Boston Hairnista
Healthy hair is owner and lead stylist Andrea Sealey’s main goal—and it shows in every masterful style she creates inside her chic Dot. Ave. salon. Sealey’s recently expanded list of services makes the space a one-stop shop for everything from kinky twists and micro-link extensions to always-silky silk presses. Her braids, meanwhile, are true works of art—no surprise given the Roxbury native has been at it since she was 10 years old. 1690 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, bostonhairnista.com.
Forty Winks
Handsome, flirty, and extremely supportive: No, we’re not talking about our latest flame, we’re talking about the underpinnings from this one-stop Cambridge shop. Situated outside the store, Forty Winks’ new walk-up bra bar is an easy, safe way to upgrade your lingerie drawer—or opt for a gratis 30-minute virtual fitting and browsing session with a sales associate and pick up curbside. 56 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, shopfortywinks.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
When you need to provision aperitivo hour, head to one of Formaggio’s three local shops (pictured) to chat up staffers overflowing with cheese-world facts. The original location in Cambridge’s Huron Village is the real mothership, though, thanks to the widest assortment of accoutrements, as well as America’s first basement cheese-aging cave, where globe-spanning wheels, from rare imported blues to New England–made craft Camembert, are tended daily to ensure a perfectly ripe taste. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, formaggiokitchen.com.
Gourmet China House
One day, the Lyft-and-tunnel pilgrims lined up outside Chinatown institution Gourmet Dumpling House will discover that the Taiwanese and Sichuan eats are even better at its spacious sibling across the street — with enough awfully (often offal-y) tasty options on its menu for the kung-pao-basic and goose-intestine-with-chive-flower-curious alike. 55 Beach St., Chinatown, MA 02111, gourmetchinahouse.com.
The Citgo Sign
Hitching your sense of self to a big ol' oil company's logo might seem like a manifestation of corporate personhood, but the sign advertising the Venezuelan energy outfit Citgo, which towers over Kenmore Square, provides a quick way for people to situate themselves in Boston. Not only does its design make it one of those rare neon signs that looks good when the sun's shining, Fenway Park and its Instagram-ready tableaux are just a stroll away. Kenmore Square, Boston, MA 02215, .
Quadrum
Farewell, diamond studs and plain strands of pearls: At Quadrum, each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art, sourced from the world’s most talented jewelry makers. That means you’ll find dramatic earrings encrusted with moonstones and white diamonds, rose-cut sapphire sparklers, and chunky quartz necklaces flecked with gold—future heirlooms that will stand out today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. The Shops at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, quadrumgallery.com.
KM Hudson
An ill-fitting bra can ruin your outfit and your mood. Thankfully, the experienced staffers at KM Hudson understand shape and comfort, sizing clients up with just a look before taking precise measurements. Of course, proper sizing is only one part of the equation: After measuring, they’ll happily sift through their enviable stock of 6,000 bras to find the perfect undergarment for your shape. 125 Charles St., Boston, 02114, kmhudsonltd.com.
Committee
Not to diminish the culinary efforts of consulting Greek-cuisine guru Diane Kochilas, but this hot spot is one chic meat market (and we’re not talking about the keftedes). Singles sip cocktails at the three-sided bar that dominates the industrial-inspired dining room. As the hour gets later and the Euro house beats thump harder overhead, sharply dressed twentysomethings are the biggest catch. 50 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, committeeboston.com.
Fenway Park
For baseball fans, it's the ultimate only-in-Boston venue. Get married behind third base in Section 32 before moving your celebration to one of 14 reception options: For Green Monster vistas, you can't beat the Dell EMC Club; for a skyline tableau, the State Street Pavilion or the right-field roof deck hit it out of the park. 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215, redsox.mlb.com.
Frank Celeste, Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Charlestown-based broker Frank Celeste lays claim to some of the most eye-catching listings in Boston, from historical townhouses in Monument Square to sparkling condos in Southie. He's one of the top-grossing real estate agents in the city (and the country), not to mention a lifelong Bostonian and a walking encyclopedia of nearly every local market. After all, the industry vet has been at it for more than 25 years. 529 Main St., Charlestown, MA 02129, frankceleste.com.
Redbones
The years-long influx of challengers has ebbed, the smoke has cleared, and the winner and still champion is...Redbones. This is barbecue the way it's meant to be: noisy, messy, and crowded, with a selection of thick, meaty ribs that reads like a geography lesson—Texas, Memphis, Arkansas, St. Louis. Not in the mood? Try the fried Louisiana catfish or grilled sausage sandwich, or skip straight to the pecan pie. And don't forget to wash it all down with one of the 24 beers on tap. It's enough to make even a southerner all weepy. 55 Chester St., Somerville, MA redbones.com.
Santarpio's Pizza
Forget the perfunctory décor and out-of-the-way address, Santarpio's pies are the zenith of 'za, delivered dangerously hot from the depths of a loud and steamy backroom. Some say the secret is the sauce. Others swear by the cheese. Whatever the magic ingredient, one thing is obvious: This is soul pizza. The doughy, oven-charred crust blisters with bubbles and is smothered beneath a voluptuous helping of cheese. Santarpio's is so addictive, it's got devotees cheerfully volunteering to make pickups at nearby Logan so they can stop on the way for a slice. Or three. 113 Chelsea St., East Boston, MA santarpiospizza.com.
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Want to experience a European café without the jet lag? Head to Burdick. The true test of chocoholism is actually finishing the iced hot chocolate—a deeply decadent concoction poured over ice, and crowned with a veil of whipped cream. If the craving persists, move on to the signature (and adorable) chocolate mice, filled with cinnamon, mocha, or orange. Or snag a spot at one of the café's tables by the window, and survey the march of humanity in Harvard Square as you linger over any of the 13 truffle varieties and slip into a Proustian peace. 52D Brattle St., Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.
Tea Tray in the Sky
This little cafe offers a welcome respite from Starbucks culture, offering everything from your standard Assam to more exotic blends, from scented and flavored teas to herbal infusions. For summer, try the iced ginger-and-lemongrass tea with one of Tea Tray's sandwiches or desserts. Complimentary tea tastings Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Fava
It's fascinating to watch owner/ chef Paul Booras slave over the stove in the small kitchen here. It's even more rewarding to taste what he does with wood grilled salmon and monkfish, hanger steak, and thick racks of pork. Located next to the Needham Center MBTA station, the stone-walled hideaway is not easy to find but definitely worth the effort. Booras— a veteran of Pomodoro and Olives— also opened the new Mediterranean spot Sweet Basil down the street. How lucky can one town be? 1027 Great Plains Ave., Needham, MA .