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.
Cremaldi's
This Italian specialty shop routinely stocks the finest and freshest selection of fresh pasta. Four or five daily flavors can be cut to order, and the freezer cases hold homemade tortellini filled with chicken, pesto, pumpkin, or roasted garlic, as well as a variety of sauces and oven-ready hors d'oeuvres. Also look for for the barrels of dry pasta in every shape and form, and don't miss the huge deli selection. 31 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Brookline Reservoir
We're not in the habit of awarding locations around town, but we would like to share our favorite walk with like-minded leisure hunters. The lap around this picturesque reservoir is framed with storied Brookline townhouses, and the track is clean, shaded by tall trees, and utterly peaceful. This could be the most perfect place to clear your head in the city. Route 9 and Chestnut Hill Avenue, Brookline, MA .
The Beehive Cafe
Photo by Bob O'Connor One part jazz club, one part restaurant, the Beehive is our go-to spot for a laid-back night out on the town. The stellar list of libations (we're fans of the champagne cocktails and the "Apparatus," a Scotch and cognac concoction) and the sophisticated fare are the perfect complement to the musicians onstage. Something to keep in mind: If you want to be at all close to the action, make a reservation—otherwise, you'll be cooling your heels at the bar. 541 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2809, beehiveboston.com.
Ceia Kitchen and Bar
We appreciated the doting service. We marveled at the kitchen's inventive-ness (e.g., the vegan-friendly dish whipped up for our dining companion). We admired the exposed-brick dining room. But we absolutely worshipped Ceia's steak frites: a mouth-watering hunk of tenderloin coated with porcini butter and served with sweet-potato steak fries and chef Patrick Soucy's house-made ketchup. This stuff is so good, he'll soon be bottling it for household consumption. 38 State St., Newburyport, MA 1950, ceia-newburyport.com.
Pinwheels
We might roll our eyes at precious, overpriced kids' clothes, but it's near impossible to resist the teeny, hand-knit pale pink sweaters and soft cotton bonnets and caps at Pinwheels. Miniature outfits for boys and girls—including many pieces with embroidered animals—abound at this island spot. There's only one downside: You'll wish Pinwheels carried its charming fashions in your size, too. 7 S. Beacon St., Nantucket, MA .
Crane Beach
Seven miles of white sand edged with rolling dunes make this our favorite spot to plop down a beach chair, catch some rays, and read a trashy romance novel—all thanks to a 1945 bequest from the estate of Chicago bazillionaire Richard Crane of plumping and fire hydrant fame. Parking fees are steep ($15 to $20), but a $40 yearly membership gets you a discount and helps the Trustees of Reservations with an aggressive wildfire management program. It also helps keep the shore free of debris and the bath houses clean. Crane Beach, Argilla Rd., Ipswich, MA .
Frank Roop
If, like us, you've made the rounds of showrooms and emerged empty-handed, stop next at Frank Roop. The interior designer creates pieces with your tastes and dimensions in mind. His French-inspired lounges, beds, and side tables have a vintage feel and are all 100 percent unique. Ideal for those who despair our country's Crate & Barrel-ization. 224 Clarendon St., Suite 31, Boston, MA 2116, frankroop.com.
Lucia Lighting & Design, Inc.
Lynn may be a ways past the city limits, but this 8,000-square-foot lighting nirvana set in a historic mansion proved an irresistible beacon to our Best of Boston judges. The brainchild of spunky Salem State College grad Lucy Dearborn, Lucia comprises 12 showrooms with themes like 'The Crystal Room' (sparkles galore) and 'The Loft' (sleek and funky). With approximately 1,000 fixtures to choose from, and the guidance of in-house designers, customers are bound to find something here that turns them on, and vice versa. 311 Western Ave., Lynn, MA 1904, lucialighting.com.
Bob Crane
And we don't mean the star of "Hogan's Heroes." The local Crane show is just as long-running but our Bobby has had better luck getting out of tight spots. As state treasurer, Crane has survived thirteen years under four governors, emerged unscathed from a lengthy Justice Department probe of his financial affairs, and now, with re-election time at hand, he has managed to make his opponent's magical name—Kennedy—a political liability. Now that's wizardry.
Long's Jewelers
A visit to any of our local high-end jewelers will render you an expert on the four Cs in no time. But on selection and service, Long's takes top honors, offering more than 500 styles in-store (from vintage-inspired numbers by Ritani to modern beauties by Furrer-Jacot) and guaranteeing that if a stone shakes loose long after you walk out the door, they'll fix it, gratis. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.