The Backroom at Moody's
If the house-made charcuterie at Moody's deli is art, its adjoining restaurant, the Backroom, is the gallery in which chef-owner Joshua Smith's smoky, fatty, umami-rich masterpieces get their finest showcase. Spicy 'nduja is blended into a ragu for strands of bucatini here; Iberico pork belly dots a clam flatbread there. In fact, the entire menu, from the slow-smoked chicken with crisp spaetzle to the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu brisket, is a master class in meat—and the perfect syrah or sangiovese to pair with it. 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 2453, moodyswaltham.com.
Showcase SuperLux
Where else can you summon pan-seared scallops and a Manhattan with the push of a button on your plush recliner, all while watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster? Showcase SuperLux has elevated theatergoing to a Zen experience, with a legit dinner menu and cocktails that will make even the dreariest rom-com bearable. What about the popcorn, you ask? Here, it's on the house. 55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, showcasesuperlux.com.
A4cade
In a city as proudly nerdy as this one, it's easy to find like-minded friends interested in vanquishing demonic forces. But the speakeasy-style A4cade, a collaboration between Roxy's Grilled Cheese and Area Four, is the only place where you can sip tiki cocktails while playing Ghostbusters-themed pinball and the ’90s classic Simpsons arcade game. (If whaling on bad guys with Marge's vacuum cleaner isn't your style, there's always foosball.) 292 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, areafour.com.
Brewer's Fork
Wood-fired pizzas and small plates make this cozy hang ideal for neighborhood types, but the curated draft-beer selection and splurge-worthy cellar stash upgrade it to a must-visit destination for suds seekers. An alum of the Publick House, co-owner Michael Cooney has built the relationships necessary to tap uncommon releases—from Allagash's cold-brew-infused Curieux to Almanac's dry-hopped sours—and stock the cellar with bottles of Orval for years to come. 7 Moulton St., Charlestown, MA 02129, brewersfork.com.
Crane & Co.
In addition to products from Kate Spade and Vera Bradley, Crane & Co. carries an in-house line (we love the hand-engraved Queen Bee notes for thank-yous). Whether you're looking for invitations or your first set of monogrammed stationery as husband and wife, staffers will fall all over themselves to make sure you're pleased. 156 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, crane.com.
Everything But Water
In a region with four distinct seasons, it can be near impossible to find a retailer that stocks bathing suits year round. Rather than resign yourself to hit-or-miss online shopping for that midwinter trip to warmer climes, head west to Everything but Water. Looking for a retro-inspired one-piece? A specific shade of orange to match your new lipstick? This Natick store has it all, from designers like Nanette Lepore and Trina Turk, gorgeously displayed in January, July, and every month in between. Just add water, indeed. Natick Mall, 1245 Worcester St. #1126, Natick, MA 01760, everythingbutwater.com.
SRV
After tag-teaming at culinary heavyweights like L’Office and Del Posto, chefs Kevin O’Donnell and Michael Lombardi have taken their talents to the South End, opening a stellar Venetian-style bacaro. The marble-topped bar is the perfect place to kick back with a glass of aglianico and a few bite-size cicchetti, but don’t miss the chefs’ fresh pasta—including an alluring garganelli with foraged mushrooms and shaved egg yolk—all made with Four Star Farms grain milled in-house. 569 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118, srvboston.com.
Moody’s Delicatessen
At Moody’s, even the bologna sandwiches are on another level. That’s because owner Joshua Smith crafts everything in house—salumi and sausages, sure, but also the pickled peppers, pimiento cheese, and swipe of herb mayo on your Pullman loaf. And this year, the tireless chef is expanding his meaty empire with a state-of-the-art curing facility down the road, meaning his New England Charcuterie cold cuts will not only be more readily available in Boston—they’ll also be hitting the national stage. 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, moodyswaltham.com.
Tasting Counter
A visit to chef Peter Ungár’s culinary theater is transformative from start to finish. Take your seat, gaze upon the team of busy chefs, and let the show begin: an island of lobster custard and seaweed in a briny pool of uni broth; tangy sour-cream dumplings with crispy pancetta; and bite-size chocolate ganache cake with preserved strawberries, all personally plated with just enough time between courses. Who could have guessed such luxury lurked behind Aeronaut Brewing? 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, tastingcounter.com.
Harbor View Hotel
After dropping off your bags in one of this waterfront hotel’s plush rooms or suites, each decked out in teals and taupes, order a cocktail at the in-house bar Henry’s (the Thyme After Thyme is finished with local sea salt) and take it out to the wraparound porch. Sip and savor sweeping views of Chappaquiddick and Edgartown lighthouse. Repeat. You are now officially on vacation. 131 N. Water St., Edgartown, MA 02539, harbor-view.com.
The Bancroft
At this shiny new steakhouse in Burlington's 3rd Ave development, presentation is paramount—and often over the top. (For proof, look no further than the 3,000-plus-bottle wine collection, displayed on a catwalk above a glass-paneled dining room.) James Beard-nominated chef Mario Capone's food is equally dramatic: Steaks come with flags labeling their doneness; a "fork-and-knife cauliflower roast" is served with a knife through the middle; and house-made and individually bottled cocktails are poured tableside. 15 Third Ave., Burlington, MA 01803, the-bancroft.com.
Singh's Roti Shop
Drawing influences from Indian and Caribbean cuisines, this Trinidadian shop's roti wraps—pizza-size flatbreads griddled to order, then stuffed with meat (curried goat!), vegetables (sautéed cabbage, potato), and a house-made spicy pepper sauce (also available to go by the bottle)—are hearty and bold. Share one with a friend to leave room for the rest of the menu's treasures, which include curried chickpeas, garlicky puréed pumpkin, and spongy pholourie fritters with sweet-sour tamarind sauce. 692 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02125, singhsrotishop.net.
Chatham Bars Inn
Letting go of your inner Griswold in favor of a genuine vacation can be a challenge, but the Chatham Bars Inn makes taking it easy a breeze. The oceanfront resort serves R&R on a silver platter with a lengthy list of activities—croquet, kickboxing, nature hikes—along with pristine rooms, a top-notch destination spa, and no fewer than four Zagat-rated restaurants. 297 Shore Road, Chatham, MA 2633, chathambarsinn.com.
Exhale
Many day spas promise an escape from city life, but none delivers like Exhale. The two-story, Zen-like space alone is enough to set stress on standby, what with its hushed hallways and dimly lit treatment rooms. Choose from a full-service spa menu (we like the four-hand harmony massage), take a yoga or core fusion class, and let the courteous staff soothe and smooth your worries away. 28 Arlington St., Boston, MA exhalespa.com.
City Sports
Whatever your passion—volleyball, basketball, yoga, even bocce—City Sports has the gear you need, including high-performance pieces from its in-house CS line. Ask one of the sporty employees to help you browse the Gore-Tex jackets, or find cleats or sneakers that'll let you hit the field, court, or track running. 480 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, citysports.com.