Jean Therapy
Its stock of denim is unrivaled: 7 for All Mankind, Kasil, 1921, we could go on—and on—but we don't want to turn the rest of this write-up into a laundry list. Suffice it to say Jean Therapy has a fit for every man, with honest opinions about what he's lacking (in our case, a butt) and how best to deal with it. The only other place where the art of accentuating the positive is so consistently taught is the shrink's office. 524 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, jean-therapy.com.
Henry Bear's Park
The best toy stores have irresistible playthings and eye-popping colors, which is why Henry Bear's Park in Cambridge is our winner. From dress-up dolls to Go Fish!, this educational outlet has an impressive slew of books including ones by local authors who pop in for the Saturday morning reading series. Toys include blocks and stuffed animals for infants and outdoor games and science kits for toddlers and big kids up to age 12. 361 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA henrybear.com.
Kelly Nezat
After Kelly worked his magic, we felt more like we'd had a session of physical therapy than a massage. Using a technique called Strain/Counterstrain, he gently unknotted the rock collection in our shoulders. A doctoral candidate interning at Beth Israel's Mind-Body Medical Institute, Kelly knows his anatomy. 28 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Rachel Klein, Om
Any chef who can transform a Harvard Square music store into a destination for cutting-edge cuisine is really cooking. (Forgive uswe had to write more than 300 of these things.) Oms Rachel F. Klein, who arrived this winter from New York via Providence, rejects the usual steak and salmon for fresh, inventive dishes that are both conventional and pleasing to the palate. Our favorite, if we have to pick just one: the Okinawa squashstuffed ravioli served with wood-grilled olives in a spicy Thai broth. 92 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA 2155, omrestaurant.com.
The Upper Crust
With toppings this terrific, it's hard to limit yourself to just one slice. The Slightly Pesto—white pizza splashed with pesto, garlic, and diced tomatoes—is our fave, but thin, chewy crusts beneath fresh ingredients such as seafood or Italian sausage, and local monikers like the MGH (spinach, broccoli, and feta), make any slice at the Upper Crust a cut above. 20 Charles St., Boston, MA theuppercrustpizzeria.com.
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 .