The Knaughty Knights' Club
Local escort services love it. Sheraton-Tara, 37 Forbes St., Braintree, MA .
J. J. Foley's
Ray Flynn has given the establishment a brand new cachet. 117 E. Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
River Gods
Rather than coming off as calculated quirkiness, the gothic furniture and gargoyle motif at this under-the-radar Central Square taproom are mere curiosities, something you notice briefly before they fade into the all-encompassing hospitable vibe. A roster of ace DJs rotates out of a loft space above the bar, spinning a bit of everything—hip-hop, roots rock, punk, techno—as dressed-down patrons gather over killer drinks and French fries dunked in house-made roasted garlic aioli. Aside from the South End's smaller (and DJ-less) Delux Café, few other bars in this town have the confidence to aim for easygoing. 125 River St., Cambridge, MA 2139, rivergodsonline.com.
The Harp at the Garden
With their recent expansion downstairs, it seems the entire loge section could fit inside The Harp. After most Celtics or Bruins games, it looks as though it has. 85 Causeway, Boston, MA .
The Lemonheads
They can churn out music that sounds intensely tortured one minute, gently sentimental the next. Maybe it's just us, but is Evan Dando (the group's lead singer and guitarist) brilliant, or what? Who else could write a song about his stove?
Mozamba
This 8-to-10-member band fuses calypso, African, and funk styles to make infectious, uplifting music that explains the packed houses and dancing crowds wherever it plays.
A tie between the Raindogs and the Heavy Metal Horns
The Dogs' improbable mixture of blues-based rock and roots won them a major-label contract last year. The Horns' big-brass treatment of World eat, jazz, and R&B blows the roof off Ryles regularly.
Michael Leviton, Lumiere
When Lumiere opened this spring in the culinary hinterland of Newton, unlike most new restaurants, which require an initial shakeout period, it became an instant hit. The reason was simple: The husband-and-wife team of Michael and Jill Leviton didn't miss a beat in converting a suburban ice cream parlor into a sophisticated and stylish, but relaxing and casual, neighborhood bistro that had impressive food and reasonable prices. Before taking over his neighborhood Brigham's and throwing out the jimmies, chef Michael Leviton trained at such temples of gastronomy as New York's Le Bernadin and Le Cirque (under Daniel Boulud) and San Francisco's Elka. As a result, he arrives with a mastery of French technique and more than a few Asian influences from his time in the Bay Area. In addition to working the front, Jill worked on the stylish decor and put together an unusually thoughtful wine list with some excellent values. 1293 Washington St., West Newton, MA .
The Butcher Shop
As the longtime wine doyenne of the Barbara Lynch empire, Cat Silirie knows her way around a corkscrew. For proof, look no further than the corner of Tremont and Waltham, where over the past six years she's nurtured this updated boucherie into a temple of vino that effectively puts the cork in the Hub's ersatz wine bars. The list digs deep with bottles from producers and small family farms—even grapes!—we've never heard of, but every server intuits precisely what will rock that plate of charcuterie or artisanal cheese. Hang out and nibble across the meat-centric menu while watching the South End go by, or have a glass while the staff packs your shopping bag with aged steaks, house-cured bacon, and Bolognese sauce. 552 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, thebutchershopboston.com.
Ricky Jay
In the David Mamet-directed show Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants at the Market Theater, Ricky Jay had his titular assistants—a pack of cards—slicing melons and appearing in unexpected places. Spinning a monologue about magic made even more mystical by his mellifluous voice, the card-carrying clairvoyant could keep us entertained without lifting a finger.
Gretta Luxe
According to stereotype, women are supposed to run into the city for a dose of cutting-edge chic. Gretta Luxe has successfully reversed the paradigm: Since it opened four years ago, it's had city fashion aficionados happily schlepping out to Wellesley for designs and investment pieces that are hard to find elsewhere, including Chloé, Barbara Bui, Miu Miu, Habitual, and Strenesse. There are accessories, too, from Marc Jacobs bags to Jimmy Choo shoes. But this is no mere label shrine. The helpful staffers, each blessed with impeccable taste, have well-tuned radar for determining which clothes will flatter a customer (and a merciful flair for avoiding those that don't). If that isn't worth a quick jaunt down Route 9, we don't know what is. 94 Central St., Wellesley, MA grettaluxe.com.
The Dance Umbrella
As if internal upheaval, declines in funding, and a cash crunch weren't bad enough, the Dance Umbrella made a bad bet on Bill T. Jones's Still Here. Three nights in a row at the 3,700-seat Wang was a little ambitious for a show featuring the ravages of AIDS.
Brian Hemming, Regeneration Tattoo
Whether you’re looking for a nonjudgmental consult for your very first tat or finishing off a sleeve with a portrait of a beloved pet, Brian Hemming’s attention to detail and years of experience soothe. He’s justifiably popular, so book early and be prepared to wait for your permanent work of art. 155 Harvard Ave., Allston, 02134, regenerationtattoo.com.
Brookline Booksmith
Its slogan, "Dedicated to the fine art of browsing," is no mere hype: There are few better ways to spend a lazy Sunday morning than puttering around the Booksmith. Whether you're in need of a new beach read or an offbeat gift, you'll find it here. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, brooklinebooksmith.com.