Oleana
We were worried when we heard they were making over our beloved patio at Oleana. After all, it's the drooping wisteria, fragrant herbs, and sparkling white lights that create the transporting backdrop for Ana Sortun's distinctive eastern Mediterranean fare. But we're glad to report the revamped oasis is better than ever, with more trees and more-manicured gardens, plus a new glassed-in porch that offers welcome refuge if you forget to bring a sweater on a cool night. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA oleanarestaurant.com.
Leather World
Leather World A local stalwart for more than 40 years, Leather World helps us handle our hauls, supplying a polycarbonate spinner to withstand the perils of the TSA, a leather duffel perfect for that weekend jaunt down to the Cape, and a trim briefcase for the daily commute to and from the office. Plus, all of its locations offer one line of embossing at no additional cost. 30 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA shopleatherworld.com.
Lester Harry's
Spending time in the serene and lovely Lester Harry's is like entering a magical portal to a land where babies don't ever cry or spit up, and there are no finger-paint fiascos, tantrums, or time-outs. Okay, maybe that's just our sleep-deprived imaginations drifting again, but we blame the future-heirloom frocks from Makie, Flora and Henri, and Bleu Comme Gris for being so dreamy. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA lesterharrys.com.
Salmagundi
Photo by Jesse Burke Ladies in the market for a cloche, toque, or fascinator (though nothing quite on the scale of Princess Beatrice's) emerge just as satisfied as the brave men who venture in to procure fedoras, bucket hats, and Panamas. Sorry, Red Sox, but thanks to Salmagundi, we're temporarily putting all of our flat-brimmed baseball caps into storage—at least until playoff season. 765 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA salmagundiboston.com.
Brookline Booksmith
Despite our devotion to Kindles and iPads, it takes just two minutes at Brookline Booksmith for us to fall in love with the printed word all over again: the scuffed hardwood floors, worn from decades of use; the steady, friendly conversation at the register; the lulling background jazz; and, of course, the bookshelves, chock full of fiction and non-, paperbacks and hardcovers, the very old and the novel new. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA brooklinebooksmith.com.
Mint Julep
We feel pretty—and fizzy and funny and fine—every time we enter Brooke Garber and Stephanie Nist's boutiques. They stock the fete-ready dresses we've come to expect, plus pieces from favorite brands like Yumi Kim, Myne, and Milly that inject style into our workaday and weekend wardrobes, too. The fact that we can build whole outfits here, from foundations (neon Hanky Panky thongs) to finishing touches (flirty JoJo earrings), makes Mint Julep worth toasting. 1302 Beacon St., Brookline, MA shopmintjulep.com.
Grill 23
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 of Boston stalwart. Nothing doing. Mooo inherited the Federalist's matchless wine list. KO Prime has the 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 Street, Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.
Mellie Hair Design
We love a salon with cushy sofas and lemon water, but those details mean nothing if the stylists aren't hair-care experts. Most Mellie employees have 10-plus years of experience — but more important, we left feeling fab after a stylist turned our awkward layers into a look we couldn't wait to debut. 376 Granite Ave., Milton, MA 2186, melliehairsalon.com.
Zaftigs West
Photograph by Jessica Scranton Fancy-schmancy menus that focus more on mimosas than food? Feh. When we crave brunch, there's no better place than Zaftigs West. Though the breakfast menu is offered all day — and night — our favorite time to gorge ourselves on banana-stuffed bourbon-vanilla French toast; buttermilk pancakes with strawberries; smoked fish; and a multitude of scrambles, hashes, and omelets is on a weekend afternoon, when the service is especially laid-back and friendly. 1298 Worcester St. (Rte. 9), Natick, MA 1760, zaftigs.com.
(tie) Dave D'Alessandro and Sumner Redstone
John Hancock CEO Dave D'Alessandro had the company help promote his book, Brand Warfare: 10 Rules for Building the Killer Brand. Meanwhile, Newton's Sumner Redstone's book, A Passion to Win, was published by the Simon & Schuster division of his Viacom company, prompting S & S publisher David Rosenthal to joke that the promotional efforts would comprise nothing less than "a passion to keep our jobs."
Parish Cafe
Truly our town's most creative sandwiches, designed by area chefs. A sampling: the Chan Chan, a flour tortilla wrapped around duck confit and julienned vegetables designed by David Chan of Ginger Bistro; Diane's Steak and Blue, blue-cheese bread topped with grilled tenderloin and Roquefort butter by Diane Unger of Biba; and Sean's Fig and Pig, focaccia filled with pureed fish, ham, and roasted peppers named after its creator, Sean Simmons, owner/chef of the Parish Cafe. 361 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
South End Naturals
What the folks at South End Naturals can do with a juicer and a blender should satisfy everyone from garlic, beet, and what-grass junkies to folks who just want something super-tasty and pretty. Our favorite (and, it should be said, we fall into category B): the Brasil 66—strawberry, pineapple, orange, and mango. heaven in a 12-, 16-, or 20-ounce cup. 517 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA .
Finagle A Bagel
At last, a treat we can enjoy without guilt. Finagle bagels have very little fat and most varieties have no cholesterol, and they are still fabulous. Of course, they're even better topped with one of the shop's cream-cheese spreads. Our sources say President Clinton orders up a batch of cinnamon raisin every time he's in town. Copley Square, MA .
AMC Theatres Fenway 13
Big screens, sharp sound, stadium seating. The AMC Fenway, once again, gets top billing. And here's why: We like our popcorn popping out of its box in Sony Dynamic Digital Sound. We prefer to recline way back in club-car-like seats. And we insist on plenty of parking. Hollywood cinema may lack substance, but at least you can treat yourself to star service in the theater. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA fandango.com/regalfenwaystadium1326rpx_aaovd/theaterpage.
Lanes & Games
Bowling is enjoying an indubitable renaissance as of late, with funky alleys attracting a quasi-hipster bar crowd. But as much as we enjoy our fancy drinks, bowling is at heart a sport of beer in plastic cups and no-glam atmosphere. Lanes & Games in Cambridge has never had an identity crisis about what it is: a legitimately retro bowling alley (note the circa-1947 interior) with 54 lanes of candlepin and tenpin, a pro shop, and lots of leagues. From the "Grip it and Rip It" stickers to the bowling bag-sized lockers in the restrooms, this is the real deal. 195 Concord Tpke. (Rte. 2 East), Cambridge, MA lanesgames.com.