Newbury Comics, Back Bay location
Now that antiseptic virgins have started selling overpriced CDs at the corner of Newbury Street and Mass. Ave., it's nice to know the bad girl still lives next door. The Back Bay Newbury Comics store looks like a pop-culture flea market, with everything from DVDs to T-shirts to X-Men action figures. But, ultimately, music is all that matters. If a rock anthem, hip-hop rhyme, or sugary pop song has been pressed into vinyl or onto a CD, no matter how obscure (or bad), odds are Newbury Comics has it. And the kids behind the counter might look like human graffiti thanks to their tattoos, but most are walking music encyclopedias who are usually glad to help out. 332 Newbury St., Boston, MA newburycomics.com.
Arthur & Pat's
It simply isn't summer in Brant Rock without the smell of crab cakes and eggs—and the epic brunch lines it attracts—pouring from Arthur & Pat's. And it isn't Arthur & Pat's without Aerosmith blaring through the salty air, waitresses in tie-dyed shirs slamming groaning plates onto the granite tables, or ridiculous cartoons illustrating the killer daily specials: shrimp florentine omelettes, gloriously crispy fried clams, and the aptly named "Artie's Orgasmic Lobster Roll." 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA .
Justine Piecuch, Jeffrey Lyle Salon
Frankly, we received plenty of fine haircuts at other upscale salons, but no one listened better than Justine Piecuch at Jeffrey Lyle. This stylist takes a hyper-personalized approach, starting with lots of questions about your lifestyle and daily beauty regimen. A low-maintenance lady, in particular, will emerge from the chair with a pretty wash-and-go 'do. Piecuch is also a great interventionist for those who've suffered bad cuts. She never advocates a Joan of Arc-style bulldoze; rather, she counsels you through the process of slowly growing it out. 135 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, jeffreylylesalon.com.
Suzi Dobeli, Bukowski Tavern
Suzi doesn't mix drinks, because Bukowski is a wine and beer bar only—albeit with one of the selections this side of Brighton. But she has everything else a top bartender should: easy charm; a great memory for faces, names, and the drink that goes with each; and a tolerant ear for sob stories and bad jokes. 50 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Good Harbor
The only bad thing about Good Harbor is the small parking lot—which, if you're lucky enough to snag a spot, isn't such a bad thing. The lack of parking keeps the crowds down, meaning it's actually possible to avoid having sand blow into your sandwich every time someone shakes out a towel. The half-mile stretch of white beach appeals to young and old alike, with a tidal river and seaweed-covered rocks to explore and services including lifeguards, showers, and a snack bar. Get there at low tide for a walk out to Salt Island before the water rushes back in to cover the thin sandbar that connects it to the mainland. It's a trusty alternative to Crane, another favorite North Shore beach. Thatcher Rd., Gloucester, MA .
The Paradise Rock Club
Who says rock is dead? With a club like the Paradise offering its stage to the kinds of acts that will never, ever get air time on MTV (and that's a good thing), the genre is thriving. Everything about the Paradise is designed for the audience: the acoustics, the lights, the five bars (the lines are never long for a drink), and the long, rectangular space that lets just about everyone get close to the stage. Which is why acts from the Donnas to Ryan Adams have lined up to play the Paradise this year, the club's 25th in business. With the addition of the adjacent Paradise Lounge, there's now a smaller stage for acoustic shows by local acts, plus a bar menu for between-show snacks. And unlike other Boston clubs, which stage their shows on the early side so they can turn their floors over to dancing by 10, the Paradise rocks all night long. 969 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA thedise.com.
Boston's Nails & Spa
Let’s be honest: Those DIY mani/pedis just aren’t cutting it anymore. When you’re ready for some real pampering, book the next available session at this formidable Back Bay salon, where even the most basic nail services include oh-so-necessary sugar scrubs and soothing massages for tired hands and feet. Pros here excel in polish application of all kinds, nailing classic looks and tricky art trends (ombré dip powder, anyone?) with careful precision. The team’s meticulousness extends to safety, too: In addition to providing masks, sanitizer, and temperature checks for customers upon arrival, the salon features Plexiglas dividers between stations for ultimate client and staff protection. 665 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonsnailsandspa.com.
Oisa Ramen Slurp & Go
"Own your slurp" is the mantra at Moe Kuroki’s tiny ramen bar: It means belly up to the counter, enjoy your soup, and worry about those stains on your shirt later. But it also applies to Kuroki’s personal journey: The self-taught cook from Fukuoka, Japan, began tinkering with traditional tonkotsu recipes during a particularly strong bout of homesickness. In 2014, she started slinging bowls of tender pork belly and chewy homemade noodles at pop-ups across the city. Now she’s sharing her love for the art of ramen at her new brick-and-mortar, where a layered, rich, fully vegan-style bowl stands out in a sea of fresh noodles on the scene. 1 3/4 Broad St., Boston, MA 02109, oisaramen.com.
<em>Phoenix</em> political writer Al Giordano's portrayal of House Speaker Charlie Flaherty as a statesman.
If Giordano had taken his blinders off for a couple of minutes, he might have realized that Flaherty isn't part of the solution, he's part of the problem.
Nightshade Noodle Bar
After slinging “Hot Noods” in kitchens across the area, chef Rachel Miller finally gave her Vietnamese-inspired pop-up eatery a permanent home in downtown Lynn last year. From there, she’s now churning out an ace takeout and delivery program that includes homemade mi kho noodles with caramelized garlic sauce, a warm lemongrass-infused lobster roll, and coconut margarita mix that promises to turn any ordinary night at home into a party. But what’s even more satisfying than the food is knowing that Miller frequently donates proceeds to local non-profits. 73 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 01901, nightshadenoodlebar.com.
Lookout Rooftop and Bar
Sunset cocktails never tasted as good as they do at Lookout Rooftop & Bar, which serves up an exceptionally elevated, buzzy scene from a seventh-floor vantage point that offers vistas of cloud-scraping buildings and bobbing boats below. 70 Sleeper St., Seaport, MA 02210, theenvoyhotel.com/dining/lookout-rooftop-and-bar.
SALT Kitchen & Rum Bar
Ipswich may be best known for its clams, but this recently opened gastropub celebrates other local exports—namely, rum (the North Shore’s own Privateer and Folly Cove); beer (Ipswich Oatmeal Stout); and salt (we loved the smoked cherrywood version that came sprinkled atop olive oil). The rustic-cozy dining room brings in hordes of neighborhood types, who come for the grilled oysters, the fish and chips, and, of course, the quirky rum-based cocktails every day of the week. One Market St., Ipswich, MA 1938, saltkitchenandrumbar.com.
Daisy Buchanan's Bar
Daisy Buchanan's bar on Newbury Street. Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Back Bay Framery
It's not essential that the people at a frame shop remember your name and your artwork on only your second visit. Or that the shop's employees occasionally volunteer cheaper, do-it-yourself alternatives. But it's precisely that kind of attention that bodes well when you're talking about a service in which a sixteenth of an inch can make all the difference. Rest assured, too, that Back Bay Framery doesn't cut corners when cutting the corners. Its cheery and attentive staff takes on the most demanding custom jobs, with a selection of tabletop and custom frames that looks like it could put the Louvre to shame. 303 Newbury St., Boston, MA backbayframery.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
Any good steakhouse offers oversized hunks of beef, a clubby atmosphere, and expert, deferential service. A truly great one, like Grill 23, has all that plus a chef who prides himself on going beyond the perfect sirloin. Jay Murray (a former vegetarian!) tempts diners with less popular but equally flavorful 'chef's cuts' (medium-rare flat iron, anyone?) and serves up seafood, like the soft-shell crabs Milanese, of which any fine-dining establishment would be proud. In short, the joint gives a new wrinkle to the phrase 'the thrill of the grill.' 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.