Bar Vlaha
Hungry Hellenophiles won’t find the traditional gyro and grilled octopus at this festive Greek restaurant, now in its second year and as busy as ever. Instead, they can expect a hearty menu inspired by the Vlach communities of northern Greece. That translates to flaky phyllo pies (including one with cornmeal, wild greens, and feta), rustic platters of charcoal-grilled meat, and other traditional dishes served up by acclaimed chef Brendan Pelley. Add a glass of Greek wine or a funky cocktail, and it’s dinner at yiayia’s house with an upscale spin. 1653 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02445, barvlaha.com.
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Courtesy For the past 30-plus years, Kearns Goodwin has given us the inside scoop on every 20th-century POTUS worth knowing, from FDR to LBJ to JFK. In her latest book, An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s, released in April, the Pulitzer Prize–winning historian takes us inside her longtime marriage to political visionary Richard Goodwin, who died in 2018, and unlocks a goldmine of memories from the turbulent decade. A downtown Boston resident and regular at the ’Quin House, where she likes to cut loose with friends, Kearns Goodwin is as much of a local treasure as any of her bestselling works.
Coolidge Corner Theatre
Courtesy of Anton Grassl Thirty-five years after 400 people encircled this Brookline movie house and effectively gave it a group hug, the Coolidge is just as revered for its 70mm film capabilities, midnight movies, and expert curation of new releases, international treasures, and filmmaker Q&As. Best of all, the 90-year-old nonprofit’s future is more secure than ever, thanks to a marathon fundraising drive and recently unveiled 14,000-square-foot expansion: 200 more seats, two new theaters, and a $1 million gift from the Trust Family Foundation for a permanent endowment. 290 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, coolidge.org.
Dream Kid Spa
Photograph by Pat Piasecki Kids like getting pampered as much as grownups do — but nail salons aren’t exactly a fun place to hang out. That’s where this brand-new kid-focused spa in Hyde Park comes in. With Disney tunes setting the scene, skilled technicians twirl in pink tutus and charming aprons, ready to give your prince or princess the royal treatment. Donning a spa robe, kids are seated on a throne while they enjoy a mani-pedi featuring whimsical nail art, a sparkly ring, and glitter lotion on their tiny feet. And did someone say party favors? After the regal service, continue the magic at home with an add-on “Dream Box” filled with toys and spa goodies. 15 Dana Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02316, dreamkidspa.com.
Boston Harbor Distillery
With a vibe that distillery founder Rhonda Kallman calls “refined grittiness,” this 1800s-era Dorchester mill building can be dressed up or down. For one event, that translated to candles and white tablecloths in the tasting room, outfitted with 40-foot Douglas fir post-and-beam ceilings and brick walls. For another, more-casual gathering, it meant comfy couches and whiskey-barrel tables. Then there are the bar offerings to take advantage of: From signature cocktails with BHD’s Putnam whiskey to a full-on tasting table, your guests will have the chance to sample all the goods. 12R Ericsson St., Boston, MA 02122, bostonharbordistillery.com.
Adamas Fine Jewelry
Photo by Melissa Ostrow This Newton jewelry shop’s ring designs may range from the unconventional (think: a domed ring with a heart-shaped sparkler) to the tried-and-true (a diamond eternity band), but they all have one thing in common: timeless and lasting beauty. That’s thanks to the wealth of gemology expertise possessed by brother-sister duo Anto Aboyan and Veronica Sagherian, who’ve been business partners for more than three decades. Whether you’re updating an heirloom, creating your own bespoke piece, or dreaming of something simple and classic, they have the goods — and the know-how — to make it a reality. 22 Lincoln St., Newton, MA 02461, adamasfinejewelry.com.
Long's Jewelers
Buying big-ticket jewelry can be stressful. After all, that Rolex or radiant-cut engagement ring is hopefully going to be worn for many years to come. For 145 years, customers have been putting their trust in Long’s Jewelers, and for good reason. The team here will not just help you pick out a stunning piece but will also repair your jewelry, treating the oldest family heirlooms with the best care. And even after more than a century in business, the local chain keeps growing. After 75 years in South Shore Plaza, the jeweler is moving to a new freestanding location in Braintree, giving locals a new spot to shop for something sparkly. Multiple locations, longsjewelers.com.
Mida Newton
If you don’t want your pizza crust charred at Mida’s Newtonville outpost, you’ll have to request it. And that’s just the way it should be at this Italian-inspired hot spot, which churns out New Haven–style pies that are well done in more ways than one. Also well done? Chef Douglass Williams’s homemade pastas (think: mushroom pappardelle and tagliatelle with clams) and the light-and-lovely cocktail list, which plays well with a fresh, modern ambiance perfect for everything from weekend brunch with friends to date nights close to home. 261 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02460, midarestaurant.com.
Bos. Shop South End
Since it replaced the beloved Olives & Grace last summer, this sweet boutique, which showcases goods from Black-owned businesses, has taken over the mantle of Boston’s most thoughtful — and beautifully merchandised — gift shop. Drop in for a bag of loose-leaf herbal tea, a box of locally made chocolates, or a cute little “plant baby” for your dinner-party host (even better, spring for the curated gift box). No matter what you choose, you can be confident you’ll always get the same thing from the person receiving it: another invite. 623 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, blackownedbos.com/bos-shop.
Airi Jewelry & Gallery
Courtesy of Airi Jewelry & Gallery We all have go-to ensembles, the ones we pull from the closet at least once a week because they make us feel good. But when you need just a little something extra to make yours special enough for [insert occasion here], a pair of statement earrings goes a long way. Enter the wearable art from Boston-based Airi. Crafted from stainless steel and tarnish-resistant brass, founder Maya Alia’s geometric wired pieces — we especially love the golden arches and the floral-shaped “ear jackets” — make even the simplest outfit look chic. shopairi.com.
Salon Mario Russo
No matter who you make an appointment with at this style sanctuary, you’re guaranteed to leave looking and feeling your best. That’s thanks to the leadership of Italy-born, London-trained maestro Mario Russo, who has amassed a team of Boston’s most talented, trend-savvy stylists for his twin salons. And now that they’ve packed up those scissors for a move from Newbury to the Heritage on the Garden this spring, there’s a shiny new space to get that sharp cut or color transformation you’ve been dreaming about. Seaport and Back Bay, mariorusso.com.
Tara West Fashion
This Boston-based personal stylist and lifestyle blogger is who you call when a “good enough” outfit just won’t cut it. From L.A. glitz to East Coast chic, Tara West has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, curating jaw-dropping looks for any occasion (including, most recently, the Nantucket Film Festival). Need a bigger clothing overhaul? West has an uncanny knack for turning closet chaos into organized fashion nirvana and can even put together a “lookbook” of your new outfits so you’re always dressed to impress. tarawestfashion.com.
Gentle Giant Moving Company
You know your movers can get the job done when they train by running the steps of Harvard Stadium together and rowing crew alongside Olympics-qualified colleagues. Strongman tactics aside, this Somerville-founded company, now with 20 locations nationwide, is well known for its ultra-reliable service (which includes, not surprisingly, a gentle hand with valued belongings) as well as convenient climate-controlled storage and packing services. We also love its commitment to the environment: Gentle Giant reuses moving supplies whenever possible, recycles up to 100,000 pounds of materials each year, and uses only biodegradable foam peanuts. gentlegiant.com.
Mooncusser
A variety of dishes at Mooncusser. / Photo by Brian Samuels Since chef Carl Dooley’s 2021 arrival at this seafood-focused fine-dining gem, the restaurant has featured a rotating four-course tasting menu that highlights the best of seasonal, local ingredients. Diners can choose from two or three options per course, leaving the rest up to Dooley, who is outstanding at sneaking bursts of bold, globally inspired flavors and heat into dishes that sound simpler on paper. A recent spring menu, for example, featured glazed tilefish with asparagus and crispy tortilla, enhanced with some surprising fire from green chili. 304 Stuart St., Back Bay, MA 02116, mooncusserboston.com.
Davio's
Forget going someplace where everyone knows your name — Davio’s is the place where you’ll know everyone else’s name. After all, during any given lunch or dinner service, you’re likely to run into any of the most influential Bostonians. The popular restaurant group, flawlessly run by owner Steve DiFillippo, now has a shining palace overlooking the water in the Seaport, so there’s yet another reason to grab a table among the city’s leading lights and power brokers. Multiple locations, davios.com.