The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
Even if you don’t spring for the absurdly indulgent six-hour "Boston Breather" package—including a scrub, pedicure, facial, and more—it’s easy to while away the day at this 16,000-square-foot oasis four floors above Boylston Street. Book an aroma stone massage, detox wrap, or just a mani/pedi, and come early to relax in the vitality pool and steam room. Extend the aah with healthy bites at the Spa Café. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, mandarinoriental.com/boston/luxury-spa.
Ann Sousa
After hours in the chair and a few hundred bucks, your color had better be perfect. Sadly, that's not always how the story ends. And when a dye goes awry, it feels nothing short of disaster. Sousa will survey the damage and explain her plan of attack, patiently tackle the lengthy resuscitation, and ultimately get you that happy ending. Salon Mario Russo, 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Larry Fidalgo, Fidalgo Floors
The scene of the crime is that newly purchased, splendid Victorian house whose floors are battered by years of abuse and besmirched with coats of deck paint. Enter Larry Fidalgo and company—and 24 hours later, stunning pine planks gleam from beneath a coat of crystal-clear polyurethane. Not only does Fidalgo refinish soft- and hardwood floors, but he installs them, as well. Among his clients are the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Restoration Society of Charlestown. Which isn't a bad way to finish. Somerville, MA
KingFish Hall
Unless your mother has the culinary savoir-faire of Todd English, you likely did not grow up on "chowdah" that tasted anything like what you'll find at KingFish Hall. Hence, the house's smartly dubbed "Not the Clam Chowder Your Mother Made," a perfect blend of cream, clams, and potatoes, served with homemade oyster crackers. Should you get bored with the original concoction, there's always the lobster and corn chowder, or the mouthwatering gumbo and bisque. 188 South Market Building, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Allston Car Wash
Heaven knows it's not easy to be a car around here. Six months of winter spent sloshing around in salty slush, on-street parking under sap-oozing trees; scuffs earned on the mean streets around the Big Dig. That's where Allston Car Wash comes in. The tough but friendly employees at this Allston institution know how to transform a down-and-out car into a sparkling, good-as-new machine. In a few hours, they'll buff the exterior to a gleaming new shine and leave the interior cleaner than on the day it rolled out of the factory. A complete detailing costs about $150, but it will protect your car's finish for about half a year. And after all it endures for you, isn't your ride worth it? 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Patrice Vinci, Patrice Vinci Salon
Even before those grays started infiltrating our chestnut locks, we discovered Vinci's gift for color enhancement. Following our mirror-side chat, she conjured up the ideal shad—and voila, instant gorgeousness. Vinci's knowledge of color, style, and products is unmatched: Give her three hours and you'll be red-carpet ready. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, patricevinci.com.
Wyldflower Hair Studio
There’s nothing worse than spending hours in a salon chair only to come out with a too-short cut or hair that’s suddenly much blonder than you wanted. Thankfully, when we went in for an appointment at Wyldflower Hair Studio — the brainchild of Amanda Gillespie and Kristin Williams, two veteran stylists with more than 20 years of experience — our stylist listened to our vision, delivering glowing and subtle highlights and a blowout that lasted for days. 25 S. Main St., Cohasset, MA 02025, wyldflowerhairstudio.com.
Cuffs & Collars
Even the most reluctant shopper will enjoy Cuffs & Collars, which offers ample options for designing the perfect wedding-day getup. Host a private event in the store, where you and your crew can choose from thousands of fabrics with a cocktail in hand, or book the company’s “We Come to You” service, during which a tailor will take your measurements at your home or office and then send the finished product, made to order in Italy, to your door in just four to six weeks. One Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, cuffsandcollars.com.
Plaza Bar, Copley Plaza Hotel
Smoked oysters, mussels, pâté, tuna, cheese—all on a cart circulated through the room. Copley Square, Boston, MA .
Cusser's
During COVID, expanded hours and new sidewalk seating helped us rediscover the revelatory lobster rolls at Cusser’s, the street-level takeout window chef Carolyn Johnson built into the side of Mooncusser Fish House and Moon Bar. Red-wine butter sauce dresses juicy meat on the decadent hot version; tantalizing tarragon mayo, meanwhile, is used for the heavenly cold one. Either way, the perfectly griddled potato bun is a curbside craving all on its own. 304 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, cussersboston.com.
Long Haul Films
Don't leave your wedding video up to Uncle Dave and his shaky hands. Book Long Haul Films to produce a Hollywood-worthy trailer (three to five minutes) and a longer cut that you'll actually want to watch year after year. In total, Tom and Melissa Dowler and their shooters will unobtrusively capture eight to 10 hours of footage per wedding, documenting every fleeting tear, toast, and dance move. 107 South St., Boston, MA longhaulfilms.com.
Daedalus
Just a couple blocks from the Harvard T stop, this spot draws long lines for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. But it's not just the comfort-food eats we adore. Daedalus is equipped to serve your every need: Two bars on two floors are packed during happy hour; the upstairs dining room is intimate enough for a romantic meal; and the rooftop deck is ideal for summer-evening cocktails. 112 South St #5, Boston, MA 2111, .
Akris
Looking for an uncontrived and versatile suit that works equally well at the office and after hours? The Swiss-based house of Akris, which recently opened, stocks some of the smartest two-piece suits in town. Designer Albert Kriemler's obsession with form, fit, and fabric is evident in the attention to detail and tailoring in his traditional pant-jacket-and-skirt suits. The store also carries the lower-priced Punto collection, perfect for women who are searching for classic suiting with a bit of an edge. 16 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Persy's Place
Bring your reading glasses and a couple of hours to spare: The Persy's brunch menu lays out more than 100 possible orders, ranging from the expected (three eggs any style) to the bizarre (haddock poached in milk). You may need a few cups of joe just to power through the list of choices, but once you do, the payoff is sweet—especially if you decide to go for the yummy French toast made with fresh-baked bread, creamy crab Benedict, or above-par banana-walnut crepes. 52 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Mashpee, MA 2649, .
Meichi Peng
At a time when so many of us have adopted new furry friends, this handbag guru’s bespokedoggie totes (customized to your pet’s specific shape and size) have reached cult-hero status. But that’s not the only carryall Peng specializes in: Handmade in upholstery-level cowhide and buffalo leather, each of her sumptuous clutches, satchels, totes, belts, and accessories takes 12 to 50 hours to stitch — and it shows. 95 Broadway, Fl. 2, Boston, MA 02116, pengbags.com.