Bella Santé
Let the soothing cup of honey-laced tea in the eucalyptus steam room be your first clue: Bella Santé is serious about relaxation. Cell phones are banished from the plush-but-minimalist space, set out in elegant neutrals. And unlike at most frenetic day spas, there's no hair salon to keep the noise level at full blast. In its stead are bliss-inducing treatments like the remineralizing Moor mud wrap, head-to-toe spa massages (as well as La Stone therapy), pedicures that leave feet tender as a child's, and customized aromatherapy sessions. Before heading into the beautiful (and well-stocked) locker room, stop by the waiting area's long window and take a quick peek at the bustle of Newbury Street below—a stark contrast to Bella Santé's enclave of peace and quiet. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA bellasante.com.
FuLoon
Chinese eateries have long been stuck between a wok and a hard place: hew to the Americanized hit parade, or risk alienating the crowds craving kung pao. Thankfully, a coup is afoot, with renegade restaurateurs positing fiery Szechwan as a sexier alternative to Cantonese lite. Fragrant camphor-smoked duck, velvety beef braised in mouth-numbing neon-orange peppercorn oil—all safely segregated, menuwise, from more broadly palatable fare. The newly chili-head-friendly New Shanghai wins points for Chinatown proximity and the addictive chung qing spicy chicken. Yet we're irresistibly drawn to Malden for FuLoon's haunting home-style bean curd, the entire 'Wok Baked' series, and the bottomless pitchers of soothing H20. 375 Main St., Malden, MA 2148, fuloonrestaurant.com.
La Saison Bakery
Be the hero of the next family gathering by showing up with La Saison Bakery’s rich, heavenly chocolate cake — or treat yourself to a slice any old day, ideally paired with a cup of iced Persian tea or sweet masala chai. Dense, moist, and just the right balance of sweet-but-not-too-sweet, the treat will put all your plans on hold for the day as you sit and savor bite after irresistible bite. 407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, lasaison-bakery.com.
East Coast Grill
To endorphin addicts, East Coast is the place to go for a dose of intensely spiced, pan-tropical dinners, but brunch fanatics know it offers something more: It's also home to a truly spectacular Sunday brunch. Be sure to eat light the night before: You'll want to save room for the soul-satisfying fresh fish tacos, avocado and black bean omelets, and (in case you need it) hangover hash. The bloody mary bar lets you make up your own glass, preferably loaded with fresh lime. Tabasco, fresh tomato juice, Absolut, and a zap of Worcestershire sauce. The rest is simple. Kick back to the room's low buzz in your spacious booth with a friend or two, and dig into plates of grilled fresh pineapple wedges and smooth-as-custard grits. It just doesn't get any better. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA eastcoastgrill.net.
Kate Schnabel and Susan McEachern, Clean Sweep
Who has time to clean these days? Or do the laundry? Clean Sweep does, and for $6.50 to $7.50 an hour (for-hour minimum), it seems like a bargain. Owners Schnabel and McEachern began in 1978, and are so successful they've got a rookie camp, where cleaning neophytes are drilled in the fine points of floor-washing and plant-watering. Brookline, MA
The Bristol Lounge
The best-loved burgers in Boston fall into two camps: the frills-free fast-food type (Flat Patties, Tasty Burger) and the oversize variety topped with high-end accoutrements (Radius, Craigie on Main). Bristol's version, though, stands alon—a layering of juicy beef with a hint of char, aged Vermont cheddar, cool lettuce, sweet tomato, and house-made pickles on a buttery bun. It's the basics done absolutely right—and worth every cent of the $21 it costs. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Uncle Pete's Hickory Ribs
Nestled in East Boston's Day Square, Uncle Pete's is the kind of barbecue place locals keep to themselves. And, really, we'd never have suspected that this lopsided setting, a former Dairy Queen, could produce the most mouthwatering flavor-packed pork, beef, chicken, and ribs we've gnawed this far north. Pete himself makes everything daily, using special combinations of dry rubs and marinades and smoking the meat for five hours or more with a result so succulent that extra sauce and garnishes are superfluous. Equally noteworthy is the care taken here with side dishes, including frosted sweet-potato biscuits, homemade baked beans, and hand-cut fries. 309 Bennington St., East Boston, MA .
Stellabella Toys
So often, toy shopping is an experience in extremes: You’re either wading in aisle-to-aisle plastic packaging or browsing precious baubles curated to please parents’ aesthetics, not kids’. Stellabella, however, has found the sweet spot at its four Boston-area stores. Its stacking cups are environmentally friendly but also fun for your growing infant, and the baby dolls are soft, cuddly, and ethnically diverse. Also find German-made tricycles, sturdy play kitchens and firehouses, and Legos galore. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge; and other locations, stellabellatoys.com.
Priscilla of Boston
Be kind to those in your wedding party (after all, they put up with your occasional horrifying bouts of bridezilla). Pick out favorable, flirty frocks they might actually wear again, at Priscilla of Boston. The store carries its own line, Watters & Watters (plus the less expensive Wtoo collection), and a sassy assortment of Melissa Sweet. It's also one of the only local retailers that offers the coveted trendy Thread line. 801 Boylston St., Boston, MA priscillaofboston.com.
Hudson
You might say Hudson has New England roots and California tips. That's the product of the decor vision of owner-designer Jill Goldberg, whose store is an ecumenical palette of vintage, modern, romantic, and tribal. There are soft, sweet sofas by Shabby Chic; stately Oly chairs and ottomans; and art deco-accented lamps from Worlds Away. It's an aesthetic that can make any Boston home kinder, gentler, and full-on cozier. 312 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA hudsonboston.com.
Mr. Barley's Burger and Salad Cottage
It might not be the first thing you'll smell walking down street, but a frappe from Bartley's may be an even better reason to stop in than the tantalizing aroma of frying beef. Between batches of Elvis burgers and sweet-potato fries, Mr. Bartley's turns out one of the most consistent, reliable, straw-pluggingly thick frappes around, beating tony Boston ice cream parlors hands down. 1246 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Pescatore
For a town that prides itself on being a seafood lover's Valhalla, Boston has surprisingly few exemplary restaurants in the category. And after subtracting the ones that'll set you back more than a few clams (B&G, Oceanaire, even Legal), the outlook is bleak indeed. A lovely exception is Pescatore, serving up Italian-style seafood entres that never venture past the mid-teens. Highlights include generous pasta specials like the fusilli Amalfi: Tossed with sweet lobster claw meat, scallops, and shrimp in a garlic-wine sauce, it makes for an unbelievable bargain. 158 Boston Ave., Somerville, MA 2144, .
Boston's Nails & Spa
Let’s be honest: Those DIY mani/pedis just aren’t cutting it anymore. When you’re ready for some real pampering, book the next available session at this formidable Back Bay salon, where even the most basic nail services include oh-so-necessary sugar scrubs and soothing massages for tired hands and feet. Pros here excel in polish application of all kinds, nailing classic looks and tricky art trends (ombré dip powder, anyone?) with careful precision. The team’s meticulousness extends to safety, too: In addition to providing masks, sanitizer, and temperature checks for customers upon arrival, the salon features Plexiglas dividers between stations for ultimate client and staff protection. 665 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonsnailsandspa.com.
West Side Lounge
The stretch of Mass. Ave. between Harvard and Porter squares may teem with restaurants and bars, but it's the laid-back-yet-sophisticated West Side Lounge that draws the locals. The main reason: chef Alex Jenkins's dinner creations. Available at the bar or in a candlelit booth, Jenkins's menu includes such straight-ahead appetizers as house-cured olives or grilled pizzas , along with more complex, but still humble, main courses, including roasted chicken, sliced tenderloin of steak, and pan-seared tuna with eye-watering wasabi mashed potatoes and ponzu sauce. The bar provides a solid backbeat, with classic martinis and margaritas, and eyebrow-raising beverages like the "little Debbie," a thick, liquor-soaked chocolate drink that is definitely not for kids. 1680 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA westsidelounge.com.
Petsi Pies
Buttery as a shortbread cookie yet flaky as a cracker, Petsi’s consistently perfect pie crusts made founder Renee McLeod a local legend. Now retired, McLeod still helps new owner Jill Remby develop recipes for equally fantastic fillings, including crisped apples, velvet-rich chocolate, and bourbon-splashed pecans. Plus, Petsi’s just-launched scholarship fund is a sweet effort to encourage even more Boston-area entrepreneurs. 285 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143, petsipies.com.