The Cottage
It's fitting that our pick for this posh 'burbhas a resort vibe: The original Cottage is in beachy La Jolla, California. Co-owner Laura Wolfe, who grew up here in town, does a nice job of translating SoCal cuisine for a New England audience. Don't miss the granola-crusted mahi-mahi and marinated steak tips. 15 Monument St., Concord, MA 1742, thecottage.com.
Arthur & Pat's
We swore that this year would be different. Surely there was some out-of-the-way truck stop or quirky-crunchy café tucked away in a random cow town that had slipped beneath our radar. After downing piles of leaden pancakes and a coop's worth of ho-hum omelets, though, we're sticking with the still-matchless Arthur & Pat's. This Marshfield phenomenon has the cheese-slathered home fries, sugary slabs of banana bread, and crusty Aerosmith sightings we crave on a weekend morning. 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, .
Crema cremada, Rauxa
Mark our words: Naples-born pastry chef Tonie Rapa is going places. And her Catalan version of a creme brulee is just one reason. It comes in a big, shallow soup plate (the usual mini gratin dish would be a frustrating tease), and you can eat a lot more because it seemingly has double the luscious, yolky vanilla flavor yet half the richness of its rivals. 70 Union Square, Somerville, MA .
Back Bay Yoga, Sweat & Soul Yoga, and Equinox
That Lululemon chose this California-cool yogi to lead hundreds of people in al fresco downward dogs in Copley Square to fete its new Newbury store didn't surprise her devotees: Kaufenberg's challenging hip-hop classes are so much fun, we often forget we're working out. Until the next morning, of course—when we wake up with new aches in our abs and new tunes to download (thanks to her thumping playlists).
The Independent
In the past year, Somerville has exploded as a culinary destination. And while the Union Square food scene may change as a result, there's one constant: our beloved Indo,with its relaxed service, bacon deviled eggs perched atop cucumber slices, and stacked beer list featuring favorites from both home (High & Mighty's Beer of the Gods) and away (Six Point Brewery's Sweet Action). 75 Union Square, Somerville, MA 2143, theindo.com.
Five Horses Tavern
Davis Square has seen its share of exciting openings this year, but we continue to adore this tavern's eccentric fare. The Kentucky-fried Cornish game hen comes with jalapeño-spiked mashed potatoes; the "lobstah" pizza is topped with pork belly and grilled corn; and Brussels sprouts get a kick from a fish-sauce vinaigrette. Those dishes—and the international beer list—are what keep our heart true. 400 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 2144, fivehorsestavern.com.
Cafe Paradiso
The finest cannoli is in the North End, but it's not where you might think. To satisfy our craving for the classic pastry, we slip into Caffé Paradiso's dimly lit shop and head straight to the bakery case in back. The shell of the cannoli there is light and flaky, the ricotta filling is smooth and sweet, and the whole thing is sent over the edge by a dunk in chocolate. 255 Hanover St., Boston, MA 2113, caffeeparadiso.com.
The Jeanie Johnston Pub
We like our karaoke with a side of characters, and this J.P. pub packs 'em in on Saturday nights: a James Spader doppelganger crooning the Temptations' "Get Ready," a gaggle of girls rapping their way through the early-'90s hip-hop songbook, and a tone-deaf regular unleashing his jazz hands during a rendition of "Just a Gigolo." Extra points for solid drafts, an encouraging crowd, an extensive Cher selection, and the occasional New Wave videos between performances. 144 South St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, jeaniejohnstonpub.com.
A & J King Bakery
Husband-and-wife team Andy and Jackie King have built their business around the art of crafting thick, crusty loaves brimming with ingredients like olives, walnuts, and apricot fennel and baked fresh each morning while most of us are still drooling on our pillow. Naturally, they try to source ingredients from nearby farms, meaning their sweeter offerings change with the seasons—you wouldn't trust anything in March featuring strawberries, would you? 48 Central St., Salem, MA 1970, ajkingbakery.com.
Finagle A Bagel
At last, a treat we can enjoy without guilt. Finagle bagels have very little fat and most varieties have no cholesterol, and they are still fabulous. Of course, they're even better topped with one of the shop's cream-cheese spreads. Our sources say President Clinton orders up a batch of cinnamon raisin every time he's in town. Copley Square, MA .
Deep Thoughts
Walking Boston's increasingly sterile streets, you may find yourself occasionally wondering: "Where did our weirdness go?" Find out at Deep Thoughts, where expert oddmongers keep those crates teeming with obscure vinyl. For an extra dose of vitamin WTF, be sure to paw through the collection of far-out vintage sci-fi paperbacks. 138 B South St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, deepthoughtsjp.com.
Rachel Sundet, State Park
One of our favorite pastimes has been a movie at the Kendall chased by a chilled espresso martini and one of Rachel Sundet's home-style desserts at Hungry Mother's bar. Sadly, the restaurant will be closing July 3, but until the team opens its new concept in the same space, you can enjoy Sundet's grasshopper panna cotta, Funfetti layer cake, and "chocolate-covered snacky goodness" at Hungry Mother's sister restaurant, State Park. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02141, statepark.is.
Huntington Theatre Company
Live theater came back with a bang this year at the Huntington. Case in point: resident playwright Kirsten Greenidge’s fantastic Our Daughters, Like Pillars was followed by Greenidge and Melia Bensussen’s Common Ground Revisited, a powerful reinterpretation of J. Anthony Lukas’s Pulitzer Prize–winning book about the struggles of three Boston families during the busing crisis of the 1970s. The material may be old, but in the hands of Greenidge and Bensussen, it feels newly relevant. 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, huntingtontheatre.org.
Eventide Fenway
When it comes to New England lobster rolls, there are two major types: “hot and buttered” and “cold and mayo’d.” And then there’s Eventide’s, a third-party candidate featuring fresh lobster meat sweetened with brown butter and salted with chives in a squishy, bao-like roll. Five years after the Portland, Maine– founded restaurant set up in the Fenway, its justifiably famous signature spin has become part of our city’s fabric. 1321 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, eventideoysterco.com.
Boston Closet Company
After calling many top closet companies throughout the area without a response, it was a relief to get immediate help from Boston Closet Company, where staffers sympathized with the space issues plaguing our Colonial and set up a design consultation for the next day. Also reassuring: The Somerville firm works with all sorts of rooms — whether they be man caves, laundry nooks, or nurseries — offering custom shelving and storage crafted by a team of carpenters. bostoncloset.com.