Sel de la Terre
We love the hint of sweetness in the fig-and-anise loaf at Sel de la Terre, and covet the bakery's chewy sourdough. But one bite of the buttery brioche at this boulangerie makes us feel we've died and gone to heaven. 255 State St., Boston, MA seldelaterre.com.
The Maids
Amid a flurry of cleaning services catering to on-the-go urbanites, the Jamaica Plain outpost of this national operation shows an unbeatable blend of polish and professionalism. After setting the appointment and sending an e-mail confirmation, your cleaning team will arrive armed with grime-busting equipment and a dozen sprays, as well as a rigorous 22-step plan for restoring your home's sparkle. The Maids will even pick up and drop off your keys at work—another excellent reason to fork over the $159 fee, which is lowered if you book monthly follow-ups. 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Castle Island
There’s only one sign of spring that matters: opening day at Sullivan’s. Once Castle Island’s venerable concession stand starts slinging fried clams, we know it’ll soon be time to romp shoeless on the sandy shores of Pleasure Bay and wander the 184-year-old Fort Independence. 2010 Day Blvd., Boston, MA 02127, mass.gov/visit-massachusetts-state-parks.
Channel 5
Jack Hynes and John Henning take the news seriously, and it shows. Theirs is an intelligent, thorough and straightforward presentation; it is so well done that it will never be Number 1 in the ratings. Too bad the station decided to put one on at 6 and the other at 11. MA
Brighton Upholstering
With skilled upholstering services, reasonable prices, and a terrific selection of fabrics, this is a great place for one-stop shopping. The shop will also order fabrics normally available to the trade only, or even make custom furniture if that's what it takes to get the job done. 319 Washington St., Brighton Center, MA .
CBS Scene
CBS Scene is perched above the north end zone at Gillette Stadium, allowing fans unrivaled (and yes, unticketed) access to the game-day action. Tailgate among the foam fingers and clouds of Italian sausage smoke, then step inside and watch the instant replay—on some 135 high-def TVs, including one in each booth. 200 Patriot Pl., Foxboro, MA 2035, .
The Barking Crab
We're suckers for any patch of down-home coastal life dropped smack in the heart of downtown Boston. But, even if we weren't, the Barking Crab would still be the best catch in its category. Cheap, straightforward seafood—fragrant steamers, crab legs so big they're architectural structures, and cod that flakes in moist, white chunks—is the draw. Don't expect to write home about the service: This place is on island time. But, somehow, the meal, the kitschy breeze-blown fishing nets on the walls, the salty air, the creaky wooden floorboards, and the ice-cold beer evoke the kind of sunburned day that loosens our standards—and our belts—a little. And isn't that, after all, the very definition of clam shack chic? 88 Sleeper St., Boston, MA barkingcrab.com.
Stanza Dei Sigari
What once was a 1920s speakeasy now hosts a pleasure that’s practically as forbidden as Prohibition-era booze: the cigar. This cozy subterranean bar is one of the city’s last refuges for the epicurean whose idea of the perfect nightcap is a 30-year tawny paired with a well-aged Macanudo. 292 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, stanzadeisigari.com.
Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens
Basic blooms may get the job done, but why stop there? Order one of owner Barbara Popolow's spectacular bouquets — a cluster of tulips and hyacinths, perhaps? — then add in little extras, like Chapon chocolates from France, to be delivered with the stems. 454 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2474, derby-farm-flowers.com.
Lynda Hartigan, Peabody Essex Museum
What was once a stuffy North Shore institution has become a must-visit attraction. From a comprehensive look at Joseph Cornell to the unveiling of one of the greatest private collections of 17th-century Dutch art, the shows under chief curator Lynda Hartigan's direction have solidly positioned the PEM on the world stage. East India Square, Salem, MA pem.org.
Barrington Stage Company
Once in a blue moon, a regional theater becomes a Broadway darling. That time is now for the Barrington Stage Company, whose 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee scored not one but two Tony Awards this year, including best actor for the company's own Dan Fogler. Consolati Performing Arts Center, 491 Berkshire School Rd., Sheffield, MA barringtonstageco.org.
Bread & Circus
White peaches, Allegro coffee, Nicoise olives, English Stilton, and Iggy's breads now reign where once a scuzzy Stop & Shop stood. And for city dwellers, the one hour of free parking with a $5 purchase makes this the best shopping destination around. 15 Westland Ave., Boston, MA .
Savenor's
Boston has become a bona fide haven for conscientious carnivores, what with Whole Foods boasting displays packed with New England meats and Lionette's Market touting pork from central Massachusetts and Vermont. Still, only Savenor's hits it right on the snout, with its reasonable (for the quality) prices and wide selection, which includes grass-fed Vermont beef and lamb for the leave-tiny-footprints contingent, plus generously marbled wagyu and sweet wild boar bacon for the occasional indulgence. Call ahead to its Cambridge flagship or its smaller shop on Beacon Hill, and they'll prep almost anything you'd want to roast or grill—from a trimmed crown roast to a trussed and ready-to-stuff whole goose. 92 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA 2138, .
Montage
This store's 10,500 square feet of floor space on Arlington Street is brimming with a minimalist but immaculate selection of contemporary pieces from designers such as B&B Italia, Cassina (including designs by Philippe Starck), and Antoine Proulx. Clean lines, solid colors, and 18-foot ceilings accentuate the two-level showroom where co-owners Christopher and Liz Bates are on hand most days to consult. Showcased in roomlike groupings, the pieces here combine to create uncluttered living spaces of sleek, simply lined sofas, multilevel coffee tables, and softly spherical lamps echoing 1950s futurama motifs. Definitely on the pricier side (sectionals can run into five figures), Montage's original selections will nonetheless last well into your home's next retro phase. 75 Arlington St., Boston, MA montageweb.com.
Good
Owner Paul Niski scours the globe for handmade jewelry that's as beautifully crafted as it is just plain beautiful. Exotic leathers, carved bone, hammered metals, and precious stones unite to create one-of-a-kind pieces that turn the human form into a backdrop for exquisite design. 133 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, shopatgood.com.