Nicholas Tischler
If you can make your way through the supercool front-of-the-house impressarios, and manage to obtain one of the precious few tables in the back dining room, Nicholas Tischler's food will delight, amaze, and just plain satisfy. He's got a way with fish and is equally adept and meat and game dishes. Restaurant Zinc, 35 Stanhope St., Boston, MA .
F. Diehl and Son
All the missing parts for your crumbling Victorian—unique moldings, and unusual size clapboards, plus a helpful staff to walk you through the choices. Diehl's also has everything you'd expect from a full-service lumberyard, from pressure-treated decking to two-by-fours and plywood. 180 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA .
Avalon
This crown jewel of Pat Lyons' nightclub empire is the only local dance venue with the clout, and sound system, to draw superstar deejays, including in-house legend John Debo. For that heart-stopping, in-your-chest electronic groove, it doesn't get much better than Avalon. 15 Landsdowne Street, Boston, MA .
Tom Ponticelli
Surely, you must have done something right recently to deserve dessert at the Four Seasons. Whether you choose a dense and delicious chocolate mousse cake, the scones served warm from the oven, or platters of exquisite miniature pastries. Ponticelli's artistry is worth blowing your diet for. Skimp on calories somewhere else. Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Alden Merrell
Alden Merrell's chocolate-fudge layer cake, topped with a velvety sour-cream frosting, is so rich and delicious, you'll actually look forward to your birthday. For something a little different, try the carrot cake, spiced just right and slathered in cream-cheese icing. 1361 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Picco
This mainstay's Alsatian pizza—a tarte flambée-inspired pie, with a perfectly charred crust and a layer of luscious crème fraîche—is a gluttonous revelation. Finish your meal with a towering ice cream sundae in a house-made flavor like honey or cardamom. 513 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, piccorestaurant.com.
Dan Dinoto, Cambridge Alternative Power Company
Chances are that, after last winter, you're beginning to give some serious consideration to solar. Dinoto, who handles solar sales for this Cambridge company, isn't surprise. "Solar is definitely a thing of the future," he says. If not the present. Dinoto will analyze your house, checking it out from attic to basement, and assess the existing heat source. "Then I plug in the figures—how many people live there, what the hot-water consumption is—give a labor quote, and discuss financing." After that, Dinoto will take you through the store to see what's available. Figure on spending $3,700 to $4,500. But as Dinoto points out, you'll probably get your investment back in savings in five to seven years. Cambridge, MA
Tadpole
Baby-lust-inducing clothing (Pixie Lily onesies, Trumpette 'cowgirl boot' socks) and accessories (Skip Hop diaper bags, Dwell crib sets) make this whimsical South End shop our favorite answer to big-box hegemony. Whether your limit is $20 or $200, staffers are happy to brainstorm presents, and wrapping is free. Even if your gift isn't on Mom's registry, she'll probably wonder why she didn't think of it herself. 58 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 2116, shoptadpole.com.
Mobile Auto Repair Service
They say the proof is in the pudding, or, in this case, the carburetor: Paul Levin is the guy to fix your car. With a vast knowledge of foreign and domestic autos, plus a wicked sense of humor, Levin puts you to task with a thorough Q&A session while narrowing down a diagnosis for your ailing vehicle. Sensitive to tight budgets, he won't take you for a ride. Levin is also completely accommodating. He even offered to look through our car receipts to check the quality and pricing of repair work done in the past. 90 Windom Street, Allston, MA .
Skoah
Skoah's slogan is "personal training for your skin," and yes, a facial here is honestly one of our favorite workouts. All that deep cleansing and extracting while we kick back in a peaceful, light-filled setting. We now go for regular sessions—and you can see the results all over our perfectly toned face. 641A Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, skoahboston.com.
Al Jaffe's Pick-A-Chick
We deferred to our readers here. "Softer than Eagerman's," one wrote on her ballot. "So fresh out of the oven they'll burn your hands," said another. "I'd kill for an Al Jaffe's onion bagel," vowed still another. When we checked it out for ourselves, we found our voters' taste unimpeachable. 285 Harvard St., Brookline, MA .
Haven Beauty
It’s not just our hair that has grown great lengths since Haven won Best Salon west of Boston last year: The team has since added a stylist, massage therapist, and two aestheticians — with plans to keep expanding. Needless to say, your options for a day of pampering are plentiful at this holistic salon, but we’ll be back for the refreshing cut and meticulously painted balayage that left our locks looking like a work of art. 14 Church St., Hopkinton, MA 01748, havenbeautyma.com.
Patrice Vinci, Patrice Vinci Salon
Patrice Vinci is the beauty fairy godmother you never knew you needed. With an old-school Boston accent and gorgeous golden tresses of her own, the colorist wields her brushes like magic wands and her dyes like potions. Case in point: a visit that turned our thick blond curls a rich, multi-toned copper that looked so incredibly natural, even our mother swore we must have entered this world a redhead. Expert or enchantress—why can't it be both?—Vinci will help your hair live happily ever after. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, patricevinci.com.
Smolak Farms
Open year round, Smolak’s commitment to sustainability shows up in its dedication to teaching future generations the importance of family farms. Educational tours interesting enough to keep the adults entertained are bolstered by animals to feed and a robust pick-your-own schedule. A kids’ club, meanwhile, offers special access and discounts to future events like breakfast with Mrs. Claus and Easter egg hunts. 315 S. Bradford St., North Andover, MA 01845, smolakfarms.com.
Alan Bilzerian
Finally ready to dive back into the party circuit? With racks of knee-weakening chiffon gowns, rocker-chic tuxedos, and mad-cool jewelry from the world’s top designers (hello, Yohji Yamamoto and Rick Owens!), this multi-level boutique has exactly what you need to make a splash. In business for 40-plus years, the store also offers an in-house workshop to custom-create the black-tie gala look of your dreams. 34 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, alanbilzerian.com.