Arthur & Pat's
We swore that this year would be different. Surely there was some out-of-the-way truck stop or quirky-crunchy café tucked away in a random cow town that had slipped beneath our radar. After downing piles of leaden pancakes and a coop's worth of ho-hum omelets, though, we're sticking with the still-matchless Arthur & Pat's. This Marshfield phenomenon has the cheese-slathered home fries, sugary slabs of banana bread, and crusty Aerosmith sightings we crave on a weekend morning. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .
Grill 23 & Bar
The better story would have been that finally, in this, the year of the cow, one among the city's numerous new upscale meateries had managed to dethrone our 14-time Best of Boston stalwart. Nothing doing. Mooo inherited the Federalist's matchless wine list. KO Prime has the best offal around. But for a prime, dry-aged rib-eye with a power client (downstairs) or a significant other (the more intimate upstairs), Grill 23 still rules the herd. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.
The Newes from America
We're channeling Frances Rivera here to deliver our special report: The best burgers and beers are at the Newes. This 'Colonial vintage' pub has creaky hardwood floors and a copper pipe-lined ceiling, and its food is just as classic—baskets of fish and chips, corned beef Reubens, plus the Smokin' Musket Turkey Sandwich and Bag of Onions onion rings, which reward taste buds in ways that belie their cheeseball names. The drink menu includes the so-called Rack of Beers, a flight of five brews. Kelley House, Edgartown, MA 2539, kelley-house.com.
Franklin Cafe
Sure, there's what seems like an interminable wait for one of the nine tables. But that's only because all the hipsters who got here before you want to savor every bite of their fashionably late dinners of adobo-rubbed pork and grilled garlic calamari. Our advice: Ask for a blood orange martini and be patient. You'll be very well rewarded. 278 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, franklincafe.com.
Petsi Pies
When it comes to pie, we like our hand-pressed crusts substantial and loaded to the brink with butter. So too does Petsi, and the Somerville and Cambridge shops augment their expertly sound pie foundations with just-as-serious fillings—blueberries with a big boost of cinnamon, say, or a bourbon-chocolate-pecan combination that makes for an irresistibly decadent wedge. 285 Beacon St., Somerville; and other locations, petsipies.com.
Arthur and Pat’s
This brunch spot got Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s vote for " best food in the whole wide world" (he presented A & P’s with the title and a platinum-record plaque several years ago), and now it has our stamp of approval as well. Having trouble deciding among the eggs Benedict with homemade pastrami, chocolate waffles with white chocolate crème anglaise, and the " Joey K" (smoked salmon atop a scallion-potato pancake with poached eggs)? Order all three, then nap all afternoon. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .
Viola Lovely
This impossibly hip Wenham shop is back on our radar this year, and for good reason: Owner Lisa Cancelli Picard fills racks with stunning pieces from the kinds of cutting-edge designers—Kenzo, Giada Forte, Tila March—that you’d expect to see in a chic city boutique. In fact, you can find them in the city: Cancelli Picard opened a sister location in the South End last year. 148 Main St., Wenham, MA 1984, violalovely.com.
Glen Cunningham, Sadhana Yoga
Photograph by Jesse Burke We’ve loved Glen Cunningham’s classes for the better part of a decade, and on good days, his instruction helps us remember why we hit our mats. (On bad days, a few of his signature words of wisdom certainly don’t hurt.) Cunningham’s style is soothing, his pace is precise, and, unlike most instructors, he encourages a bit of creative interpretation in the poses. 15 Worcester St., Boston, MA 2118, sadhanastudios.com.
EcoClean Boston
We love the aptly named EcoClean in part because its proprietary supplies are made from sustainable materials, keeping things green, safe, and pleasantly unscented. But we also love them because they arrive on time and get to work in a whirlwind of efficiency. They might even surprise you—one day we came home to find our balcony swept of a winter’s worth of debris. Nice touch. ecocleanboston.com.
Megan Graham, Megan Graham Beauty
How many ways can you say blond? By our count, Graham’s lexicon has a few extra pages, given her way with color. For years, Graham has garnered accolades for the way she paints her high and low tones on tresses. Here’s one more: Blond is way more fun when she’s the one who got you there. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, megangrahambeauty.com.
Aquitaine
Though the restaurant is in a strip mall, its interior is all dark wood, banquettes, and candlelit conversation—the Left Bank, via Route 9. After enjoying dishes like filet au poivre, blissfully heavy on the cognac crème, it's easy to forget where you are...until you spill out the door and into a parking lot. Our advice? Postpone the inevitable, and stick around for a digestif. 500 Legacy Pl., Dedham, MA 2026, aquitainededham.com.
Corazón del Mar
When we walked through the door and spied the ceviche and raw bar, we were infatuated. When we climbed the staircase and saw the packed, boisterous tequila bar, we were besotted. But once we took a sip of the hibiscus margarita laced with fresh lime and chili salt, it was a full-on love affair. It may not be the scene-iest spot on the island (that would be the Pearl), nor the most debaucherous (the Chicken Box). But Corazón's good looks and charming vibe have completely stolen our hearts. 215 Water St., Nantucket, MA 2554, corazonnantucket.com.
Jeffrey Lyle
Once we were commitment-shy (dare we say promiscuous?) when it came to hair colorists—one specialist after another, never settling down. Then we met Lyle, and it was love at first highlight. While especially skillful at brightening blondes, he's made our brunette, redhead, and raven-haired pals happy, too. And despite his fancy address, Lyle's chairside manner is appropriately meticulous, never fussy. Emerge Spa & Salon, 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA emergespasalon.com.
Luxlash
Brow shaping may seem like a skill you can pick up from the average beauty mag. Alas—overplucked arches as our witness—it's not. The pros at LuxLash advise clients on the style that will most flatter their face, and then use wax, tweezers, and even hair extensions to create it. Thanks to cushy furnishings and Billie Holiday warbling in the background, the experience is surprisingly relaxing. Even more soothing is knowing you'll never have to endure growing out a do-it-yourself disaster again. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA luxlash.com.
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
Texas smoke versus Memphis rub, vinegar tang versus peppery heat—barbecue debates will likely rage until kingdom come (and straight on into the sweet hereafter). This year our returning champion silenced at least one point of contention—which of its two outlets is better—by debuting a central, honking-big smoker (reportedly New England's largest) that turns out uniformly succulent sliced brisket, pulled pork, and an array of other regional specialties for both Blue Ribbon locations, as well as its booming catering business. 1375 Washington St., West Newton, MA blueribbonbbq.com.