The 'Quin House
Photo by Jenny Peffley Boston’s swankiest, sexiest new hangout has plenty of James Bond–style secrets: The first-floor speakeasy, Scottie’s, features “champagne buttons” to summon bubbly, while a hidden room a few floors up is revealed by pulling on a bronze bust. But really, the best reason to finagle an invitation to lunch at Sandy and Paul Edgerley’s fresh take on the members-only club is the who’s who of power players known to walk through the doors every day. Who, you ask? That’s the biggest secret of all. 217 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02116, thequinhouse.com.
Seasons Four
From wicker to wrought iron, teak to traditional wood, this Lexington showroom lives up to its name with a selection of year-round outdoor goodies that go far beyond furniture (think: bird feeders, hammocks, and wind chimes, among other finds). Best of all, its décor switches with the season. In winter, warm your outdoor hearth with wreathes and candles, and don’t miss the tiki torches and lemonade dispensers come summertime. 1265 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420, seasonsfour.com.
SweatHouz
Sometimes, a good shvitz is exactly what the doctor ordered. That’s certainly the case at this Assembly Row wellness destination, where you can sweat it out from the comfort of your own private infrared sauna suite, complete with towel service, a TV, and surround sound. Sign up for the monthly membership program to maximize the promised benefits, which include supple skin and better muscle recovery. 385 Revolution Dr., Somerville, MA 02145, sweathouz.com.
The Publick House
No need to fix what’s not broken: In the increasingly bustling Washington Square section of Brookline, the Publick House celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and it continues to be one of the most successful gastropubs around. Whether you’re looking for a funky Allagash Coolship from our northern friends in Maine or a smoky Rauchbier from Germany, there’s always something exciting to explore on the draft and bottle lists. Add in a beer-infused pot of moules frites or some mac ’n’ cheese topped with beer bratwurst, and you have the ideal night out. 1648 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02445, publickhousebrookline.com.
The ’Quin House
The ‘Quin House Cofounder Sandy Edgerley at the private club. / Photo by Mona Miri When the reimagined and redesigned Algonquin Club opened in 2021, the six-story mansion generated instant buzz for its gorgeously over-the-top design, from a button to summon champagne in the first-floor “speakeasy” to a Sinatra bust that you press to reveal a secret door. But its social capital is more than just aesthetics. The space has quickly replaced the old Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons as the place for a power-rendezvous, except now the CEOs are rubbing elbows with social justice activists, and the membership is legitimately diverse. New Boston, indeed. 217 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA thequinhouse.com.
The Fish House
Islanders know that the best fish on the Vineyard isn’t by the harbor, it’s by the airport. (No, they’re not flying anything in.) The Fish House, a new seafood market/takeout spot from a young island couple, is slinging catch so fresh they’ll even tell you who reeled it in. Their com- mitment shows in to-go classics such as fried clam bellies and boiled lobster din- ners, as well as more modern favorites like tuna poke bowls. Tucked off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road right next to the package store, it’s an islanders’ secret—or at least it was. 17 Airport Rd., Edgartown, MA 02539, thefishhousemv.com.
A House on the Cape
What do you do when you’re craving that #beachlife but can’t get on a plane? You start searching for a home across the bridge. As legions of the region’s newly minted WFHers began a mass exodus down Route 6 last spring and summer, house prices skyrocketed, leaving those who didn’t find their slice of paradise early in the pandemic in the dust. Our advice if you’re still desperately scanning Zillow this summer? Beg your friends for an invitation (or blow up a kiddie pool in your landlocked backyard).
Four Seasons
When a local institution undergoes a renovation, we take notice. As part of this year's stunning Four Seasons makeover, lumpy old armchairs, timeworn furniture, and outdated décor were tossed to make room for cushy couches, flat-screen TVs, rich comforters, and marble-topped dressers. Add to that the hotel's already unflappable service, prime location, and stellar restaurants—Aujourd'hui and the Bristol Loung—and this sleepover spot has soared back to the level of glamour its brand implies. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, fourseasons.com.
The Gryphon House
Tucked away between Kenmore and the Back Bay on the quiet end of Bay State Road, this 1895 brownstone has been restored to a grand late-Victorian style—although the Victorians didn't have air-conditioning, 27-inch televisions, and Ethernet connections to the Web. Wet bars and refrigerators in every room almost qualify the eight spacious suites as studio apartments. (Many are bigger than a lot of Boston studios.) North Tower has the views of the Charles River, while Morningside is splashed the light from east-facing bay windows. 9 Bay State Rd., Boston, MA innboston.com.
In Your Ear
Thirty years is a long time in the music business, particularly when you're still vending vinyl in the age of iTunes. But with hundreds of thousands of records, CDs, and eight-tracks stacked in a subterranean space, In Your Ear's Boston location has flourished since 1982. You can search the inventory online—albums are graded by condition—but trust us: It's more fun to dig through the crates. 957 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, iye.com.
In Your Ear
An old-school record store that drowns out the download age by cultivating loyal customers and an understated cool you can't buy on iTunes, In Your Ear caps one of the city's best vinyl collections with a superior trove of classical music CDs. It also draws audiophiles with a surprisingly deep selection of reel-to-reel tapes, manufacturer-sealed Pink Floyd and Eagles LPs, and an intriguing mélange of minidiscs. 957 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, .
House of Costas
Costas Xanthopoulous has the seamy side of life all sewn up. 1616 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Area Four
Area Four Since opening in 2011, this all-purpose spot has become Kendall Square's community dining room, the place Cantabrigians gather to enjoy wood-fired pies and hearty salads. Feeling social? Ask to dine at one of the long communal tables. What to Order: The garlic knots; "Kitchen Sink" salad; puttanesca pizza. 500 Technology Sq., Cambridge, MA areafour.com.