Boston Athletic Club
By far the most complete facility in the Hub. A South Station shuttle totes the club's downtown professional clientele to its palatial Summer Street facility; a kiddie gym takes care of the little ones while parents pump up; and a swimming pool, driving range, and squash, tennis, and basketball courts offer every possible perspirational opportunity. The BAC also has in-house trainers, nutritionists, hair stylists, masseurs and masseuses, and a restaurant and TV lounge. The BAC serves with fin-de-siècle family style, and members wouldn't have it any other way. 653 Summer St., Boston, MA .
Alex & Co.
The way it wriggles off a finger or pops out of its setting, you'd think jewelry had a mind of its own—one that knows how to roll juuuust out of reach under the refrigerator or, worse, straight down the garbage disposal. Capricious gems need a strong hand, which is where the dexterous staffers at Alex & Co. come in. They can restring, reset, or resize anything quickly and securely; if more-drastic measures are needed, owner Alexander Zamsky will pour his European design training into creating a brand-new piece guaranteed to fit, and look, a hundred times better. 100 Needham St. #1, Newton, MA 2464, alexandcompany.com.
Giordano's Restaurant
Before you board the ferry in Oak Bluffs, make time for one more taste of island living at its greasy, salty, satisfying best: a cardboard box full of Giordano's fried clams. Housed in a no-frills walk-up stand (there are a couple of picnic tables outside) just across from the Flying Horses carousel, Giordano's fries the clams in a light batter until they're crisp and serves them with fresh tartar sauce and lemon wedges. You could order a side of crunchy, boardwalk-style fries, but leave room instead to sample the superlative fried oysters or a lobster roll. 107-109 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA giosmv.com.
Flyer's Boat Rental
There are plenty of great day trips available on Cape Cod, from whale watches to dune tours, but no other excursion company offers them as comprehensively as Flyer's, master of everything on or in the water. The company has built a sturdy reputation for its well-kept vessels (from Sunfish to pontoons), reasonable prices, and professional instructors and staff who will bend over backwards to get you what you need—whether it's a seasoned captain for a 13-person cruise to Long Point, a simple kayak to rent, a mid-range power boat, a temporary mooring for the weekend, or a season's worth of sailing lessons. 131A Commercial St., Provincetown, MA flyersboats.com.
The Seasonal Table
Imagine, if you will, a place with simple, well-prepared foods, a courteous and friendly staff, and truly terrific international noshes. Welcome to the Seasonal Table—one-stop shopping for epicures and entertainers alike. Come with your picnic basket in hand and fill it with a smattering of perfectly aged cheese (try the beautiful ash-rolled cylinders of chèvre), fresh-baked bread and pastries, imported beer and wine, exotic ice creams, flavored oils, even elegant flatware and linen. On Sundays the baby grand in the corner comes to life while the "Seasonal Table Sopranos" serenade you. 61 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA .
Harvest
You have to order it specially because it isn't on the dinner menu, but the cheeseburger may just be the thing at this Harvard Square institution (brunch excluded). The meat is so fresh and lean, it makes you wonder if it's really ground filet mignon. Luckily, there's just enough fat to provide real flavor. This burger practically melts in your mouth. It's served on a wide, flavorful bun, with cheddar and fresh lettuce, tomato, and red onion, and a side of outstanding, crispy fries. The waitstaff may be a tad buttoned up, but that's forgiven with the first juicy bite. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA harvestcambridge.com.
Full Moon
Finally, a place where parents and toddlers can dine near each other— if not with each other— in peace. There's a cozy play space with a toddler-eye-level blackboard, dollhouse, and trucks. You get the crab cakes with aioli and organic greens; your kid chows down on macaroni and cheese. Chocolate milk is as plentiful as San Pellegrino here. Everything is top quality (there are even kosher hot dogs)— not that you'd expect any less from co-owner Cary Wheaton, cofounder of the Blue Room and East Coast Grill. 344 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Bia Bistro
That contented sigh that comes with shucking off the 9-to-5 suit in favor of jeans and a tee? It's the same one you might hear any night at this four-year-old bistro, as diners relax into its placid charms. Dusky red walls and buttery candlelight set the scene for chef Brian Houlihan's contemporary versions of European comfort-food classics, like duck confit with poached figs, steak au poivre, and tarte Tatin. Figure in a modest but irreproachable wine list, and a night at Bia goes down easy in every sense. 25 N. Main St., Cohasset Village, MA 2025, biabistro.com.
Sushi Island
Those who make frequent worshipful visits to this midsize sushi joint know it doesn't take much to coax chef-owner Junji Aoki out of his seemingly forbidding silence behind the bar. Just ask (and you might well have to ask, as specialties like firefly squid and monkfish liver aren't often glimpsed in suburban environments), and Aoki will tell you how a particular delicacy is prepared, and how long it'll be in season. Your taste buds, meanwhile, will tell you it's simply dynamite. 397 Main St., Wakefield, MA 1880, .
Cocoon
This family-run store may seem small, but it's packed with objects to render your home as cozy, chic, and vaguely exotic as its name. There are intricately beaded silk table runners, art deco picture frames, mammoth plants, exquisite scented candles, artsy salt and pepper shakers, gorgeous Asian antiques, and a flat-out stunning selection of French tulips, Chinese bamboo, and other exotic flowers available by the stem or bouquet. Make sure to allow ample browsing time, then circle back again; you're sure to stumble upon another unique piece you missed on the first pass. 170 Tremont St., Boston, MA cocoonhome.com.
Baja Betty's
Pardon the pun, but this was one of the most hotly contested categories this year. Happily for burrito lovers, the city has several delicious options; sadly, only one can become the best. This Brookline newcomer, a spin-off of a cheerful little hole-in-the-wall in New York, specializes in the Tex-Mex variety: rice, beans, pico de gallo, and your choice of fillings, such as carne asada (marinated charbroiled steak), chili colorado (lean pork in a spicy guajillo-chili-pepper suace), or pollo (chicken in a red moule sauce)—all rolled in a fresh-flour tortilla. 3 Harvard Square, Brookline Village, MA .
River Gods
Rather than coming off as calculated quirkiness, the gothic furniture and gargoyle motif at this under-the-radar Central Square taproom are mere curiosities, something you notice briefly before they fade into the all-encompassing hospitable vibe. A roster of ace DJs rotates out of a loft space above the bar, spinning a bit of everything—hip-hop, roots rock, punk, techno—as dressed-down patrons gather over killer drinks and French fries dunked in house-made roasted garlic aioli. Aside from the South End's smaller (and DJ-less) Delux Café, few other bars in this town have the confidence to aim for easygoing. 125 River St., Cambridge, MA 2139, rivergodsonline.com.
Flat Top Johnny's
Flat Top Johnny's runs the table. It's really no contest, considering most of Boston's pool halls are either shabby gin joints or cheesy meat markets. Flat Top's, by contrast, has a mellow punk vibe, a mix of Kendall Square professionals and Central Square rockers, and good tables. There are cool specials like Monday's nine-ball tournament and Tuesday's women's night. (God, even pool halls are going PC. Whatever happened to ladies' night?) The food's surprisingly good, and there's a beer for every palate and wallet—although we don't recommend drinking nine PBRs while playing your buddy for 20 bucks. One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA flattopjohnnys.com.
The Castignetti Compound
If you're a struggling artist who can't afford a studio, you're in luck. The Castignetti Compound in the North End wants to give you cheap space, coffee, grant books, computer access, and more. The Compound is a new artists' collective housed in the hollowed-out shell of a formal-wear store on Endicott Street—sort of a postmodern atelier, where the studio doubles as a gallery, and the main attraction is a bunch of artists working in makeshift open studios There's no privacy, of course, but there are, form time to time, musical benefits with some great local bands. 67 Endicott Street, Boston, MA .
The Nantucket Hotel
Very few hotels these days leave us with a deep feeling of appreciation — that bittersweet sadness we experience upon checking out that we don’t actually live there. Maybe it’s the complimentary antique fire-truck rides for the kids, or the plush robes offered in each room for the adults, or the two heated pools and the spa. Or maybe it’s all of those things combined that make this place feel so special — not to mention the overwhelmingly helpful, attentive staffers who seem like family by the time you sadly make your exit down the grand front stairway to head home. 77 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, thenantuckethotel.com.