Stone Soup Caf
It's barely noon and hungry lunchers slurping down soups already fill this bright and homey Ipswich café. Whether it's curried butternut squash, spicy black bean, or ripe tomato that strikes your fancy, every one is made from farm-fresh ingredients—and it shows. If you're particularly hungry, pair your bowl with a veggie-stuffed wrap or seared scallops over pasta, or just go with a second helping of that creamy lobster bisque. Zero Central St., Ipswich, MA 1938, .
Menton
So many spots that boast great service smother you with attention, inserting themselves into your dinner conversation at every turn. Not Menton, where service isn't so much about delivering as it is about mind-reading—knowing the precise moment to whisk away an empty champagne flute, produce a fresh napkin, or appear with a few more brioche toasts for your foie gras—and then vanish. 354 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, mentonboston.com.
A. Russo and Sons
If you're fed up with the less-than-appealing look and less-than-inspiring selection of veggies at your local chain grocery, head over to A. Russo and Sons. It may be a bit of a hike, but you'll realize it's well worth your while as soon as you step into this adorable shop overrun with greens and boasting the best selection and best-tasting produce around. Never again will you be satisfied with that limp zuke from the chain groceries. 560 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA .
The Ice Cream Works
The best thing about an ice cream cake is that once it comes out of the freezer, the party has to begin. Think of two of your favorite flavors of ice cream, throw in a handful of M&M's, add in a crunch of chocolate chip cookie, a layer of fudge for good measure, and it's party time. Whether it's a birthday party for 27 five-year-olds or a co-worker's last day, The Ice Cream Works can customize and freeze your own personal subzero fantasy. 1663 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Lester Harry's
This colorful shop has everything a baby needs to live in style from birth forward. From Kate Spade diaper bags and tiny Petit Bateau hooded sweaters to underwear basics and footies, it's all here. With tons of toys and simply adorable accessories (soft-as-your-baby's-bottom blankets by Barefoot Dreams, for instance), plus furniture such as Shabby Chic cribs and embroidered pillows, Lester Harry's has your baby covered. The newly added shoe salon all but guarantees head-to-toe panache. 140 Washington St., Marblehead, MA lesterharrys.com.
Columbus Cleaners
In a city with dry cleaners on virtually every block, what makes Columbus stand out when it comes to airing your dirty laundry? For one, the eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning process (no perc here!). Second, the delivery app, which lets you get shirts and suits picked up from your home — and dropped back off — with the touch of a button. All in all, it’s a service that fits like a glove. Multiple locations, columbuscleaners.net.
Independent Film Festival Boston
With a growing list of celebrity attendees and a painstakingly selected roster of movies each year, IFFBoston is your best chance, and sometimes your only chance, to see rare indie movies at theaters across the city. Sometimes it’s a big name trying something new; other times it’s a breakout film from a new director. Either way, it’s comforting to know that big screens aren’t just for Avengers movies. iffboston.org.
Whim Events
One does not simply throw a super-chic party. From designing tablescapes and communicating with vendors to making sure your aunt isn’t pestering you with questions the morning of the ceremony, there are countless details to wrangle. Whim Events specializes in taking care of all of the above and then some — hello, inhouse floral design! — ensuring that your event is a stress-free, perfectly polished fete. N/A, whimevents.com.
East Meets West
This caterer has been a mainstay at Boston’s classiest affairs since 1989, for good reason: Its food is all over the map, in the best way. Proper salmon with dill? Taco buffet? Pork-belly sliders? There are no fixed menus or cookie-cutter ideas here; the only limit is your imagination. Best of all, the team behind East Meets West doesn’t stop with menu planning: With such deep industry ties, they’ll recommend just the right DJ, florist, and venue to suit your vision. eastmeetswestcatering.com.
MKS Design
A former pastry chef, MKS Design owner Adam Simha deftly marries form and function with his steely treasures, crafted from scratch for novice home cooks and local celebrity chefs like Jody Adams. Just tell him your culinary aspirations and material preferences, and he’ll deliver your one-of-a-kind gyuto, petty, boning, steak, or cimeter knives in six to eight months. mksknife.com.
LexRx
A professional-grade facial is more accessible and convenient than ever thanks to the pros at Beacon Hill’s LexRx. Its new Lex Refine + Peel treatment, which promises to exfoliate, brighten, and cleanse, starts with a personalized phone or video consultation, during which a nurse practitioner will pinpoint your skin type and coach you through the application process from the comfort of your home. It’s an effortless way to get that post-quarantine glow—and it’ll set you back just $45. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, lexrx.co.
FBN Construction
Transparency tops FBN Construction’s list of priorities, and that’s a good thing. The firm’s commitment to communication—to say nothing of its proven planning and building skills—practically guarantees satisfaction, whether you’re overhauling the kitchen in your high-rise condo, creating the ultimate master suite in your suburban Colonial, or simply designing a functional yet elegant home office with loads of built-ins. 17 Wolcott Ct., Boston, MA 02136, fbnconstruction.net.
Newbury Tailoring Company
Taking your clothes to this stunning Back Bay space feels less like an errand and more like a visit with friends. Whether you’re a new client or a regular, the Rivas family will welcome you with a smile, a compliment, and calm solutions to your biggest clothing conundrums: a tear in an expensive leather dress, for example, or a panicked need for last-minute tailoring. Thank goodness their work is also impeccable. 324 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Bellacquer
Word to the wise: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, because you’ll need extra time to choose from Bellacquer’s seemingly endless wall of colors—more than 1,500 hues, actually. Once you’ve picked your polish, it’s time to move on to the pampering, administered by technicians who wield a nail file and cuticle trimmer with particular precision. Salon connoisseurs will appreciate the blissful hot-stone massage that comes standard with each classic pedicure. 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA bellacquer.com.
Musette Bridal
Want to look runway-ready for your fete? Musette's airy Newbury Street showroom offers a tightly curated selection of gowns from Jenny Packham, Peter Langner, Yolan Cris, and other high-fashion designers. And for the bride who wants something truly unique, the on-site atelier can craft a custom gown to your specifications. 123 Newbury St., Boston, MA musettebridal.com.