Martha Kirschenbaum
Although Kirschenbaum trained as a nurse, she believes she does more healing with her hands. "I started out giving backrubs to work my way through school," she explains. Now it's a full-time job. Kirscenbaum specializes in the Esalen style, which eschews the choppier Swedish motions: our session was both relaxed and unclinical, and Kirschenbaum likes it that way. "Giving massages is meditation for me," she says. "My ultimate goal is to give massage credibility in the country. Soon." Cambridge, MA
Dominick Mango
Mango's shop, The Image Maker, at 28 Boylston St. in Cambridge, is the favorite of our art director, Sam Savage, who should know about these things. For one thing, Savage says, Mango managed to clear up some pictures he could barely see on the contact sheet. "We give quality prints without killing on the price," Mango says. The Image Maker also has one-day developing service. The Image Maker, 28 Boylston St., Cambridge, MA .
Charles G. Crones
Crone's father began the J.A. Sanborn Company forty-nine years ago at 28 Merchants Row (next door to Quincy Market), and it's still flourishing. "We go out of our way to buy the best," Crones told us. "We buy whole fish off the boats, and cut them here. You can always find a good selection." If you dine at the Ritz, or at St. Botolph Street, you're eating Sanborn selections, and Crones will even mail fresh lobsters for you. J.A. Sanborn Company, 28 Merchants Row, Boston, MA .
Mistral
Mistral has always been a cool place to eat, but in the past that was more to do with the scene than the food. This year, we're happy to report that chef Jamie Mammano's cuisine is worth getting dressed up for too. The menu is eclectic in the truest sense of the word; offerings span the globe, including dishes from Italy (homemade designer pizzas), France (a silken foie gras terrine), and our own soil (tenderloin of beef with horseradish potatoes). All are carefully executed, with special consideration given to presentation and plating. 223 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA mistralbistro.com.
L.A. Burdick
We love the cozy tables in the storefront overlooking Brattle. We love the tiny chocolate mice, complete with colorful ribbon tails. But what we really adore is the fact that all of the chocolate in this sweet-tooth cafe is handmade, down to the decadent hot chocolate, whipped up from equal parts chocolate and milk (!). The heavenly libation comes in dark, milk, and white chocolate (sometimes), and is so thick it sticks to the roof of our mouth. Imbibe with caution: It's been known to make even the most jaded gourmands swoon. 52D Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.
Brown Sugar Cafe
Think all Thai restaurants in Bosotn are serving from the same kitchen? This Fenway spot is a welcome departure from bland curries and soggy pad thais. The dinner roster is absolutely enormous, featuring a dozens of noodles dishes and a vast selection of seafood oddities; our favorite is "Fisherman Madness," a fresh and spicy combo of crustaceans and filets. The ambiance is relaxed, making Brown Sugar perfect for dining solo or entertaining a blind date. 1033 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA brownsugarcafe.com.
Taqueria La Mexicana
Don't let the hairnets scare you: This Union Square joint is the closest you'll find to authentic Tex-Mex in Boston. It even saved one of our friends from moving back to the land of the Rio Grande. The red peppers and zucchini used for the veggie burros are grilled to a juicy crispness while you watch. Don't miss the fabulous homemade corn tortillas! 247 Washington Street, Somerville, MA cantinalamexicana.com.
Tremont Summer Ale
After three years of winning Best Beer honors (Tremont Ale, Tremont IPA, and our favorite, Tremont's cask-conditioned Best Bitter), the Charlestown brewery introduced its seasonal Summer Ale last year. We were disappointed, to say the least. Yet when a 12-pack of it arrived this year, we were pleasantly stunned: They kicked out some of the cheaper grains, fiddled with the hops, and turned out the best damned baseball-watching, lawn-mowing beer in history. Are you listening, Fenway Park?
The Fabric Place
When we notices our Martha Stewart-wannabe friends actually leaving the city to buy their shantungs and chintzes, the answer was clear: for price, selection, and service, The Fabric Place wins hems-down. Whether you need custom drapes or bias tape, the knowledgeable staff make the superstore feel like Oleson's Mercantile, minus obnoxious Nellie. 136 Howard St., Framingham, MA .
Bradley & Diegel Salon
We've visited those trendy blowout bars, but found that pointing to a menu to order a hairstyle—not to mention being swiftly herded from sink to chair and out the door again—feels wildly impersonal. Which is why we love this posh Newbury Street salon, where we're coddled with coffee and tea and a deeply relaxing cranial massage. Most important, we saunter out with perfect tresses fluffed and preened to suit our hair type and face shape. 77 Newbury St., Boston, MA bradleyanddiegel.com.
Back Bay Yoga, Sweat & Soul Yoga, and Equinox
That Lululemon chose this California-cool yogi to lead hundreds of people in al fresco downward dogs in Copley Square to fete its new Newbury store didn't surprise her devotees: Kaufenberg's challenging hip-hop classes are so much fun, we often forget we're working out. Until the next morning, of course—when we wake up with new aches in our abs and new tunes to download (thanks to her thumping playlists).
Megan Graham Beauty
We're so over marathon trips to techno-salon palaces where we're given just enough attention to warrant an overpriced coloring. Which is why we now place our flaxen tresses squarely in Megan Graham's hands. She sees the nuances in blondes (we're so easy to stereotype), painting in high- and lowlights that hint at her former life as an artist. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, meghangrahambeauty.com.
Toscanini's
Toscanini's Ice Cream. / Photo by Michelle Goldstein for Best of Boston 2013 Owner Gus Rancatore is a bona fide gourmet, a guy with a penchant for combining unusual flavors and unique textures. As a result, his inventive ice creams—in flavors like goat cheese-brownie, bourbon flake, and even pancake—push the boundaries of the palate while remaining undeniably delicious. Our favorite way to enjoy his scoops? Nestled in an Iggy's brioche bun and drizzled with hot fudge—it's the ice cream sandwich, Gus-style. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA tosci.com.
Union Square Donuts
This newcomer—which shares space with Cafe Tango, in Somerville—goes way beyond boring crullers and plain old glazed, offering a roster of flavors like chocolate chipotle, brown butter-hazelnut crunch, and orange-ginger cream. Sorry, Dunkin'—we'll be taking our doughnuts with a side of locally sourced frosting from now on. 16 Bow St., Somerville, MA .
Sam Treadway, Backbar
In just a year, Treadway has taken this already exciting snack-and-cocktail spot and upped the ante even further with his unique mix of seasonally driven classics (like our favorite drink of summer, the grapefruit-and-tequila-based Paloma), modern spins on standards (barrel-aged mai tais), and fun, laid-back options like the smoky mezcal pickleback. 9 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA backbarunion.com.