The Boylston Rooms
Nestled inside a former textile factory, this alluring Pioneer Valley venue offers everything you’ll need for a killer party: a talented catering team to prepare your wedding feast, access to scenic outdoor areas for endless photo ops, and a much-needed bridal suite for when you need a break from schmoozing with guests. Dress up either of the Boylston Rooms’ function spaces with your choice of décor, or simply let the celebration spots speak for themselves: Effortlessly cool with swaths of white-painted brick and oversize windows, the high-ceilinged rooms are already rich in character. 122 Pleasant St., Easthampton, MA boylstonroom.com.
Grillfish
There are no ocean breezes or views of passing sailboats at Grillfish's location in the Back Bay. But the fried calamari melts in your mouth without leaving a coating of grease on your fingers, the pan-seared scallops are plump with an appealing crisp on the outside that seals in their juicy flavor, and the grilled fish—from trout to mahi-mahi to catfish—is light, flaky, and cooked to perfection. Who cares if the plates don't match, the wine list is written on a chalkboard, and the columns in the dining room are meant to look like the masts of lobster boats? A little kitsch is not such a bad thing when the fresh fish is so good. 162 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
The DogScoop
Call it whatever you want—the Puppy Palace, the Kitty Kastle—no euphemism will ever fool pets into believing a kennel is as good as their own bed (or yours). But when you just can't bring them along on the family trip to Cabo, this is the next best thing. Indoor and outdoor play spaces, trained staffers, and stimuli aplenty make for boarding that's almost fun; at-home visits cater to the finicky, moody, or antisocial. Plus, the DogScoop's handy pickup/drop-off service makes coaxing Cupcake into the car or crate their problem, not yours. 216 Webster St., Newton, MA 2465, thedogscoop.com.
Dani Wagener, Shu Uemura
For everyone out there who thinks you're attractive, chances are there's someone else who thinks you look like Shrek. Makeup tilts the odds in your favor. Fifteen-year vet Wagener works with your best features—and plays down the rest—to produce a flawless, universally appealing visage. Plus, the top-quality mineral-based products from fanatically beloved Japanese skin-care line Shu Uemura stand up to the hottest public spotlight, as well as those more prosaic 9-to-5 fluorescents. 130 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Yelena Courture
Sometimes it's impossible to resist buying something fabulous when the price has plummeted. That's when your tailor becomes your best friend/ The mark of a great tailor is the ability to pare something several sizes too big down to size without sacrificing the design. This small shop (located in the garage of The Atrium) transformed a heavily discounted Donna Karan skirt and made it look practically custom-made. The pros here also altered a heavily beaded bodice, work that required a large degree of finesse, and they did it in less than a week. The Atrium Mall, 300 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA .
Lester Harry's
Admit it: Even the inevitable grass, food, and spit-up stains won't discourage you from dressing your tot to the nines. And who can blame you? A trip to Lester Harry's could persuade every parent that the little pumpkin should be outfitted in the finest of European fashion: Bienvenue sur Terre shirts and tees, Marcel et Leon linen shorts, Lili Gaufrette sundresses. While you're at it, pick up a couple of sets of custom-tailored crib sheets. By the time you leave, you won't know what's cuter: your angel-faced nipper—or the store. 140 Washington St., Marblehead, MA lesterharrys.com.
Le Soir
It could be the soft lighting and rich hues of creamy taupe, burgundy, and deep orange in the dining room. Maybe it's the Francophile's dream of a wine list. It might even be the comfortable and confident service. But ultimately we think it's chef Mark Allen's food that pushes the romance quotient at his Newton restaurant Le Soir to hot and steamy. The heady aromas of chanterelle mushrooms, truffle oil, and even slowly cooked rabbit potpie fill the air while the sensuous textures of crispy-skinned roast duck fill your mouth. A meal here with anyone is special, but with your significant other, it's a night to remember. 51 Lincoln St., Newton, MA .
The Courtside
You do a mean AC/DC, and the world deserves to hear it. Even if you must endure a couple's lovingly howled 'Summer Nights' duet before taking the stage, there's no better platform for your talents than the Courtside: Its expansive karaoke room is populated by a vocal audience Thursday through Saturday, and the refreshments—a large pizza and a pitcher of PBR for $13—are ample incentive for everyone to stick around. If you tend to dampen your pre-performance jitters with too much brewski, rest easy knowing that the teleprompting screens are enormous enough to be read even through beer goggles. 291 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2141, .
Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions
To be clear, the word " delicatessen" in Moody’s moniker is not meant to imply eats of the kosher Jewish variety (though after a bite of the piled-high pastrami sandwich or peppery corned-beef version, you may be convinced otherwise). No, this Waltham destination sets out to celebrate every kind of animal protein, with the most astonishing breadth of fastidiously house-cured and smoked meats you’ll find anywhere in the area (all of which, of course, still pair perfectly with a side of house bagel chips and a can of Dr. Brown’s cream soda). 468 Moody St., Waltham, MA 2453, moodyswaltham.com.
Bentley's Travelware
When it comes to customer service, Bentley's is peerless. The Copley Place store manager, Berge Ounjian, is on hand to offer personable, expert advice, and is always attentive to your needs and budget. It's refreshing to find a store that offers top-of-the-line variety (Tumi, Hartmann) and its own custom gear, as well as quality mid-range alternatives, matched with a staff that knows when to offer advice and when to let your browse. Also worth nothing is Bentley's Luggage and Gifts, the larger sister store in the Mall at Chestnut Hill, which has an equally warm and knowledgeable sales staff. Copley Place, Boston, MA .
Laundromutt
What’s worse—a dog in desperate need of a bath, or one that returns from the groomer smelling like cheap air freshener? At Laundromutt, the emphasis on all-natural products means your pooch will be shampooed with olfactory-pleasing scents like honey-almond and pomegranate. Fido, meanwhile, will be in great hands with the company’s expert groomers, who handle matted fur and overgrown coats with ease. And if a romp in the mud needs urgent attention, there’s also the DIY bath, which doesn’t require an appointment. Waterproof smocks are included—hair in the drain of your home tub, mercifully, is not. 489 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, laundromutt.com.
Hummingbird Bridal & Events
As couples grapple with uncertain wedding plans during the coronavirus outbreak, virtual celebrations have emerged as promising alternatives—and Hummingbird Bridal & Events as the firm to make them happen. Helmed by planner Mandy Connor, the nearly 11-year-old Boston-based company can help coordinate an intimate live-streamed ceremony before whisking you away for a festive meal for two, complete with a bespoke playlist, to keep the party going. Want to make sure your guests feel the love? Connor is happy to send out DIY cocktail kits to your nearest and dearest so they can join in on the fun from afar. 213 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, hummingbirdbridal.com.
Hairo
As blowout bars become as ubiquitous as Starbucks franchises, many have resorted to a formulaic styling process: wash, dry, and out the door. At Hairo, however, there’s no shuffling through a blow-dry assembly line: You’ll get a personalized ’do from a seasoned stylist, plus expert tips on which looks work best for your hair type. The best part? Your tamed tresses will last for days, with just the right amount of bounce. 163 Newbury St., Boston, 617-266-1199; 2 Winter Place, Boston, 617-231-7914. 163 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, myhairo.com.
Brewer’s Fork
Moody’s-sourced Jersey pork roll dripping with spicy ketchup and melted American cheese, vintage ’80s cartoons projected over the bar, and a crisp Centennial-hopped pilsner cooling in your palm: Welcome to bleary-eyed bliss. At this hair-of-the-dog miracle worker in Charlestown, toast the end of your weekend with co-owner Michael Cooney’s cache of craft-beer rarities and a menu of celestial breakfast hits ranging from sweet (banana-bread waffles) to savory (chilaquiles) to downright delicious (bacon-and-onion breakfast pizza). 7 Moulton St., Charlestown, MA 02129, brewersfork.com.
Behind the Bookstore
Known as the island’s top destination for coffee, brunch at this Secret Garden-meets-French-café oasis just off Edgartown’s tony main drag remains perpetually underrated. Studded with avocado, the fried egg BLT is a hearty eye-opener. And the shakshuka, spicy and served with plenty of toast for mopping up every last bite, is positively life-changing. Correction, July 1, 11 a.m.: An earlier version of this post stated that Behind the Bookstore serves house-made croissants. In fact, those are the only baked goods there that are not house-made. Also, the egg sandwiches are served on sourdough, not croissants. 46 Main St., Edgartown, MA 02539, btbmv.com.