JM Curley
This half-pound-plus burger is big, fat, and perfectly spiced. Toppings of cheddar, griddled onions, pickles, and house Russian dressing—which meld together without causing a mess—only make it better. 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA jmcurleyboston.com.
Geneses Salon
What better way to cure a case of the drabs than to change your hair color? Whether you want a few streaks or a drastic color change, Geneses colorist Lisa can be trusted to get it right. 170 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Neale Eckstein and Norman Goldberg
When Eckstein's two Maltese dogs play with your kids and sit on their lap while they're in the chair, they'll forget they're at the d-e-n-t-i-s-t. Concord and Malborough, MA
Daloz the Cleaner
Unless you're up for ironing your own shirts and tablecloths, you won't get a better job anywhere in the area. And you pay for what you get: plenty. 11 Humphrey St., Dorchester, MA .
The Original Sports Saloon
"No brag, just fact," is the slogan of this 1993 Massachusetts Grande Barbecue Champion which takes the business of serving succulent ribs quite seriously. The only place these ribs will stick is in your memory. 47 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Joyce Kulhawik, Channel 4
Best last year and still the one to watch. Sorely missed when the Boss opened his national tour in Worcester while she was out sick. Nice to have you back, Joyce.
A Few Good Girls
Kids have so few good role models in the entertainment industry today. A Few Good Girls, a four-woman hip-hop dance group from Boston and Newton, is dedicated to dancing—and to promoting positive image.
Guitar Center
Unmatched selection, salespeople who are available but not pushy, and a policy of matching any price in the country make this a musician's Disneyland. Find the classic ax of your dreams here, or just spend a pleasant afternoon sampling the goods in the store. 750 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Ittoku
There's a reason the crowd at this izakaya always spills onto the street. The sashimi's so fresh it tastes like it swam onto your plate, the beef yakitori crackles with charred flavor, and the ramen portions are more than generous. 1414 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02134, .
Newbury Boston
Looking for picturesque views to go with your room-service breakfast and Frette robe? Touch down at the Newbury Boston, where the sparkling-new rooms overlook the Public Garden and the Common. One Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thenewburyboston.com.
Barneys New York
A wise woman once said the only thing separating us from animals is our ability to accessorize. (Actually it was Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias, but still, she was on to something.) What luck that Barneys has arrived to pacify our inner savages. The new two-story spot features bags, bangles, and beaded things from 220 designers, including totes by Goyard, shades by Oliver Peoples, pendants by Sonya Ooten, and cashmere scarves by Evelyne De Clercq. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
When it comes to outfitting our home, we want it all—high style, gorgeous fabrics, American-made pieces—at a fair price, of course. That's why we always make this Boston-area furniture chain our first stop. Whether we're placing a custom order or browsing higher-end brand knockoffs, we get the same white-glove service, without breaking the bank. 142 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, mitchellgoldboston.com.
Odessa Instant Shoe Repair
Our poor, overloved clogs—not much left of the heel but a few pieces of chewed-up yellow foam. Bracing for a lecture on proper shoe care, we nervously carried them into Odessa. To our delight, the kindly proprietor lifted them up lovingly and assured us they would be fine. And a week later he delivered a perfectly handmade new heel for each, plus fresh soles and heels for several equally battered pairs of boots. 3 Center Plz., Boston, MA 2108, .
BodyScapes
No pain, no gain? We so understand that phrase. Our first day at BodyScapes was a bit of a shock: Our butts were kicked—hard—as one of manager Jerry Labbate's six smiling trainers guided us through a series of squats, lunges, lifts, and sprints so intense we ached for days. But then one morning, two months later, we suddenly awoke with abs. Real, defined abs. And biceps. And calves. And—did we mention?—abs! One Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, bodyscapesinc.com.
Atria
First things first: On an island, going out for a great dinner shouldn't mean you have to shackle yourself in a sport coat. That's why this contemporary but elegant Edgartown restaurant wins our praise and our devotion for its delicious interpretations of standard New England dishes—wok-fired lobster, with an outstanding taste and texture, for example. So settle into a seat in the low-key dining room or the surprisingly hip subterranean lounge and dive into the pan-seared Georges Bank scallops. 137 Main St., Edgartown, MA atriamv.com.