USTrust Bank
Let the big boys fight it out among themselves. For our money, the best deal in town in USTrust. Free checking with no minimum balance. Free checks, even, with some accounts. Decent rates for consumer loans. Best of all, no charge for using your ATM card, even at most other banks. If that's not enough, there are still real tellers who are genuinely friendly and always free, unlike Fleet's. 65 branches, .
Westport Rivers Vineyard's Sparkling Wines
Vintners Bob and Carol Russell often refer to themselves as farmers rather than winemakers, though they produce a national and international award-winning series of methode Champenoise sparkling wines. These are bottled testimony to their efforts and ethos—the Russells' business is a family one (sons Bill and Bob make the wine and manage the vineyard respectively) devoted to preserving Massachusetts farmland and producing a superior product. If it's good enough for the White House (the sparkling wines were served at the Governor's Dinner 2000), then it is welcome on our table. 417 Hixbridge Road, Westport, MA westportrivers.com.
Willowbee & Kent
The travel superstore stocks alarm clocks, passport cases, wrinkles-free clothing with hidden pockets, electronic travel gadgets, guidebooks, maps, journals, and a full-service, in-house travel agency. If you can think of anything else you'd need for a weekend getaway or a trip around the world, we'll eat our lightweight, floats-in-water, sun-protective, ventilated safari hat. 519 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Allston Car Wash
Most car washes charge you $20 to roll your vehicle under a few spritzers and a blow dryer. At Allston, that same amount gets you full doors-to-floors tidying. (Want just the exterior cleaning? Ten bucks.) We were impressed by the attention to detail: When our—admittedly, hanging on by a thread—radio antenna popped off in the tunnel, the attendant gladly replaced it with a new one. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Cooperative Dog
After suffering through trainers who merely barked advice (our ears are still ringing), we were overjoyed to discover owner Vera Wilkinson's quiet expertise. Certified both as a dog-behavior consultant and professional dog trainer—and armed with more than a decade of experienc—Wilkinson begins by watching you interact with Fido at home. Only then does she offer suggestions. She takes her time, and you and your dog will end up the better for it. 1786 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2445, cooperativedog.com.
Craigie On Main
Craigie on Main Pity us. We're so inclined to stuff our bellies full of chef Tony Maws's house-made pastas and glorious takes on pork that we have a hard time saving room for dessert. This is tragic, because it's simply not a Craigie experience without the wildly decadent confections assembled by Jessica Scott. She expertly blends traditional delights (bourbon-pecan ice cream) with inspired elements (a bacon-Mexican chocolate crust) for an extraordinary savory-sweet finale. 853 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, craigieonmain.com.
Cafe Vanille
Boston doesn't have many patisseries, and our bakeries feel like coffee spots that just happen to have cinnamon buns and cupcakes. Café Vanille, however, seems like a French pastry shop that just happens to serve espresso and tea. One look at the lineup of flaky napoleons, ganache-glazed éclairs, colorful petits fours and fruit tarts, and buttery brioche makes the cookie-and-donut offerings everywhere else seem downright dull. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA 2108, frenchmemories.com.
Lower Depths Tap Room
This Kenmore Square taproom raises the, ahem, bar on pub food. Try the build-your-own Fenway Franks, one of the crispy tater tot varieties (like 'poutine tots' or 'tots mexicana'), or the tasty nachos. The 7-ounce burger, meanwhile, comes piled high with whatever unconventional toppings we crave, from chili to chipotle aioli. Apologies to Burger King, but when we want it our way, we come here. 476 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, thelowerdepths.com.
Toscanini's
It's insanely rich, full of intense flavor, and made right on-site. Quite simply: This is a place that all ice cream aficionados must go before they die. Our all-time favorite scoops include the nocciola (hazelnut) and the famous burnt caramel. Yet with Toscanini's ever-rotating inventory (mango ginger, Earl Grey, and lemon pistachio, to name a few), you'll surely find your own pilgrimage-worthy flavor in no time. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tosci.com.
Sel de la Terre
In our quest for the ultimate meat-wich, we knocked back dozens of Franken-patties built from precision combinations of brisket, round, short rib, sirloin, skirt, even marrow and suet. But in the end, plain old ground chuck triumphed. Loaded onto a toasted house-made bun, the $14 SDLT Burger's pronounced grilled crust and superbeefy flavor stand up to sharp Vermont cheddar, spicy aioli, and the most savory pancetta ever made. 255 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.com.
Matt Murphys
It's strange that Boston is short on purveyors of good Irish food. (Especially when, according to our research, the city was founded by Patrick O'Patrick and his brothers Pat, Pat, Patty, and Steve, who, we're pretty sure, was adopted.) But who needs options when there's Matt Murphy's—still the best spot in town for fish and chips, rabbit pie, and good soda bread. Wash it down with a Guinness and suddenly you're Irish. Even if your name is Steve. 14 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, mattmurphyspub.com.
Muqueca
The fact that every Boston Brazilian joint has earned its fame doling out all-you-can-eat portions of meat left us wondering: How do those girls in Rio look so hot in their thongs? Then we discovered Muqueca, where even our most carnivorous friends fell for the single servings of spicy dishes, including the traditional seafood stew for which the restaurant is named. It's so good we guarantee you'll bring back your very lean booty for more. 1008 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, muquecarestaurant.com.
Johnny's Luncheonette
Having eaten our way across the MetroWest in a futile search for a challenger, there's little left to say except, once again, here's Johnny's. This four-time Best Of winner extends its run by virtue of its satisfyingly thick French toast and rib-sticking meals like pastrami skillet scrambles and Santa Fe burritos. Its sparkling-clean setup (surprisingly rare in breakfast joints) and '50s-style cheeriness further ensure its rulership over the early-bird roost. 30 Langley Rd., Newton Centre, MA 2159, .
Douzo
Like laser eye surgery and brake repairs, raw fish is something we're loath to cheap out on. Rather than risk gastric distress—or merely off-tasting nigiri—we get our budget-sushi fix at the Back Bay's Douzo, where the ambiance is polished and the sashimi as glistening-fresh as it is at the astronomically pricey joints. Ample space at the bar means it's a cinch to belly up for a quick lunch, while the scores of tables means there's no silly reservation policy standing between you and your maki. 131 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 2116, douzosushi.com.
Jake's Seafoods Restaurant & Market
Where local seafood is concerned, we're of the keep-it-real ilk. And Jake's does just that, with heaps of just-netted steamers, light-as-a-feather fried filets, and lobsters (we'll take ours boiled plain, thanks). There's even a Grape-nut pudding worthy of your Yankee forebears. Down it all on the patio area overlooking the sun-dappled harbor, and you'll have a solid reminder of what summer in New England is all about. 50 George Washington Blvd., Hull, MA 2045, jakesseafoods.com.