The Hawthorne
Enjoy hosting your friends in your über-cool city apartment while mixing up painstakingly hand-swizzled drinks? Going to the Hawthorne is a lot like that, with a built-in cleanup crew and a better bartender (no offense). This place is as persnickety about its elixirs as any cocktail bar in the country, but exudes a refreshing "Come in, let us make you happy" attitude. 500 A Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, thehawthornebar.com.
Menton
So many spots that boast great service smother you with attention, inserting themselves into your dinner conversation at every turn. Not Menton, where service isn't so much about delivering as it is about mind-reading—knowing the precise moment to whisk away an empty champagne flute, produce a fresh napkin, or appear with a few more brioche toasts for your foie gras—and then vanish. 354 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, mentonboston.com.
No. 9 Park
Chalk it up to the anticipation of an unforgettable meal, the warm reception proffered at the host stand, or maybe just the impact of that briskly shaken craft cocktail in your hand. Whatever the reason, there's something so magical about No. 9 that your date suddenly seems to have gotten infinitely more attractive. And just wait till you try what Barbara Lynch's kitchen has created that day, be it sturgeon with pork belly en papillote, or a chocolate cream tart with saffron and grapefruit—two spoons, of course. 9 Park St., Boston, MA 2108, no9park.com.
Cabot's Ice Cream and Restaurant
Fulfill your most outrageous ice-cream fantasies by choosing from a five-page ice-cream menu, or create your own combinations from more than two dozen hot and cold sauces (including five different hot fudges) and more than three dozen flavors of Richardson's ice cream, plus tofu ice cream and frozen yogurt. 743 Washington St., Newton, MA .
The Ice Cream Works
The best thing about an ice cream cake is that once it comes out of the freezer, the party has to begin. Think of two of your favorite flavors of ice cream, throw in a handful of M&M's, add in a crunch of chocolate chip cookie, a layer of fudge for good measure, and it's party time. Whether it's a birthday party for 27 five-year-olds or a co-worker's last day, The Ice Cream Works can customize and freeze your own personal subzero fantasy. 1663 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Anna's Taqueria
Sick of hearing the yammering of burrito snobs putting down the local variety? Take them to Anna's and shove one of these foil-wrapped fat boys in their mouths. Chances are, they'll change their minds. Anna's got the whole thing down: the rice, the frijoles, refritos, the guacamole, and the salsa are just like your mother used to make — that is, if your mother happened to be born south of the border. 1412 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Parish Cafe
This bistro doesn't dub its sandwich selection "The Great Ones" for nothing. Some of the city's best chefs have contributed recipes for lavishly layered concoctions sure to make your mouth water. Steer clear of the calzone, and instead sink your teeth into the Capital Grille's Smoked Salmon on brioche, the Pudding Portobello with onion marmalade, or Norma's Zuni Roll with cranberry chipotle. The latter ensures you'll never look at a turkey sandwich the same way again. 361 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Modern Pastry Shop
Cannoli should never be filled until you enter the bakery and say, "Four cannoli, please." At which point the white-smocked helper at Modern will slip into the back of the shop, return with four freshly filled pastries, give them a light dusting of powdered sugar, and warp them in one of those classic boxes tied with red-and-white string. 257 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
Rangoli
The prized entree at this southern Indian restaurant is called dosa—a huge crunchy crepe stuffed with rice, lentils, and your choice of meat. But that doesn't mean you should neglect the dahi bhala (lentil balls and yogurt) or the tomato-coconut shorba (soup). The chef works with a cunning palette of tart and sweet flavors guaranteed to tickled your buds. 129 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA .
Sun Sun Company
Stop at Sun Sun to pick up all those items on your grocery list you just can't seem to find at Super Stop 'n Shop: dried oysters, fish heads (some of which seem to be moving), and live crabs, as well as a great selection of produce, meats, and fish. Worth a trip simply to stock your spice cabinet with authentic Oriental sauces and seasonings. Plus, rice in bulk and many herbal and green teas. 18 Oxford Street, Boston, MA .
Marathon Sports
The wall of New Balance, Nike, Brooks, and Saucony sneakers is just for starters. Marathon Sports also stocks running maps, reflective vests, fuel belts, and fun gadgets. But what really keeps us coming back to this repeat Best of Boston winner is the service. Staffers here will analyze your stride—after you take a self-conscious sprint down the sidewalk—before slipping your foot into the perfect shoe. 671 Boylston St., Boston, MA marathonsports.com.
Yale Appliance and Lighting
Your flambé skills may be supreme, but if your kitchen equipment isn't, "heat and stir" is about as gourmet as dinner's going to get. Fortunately, Yale stocks some of the finest appliances around—stainless-steel Sub-Zero fridges, stovetops, and Theramdor free ranges. And the service is superb: The store offers demonstrations and will deliver and remove appliances. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA yaleappliance.com.
New Ginza
The folks at Ginza in Chinatown and Brookline have brought high-quality Japanese food one step closer to the suburbs with a new Watertown location. The ultrafresh sushi and sashimi make us weak in the knees, but if you're still reluctant to wrap your mind around the raw fish thing, there are plenty of broiled fish, teriyaki, and noodle entrées to sink your chopsticks into. Vegetarians will be delighted, too. 63-65 Galen St., Watertown, MA newginzaboston.com.
The Farmer's Market on Cohasset Common
Every Thursday afternoon in the summer, locals from surrounding South Shore towns converge at this piece of green for one purpose: to buy super-fresh produce. The selection—brilliant green herbs, a slew of greens, bright red peppers—is outstanding, as are the breads and pastries. You can even pick up some handmade crafts, from woven wreaths to rustic pottery, on your way back to your car. Cohasset Common, Cohasset, MA cohassetfarmersmarket.com.
Lester Harry's
This colorful shop has everything a baby needs to live in style from birth forward. From Kate Spade diaper bags and tiny Petit Bateau hooded sweaters to underwear basics and footies, it's all here. With tons of toys and simply adorable accessories (soft-as-your-baby's-bottom blankets by Barefoot Dreams, for instance), plus furniture such as Shabby Chic cribs and embroidered pillows, Lester Harry's has your baby covered. The newly added shoe salon all but guarantees head-to-toe panache. 140 Washington St., Marblehead, MA lesterharrys.com.