Il Capriccio
Maurie Warren used to run a Le Bocage, and before that was a Kamman protégé. Now he's turning out terrific veal and seafood entrées. 53 Prospect St., Waltham, MA .
Il Casale
This converted firehouse now sports all the trappings of a rustic Italian ristorante, including thick wood tables, exposed brick, and soft lighting. And the food is just as appealing: Notable dishes include gnocchi enrobed in fontina cream sauce and walnut pesto, crisp arancini stuffed with scamorza, and Silician roast chicken doused in a tangy lemon-caper sauce. The genial servers, meanwhile, make every meal at this bustling Belmont restaurant memorable. 50 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 2478, ilcasalebelmont.com.
Il Capriccio
Tiny, with northern Italian specialties. Chef Maurie Warren is outstanding. 53 Prospect St., Waltham, MA .
Maid Pro
When your pad needs some tender loving care, call on Maid Pro. Ask for Blanca; she was able to turn our test flophouse into a glistening palace in less than four hours. 25 Myrtle St., Boston, MA .
Pigalle
The fourth member of our party was late. Family-emergency late. Should've-canceled late. An hour into our reservation, we approached GM (and co-owner) Kerri Foley: We didn't know how much longer our friend would be. Did we need to move? No, she said, smiling, it's fine. Meanwhile, our waiter refilled our water glasses, explained the wine list, poured some samples, and stood by politely until our dinner party was complete. Such moments test the true colors of a front-of-house team, and Foley's staffers—admirably polished and gracious—passed with theirs flying. 75 Charles St. South, Boston, MA 2114, pigalleboston.com.
Jparave
We admit it felt a bit dodgy getting highlights so far from Newbury Street. But our gamble was rewarded. The stylists at the newly renamed JParave (formerly Janeen's) are professional, amiable, and attitude-free. Plus, they know you don't want to while away your prime tanning hours inside, so they will have you colored, cut, and blow-dried in the time it takes your mani-pedi from the in-house nail salon to dry. One North Beach St., Nantucket, MA 2554, jparave.com.
The Four's
The most important thing in the most important sports town in America is, aside from victory itself, finding the right place to soak up all the action. If you can't be courtside or behind home plate, that place is the Fours, the venerable North Station sports bar that's as classic as Fenway turf and Garden parquet. Whereas newer suds-and-scores hangouts tend to come wallpapered in TVs (leaving us feeling as if we're trapped in a Best Buy), the Fours leaves ample room for signed jerseys, vintage game photos, and other memorabilia it's accumulated in its 30-odd years. Adding to the ambiance: Many a sports scribe and team executive have been known to tip back a glass here after a game at next-door neighbor TD Garden. 166 Canal St., Boston, MA 2114, thefours.com.
The Four's
The next best thing to box seats is a booth at the Four's. Here, the dining room and bar feature warm woodwork and tasteful displays of sports photography, while the menu has an upscale edge—grilled chicken wraps, mussels fra diavolo. On game days, this Garden-area institution is as dressed up and well mannered as the folks in the good seats. 166 Canal St., Boston, MA 2114, thefours.com.
The Four's
Until the Celtics ended the long drought for the Garden's resident teams, there wasn't much cause for hanging around the arena to throw back beers. But with the C's generating excitement the likes of which haven't been seen since Larry Bird hung up his mustache, Canal Street was reborn this year—and so, too, was the Fours. It's not as big as some other venues, and that's what makes it so appealing: squeezing elbow-to-elbow into a crush of like-minded revelers, Sam Adams in hand, throatily cheering on the local boys. There isn't another bar in town this good at producing the we're-all-in-it-together spirit. And since the Fours carries the major sports packages on more than 40 strategically placed televisions, no neck-craning is required to watch the game. 166 Canal St., Boston, MA 2114, thefours.com.
Fox & the Knife
Our nonnas could argue for hours about what defines the perfect pasta. One thing they would all agree on, though, is the distinctive precision and vision at work in Karen Akunowicz’s kitchen, from the just-so suppleness of her raviolo carbonara to the tortelli, cooked a tiny bit al dente in a buttery green bath of wild nettles, English peas, and garlic. On your way out, scoop up fresh-made styles sold by the bagged pound for your own cooking adventures — and get excited for the in-house pasta shop planned for Bar Volpe, Akunowicz’s upcoming second Southie restaurant. 28 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, foxandtheknife.com.
Jeannie Rogers, Il Capriccio
Jeannie Rogers is a soft-spoken woman, but when it comes to wine she sure knows her stuff. After 20 years of building the incredible cellar in Waltham at Il Capriccio, Rogers knows her customers and works hard to give them what they want. Sometimes, that means a little education: No wonder Rogers is on the founding advisory board of the Boston University Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource center. Through her feet are deeply planted in the Boston area, Rogers' head and palate look toward the vineyard-dotted, rolling hills of Italy. Her interest in Italian varietals is duly noted on her hand-picked wine list (90 percent of selections are Italian), but not at the expense of some great varietals from Austria, Germany, France, and even Santa Barbara. Don't miss the grappa selection on the dessert wine list. 888 Main Street, Waltham, MA ilcapricciowaltham.com.
Trattoria Il Panino
Five floors house an Italian bistro, a formal dining room, a glitzy dance club, and prime people watching. 295 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Caffé Paradiso Il
The finest coffee-and-dessert spot in the North End. Great cannoli, too. 255 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
Jeanne Rogers, Il Capriccio
Rogers' unsurpassed knowledge of Italian wines makes her a living treasure for the wine connoisseur. A co-owner of this suburban Italian oasis, Jeanne is responsible for the lengthy and impressive wine list, one of the finest such collections in the country. Most of the wines come from northern Italian "craft" wineries and splendidly complement the northern Italian menu. 888 Main St., Waltham, MA .