh to Christmas music by four different Bachs—it’s not only the oldest continuously performing arts group in America, it’s also one of the best. handelandhaydn.org.
Toscani's
A newcomer, perhaps our Rookie of the Year. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA .
Le Jardin
Where our restaurant critic shops, among others. 248 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Ecoluxe
This nontoxic, organic dry cleaner is gentle on our clothes and the environment. One Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, .
School Volunteers for Boston
A bright light in the otherwise dismal gloom of our public-school system.
Barneys New York
Thanks, New York. Our little-town fashion blues are melting away. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Newton, MA .
Goods Department Store
Any store that carries Japanese robots gets our vote. 130 Newbury St. and North Market Building at Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA .
Suntory
The sushi chef can slice our raw fish any day. 212 Stuart St., Boston, MA .
Bob Kraft
He kept the worst football team in the universe from leaving Our Towne.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel Bar
We acknowledge the perennial favorite of our readers. Served in tiny glass decanters. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Matsu
The Smiths invited you to their dinner party. Not just any soiree. Beef bourguignon from scratch. Cheval Blanc 1947 St-Emilion. Forget about bringing scented sachets as a thank-you gift. You need sizzle. You need wow. You need a treasure from Matsu. Count on owners Dava and Masayuki Muramatsu to deliver the goods: a fabulous ecru knot-shaped vase, petite cerulean elliptical plates, or a collection of Japanese architect Kazuhiko Tanaka’s handmade figurines. In other words, your repeat invitation is guaranteed. 76 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, matsu-boston.com.
M.M.LaFleur
No longer just boardroom attire, suits are being worn by women for lots of occasions — and who can blame themwhen there’s such a fab array to choosefrom at M.M.LaFleur? Available as mix and-match separates in a slew of fabrics, several suiting styles are washable, which makes them infinitely more wearable than their dry-clean-only counterparts. Colors range from cheery to classic, and if you’re unsure of which style to select, stylists will expertly steer you toward the one that most flatters your form. 134 Newbury St., Boston , MA 02116, mmlafleur.com.
Covet
If you’re looking for a classic Chanel shoulder bag, a David Yurman star burstring, or a Burberry pea coat for a fraction of the list price all under one roof, Covet is the place to go. And if you’d rather browse from the comfort of your couch, the store also posts more than a hundred items to its Instagram Stories every day. Just make sure you’re the first one to hit reply in Covet’s DMs, because that bubble gum-pink Gucci bag you’re eyeing will go quickly. Back Bay, Beacon Hill, South Boston, Boston , MA covetboston.com.