The Shoe Horn
Brand names at reasonable prices, and two-for-one sales that are not to be missed. 1400 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
The Shepherd and the Lamb
One-stop source for books, music, toys, cards, and cunning cotton clothes. 449 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA .
Orson Welles Cinema
This i one of the few things the Welles continues to do right. 1001 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Dover Sea Grille
Great food in one of the very few Boston fish houses that take reservations. 1223 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
<em>A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green</em>
A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green for one glorious night at the Colonial.
<em>The Housing Project</em>, at the Boston Shakespeare Company
Choreographer Yoshiko Chuma presented one of the best constructions of the year.
Ribelle
One of the city’s hottest dining destinations does brunch right, with an outrageous sticky bun slathered with tangy cream cheese frosting and apple butter. 1665 Beacon St., Washington Square, MA 2445, ribellebkline.com.
Fairsted Kitchen
Drinking at this newcomer is like throwing one back in your grandmother’s foyer—if she served cocktails on draft and used vintage cordial glasses for shots, that is. 1704 Beacon St., Washington Square, MA 2445, fairstedkitchen.com.
Ten Tables J.P.
With a bar on one side and an intimate dining room on the other, Ten Tables J.P. has the neighborhood restaurant thing down pat. 597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, tentables.net.
Fun Food Snackery
Zero humdrum sundaes here. Dig into exotic shaved ice, crazy mounds of fruit, and Christina's ice cream, scooped by one sweet staff. 141 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, .
Michael Albor, the Loft
In the words of one $350-a-cut stylist (who thought the handiwork was his own), our Albor-made chestnut brown 'has never been better.' 207 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Hamersley's Bistro
Gordon and Fiona Hamersley pioneered the bistro-style restaurant in Boston. Many others have followed, but no one has topped them yet. 578 Tremont Street, Boston, MA .
Caruso's Pizzeria & Ristorante
Mike Caruso calls his popular pie the Zazza. It's a funny name for a pizza, but try one. You'll be saying Zazza all the time. 685 Main Street, Melrose, MA .
Figs
Todd English scores again! The white clam pie is just one of the great master-pizzas. Not even Pepe's in New Haven could touch this version. 67 Main Street, Charlestown, MA .
Tom Schmeisser, Marty's Liquors
The man who controls the Hub's biggest and best wine department (and one of the country's best) has a golden palate. But, most important, he's kind and helpful to everyone. 675 Washington Street, Newtonville, MA .