Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Ah, to kick back with a strawberry-infused water in the Mandarin’s lounge again. After months of quarantine cooking, cleaning, and homeschooling, the Himalayan-salt-stone massages and hydrating body wraps at this 16,000-square-foot temple to relaxation promise to be even more restorative—especially if they’re in one of three new treatment rooms the hotel is unveiling as part of its multimillion-dollar renovation. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com/boston.
Sinesia Karol
Sinesia Karol’s playful yet sophisticated bikinis, one-pieces (pictured), and cover-ups were born out of her desire to help buttoned-up New Englanders feel as comfortable and confident in swimwear as the women she knew growing up in her native Brazil. Her eponymous brand’s signature style? Artful prints and unexpected cutouts guaranteed to have you strutting in the sand like it’s your personal runway. sinesiakarol.com.
Eye and Eye Optics
It’s not easy finding a pair of frames that harmonize with your face just so. But if anyone can do it, it’s father-and-son opticians Bobin and Tariq Nicholson, both of whom studied music in college and now bring their artistic vision to this one-stop shop for glasses, contacts, and eye exams. Whether you prefer your specs colorful and funky or sleek and understated, you’ll find them in the cases here—along with warm, personable service that turns a chore into an outing to look forward to. 2271 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, eyeandeyeoptics.com.
December Thieves
Time and again, this Beacon Hill concept shop delivers on its reputation for stocking the city’s most exciting selection of high-end shoes thanks to founder Lana Barakat, who scours the globe for handmade, unique footwear from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a gravity-defying platform bootie, the perfect metallic fringe sneaker, or an ultra-mod leather sandal, one thing’s for sure: These kicks are designed for some seriously fancy footwork. 51 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, decemberthieves.com.
Brattle Theatre
Whether you’re into restored cuts of cinema classics or the latest Romanian masterpiece, you can find it at the Brattle, Harvard Square’s beloved one-screen theater. Despite what seems like constant change in the neighborhood, the theater stands as the epicenter of the area’s indie-film ecosystem, offering everything from the sublime to the very strange (see: the venue’s monthly Trash Night, which celebrates the best of the worst straight-to-VHS fare). 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA brattlefilm.org.
Fête Collection
Receiving a wedding invitation in the mail is always exciting. But when your guests open the envelope and discover, say, a custom illustration of your venue or a folding card with the weekend’s agenda, it’ll be even more so. Along with personalized invitation suites, these Southie-based stationery savants can dream up vellum menus, playful cocktail cards, and foilstamped napkins. And if you don’t have the time (or the calligraphy skills) to address the envelopes yourself, they’ll make sure each one is signed, sealed, and delivered. shopfete.com.
Mikel Hunter Fine Art & Apparel
As overused as the word “curated” may be in the retail industry, there’s simply no other way to describe the one-of-a-kind fine art, clothing, accessories, and jewelry hand-selected by owner Mikel Hunter, a veteran of both the fashion and gallery worlds. Small-batch designer duds? Check. Paintings by collectible emerging artists? Check. Everything and anything unexpected? Double check. 11 Winter St., Edgartown, MA 02539, mikelhunter.com.
Atlantic Fish and Chop House
It’s the closest thing to eating on the deck of a yacht without actually leaving dry land: Perched at the edge of the water, this Edgartown hot spot offers one of the prettiest views around of the boats moored in the harbor and the ferry shuttling people back and forth from Chappy. The view on the plate is equally top-notch — carnivores will delight in the selection of steaks, while seafood lovers can enjoy the fruits of the sea raw, grilled, or in chowder form (also an island best). 2 Main St., Edgartown, MA 02539, atlanticmv.com.
<em>Hype Man: A Break Beat Play</em>
When Idris Goodwin’s play premiered at Boston’s Company One in 2018, its intimate portrait of an interracial hip-hop trio rocked by the needless police killing of a Black teenager had its finger directly on the national pulse. Hype Man’s pivot to video with the original cast — presented with great sound, ample drama-heightening close-ups, and interstitial animations — added renewed vigor to a production whose timeliness has only increased exponentially in the intervening years. americanrepertorytheater.org; companyone.org
Sinesia Karol
Colorful prints, playful ruffles, unexpected details: Even if you’re just wearing this local designer’s bikinis and one-pieces to CBI or Wequassett for a weekend, you can expect to turn heads. Even better, the swimsuits — inspired by the exuberant beach culture of Karol’s native Brazil — come in a variety of shapes and silhouettes for all body types, so you can feel confident and comfortable on the sand. sinesiakarol.us.
Julie Michaud, Prettyology
The perfect brows finish your face — so it’s a good thing this beauty expert, who’s worked with celebs and top models, knows how to transform even the wildest ones into full and natural arches with the flick of a tweezer. She also has an arsenal of special effects on hand to help the brow-challenged achieve their fullest potential, including customized tints and a keratin infusion for extra va-va voom. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, prettyology.com.
Sophia's Grotto
Booking a dinner on a big, buzzy, splashy restaurant patio is a fine way to impress a first date. But when it's time to build a truly romantic vibe — and settle in for quieter conversation — we love tucking into a meal on more-intimate patios, like the one at Roslindale Village’s Italian charmer Sophia's Grotto; its brick-laid courtyard, hidden from street view, is the ideal spot for Lady and the Tramp–style canoodling. No wonder we’re in love with the al fresco era. 22 Birch St., Roslindale, MA 02131, sophiasgrotto.com.
John Fluevog Shoes
Turnover on Newbury Street is all too common, but John Fluevog Shoes has sold its unconventional footwear on the strip since 1987. The vast selection of boots, booties, sandals, platforms, and heels offers shoppers the chance to keep it simple or get edgy. And if you get lucky, you'll wander in during one of the staff's spontaneous midday dance parties. 302 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, fluevog.com.
Dwelltime
What's one way to maintain control over your coffee and espresso? Own a supply chain—which is how this Cambridge shop, from local roaster Barismo, became such a well-oiled machine. Beyond pulling expert cortados and offering cold brew on draft, Dwelltime also boasts superior digs, with a copper bar and lots of pickled, baked, and sandwiched snacks for nibbling. 364 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139, dwelltimecambridge.com.
The Port Hunter
If there's one thing that goes well with great drinks, it's shuffleboard. The Port Hunter, opened in 2012 by two local brothers, has both, plus a solid beer menu with brews from the island and beyond. There's also live rock, folk, and reggae five nights a week, not to mention bar snacks that highlight ingredients caught or grown on the island. Did we mention shuffleboard? 55 Main St., Edgartown, MA 02539, theporthunter.com.