The Bookstore Café
Not only can you sit in a dining area upstairs, attractively done in butcher block and ferns, but you can peruse a how-to-cultivate-ferns tome while you sip your coffee. South Market Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Mango liquado from Carmen's Place
Blended mango, milk, and honey, with cinnamon or nutmeg to taste. But let your imagination soar: you can combine any of the available fresh fruits with milk, yogurt, or ice cream, plus honey and fresh-ground spices. 52 Boylston St., Cambridge, MA .
La Piccola Venezia
After a short slump, the food is better than ever, the prices as low as ever, and the house red wine as much fun as ever. There's even a waitress who'll sing "Happy Birthday" in Italian. 63 Salem St., Boston, MA .
Castle Island
This is where Whitey used to go to commune with nature, collect his thoughts, and avoid electronic surveillance. If you happen to run across him now while on your daily constitutional, we hear there's a reward.
Chamber Theater Productions
Here's to a 16-year-old Boston-based for-profit company so successful with its touring theatrical productions for junior and senior high school students that it is now able to be a corporate sponsor and support other local arts organizations.
Ann Brown Allen
This gifted member of the Dance Collective has guested with numerous local companies and brought the house down on several occasions—most notably during her solo performance this past spring at the Joy of Movement Studio Theater.
Jeffrey Lyle, Emerge
A savior for those dying to have born-with-it blond locks, Lyle mixes up a shade so natural and places it so artfully that your roots will be ashamed to show themselves. 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, emergespasalon.com.
Darren Le
Le considers himself, as he puts it, a teaching artist. That means a snip session with this rising star will not only rock your locks, but also leave you a wiz at recreating the Le-styled look in the weeks to come. G2O Spa and Salon, 338 Newbury St., Boston, MA g2ospasalon.com.
Patch NYC
Need a one-of-a-kind present for a house-warming or dinner party? Step into designers Don Carney and John Ross’s funky shop for vibrant throw pillows, fragrant soaps, and more. 46 Waltham St., Boston, MA patchnyc.com.
Bundle of Hope
Be prepared to drop a bundle here: As soon as you spy the Zutano casualwear and fancy attire from European lines Petit Bateau and Deux Par Deux, you won't be able to resist stocking your kids' closets. 146 Front St., Scituate, MA 2066, bundleofhope.net.
The Tannery
Whether you're lacing up for work or a workout, the Tannery has your soles covered. The vast selection of footwear encompasses most makes—Clarks, Sperry, Converse—and models—wingtips, boat shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals. 711 Boylston St., Boston, MA thetannery.com.
Florabunda
Okay, so they don't have the largest selection in town, but they do have beautiful fresh flowers at half price on Saturdays, making it affordable to always have lots around the house. 280 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA .
Oleana
The theatrics alone make this starter ($9), accented with peaches and sweet peppers, a winner: A waiter pours the anise-flavored liquor over the salty cheese, then lights the dish on fire. The light show is impressive; the taste, even better. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 2139, oleanarestaurant.com.
Frameworks
For a 50¢ fee and the cost of materials, Karen Swain's staff will help you select your frame, cut the materials for you, and instruct you step by step thereafter. It's as close as some of us will ever get to the creative process. 7 Upland Road, Cambridge, MA .
Fishelon Florist
If it's green and grows, you'll probably find it here: an Eden of house plants and cut flowers. If they don't have what a customer is looking for, the owners are happy to special order it. 23 Charles St., Boston, MA .