Ventuno
Think Nantucket’s fresh catch couldn’t possibly get any fresher? Try pairing it with house-made pappardelle or strozzapreti at Ventuno. Consistently excellent since it opened its doors in 2011, this Italian-inspired eatery continues to wow with hearty from-the-sea entrées such as grilled local dayboat scallops and shrimp with black-truffle salsa. And now with the 2019 opening of sister restaurant Pizzeria Gemelle, the team stands poised to dominate the local pizza game, too. ventunorestaurant.com.
Treatment Training Wellness
Who says massages are just for relaxation? Whether you’re feeling a little sore after a particularly hard-core workout or just coping with everyday aches and pains, the talented technicians at this South End wellness center are here to help with a variety of massage techniques tailored to your needs. Calming music, hot-towel compresses for the face, and a beautiful Himalayan salt lamp all add to the ambiance in the treatment room. 142 Berkeley St., Boston, MA treatmenttrainingwellness.com.
Meredith Bonner, Barneys New York
Bonner is like the fashionable friend you wish you could bring along on every shopping spree: patient; quick with a joke to enliven fitting-room tedium; and known to go great lengths to find the perfect pair of jeans. The best part? Getting whisked away to her cozy office to try on your haul in blissful privacy. Copley Place, Boston, MA barneys.com.
Kashmir Asvaraksh, Hair by Kashmir
She may have mastered the runways of New York Fashion Week, but Kashmir Asvaraksh truly shines while styling a bride’s hair. Asvaraksh’s updos look effortlessly chic (read: not overly stiff with hairspray), while her curls are reminiscent of Old Hollywood. She trains hairstylists around the country, too, so you can dance the night away knowing that she’s expertly pinned and coiffed your locks. 297 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, hairbykashmir.com.
Be Well Studios
Wellness is about more than just breaking a sweat three times a week; it’s about taking care of your mind, body, and soul. This Zen retreat in Scituate lives by that mantra, tempering its approachable barre and cross-training classes with restorative treatments such as meditation, reiki, and massage (bonus points for therapies tailored especially to clients undergoing cancer treatments). A waterfront perch adds to the gloriously relaxing vibe. bewellstudios.net.
Violet Furxhi, Mario Russo
It’s a good bet any well-heeled lady in town boastfully swinging her locks around is rocking extensions from this talented stylist. Specializing in long-lasting Keratin bonds, Furxhi makes what can be a timely process enjoyable, interspersing lively conversation with details about where she’s placing your new tresses and why. 9 Newbury St., Boston, mariorusso.com.
Viola Lovely
Effortless and immaculate: Those are the adjectives we’d use to describe this South End boutique’s offerings—and, after a trip here, your everyday style. There’s the expert tailoring from Lemaire, whose designs are inspired by the streets of Paris. The soft, California-chic fabrics of Raquel Allegra. And Alumnae’s comfortable yet trendy slip-on leather mules. In fact, every last piece here feels practical enough for a run to the drugstore or a quick flight to Palm Beach, but lovely enough to take you anywhere in the world. 1409 Washington St., Boston, MA violalovely.com.
The Haven
In Boston’s sea of rowdy, singles-filled Irish bars, this rare Scottish gastropub stands out as unique, friendly, and approachable—just like the ideal date. As its name suggests, the restaurant is an intimate place to get cozy by candlelight with your Tinder match over an extensive, icebreaker-friendly scotch list organized by region, as well as hard-to-find specialties like haggis and Scotland-born deep-fried Mars bars. With so much to talk about, conversation will flow as easily as the Belhaven beer on draft 2 Perkins St., Jamaica Plain, MA thehavenjp.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Spend one evening lounging around a fire pit on the water-view terrace with your family, and you just might decide to make a stay at this Brewster retreat, centered around a Victorian-style mansion, an annual tradition. And why wouldn’t you, when there are enough amenities here—a Nicklaus-designed golf course, bar-adjacent private beach, luxe day spa, and full-service tennis courts—to make it so you never have to leave? oceanedge.com.
Mandarin Oriental
Looking to rub elbows with your favorite A-listers? Chances are if they’re in town, they’ve snagged a room at the Mandarin Oriental. It’s no surprise when you consider the hotel’s dedication to discreet yet over-the-top service, helmed by charismatic GM Philip Knuepfer: Whether you’re dropping by the sprawling spa, the on-site restaurant, Bar Boulud, or the check-in counter, you’re bound to get the star treatment. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA mandarinoriental.com.
LexRX
If you’re curious about next-level skin care but aren’t quite ready to make the leap to injectables, this new line of products has you covered. Created by the nurse practitioners who founded LexRX, a local cosmetic dermatology practice, the cleansers, serums, moisturizing creams, and detox masks are all packed with a proprietary combination of skin-boosting natural ingredients (activated charcoal, chamomile extract, lavender essential oil) and exfoliating acids to bring out your natural glow—no needles required. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA lexrx.co.
Lekker Home
You already know this South End boutique for its modern furnishings and home accessories. Now discover Lekker Home’s softer side, courtesy of a luxe linen collection with everything you need for a lifetime of pampering: Sasawashi scrub towels to keep your skin looking fresh, a super-soft Blacksaw throw for movie nights, and a crisp set of Area bed sheets to sink into later. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA lekkerhome.com.
Faherty
Recycling has never looked better. Founded by twin brothers and self-professed beach bums Mike and Alex Faherty, this company is making waves by blending salvaged plastic into fabric to create quick-dry bikinis, reversible one-pieces, and custom-printed swim trunks. And unlike your post-vacation glow, these suits won’t fade, thanks to natural indigo dyes and a special finishing technique that protects against chlorine and saltwater. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA fahertybrand.com.
Tasting Counter
Unsurprisingly, this 20-seat setup tucked inside a Somerville warehouse excels at the format for which it’s named. Chef Peter Ungár continually catches us off-guard with ingenious touches prepared inches away—think: pads of mackerel brined in fermented daikon broth and crowned with turnip kimchi and herbs from the restaurant’s living wall. Also unexpected: the recent launch of TC Market (a line of house-made condiments), not to mention news that an à la carte Counter will land at a local food hall this year. 14 Tyler St. , Somerville, MA tastingcounter.com.
Social Boston Sports
Want to show off your three-pointer, or revel in the schoolyard-era glories of dodgeball? Social Boston Sports has been helping Bostonians tap into their inner jock in nearly every neighborhood in the city since 2010. And don’t worry if you’re not a natural-born athlete: There’s always SBS’s cornhole league. socialbostonsports.com.