European Watch Company
The display cases at this Newbury Street shop hold luxe vintage and pre-owned watches (think Cartier, Rolex, and Jaeger-LeCoultre), as well as brand-new tickers. Visit the website to see what's in stock and make plans to buy, sell, or trade for a fair price. Employees know their stuff and service many brands on-site. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, europeanwatch.com.
<em>The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon</em>
Talk about the Curse. Shortly after the book came out this spring, Gordon had his record consecutive-save streak snapped, then blew out his arm. As for King he got hit by a van on the road near his Maine home.
Ronnie Brissete, The Yoga Studio
Teaching in a beautiful home studio, this yoga expert has a loyal following—and an unbounded passion for her discipline. Individual and group classes are taught with precision, kindness, and humor. Her specialty, the Iyengar style of yoga, results in the mind-blowing sensation of a rigorous physical workout mixed with a soothing mental escape. 57 Waverly St., Brookline, MA .
Saks Fifth Avenue
Finding the perfect sole match can be tough, but the selection at Saks will keep you on sure footing. Like works of art displayed on pedestals, the range of couture styles makes this destination a regular stop among fashion addicts for delicate Jimmy Choos, tropical-hued Prada slings, and Tods flats. 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA saksfifthavenue.com.
L.J. Peretti Co.
Like cigars, but can't stand the sort of people who go to cigar bars? Take home a box from Peretti's instead. These guys have been around since 1870, which practically makes them the Puritans' tobacconists. 2.5 Park Square, Boston, MA .
Michelle Caruso, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Inheritor of Brian Mooney's mantle as the town's most tenacious investigator, Caruso was the first to begin unraveling the Mary Beth Lenane story, and was all alone on the poisoning of two children in a Roxbury foster home. When you think of Caruso, the word unrelenting comes to mind.
Symphony Sandwich Shop
The kishke here is cooked on a grill so that the outside (which is the intestinal lining of a cow or calf) gets nice and crisp. The stuffing is a flavorful mixture of matzo meal, onion, rendered chicken fat, and spices, and the whole thing is smothered in a good meat gravy. 182 Mass. Ave., Boston, MA .
Saks Fifth Avenue
Shoe heaven is, in fact, a place on earth—and you can find it at this second-floor salon, where heels from Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and other stalwarts mingle with pairs from rising stars like Tabitha Simmons and Sophia Webster. In short: If your soles need saving, look no further than Saks. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 2199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Antonio Vitale, Studio for Hair
When the avant-garde salons of Newbury Street mistake overzealousness for creativity, only one man can come to the rescue: Antonio Vitale. You won't find posh ambiance here; Vitale revels in his tiny Kenmore Square studio's perfunctory décor and pretense-free atmosphere. Instead, come for careful, thoughtfully rendered hair coloring. The 29-year-old sixth-generation stylist started working with hair at 11 in his father's studio and came back to it after years of toiling as an artist. That's exactly what he still is—an artist layering subtle shades of color to tone down or brighten in all the right spots, fixing what has been put asunder and putting his clients at ease through every step of the process. 464 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA studioforhairboston.com.
Scampo
Its serendipitous location—just a bulkie roll's throw from where drunk-grub mecca Buzzy's Roast Beef once stood—is one reason why Scampo gets our late-night bucks. More important, it's also steps from fellow Liberty Hotel denizens Clink and Alibi, whose hormone-charged bar scenes can overwhelm even the most dedicated carouser. When it's time to retreat, follow the scent of garlic down to Lydia Shire's Italian-inspired eatery for crusty pizzas, fresh-baked flatbreads, burrata BLTs, and other starchy, cheese-laden hangover preventives, all served till 11 (and pizzas till midnight). And for those not ready to cash it in yet, Scampo's potent cocktails will keep that buzz going. 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, scampoboston.com.
O Ya
As sushi has gone mainstream, it's become increasingly run-of-the-mill: rolls, rolls, and more rolls, with too much rice and tasteless (and, frequently, cooked) fish. O Ya doesn't even offer rolls, just sparklingly fresh sashimi and nigiri—including heretofore unseen specialties like big-eye red snapper, conch, and Santa Barbara spot prawn. With a surgeon's precision, chef-owner Tim Cushman and his line of sushi sous pair each fish with thoughtfully chosen exotic adornments like Thai basil and torched banana pepper mousse, and one of dozens of house-made sauces. The results—like the bluefin tataki with smoky pickled onions and truffle oil—are transporting. 9 East St., Boston, MA .
The Daily Stroll
Sign up your four-legged friend for 30-to-60-minute walks that avoid toxic ice melt in the winter and hot pavement in the summer; off-leash pup playgroups; or daycare, where they’ll enjoy lounging on couches and playing with toys. Your dog will come home tired but happy and ready to snuggle. thedailystrollllc.com.
Anh Hong
This Dorchester destination offers up traditional home-style dishes for those daring to venture beyond bowls of pho or bánh mì. Hungry? Pair ca kho to (caramelized clay-pot fish) with an order of canh chua (sour soup) and a side of white rice, or spring for the seven-course beef, bò 7 món. 291 Adams St., Dorchester, MA 02122, .
Siemasko + Verbridge
Thad Siemasko and Jean Verbridge lead a skilled team of organized, disciplined architects whose greatest talents come from knowing what makes a house a home, as seen in such recent projects as a cozy mountain retreat built into a quiet urban hideaway. Beverly, MA svdesign.com.
Beehive the Salon
Whether you’re looking for a pastel-pink ombré that fades just so or you need help with a few pesky grays, these ladies listen well and execute flawlessly. Unlike at salons in the city, you won’t find tiers of stylists: Here the whole team comes highly recommended and highly trained. 8 Standish St., Duxbury, MA 02332, beehiveduxbury.com.