City Sports
Shelves and shelves of everything from Wiffle balls to free weights to tennis racquets to jogging gear to golf tees fill the seven locations of our sports authority. Last time we stopped in, no fewer than three salespeople offered assistance before leaving us to browse undisturbed, which was just fine: Thanks to the huge orange overhead signs that point the way to the various kinds of equipment on offer, it's always easy to find whatever gear you're shopping for and get on with some real exercise. 480 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, citysports.com.
Aquascutum
There are certain advantages to Boston's lingering Anglophilia. Aquascutum is one of them. The sole American outpost of the venerable British chain carries trim tailored suits, broad-collared dress shirts, and vibrantly hued ties, as well as the clothier's signature line of elegant raincoats. The slickers are debonair enough to fit into even the dandiest wardrobe—and utterly inspirational here in our puddle-prone city. 450 Boylston St., Boston, MA aquascutum.co.uk.
Out of Town News
Truth be told, the magazine racks at the downtown Borders offer as wide a selection as the homegrown newsstands in Harvard and Copley squares. But browsing for magazines and newspapers at chain stores strikes us as a little, well, square. Our winner, then, is Out of Town News, where the choice of reading material is a bit larger than that of the Copley Square stand and where the willingness to take credit cards makes impulse buys (and what else are newsstand sales after all?) that much easier. Zero Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA .
Prudential Gibson
After years of apartment hunting in this city, our personal renters have found that Pru Gibson is the most consistent in getting you what you want with the least amount of hassle. Its agents take the time to call you when a new listing opens up, and they don't try to sell you on undesirable locations or "features" such as linoleum in the living room. 227 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Brookline Booksmith
Despite our devotion to Kindles and iPads, it takes just two minutes at Brookline Booksmith for us to fall in love with the printed word all over again: the scuffed hardwood floors, worn from decades of use; the steady, friendly conversation at the register; the lulling background jazz; and, of course, the bookshelves, chock full of fiction and non-, paperbacks and hardcovers, the very old and the novel new. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA brooklinebooksmith.com.
Craig Meece
Love is rough. One of our readers in Watertown wrote to say that he fell in love with "a new Porsche 968 coupe with certain options." Unfortunately, it was sold before he made up his mind, and even searches of the World Wide Web did not yield another Then along came Craig Meece, auto broker to the uncompromising. Meece tracked down the car, secured the options, negotiated a good price, and closed the deal. "An example of Zuffenhausen pride is now sitting in my driveway," says the satisfied customer. International Auto Consultants, 11 Richardson Avenue, Arlington, MA .
Martha Kirschenbaum
Although Kirschenbaum trained as a nurse, she believes she does more healing with her hands. "I started out giving backrubs to work my way through school," she explains. Now it's a full-time job. Kirscenbaum specializes in the Esalen style, which eschews the choppier Swedish motions: our session was both relaxed and unclinical, and Kirschenbaum likes it that way. "Giving massages is meditation for me," she says. "My ultimate goal is to give massage credibility in the country. Soon." Cambridge, MA
Dominick Mango
Mango's shop, The Image Maker, at 28 Boylston St. in Cambridge, is the favorite of our art director, Sam Savage, who should know about these things. For one thing, Savage says, Mango managed to clear up some pictures he could barely see on the contact sheet. "We give quality prints without killing on the price," Mango says. The Image Maker also has one-day developing service. The Image Maker, 28 Boylston St., Cambridge, MA .
Charles G. Crones
Crone's father began the J.A. Sanborn Company forty-nine years ago at 28 Merchants Row (next door to Quincy Market), and it's still flourishing. "We go out of our way to buy the best," Crones told us. "We buy whole fish off the boats, and cut them here. You can always find a good selection." If you dine at the Ritz, or at St. Botolph Street, you're eating Sanborn selections, and Crones will even mail fresh lobsters for you. J.A. Sanborn Company, 28 Merchants Row, Boston, MA .
Johnny's Luncheonette
Long a local favorite, brunch at Johnny's is worth the wait on the weekends—especially with kids in tow. The boisterous atmosphere, child-friendly menu, and vibrant retro décor would be worth a stop even without the incredible food. Our favorites: the outstanding crunchy French toast, generously sized omelets, and Johnny's porridge, a creamy concoction topped with dried cranberries. Prompt service—and, if you still have room, the frappes—ensure that no one leaves unsatisfied. 30 Langley Rd., Newton Centre, MA johnnysluncheonette.com.
The Newes from America
We're channeling Frances Rivera here to deliver our special report: The best burgers and beers are at the Newes. This 'Colonial vintage' pub has creaky hardwood floors and a copper pipe-lined ceiling, and its food is just as classic—baskets of fish and chips, corned beef Reubens, plus the Smokin' Musket Turkey Sandwich and Bag of Onions onion rings, which reward taste buds in ways that belie their cheeseball names. The drink menu includes the so-called Rack of Beers, a flight of five brews. Kelley House, Edgartown, MA 2539, kelley-house.com.
Franklin Cafe
Sure, there's what seems like an interminable wait for one of the nine tables. But that's only because all the hipsters who got here before you want to savor every bite of their fashionably late dinners of adobo-rubbed pork and grilled garlic calamari. Our advice: Ask for a blood orange martini and be patient. You'll be very well rewarded. 278 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 2118, franklincafe.com.
Belfry Inne & Bistro
Chef George Willette's menu of New England-with-a-twist fare is murder on decision-making. Should we start with Hudson Valley foie gras or Brie-cranberry spring rolls? Sea scallops with pineapple-raisin relish or curry-rubbed duck? Why, oh why, hadn't we brought friends? So we went the responsible route and ordered everything—plus the Thai-roasted cauliflower on the side. Five clean plates later, we were glad we left our pals behind. 8 Jarves St., Sandwich, MA 2563, belfryinn.com.
L'Espalier
Sometimes it feels as if romance has all but vanished. Luckily there's L'Espalier, where Frank McClelland's sumptuous cuisine is guaranteed to set hearts aflutter. Settle into a table at one of the bay windows of this charming townhouse, and unwind together as a parade of champagne, oysters (served with a sensuous dab of pink sorbet), and decadent chocolates comes and goes as if by magic through our stomachs. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA lespalier.com.
South End Naturals
What the folks at South End Naturals can do with a juicer and a blender should satisfy everyone from garlic, beet, and what-grass junkies to folks who just want something super-tasty and pretty. Our favorite (and, it should be said, we fall into category B): the Brasil 66—strawberry, pineapple, orange, and mango. heaven in a 12-, 16-, or 20-ounce cup. 517 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA .