Parish Cafe
Truly our town's most creative sandwiches, designed by area chefs. A sampling: the Chan Chan, a flour tortilla wrapped around duck confit and julienned vegetables designed by David Chan of Ginger Bistro; Diane's Steak and Blue, blue-cheese bread topped with grilled tenderloin and Roquefort butter by Diane Unger of Biba; and Sean's Fig and Pig, focaccia filled with pureed fish, ham, and roasted peppers named after its creator, Sean Simmons, owner/chef of the Parish Cafe. 361 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Angelo's
There was so much dissension on the staff over this one that our only solution was to choose a fabulous little place fifty miles away. It has no checkered tablecloths (no noncheckered tablecloths either), no murals or Muzak. What it does have is excellent food—baked veal chops, homemade escarole soup, gnocchi, and various daily specials—at prices that belong at a cafe in the foothills of the Apennines. 141 Atwells Ave., Providence, RI .
Uber
We don't fancy ourselves the "needs a private driver" type—but Uber swept us off our feet (in a luxurious Lincoln Town Car, no less). Launched in Boston last fall, the car-service smartphone app allows you to get a limo ride from anywhere, to anywhere with the press of a button. Apps available for iPhone and Android. Boston, MA uber.com.
(tie) Dave D'Alessandro and Sumner Redstone
John Hancock CEO Dave D'Alessandro had the company help promote his book, Brand Warfare: 10 Rules for Building the Killer Brand. Meanwhile, Newton's Sumner Redstone's book, A Passion to Win, was published by the Simon & Schuster division of his Viacom company, prompting S & S publisher David Rosenthal to joke that the promotional efforts would comprise nothing less than "a passion to keep our jobs."
Curio Salon
Glitzy and ritzy salons can't guarantee fabulous hair care. Sometimes the best service and sharpest styles come from unexpected gems like Curio. This North Reading spot gets our thumbs-up for offering the sought-after combination of a terrific haircut with seamless color. The stylists give you exactly what you ask for, minus all the attitude. 161 Main St., North Reading, MA curiohairsalon.com.
Duxbury Beach
Pillow-soft sand, uncluttered dunes, clean bathrooms, and a sparse crowd that's as consistently eye-catching as the surroundings—Duxbury Beach epitomizes the symbiosis of civilization and nature. Factor in a rustic lighthouse bookending the peninsula and a pristine bay lapping at the end of quaint Powder Point Bridge, and our choice is as clear as the blue sky that stretches peacefully to the horizon. Canal St., Duxbury, MA duxburybeach.com.
Harvard Book Store
Plenty of book stores host signings, but for a truly enlightening author event, two venues always vie for our top spot: the Brookline Booksmith and the Harvard Book Store. Both are homey, friendly, and proudly independent. But Harvard wins this year for its muscular lineup: This past spring the store brought to town political heavyweights Paul Krugman and Madeleine Albright, fiction legends Joyce Carol Oates and Peter Carey, and local writers Audrey Schulman and Pablo Medina. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, harvard.com.
Glen Cunningham, Sadhana Yoga
We’ve loved Glen Cunningham’s classes for the better part of a decade, and on good days, his instruction helps us remember why we hit our mats. (On bad days, a few of his signature words of wisdom certainly don’t hurt.) Cunningham’s style is soothing, his pace is precise, and, unlike most instructors, he encourages a bit of creative interpretation in the poses. 15 Worcester St., Boston, MA 2118, sadhanastudios.com.
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
Texas smoke versus Memphis rub, vinegar tang versus peppery heat—barbecue debates will likely rage until kingdom come (and straight on into the sweet hereafter). This year our returning champion silenced at least one point of contention—which of its two outlets is better—by debuting a central, honking-big smoker (reportedly New England's largest) that turns out uniformly succulent sliced brisket, pulled pork, and an array of other regional specialties for both Blue Ribbon locations, as well as its booming catering business. 1375 Washington St., West Newton, MA blueribbonbbq.com.
Oleana
We were worried when we heard they were making over our beloved patio at Oleana. After all, it's the drooping wisteria, fragrant herbs, and sparkling white lights that create the transporting backdrop for Ana Sortun's distinctive eastern Mediterranean fare. But we're glad to report the revamped oasis is better than ever, with more trees and more-manicured gardens, plus a new glassed-in porch that offers welcome refuge if you forget to bring a sweater on a cool night. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA oleanarestaurant.com.
Oleana
Nobody satisfies our wanderlust quite like Ana Sortun, whose still-vital Cambridge classic spreads itself around the Levant, taking a few key regional flavors with it wherever it goes. Sesame-forward tahini, for instance, is stuffed into Armenian topik, spiced pockets of potato hummus; used to sauce spinach falafel with beet tzatziki; and combined with lemon in a broth for cooking parchment-wrapped halibut. The signature Baked Alaska dessert, meanwhile, always brings us back home. 134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, oleanarestaurant.com.
Tafari Wraps
Our hair is an important part of who we are. No one understands that better than Tafari founder Imani McFarlane. Celebrating the culture of the African diaspora, her gorgeous silk and Ankara head wraps (to say nothing of the sharp headbands and scrunchies) promise to protect, nourish, and beautify. McFarlane also offers tutorials and personalized consultations, so everyone can learn the art of head-wrapping. tafariwraps.com.
Myers + Chang
The secret to Myers + Chang’s extended reign of relevancy is its unflappable execution. Among the topline findings of our 14-year investigation: The pork dumplings’ flat-side burnish comes out mahogany-dark; tea-perfumed ribs arrive sporkably tender; and wok-charred carrots show up lubed to the nines with pudding-like blobs of salty miso butter. Every. Damn. Time. 1145 Washington St., South End, MA 02118, myersandchang.com.
Mike's Pastry
You can spot Mike’s signature string-wrapped cannoli boxes in the hands of practically every tourist, and that’s exactly why some of our crabbier natives don’t give the place its rightful due. Honestly, though, the cannolis deserve all of the attention they get, with a crackly-crunchy shell overstuffed with dense, sweet-and-cheesy ricotta. Just one bite reminds us why out-of-towners — and yes, plenty of locals, too — will always line up for them on Hanover Street. Multiple locations, mikespastry.com.
Bodega
This Best of Boston Hall of Famer clearly wears the crown for cool streetwear and footwear, but with the opening of its Los Angeles sibling this past year, the brand’s influence has officially gone bicoastal. The new Bodega may draw in A-listers such as Jamie Foxx, Maya Rudolph, and Cameron Diaz, but thankfully, the buzziest lifestyle launches from Adidas, Nike, and Karhu are still happening right here in our own backyard. 6 Clearway St., Boston, MA bdgastore.com.