Bella Sante
Unlike the various do-everything McSpas around town, Bella Sante succeeds with a focused approach: extremely well-trained aestheticians; European-made products; a clean, comfortable space; and a changing slate of seasonal treatments. The friendly, unobtrusive staff excels in the art of paying attention, and will have you blissfully self-absorbed (what meetings? what kids?) in no time. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
Columbus Cleaners
In a city with dry cleaners on virtually every block, what makes Columbus stand out when it comes to airing your dirty laundry? For one, the eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning process (no perc here!). Second, the delivery app, which lets you get shirts and suits picked up from your home — and dropped back off — with the touch of a button. All in all, it’s a service that fits like a glove. Multiple locations, columbuscleaners.net.
Paul Connors, Radius
We searched high and low for another candidate, but we've found ourselves hopelessly devoted to Connors' thought-provoking, palate-pleasing, meal-punctuating desserts. He breaks away from the pack with such confectionery coups as sorbet made from Banyuls wine, tuiles made from buck-wheat flour, and ice cream made from mushrooms. And his crème brulée ought to be in a pastry museum somewhere. There's a reason why Connors reigns as pastry chef three years running. In a word: perfection. 8 High St., Boston, MA radiusrestaurant.com.
Turner Fisheries
Chowder, that most traditional of New England foods, could never be invented today. Leaving aside the Manhattanite abomination, a good chowder, with its base of salt pork and heavy cream, is a test of will to modern-day dieters. Turner Fisheries serves the most testing chowder of all. The broth is aromatic and fluid, not gagged with flour. Instead, it's dense with clams that taste freshly shucked and even sport the odd peppering of sand, while the seasoning is delicate enough to let the flavor of the shellfish come through. This is soup for a New Englander's soul. 10 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA turnersboston.com.
Bisq at Time Out Market Boston
There’s no secret ingredient in chef Alex Sáenz’s juicy, crispy fried chicken: It’s a simple flour coating. One bite and you’ll refuse to believe it, but it’s really all in the technique. A potato bun, bread-and-butter pickles, and ranch round things off for the sandwich form of his famous chicken. 401 Park Dr., Fenway, MA 02215, timeoutmarket.com/boston/eat-and-drink/bisq.
Legal Harborside
Or views, more like it: Nowhere else in Boston will you find three options for al fresco dining under one roof. All you need to do is pick your floor. Snag a coveted seat on the ground level’s harborside deck and tuck into fried clams while listening to the concert rocking at the nearby Pavilion; savor a splurge-worthy meal on the second floor’s secluded outdoor patio (complete with fireplace); or head all the way up to the third floor’s roof deck, where you can sip, snack, and savor views of the water and the city skyline rain or shine thanks to retractable glass walls. 270 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, legalseafoods.com.
Cantina La Mexicana
Bostonians who bemoan the city's dearth of real burritos have obviously never been to this Union Square standout. You won't find assembly line stations here, just hardworking cooks who steam flour tortillas then load them with rice, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole (ask for extra), grilled veggies, and your choice of meat. Trust us, this burrito will change the mind of even a stubborn aficionado. 247 Washington St., Somerville, MA 2143, lataqueria.com.
Hi-Rise Bread Company
Baked right on the premises with organic whole wheat, rye, and corn flours, Hi-Rise bread does a body good. In addition to more than a dozen breads offered on the menu, different specialty breads take turns haring the spotlight as bread of the day, seven days a week. The cell-phone-free environment, which is strictly enforced, ensures a wondrous, relaxing visit. Ingredients necessary: a good book, a cup of java, and a slice of some cinnamon-raising bread. 208 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA hi-risebread.com.
Simcha
Simcha is the Hebrew word for joy — and what joy we find in chef-owner Avi Shemtov’s Middle Eastern restaurant, ensconced in a tiny shopping plaza in Sharon. Inspired by the home cooking of his grandmother, who left Turkey for Israel in 1949, Shemtov puts his own unique spin on the cuisine of his ancestors: In his hands, couscous becomes arancini drizzled with smoked-egg aioli, and chickpea-flour fried chicken is served over a sweet-potato purée. The superb falafel, however, is a classic that requires no reimagining. 370 S. Main St., Sharon, MA 02067, simcharestaurant.com.
Feast & Fettle
After a few years of prepping three squares a day, it’s only natural to want to outsource the task of home cooking to someone, you know, outside the home. Thankfully, Rhode Island–based Feast & Fettle expanded its family-style meal delivery service to Greater Boston last year, and there’s something for everyone on the extensive menu. Bonus: The company has also been known to partner with local faves like Flour bakery and Blackbird Donuts for add-on treats. feastandfettle.com.
Polkadog
Baked fresh every day at the company’s Boston Fish Pier kitchen, the “Chicken Littles” bones — made with simple ingredients such as poultry, long-grain brown rice, and potato flour — are better quality than anything you’ll find at the grocery store. The brand’s dried cod skins and chickenstrip jerky are also guaranteed to say “top dog.” Multiple locations, polkadog.com.
Bark Place
The pro groomers at this cheerful canine emporium consult with customers to determine the right cut and style before brushing out, shampooing, conditioning, trimming, and drying each pooch to perfection—nail clipping and ear cleaning are included, but parents of truly pampered pups can opt for aromatherapy or massage add-ons. Bark Place also offers elevated DIY wash stations should your grass-rolling, dirt-digging pal need a bath between appointments. 1721 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, barkplacesouthend.com.
B&G Oysters
If hyperfresh seafood is the sole requirement, Legal and McCormick can deliver the same still-quivering quality for a few clams less. It takes a hypertalented chef like B&G's Barbara Lynch, however, to gussy it up with refined flavors and textures that accentuate without stealing the show. That intense focus on pristine ingredients is evident throughout the small, cleanly constructed menu. The cult-spawning lobster BLT is a study in restraint, and a sauteed halibut rings sweet above grassy artichoke, tangy tomato, and briny black-olive consomme. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA bandgoysters.com.
Lekker Home
Continuing their quest for the latest in clean, contemporary design, Lekker owners Natalie and Curt Carpenter have introduced several new lines to their store's stunning portfolio. John Derian's decoupage serving ware is a must-have, while the just-launched eco-friendly Central Station line is destined to become a classic. Lekker's selection of chic outdoor accessories (lanterns, bird feeders) and elegant tabletop essentials (coasters, serving trays), meanwhile, remains exceptional. 1317 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, lekkerhome.com.
Waterworks
Essentially a shrine to all things bath-related, Waterworks stocks handcut crystal sink accessories, refreshing grapefruit and ginger soaps, seductively quilted robes, and chrome faucet spouts so shiny you can see yourself in the reflection. With everything from cast-iron claw foot tubs to matte nickel toilet-paper holders, it's little wonder this temple of clean calls its tempting contents "jewelry for the bath." 103 Newbury St., Boston, MA .