Grace by Nia
How thrilling to get a stunning live-music venue in the Seaport, a neighborhood increasingly (and thankfully) moving away from its chain-filled reputation. A dream-team collab between Nia Grace (of Roxbury/South End favorite Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen) and Big Night, the hospitality group behind some of Boston’s snazziest nightclubs, the newly opened venue is now the place for both soul music and seriously decadent soul food — did someone say carrot-cake chicken and waffles? 60 Seaport Blvd., 3rd Floor, Seaport, MA 02210, gracebynia.com.
Revelry
Looking for a party? Follow chef Brian Ledet’s food truck — covered in harle- quin diamonds in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green — when it pops up at Boston-area breweries or city parks. One taste of the New Orleans transplant’s spicy jambalaya, red beans and rice with fried chicken, andouille sausage gumbo, or barbecue-shrimp po’ boys, and you’ll swear you can suddenly hear Bourbon Street jazz bands all the way from the Greenway. Boston, MA revelryboston.com.
KitchenVisions
If your design dreams are lacking inspiration, one peek at this Natick firm’s sophisticated kitchen projects should do the trick. You’ll find cocktail hour–ready bar areas, oversize islands for prepping and entertaining, mahogany pantries with storage galore, and majestic marble backsplashes — all of which, combined with the team’s thoughtful layout decisions, come together to make the heart of your home anything but cookie-cutter. kitchenvisions.com.
Anchovies
Trend-setting and -following South End restaurants continue to come and go with changing tastes, but this cozy, brick-walled neighborhood institution never veers — thank heavens! — from its winning recipe: big plates of chicken Parm and other Italian-American eats, late-night service in the rosy glow of stained-glass lamps, and the pulsing Good Vibes it emanates as both a beloved local haunt and low-key not-but-sorta gay bar. 433 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116, anchoviesbar.com.
Phrenology Trivia at the Quiet Few
After keeping fans engaged on social media in recent years, indie quizzer Danny Gottschalk, the brains behind Phrenology, is once again dishing up pub trivia in the flesh — and the best place to catch him is at the Quiet Few. Arrive early to join the fun at this small neighborhood bar, which offers up a Monday special on pitchers and proffers picklebacks as between-round prizes. Pro tip: Earn extra points by ordering the Whiskey of the Week. 331 Sumner St., East Boston, MA 02128, thequietfew.com.
Riccardi
There’s streetwear, and then there’s mad-cool streetwear. Repping brands like Off-White (RIP, Virgil Abloh), Chrome Hearts, and Thom Browne — not to mention a colossal jeans-and- tees collection from Amiri and Saint Laurent — this boutique’s wares definitely fall into the latter category. Riccardo Dallai, who launched his family fashion business in 1978, has also broken into the exclusive collab category with limited-edition hoodies, beanies, and sweat- pants. Your threads will be lit. 116 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, riccardiboston.com.
deWolfe Leather Goods
A good handbag is like a fine meal: simple ingredients, but only the best of them. Gina deWolfe knows this. Her eponymous bag collection consists of minimal cuts with top-quality leathers (plus a few metal garnishes for pizzazz). The “Wolfe-pack,” a supple backpack available in luxe neutrals, provides a sturdy and stylish friend for all of your adventures; the “Bettie” clutch, meanwhile, stands out for its pebbled leather and oversize belt buckle and grommets. All in all, a delicious result. 250 Newbury St., 1st Fl., Boston, MA 02116, dewolfeleathergoods.com.
Grettacole
Not quite ready to rock a smock at your favorite salon just yet? You don’t have to thanks to Grettacole, whose root touchup kits quickly became a quarantine sensation. Here, Natalie Salerno, a senior stylist at the salon, demonstrates how to pull off a successful DIY dye job at home. 1. Remove the touchup color and professional application brush from the kit. Be sure to put on the included disposable gloves before getting started—you’re not dying your hands, after all. 2. Always begin at your center part and follow the hairline, slowly moving from ear to ear as you apply the dye in small, quarter-inch sections. 3. Once the dye is applied, wait the full processing time—35 minutes—to ensure the color develops properly (unless you want orange hair!). Then shampoo twice: The first wash is to remove the color and prevent it from irritating your scalp or making your roots oily. The second is to eliminate any residue so you don’t stain pillowcases and towels. 10 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, grettastyle.com.
Linens on the Hill
When’s the last time you upgraded your linen closet? If you can’t remember, it might be time to pay a visit to this high-end textile haven. Owner Lynne Wolverton’s stacks of locally made Matouk bedding, elegant Sferra tablecloths, and soft Yves Delorme bath towels (a godsend for rough, over-washed hands) make staying cozy at home as easy as wash, dry, and repeat. 52 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, linensonthehill.com.
Fish & Bone
Adopted a dog from out of state during the pandemic? This shop’s Red Sox jerseys and lobster rope toys will have Fido looking and feeling like a local in no time. You’ll find plenty of stylish accessories for citified cats and dogs, too, from catnip-scented cactus toys to colorful striped dog beds by Pendleton. 217 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thefishandbone.com.
Musical Instrument Service Center
If it’s good enough for the city’s budding musicians, it’s good enough for us. When Berklee College of Music students need their instruments repaired, they head across the street to this shop staffed by current or former performing musicians — most of whom have decades of experience troubleshooting and repairing guitars, amps, keyboards, and other types of audio gear to get you playing again in no time. 4 Haviland St., Boston, MA 02115, miscfix.com.
Diana Rastegayeva, Massachusetts COVID Vaccination Help
Diana Rastegayeva of Massachusetts COVID Vaccination Help took us one step closer to vanquishing COVID by bringing together tech-challenged and underserved residents with volunteers who could help them navigate the formerly complex online vaccine-booking system. By early June, her team of Good Samaritans had booked more than 25,000 shots, making them some of Boston’s best community organizers.
Sophie Truong, Stitch & Tickle
The best handbags become extensions of who we are, and fiber artist Sophie Truong’s leather creations are no exception. Her SoWa storefront—which just celebrated its one-year anniversary—is an accessory lover’s paradise, stocked with hand-stitched hobo bags and adorable shearling cross-bodies that you’ll never want to put down. 63 Thayer St., Boston, MA 02118, stitchandtickle.com.
The Sinclair
Sure, it lacks the grit of some of the area’s older music venues, but in return it has every touring indie band on its calendar, fantastic acoustics, and (gasp!) nice bathrooms. Plus, the attached restaurant’s patio is a solid spot to kick back with a craft cocktail and house-made pretzels while waiting for the show. Is the concert experience any less rock ’n’ roll if it’s this pleasant? In any case, we’re happy to partake. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA 02138, sinclaircambridge.com.
Sidney Thomas
A single Akoya pearl bordered by diamonds. A vintage solitaire set gracefully on a band of 14-karat white gold. A trio of emerald-cut sapphires, azure as the ocean blue. Whatever your style, you’ll find the selection at this Prudential Center jeweler sparkles. Choose from modern and traditional pieces by Mikimoto, Henri Daussi, and Simon G. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, sidneythomas.com.