Izakaya Ittoku
At an authentic Japanese izakaya, the food is meant to serve as a supporting role to the endless flow of sake. But at this Brighton hangout, the infinitely snackable dishes—flame-licked yakitori-style skewered meats, crisp fried oysters, the noodle omelet hybrid known as omusoba—are just as much of a draw. Maximize your experience of the massive menu (and the hefty platters of pan-fried pork and kimchi) by indulging with friends. 1414 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2135, .
The Wauwinet
We're partial to this place as much for its spectacular location (straddling the border between the island's wild and civilized ends) as for its lengthy menu of perks: spa, private beach, afternoon nibbles of cheese and glasses of port, champagne at sunset. Guests are left with the feeling that they're staying not at a hotel but a very well-to-do friend's home. 120 Wauwinet Rd., Nantucket, MA 2584, wauwinet.com.
Oleana
Nobody satisfies our wanderlust quite like Ana Sortun, whose still-vital Cambridge classic spreads itself around the Levant, taking a few key regional flavors with it wherever it goes. Sesame-forward tahini, for instance, is stuffed into Armenian topik, spiced pockets of potato hummus; used to sauce spinach falafel with beet tzatziki; and combined with lemon in a broth for cooking parchment-wrapped halibut. The signature Baked Alaska dessert, meanwhile, always brings us back home. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, oleanarestaurant.com.
Esperia Grill
Its name nods to twilight, but may the sun never set on Esperia Grill. The Greek-family-run spot is pure old-school Boston, an inconspicuous place where the cash register constantly ka-chings! with sales of sweet, honeyed baklava, and where anyone seeking real-deal Hellenic home-cookery can hunch over tender lamb kebabs and baked shanks — or generous bowls of bright and creamy avgolemono — while the city outside fades into soft focus. Let it wait. 344 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135, esperiagrill.net.
Lily P's
Boston has plenty of places to find down-home platters of southern-style fried chicken, but lately, we can’t get enough of the chef-driven polish acclaimed toque Chris Parsons — previously known for upscale seafood — brings to the poultry at his newish, fit-for-franchising Cambridge outfit. Pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, the tender, buttermilk-brined meat has just the right crunch whether you devour it by the full bird or in a crispy sandwich topped with everything from black-pepper honey to spicy kimchi. 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA 02142, lilypschicken.com.
The Coast Café
Purveyors of proper American soul food are scant in Boston, so we’re grateful that after a brief hiatus, this Cambridge takeout star is again serving up some of the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken in the city. That’s hardly all: Barbecued pork ribs, fried catfish, hefty sides (of collard greens, candied yams, and mac ’n’ cheese), and old-timey desserts (like sweet-potato pie and coconut wonder bars) should all be a part of your next beachside picnic or casual home supper. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 02139, coastsoulcafe.com.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
At this point, it’s no secret that the Mandarin is the place for a spa getaway (we could spend a whole night, in fact, in the plungepool-equipped relaxation area). But there are plenty of other ways this opulent hotel makes you feel well cared for during a stay here, from the thoughtful nightly turndown service in the surprisingly large rooms to the 24-hour room service from the buzzy Ramsay’s Kitchen downstairs. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com.
La Saison Bakery
Be the hero of the next family gathering by showing up with La Saison Bakery’s rich, heavenly chocolate cake — or treat yourself to a slice any old day, ideally paired with a cup of iced Persian tea or sweet masala chai. Dense, moist, and just the right balance of sweet-but-not-too-sweet, the treat will put all your plans on hold for the day as you sit and savor bite after irresistible bite. 407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, lasaison-bakery.com.
Gustazo
Break free from your pizza rut with help from this teensy Cuban jewel in Waltham, which combines the warm service of an old-world café with decidedly modern touches—namely, an efficient takeout oper- ation offering dishes that pack a flavorful punch: husky Cubanos, savory empanadas (hot or frozen for later), and plantain chips with an herbaceous cilantro sauce that tastes like summer in a thimble. Beer and wine are available to take home, too, so you can wash it all down with a crisp bottle of Muscat. 240 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham.
M. Flynn
Sure, we’d all love to have the Hope Diamond in our jewelry box, but it’s those pieces we wear every day that become part of who we are — and nobody understands that better than M. Flynn founders and sisters Moria and Megan Flynn. Their impeccable taste, refined over more than a decade in business, is what keeps their loyal fan base coming back for bold, statement earrings, colorful bracelets, and everything in between. 40 Waltham St, Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
Back Bay residents have long entrusted the Rivas family with their most precious items of clothing — and with decades of experience under their collective belts hemming, mending, and stitching, it’s no wonder. Bonus: The second-floor atelier is open five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, which means you can pop in for a quick lunch-hour button repair or come by for a longer weekend wedding-dress fitting — or have them come to you for an in-home appointment. 324B Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Laurel Wellness
Chakras out of whack? Crick in your back? Can’t seem to focus? Laura Corrigan is on the case. Offering appointments on Mondays at Ardan Medspa + Salon in Wellesley and the rest of the week from her home office in Newton, the well-trained healer is adept in a range of wellness modalities, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reiki, and energy work. Whatever cocktail of services she cooks up, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed — and wondering why you didn’t start seeing her sooner. laurelwellness.com.
Ultra Safe Pest Management
We’ve all experienced it: the unmistakable squeak from inside a wall, those dreaded droppings on the kitchen counter, or — worse — a face-to-face encounter with an eight-legged or winged intruder. When bats, rats, spiders, termites, or other pests worm their way into your humble abode, call this fearless team pronto. Not only will they safely trap and remove the uninvited guests, they’ll also repair minor damage, decontaminate the site, and seal up potential reentry points to ensure your home remains trespasser-free. ultrasafepest.com.
Mauro's Painting
Mauro Henrique made his name on This Old House; now he makes sure homes across the area are camera-ready through his Somerville-based business, Mauro’s Painting. With a focus on restoration and a background in carpentry, he’s a dream combination of handyman and artisan, with a calm demeanor and attention to detail to match. Also, unlike many painters, Henrique doesn’t use subcontractors, which means you’ll get consistent quality in every space he and his team transform. maurospainting.com.
Saltie Girl
Quick, it’s 3 p.m. and you’re peckish from a grueling afternoon bolstering the Newbury Street economy. Where to pop in for pristine bivalves and a chilly glass of curated Chablis? Saltie Girl, open all day every day, is our favorite solution to the first-est of first-world problems. Here’s to the meticulous shuckery, the handy cheat sheets ("small, briny, cucumber"), and the ingenuity of eye-droppers for doling out hot sauce and bracing mignonette. 281 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, saltiegirl.com.