Shag
After a quick tête-à-tête, Brianna Coons shaped our unruly hair into something slick, taking into account our capacity for at-home styling (none). The best part? The chop grew out so evenly, it still looked fresh months later. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA 2127, shagboston.com.
Charlestown Preservation Society
First-time visitors to Charlestown are invariably struck by the neighborhood's beauty and charm, a consequence in no small part of the efforts of the town's 29-year-old preservation society. This group, which works to preserve the town's landmarks and grade the neighborhood, supports its efforts with a delightful annual house tour—in the evening by candlelight, and during the day by trolley. P.O. Box 201, Charlestown, MA .
Crane Beach
Four miles of white sand, more than 200 species of birds, and awesome striper fishing in the flats. And, if you have a boat, you can get to the backside, an unpopulated part of the beach that stretches on so far, you'll feel like you're at the edge of the earth. Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA .
Hingham Jewelers
After armed robbers fled with most of their inventory in 2010, owners David and Stacey Page considered shuttering their jewelry shop. Lucky for the South Shore, the couple decided to remain open, and they continue to showcase traditional offerings (Rolex watches, pearls) as well as funkier, chunkier options (colorful, celeb-approved baubles from Anzie). 35 Whiting St., Hingham, MA 2043, hinghamjewelers.com.
Mike's Pastry
Boston cream pies are all about ratios: cake to chocolate, chocolate to cream, cream to cake. At Mike's Pastry in the North End, somebody did their algebra homework. More like a cake than a pie, Mike's rendition brings together equal parts satiny custard, rich chocolate frosting, and airy sponge cake. 300 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
Bentonwood Bakery/Cafe
This classic not-really-a-pie has three parts: cake, custard, and chocolate frosting. Bentonwood's version is unconventional—individual, cupcake-size BCPs, a circle of cake topped with a creamy custard, all hidden underneath a bittersweet-chocolate glaze, but terrific. 47 Langley Road, Newton Centre, MA .
Park Corner Bistro
With unfussy décor and a menu to match, Park Corner and its reasonably priced small plates are a welcome outlier in Oak Bluffs. Pair the Brie-and-apple tart or pan-seared tuna salad with a selection from the outstanding drink list, and relish the deliciously relaxed mood. 20 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, .
Julie Michaud, Michaud Cosmedix
Makeup artist Julie Michaud's devotees swear she can do more wonders for the face than all the Botox injections in the world. Her emphasis: clean, graceful lines and a sense of subtle shape and natural coloring that can transform even the least defined brows into aesthetic arcs of perfection. 297 Newbury St., Suite 21, Boston, MA .
John Gertsen, No. 9 Park
Charm and meticulousness have earned this mixologist more than his fair share of props. But that's no reason to deny him this year's Best of Boston nod, especially as we anticipate his residence (and ours) at Drink, part of Barbara Lynch's coming gastronomic juggernaut in Fort Point Channel. 9 Park St., Boston, MA 2108, .
F. Diehl and Son
All the missing parts for your crumbling Victorian—unique moldings, and unusual size clapboards, plus a helpful staff to walk you through the choices. Diehl's also has everything you'd expect from a full-service lumberyard, from pressure-treated decking to two-by-fours and plywood. 180 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA .
Baraka Café
Few liquids can quench a thirst like lemonade. But making it—balancing the tart and puckering lemon juice with enough sugar, but not too much—is a tricky business. Baraka Café pulls it off, adding fragrant rose petals and crushed fresh mint leaves to create a perfect accompaniment to its assertively spiced North African menu. 80 1/2 Pearl St., Cambridge, MA barakacafe.com.
Angel Hair
Ann Fitzgerald at Angel Hair gets it, that "it" being the uncanny ability to cut, style, and color a variety of hair—long, short, curly, straight, light, or dark. Best of all, she's quick, which is vital whether you're a city slicker on holiday, part of the summer society crowd, or a year-round resident. 19 N. Beach St., Nantucket, MA .
After a doctor at Dana-Farber was mistakenly identified by the Globe as having countersigned a medication order that led to a fatal overdose, the Globe reporter told the court that it was partly Dana-Farber's then-head physician's fault for failing to point out her mistake to him.
Picco
This mainstay's Alsatian pizza—a tarte flambée-inspired pie, with a perfectly charred crust and a layer of luscious crème fraîche—is a gluttonous revelation. Finish your meal with a towering ice cream sundae in a house-made flavor like honey or cardamom. 513 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02116, piccorestaurant.com.
Mei Mei
This cheery Chinese-American favorite recently released a cookbook, but there’s no re-creating the restaurant’s palpable passion, which permeates gobble-worthy bites such as lemongrass pork dumplings, smoked haddock fritters, and an aptly dubbed Magical Kale Salad. 506 Park Dr., Boston, MA meimeiboston.com.