Matsu
For 33 years, Dava Muramatsu held court on Newbury Street at her beloved apparel and home-accessories boutique, Matsu. After a seven-year hiatus, she’s back, this time in a dark-forest-green-painted, incense-burning, music-flowing space on Charles Street, and her signature multi-sensory style is stronger than ever. Treat yourself to perfectly distressed jeans, ethereal tutus, and diaphanous cashmere sweaters from designers like Louiza Babouryan and Ottotredici. Among the bounty is also her own jewelry line, Nymph Jewels, a gemstone-rich collection including citrine chokers and pink sapphire earrings. Welcome back, indeed. 76 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, davamuramatsu.com.
Frugal Bookstore
The pandemic deeply challenged the future of Boston’s foremost Black-owned bookstore, with owners Leonard Egerton and Clarrissa Cropper holding online fundraisers to maintain not only their business focused on Black authors and subjects, but also their mission to encourage literacy in kids and adults. We’re so thankful they’ve managed to persevere: After all, where else would we find a wide range of children’s literature, Afrofuturistic sci-fi, memoirs, and local and national history, all lovingly curated by two people who grew up in Boston? 57 Warren St., Roxbury, MA 02119, frugalbookstore.net.
Walden Local
There’s a lot of talk about eating less meat right now, but the reality is that committed carnivores aren’t going anywhere — well, except to this boutique street-corner butcher in the South End, which also offers monthly meat shares delivered on dry ice for sizzling at home. Not only are you getting valedictorian-grade grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork, chicken, and lamb (plus pescatarian-pleasing wild-caught fish), but it’s all raised by small Northeast farms, supporting the region’s agriculture industry and giving us more richly flavorful, special-treat-level meat. 316 A Shawmut Ave., South End, MA 02118, waldenlocalmeat.com.
Pastry Love, Joanne Chang
Just before self-isolation drove all of us into home-baker mode, the sugar-speckled sage behind Boston’s Flour Bakery + Café empire released her latest tome (and with it, scored her most recent James Beard Award nomination). Its 125 recipes, accompanied by brief journal-like backstories, cover everything from caramel popcorn cookies to s’mores pie to orange-almond pudding cake. Each helped us experiment beyond simple sourdough and, during socially distant times, felt like a loving hug from a local dining legend. flourbakery.com/books.
Stoked Wood Fired Pizza Co.
If you had told us that the pizza that would wow us most this year a) was the brainchild of the former Letters to Cleo bassist and b) came out of a food truck, we wouldn't have believed you. But owner Scott Riebling means business when it comes to his pies, which boast a chewy, charred crust. He's also taught us the value of adding Buffalo sauce to every kind of pizza topping (chicken, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower). The classics, like a crumbly take on pepperoni and a crispy basil-topped margherita, hold their own, too. stokedpizzaco.com.
The Brattle Theatre
In a time when Hollywood seems to have lost its way (Mortdecai, anyone?), places like the Brattle Theatre stand as beacons of hope. Rather than subject you to Let's Be Cops on three screens, the Brattle offers area premieres of independent films, Charlie Chaplin's 100th birthday celebration, the annual Boston LGBT Film Festival, a week of avant-garde Polish cinema, and a newly restored print of Jaws. All of this, plus the warm feeling you get from supporting a local nonprofit theater, and the additional warmth provided by the local beer and wine available at the concession stand. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, brattlefilm.org.
The Nantucket Hotel + Resort
With snuggle-worthy robes and Frette linens in each room and suite, a stay at the cozy Nantucket Hotel + Resort feels just like kicking back in the comfort of your own home—assuming, that is, that your humble abode also happens to have two outdoor pools, a restaurant, and a covered front porch where musicians post up to entertain you each Thursday and Friday. The hotel's clutch downtown location puts you within walking distance of shops and, of course, the beach—just don't forget to snag a book from the collection in your room. 77 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 2554, thenantuckethotel.com.
The Brendan Behan Pub
When he wasn't behind bars, Irish writer and nationalist Brendan Behan was usually bellied up to a bar. Odds are, he would've felt right at home in the Jamaica Plain pub named for him. Small and smoky, the Behan is everything a pub should be: buzzing with a friendly mixed clientele of tattoos and suits, all there for the good conversation and, of course, some top-notch Guinness. Occasional Irish seisuns and other entertainment—including play readings and storytelling—make this an even more ideal place to lose yourself for a few hours. Certainly worlds better than an English prison. 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA brendanbehanpub.com.
Casa Romero
A good rule of thumb for determining whether or not a restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine is to scan its menu for ceviche, pozole, flan, and café de olla. Casa Romero, tucked into a tiny Back Bay alleyway, has all four, as well as nicely executed traditional main courses such as enchiladas, verde or poblano; chicken mole; and tenderloin of pork marinated in orange and smoked chipotle peppers. The margaritas are tasty; the service is, well, serviceable enough; and the atmosphere, mellow and intimate. Hit Casa Romero during summer and you can dine in its lovely courtyard. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA casaromero.com.
The Urban K9
A wag-worthy alternative to the city's many well-intentioned but hospital-like kennels, the Urban K9 is based in a Roslindale home that owners Karen Donoghue and Erika Forssberg are happy to share with their four-legged clients. After being dropped off (or fetched by the duo's 'pet taxi' service), Fido is let out on his own schedule, taken to the park for group romps, and tucked into his very own doggy bed at night. For owners who prefer not to board, the Urban K9 will make dog-sitting (or cat-, bird-, fish-, or hamster-sitting) house calls, too. 129 Malden St., Boston, MA 2118, theurbank9.com.
Redemption
Tattoos stopped being solely for bikers and misfits a long time ago, so it's only right that tattoo shops have graduated from dimly lit spaces to more contemporary (and way less scary) digs. Redemption is the very model of the modern tattoo parlor: a hip, clean venue with wood floors, a classy portfolio on the walls, and talented artists. Whether you know what you want or need some collaborative input, the crew will deliver a flawlessly executed design, all while you lounge—to the extent that it's possible while having your skin pricked over and over—in a cushy chair. 2094 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2140, .
The DogScoop
Call it whatever you want—the Puppy Palace, the Kitty Kastle—no euphemism will ever fool pets into believing a kennel is as good as their own bed (or yours). But when you just can't bring them along on the family trip to Cabo, this is the next best thing. Indoor and outdoor play spaces, trained staffers, and stimuli aplenty make for boarding that's almost fun; at-home visits cater to the finicky, moody, or antisocial. Plus, the DogScoop's handy pickup/drop-off service makes coaxing Cupcake into the car or crate their problem, not yours. 216 Webster St., Newton, MA 2465, thedogscoop.com.
sPoochies Spa and Boutique
Loyal sidekicking is hard work. So is giving a cat a bath (something we've learned the hard way). Make life a little easier for both you and your furry, filthy pal with a visit to 'sPoochies, where the gentle techs will get even the most hygiene-averse animal into show-ring shape: clipping nails, cleaning ears, decrusting fur, trimming those unsightly under-chin spots where drool goes to die. A generous selection of sweet-smelling grooming products provides the necessary tools for ambitious owners to try again at home, if they must. 400 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
The Milky Way
The Milky Way looks the picture of a suburban basement lounge—if only a basement could be this cool. Tucked beneath Bella Luna restaurant in J.P.'s Hyde Square, the space is a study in shabby chic. Mismatched chairs, dim lighting, pool tables, and candlepin bowling set the stage for a young, hipster clientele. The funky locale is intentionally Bohemian, working to evoke the slacker-glam feel of joints on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Don't hold its pretensions against it, though: The Milky Way is a very fun place to hang for an evening. 403-405 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA milkywayjp.com.
Mike's Gym II
These days, "gym" is such a bandied-about catchword, people barely know what it means anymore. Well, we do. It means a no-frills establishment where people come to sweat, not be seen in Spandex or loiter over echinacea smoothies. Mike's, a South End staple, takes equipment seriously—in fact, we dare you to name an apparatus they don't have. Who cares about the lack of décor and amenities when there are seven rooms of machines, free weights, and cardio equipment? The clientele's chummy demeanor and the clean locker rooms make you feel right at home. Getting back in the habit? Just look around at the burly shoulders and pumped pecs for inspiration. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA mikesgym.org.