The Maids Home Services
A lack of hassle is one major thing to look for in a cleaning service; the other, sparkling results. The Maids are the sole local pros in the tidying-up business who nail both every time. Armed with a serious stash of cleaning products, the uniformed crews deploy from their sunny yellow vehicles with a speed-oriented, no-fooling-around plan that leaves every corner of the target home immaculate. And unlike some experiences we've had with other, larger services, the Maids have yet to mix up our keys with another client's, or let our indoor cat outside. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Bella Sante
We've tried it at home. We've done the booth. We've stood stark naked before strangers and had every inch of our bodies airbrushed, only to emerge St. Barts brown on one side, Back Bay white on the other. But we never got the elusive all-over glow until we went to Bella Santé, where an almost painfully thorough full-body exfoliation precedes careful application of Phytomer's clear (!) bronzer. It won't streak when you sweat or rub off on your clothes, which means that even after a sticky, slow ride to the beach, we pulled up looking as if we had been there all summer long. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Clio
Now starting its third year, plush and stately Clio has clearly made its mark on Boston's culinary landscape, mixing a refined and elegant atmosphere with chef Ken Oringer's Asian-influenced cuisine married to the finest in French culinary techniques. Clio's velveteen banquettes, its luxurious spacing between tables, and its fine service make for as sophisticated a dining experience as you'll find in Boston. As for the food, Oringer has been known to take seafood beloved by the Japanese—the sea urchin for example—and give it the French treatment. Among his standout dishes have been a memorable swordfish au poivre with lentils and shallots, and a garlic-rubbed chicken with a fabulous crispy skin. Perfect for an intimate evening or a night on the town with a group of friends. 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
O Ya
It's been two years since chef Tim Cushman's refined sushi operation made a stealth entrance onto the scene, gradually picking up buzz until being 'discovered' by gobsmacked foodies whose praise launched it to the national stage. Now, even as O Ya's new-kid glow has faded (and despite its stunning price point), the wait list remains impressively long. And we'll tell you why: Visit after visit, the hypnotic beauty of the food, seemingly simple but layered with clear flavors (white soy and yuzu glazing a sweet scallop, Thai basil and Szechwan pepper on sweet-salty eel), never fails to catch jaded palates off-guard—and has even been known to make some diners blush with delight. 9 East St., Boston, MA 2111, oyarestaurantboston.com.
Boomerangs
Whether you're in the mood to divest yourself of some previously enjoyed goods, or score a bargain on somebody else's, Boomerangs stands ready to help—and help others while doing it. This funky resale shop offers new and recycled merchandise: home furnishings, CDs, books, clothes, shoes, sporting goods, and collectibles, all at bargain prices, with the proceeds going to the AIDS Action Committee. We spotted an Yves St. Laurent men's suit for $24, an Escada wool crepe dress for $20, and a 31-piece set of Royal Doulton china for $30. Dependable Clenaers provides free dry-cleaning services (as well as dropoff facilities at each of its locations), so all clothing is fresh and clean. 80 Canal Street, Boston, MA .
Gus' Watch Repair
They'll tell you if it can be done, do it, clean it, and guarantee it for a year. 333 Washington Street, Room 518, Boston, MA .
Noshaba Apothecary
An herbalist and medical aesthetician by trade, Omosefe Ozigbo understands the healing power of botanicals better than most, drawing inspiration from Indigenous traditions and ancient modalities around the world to create her small-batch, hand-mixed elixirs. Many of Noshaba’s products include extracts from African marigolds, whose oils can repair cellular damage and soothe dry skin; if the fact that Ozigbo grows — and harvests, and presses — the flowers from scratch isn’t dedication to creating high-quality clean skin care, we don’t know what is. noshaba.co.
Roche Brothers
Very fresh produce, good cheese selection, and clean. 165 Linden St., Wellesley, MA .
The Ritz-Carlton
Fluffy hand towels, clean, and so convenient. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
L. H. Daloz, Inc.
They clean suede and leather and offer storage facilities. 11 Humphreys St., Boston, MA .
Bornstein's
Fast service, pleasant treatment, clean clothes. 1000 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
The Red Line extension to Quincy
The Red Line extension to Quincy, which is air-conditioned, clean and efficient. MA
Gold's Gym
This clean, bright, well-equipped gym is as big as your lats will be. 71 Landsdowne Street, Boston, MA .
Boston College Student Sports Complex
New and clean and complete—if you want better, you'll have to go to Jyväskylä, Finland. off Beacon St., Newton, MA .