Café Vanille
Experienced sweet-tooths know exactly where to turn when sugar cravings hit. Vanille's pastry cases are chock full of tantalizing treats: cappuccino cheesecake, chocoholic bliss tart, Boston cream pie. Don't fret if you can't decide. Just sample the bakery's petit fours—bite-sized sensations that include the ethereal diva (chocolate and caramel mousse) and the encore-deserving opera (coffee buttercream cake). We dare you to resist becoming addicted to this Beacon Hill sweet spot. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA frenchmemories.com.
Dal
Everything about this dark Somerville caverna qualifies as an aphrodisiac: the richly colored, bordello-inspired décor, the hum of loud conversation, and, above all, the lusty and authentic food. That means tapas such as tender scallops in a silken saffron cream sauce, deliciously tart baked goat cheese in fresh tomato and basil, and sultry pairings like green-lipped mussels with smooth chunks of avocado. Dovetailed with the heady rush of garlic and a carafe (or three) of red wine, the menu delivers on the most beloved of all Spanish ingredients: passion. 415 Washington St., Somerville, MA dalirestaurant.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
When it comes to the steak-house experience, Grill 23 has it all—a cavernous men's clubby atmosphere, impeccable service, the kind of bar where one is apt to imbibe too many martinis, and, of course, great steaks. Non-carnivores need not despair: The grilled swordfish is superb and the kitchen turns out a terrific paella. Sommelier Alicia Towns expertly helps you navigate a first-rate wine list. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
The Metropolitan Club
A model steakhouse offers classic dishes, great wine, and flawless service. A modern steakhouse, like the Metropolitan Club, does it with style. Here you'll find the usuals bolstered by new wave add-ons like smoky tomato soup served with an adorable mini grilled cheese; an appetizer of watermelon 'steak' topped with French feta; and desserts—like the brown sugar fruit tart or the banana coconut cream pi—that improve on childhood favorites. 1210 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, metclubandbar.com.
Abe & Louie's
Before you spend $35 on a steak, ask a few questions. That's part of the fun at Abe & Louie's, where the waiters sing the praises of dry aging and expound upon the flavor of New York sirloin versus a power-packed 24-ounce porterhouse. The only thing better than talking about the meat is eating it: Whether you're lunching in the masculine dining room or partaking in the nightly meat market at the bar, your steak is guaranteed to be broiled to perfection. 793 Boylston St., Boston, MA abeandlouies.com.
Spa Harbor
First-rate treatments abound at this seaside full-service spa. The epic facial menu includes everything from microdermabrasion to skin-buffing sound waves. And the talented massage therapists act as masseuses, meditation guides, and life coaches. Kick back in the sun-filled relaxation room and breathe in the spa's ionized air, or bask in the steam room's peppermint-scented vapors. 3 Mill Wharf Plaza, Scituate, MA .
Eastern Bakers Supply
Chartreuse colanders and French blue ramekins can dress up a cupboard. But if you really love cooking, you know kitchens should be more function than form. So make like local chefs and frequent Eastern Bakers Supply, a warehouse-style jumble of no-frills, serviceable cookware at cut-rate prices. The crowded aisles house pots, mixing bowls, tart pans, pepper mills, and oversize whisks, spatulas, and spoons. The options are limitless—so long as you're okay with stainless steel. 145 N. Washington St., Boston, MA 2114, easternbakers.com.
Scullers Jazz Club
With its elegant low-lit atmosphere and glittering river views, Scullers is the cool king of local jazz haunts. Intimate without being overcrowded, it sports a heady roster of legends and rising talent, spiced up with Latin, blues, and R&B. For those who like some crooning with their cocktails, the club even books a regular list of cabaret acts. DoubleTree Guest Suites, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston, MA doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/massachusetts/doubletree-suites-by-hilton-hotel-boston-BOSSBDT/index.html.
Regattabar
Some may complain that it's a bit pricey, but it still delivers the highest-caliber jazz acts in town. From Sonny Rollins to Herbie Hancock, Don Byron to Tito Puente, you know that Raggattastars have earned their way to the top. Sure, the atmosphere's more still upper lipstick than whiskey-soaked back-alley, but sit close to the stage and close your eyes. The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA .
Avenue Kitchen + Bar
WHAT’S THE VIBE? The kind of lively, late-night-serving neighborhood bar everyone wants in the neighborhood. TASTING NOTES: Cheese is spread to the edges of these thick, focaccia-like rectangles, reflecting the steel auto-part pans in which Detroit-born pizza was first fired. And yet the subtle sweetness of tomatoes shine through thanks to the approach of finishing pies backward, adding the red sauce last and on top. 158 Boston Ave., Somerville, MA 02144, avenuesomerville.com.
Harvard Book Store
It’s easy to lose track of time among the stacks and carefully arranged displays at this Cambridge classic, where paper- backs and hardcovers covering everything from travel to true crime entice at every turn. And now, thanks to an assist from new part-owner John Henry — who began investing in the shop late last year — the store’s next chapter will include renovations and a website revamp for easier browsing. That’s a win in our book. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvard.com.
Lenox Sophia
Southie didn’t need another pub. It needed, and received in Lenox Sophia, a fine foodie destination for popping in on the way home from work — having reserved one of the four chef’s-counter seats, ideally — and decompressing over a set prix fixe: steaky king trumpet mushrooms with honey-fermented garlic, miso, and tart dried plum might be on the menu from ones-to-watch chefs Shi Mei and Yesid Areiza. The wine? That’s whatever you bring: It’s BYOB. 87 A St., Boston, MA 02127, lenoxsophia.com.
Btone Fitness
It was arm and leg day when we came in for a 45-minute session on the “TONEy” — the Lexington-born franchise’s custom-engineered equipment but we felt this workout in our head, shoulders, knees, and toes. A hybrid of resistance training, yoga, and Pilates, Btone uses adjustable springs and a sliding platform to test your core (and your willpower). Yet the fast pace, sing-along jams, and encouraging instructor kept us so motivated we almost forgot we were working out — almost. Multiple locations, btonefitness.com.
Magic Beans
Now that a certain big-box retailer has closed its doors (sob!), having a top-notch local option for baby gear is more important than ever. Thankfully, this tot-prep goldmine is still offering essential services such as in-person consultations and a help line staffed with equipment experts who actually answer. The best part? When you’ve finally made your choices, registering for that UppaBaby stroller or leopard-print BabyBjörn carrier can be done with the click of the mouse online. 200 Linden St., Wellesley, MA 02482, mbeans.com.
Pasta Beach
Remember when Mom said, “Eat your veggies”? At Pasta Beach, you’ll be shouting, “Yes, please!” That’s because of the recently revamped Italian joint’s twist on asparagus — that’s right, asparagus — which takes the spear-shaped vegetable to new heights thanks in part to a decadent Parmigiano-Reggiano cream. But the real showstopper is a crispy poached egg with a runny yolk that will make you fall in love with that advice of your childhood, possibly for the first time. 30 Rowes Wharf, Downtown, MA 02110, pastabeach.com/boston.