Haven Beauty
Forced to shut down just months after opening due to the pandemic, Emily Sobers had a challenging start to her new business. But there’s no sign of those early struggles today inside her aptly named clean-beauty salon and wellness space, which offers flawless cuts, highlights, facials, and more. And Sobers and her team seem to be adding more ways to unwind every day, first with yoga and Pilates classes and most recently with their “Relax and Restore” room, complete with an infrared sauna. 14 Church St., Hopkinton, MA 1748, havenbeautyma.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
At last count, Boston had more than two dozen luxury steakhouses. What situates this Back Bay institution atop that pricey heap? It has the dry-aged and genuine Wagyu steaks that beef snobs prefer; serves equally fine seafood and raw bar items; boasts a capacious, trophy-laden wine cellar; and epitomizes the gleaming opulence of Boston’s bygone private clubs. Plus, in a city increasingly dominated by national chains, it lets you feel like royalty while supporting a veteran local indie. 161 Berkeley St., Back Bay, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Little Russia
European folk art jewelry, hand-painted chess sets, nesting matryoshka dolls, exquisite beads—there's a treasure trove of discoveries in this tiny shop—a great browse. 228 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Barbara Krakow Gallery
Krakow's consistency, quality, and business savvy make her the hands-down winner. 10 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Basement Gallery
Challenging work in the best of the alternative spaces. 35 Kingston St., Boston, MA .
Thomas Segal Gallery
For its risky decision to open a new space in Jamaica Plain for large installations. 73 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Just down the psychedelic stairs at this subterranean Central Square art-supply mecca you'll find artfully arranged rows of paints, brushes, paper, and tools for every possible occasion. The unpretentious, approachable staff sprouts encyclopedic knowledge of everything from paint viscosity to the finer points of epoxy. 580 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA artistcraftsman.com.
Clark Gallery
Since taking over in 2008, photographer Dana Salvo and artist Dawn Southworth have continued this gallery's effort to present contemporary works through intriguingly themed shows such as "Head On," an eclectic collection of portraits. Tapping an extensive network of living artists, they've introduced a host of new names to the collections of local art hounds. 145 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln, MA 1773, clarkgallery.com.
Blick
Whether you're seeking clay for your next sculpture or an easel for an al fresco painting adventure, this well-equipped emporium (who knew a whole aisle could be dedicated to canvases?) will furnish the right tool. And because many of the staffers are artists themselves, they're certain to steer you toward the appropriate horsehair brush for that imminent masterpiece. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA dickblick.com.
Trefler & Sons
The 20-plus artists employed by this low-profile, 83-year-old, family-owned company repair some 20,000 cracked, shattered, faded, worn, or burned objets d'art per year for clients from around the world. The talented group can fix or restore just about anything, from furniture and paintings, frames and glass, to ivory, jade, metals, and marble. No job is too challenging, no repair too trivial. And when your favorite piece is ready, it will shine as brilliantly as when it was created. 29 Tower Rd., Newton, MA .
Gallery Kayafas
Unsettling, luscious, provocative—fine-art photography should be all of these things. Gallery Kayafas, a loftlike space in SoWa, showcases work of precisely this sort, with a majority of artists having local ties. All credit goes to the owner, Arlette Kayafas, who has the connections and the courage to mine the incomparable talents among us. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA gallerykayafas.com.
Barbara Cole Lee + Company
Lee—a collector herself—is something of a matchmaker, pairing great pieces with the right clients. She's on first-name terms with top local galleries and artists, but will happily hit the road in search of the perfect painting or sculpture. Like all good yentas, she's as much an educator as a connection-maker, giving her customers the confidence to buy what they like while developing their art savvy. 35 Fisher Ave., Brookline, MA 2445, barbaracolelee.com.
Bernard Toale Gallery
The gallery moved last year from its swank Newbury Street location to a more intimate South End setting. Toale's edginess is more than topographical however: He represents many of the city's most promising younger artists, such as Ambreen Butt, David Hilliard, and Lucy White. His is also the gallery of choice for many shows of national significance, such as last year's posthumous exhibit of photographer Francesca Woodman. Between exhibitions, Toale sponsors readings, video installations, and the occasional fashion show. And once again this year, he'll use his gallery's clout for a good cause—as chairperson for ARTcetera 2000, the biennial fine arts auction that benefits the AIDS Action Committee. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Michael Schlow
Being a great chef isn't just about respecting good ingredients or cooking with passion. It's also about being a good manager and building relationships with the guests you serve. Michael Schlow is all of the above, and more. With three restaurants in his expanding stable (Radius, Via Matta, and Great Bay), Schlow may not be the man who personally prepares you dinner, but he juggles each of his top-notch kitchens with aplomb. Schlow understands the culinary parameters of his ventures better than anyone—he knows, for example, that at Radius, less is more; that at Via Matta, cooking pasta is an art; and that at Great Bay, it's all about the bounty of our local waters. Radius, 8 High St.; Great Bay, 500 Commonwealth Ave.; Via Matta, 79 Park Plaza, Boston, MA michaelschlow.com.