Audubon Circle
Done up in modern-looking wood panels and slate surfaces, this Kenmore Square favorite exudes a cool, relaxed air—even on a recent game-night visit (and despite its general proximity to BU hordes). Created by the pros who went on to open pizza specialist Cambridge 1 and cheeky pub Tory Row, it's an ideal meet-up for friends seeking a weeknight fix of cold microbrews and juicy Kobe hot dogs, or stellar grilled hanger steak and a reasonably priced bottle of vino on a quiet, early Saturday evening. 838 Beacon St., Boston, MA 2115, audubocircle.com.
Christina's
Partisans know Christina's does weird very, very well. Honey-lavender? Refreshing. Kaffir lime? Luscious. What truly sets it apart, however, is its finesse with more-familiar flavors, like coffee, pistachio, even vanilla—not to mention a frozen chocolate mousse that's better, and cheaper, than any we've found on a restaurant dessert menu. Our favorite scoop, peanut butter chip, is so thick and creamy you half want to eat it with a knife and fork, though in the end the standard cone does the job nicely. 1225 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, christinasicecream.com.
Abe & Louie's
There aren't a lot of culinary bells and whistles on the menu at Abe & Louie's, which is just fine. This is, after all, a steakhouse. And on that front, chef Bill Bramlette delivers. He sticks to USDA prime cuts that are aged four or five weeks to succulent perfection. Choices run the gamut, from New York sirloin to bone-in filets and 24-ounce porterhouses. And unlike some kitchens we won't name, when you order your meat medium-rare, that's what you get. On the beverage end, a lusty list of wines, heavy on red grape varietals, provides the perfect match. 793 Boylston St., Boston, MA abeandlouies.com.
The Esplanade
The Minuteman Bikeway may seem the obvious choice for bike enthusiasts, but it's too straight for our taste. A good bike path needs some twists and turns, with long, empty stretches of solitude and glimpses of the city skyline. Only the Esplanade provides all that. The paths along the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge are usually so packed they require complete attention, but once you reach Newton and Watertown, the ride is all yours. The stretch? Watertown Square, where you glide over wooden bridges, swoop under low-hanging trees, and, for a few wonderful, brief moments, hear nothing but the crickets and the whir of your pedals. MA
Bernard Toale Gallery
The gallery moved last year from its swank Newbury Street location to a more intimate South End setting. Toale's edginess is more than topographical however: He represents many of the city's most promising younger artists, such as Ambreen Butt, David Hilliard, and Lucy White. His is also the gallery of choice for many shows of national significance, such as last year's posthumous exhibit of photographer Francesca Woodman. Between exhibitions, Toale sponsors readings, video installations, and the occasional fashion show. And once again this year, he'll use his gallery's clout for a good cause—as chairperson for ARTcetera 2000, the biennial fine arts auction that benefits the AIDS Action Committee. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Gentle Giant Moving Company
You know your movers can get the job done when they train by running the steps of Harvard Stadium together and rowing crew alongside Olympics-qualified colleagues. Strongman tactics aside, this Somerville-founded company, now with 20 locations nationwide, is well known for its ultra-reliable service (which includes, not surprisingly, a gentle hand with valued belongings) as well as convenient climate-controlled storage and packing services. We also love its commitment to the environment: Gentle Giant reuses moving supplies whenever possible, recycles up to 100,000 pounds of materials each year, and uses only biodegradable foam peanuts. gentlegiant.com.
<em>The Donkey Show</em>
Follow the glitter trail to Oberon, where nearly every weekend, a blizzard of pixie dust transforms the cabaret into an immersive disco inferno. This lamé-and-polyester-sheathed version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—an ode to both the Bard and Studio 54—may have launched in New York, but its 2009 revival in Cambridge gave it new life: After throwing 800-plus dance parties in the venue (christened in honor of the show’s Shakespearean fairy king turned sleazy nightlife impresario), it’s clear this disco is far from dead. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, MA 02138, americanrepertorytheater.org/oberon.
Christina's
Partisans know Christina's does weird very, very well. Honey-lavender? Refreshing. Kaffir lime? Luscious. What truly sets it apart, however, is its finesse with more-familiar flavors, like coffee, pistachio, even vanilla—not to mention a frozen chocolate mousse that's better, and cheaper, than any we've found on a restaurant dessert menu. Our favorite scoop, peanut butter chip, is so thick and creamy you half want to eat it with a knife and fork, though in the end the standard cone does the job nicely. 1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 2139, christinasicecream.com.
India Samraat
While lachha paratha, kadahi paneer, and the other spice-redolent dishes at this 17-year-old Back Bay outpost may be a challenge to pronounce, none are a struggle to polish off. Saffron basmati rice and steaming onion naan accompany curried meat and vegetable dishes; the tandoori chicken, often too dry elsewhere, is packed with savory juices. The gilded decor is a tad kitschy, so if an abundance of drapes and mirrors isn't exactly your thing, there's the option of delivery. Just remember to order early, as weekend nights bring wait times of up to an hour and a half. 51A Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA indiasamraat.com.
Neptune Oyster
To indulge in the enormous portion of oysters, crab claws, and lobster that seem to have emerged directly from the sea, you must first earn your place at the table: Add your name to the list. Throw cutthroat glances at the interlopers attempting to jump the line. Snuggle up to those beside you, since you'll soon be banging elbows while hoisting oysters to your lips. Once seated, go ahead and savor every briny slurp and satisfying crack of the claw, all while giving the folks still in line a supportive nod, that yes, it is worth waiting for. 63 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, neptuneoyster.com.
Anne-Cecile Curot
Our poor pores are no strangers to painful excavations, or to being smothered in flowery-smelling goo. That's why they haven't quit thanking us since we introduced them to Anne-Cécile Curot, spa director at Marc Harris's new Financial District location. A Bella Santé alum, this cheery Frenchwoman delivers what we once thought impossible: After an hour on her table, our complexion was the softest, clearest, and most line-free it's been since before puberty (and spring chickens, we are not). Better yet, her ultralight touch and gentle organic products from Rhonda Allison left us feeling blissed out, not roughed up. Salon Marc Harris, 125 Broad St., Boston, MA 2110, .
Grand Opening
A sex boutique, without the emphasis on booty, tucked like a Venus charm inside Brookline's kosher bosom. Owner Kim Airs gets a lot of press (see our profile of her in the June issue) since she also offers fun instructional classes ("Spanky and Our Gang," "Bi Bi Love, Bi Bi Happiness"), yet her shop feels as threatening as Bloomingdale's. For breadth of porn, try what's left of the Combat Zone. For choice literary erotica, lubes, "body treats," and the city's perkiest wall of stand-ins for the male member, this is the place. 318 Harvard St., Suite 32, Brookline, MA .
Dress Rehearsal
A visit to a consignment store should feel like a romp through a fashionista's closet, not a garage sale free-for-all. Dress Rehearsal has all the goods and none of the riffraff. From Chanel suits and Louis Vuitton bags to BCBG shoes and Diesel jeans, the eclectic but posh selection of women's clothing can keep any wardrobe fresh. It may not be the largest Newbury Street store of its kind, but quality beats quantity when it comes to designer duds. Plus, the staff is easygoing when you want to browse, but quick to offer an opinion on how to bring together an outfit should you ask. 252 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Blue Ginger
Asian-influences fusion cuisine has made it to the suburbs. This time around, it is being done with intelligence, restraint, and style, in this case by Ming Tsai, a Yale-educated, French-trained Chinese chef who was a pacesetter in San Francisco and Santa Fe before coming East. Star of a 40-part series on the TV Food Network, Tsai mixes Western (mainly French) and Eastern (mostly Chinese, with a little Japanese thrown in). The resulting dishes, like the fabulous Long Island duck breast marinated with achiote pepper, candied ginger, thyme, and garlic, should be enough to get even the most devoted urbanite to venture out to Wellesley. 583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA .
Emma's Pizza
Yo-Yo Ma has been known to scarf a slice, as has man-with-much-free-time Bill Weld. Sure, they live next door, but fans from far and near flock to Emma's. And even though the autocratic Emma is long gone from this Cambridge takeout fixture— she used to dictate that no pizza could have two meats— Emma's still makes the best thin-crust pie in town. Order early, especially on weekends, when it's a good idea to call at noon for an 8 p.m. pickup. 370 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .