Kaps
For those who don't want to deal with Back Bay parking and traffic, Kaps is a welcome solution. This family-owned and operated business has four locations, all of which carry the kind of Italian labels that you might find on the male cast of Ally McBeal: Armani, Canali, Zegna, Hickey-Freeman, and others. Whether you're the wide-shouldered power suit type or prefer banker's grey or pinstripe, Kaps can outfit you in whatever suits your fancy. 5 Main St., Andover, MA .
Manuel de Santaren and Carolina Tress-Balsbaugh of Manuel Santaren, Incorporated
These two designers are as ease working with chintz as they are with sleek, minimalist, and modern. That's largely because they have an eclectic clientele ranging from the Brahmin variety to dotcom whiz kids. No request is too obscure, and no historical period too difficult to recreate. In addition to transforming your abode into a house of style, de Santaren and Tress-Balsbaugh will micro-manage contractors and ensure the finished product is picture perfect, right down to the linens. 1 Designer Center Place, Boston, MA manueldesantaren.com.
Fabric Place
Don't throw that sofa out: Getting it re-upholstered couldn't be easier, thanks to Fabric Place. The array of chintz, cushions, bias piping, and floral repeats might be overwhelming—at last count there were more than 50,000 fabrics alone—but this is one store where the staff takes the time to show you around. On-call decorators will swing by your house for a consultation (free with a custom order of $299 or more), all jobs are carried out at the company's workrooms, and prices are extremely competitive. 136 Howard Street, Framingham, MA fabricplacebasement.com.
<em>Antiques Road Show</em>, WGBH
A TV show as appraiser? Absolutely. WGBH turns out episodes in various cities, where locals line up with treasured heirlooms and garage-sale finds. Some of the art specialists in the country—including some of the local auction bigwig Skinner—are on hand to give owners and viewers information on their finds, including the estimated value. Ah, the agony of learning your prized highboy is a well-crafted knockoff? Ah, the pleasure of discovering that one of granny's knickknacks is worth more than the house!
Dillon's Russian Steam Bath
The only drawback is that men get to take advantage of this blissful oasis six days a week while women must condense their restorative needs into a single day (Monday). Male or female, you will feel pleasantly noodle-like when you emerge from this no-nonsense, old-fashioned bath house. One note of caution: This is not some fancy chrome-and-etched-glass spa, so leave your attitude out at Canyon Ranch. 77 Chestnut St., Chelsea, MA .
The Good Life, Cambridge
The latest addition to Brian O'Neill's growing empire, this new Good Life is perfectly suited to its Central Square location. The decor is, as in other Good Lifes, remarkably similar to your parents' den, only wings this good and spicy were probably not served at home. Wash 'em down with one of many beers on tap, or a tasty cosmopolitan (the bartenders seem to have a flair for this drink du jour). 720 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA goodlifebar.com.
New England Mobile Bike Fair
Nobody has a more luscious selection of cookbooks than this mammoth warehouse on the Newton/ Needham line. Your 15-year-old just became a vegan? Hosting 60 people for Indonesian rijsttaffel? Next aisle. The shelf for French cookbooks alone is 12 feet long; a tour of the 7-foot-high shelves is a foodie's armchair trip around the world. 82 Needham St., Newton Highlands, MA .
International Bicycle Center and International Bicycle West
Okay, so they don't have an indoor track like HighRoad. But they do have great selection, reasonable prices, and best of all, attentive sales and service help, whether you're a Back Bay dowager buying a basket for your 3-speed Schwinn or a world-class rider choosing a new metal steed for the Tour de France.
Savenor's
A selection of fresh meat and a knowledgeable staff are all you really need to get your carnivore on. Unless, that is, you've been spoiled by Savenor's Cambridge location, where grass-fed, organic, and free-range animals of all stripes (even rattlesnake) are readily available to the discerning meat eater. And thanks to the shop's new sandwich counter, now you can get those quality comestibles—from duck confit to house-roasted beef—nestled in a bun to go. 160 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, savenorsmarket.com.
Anh Hong
Dorchester's Anh Hong is the real McCoy. Try the chicken pho ga, guaranteed to cure what ails you, the hearty grilled-pork rice plates, and standout dishes like vermicelli with beef, and jellyfish and shrimp salad. And if you want to dazzle the stubborn carnivores in your party, order the house specialty: a seven-course beef tasting. 291 Adams St., Dorchester, MA 2122, .
Rubin's Kosher Restaurant Delicatessen
Sure, the sandwiches are just as good at Michael's Deli, located half a mile down Harvard Street, but what sets Rubin's apart is the atmosphere. Step inside, eavesdrop on the old frummers a booth over, and chomp into a half-sour pickle, and you'll feel transported back to a time when ordering corned beef, pastrami, or chopped liver stacked to the moon on rye didn't make you despair for your cardiovascular system—it just made you very, very happy. 500 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 2446, rubinsboston.com.
Gaslight
Over the past four years, Gaslight has proven it's more than just the restaurant du jour. It consistently turns out terrific takes on French classics in an authentically Parisian atmosphere. Crowds pack the dining room for dishes like the falling-apart duck confit with orange gastrique, and quite possibly the most sinful meat entrée Boston has ever seen—the bar steak, smothered in luscious cognac cream sauce and caramelized shallots. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, gaslight560.com.
Desfina
You won't find modern, four-star Greek cuisine at this hole in the wall. But in an oddly delightful way, it reminds us of every humble neighborhood taverna we've savored in Greece, from the blue-and-white paper place mats to the scattered but amiable service. The tzatziki is a house specialty, the moussaka hearty and delicious, the ;horiatiki a true Greek salad—all plates so tasty, we'd be loath to smash a single one. 202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA 2141, desfina.com.
Sunset Grill & Tap
With 112 drafts and 380 total beers to choose from, this just ain't much of a competition. Sure, other places offer great lists: The Publick House has a slate of about 35 beers on tap. But 35 is not 112. And where Lord Hobo—another bar with an admirable lineup—can come off as aggressively hip, friendliness rules the day at this Allston spot. The servers enthusiastically steer you through the menu in search of a pint that'll suit your mood. And that mood, more often than not, is a good one. 130 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, allstonsfinest.com.
Eagle's Deli
When it comes to burgers, size matters. Test your gastrointestinal fortitude with Eagle's Deli's 'small' 1-pound Godzilla burger, topped with four slices of cheese and accompanied by a pound of fries, or the outrageous 3-pound Reilly burger, with a dozen slices of cheese and 5 pounds of fries. Each bite (and there are many) proves how good flavorful beef on a toasted bun can be. 1918 Beacon St., Brighton, MA 2135, .