Paul McWhirk and Tony Antoniou
McWhirk and partner Antoniou work out of A&M Motors, 47 Webster Ave., Somerville. A&M won't do body work, and 90 percent of their effort is put into foreign cars, but they're reliable and will work on American models if asked (reasonable, too; sixteen dollars an hour for labor). "We do repairs, and we stand behind them," McWhirk says. "We're pretty open. We figure out what has to be fixed, what should be done first. I treat each job like my own car." A & M Motos, 47 Webster Ave., Somerville, MA .
Uncle Pete's Hickory Ribs
Nestled in East Boston's Day Square, Uncle Pete's is the kind of barbecue place locals keep to themselves. And, really, we'd never have suspected that this lopsided setting, a former Dairy Queen, could produce the most mouthwatering flavor-packed pork, beef, chicken, and ribs we've gnawed this far north. Pete himself makes everything daily, using special combinations of dry rubs and marinades and smoking the meat for five hours or more with a result so succulent that extra sauce and garnishes are superfluous. Equally noteworthy is the care taken here with side dishes, including frosted sweet-potato biscuits, homemade baked beans, and hand-cut fries. 309 Bennington St., East Boston, MA .
The Beacon Room
Vacationers can play it two ways as they settle into this welcoming, wood-filled space for a midday meal: fuel up for an afternoon of high-impact romping in the sand, or just plain fill up for several hours of indolence under the sun. For the former, there's leaner fare such as grilled chicken on Portuguese muffins and a salad with gorgonzola, walnut, and sun-dried cranberries. For the latter, choose from plus-size portions of clam chowder, crab cakes, fish and chips, and other Cape Cod classics—and enjoy the wistful glances from those sticking to moderation (poor things). 23 West Road, Orleans, MA 2653, beaconroom.com.
Topper's Restaurant at the Wauwinet
A quick ferry ride from Straight Wharf drops Sunday gourmands at the Wauwinet, where the garden at the inn's restaurant, Topper's, isn't just for show. In the hours before the brunch rush, chef David Daniels (formerly of XV Beacon's Federalist) can be seen plucking herbs for his refined recipes, which include Wauwinet turkey hash, cinnamon-sugar beignets, and a Kobe beef-and-short rib burger. Elegant yet comfortable banquettes and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound have encouraged many a brunch-goer to linger; sometimes all the way till dinner. 120 Wauwinet Road, Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Doremi
The chance to sing for hours in a disco-ball-outfitted private den with loud, sweaty friends armed with tambourines is reason alone to love DoReMi, but did you know this bastion of Asian-style karaoke offers off-key nightlife in 13 languages? In the rec-plush lobby—inexplicably furnished with an exercise bike—you’ll inevitably bump into the purest international cross-section of Allston. Way preferable to battling a bachelorette party, dumped out of an SUV limo, at one of those downtown singalong joints. Note to budding Demi Lovatos: Croon here soon before the space gets razed by redevelopers, who have been sniffing around. 442 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 2134, doremikaraoke.net.
InterContinental Boston
Considering the onslaught of just-opened and recently renovated hotels, it's a good time to be a guest in Boston (if a somewhat less good time to be a hotelier). How to stand out among the expected 300-thread-count sheets, Frette robes, designer bath products, and 24-hour room service? The glossy waterfront InterContinental outshines the competition (literally—its wavelike structure is swathed in reflective glass) with all of the above, plus a spa, a gym, three novelty restaurants, and one of the biggest ballrooms in town. The quick, courteous employees are a business traveler's dream; the mini esplanade along nearby Fort Point Channel, a stroller's delight. 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA intercontinentalboston.com.
Pomodoro
Pomodoro's flavorful, creative offerings reconcile the old Italian with the new. The food retains a simple, traditional character—which should not read as dull or unimaginative, whatever you may have come to expect after numerous "red sauce" menu encounters so often in the North End. But when the menu branches out, it doesn't wander so far that it becomes vaguely "Mediterranean." The servings are generous but have other salient features. The dishes aren't excessively decorative and sprouty, and the atmosphere is casual and friendly. Note of caution: Hour-long waits are not unusual. 319 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
The Brendan Behan Pub
When he wasn't behind bars, Irish writer and nationalist Brendan Behan was usually bellied up to a bar. Odds are, he would've felt right at home in the Jamaica Plain pub named for him. Small and smoky, the Behan is everything a pub should be: buzzing with a friendly mixed clientele of tattoos and suits, all there for the good conversation and, of course, some top-notch Guinness. Occasional Irish seisuns and other entertainment—including play readings and storytelling—make this an even more ideal place to lose yourself for a few hours. Certainly worlds better than an English prison. 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA brendanbehanpub.com.
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
On any given night you'll find some of the city's top chefs here after work with chopsticks waving. The eight water tanks filled with live seafood make fish and shellfish obvious choices. Crispy calamari with jalapeño peppers go down like popcorn. And whole fish in a sweet and spicy sauce may cause you to look left, then right, then lick the plate if no one's looking. They're all stellar examples of fresh and delicious Hong Kong-style cuisine, but the kitchen also soars with pork chops, garlic-laden fresh pea tendrils, and eggplant. Added bonus: Jumbo stays open into the wee hours of the morning. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA jumboseafoodrestaurant.net.
Suburban Appliance Servicenter
Bring your tired coffeemakers, your weary blenders, and just about any other small appliance; this repair shop will make them work like new at prices that will probably leave you with enough change in your pocket to pick up one of their factory seconds. 271 Moody St., Waltham, MA .
Grettacole
Not quite ready to rock a smock at your favorite salon just yet? You don’t have to thanks to Grettacole, whose root touchup kits quickly became a quarantine sensation. Here, Natalie Salerno, a senior stylist at the salon, demonstrates how to pull off a successful DIY dye job at home. 1. Remove the touchup color and professional application brush from the kit. Be sure to put on the included disposable gloves before getting started—you’re not dying your hands, after all. 2. Always begin at your center part and follow the hairline, slowly moving from ear to ear as you apply the dye in small, quarter-inch sections. 3. Once the dye is applied, wait the full processing time—35 minutes—to ensure the color develops properly (unless you want orange hair!). Then shampoo twice: The first wash is to remove the color and prevent it from irritating your scalp or making your roots oily. The second is to eliminate any residue so you don’t stain pillowcases and towels. 10 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, grettastyle.com.
Smolak Farms
You and your little ones can spend a whole day enjoying this family-run farm, whether it’s feeding deer and admiring peacocks in the animal pens, picking your own fruit, or joining in on story and craft times. Mark your calendars for the Fall Festival in mid-October — it’s jam-packed with hayrides, live music, baked treats, and pumpkins. What’s that we hear? Ah, the sound of no complaining. 315 South Bradford St., North Andover, MA 01845, smolakfarms.com.
Rooted In
Need to improve your sleep? Calm your ADHD partner? Help your mother-in-law find natural pain relief? Rooted In can do all these things in a quick store visit. Its budtenders will explain the different effects of edible gummies, tinctures, and pre-rolls, imparting so much wisdom that you’ll leave a cannabis pro. 331 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, rootedinroxbury.com.
Balans Organic Spa
If you think a facial is just something you do to beautify your skin, but don’t enjoy, you haven’t been to Balans. Whether it’s the beautiful and peaceful treatment rooms, the hot steam, or the knowledge that your aesthetician is using 100 percent organic products to rid you of fine lines, blackheads, and dead skin, you’re guaranteed to feel relaxed. The only thing better? How good your face will look when you walk out the door. 216 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonbalans.com.
The Computer Loft
When your laptop doesn’t work, your life doesn’t work. But you have better things to do than hang around at the Apple Store. Thankfully, the top-notch team at this authorized Mac service provider and reseller can come to your home or office and fix the problem for you, no muss or fuss. Evidence of their dedicated customer service? When a customer desperately needed a fix during the COVID lockdowns, they were even willing to work on the person’s computer from their car. 6 Fordham Rd., Allston, MA 02134, computerloft.com.