NewBridge Café
We ate pounds and pounds of steak tips this year on a deep dive into the history of this uniquely New England dish (see the May issue for more) — and found our favorites here, marinated in a sweet barbecue-style sauce and grilled to a perfect tenderness. Don’t forget the hot cherry peppers on the side. 650 Washington Ave., Chelsea, MA 02150, newbridgecafe.com.
Giulia
The pappardelle with wild boar? The tagliatelle with fresh porcini? At Giulia, it's hard to know which pasta to try. Which is why our MO is to skip the rest of the (quite good) menu and gorge on as many of chef Michael Pagliarini's rotating varieties as possible. 1682 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, giuliarestaurant.com.
Ceremony
Owner Alix Childs offers modern brides funky alternatives to the white-meringue gown. In her sun-drenched Beacon Hill studio, she proffers hard-to-find frocks from fashionable faves like Lela Rose and Temperley London. Our eyes are on a handpainted watercolor bridal gown. Now that's a statement. 53 River St., Boston, MA 02114, ceremony-boston.com.
Home.stead Bakery & Café
Serving up far more than just chai lattes, Home.stead has found a special place in our hearts for its selection of artisanal impulse buys, from Goga bags to Alexis Mattox Design cake toppers. 1448 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, dorchesterhomestead.com.
Saltie Girl
One of the first restaurants to bring the concept of high-end tinned fish to our shores, this cheerful spot also excels in seafood of the uncooked variety. Opt for a dozen South Bays, or go all in with cobia, razor clams, and one of three varieties of sea urchin. There's no shortage of fish in these waters. 281 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, saltiegirl.com.
Holly Cleaners
A white wool suit covered in tomato sauce didn't faze the wizards at Holly. Our regular Back Bay cleaner looked at the mess and said he was likely to discolor the fabric. Holly humbly offered no guarantees, but returned the suit exactly as it was, pre-lasagna. 1314 Centre St., Newton, MA .
Henry Bear's Park
This locally grown stalwart earns our salute by appealing to kids and parents alike. Stocking time-honored brands like Alex, Gund, and Manhattan Toy at a variety of price points, Henry Bear's makes it that much easier to say yes to the child who just won't leave without a present. 25 White St., Boston, MA 2128, henrybear.com.
Jeffrey Lyle Salon
After one too many blowouts left us looking like a Dallas cast member, we were ready to throw in the (salon) towel. Then came Tim Robishaw at Jeffrey Lyle, who transformed our limp strands into "look at me" locks that lasted the entire weekend. 135 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Gérard Barbin, Sensing
Deputized by superchef Guy Martin to run swish French eatery Sensing, this young import has shown all the technique and discipline required by haute cuisine, along with more than a little invention. With Barbin folding more local seafood and cheeses into his repertoire, he's become our favorite French connection. 3 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 2109, .
The Sunset Grill & Tap
Back when good beer selection meant both Bud and Miller Lite, these hopheads did their damnedest to broaden our horizons. A decade later, the bar stocks nearly 500 microbrews, including 110 on tap and three beer engines for those cask-conditioned ales. 130 Brighton Ave., Brighton, MA .
Sesuit Harbor Cafe
We wait all year to dig into Sesuit Harbor’s lobster roll dripping with butter, crisp fried scallops with slaw, and mountains of succu- lent Barnstable Harbor littlenecks. But it’s not just the food that brings us back to this buoy-festooned clapboard shack—it’s the feeling we get after ordering from the takeout window and then unloading our fresh catch on a picnic table at water’s edge—the very definition of summer. 357 Sesuit Neck Rd., Dennis, MA 02638, sesuit-harbor-cafe.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
With travel outside the state still a gamble, we’re lucky to have this riverfront resort casino right in our backyard, providing top-notch dining options; gorgeous rooms with marble-tiled bathrooms; and, of course, a Vegas-worthy gaming floor to those in need of a break—preferably a lucky one. The one thing this place doesn’t roll the dice on? Guests’ well-being, with reopening plans developed in conjunction with public health experts. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
Date & Time
Elegant, modern ambiance and top-notch service define this aptly named jeweler, right down to the buttery lounge chairs (ideal for weary shopping companions) and soft lighting. Browse luxury timepieces and understated baubles from Messika and Pomellato, and be treated like a gem too: Our dented antique ring that cried out for resetting and embellishment was given the same care as a prized diamond. 5 Concord Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776, dateandtimema.com.
AR Nail Bar & Lounge
After a harrowing drive to our appointment in heavy rain, we felt the tension melting away the second we stepped foot inside this immaculate Somerville salon. The staff? Competent and courteous. The service? Insta-worthy, with exemplary shaping, flawless polish application, and a much-needed hand massage. But what really wowed us was the ambiance, with softly playing music, a trickling water feature near the pedicure chairs, and low lighting creating a relaxing environment for express services, trendy color dips, and gel-based full sets alike. 485 Revolution Dr., Somerville, MA 02145, arnailbarsomerville.com.
Brassica Kitchen + Café
In its playful, never-ending quest to give the people what they want, Brassica has worn a dizzying number of hats this year: breakfast nook, provisions kiosk, empanaderia, fish taverna. Along the way, we worried fantastic menu fixtures like Brassica’s hot, made-fresh-daily doughnuts might get overshadowed. Judging by how quickly they sell out, our fears were misplaced. 3710 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, brassicakitchen.com.