Kitchen Arts
Next time you need a hard-to-find imported baking pan, follow your inner Escoffier to Kitchen Arts. From culinary esoterica (a one-inch funnel or a rolling mincer) to basics (need your knives sharpened?), these kitchen wizards have it all, including five lines of high-performance cookware. There are good old American brands alongside fancy European makes, and no fewer than 20 types of coffeemakers (stovetop percolators, French presses, and filter drips). Don't worry if your cooking skills extend little beyond boiling water. The employees know of what they speak and want you to enjoy the time you spend in your kitchen. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
The Brendan Behan Pub
When he wasn't behind bars, Irish writer and nationalist Brendan Behan was usually bellied up to a bar. Odds are, he would've felt right at home in the Jamaica Plain pub named for him. Small and smoky, the Behan is everything a pub should be: buzzing with a friendly mixed clientele of tattoos and suits, all there for the good conversation and, of course, some top-notch Guinness. Occasional Irish seisuns and other entertainment—including play readings and storytelling—make this an even more ideal place to lose yourself for a few hours. Certainly worlds better than an English prison. 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA brendanbehanpub.com.
City Express
If you need to get something somewhere in this perpetually gridlocked city quickly, you have two options: hire City Express, or . . . okay, you've got only one option. Rain, wind, traffic jams, and subway breakdowns fail to thwart this company's army of messengers, who quietly, safely, and responsibly complete rush deliveries, often along custom routes established for regular customers. Full disclosure: We use City Express. Fuller disclosure: We use City Express because they're the most reliable and efficient service out there. And—novelty of novelties—they staff the phones 24 hours a day to fine-tune delivery schedules. 201 South St., Boston, MA cityexp.com.
Dennis Duffy, Duffy Design Group
We could spend hours extolling the glories of Duffy's handiwork. He has, after all, single-handedly spiffed up some of the city's most stylish residences and commercial spaces—Manny Ramirez's pad and the Charlesmark Hotel among them. But while Duffy's signature soft contemporary vision may be breathtaking—and it is breathtaking—in the end, it's how he works with people that counts. Client after client remarks about his flexibility, his positive attitude, punctuality, respect for budgets, and diligence in meeting demands. In short, he actually listens and, thus, ultimately proves that his ear is every bit as good as his eye. 516 East Second St., South Boston, MA duffydesigngroup.com.
Pomodoro
Pomodoro's flavorful, creative offerings reconcile the old Italian with the new. The food retains a simple, traditional character—which should not read as dull or unimaginative, whatever you may have come to expect after numerous "red sauce" menu encounters so often in the North End. But when the menu branches out, it doesn't wander so far that it becomes vaguely "Mediterranean." The servings are generous but have other salient features. The dishes aren't excessively decorative and sprouty, and the atmosphere is casual and friendly. Note of caution: Hour-long waits are not unusual. 319 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
InterContinental Boston
Considering the onslaught of just-opened and recently renovated hotels, it's a good time to be a guest in Boston (if a somewhat less good time to be a hotelier). How to stand out among the expected 300-thread-count sheets, Frette robes, designer bath products, and 24-hour room service? The glossy waterfront InterContinental outshines the competition (literally—its wavelike structure is swathed in reflective glass) with all of the above, plus a spa, a gym, three novelty restaurants, and one of the biggest ballrooms in town. The quick, courteous employees are a business traveler's dream; the mini esplanade along nearby Fort Point Channel, a stroller's delight. 510 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA intercontinentalboston.com.
Beauport Hotel Gloucester
A glam restaurant that looks like a midcentury ocean liner, live entertainment, a heated rooftop pool high above the sea, oversize rooms (some with fireplaces!) so close to the harbor that you feel like you’re on a cruise — there’s a lot to love about Gloucester’s stately Beauport. Best of all is the location: Close to the HarborWalk and Stage Fort Park and just a short shuttle ride to the muchloved Good Harbor Beach, the hotel is an ideal getaway whether you live a few hours or a few minutes away. 55 Commercial St., Gloucester, MA 1930, beauporthotel.com.
Outdoor Voices
No matter if you’re hosting a Zoom meeting or clicking over to a virtual lunchtime yoga session, you won’t want to hide Outdoor Voices’ (pictured) bold, eye-catching leggings and ultra-soft sweats. The company’s sustainably sourced activewear, after all, was designed for “doing things,” whether those things are running for miles or running your business (and your life) from your kitchen counter. 31 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, outdoorvoices.com.
West Medford Spa
You can't really improve the crummy lottery odds by changing your ticket source—the Lottery Commission takes care to spread the winners around town—but if your misery loves company, you should take your transaction to this high-volume newsstand. It sells more total lottery ticket,—winners and losers—than any other outlet. West Medford, MA
Louis Boston
Hey, you—in the cargo pants and Chucks. Casualwear is fine for casual moments, but your big client meeting, your anniversary dinner, and for-the-love-of-Christ your best friend's wedding call for something far spiffier. At Louis Boston (go on, it's not as scary as it looks), made-to-measure and ready-to-wear suits from Brioni, Kiton, and Dries Van Noten make dressing up a cinch. Even easier-going ensembles by such names as Neil Barrett and Annapuna put postcollege khakis to shame. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Giuliano Hair Design and Day Spa
When the week has left you flagging, buck up your spirits and your body with a total rejuvenation—roots to toes—at Giuliano, where they're at your service seven days a week. Robert Nazzaro does great color, the waxing and manicure services are first-rate, and a massage and reflexology treatment with Karen will get you back in shape to soldier into Monday. Soon to come: expanded facilities with a hydrotherapy tub. 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Maxime Salon
Nothing disappoints like a colorist who listens to your needs, then executes an entirely different shade. Swear off such nasty surprises by enlisting Ronit Enos to help your hair. Her expert team does an exhaustive preprocess consultation with every client before creating intricate highlights and lustrous glazes. The only surprise here is a pleasant one: how natural your hair looks afterward. 124 Washington St., Norwell, MA maximesalon.com.
Jody Adams
If she's good enough for the James Beard Foundation, she's good enough for us. Some people complain about the through-the-roof prices—they're just whiners. Not only is the food inspired, fresh, and beautifully presented, your waiter is also professional and friendly (without crouching by your table to become your new best friend). Ritalo, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA .
Guerda Massage & Skin Care
Whether you’re sore from training for a marathon or sitting at your laptop, Guerda Paul’s expert strokes, hot stones, steamy towels, and bonus foot exfoliation will make you feel like you left your old body on the table when you walk out of her studio. The Grettacole and Bella Santé alum has a knack for finding those tight spots in your back while making you feel completely, utterly at ease in the process. 47 River St., Wellesley, MA 02481, guerdamassagetherapy.com.
Niche
Does your windowsill already resemble a jungle, but you still need one more hedgehog aloe? Is your sun porch incomplete without twin philodendrons flanking the entrance? Then you just might be the kind of urban gardener Niche caters to. Its two retail locations are all-in-one stops for plants, pots, soil, fertilizer, tools, and, yes, more plants, letting you indulge your green thumb without sacrificing your prime city real estate. 619 Tremont St., Boston, MA nicheplantshop.com.