Lucky's Lounge
Lucky's easy-to-miss subterranean location in the Fort Point area and its lack of signage do little to thin the crowds that pack the retro hangout, looking to swill cocktails and sway to live music on weekend nights. But unlike the college kids and middle managers on the make who populate many other Boston hot spots, the artists, young digerati, and stylish singles mingling under the signature red lighting here make for a scene you won't mind having to squeeze into. 355 Congress St., South Boston, MA luckyslounge.com.
JMW Gallery
People who are stuck on Stickley already know about JMW, a gallery filled with Mission furniture, art pottery, and accessories of the American arts and crafts movement. A century ago, Boston was in the forefront of craftsman design, and JMW celebrates that tradition by searching out some of the finest local art pottery. These are antiques to live with, from mustard-yellow J. & J.G. Low tiles out of Chelsea for the fireplace, to an achingly elegant matte-green Grueby vase for the front hall. And maybe, just maybe, a Stickley table to set it on. 144 Lincoln St., Boston, MA jmwgallery.com.
Ginza
For authentic Japanese cuisine, Ginza quite simply can't be beat— and we looked. We love the wide, flat platters of sushi and sashimi; love the fast service; could do without the bright lights. Nevertheless, whether you're seeking tempura, sushi, seafood, or meat, Ginza's locations in Chinatown and Brookline serve the most delectable Japanese delicacies in Boston. 16 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Ristorante Toscano
When Vinicio Paoli first arrived in Boston in the early '80s, he says it was just like a scene from Big Night: "People would order risotto and then ask why they didn't get a side of spaghetti!" Despite this less-than-fortuitous initiation, he continues to serve the choicest cuts of meat, the freshest pastas, and the most satisfying sauces. 47 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Make/Shift
Collaborative workspaces—centers where many different businesses work in one area, bouncing ideas off one another—are redefining the way we work in Boston. The best of the bunch? The South End's Make/Shift, which merges creative businesses like Spirited magazine, graphic design firm Golden Arrows, and Web design and development company Quilted. Boston, MA 2118, makeshiftboston.org.
Duffy Design Group
Celebrity relocates to Boston area. Celebrity purchases multimillion-dollar pad. Celebrity homeowner puts Dennis Duffy on speed dial. You'd be smart to do the same. Duffy's jaw-dropping interiors are marked by flawless furniture, one-of-a-kind home accessories, and seamlessly integrated artwork. And whether he's working on a luxe Back Bay penthouse, an industrial South End studio, or the aforementioned A-list manse, he always delivers original touches. 530 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, duffydesigngroup.com.
Avalon Ballroom
In Boston, the "mists of Avalon" refer not to the foggy shores hiding King Arthur's final resting place, but the dry ice curling around the feet of the club's performers. Whether your taste is for Aimee Mann or Franz Ferdinand, the light show and acoustics in this cavernous ballroom are fantastic—as is its size, which is midway between nosebleed big and sell-out small. 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
House Speaker "Good Time" Charlie Flaherty
Breaking a long silence, Flaherty informed the Boston Herald that the mood in the House is just swell. This, notwithstanding the daily leaks from the federal grand jury reportedly investigating him for accepting illegal gratuities from lobbyists, plus the simmering war of succession between majority leader Richie Voke and House Ways and Means chair Tom Finneran. Say good night, Charlie.
M.Gemi
You may not be able to take the Italian leather artisans out of Italy, but with the power of the Internet, you can bring their buttery-soft shoes and handbags to footwear lovers anywhere in the world. That’s the smart business model, at least, behind Boston-based M.Gemi, which since 2015 has been collaborating with family-owned factories across the Boot to craft high-style,high-quality kicks. A snakeskin block-heel pump from Toscana? A supple jewel-green slide from Lucca? Che bello. MA mgemi.com.
Fasika Café
Before it was a hub of urban life in Boston, Roxbury was a farming community. Fasika seems to feel that agrarian soil in its bones, seeding it with Ethiopian flavors to create something truly magical. Its bountiful portions of kikk ali-cha, stewed split peas in garlic and turmeric, and spiced red lentil wot (swiped up with spongy injera), have a fresh-tasting satiety that can only come with a deep connection to the land(s). 51 Roxbury St., Boston, MA 02119, fasikarestaurants.com.
Feast & Fettle
After a few years of prepping three squares a day, it’s only natural to want to outsource the task of home cooking to someone, you know, outside the home. Thankfully, Rhode Island–based Feast & Fettle expanded its family-style meal delivery service to Greater Boston last year, and there’s something for everyone on the extensive menu. Bonus: The company has also been known to partner with local faves like Flour bakery and Blackbird Donuts for add-on treats. feastandfettle.com.
Great Blue Hill Trail, Blue Hills Reservation
Slightly challenging — yet mercifully short — bursts of uphill that give kids a sense of accomplishment. A tower to climb at the top. And, most notably, absolutely killer views of the Boston skyline. This roughly 1.5-mile-long round-trip trail has it all for a family outing — especially when you consider that native wildlife such as river otters and red foxes are just a few steps away from the parking lot at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum. 1904 Canton Ave, Milton, MA 02186, mass.gov/locations/blue-hills-reservation.
Get Konnected!
Forget the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon — in Boston, you can connect just about anyone who’s anyone within one or two degrees of Colette Phillips and her everexpanding cross-cultural business networking organization, Get Konnected! Now in its 16th year, Phillips’s group is renowned for creating specialized lists that shine a much-needed spotlight on people of color making an impact on life in and around the Hub. And her events are the premier opportunities to hobnob with the people who matter most. getkonnected.com.
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.
Simon Pearce
Though widely regarded as the master of handcrafted glassware, and rightfully so (see: its shapely decanters, artistic champagne flutes, and soapstone-bottomed whiskey tumblers, to name just a few), Simon Pearce’s Boston and Chestnut Hill showrooms also offer an array of other tantalizing tableware. The Vermont-made stoneware bowls, minimalist dinner sets, and freehand-style coffee mugs beg to be admired (and brought home), too. Multiple locations, simonpearce.com.