K.C. Cargill, Chez Henri
At first glance, Cargill has the right résumé: He started at Cheers. Of course, he was only parking cars. Now behind the bar at a more upscale and off-the-beaten-path location, the Newburyport native has quietly made a name for himself, especially for his mojitos. (He's got the muddler's callous to prove it.) But he's equally adept at martinis or whatever might be your highball poison. Cargill's laid-back charisma and cackling laugh perfectly match Chez Henri's easygoing French-Cuban vibe, and his knack for creative mixology produces concoctions that would bowl over even Norm Peterson. One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA chezhenri.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.
Bristol Lounge
First, a point of order: A proper martini will never, ever be preceded by an adjective. Not chocolate, not raspberry, not blue velvet, not anything. Except, of course, for the words "extremely dry." Nor shall a martini be bastardized with vodka. Only gin, please, with a mere whisper of vermouth, straight up and very cold. That said, we're left with a dilemma—namely, how to choose the glass of cold gin. Presentation and atmosphere are the only criteria left. The Bristol Lounge, with its comfy seats, warm nuts, and an upscale yet unpretentious and definitely unstuffy ambience, is the perfect martini arena. Pricey, yes. But tableside pouring from chilled shakers costs money, you know. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Durty Harry's
Sorry to disappoint Clint Eastwood fans, but this much-loved dog spa and shop is named for owner Michelle Fournier's Lab-retriever mix. Pooches are the stars here as groomers lovingly shampoo, trim, and clip. There's even pickup and drop-off service for Charlestown residents so your pup can greet you at the door, clean and styled, when you arrive home from work. Fournier and her team also dole out advice on toys and training, deliver food free of charge, and host gratis Ruff Week parties in Charlestown's Paul Revere Park. 287 Main St., Charlestown, MA durtyharry.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, .
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 .
Legal Sea Foods
Everyone knows the motto—"If it isn't fresh, it isn't legal"—but did you know that Legal Sea Foods actually started out 50 years ago as a seafood company, not the chain of restaurants we think of today? In keeping with that tradition, Legal buyers don't use brokers or middlemen, and they grab the choicest catch straight from the ocean. The two fish markets showcase anything you could want from the sea, and even offer ready-to-eat items such as clam chowder and fried shrimp. With its in-house microbiology laboratory and eight-step process that screens for bacteria, Legal guarantees the quality of its merchandise. 33 Everett Street, Allston, MA legalseafoods.com.
Santarpio's
For a pizza joint, this Eastie institution has more than its fair share of character—thick Boston accents, a Sinatra-loaded jukebox, and rough (yet deep down, totally lovable) servers. And then there's the pizza itself: a crunchy, cornmeal-dusted affair slathered with gooey, sweet-sauced cheese and topped with delicacies like house-made sausage, all of it positively begging for a Bud Light or cheap wine chaser. And if you're too impatient to wait for a sit-down meal, the anything-but-ordinary cheese pie is pretty fantastic straight out of the to-go box. 111 Chelsea St., East Boston, MA 2128, santarpiospizza.com.
Beatriz Comacho, Hair F/X Studio
Important client in town? Anniversary dinner at a fancy restaurant? Job interview? For those occasions when it's important to have your hair looking just right, a professional blow-dry session is a must. Beatriz Comacho at Brighton's Hair F/X Studio is the person for the job. She can make any style look its absolute best: from long, layered 'dos to short, spiky cuts alike, Comacho is a pro at putting the finishing touches on her clients' looks. Bonus: The Salon has an Aveda cosmetics counter; after blow-drys, Comacho often doubles as a makeup artists for her busy patrons. 627 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, MA .
Pembroke Country Club
Unlike many Boston-area public course, Pembroke gives attentive strokes to course condition. Though located only 30 minutes south of Boston, the narrow fairways with tall pines and bushes (beware of poison ivy) make you feel as if you're deep in the Berkshires. The secluded par 71 course makes you work at three long, challenging par 5s. Either pay by the round ($27 weekdays, $50 weekends) or purchase a membership. A bonus: Use the phone at the 9th tee to call in your order for a hot dog at the 10th. West Elm St., Pembroke, MA .
Vidal Sassoon
We all know that Newbury Street excels in the microcosmic world of individual stylists with cult followings and sought-after colorists with organized fan clubs—but that's why this no-nonsense salon wins for overall best. If you're in from out of town and need to clean up your bangs, or you live across the street and just need the perfect blunt cut, Francisco, Jimmy, Robert, and Tennessee—to name only a few—are all equally adept. Sure, people develop personal attachments, but it's reassuring to know that everyone in the shop has been rigorously trained and can take of you with professional skill. 14 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Dante
Okay, so the guy went and named a restaurant after himself. Clearly, chef Dante de Magistris is focusing his subtlety elsewhere—on, for example, his nuanced dishes. In actuality, each is served with a side of humility; he and his brother Filippo are in the house most nights, seeing to it that the eatery is far less about fanfare than about making regulars out of newcomers. The offerings range from humble (arancini with truffle honey) to homey (handmade gnocchi with pancetta, almonds, and pecorino), and by virtue of the high-quality ingredients (bavette steak with truffled cauliflower), ultimately soar. 40 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge, MA 2141, restaurantdante.com.
Sportello
It's a puzzle, how Barbara Lynch can manage to launch four restaurants, a bar, and two retail operations, all in different genres, while preserving the quality and essential Lynchness of each. And so we come to her most casual spot, Sportello, a minimalist midprice Italian diner—only here, the line cooks sling hiramasa crudo, chicken with dates and pine nuts, and mustard leaf agnolotti. It's a testament to the power of the gnocchi alone that the place is bouncing, despite the surrounding Fort Point Channel neighborhood's still-delayed gentrification. No other startup exhibited so much polish out of the gate, or such a pitch-perfect sense of the way we're eating now. 384 Congress St., Boston, MA 2110, sportelloboston.com.
Lynwood Café
Lean, yeasty crust dotted with a few rounds of mozzarella is not what you'll find at Lynwood Café; A South Shore specialty, 'bar pizza' trades on piles of gooey cheese and rich, fatty dough, and this Randolph dive serves the finest around. Plywood walls, flickering beer signs, and Formica tables coalesce to create the ideal ambiance for devouring a hamburger-linguine; pie, washed down with a cold draft. Bring cash, and pass up the 'extra cheese' option on the 12-item menu: Your palate—and heart—can take only so much. 320 Center St., Randolph, MA 2368, .
New England Soup Factory
You must take seriously any soup shop that boasts "Triple Strength Chicken Vegetable Available Daily." The Factory means business, with four alternating selections of more than 75 varieties every day. Cool down on a summer evening with a chilled bowl of Blueberry Peach or serve some Gazpacho to guests. When winter rolls around, be ready with Hot Carrot and Ginger, Double Onion with Sherry, or Classic Lentil. The only Soup Nazi-esque thing about this place is the price: a slightly steep $4.25 for a 12 oz. bowl. 2-4 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA .