Moth
Break out your wallet, because every item in this quiet shop is a knockout. Racks of Chloé trousers share space with Catherine Malandrino flowing Grecian dresses. Intricate details play out on black Biya trenches embroidered with bright floral patterns and Luella bags in shades of eggplant and fireball red. The denim-obsessed will covet jeans from rising labels such as Chip & Pepper and Red Engine. 53 South St., Hingham, MA .
Bauer Wine & Spirits
Here in the Hub, oenophiles generally have two types of stores from which to choose. There's the overly curated boutique, where every bottle warrants its own spotlight and price hike. Then there's the warehouse, where half the inventory seems the result of bargain-driven haggling ('We got an extra pallet of this merlot to get rid of!'), not some connoisseur's strategic sipping. Bauer lands right in the middle, with a store full of attractively organized bottles that are fairly priced yet well chosen. Everything in moderation, people—even when it's a gnarly 2003 Chateau du Tertre Margaux (a recent store promotion) that opens up into a berry-enriched study in liquid gossamer. 330 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, bauerwines.com.
Mike & Patty's
There’s a time and place for lumberjack-size spreads of bacon and pancakes: It’s called “weekend brunch.” When we’re on the daily grind, it’s Mike & Patty’s breakfast sandwiches, fitting small feasts between bread, that power us through the grunt work ahead—especially now that the tiny Bay Village-born outfit has brought its ooey-gooey two-handers, like the Baller with fancy Iberico bacon, fried egg, and 24-month-aged Vermont cheddar, to a total of five outposts in the city and suburbs. Multiple Locations, mikeandpattys.com.
Alan Bilzerian
Ready to move beyond the little LVs and Gs? Pay a visit to Alan Bilzerian’s Newbury Street storefront. Together with his daughter Harley, the sophisticated shop owner has curated a collection of handbags and accessories you won’t find anywhere else, whether you’re in the market for a high-end classic (Lanvin ostrich-leather purses), an ultramod design (geometric wallets from esteemed Japanese designer Issey Miyake), or a statement piece (Emmanuelle Khanh’s fish-shaped purses). For something with a local angle, check out the in-house line of crocodile- and python-leather hobo bags and backpacks. 34 Newbury St., Boston, MA alanbilzerian.com.
LuxCouture
Time was, Sari Brown's designer handbag mecca LuxCouture displayed its wallet-emptying wares only on its website. That all changed last fall with the opening of her temporary showroom, where at last devotees could actually put their hands on that Michael Teperson stingray clutch or Velvetine hobo—stroking the luxurious leather, trying on a style in the mirror or begging a fellow bag addict to model it for them (seriously, it happens). Now, with the opening of a bigger, permanent LuxCouture store in Newton Highlands this month, we're bracing for epic contact highs. 21 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA 2461, .
Bar Lyon
French cuisine is back, bébé, and who’d have guessed that Jamie Mammano, king of client-wowing wallet lighteners like Mistral and Ostra, would be the one to nail its kicked-back neo-bistro form. In such an unassuming South End storefront, no less, with dreamy apps that include mahogany-burnished duck confit on melted-onion-studded potatoes Lyonnaise, dragged through “broken garlic butter” puddles; reasonably priced entrées, like a magnifique bavette steak; and nary a wobble in his restaurant empire’s trademark perfectionism. 1750 Washington St., Boston, MA barlyon.com.
Flat of the Hill
Searching for the perfect gift can be a chore—unless you're at Flat of the Hill. This cute shop stocks only things that are in style (providing, of course, that they're also tasteful), so buyers can rest assured their money will be well spent. The place is filled with everything from Oscar de la Renta candles and Tusk wallets to Lauren Merkin leather clutches and high-heeled flip-flops. There's also a special section with presents for brides-to-be. The only catch is a welcome one: You'll likely walk away with a gift for yourself, too. 60 Charles St., Boston, MA flatofthehill.com.
Blades Board and Skate, Cambridge location
Snooping for a new snowboard? Keep your wallet holstered until you hit the Blades Cambridge location and find out which stick is right for you. Not only does this Blades have one of the biggest selections in town, but its staff also boasts encyclopedic knowledge of nearly every shape, size, and model, and can order virtually any kind of board regardless of whether it's regularly stocked. After assessing your weight, ability, and style, they'll save you from riding the freshies on, say, a K2 Luna when you should really be shredding with a Burton Feelgood. 38 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .
Indra
There's something of an X-Men feel to the staff photo on Indra's website, and it's justified: The black-clad stylists lined up like superchic superheroes do, in fact, have serious hair powers. Their not-so-secret lair is a hip, Aveda-branded salon known to the likes of Paula Cole and Olympian Jenna Johnson; there, pros including co-owner Jose Batistine (brings dying color back to life!) and senior stylist Jen Traverso (rescues curls in distress!) perform their follicular feats. And at Indra's fast-growing 'talent academy,' the next generation of wonder-cutters delivers new 'dos at wallet-saving prices. 8 Main St., Andover, MA 1810, indrasalon.com.
Things We Can’t Wait to Eat Again
The Kobe cap steak at Grill 23: We’re jonesing for the primal pleasures of a deep-charred steak crust that doesn’t involve sweating bullets over a home grill. The charred avocado nigiri at Café Sushi: Precise applications of lemon, salt, truffle oil, and fire-breathing blowtorch yield a showstopper too delicate for takeout travel. The quail kebobs at at Oleana: Ana Sortun’s elegantly boned-out game-bird skewers taste best in the urban paradise of Oleana’s gorgeous garden. The double-pork ramen at Yume Wo Katare: We miss waiting for hot bowlfuls of garlicky, pork-fat-drenched noodle soup at this intimate eatery, where the camaraderie in line is part of the fun. The “Royal Chocolate Cake for Two, Kween” at Orfano: The indulgence is available in sensible slices for the social-distancing era, but you can’t top the hedonistic joy of double-teaming an entire cake with a close friend.
Strega Waterfront
When a Milwaukee restaurant made headlines during this year’s NBA playoffs for making the Bucks’ clutch player—the Greek Freak—wait so long for service that he left, we immediately thought of this Seaport hot spot. After all, owner Nick Varano would never let a 6-foot-11 baller go unnoticed at Strega Waterfront, not least because at any time, its glamorous dining rooms are likely hosting any number of pro athletes—and stars like Lionel Richie and Jamie Foxx. It’s no wonder: Here, the hospitality starts with valet parking and extends to generous portions of Italian specialties and splashy drinks that’ll make anyone feel like a VIP. One Marina Park Dr., Boston, MA 02210, stregawaterfront.com.
Orta
Last fall the splashy new Hingham Shipyard looked primed to become the region's next dining sensation, boasting upcoming ventures by boldface chefs Paul Wahlberg and Esti Parsons. But an unassuming Pembroke strip mall has stolen some of its thunder with Orta, an Italian joint friendly to foodies, families, and wallets in equal measure. Overseen by Harvest vet Jimmy Burke, the spacious restaurant is outfitted in genteel dark wood and sage-colored walls, and offers a menu celebrating the diverse flavors of Italy—from oven-fired Neapolitan pies to Roman-style baked semolina gnocchi to Tuscan-style meatloaf. When the stars finally arrive at the Shipyard, we just may be toasting them from Orta. 75 Washington Street, Pembroke, MA 2359, .
White Star Tavern
While most restaurants mark up their wine selections to more than double the price of a bottle, White Star Tavern owner Frank Bell keeps his bottles priced at no more than $8 over wholesale. Which means wine lovers can find incredible bargains on selections like Domaine Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Grgich Hills Chardonnay, and Faustino Rosado, all available at prices that ought to make the other restaurants in town blush. A 1999 Bonny Doon Syrah is offered at $24 per bottle, in fact, no bottle on the menu is more than $38. Not only is the wine list light on the wallet, but the selection also marries perfectly with chef Scott Pelletier's casual lunch menu of sandwiches, like the tempting hot pressed smoked turkey with watercress and applewood bacon, as well as more serious dinner options including pan-seared halibut with spring pea and prosciutto ravioli. 565 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Jacob Wirth's
Though they no longer brew their own dark beer in the cellar, Jake's is a true scrap of the past, with atmospheric grime and colorfully rude service. 31 Stuart St., Boston, MA .
The Quiet Few
We’re calling it: If it isn’t already, the Quiet Few will soon be everybody’s favorite spot in Eastie. Since opening three short years ago, it’s already become a vital hub of neighborhood life — a walk-in-only joint watered by 100 whiskeys (one of the city’s best selections) and fed by five-star bar food. See: the “Frito pie” dogs covered in adobo-stewed pork, pickled onions and jalapeños, cumin crema, and corn chips. 331 Summer St., East Boston, MA 02128, thequietfew.com.