Grill 23 & Bar
It's hard to root for a champ, but when it comes to steakhouses Grill 23 has an overwhelming advantage. Why? Because this is not your traditional steakhouse: There isn't sawdust on the floor, worn-out Laz-E-Boys for chairs, or sirloins so big they fall off the plates. Replacing those beef temple staples is restrained, refined elegance courtesy of a large, airy dining room, an extravagant wine list, and fastidious service. At Grill 23, the experience is as important as the steak: The prime-aged beef is reliably excellent, and the ambiance takes the steakhouse experience to an opulent level. 161 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA grill23.com.
Arclinea
You know the scenario: (1) Every pot crashes to the floor as you reach for that little-used cake pan. (2) You swear you'll reorganize the kitchen as soon as you're done baking. (3) You never get around to it. (4) Repeat during your next cooking attempt. None of that would happen with an Arclinea kitchen, because those Italians have thought of everything: deep, customizable drawers instead of awkward, traditional cabinets; hidden but oh-so-useful electrical outlets; and, of course, a look that will make you the envy of every foodie in town.
Roadrunner
“Allston Rock City” is thrumming louder than ever thanks to the 3,500-capacity general-admission club from the Bowery Presents, the same folks who brought us the beloved Sinclair in Cambridge. Boasting a massive standing-room floor and a seven-row balcony, the venue’s world-class design ensures there isn’t a bad viewing spot in the house. Its impeccable sound, meanwhile, guarantees you’ll hear every lyric, instrument, and pin-drop from the stage. Pro tip: The line for the upstairs bathrooms is almost always shorter. 89 Guest St., Boston, MA 02135, roadrunnerboston.com.
Jan Gleysteen Architects
Perusing Jan Gleysteen’s portfolio, one word repeatedly comes to mind: timeless. With nearly four decades of experience under his belt, the Wellesley architect knows his way around traditionalism, dreaming up classic abodes—such as a grand suburban homestead with coffered ceilings and dramatic archway—that are built to last. 888 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02482, jangleysteeninc.com.
Prudential Center Shoe Shine and Repair
George Trantafillidis learned his trade from his father, who operated out of the same closet-size space for 36 years. Even the scruffiest loafers pose no challenge to his shoeshining skills, and he charges just four bucks a pair. That puts Trantafillidis's shoeshines among the best old-fashioned bargains in town. Orange Garage Level, Prudential Center, Boston, MA .
Brian Rose, Red Sox
The city's four major franchises didn't exactly harvest a bumper crop of new talent this season, but among the slim pickin's, rookie starting pitcher Brian Rose stands out, if only because he beat the damn Yankees his first two outings.
Anderson & McQuaid
For most of us, it's hard to distinguish between a good two-by-four and a bad one. What distinguishes Anderson & McQuaid is its selection of exotic woods, including purple heart and lacewood, and its knowledgeable, helpful staff. Novice woodworkers are welcome. 170 Fawcett St., Cambridge, MA .
Cashmere Boston
In summer, it carries beautiful pastel twinsets; in winter, it's rich, thick four-ply turtlenecks. Whatever the season, this is the place to stock up on all your cashmere items. In addition to the requisite sweaters by all the top designers, you'll also find scarves, gloves, and other supersoft accessories. 114 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Greydon House
The talk of Nantucket since its debut in 2016, Greydon House continues to impress with its design-forward common spaces and guest rooms, to say nothing of its small-but-mighty restaurant and bar, helmed by Michelin-starred executive chef Marcus Gleadow-Ware. Settle into your new digs—decked out with reclaimed-chestnut floors, antique furniture, and maritime-inspired artwork—then head out to explore the town: The inn conveniently stands just a short bike ride away from many island destinations, including the ferry terminal. 17 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 02554, greydonhouse.com.
Misselwood
Imagine, if you will, an emerald-green lawn overlooking the ocean. Rows of white chairs face the water, flanking an aisle dusted with flower petals. It’s here that you’ll say, “I do,” reciting the vows you worked so hard on while waves ripple gently behind you. Afterward, you’ll reunite with loved ones in a soaring white tent, pitched atop a stone floor studded with sea glass. Can you see it? Now, head to Misselwood—a grand seaside estate in Beverly—to book the real thing. Complete with a French chateaux-style manse for smaller affairs, this formidable venue will far exceed your wildest dreams. 407 Hale St., Beverly, Massachusetts 01951, misselwood.com.
Magic Beans
Restless kids? No problem. Multiple locations of this locally owned emporium have on-site play spaces, and all encourage tykes to take for-sale scooters for trial spins around the floor. Toilet trainer? Spacious restrooms are stocked with seats, stools, and wipes. But the real draw is the childhood-spanning selection that's heavy on educational items—Hape wooden toddler toys, Hexbug sets, and tween-girl-inspired Goldieblox and Roominate engineering kits—but never short on reliable crowd-pleasers, like Bruder trucks and Alex craft supplies. (Multiple locations.) 312 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, mbeans.com.
Knight Moves Café
Not technically a bar (it's BYOB), New England's only board-game café offers gamers the opportunity to hang out in a comfier version of their living room while kicking their friends' asses in rounds of Settlers of Catan. A $5 or $10 drop-in cover is all you need to play any of the nearly 1,000 games neatly stacked from floor to ceiling, from Cards Against Humanity to Battleship to your favorite cult Euro import. Also featuring: comforting steampunk-lite décor, a Nutella milkshake, and fresh-baked pastries. 1402 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446, knightmovescafe.com.
The Altered Bride
There are a few things you won't find at the Altered Bride. Among them are polyester gloves and bags so cheesy you instinctively hunt for the crackers, or beautiful high-quality trinkets so prohibitively priced that only the Miller sisters could afford them. Here you'll find something between those two extremes: upscale, handmade accessories that are worth their price. Think crisp, cool, and feathery white veils (custom-made, if you don't find what you want on the floor), tiaras that are both elegant and playful, and shoes that are comfortable but classy and stylish. It's all enough to leave you in a truly altered state. 129 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Avenue Victor Hugo Book Shop
In a city of scribes, it's little wonder there are so many character-filled used bookstores. But fans of this Newbury Street shop know that every stroll into Victor Hugo uncovers a novel morsel. There's always a cat roaming the original brick floor, and there's always something fascinating to read among the 150,000 books and 250,000 magazines on the stacks, from the stash of Life magazines that date back to 1936 to the first-edition 1934 copy of H.G. Wells's Experiment in Autobiography: Discoveries and Conclusions of a Very Ordinary Brain (Since 1866). In Victor Hugo, even the ordinary is extraordinary. 339 Newbury St., Boston, MA avenuevictorhugobooks.com.
Grand Opening!
For a store hidden away on the upper floor of a sleepy Brookline mall, Grand Opening! is incredibly visible in the community. In the past year, brazen sex-priestess Kim Airs has hosted a night of amateur porn for HBO, handed out condoms at the gay pride parade, and pounded the pavement in support of National Masturbation Month. She brings the same mix of shamelessness and hilarity—minus the sleaziness of so many other shops—to her women-oriented sex store. Whether youre looking for lubes, vibes, clips, or plugs, the clerks will answer all of your questions without blushing—even if you're blushing as you ask them. 318 Harvard St., Suite 32, Brookline, MA .