Tess
Deep inside the grunge of Harvard Square, this boutique is a welcome alternative for those who eschew Birkenstocks for Blahniks. Tess specializes in high-end women's designer clothing from Biella Collezioni, Strenesse, Dosa, Collette Dinnigan, Loro Piana, TSE Cashmere, Han Feng, Mr. and Mrs. Macleod, Ted Baker, and Ter Et Bantine, to name a few. Then there are those value-added services, such as free delivery and private appointments before and after hours. Look out for a second store in Newton Centre this fall. 20 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Finale
Finale has the whoopie down to a sweet science: Two palm-size triple-chocolate cookies sandwich a white-chocolate cream-cheese filling. The local dessert chain, which also bakes bite-size whoopies, has late-night hours and multiple locations, letting you take care of those cake-and-cream cravings at (almost) any time. 1 Columbus Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, finaledesserts.com.
Blade Barbershop
Embracing the mononymy of Cher, Prince, and Christo before him, Bridaa delivers an expert cut for $25—or about a quarter of what you'd pay at many a chichi salon. Soft-spoken and affable, the Moroccan-born barber creates an oasis of calm in a South End shop better known for its laugh-a-minute frenzy. He forgoes pleasantries in favor of genuine, unforced conversation. Or, if you prefer, he'll just shut up and give you a great cut for the price of an hour of downtown parking. 603 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, bladebabershop.com.
Spascape Day Spa
The waves that lap practically at the doorstep of this harborside spa can take decades to turn a shard of glass into a smooth, luminous thing of beauty. Good thing SpaScape's pros work faster. Armed with bespoke scrubs of sea salt and fine oils, seaweed wraps, and Maine mud treatments, they polish clients from head to toe in an hour or two, as the tranquil ocean vibe smooths out any rough-edged psyches. 3 Mill Wharf Plz., Scituate, MA 2066, spascapedayspa.com.
Kenneth Wildes Salon
These days, salons need more than Kérastase products, a funky soundtrack, and an edgy interior to stand out. Kenneth Wildes sets itself apart with highly trained stylists who spend a full hour on each cut and know how to properly frame a face or fix flyaway layers. Owner Wildes specializes in razored short cuts so distinctive, regulars swear they can spot a 'Kenny' a block away. 9 Beacon Pl., Newton, MA 2459, kwsalons.com.
Petrushka at ArtsEmerson
Master puppeteer Basil Twist's adaptation of Stravinsky's ballet about a tragic love triangle among a clown, a ballerina, and a Moor managed to convey humanity and grace in the movement of Japanese-style marionettes. One compact hour long, it begged for repeat viewings from both kids and adults. Unique productions like this during ArtsEmerson's inaugural season have proven that this organization should be central to Boston arts for years to come. 559 Washington St., Boston, MA 2139, artsemerson.org.
Pine Cobble Trail
If Williamstown is the pro-totype for a picture-perfect country hamlet, its Pine Cobble Trail is the picture-perfect country hike. The wooded 4-mile ramble tops out at 2,100 feet and offers uninterrupted views of Williamstown, North Adams, and the taller and more touristy Mount Greylock. The moderate climb, steep at times, can be completed in two hours, but why rush? Come in September, and the surrounding hills will be ablaze with orange and gold foliage. Pine Cobble Road, Williamstown. Pine Cobble Road, Williamstown, MA 2167, .
Penang
This refreshing addition to Chinatown has lots of blond wood, modern lighting, and great food. Start with the Penang Poh Piah (steamed spring roll) or Crispy Pork Intestines (you might enjoy this one more if you order in Malaysian). Vegetarian entrees—especially the bean curd—are terrific, as are the varied seafood selections. Late hours are a plus. 685-691 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Sal's Place
It's three hours from Boston, but it also has the lasagna this side of Naples. Sal, formerly of Sal & Ciro's in Provincetown, uses homemade noodles, sausage, and hard-boiled eggs in his recipe; since he serves lasagna on Sunday nights only, until he closes for the winter at the end of September, you'll have plenty of time to budget calories in advance. 99 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA .
Phoenix Landing
This Central Square pub's many TVs play the Sox, the Bruins, and NFL games, depending on the time of year. But its true draw is football—the non-American kind, that is. Soccer fans crowd the Phoenix Landing's tiny space to watch Premier League matches during the weekend's earliest hours—especially those who favor Liverpool FC—thrilling in each goal while tucking into Jameson pancakes with a side of cider. 512 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, phoenixlandingbar.com.
Brant Point Grill
We firmly believe that enjoying oysters and clams on the half shell from this elaborate buffet at the White Elephant resort is the only good way to spend a Sunday on island. Decadent desserts (served in miniature sizes for plentiful sampling, natch) and a hefty quarter-pound-lobster-laden bloody mary keep even the busiest of gogetters anchored to their chair for hours to enjoy that one-of-a-kind view of sailboats bobbing on their moorings and ferries gliding in and out of the harbor. White Elephant Hotel, 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining/brant-point-grill.
Dbar
Dorchester has become a hub for Boston's gay scene, with Dbar at the center of it all. From Showtunes Tuesdays to Magnum Saturdays (you'll have to see for yourself), there's always something happening at this Dot. Ave. hot spot. The Christopher Coombs-inspired menu and deftly crafted cocktail list are all the fuel you need to dance into the wee hours when the restaurant transitions into a nightclub. 1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02125, dbarboston.com.
Claudia Grimaud, Jardin Day Spa
Few pedicures truly exfoliate tired, rough feet; even fewer actually redeem them. The capable hands of Claudia Grimaud can do both. The kindly, experienced Brazilian has earned a justifiably devoted following since opening her sunny spa last year. The reason is clear: her talent for banishing calluses, whisking away rough spots, unearthing shiny and soft new skin, and finishing a perfect polish in under an hour. 115 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Barefoot Books
Kids? Reading? Ha. Pass the remote. Fortunately this Porter Square independent publisher and bookshop still emphasizes literacy and creative storytelling, matching up unequaled illustrations with cross-cultural tales to create award-winning titles such as The Gigantic Turnip and the celebrated My Daddy Is a Pretzel. In-store craft sessions, sing-alongs, and community store hours further the case for imagination—no batteries required. 1771 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA barefootbooks.com.
City Video
In some stores you search for hours for a decent title. In others, like City Video, you instantly strike gold. Maybe that's because its shelves aren't stuffed full of 6,000 copies of lame summer blockbusters, but instead feature an overwhelming and diverse selection of cult movies, foreign films, and classics. If you do get stuck, the literate staff bubbles with picks and suggestions. Take advantage of the "Two-for Tuesday" offer to help the week pass that much quicker. 23 White St., Porter Square Shopping Center, Cambridge, MA .