Blue Diner
Go hungry and be prepared to wait, eat at real diner banquettes, and leave with some change in your pocket and a song on your lips. 178 Kneeland St., Boston, MA .
Aria
True, your drink will cost almost as much as your theater ticket. But there are plenty of cushy couches to lounge on. Plus, Seth. The Wilbur Theater, 246 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Orson Welles
Old-fashioned popcorn to go with old-fashioned movies. They pop it right before your eyes, and you salt it to your taste. 1001 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
MetroServ Computer Company
After you go to the huge warehouses and get a price on your dream machine, come here and talk. They try their damndest to meet or beat your price. 80 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA .
Ten Tables
The 10 menu items at this petite boite, including meats and homemade pastas, list for $21 or less, and the vibe is as sweet as it gets. Your date—and your accountant—will be impressed. 597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA tentables.net.
Waiting Game, by Terri Lyne Carrington
Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images A world-renowned jazz drummer, Berklee professor, and Grammy-winning bandleader, Medford’s Terri Lyne Carrington (pictured, bottom) excels at anything she touches. Her latest triumph is this two-CD set spanning almost two hours of music. Featuring her band Social Science and aching vocals by singer Debo Ray, the first half is a musical stew of jazz, R & B, hip-hop, and funk, with a poetic rumination on police brutality by Malcolm Jamal-Warner on “Bells (Ring Loudly)” that took on even greater meaning after the killing of George Floyd. The second half, an instrumental jazz suite called “Dreams and Desperate Measures,” is a luminous river of improvised music. Put together, it’s one of the most astonishing albums ever released by a Boston musician. terrilynecarrington.com.
Maggie Kesler, The Sports Club/LA Splash Spa
You don't have to belong to the Sports Club/LA to experience the stress-relieving, muscle-soothing magic of a massage by Maggie Kesler at the health club's on-site Splash Spa. Of course, after an hour or so having each and every tense muscle manipulated into relaxation (Kesler's technique combines a therapeutic blend of traditional Swedish strokes with pressure-point work and shiatsu), and a few minutes in the oversized steam and sauna rooms, you might find yourself signing up for a membership—or at least another massage appointment. Kesler has a way of leaving clients' previously aching muscles rejuvenated, restored, and ready for action, whether that's a heart-taxing spinning class or simply the long drive home. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA .
Laurel Elliott, Vidal Sassoon Hair Salon
The words "natural" and "hair color" rarely occur in the same sentence. That is, unless you're talking about the work of color artist Laurel Elliott, who is herself something of a natural wonder. Clients lucky enough to snag an hour with Elliott at Vidal Sassoon leave with hair that shines, shimmers, and is undeniably real. Brunettes grow richer with chocolate single processes, while blondes are brought back to that elusive sun-kissed color of their childhoods. Elliott's talents run much deeper than boosting the wattage of ordinary locks. She's also an expert at correcting the damage done by lesser colorists. What's more, this pint-sized prodigy, a J.Lo look-alike with the style to match, couldn't be sweeter or more understanding to the follicly distressed. Which makes us wonder what we ever did without her. 14 Newbury St., 4th floor, Boston, MA .
Adam Berke
Vogue named him one of the "most sought after trainers in America": he has a client list peppered with Boston's beautiful people, and his state-of-the-art gym is more Philippe Starke than YMCA grunge. But don't let appearances deceive you: Berke's a task master who realizes people do not want to be sweating their buns off, doing the same old grunts seven days a week. Gym rats addicted to StairMasters, aerobics, and other such standard pursuits be warned: Berke will have you jumping rope, spinning, and taking part in high-intensity weight training. He will also create an individually tailored diet regime, which can include two glasses of red wine a night. $75/hour. Adam Berke Gym, 1260 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Wish
Anyone who's spent hours frantically searching for the perfect outfit for a class reunion knows how hard it can be to strike the balance between trendy and sophisticated. This precious Charles Street boutique does so with style, stocking a mix of cutting-edge clothing, from tailored work separates by Theory and Chaiken to casual twinsets and capri pants by Trina Turk and whimsical skirts by Rebecca Taylor. Of special note is the impressive selection of party dresses, all hand-selected from collections by the likes of Nanette Lapore and Shoshanna. Timid shoppers take note: Though the store is a treasure trove of garments you won't find elsewhere, the price tags and sometimes aloof sales staff can add up to an experience as intimidating as rush night in college. 49 Charles St., Boston, MA wishboston.wordpress.com.
Leon & Co.
Remember when you used to sneer at bottle blondes? Stylist Leon deMagistris and his staff of colorists have changed all that with bold, rich hair colors that look better than the real thing. (His latest venture, known as California highlighting, mimics the look of sun-kissed hair without foil strips or hours of harmful sun exposure.) Moreover, deMagistris's talent and sway go far beyond the Boston-area beauty scene. He's the former U.S. creative director for the venerable Italian product line Tocco Magico and regularly grabs international attention with runway coiffures in Europe. None of which stops him from running his 33-year-old Belmont salon like a finely tuned machine. 84 Leonard St., Belmont, MA leonandco.com.
Seven Moving
GETTY IMAGES Upgrading to a new neighborhood or swapping your city digs for a spot in the ’burbs? The efficient team at Seven—armed with protective stretch film, blankets, and pads—makes sure the least stressful part of your move is actually moving things. sevenmoving.com.
Rox Diner
A recent expansion of this gem has shortened wait times, bringing your little ones that much closer to pancakes shaped with Mickey Mouse ears (upon request); your bloody mary and Irish Bennies will be close behind. 1881 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA .
Janet Warren
Going to the year's big posh bash and don't know what to do with your hair? Pile it on. On top of your head, that is. You'll walk out with sleek cheekbones on display and limp locks tucked away. Ecocentrix, 30 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
A Shining Example
There are plenty of good shoeshines around town, but only A Shining Example will come to your office to shine your shoes ($3), repair neckties and shoes, and provide stress-reduction massage. One Beacon St., Boston, MA .