Skeffington's
A new bar run by the former mayor's former budget director. Novelist Edwin O'Connor (The Last Hurrah) must be spinning in his grave. 38 Cornhill, Boston, MA .
The Last Hurrah
The food's not that much better than at other spots. But the other spots don't have Bo Winiker's swing band to serenade you. Parker House Hotel, 60 School St., Boston, MA .
Connie Sullivan, Geneses
Inventive, accomplished, and friendly. What's more, her salon has a gym, juice bar, and fitness shop. 150 South Market Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Pulse
A colorful, fun selection of headbands, sweatbands, visors, and duffel bags. Lots of color. Even in the socks. North Market Bldg., Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
David Gallo, Huntington Theatre Company
His fabulous cab-company set for August Wilson's Jitney had everything, including a whiff of diesel fuel.
Formaggio Kitchen
If you truly, madly, deeply love cheese, you must already know Formaggio Kitchen. 244 Huron Avenue, Cambridge, MA .
Durgin-Park
They have flavor and bite—and probably have had since before you were born. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Haveli
Because the best Indian eatery in Boston is always the newest one. Even Ghandi would have had trouble maintaining a fast there. 1248 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA .
Harvest
Chef Bob Kinkead has made this attractive cluster of rooms much more than the most upscale dating bar in the city. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Much of this bright and sunny bakery's success is due to the fact that it was one of the first businesses of its kind to move into the Washington Street corridor—in other words, before the arrival of the Silver Line, other restaurants, high-priced condos, and boutiques. The muffins, cakes, breads, tarts, and sandwiches sold here are delicious, but the cookies are the standouts. If you have to limit yourself to one, make it owner and pastry chef Joanne Chang's downright dreamy chocolate chip. These oversized, half-inch-thick rounds are baked just long enough to leave a bit of chewy goo in the center, without sacrificing the sugary crunch. But what truly elevates Chang's chocolate chip cookie are the chips, made from liberal portions of Scharffen Berger chocolate. 1595 Washington St., Boston, MA flourbakery.com.
Fenway Park
Those new Fenway Park seats so close to the field you may as well grab a bat.
Elephant Walk
They say that elephants cannot be barred from their usual path to water. We feel the same way about this restaurant. 70 Union Square, Somerville, MA .
Buddies
Buddies, a new bar at 733 Boylston St., Boston, the site of the old Paul's Mall. An occasional female, too. 733 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
All those stouthearted state senators who...
...had the intestinal fortitude to say on the record, categorically, and in no uncertain terms, what a grand college president Mr. Bulger would make.