Jeff's Place at Filene's
Sure, the place has six flavors of frozen yogurt, numerous toppings, and huge portions, but many of the folks in the long lines at this hop on Filene's Franklin Strete corner come because Ann, the "Lady in Red"—red hat, red dress, red watch, earrings lipstick, and nails—who dishes the dessert, is as sweet as amaretto cream on a hot summer day. 384 Washington St., Boston, MA .
The Coach House
Brunch-goers are often faced with a choice of sweet versus salty. At the Coach House, they don't have to pick. The restaurant's Sunday brunch buffet has everything from fluffy French toast to chef Ryan Hardy's signature cheeses. The water views are stunning and the charming staff encourages you to try it all—not that you'll need any prodding. 131 N. Water St., Edgartown, MA harbor-view.com.
Bridgeman's Restaurant
Not since Paragon Park shut down has Nantasket Beach seen such an attraction. Nearly every night, the locals line up for the energetic scene at the long, sleek bars; for the genteel, white-linened dining area; and, natch, for the Italian-inspired fixings of chef Paul Wahlberg (yes, Mark's brother.) Spicy penne in a sweet sausage tomato sauce that's redolent of basil; delicious fried clams; silky, saffron-laced carrot soup—it's all delivered by an unassuming but knowledgeable staff and enjoyed with a view of the frothy Atlantic Ocean. 145 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA bridgemansrestaurant.com.
Hangar B Eatery
Enter this unassuming restaurant inside the tiny Chatham Municipal Airport, and questions abound: Should I order the croissant breakfast sandwich or the poached eggs with beet-and-sweet-potato hash? Is it appropriate to spoon the house-made blackberry-lemon jam directly into my mouth? Whatever you end up choosing (or spooning), one thing’s for certain: Chef Brian Erskine’s interesting and infinitely satisfying dishes take brunch to new heights. 240 George Ryder Rd., Chatham, MA 2633, hangarbcapecod.com.
Giulia
This Porter Square gem won us over with its chewy, emmer-flour-based farro casarecce alone, tossed with red-wine-braised duck, sweet cherries, and foie-gras butter on the night we tried it. But in truth, any of chef Michael Pagliarini’s pastas—painstakingly crafted on a reclaimed-white-oak table at the back of the restaurant—are worth the trip. Cap off your pasta odyssey with a creamy scoop of pistachio gelato. 1682 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, giuliarestaurant.com.
Lester Harry's
Any parent will tell you his or her kid is the cutest. Now moms and dads can bolster their claims with a trip to Lester Harry's. This tot shop carries sweet accessories like teeny printed hats and satin boxers, embroidered organic-cotton quilts, and washable receiving blankets that are softer than a baby's skin. It really doesn't get much cuter than that. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA lesterharrys.com.
Somerville Grooves
For music nerds, the neighborhood record store used to be a home away from home, and its disappearance in recent years has left us distraught. So it was with sweet relief that we welcomed Somerville Grooves to the scene two years ago. The store focuses mainly on vinyl, and doesn't offer a huge selection, but owner David Plunkett makes up for that with a carefully curated inventory and a friendly vibe. 26 Union Sq., Somerville, MA .
Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
The “chronic bacon” — salty slivers braised with maple and cider, served with crunchy cornflake-crusted French-toast bites and seasonal berries — satisfies sweets lovers and savory seekers alike at this Southie spot. The rest of the menu is also decadent, even by brunch standards: Find stacks of pancakes flecked with Fruity Pebbles and drizzled with cereal milk anglaise, not to mention ginormous coffee-rubbed brisket burritos. The breakfast pizzas and omelets draw crowds for hours-spanning, cocktail-fueled brunches that, thankfully, aren’t just relegated to the weekends. 425 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, lincolnsouthboston.com.
The Boston Sail Loft
It’s kind of a tease that the Sail Loft’s clam chowder comes in a handled mug, because — unless you want your beard or blouse to smell of seafood — it’s probably not advisable to just go ahead and drink it down. If etiquette didn’t exist, though, we’d absolutely toss out the spoon to chug this Über-creamy broth studded with potatoes, sweet dill, and, of course, plenty of briny clams. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, thebostonsailloft.com.
Omni Parker House
Invented at the Omni Parker House back in the days when men wore top hats and no one had heard of hydrogenated fats, this custard-filled, chocolate-topped sponge cake is the 19th century at its most decadent. 60 School St., Boston, MA omnihotels.com.
St. Alphonzo's Kitchen
The best local spots offer more than just a good dinner at a fair price; they also provide a window into the neighborhood. At St. Alphonzo's, the shoebox of a dining room feels like a private gathering of Southie characters. But the calamari, pasta Bolognese, and Cuban sandwich are far better than you'll find at any dinner party. 87 A St., Boston, MA 2127, stalphonzoskitchen.com.
Mavens Kosher
A New York deli finally comes to town. Say a brocha and pass the pickles. 95 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA .
When the Globe ran a front-page "commentary" on Tuesday explaining why it ignored the Wage Boggs palimony story, which broke in the Herald and which the Herald flogged to a fare-thee-well on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The Tuesday Globe story said the story wasn't newsworthy. We see. That's why they ran it on the front page.
Kit and Ace
Find a gentle way to break up with your dry cleaner, because just about everything at Kit and Ace—even the cashmere—is machine- or hand-washable. And if the sleek basics (tissue-soft sleeveless turtlenecks, work-ready pants as comfy as your weekend sweats, ultra-cozy blanket wraps) don’t fit perfectly off the rack, don’t sweat it. The newly opened shop can make in-store alterations while you sip on complimentary sparkling water. Bliss. 208 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, kitandace.com.
Frette
If you're spending too much time counting sheep, drag your weary bones to Frette, where the bedding experts will help you unravel the mysteries of linens—for example, thread count (the higher the number, the heavier the sheet). The store carries sheets, quilts, bedspreads, and accessories by top designers, in addition to the in-house line, which comes in both classic shades and colorful prints. 776B Boylston St., Boston, MA frette.com.