S+H Construction
“Thoughtful” and “responsive” are two of many accolades homeowners bestow upon this top-notch firm, which recently relocated to Belmont. With 40-plus years of experience, the tried-and-true group has perfected the remodeling process, whether it calls for accommodating a complicated lighting-design plan in a sleek Millennium Tower condo or rebuilding a 1925 Colonial with reclaimed-wood flooring and a picture perfect primary suite. shconstruction.com.
East Coast Grill & Raw Bar
Celebrated grill god Chris Schlesinger's Inman Square spot is its own Cambridge institution—part community hangout, part nationally known restaurant, part vacation. Wild décor (from the blackboard that shouts daily fresh fish specials to the kitschy "live volcano") and even wilder mixed drinks (like the scotch bonnet pepper—infused "martini from hell") set the scene for equatorial specialties from the world's most spice-obsessed regions. That means terrific barbecue, sweetly rich fried plantains, wasabi-laced tuna, and an inventive postmodern pupu platter to die for. Hot-food connoisseurs shouldn't miss "Hell Night," a fiery food challenge featuring some of the spiciest foodstuffs on the planet. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA eastcoastgrill.net.
Oak Room
The real meat of a truly great steakhouse is just that: its meat. And while the opulent Oak Room may look too delicate to deliver on such a carnivorous front, this year it left the competition begging for scraps. Witness the splendidly marbled bone-in rib-eye, juicy to its sweet core. And the pliant slab of aged New York strip under a voluptuous horseradish sauce. Sides and seafood, too, are much more than standard: thick spears of tender asparagus, chilled artichokes with thick and fresh lobster tail, and sharp-flavored calamari salad. Service is thoughtful, informed, and perfectly timed, and the epic wine list is packed with impressive (mostly French and American) choices. Why haven't we mentioned the room's flat-out stunning décor by now? Because with credentials like this, it shouldn't matter. Saying the Oak Room isn't a real steakhouse is as silly as saying a beautiful woman can't be smart. Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave., Boston, MA .
9Tailors
Man in suit photo by Nicole Loeb No need to hop over the big pond for a bespoke Savile Row suit when you have this Boston-based gem. Founded by fashion industry veteran Jeff Lahens, 9Tailors specializes in custom suiting in all manner of styles, from slim fit to classic. Hankering for a pair of lime-green high-waisted pants? Got that. Wide legged trousers? Count on it. You can also create your own cashmere kimono-style sweater, paisley-lined blazer, or meticulously fitted cobalt dress shirt. The world is your oyster, mate. 132 Lincoln St., Boston , MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
The Blue Bunny
Once in a blue moon, you get a Blue Bunny. Cofounded by children's author-illustrator Peter H. Reynolds (The Dot, The North Star) five years ago, the magical little bookshop has grown into an area hub of reading and imagination. In scarcely more than 1,000 square feet it offers classic kids' books, young-adult novels (some for grownups, too), and lots of low-tech, high-fun games. But more than that, it provides a genuine springboard for creativity. There's always an art or writing workshop planned, and this spring the store launched a magazine created by and for youngsters called The Hutch—underscoring how rare this Bunny truly is. 577 High St., Dedham, MA 2026, .
Au Soleil Catering
Turning out memorable meals in private homes—which often means tight quarters and picky palates—is a task that could sap any chef's muse. No surprise the catering arm of the vaunted L'Espalier/Sel de la Terre group is more than up to the challenge. Planning a small fete, we laid out the hurdles: seafood allergies, vegan diets, decorating don'ts. Au Soleil fired back with scads of ideas, including using petits fours as favors and dressing the table with bouquets of our favorite blooms. From intimate dinners to 600-person galas, this event-maker handles every gathering with aplomb. 148 Hampden St., Boston, MA 2119, ausoleilcatering.com.
The Maids Home Services
A lack of hassle is one major thing to look for in a cleaning service; the other, sparkling results. The Maids are the sole local pros in the tidying-up business who nail both every time. Armed with a serious stash of cleaning products, the uniformed crews deploy from their sunny yellow vehicles with a speed-oriented, no-fooling-around plan that leaves every corner of the target home immaculate. And unlike some experiences we've had with other, larger services, the Maids have yet to mix up our keys with another client's, or let our indoor cat outside. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Wolfers Lighting
Buying a light should be a hands-on experience, and at this interactive showroom it is. There's a dimmer, switch, or knob on nearly every wall, as well as every kind of fixture imaginable, from funky frosted-glass sconces to crystal-draped chandeliers. Contemporary sculpted-glass pendants hang from one alcove while chrome-plated bedside lamps spill from another. Browse through several catalogs or speak to an expert staff member who can help plan individual rooms or large-scale projects down to every detail. From classical to completely funky, this selection of pieces from around the world is unrivaled. 103 North Beacon St., Allston, MA wolfers.com.
Vivant Vintage
Have you ever entered a store and immediately felt like you could spend hours perusing the racks? Well, that’s what it’s like to step into Vivant Vintage, where every item inspires a memory as well as a vision for how you might wear it. The Allston clothier has been around since 2011, when founder Justin Pomerleau started selling his collection from a homemade tricycle cart called “Le Pants King.” Fast-forward a decade, and the shop is a bona fide destination for everything from old-school Champion sweatshirts to Gucci scarves, sold both in-store and online. 318 Lincoln St., Allston, MA 02134, vivantvintage.com.
Designed by Delsie
Requiring serious organization skills, fine-tuned attention to detail, and unbridled creativity when it comes to design, modern-day wedding planning is not for the faint of heart. Yet somehow, Pearl “Delsie” Farquharson — the mastermind behind Boston- and Rhode Island–based Designed by Delsie — makes the whole thing look easy. Past collaborators rave about the expert’s poise under pressure, on-point vendor suggestions, and proactivity, while her smoothly executed (and highly personalized) events at posh venues including the Boston Harbor Hotel speak to her unwavering commitment to her clients’ visions. Consider us impressed. designedbydelsie.com.
Cape Cod Rail Trail
Lindsay Buckley They say the best things in life are free, something that certainly applies to this long, winding trail that spans 27.5 miles from Yarmouth all the way to Wellfleet. With vistas of ponds, cranberry bogs, and wildlife sanctuaries — not to mention an eclectic mix of specialty stores and cafés to recharge when the going gets tough — there’s plenty to see and do along the way. Major expansions and upgrades planned for the next few years, meanwhile, mean you’ll never get bored by the scenery. 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631, mass.gov/locations/cape-cod-rail-trail.
Sault New England
Owner Philip Saul knows that casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy. To wit: Where else can you try on Japanese selvedge denim in two contemporary, tailored fits? Whether you’re shopping for cheerful printed tees and canvas shorts for your next Cape vacation or fitted button-downs and slim-fit pants for breezy weekends in the city, playing it cool never looked this sharp. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Ports & Company
Along Route 3, it's the same sad story: shopping plaza after shopping plaza, each offering a slightly different version of the pants you've seen on every one of your coworkers. Break away from the crowd with a stop at this under-the-radar Cohasset storefront, which packs AG jeans, Nicole Miller dresses, cashmere sweaters, and other individualistic pieces onto shelf and rack. 23 S. Main St., Cohasset, MA 02025, portsandcompany.com.
Fête Collection
Why spend nights clicking through hundreds of Etsy shops when you have Fête? Serving as your local connection to the most talented designers, printers, and calligraphers across the country, the team of paper and etiquette experts here will help you choose everything from custom invitations to menus. You'll get the gold foil, embossing, and hand-lettering of your dreams coordinated through one friendly face, saving you the most precious resource of all during wedding planning: time. 345 D St., South Boston, MA 02127, shopfete.com.
Follain
Prepare to come in for a cleanser and leave with a changed life. Just one brief consult with a member of the dewy-skinned staff about the benefits of using natural products and you'll make plans to overhaul your bathroom cabinet. Luckily, it will take several visits to the Pinterest-worthy space to fill your shelves with serums, oils, and creams from Tammy Fender, True Botanicals, Osea, and May Lindstrom. 65 Charles St., Boston, 857-233-5211; 53 Dartmouth St., Boston, 857-284-7078; shopfollain.com. 65 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, shopfollain.com.