Evolve Tutoring
Evolve takes a holistic approach to developing students: Tutors make house calls to bond with your child, and they teach students stress-reduction techniques and organizational skills along with math tips and vocab tricks. 9 York Rd., Belmont, MA 02478, evolvetutoring.com.
The Arlington Capital Theater
You won't pay more than four buckaroonis to see a movie in this cute cinema house, and the snack bar offers espresso, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. For similar reasons, check out the nearby Regent Cinema. 204 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA .
Maxime Salon
Owner Ronit Enos and her team of cheerful stylists take hair very, very seriously. Our initial consultation started off like a therapy session ("Is that what makes you unhappy about your hair?') and ended with an extreme makeover. We walked out of Enos's sleek, modern salon with our locks shiny and our confidence restored. 1 Derby St., Hingham, MA 2043, maximesalon.com.
Fresh
Photograph by Toan Trinh No offense to the department-store counters we’ve frequented in the past, but our new fragrance go-to is a little less—how shall we say—in your face. Fresh skips the dizzying array of scents for a dozen or so intriguing, beautifully blended perfumes. Our favorite? "Hesperides," an intoxicating mix of grapefruit, bergamot, rhubarb, and jasmine. 121 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, fresh.com.
Michael's Deli
Our New York friends won’t let us forget it: Boston doesn’t exactly abound with traditional Jewish delis. Even Manhattan, though, would be lucky to have Michael’s, which epitomizes everything you’re looking for in the deli experience — namely, sandwiches with meats stacked high enough to crack your jaw, bitingly sharp horseradish, and a hint of something green (and probably pickled). Remember to order a side of latkes for your mom, then stand aside and wait for your name to be yelled. Ah, yes! That feels just right. 256 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, michaelsdelibrookline.com.
Bella Sante
Your computer is on the fritz. Your boss is on a tear. Your daughter is in a malignant teenage funk. Think: Happy place happy place I'm in my happy place. Not working? Ditch the visualization and hie yourself to venerable Newbury Street day spa Bella Santé (which, for frayed nerves farther afield, also has locations in Lexington and Wellesley). Step inside the hushed, candle-dotted waiting area, where pitchers of fruit-infused water and plush robes are at the ready. Highly trained hands will then scrub, rub, knead, slather, wrap, mist, oil, and otherwise drive your tension away, leaving skin glowing and sanity restored. Can't you just picture it? Feeling better? Good—then our work here is done. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Backbar
Led by industry vet Sam Treadway, the friendly bartenders here entice imbibers with innovative "drink of the day" options such as a scotch-raspberry sour, ever-changing milk-punch offerings, and the willingness to concoct anything you crave on the fly. The drinks are serious, but the slightly kitschy vibe is not—say hi to Yoda on your way out. 7 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA 02143, backbarunion.com.
Charlestown Preservation Society
First-time visitors to Charlestown are invariably struck by the neighborhood's beauty and charm, a consequence in no small part of the efforts of the town's 29-year-old preservation society. This group, which works to preserve the town's landmarks and grade the neighborhood, supports its efforts with a delightful annual house tour—in the evening by candlelight, and during the day by trolley. P.O. Box 201, Charlestown, MA .
Cashmere Boston
In summer, it carries beautiful pastel twinsets; in winter, it's rich, thick four-ply turtlenecks. Whatever the season, this is the place to stock up on all your cashmere items. In addition to the requisite sweaters by all the top designers, you'll also find scarves, gloves, and other supersoft accessories. 114 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
F. Diehl and Son
All the missing parts for your crumbling Victorian—unique moldings, and unusual size clapboards, plus a helpful staff to walk you through the choices. Diehl's also has everything you'd expect from a full-service lumberyard, from pressure-treated decking to two-by-fours and plywood. 180 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA .
Picco
This mainstay's Alsatian pizza—a tarte flambée-inspired pie, with a perfectly charred crust and a layer of luscious crème fraîche—is a gluttonous revelation. Finish your meal with a towering ice cream sundae in a house-made flavor like honey or cardamom. 513 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, piccorestaurant.com.
Bantam Cider Company Tasting Room
With pours spanning the cider spectrum—from the cherry-tinged Rojo to the farmhouse-style Sweet Scrumpy—Bantam’s taproom serves up a refreshing alternative to your typical neighborhood watering hole. Claim a standing table, and make a day of it. 40 Merriam St., Somerville, MA 02143, bantamcider.com.
William 'English Bill' Codman, Woodward
As head barkeep at Woodward, Codman pours house-made infusions and shakes up Scollay Slings with aplomb. There's a false rumor floating around that his charming accent is a put-on, but we'll take the hate as a reflection of his enviable status atop the city's cocktail scene. MA
Tom Ponticelli
Surely, you must have done something right recently to deserve dessert at the Four Seasons. Whether you choose a dense and delicious chocolate mousse cake, the scones served warm from the oven, or platters of exquisite miniature pastries. Ponticelli's artistry is worth blowing your diet for. Skimp on calories somewhere else. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Alden Merrell
Alden Merrell's chocolate-fudge layer cake, topped with a velvety sour-cream frosting, is so rich and delicious, you'll actually look forward to your birthday. For something a little different, try the carrot cake, spiced just right and slathered in cream-cheese icing. 1361 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .