Akris
This Swiss fashion house does many things well, but it’s the ultra-contemporary everyday women’s wear that really shines, pushing boundaries with funky patterns and unusual details (think brightly colored tulip-field prints and daring clusters of cutouts). The streamlined trench coats, tunics, and tailored pants are the stuff dream closets are made of. Correction, June 28, 2016, 4:30 p.m.: The address for Akris has been updated. It is located at 29 Newbury Street, not 16 Newbury Street. We regret the error. 29 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, akris.ch.
Palehound
Photograph by Luis Ruiz Ellen Kempner’s vocal melodies have a tendency to shoot up high without warning, just like her hands on the fretboard of her guitar during bouts of frenzied rocking. It’s this unpredictability that brings excitement to Dry Food, the debut album from her band, Palehound. The trio recently made an appearance at Boston Calling, where after their last song, Kempner said, appropriately enough, “We’re Palehound, from right here!” The band plans to record their follow-up in the fall. Here’s hoping they go far, but always remain nearby. palehound.bandcamp.com.
The Maids
Amid a flurry of cleaning services catering to on-the-go urbanites, the Jamaica Plain outpost of this national operation shows an unbeatable blend of polish and professionalism. After setting the appointment and sending an e-mail confirmation, your cleaning team will arrive armed with grime-busting equipment and a dozen sprays, as well as a rigorous 22-step plan for restoring your home's sparkle. The Maids will even pick up and drop off your keys at work—another excellent reason to fork over the $159 fee, which is lowered if you book monthly follow-ups. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Christine Moore, Umi Salon
Ladies, cancel your lunch appointments: Color correction is no 10-minute miracle. Plan to spend at least a few hours in Christine Moore's chair while she analyzes the look you were going for, and what went horribly wrong; she'll detail the multi-step repair process, translating enigmatic salon-speak ('opacity,' 'porosity') into terms you actually understand, before working her hair-repair wonders. The color-removal potion might stink to high heaven, but the brilliantly natural results make it worth every whiff. 75 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, umisite.com.
Helena's
Refreshingly chic silhouettes from Olian, Ripe, Paper Denim, and Inca Mama are enough to recommend Helena's. So are the racks of nonmaternity styles, which include tees by Johnny Was and trapeze tops by Tulle that can be repurposed by those with baby bumps (instantly dressing up, say, a pair of Gap Maternity stretch pants). What puts Helena's over the top, however, is its location, flanked by like-minded businesses Wild Child (see above) and Isis Maternity. In one fell swoop, moms-to-be can purchase a come-hither cocktail dress, sign up for a prenatal yoga class, and test-drive the stroller of the moment. 397 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2474, .
Giacomo's
Giacomo's South End location is just like its bustling counterpart on Hanover Street, only without the tourists lined up at the door. Affable co-owner John Taglieri makes guests feel at home as waiters whisk perfectly seasoned pasta dishes and sophisticated dinner specials to their tables. Portions are generous, so sharing is advised—particularly if you plan on taking advantage of another feature that makes this red-sauce joint stand out from most of its North End rivals: It serves dessert, including a killer tiramisu. 431 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Harvard Square Eye Care
Since a world-class education calls for plenty of high-caliber peering and scrutinizing, we weren't surprised to find our winner within a tome's throw of Harvard and MIT. Expanded last year to a second location, the doctor-owned Harvard Square Eye Care has been honing the vision of area academics for more than 40 years. Employees are notably agile when it comes to untangling insurance plans, and a full lab at the Porter Square shop means speedy turnaround on orders. Scouting trips to Europe keep the frame selection ultrafashionable, from the industrial cool of Germany's Axel S. to the French flair of Lafont. Even nonbrainiacs will appreciate the ever-so-smart-looking results. 19 Dunster St., Cambridge, MA 2138, harvardsquareeyecare.com.
“Boston Strog”
It was meant to revive the slogan that got us through another difficult time, the marathon bombings. What it became was viral gold, and a goodhearted laugh when we all needed it most. Instead of running the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day as she’d planned, MGH nurse Lindsay Devers set out to spell “Boston Strong” on her phone’s GPS app by zigzagging through the Back Bay along her own 26.2-mile route. But in her sweaty haste, she left out the “n,” leading to one of the funniest typos in memory: “Boston Strog.” Though the moment spread far and wide on the Internet, in a rare bit of mercy, commenters gave her an out: Maybe the missing “n,” they offered, stood for “nurse.”
Bauer Wines & Spirits
You've planned the menu and invited the guests. Now you need the perfect wine to make the dinner party a success. Look no further: Bauer Wines & Spirits buyer Howie Rubin knows his wines, has an encyclopedic knowledge of food, and can direct even the most confused oenophobe to the right bottle. Rubin may not offer as expansive a selection as some shops, but the juice he stocks is superlative, and his advice—unobtrusive but freely offered for the asking—is comforting and practical. He and his well-trained staff can steer you toward the perfect bubbly for caviar, the ideal sauvignon blanc for oysters, or a new shiraz for lamb to suit your menu, taste, and budget. Added bonuses: Cases are sold at a discount of 10 percent and delivery is free. 330 Newbury St., Boston, MA bauerwines.com.
Harvard Square Eye Care
Since a world-class education calls for plenty of high-caliber peering and scrutinizing, we weren't surprised to find our winner within a tome's throw of Harvard and MIT. Expanded last year to a second location, the doctor-owned Harvard Square Eye Care has been honing the vision of area academics for more than 40 years. Employees are notably agile when it comes to untangling insurance plans, and a full lab at the Porter Square shop means speedy turnaround on orders. Scouting trips to Europe keep the frame selection ultrafashionable, from the industrial cool of Germany's Axel S. to the French flair of Lafont. Even nonbrainiacs will appreciate the ever-so-smart-looking results. 19 Dunster St., Cambridge, MA 2138, harvardsquareeyecare.com.
Twinkle Star
Hey, we have no quibbles with Winnie the Pooh's red belly shirt or Corduroy's hobo-chic overalls. Our storybook buds have long proven they can work the one-piece look. Kids need more head-to-toe options, though. To outfit your own little character, look to Twinkle Star. Recently relocated to Porter Square from Somerville, this boutique covering infants to age seven now features a broader mix of big names (Le Top, Zutano) and love-at-first-sight labels (Beary Basics, Revo Baby) than the hipster-kid boutiques you'll find in the Back Bay. Twinkle Star's prices are friendlier, too. Owners (and parents of three) Kerri and Lucas Friedlaender have an eye for eco-friendly wares, like Kicky Pants' silky bamboo separates, and modern colors. Cambridge, MA 2140,
Lotfi Saibi, Mediterraneo Bistro
Is it okay to pocket a profit on a charity dinner that never happens? Mediterraneo Bistro's chef/owner Lotfi Saibi apparently thinks so. When low ticket sales forced the cancellation of an event planned by Canton businessman Jay Essa to buy new wheelchairs for disabled children, Saibi said he should be able to keep the deposit, since he'd arranged to close the restaurant—albeit on a Monday night, and with two weeks' notice of the cancellation. When pressed to at least give the deposit to charity, he coughed up $500—out of $3,600. After all the grief, Saibi held his own fundraisers for the school. Tickets sold for $85 and Saibi donated $55 from each one sold. In addition, he wrote a personal check for $1,100 to the Massachusetts Hospital School.
Urban Soirée
When up-and-coming event planner Renée Sabo launched her own boutique firm in 2017, she quickly established herself as one of the city’s go-to vendors. While her creativity and attention to detail shine through in each wedding the Urban Soirée founder brings to life, it’s her deep commitment to her clients and community that impresses most. When the coronavirus outbreak threatened to derail untold brides’ and grooms’ big days, for example, Sabo sprang into action, sharing crucial postponement and rescheduling advice on her blog and teaming up with fellow pros to offer gratis planning consultations for local couples in distress—true leadership, if ever we’ve seen it. urbansoireeboston.com.
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.
Bob Smith's Wilderness House
First things first: If you're still skiing on old-fashioned straight skis, you should be ashamed of yourself. Skiing has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, thanks to improvements in equipment. Shorter, curved skis can make first-timers look like Picabo Street, and Bob Smith's Wilderness House is where to find them. The accessible, knowledgeable staff begins by determining where you'll be skiing (hard-core New England ice and rocks, or pansy-pants West Coast powder), your ability level, and budget, then points you to (and custom fits) the perfect pair. The wide selection—from Rossies to Völkl, K2 to Dynastar—means there's a fit for everyone. The shop also stocks a wide range of apparel and accessories, with everything from glove liners to back-country ski gear, and its end-of-season sales are a favorite with skiers in the know. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .