Torrefazione Italia
Aunt Bette often says there's nothing worse than a bad cup of tea, but she's wrong. A bad cup of coffee is a greater offense. And there are far too many chains these days pouring vats of watered-down-but-too-hot-to-taste-the-difference-anyway brews. That's why, when we need some real java, we make a beeline for Torrefazione (Italian for "coffee roaster"), where the espresso is rich and bracing, the cappuccino has just the right amount of foamy milk on top, and ordering a regular means choosing from an aromatic selection of light or dark blends. If you're not getting your joe to go, sit and savor your caffeine in a handpainted Deruta coffee cup, also an Italian import. 85 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Uni
You won't find any California rolls at chef Ken Oringer's new sashimi bar, Uni. What you will find is the most unbelievably fresh raw fish this side of Tokyo, prepared in the most imaginative ways we've ever seen. We consider the fact that there are even any competitors in the sashimi category a giant leap forward for Boston, a town that until recently had few decent sushi restaurants, which is why this year we created an entirely new category to separate the brave (those who relish the delicate flavor of uncooked fish) from the beginners (those who prefer their fish in a maki roll). Oringer's menu at the intimate Uni varies depending on what has been flown in that day (sometimes live—Oringer loves to prepare his own fresh eel), which he serves straight up or in delicately balanced preparations like the decadent uni spoon, a mouthful of sea urchin, quail egg, osetra caviar, and chives, or the mirugai (giant clam) sashimi with wasabi leaves and red pickled onion. And with a creative drink menu (the subtly spicy "enter the dragon" is not to be missed) and extensive sake selection, we expect that Uni will continue making experts out of those beginners. At Clio, Eliot Hotel, 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA unisashimibar.com.
Wouldn't It Be Lovely
When you work with Caitlin Spaulding, you won’t just get custom wedding invitations—you’ll send out one-of-a-kind works of art. Whether she imagines your wedding venue in watercolor on your envelope linings or depicts your love story in a colorful illustrated map, the footwear designer turned stationery guru understands the impact of personal touches. Her talents go way beyond invites, though: She can also carry your design vision through to your save-the-dates, place cards, menus, programs, signage, and more. wouldntitbelovely.com.
Render
We’ve been juggling hot, steamy (occasionally cold-brewed) flings with a veritable bevy of eligible coffee small-batch-elors, each with its own heart-palpitating charms. There’s George (Howell) with the soaring, bright notes and single-origin intensity; there’s Grace (note) with the delicate roasting finesse and come-hither latte art. But lately we’re finding ourselves back on the old, uh, Render app, swiping right for the laptop-friendly seating, well-built sandwiches, and exemplary espressos—the small, dark, and hand-pulled type we’re suckers for. Multiple locations. 563 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02118, rendercoffeebar.com.
Tasting Counter
Considering how chained we’ve been to Zoom during workdays, a meal kit that includes a “virtual interactive dining experience” has to be really, really good to get us in front of a laptop on weekends. Exhibit A: TC@Home, Saturday-night livestreams that guide us through unboxing everything we need to prepare and artfully plate courses of the same haute cuisine — say, dry-aged duck with fermented autumn olive — served at chef Peter Ungár’s innovative fine-dining restaurant. Our rating? Two thumbs-up emojis. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, tastingcounter.com.
Disc Diggers
The indie music ethic in this town is so snobbish, it's almost considered blasphemy if you like a song on the radio. But thanks to Davis Square's Disc Diggers, located in the epicenter of cool, this attitude has been dispensed with, and buying CDs has become a pleasure again. You may not know all the obscure music on the overstuffed shelves, but the inventory is so extensive that you'll find a Bon Jovi album right next to the Backstreet Boys and Built to Spill. Prices are low, staffers know just about everything, and the body art on some of the customers is as entertaining as the music. 401 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA discdiggers.com.
DogSpa
Dogs and people express their devotion to each other in ways the recipient probably wishes they wouldn't: jumping up and piddling with joy (dogs); making gifts of pup-sized Sox jerseys (people). A trip to the groomer's might fall into that latter category, too—strangers! clippers! yikes!—but not at DogSpa. Rescued from closing in 2006 and thoroughly overhauled by a longtime customer, this previous Best of Boston winner mixes state-of-the-art equipment like an air-purification system and massaging-jet baths with good old TLC. And since there's tons of doggy accessories here, four-legged friends can emerge not only clean and sweet-smelling, but also togged out like Big Papi. 45 Enon St., Beverly, MA 1915, .
Glenn Beckner
Then again, not everyone can build himself up to the point that he won't get sand kicked in his face. Beckner's bodyguard service provides both personal security and discreet protection at large gatherings. "There are some people, especially in smaller entrepreneurial companies, who are the brains of the whole operation," Beckner explains. "They can't be replaced." So Beckner offers a staff of black-belt-level martial-arts experts who also know CPR, First Aid, and the proper handling of weapons. Beckner's service is not cheap, so if cost counts, you're probably better off with general workouts and karate classes elsewhere. Needham, MA
Centre Street Café
In a neighborhood brimming with worthy bistros (Ten Tables, Arbor) and watering holes (Milky Way, Doyle's), finding the best among them seems impossible. Until you've tasted brunch at Centre Street. No other place draws such a salad of local characters—yups, students, families, and artists. The food and art are local, too, and the tunes are just loud enough to inspire but not preclude conversation. The servers are so friendly, they feel like buddies who just happen to be fetching you fluffy banana pancakes with farm-fresh blueberries. And that's the best kind of friend there is. 669A Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA centrestreetcafejp.com.
Oishii
After a few years of flirtation with more-is-more sashimi decadence, we've come back around to sushi that's simple, delicate, and pure. No gold-flaked lacquer, please. And hold the foie gras sauce, while you're at it. We prefer to actually taste how fresh the fish is. This is Oishii's enduring formula: seafood, allowed to shine beneath only the most carefully chosen sauces. But that doesn't mean the presentations aren't artful: Crowned with just a garnish here or a flower there, each piece gleams like a jewel, a tribute to minimalism. 612 Hammond St., Boston, MA 2118, oishiiboston.com.
Coolidge Corner Theatre
The Coolidge, with its impressive lineup of indie features, gives film bluffs a place to call home. Adding to the charm: a new art-deco inspired marquee, a throwback to the picture houses of old. With a stellar schedule of surprise hits (Monsoon Wedding) and midnight movie series ("80s Midnite Movie Explosion," "We Love John Cusack!"), the nonprofit theater gets extra kudos for supporting local filmmakers and creative programming. This year's special guest appearances have been attention-getting, too: The Indepenent's Janeane Garofalo and Jerry Stiller, director John Sayles, and the controversial Tammy Faye Bakker Mesner. Now, that's what we call entertainment. 290 Harvard St., Brookline, MA coolidge.org.
The Foundry
The city of Cambridge transformed this former factory into a gorgeous, multipurpose creative hive with the explicit goal of offering accessible space to artists and artisans in a city that, more often than not, prices them out. Among the Foundry’s public amenities are reservable conference rooms; four makerspaces offering workshops for fi ber arts, woodwork, and more; a demonstration kitchen; a dance studio; and a 115-seat black-box theater. Not artistically inclined? No problem — you’ll also find Zumba classes, gallery shows, and guitar festivals, all open to the public. 101 Rogers St., Cambridge, MA 02142, cambridgefoundry.org.
Dr. Detail Car Wash
Most of us do very bad things in our cars, what with the speeding and the cussing and whatnot. Some of us also do very bad things to our cars, leaving them to suffer the indignity of coffee-stained dashes and trash-strewn floors. When the situation reaches the Good God, what is that smell? stage, it's time to pay a visit to Dr. Detail. At its three local mall-garage setups (bonus: shop while you wait) and flagship operation in Walpole (bonus: spot a Patriot), this auto aesthetician offers a decent hand-wash and vacuum for 30 bucks. But book a full detail, starting at about $160, and the guys will buff, shampoo, and vacuum away every last vestige of your sins. Consider it an exorcism, with new-car smell. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, .
Dr. Detail Car Wash
Most of us do very bad things in our cars, what with the speeding and the cussing and whatnot. Some of us also do very bad things to our cars, leaving them to suffer the indignity of coffee-stained dashes and trash-strewn floors. When the situation reaches the Good God, what is that smell? stage, it's time to pay a visit to Dr. Detail. At its three local mall-garage setups (bonus: shop while you wait) and flagship operation in Walpole (bonus: spot a Patriot), this auto aesthetician offers a decent hand-wash and vacuum for 30 bucks. But book a full detail, starting at about $160, and the guys will buff, shampoo, and vacuum away every last vestige of your sins. Consider it an exorcism, with new-car smell. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, drdetailcarwash.com.