Cielo
Authentic Mexican food? In Braintree? At long last, yes. Owners Roberto Leon and Guadalupe Fuentes lovingly plate real-deal Jaliscan dishes such as hearty torta ahogada (a spicy pork and bean sandwich) and a hauntingly complex enchiladas mole with chicken. The meandering river nearby adds to the charm, as does a tequila bar that stocks rare vintages. 1209 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184, cielomx.com.
MiniLuxe
This polish empire continues its expansion in the Bay State and beyond, and for good reason. A “Clean Lab” sterilizes all equipment to hospital-level sparkle. The atmosphere is minimalist yet warm (picture a chemistry lab combined with a Zen hideout). Services are streamlined, too: Instead of doing it all, they smartly focus on manis, pedis, and waxing. What can we say? MiniLuxe nails it. Prudential Center, 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, miniluxe.com.
Mei Mei
There’s nothing wrong with boilerplate gyoza or xiao long bao. But it’s hard to resist the singular farm-to-table fusion proffered by the siblings behind Mei Mei, who fill their crackly, hand-crimped wrappers with everything from heirloom legumes to braised beef and blue cheese. Our favorite of the bunch—cilantro oil, a swipe of mashed white beans, and lean chorizo—isn’t just a damn good dumpling. It might just be the best two-bite morsel in town. 506 Park Dr., Boston, MA 02215, meimeiboston.com.
AE Events
Planning a wedding is like putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle, and the six-person team at AE Events is skilled at making it all fit. Want a seven-course Tuscan feast with live jazz for 400? Done. A 50-person bonfire beach celebration? No problem! From contracts and vendor negotiations to creative extras (taco bar, anyone?), they're steadfast, organized allies. And if your budget is a ball and chain, they'll work with that, too. 546 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, aeevents.com.
The New World Tavern
Clio and Uni alum Johnny Sheehan has taken his talents south, to a funky tavern in downtown Plymouth. Here, friends catch up over spicy Sichuan ramen; bar snacks like yuzu-glazed pig tails and crispy chickpeas dusted with ras al hanout; and an extensive charcuterie selection. Sheehan's creativity works well with the three dozen craft beers on draft and more than 100 bottled brews from around the globe. It's a new world in Plymouth, indeed. 56 Main St., Plymouth, MA 02360, thenewworldtavern.com.
Wequassett Resort and Golf Club
Based solely on the coolness of its bayside pool, Wequassett would swim away with this prize. But it also excels in every other way: The cozy cottage accommodations feel like the Cape of yore (albeit with Molton Brown toiletries and nightly turndown service); prime Signature rooms have fireplaces and unmatched water views. And then there's the exquisite golf course. The outdoor bar. The laid-back yet attentive staff. Need we go on? 2171 Head of the Bay Rd., Harwich, MA 2645, wequassett.com.
Party Favors
Between hitting the dance floor and hitting the bar, most wedding guests ignore the cake—or else pick halfheartedly at a slice that's too sweet on the outside, too dry on the inside. The veteran treat-makers at Party Favors will bake your choice of 10 kinds of batters (among them, carrot, almond, and lemon); pack it with moist fillings like cherries and cream, French mocha buttercream, and white chocolate-cinnamon mousse; and top it off with a just-right frosting. The result: a cake made to get, and keep, your guests' attention. 1356 Beacon St., Brookline, MA partyfavorsbrookline.com.
Tangierino
Morocco could teach us all a thing or two about romance. At Tangierino, groups gather at intimate booths shrouded by gauzy curtains, while couples sit side by side on plush benches—no awkward tables to lean across here. Start with a sweet, phyllo-wrapped chicken b'stila and rich lamb tagine, then finish with a trip to the next-door hookah bar. Unless, of course, you're ready to move your date somewhere more private. 83 Main St., Charlestown, MA tangierino.com.
Toro
What's as rich as Toro's cheese plate, has as much flavor as its olive oil-roasted Brussels sprouts, and is as undeniably saucy as its patatas bravas? The neighborhood designers and artists, in-the-know real estate movers and shakers, and local restaurateurs who—without fail, seven nights a week—flock to chef-owner Ken Oringer's no-reservations hot spot from happy hour till closing time. Rubbing elbows with such characters over cava at the raucous bar makes waiting for a table seem like a perk, not a burden. 1704 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Petite Étoile
Whether you’re looking for a mini Stella McCartney dress for your toddler or a sophisticated Roberto Cavalli button-up for your nephew, Petite Étoile has every fashion accessory your little trendsetter needs. And because Mom deserves a treat every now and again, owner Nicole Ablitt stocks a fashionista-approved Fendi diaper bag as well. 318 Derby St., Salem, MA 1970, petiteetoile.com/childrens-clothing.html.
Inn at St. Botolph
The fanny pack and walking shoes may mark you as a tourist, but your digs definitely won’t. Tucked away in the Back Bay, this brownstone inn blends in with its neighbors, keeping your tourist status our little secret. Small and intimate, the property’s suites feature copper fireplaces and signature bow-front windows, creating a quintessential Boston experience. 99 St. Botolph St., Boston, MA 2116, innatstbotolph.com.
Trina's Starlite Lounge
The whole point of brunch is that it's an excuse for indulgence. So why not inject a dash of naughtiness and have it on a weekday? We're talking about industry brunch on Mondays at Starlite, where calling in sick is rewarded with a pile of biscuits and gravy, or the brunch burger (crowned with a fried egg). The crowd, mostly restaurant types shaking off the prior night's last call, won't bat an eye at your request for a second butter-maple bourbon with a chocolate-covered bacon slice. 3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 2143, trinastarlitelounge.com.
Daedalus
Just a couple blocks from the Harvard T stop, this spot draws long lines for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. But it's not just the comfort-food eats we adore. Daedalus is equipped to serve your every need: Two bars on two floors are packed during happy hour; the upstairs dining room is intimate enough for a romantic meal; and the rooftop deck is ideal for summer-evening cocktails. 112 South St #5, Boston, MA 2111, .
Les Zygomates
Happy-hour drinks, dinner dates, late-night cocktail sessions—all are equally good reasons to come to Les Zygomates, a perfect combination of wine bar, bistro, and jazz club. Its ambiance is wonderfully French, though (thank God) there are no overt Paris references or antiques from the City of Light. Even better, the quaffs are affordable and the food superb. There may be a finer frisée aux lardons salad elsewhere in town, but we have yet to find it. 129 South St., Boston, MA 2111, winebar.com.
The Burren
When it comes to evaluating a neighborhood pub, there's only one criterion: You want to hang out there every day. For 14 years, the Burren has been meeting this requirement for hundreds of regulars. They don't return again and again for the standard Irish fare (bangers and mash, fish and chips), though this is as solid as it comes. They return because the back room features weekly music and comedy, because the bar isn't dominated by flat-screens, and because the lived-in comfort feels like home, only better. 247 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, burren.com.