Barmakian Jewelers
Visitors to this vault-like jewel emporium in Downtown Crossing—one of the largest in New England—will find bands in white gold, yellow gold, and platinum that complement even the most singular engagement rocks. Barmakian can also design a match for, say, an heirloom diamond, so that the happy couple always ends up with the perfect set. 333 Washington St., Boston, MA barmakian.com.
Circle Furniture
There are plenty of high-end shops in town to satisfy sophisticated tastes, but we keep coming back to Circle, Boston's source for New England-built beds, chairs, and more. You can furnish your entire home here. Just remember: This is custom stuff. It takes time to build, but it's worth the wait. 31 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 2116, circlefurniture.com.
Mattapan Car Wash and Quick Lube
To quote ourselves from a few years back, Mattapan Car Wash is Cadillac cleaning at Corolla prices. A gentle scrubbing for only $6.50, and a thorough interior wiping and sweeping for only $7. Plus, they have self-wash bays for the do-it-yourselfer. 1480 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan, MA .
Tim Wiechmann, T. W. Food
At 34, and with apprenticeships at some of the world's most revered Michelin-starred restaurants under his belt, Wiechmann is hardly a newbie. Yet he brings an upstart's ambition to his Huron Village eatery, where he's continuously striving to raise the bar. 377 Walden St., Cambridge, MA 2138, .
Dorfman Jewelers
If you know what you want— an eternity band with sapphires, say, or an exquisite set of braided guards to bookend your anniversary ring— come to the masters, in this intimate, opulent, vaultlike boutique. But first you must be worthy of the stones: Barbara will size you up. 24 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Barbara Lynch, Barbara Lynch Gruppo
Not content merely to launch the city's best new restaurant and upscale bar while keeping No. 9 Park, B&G Oysters, and the Butcher Shop running on all cylinders, Lynch is now planning a fine-dining concept in Fort Point. Her ambition, like her excellence, knows no bounds. barbaralynch.com.
Bliss
This spa eases the awkwardness of down-there waxing right from the start: Simply point to a style on the chart of nether-region hairdos and sink back onto the padded table. Lead aesthetician Emily Payne softens her all-business bedside manner with a jar of dum-dums, and leaves you bare before you know it. 100 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, blissworld.com.
The Loft Salon and Day Spa
Michael Albor approached our box-dyed, peppered-with-gray mop with a single question: What was your hair's hue in grade school? Three hours later, this miracle worker had restored our locks to their former luster, accented with honey-brown highlights and champagne notes we hadn't seen in decades. 253 Newbury St. #2, Boston, MA 2116, theloftsalonanddayspa.com.
Tres Gatos
At this tapas-bar-within-a-bookshop, the garlicky gambas all i pebre, fat wedges of creamy tortilla española, and chorizo-enhanced albondigas are all outstanding versions of the classics. After a few sugared churros dunked in spiced hot chocolate (pictured above), you'll swear that Las Ramblas is just around the corner. 470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, tresgatosjp.com.
Shreve, Crump & Low
If you've got the time, this is the place for watchbands of every imaginable color, size, and material. Browse through the hefty catalog. If they don't have what you want, they'll order it (including handmade crocodile bands from Austria). 330 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
GTE's
A few months after GTE pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal top-secret Department of Defense budget documents, the Waltham company was awarded a $4.3-billion army contract that could mean as many as 1,000 new Bay State jobs. Massachusetts is sure going to miss Tip O'Neill.
Sultan's Kitchen
Why single out what is already probably Boston's only Turkish restaurant? Because there are some who work downtown and still haven't had one of their kebab sandwiches for lunch. Give 'em a shot: only your breath will suffer. 72 Broad St., Boston, MA .
Minot Light
Moonlight, sand, bare feet and surf ... what more could a romantic ask for? A lighthouse that twinkles "I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U" over Massachusetts Bay (its signal is 1-4-3). Even the Department of Interior has been smitten; this lighthouse has been designated a national landmark. Cohasset, MA
Roux
This saucy bed-and-breakfast brings a splash of urban charm to the outermost Cape. Rooms are painted bright colors—no staid New England décor here. The food stands out, too: At breakfast, dig into treats like caramelized-onion-and-shiitake clafoutis; by night, mingle with eclectic guests over gratis wine and snacks. 210 Bradford St., Provincetown, MA 02633, rouxprovincetown.com.
Jo Jo Taipei
The "homemade flour corner" options reign supreme here, and the huge, aromatic xiao long bao (soup dumplings) put Chinatown's version to shame. For intense flavor and generous portions, try a "three cups" meat special or the spicy ma-la hot pot—if you dare. 103 Brighton Ave., Boston, MA 02134, jojotaipei.com.