Bardo's Bar Pizza
WHAT’S THE VIBE? This pizza slinger from the family behind Lombardo’s, a hugely popular function facility in Randolph, brings bar pies to Boston by way of a kitchen inside Southie’s Castle Island Brewing Co., an industrial-cool taproom with a picnic-table-filled patio. TASTING NOTES: The cracker-like crusts are super-thin and super-crisped, with “laced” (translation: oven-blackened) cheese edges. We love the sweet-sour sting of the pickle-topped pizza, a genius notion that probably sounds peculiar to anyone raised north of Route 24. 10 Old Colony Ave., Boston, MA 02127, bardospizza.com.
Coquette
Location, location, location is key to a hotel restaurant, and Coquette’s captive audience inside the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport and the neighboring convention center means its sexy bar buzzes with out-of-towners on business. The ooh-la-la flavors in its coastal French- and Spanish-inspired cuisine, meanwhile—borek spring rolls stuffed with spiced chicken and Gruyère, for instance—make it a draw for cool-hunt- ing foodies and fans of its similarly scene-y (and singles-friendly) downtown sibling, Yvonne’s. Plus, if sparks fly at the bar, there are a thousand rooms upstairs. 450 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210, frenchcoquette.com.
Jeremy Ogusky
You get a CSA box from your local farm and you’re on a first-name basis with your butcher, but what about the plates and bowls you set the table with every day? A worthy addition to any Boston cabinet, potter Jeremy Ogusky’s durable, unpretentious pieces can be purchased on Etsy; biannual open-studio days at his J.P. workspace, meanwhile, welcome all to come learn the art of pottery. claycrocks.com.
Lovells Island
Get your sea legs ready: Reaching this hidden-gem hike requires two boat rides, first on the Georges Island ferry, then on a tiny boat that runs (for free) to Lovells. What a payoff you’ll get, though: a glimpse of Boston Light and the city skyline, a chance to explore the ruins of a deactivated military fort, and solitude in the fresh ocean air. You can trace the outer edges of the quiet island in just over an hour, but you’ll likely find yourself lingering for much, much longer. Boston, MA bostonharborislands.org.
Krakow Witkin Gallery
A stalwart in Boston since 1959, the gallery managed to not just survive but thrive this past year thanks to live and online shows that brought legends and locals together. See: works from modern-art icon Josef Albers, contemporary star Jenny Holzer, and Mike Glier, whose paintings are inspired by birdsong in the Public Garden. The gallery even hosted its annual AIDS Benefit Auction around the holidays virtually, with all proceeds going to the Dimock Center’s pediatric and family programs 10 Newbury St., Back Bay, MA 02116, krakowwitkingallery.com.
<em>Black Soap</em> by SuperSmashBroz
Roxbury natives Muyi Fre$co and Noma Nomz live by the mantra “get your vibes right” — and that’s exactly what the DJ/producer duo have accomplished with their latest project, which celebrates the diversity of the city with feel-good rhythms and soulful Caribbean melodies infused with mesmeric Afrobeats. Cameos from other Boston artists are the proverbial cherry on top. supersmashbroz.com.
Ten Percent Happier
If the thought of contorting your body into yoga sleep pose or sitting still for extended periods of time seems anything but relaxing, do yourself a favor and download Ten Percent Happier, the Boston-based spinoff of journalist Dan Harris’s self-help book. Dubbed a “meditation app for fidgety skeptics,” the program helps newbies and Zen masters alike regularly practice mindfulness with 500-plus guided sessions. And with plenty of shorter clips, it ensures you can get in the right headspace just about anywhere (really). tenpercent.com.
Interlocks
Interlocks owner Ginny Eramo's Newburyport salon is known for producing trendy men's styles, vibrant color for graying locks, and expert extensions. That's because Interlocks has a strong pull on talented Newbury Street stylists, who, when they split Boston, tend to end up here. Good for those suburbanites who once had to schlep into the city for a good cut. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport, MA 01950, interlockssalon.com.
Dew Luxe
An Hermès scarf for $350? A Burberry trench for $500? This isn't the end-of-season sale at Barneys, just the everyday deals found at Michaela Bavis's twee luxury consignment shop in South Boston. The sleek repository of new and lightly used high-end designer pieces includes suits, cocktail dresses, handbags, and heels from the likes of Chanel, Valentino, and Louboutin. Don't skip over the accessories display case, either; those oversize Bulgari sunglasses might finally be within your grasp. 36 A St., South Boston, MA 02127, dewluxe.com.
Grace McGinley, Marc Harris
Grace McGinley's talents are rare indeed—so rare that those blessed with scarlet locks seek out her prowess with the fussiest of hues. McGinley splits her time between the two Boston Marc Harris locations, where she fires up the clarets, coppers, rubies, and crimsons with, ahem, tremendous grace. (Multiple locations.) 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, salonmarcharris.com.
Trillium Brewing Company
Sam Adams and Harpoon used to be the lone faces of craft beer in Boston, but times change. The most exciting brews in town now emanate from this minute waterfront mecca, which carries a range of wild ales, barrel-aged stouts, cold-brew-spiked porters, and hop-forward IPAs, most named after streets in the Fort Point neighborhood. Up next? A 16,000-square-foot facility in Canton that will allow them to produce upward of 10,000 barrels per year. 369 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, trilliumbrewing.com.
Skoah
Skoah’s short but sweet facial menu promises customizable “sweat-free skin-care workouts” powerful enough to whip even the most problematic skin types into shape. Case in point: The “Fitskin” facial, a 45-minute treatment that includes an exfoliating mask, hydrating lotions, and an ultra-relaxing hand-and-arm massage, will leave even the most blemish-prone skin looking bright and healthy. 641A Tremont St., Boston, 857-350-4930; 33 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, 617-383-5185. 641A Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, skoah.com.
Thomas M. Menino Park
This play space perched at the edge of the Charlestown Navy Yard offers 38,000 square feet of universally accessible play structures, rubberized running surfaces, and gently rolling lawns for kids of all ages. The breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the skyline give even the most blasé stroller jockeys a reason to look up from their phones. 300 First Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, .
Katrina Hess
A stalwart of the Boston beauty scene, Katrina Hess has always been a go-to for special-occasion makeup. But she’ll also transform your daily makeup routine with private two-hour lessons at her Newbury Street studio. Bring along your own cosmetics bag, and she’ll even weed out the duds. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, katrinahess.com.
Sonsie
We know what you’re thinking: With all the seafood joints in Boston, you landed on Sonsie? Stifle your preconceptions for a moment, because when it comes to the classics, it’s all about execution. And that’s where this al fresco hot spot outdoes its competition: with a just-viscous-enough lunch-menu chowder showcasing plump clams and tender Yukon Gold cubes. And, yeah, the people-watching is pretty great. 327 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, sonsieboston.com.