The Superette
Where else can you buy yoga pants, high-end custom fragrances, tacos, and, oh yeah, an electric car all in one place — and top it all off with a round of indoor mini golf? That’d be the Seaport’s newest shopping destination. It may have been designed to look like a “charming European square,” but the sprawling 125,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space is New Boston through and through — and we’re loving every bit of it. Boston, MA 02210, bostonseaport.xyz/superette.
Kodomo
The expansion of this clothing empire proves that tiny people can have style, too. Over the past year, the independently owned shop has opened two more locations, in Beacon Hill and Chestnut Hill, bringing ethically made embroidered jumpsuits, silky black overalls, and chambray army pants to kids (and their fashion-loving parents) who expect more than pink for girls and blue for boys. Guaranteed a Kodomo tot will not look back at school pictures and cringe. Multiple locations. 45 River St., Boston, MA 02118, kodomoboston.com.
Local Root
David-Mellor Now that you’ve reorganized every inch of your kitchen (and garage, and bedroom...), it’s time for the next step: upping your culinary game. Load up on all manner of gear at Local Root, where curbside pickup makes easy work of achieving your latest recipe #goals. Still on the sourdough train? Browse ceramic Emile Henry bread bakers and Eva Solo mixing bowls. Planning al fresco meals? Check out the Rosle grilling tools, made from stainless steel. 77 Leonard St., Belmont, MA 02478, localroot.com.
Willowdale Estate
You picture a quiet dinner for immediate family; your partner imagines an all-night rager with 400 guests. Plan your happy medium at the always-crowd-pleasing Willowdale Estate, where a range of magical ceremony and reception spaces allow for a longer invite list without sacrificing the intimacy of a tinier fete. Our personal fave? The greenery-filled courtyard garden, which looks downright enchanting with strings of lights. 24 Asbury St., Topsfield, MA 01983, willowdaleestate.com.
William Browne & Sons
Emmanuel Boakye-Appiah We approached Paul Browne with a too-long pair of wide-legged pants and a vision for cropped, narrow new trousers. After deftly pinning the fabric and chatting affably, he charged us just $20 for the reconstruction, and we left feeling like a million bucks. Run by multiple generations of skilled tailors, this gem of a shop on Morton Street provides warm, often same-day service for any kind of nip or tuck—just keep your eyes peeled for the window full of garments and the awning marked “862” to find it. 862 Morton St., Mattapan, MA 02126, william-browne-sons.business.site.
Orly Khon Floral Boutique
Boston has its fair share of both floral shops and high-end designers, but Orly Khon Floral Boutique gives us the best of both worlds. Khon's portfolio—which includes everything from holiday bashes to corporate events—is packed with installations and decorations that have us pining to plan a party, stat. But if you're just looking for a few blooms for your home or desk, her inviting boutique inside Restoration Hardware is worth the trip. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, orlykhon.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
When the tower of too-big thrift-store finds and too-long jeans in our closet threatens to topple, we head straight to Flavio Antonio Rivas and his affable team, who nip and tuck our pants and pencil skirts to perfection, taking the time to answer our questions about fit and fabrics. Add to that the host of modern conveniences offered (They're open past 5 o'clock and on Saturday! They take credit cards!), and Newbury Tailoring Company has this category all stitched up. 116 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
India Palace
The staff at India Palace is so friendly the locals and the waiters are on a first-name basis. But it's the food that keeps people coming back—delicately spiced tandooris, coriander-infused tomato soup, and the tandoor-baked naan. The ($6.95!) lunch buffet is like a trip to Hindi heaven. By the time you're nibbling your fennel seeds, you're already planning your return trip. 23 Union Square, Somerville, MA indiapalacesomerville.info.
Market
This easy-to-shop, designer-packed store is proof of how far metrosexuality has taken men's dressing. There are Dolce & Gabbana bathing trunks and jeans, funky DSquared2 tanks, intricate but masculine embroidered shirts by Rare, clean-lined Ferré pants, and Versace accessories. It's all cool enough to tend toward the cutting edge without going over it and perfect for men who simply want to look better—to either sex. 173 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA .
Courageous Sailing
One way to minimize your exposure to E. coli is to sail on Boston Harbor instead of the Charles River, and Courageous Sailing is the best way to go for the bucolic-urban experience. Courageous offers easy access to Harbor Islands State Park, where with a little advanced planning you can even go camping. The only year-round sailing center in Boston, it merits its name because of its iceboating events and other cold-weather adventures. 1 First Ave., Charlestown, MA .
Esprit du Vin
The owners here specialize in wines produced in small quantities (fewer than 10 cases). Bottles from all over the world line the shelves, designed to appeal to every budget and palate. Not only that, a quarter of the stock changes every month, so there's always something new to try. While you're at it, pick up some freshly baked breads and pastries, check out the mouth-watering selection of gourmet cheeses and pâtes, and make plans to attend one of the weekly tastings. 25 Central Ave., Milton, MA espritduvinusa.com.
Cheryl Richards
There's a reason Cheryl Richards is our go-to wedding photographer (and frequent Best of Boston winner): She manages to be both unobtrusive and friendly as she preserves your memories in her signature photojournalistic style. You'll treasure her snapshots because, after all those long months of planning, the only things that last (other than the marriage, we hope) are the photographs. 224 Clarendon St., Boston, MA cherylrichards.com.
Le Couturier House of Alterations
Favored by some of the city's most discriminating boutique owners and clotheshorses, Dick Robasson is a stitch wizard straight out of another era. Holed up in his spartan Central Square space, with two sewing machines and a radio humming jazz in the background, the one-time Zegna staffer employs the same concentration when hemming pants as he does when whipping up a suit from scratch. 550 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 2139, .
The Closet
You'll need to work to unearth the gems at this tightly packed consignment store. But it's worth the effort. The Closet has racks of cashmere sweaters, leather jackets, Lilly Pulitzer pants, and Gucci blousons, along with an excellent selection of designer shoes from Chanel, Prada, and Stuart Weitzman. That, plus the substantial men's section and well-organized collection of quality handbags and belts, make the Closet an effective nexus between the previous owners' closet and your own. 175 Newbury St., Boston, MA blog.closetboston.com.
Bonpoint
When the nanny complains that little Madison has outgrown her pinafores, get yourself (or send your personal assistant) to Bonpoint. The French clothier's exclusive pastel sweaters, jumpers, pants, and dresses are acclaimed by fashion editors and parents alike for their high quality and adorable designs. This cuteness costs, though—upwards of $100 for simple overalls, $230 for silk dresses, and $280 for cashmere baby one-pieces. Baby Gap, it isn't. 18 Arlington St., Boston, MA bonpoint.com.