Montage
This store's 10,500 square feet of floor space on Arlington Street is brimming with a minimalist but immaculate selection of contemporary pieces from designers such as B&B Italia, Cassina (including designs by Philippe Starck), and Antoine Proulx. Clean lines, solid colors, and 18-foot ceilings accentuate the two-level showroom where co-owners Christopher and Liz Bates are on hand most days to consult. Showcased in roomlike groupings, the pieces here combine to create uncluttered living spaces of sleek, simply lined sofas, multilevel coffee tables, and softly spherical lamps echoing 1950s futurama motifs. Definitely on the pricier side (sectionals can run into five figures), Montage's original selections will nonetheless last well into your home's next retro phase. 75 Arlington St., Boston, MA montageweb.com.
O Ya
As sushi has gone mainstream, it's become increasingly run-of-the-mill: rolls, rolls, and more rolls, with too much rice and tasteless (and, frequently, cooked) fish. O Ya doesn't even offer rolls, just sparklingly fresh sashimi and nigiri—including heretofore unseen specialties like big-eye red snapper, conch, and Santa Barbara spot prawn. With a surgeon's precision, chef-owner Tim Cushman and his line of sushi sous pair each fish with thoughtfully chosen exotic adornments like Thai basil and torched banana pepper mousse, and one of dozens of house-made sauces. The results—like the bluefin tataki with smoky pickled onions and truffle oil—are transporting. 9 East St., Boston, MA .
Formaggio Kitchen's Saturday Barbecues
Some less enlightened staffers here at Boston magazine argued against this pick, citing its limited availability (Formaggio fires up its sidewalk grill once a week, and for only half the year) and the unforgivable snobbishness of awarding the title of best street food to a purveyor of $7 hot dogs. But proponents were unmoved, pointing out that said dogs weigh in at a juicy half pound. And that—like the house-made sausages and the pulled pork, chicken, and lamb—forms part of what just might be the Hub's most joyous eating experience. That status is owed largely to Formaggio's new grill-master, Kurt Gurdal, whose infectious enthusiasm will surely stand him in good stead through season's end, in mid-November. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA formaggiokitchen.com.
Hook + Line
Photograph by Joe St. Pierre. Styling by Madison Trapkin. This new arrival from restaurateur Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli is a sprawling temple to New England seafood (with an adjacent market) that buoys our hopes for a Seaport that’s more Boston than not. Wood-grilled fish dishes are the star of the show here, but don’t miss local classics like lobster rolls and fried Ipswich clams. 10 Fan Pier, Boston, MA 02210, hookandlinebos.com.
The Seven Sisters
Born-and-bred Vineyarder Ty Sinnett views her store not only as a shop but as a mission to support slow fashion and design. As such, the worldly goods on offer here are as thoughtfully sourced as they are gorgeous, from sustainably crafted hand towels to zero-waste hair accessories. After all, what’s a better gift than helping to preserve our planet? 19 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, thesevensisters.co.
Museum of Fine Arts
Courtesy What’s left to be said about the MFA, one of Boston’s premiere attractions and cultural institutions? Not much, so we’ll just remind you again. A diverse collection spanning different cultures, centuries, and artistic styles? Check. World-class exhibits, ranging from Egyptian sculptures to Dutch paintings to the works of Salvador Dalí? Check. Stunning architecture and a gorgeous Huntington Avenue location? Check and check. No wonder we bring all of our smart friends here when they’re in town. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, mfa.org.
East Meets West
Combining hyper-fresh ingredients and beautiful presentations, the team at East Meets West keeps in close contact with clients, venues, and other vendors to make certain each wedding goes off without a hitch. And you can count on the cuisine, which includes a delectable fusion of dishes ranging from raw bars with freshly shucked oysters to passed hors d’oeuvre such as Vietnamese summer rolls and beef- tenderloin-topped brioche toasts. eastmeetswestcatering.com.
Bella Santé
There’s a lot going on inside Bella Santé’s largest location, including a hair salon, a makeup bar, mani-pedi stations, and 15 rooms for day- and medspa services (including the 30-minute HydraFacial that left our skin exfoliated and moisturized). But somehow you’ll feel free from distractions and totally at ease after donning a robe and entering the dimly lit lounge. Pro tip: Come early to use the steam room in the locker area. 190 Linden St., 2nd Fl., Wellesley, MA 02482, bellasante.com/pages/bella-sante-wellesley-day-spa.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains
Anyone with kids knows the word “more.” So why visit just one splash pad when you can visit any of the seven fountains along the Rose Kennedy Greenway? Our suggested itinerary moves from south to north: Enjoy the waterfall and rock features of the Chinatown Stream, the cool mist of the Harbor Fog Sculpture, and end up at the Rings Fountain when night falls to take in the colorful light show accompanying the spouting jets of water. What more could they ask for on a hot day? Boston, MA rosekennedygreenway.org.
The Proprietors Bar & Table
Hollandaise-drizzled eggs Benny and bloodies are always a welcome weekend indulgence, but there are times—especially on vacation—when we want more from our morning meal. Thankfully, the Proprietors' adventurous brunch menu rises to the challenge. Here, chef/co-owner Michael LaScola's lobster-and-mushroom pancakes are luxed up with crème fraîche and caviar; whipped-mortadella toast is finished with a soft-poached egg; and everything tastes better with a side of "Ranchero" tater tots, slathered with gooey cheddar cheese and scrambled eggs. 9 India St., Nantucket, MA 2554, proprietorsnantucket.com.
Sam Kane, Blackroom
DIANA LEVINE. STYLING BY JULIE SILVA All too often, long-haired gals find themselves at the mercy of scissors-happy stylists with their own agenda. Not at this new South End salon. Owner Sam Kane approaches each cut as if it’s art in the making, shaping her canvas by listening carefully and never passing judgment. Case in point: She declined to scold us for waiting 10 months between cuts—and left our revitalized locks at just the right length. 61 Berkeley St., Boston, MA blackroomsalon.com.
Gronk
CREATIVE COMMONS Who captures the spirit of the city of champions in this era of prosperity and decadent joy better than Rob Gronkowski? The man who brings raucous mischief wherever he goes, who both wins and dents championship trophies, and whom everyone loves both in spite of and because of his flaws, Gronk may be retiring from the Patriots, but he’s still number one in our hearts.
Crescent Ridge Dairy
NINA GALLANT. STYLING BY ELLE SIMONE Made from premium hormone- and antibiotic-free milk, the generous scoops at 50-plus-year-old Crescent Ridge are as thick and luscious as ever. And now that the Sharon-based ice cream maker has an operation in Boston Public Market, we can get our fix of cake batter, orange-pineapple, and salted-caramel chocolate-pretzel without leaving the city. 100 Hanover St., Boston, MA crescentridgedairybar.com.
Bodega
JARED KUZIA. This Best of Boston Hall of Famer clearly wears the crown for cool streetwear and footwear, but with the opening of its Los Angeles sibling this past year, the brand’s influence has officially gone bicoastal. The new Bodega may draw in A-listers such as Jamie Foxx, Maya Rudolph, and Cameron Diaz, but thankfully, the buzziest lifestyle launches from Adidas, Nike, and Karhu are still happening right here in our own backyard. 6 Clearway St., Boston, MA bdgastore.com.
Annalouise Rusk, Green Tangerine Spa & Salon
DIANA LEVINE. STYLING BY JULIE SILVA Even if you didn’t know that colorist Annalouise Rusk is the direct descendent of hair-care royalty—her parents, Irvine and Louise, created the globally recognized Rusk prouct line—you’d probably guess that her talent for effortlessly prescribing and executing spot-on color treatments lies deep within her DNA. See: our head-turning balayage highlights in all the right places. 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA greentangerinespa.com.