Neiman Marcus
Smaller boutiques deserve snaps for cleverness and class, but no one touches Neiman's when it comes to sheer selection. Sole searchers here can browse through zebra-print Manolos, steel-heeled Kors slingbacks, Marc Jacobs espadrilles, and bejeweled Christian Lacroix sandals. And with plenty of stock and attentive service, it's that much easier to walk out with your best foot forward. Copley Place, Boston, MA neimanmarcus.com.
Q Optical
Optical issues are somber enough, so we love a spectacles shop that doesn't take itself too seriously. Such is the case at Q Optical, where visitors are greeted by whimsical, four-eyed steel sculptures and treated to fun and fancy frames by Gucci, Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, and Paul Frank. Need some snow and sun protection, too? Also on hand are ready-to-ride ski goggles and stylish shades. 287 Newbury St., Boston, MA qoptical.com.
The Art Store
From its creative workshops and tattooed employees to the epic collection of papers, every inch of the Art Store inspires creativity. The meticulously organized setting is the perfect place to lose track of time as you meander through wide aisles neatly packed with everything from standard paints, brushes, canvases, frames, journals, gifts, scrapbooks, and wrapping paper. Whether you're in the market for professional art supplies, a photo album, or rainy day children's games, the Art Store is the place to find your inner Degas. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA .
The Tannery
Boasting a crackerjack stable of labels and styles, the Tannery exists to serve the active male's foot: Will it be Clarks Wallabies for a stroll through the Back Bay or $220 Scarpa hikers for the Everest expedition? Johnston & Murphy loafers for the board meeting or Birkenstocks for the weekend on the Vineyard? An accommodating staff and two spacious locations ensure superb fitting and extensive inventory. Whatever the function, rest assured your well-shod feet will lead you there in style and comfort. 11A Brattle St., Cambridge, MA thetannery.com.
Vidal Sassoon
Still think Vidal Sassoon is about those cheesy '80s commercials? Not anymore. This international house has spearheaded trend after trend, and the Boston branch is particularly blessed with a dream team of hair artistes in colorist par excellence Laurel Elliot and the exacting stylist Dirk Diegel. Add to all that a widespread practice of professional but personal treatment punctuated by a notable lack of pretense, and you've got the consummate coiffure. 14 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Kelly's Funky Groove, Longfellow Club
Kelly's Funky Groove at Natick's Longfellow Club is for people who've been searching for a class to teach them how to avoid doing the "white man's overbite." The class is hop-hop-cum-philosophy of music and dance, and Kelly's enthusiasm is infectious. It's a rhythm thing: Leave your shy demeanor at the door and get funky. Bonus: Mothers and daughters often take this class together. 203 Oak Street, Natick, MA longfellowclubs.com.
Boston Car Service
Whether you need transportation for a big cheese from New York or just a ride to Logan at 3 a.m., traveling in a Boston Car Service sedan will do you right. Rates are easy on the check-book: From the Boston/Cambridge area to Logan, it's about $33 to ride in a swank Lincoln with a driver who asks your route and temperature preferences. Now this is living. 60 Kilmarnock Street, Boston, MA bostoncorpcoach.com.
Dirk Diegel, Vidal Sassoon
Fortunately for men seeking a haircut, Dirk Diegel of Vidal Sassoon styles and cuts like he was born with comb and scissors in hand. Trained in Hamburg, Germany, Diegel has done his thing at Vidal Sassoon for five years. He's been the manager for more than a year, but he still lavishes his talent on upwards of forty heads a week. If you're lucky enough, you'll let Dirk work his magic on your locks. 14 Newbury Street, Boston, MA sassoon.com.
Chicago Auto
Whatever your car's sexual orientation, it may find its home away from home at Chicago Auto, which started out serving the lesbian community, but has some of the mechanics in town. Founded by Boomer Kennedy in 1984, Chicago Auto is committed to helping women and men understand their cars. Customers praise the individual attention and the honest, upfront communication about what their repair and maintenance options are. Another perk: Loaner cars are free. 35 Tudor St., Cambridge, MA .
blu
Posh as they are, the folks behind the Downtown Crossing eatery Blu recognize that a bar menu just ain't a bar menu without fries, wings, and mozzarella sticks. Except here, of course, the fries are made from polenta and served with truffled cheese. The duck wings are cooked to a crisp, then tossed with charred jalapenos and honey. And the fried cheese? House-made smoked mozzarella slathered in spicy tomato crema and basil pesto. No nachos yet, possibly because they're still fine-tuning the artisanal guac. 4 Avery St., Boston, MA 2111, blurestaurant.com.
Sel de la Terre
For moms and dads who simply can't bear Ronald McDonald's plastic leer any longer, this French bistro is a godsend. A menu pour les enfants features beignets de poulet (chicken fingers) and tartine au fromage fondu (grilled cheese) with mounds of pommes frites. At brunch, brioche French toast with berries and baskets of fresh pastries will sate and soothe the hungriest toddler. Plus, the service ranks high with frazzled parents: Be it highchair requests or spill mop-ups, the waiters behave like saints. 255 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.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.
Davio's
We've long lamented the disappearance of the three-martini lunch. But if such a luxury were still to exist, it would go down at Davio's. Since relocating to its current perch in Park Square, Steve DiFillippo's institution of Italian dining has reclaimed a position of power. Well-heeled Back Bay business types shuffle in each afternoon, scarfing down generous portions of pasta with glasses of house-filtered water, on the rocks. 75 Arlington St., Boston, MA davios.com.
Umbria
Does Boston need another Italian restaurant? If it's Umbria, the answer is a resounding yes. Chef Marisa Iocco is turning out flavorful cuisine from Italy's bucolic central region, which means straightforward grilled, slow-braised, or brick oven-roasted food. It also means melt-in-your-mouth buffalo mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes, and moist, pan-seared cod loin with creamy celery root purée. And unlike its North End brethren, Umbria offers desserts—amazing ones, at that. 295 Franklin St., Boston, MA umbriaprime.com.
Brown Sugar Café
Serving huge portions of flavorful curries and other Thai specialties at affordable prices, Brown Sugar is a perfect match for the tastes and budgets of the undergrads, musicians, and medical students who live in this neighborhood. In addition to less fiery offerings like "Siamese Twins" (shrimp and chicken in a sweet-and-sour sauce), there are such authentic dishes as laarb gai (minced chicken in a spicy lime sauce). Service is prompt but friendly, and the free parking—limited, but a rarity in these parts—means outsiders can enjoy one of the city's best pad thais, too. 129 Jersey St., Boston, MA brownsugarcafe.com.