"You can't handle the truth."
Governor Paul Cellucci (channeling Jack Nicholson's megalomaniacal Marine colonel in A Few Good Men) to Scott Harshbarger during the final gubernatorial debate. Better yet: "Failure is not an option." Connecticut Governor John Rowland (channeling Ed Harris' cool NASA ground-control astronaut in Apollo 13), shortly before Rowland's eleventh hour attempt to keep alive his stadium deal with New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft.
Custi's
Since New England puts a limit on the weight of lobster's caught, the place to find oversized crustaceans is the Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant, N.J. If you balk at a seven-hour ride, try Crusti's in North Kingston, R.I., where you can eat all the chicken lobsters you have the appetite and patience for, Wednesday through Sunday, for $15.95. Route 1, Kingston, RI .
Sal's Place
It's three hours from Boston, but it also has the lasagna this side of Naples. Sal, formerly of Sal & Ciro's in Provincetown, uses homemade noodles, sausage, and hard-boiled eggs in his recipe; since he serves lasagna on Sunday nights only, until he closes for the winter at the end of September, you'll have plenty of time to budget calories in advance. 99 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA .
Bella Sante
Bella sante strikes the right combination of peaceful spa (fruit-infused water, plush furnishings) and briskly run business (in and done in half an hour). Technicians prune and preen nails into such pristine condition it's almost a shame to cover them with polish — but those who do will walk out with lacquered tops strong enough to endure several days worth of wear and tear. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Dani Wagener, Shu Uemura
Too many makeup artists labor under the tragic misconception that "bridal" means caked-on foundation, tarlike mascara, and Dynasty-esque cheek contouring. Not Wagener, who studies the bride-to-be's everyday look, then simply ratchets it up for the nuptials. After a session in her cozy workspace—well worth her $125 hourly fee—we walked away feeling glamorous as hell, but looking like ourselves. 130 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 2116, shuuemura-usa.com.
Toro
What's as rich as Toro's cheese plate, has as much flavor as its olive oil-roasted Brussels sprouts, and is as undeniably saucy as its patatas bravas? The neighborhood designers and artists, in-the-know real estate movers and shakers, and local restaurateurs who—without fail, seven nights a week—flock to chef-owner Ken Oringer's no-reservations hot spot from happy hour till closing time. Rubbing elbows with such characters over cava at the raucous bar makes waiting for a table seem like a perk, not a burden. 1704 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Sel de la Terre
At Sel de la Terre, eating after 10 p.m. doesn't equal tired hamburgers and stale coffee. The late-night sustenance it offers comes with a gourmet touch: Chicken fingers are served with honey-mustard aioli, Vermont cheddar is melted over brioche, and juicy steak tips are marinated in a red wine reduction. The bar's soft lighting and leather banquettes make it tempting to stay until the wee hours (or at least until closing time at 12:30 a.m.). 255 State St., Boston, MA seldelaterre.com.
Classic Tuxedo
While brides spend hours hemming and hawing over lace and tulle, most guys just want a smart-looking tux that requires as little fuss as possible. Classic Tuxedo offers a comprehensive online catalog of suiting by Calvin Klein, Jean Yves, and Ralph Lauren, so grooms can narrow down the choices before trekking to the store. And once they do come in, fittings and alterations are a snap. 223 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Tavern Road
Photograph by Jesse Burke for Best of Boston 2014 Once a certain hour hits, most restaurants make the switch from carefully designed entrées to standard-issue flatbread pizzas. Not so at Tavern Road, where Louis DiBiccari’s late-night menu sparkles with verve and inventiveness, as evidenced by delights like lamb meatballs with harissa vinaigrette, Korean-inflected barbecue wings, and salami, mortadella, and Gruyère—stuffed calzones. 343 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, tavernroad.com.
Henrietta's Table
Photograph courtesy of Henrietta's Table The Goldilocks Principle is perfectly apt when applied to early-morning eats: Go too big and you’re ready for a nap before 10 a.m., go too small and you’ll be hungry within the hour. Henrietta’s gets it just right, balancing out hearty staples like red flannel hash with lighter fare like smoothies and fresh-baked pumpkin bread. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, henriettastable.com.
Laurie Slosberg
Big, bold, flirty eyelashes are always in vogue, but those not blessed with the movie-star glamour gene end up cursing the mirror as we juggle glue and falsies for hours. That’s where beauty genius Laurie Slosberg comes in. The certified aesthetician has been performing enhancement procedures for 20 years, and can give you soft, natural-looking lashes that will free you of eyelash curlers and gooey mascara. 29 Crafts St., Newton, MA 2458, cosmeticsurgeryexperts.com.
Drink
After six years spent whipping the city into a craft-cocktail frenzy with its pitch-perfect Manhattan variations and handcarved ice cubes, Barbara Lynch and John Gertsen's tippler's haven has, thankfully, loosened up a bit. Once-monthly tiki-themed soirees keep things festive, and groups can now make bar-section reservations during off-peak hours. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, drinkforpoint.com.
Solus
Surrender your soles to Kathy for a luxurious and relaxing pampering. One of her secrets: she wraps your toes in saran before you slip on your shoes so as not to disturb the polish—your pedicure will last for weeks. 115 Newbury St., Suite 301, Boston, MA .
Ethos Nantucket
Strutting into its second summer season, this eclectic wine bar’s speakeasy vibe isn’t just for oenophiles. Cocktail connoisseurs will appreciate the refreshing drinks list, while foodies can dig into a menu featuring freshly shucked local oysters, caviar, and salmon crudo. Our idea of the perfect pairing, though, has to be the gooey grilled cheese on local pink-salt sourdough with a glass of Il Monticello, a juicy Italian red with notes of dusty cherry. 18 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 02554, ethosnantucket.com.
Tile Showcase
Planning a back splash in your kitchen? A mosaic in your bathroom? Tiling your entryway or looking for flagstones for your patio? The selection might be overwhelming, but the consultants are adept at navigating you through the many lines such as Country Floors, Grazia, Emil Ceramica, and Tagina. They'll also help answer any design questions. 1 Design Center Place, Boston, MA .