Trattoria Il Panino
Five floors house an Italian bistro, a formal dining room, a glitzy dance club, and prime people watching. 295 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Taylor Made
A Motown band with infectious energy. Sizzling R &B brings sweet sweat to the dance floors of Boston.
Dr. Mark Russo
Drawing on acupuncture and other Far Eastern practices, this vet's approach may seem unorthodox. But Kitty no longer pees on our floors—and who can argue with that? Kingston Animal Hospital, 192 Main St., Kingston, MA .
Neiman-Marcus
Tucked away on the mezzanine, with a terrific view of the first floor and just enough privacy for a tête-à-tête. Copley Place, Boston, MA .
Le Jardin
Les tomates sont aussi jolies que les fleurs, although a dozen may cost you as much as a bunch of American Beauty roses. 248 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA .
The Roxy
On the huge dance floor of this elegant new club, the fifties (swing) and eighties (top 40) live in musical harmony. And its patronized by the spiffiest crowd in town. 279 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks's recently overhauled first floor made room for an unparalleled lineup of shades, ranging from affordable (Armani, Blinde) to splurge (Chanel, Fendi). 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2118, saksfifthavenue.com.
L'Elite Bridal Boutique
If the third time's the charm, who says you can't wear white? This petite second-floor boutique stocks dresses by designers like Carolina Herrera and Angel Sanchez that run the gamut from traditional to totally casual. 276 Newbury St., Boston, MA lelite.com.
Common Ground Cafe & Bakery
Outside, it's simply a corner building in Dorchester. Inside, it's another world of wooden floors, thatched-roofed alcoves, and muted lighting. Half the space is a casual cafe, the other is a store with handmade shoes, furniture, candles, and soaps. 2243 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA .
Larry Moulter for Paul Mooney
The new president of the Boston Garden has introduced courtesy, better food, and celebrity cachet to the old arena. Whoever expected to see U2 shooting baskets on the parquet floor?
The Main Office of U.S. Trust
The Main Office of U.S. Trust on Court Street has floor service—gray-flanneled men who greet customers at the door and direct them to the proper counter. Court St., Boston, MA .
Sorrento's
Pleasant second-floor walk-up with a chef trained in, of all places, Switzerland. Uniformly good veal and pasta, something the rest of the unreliable North End cannot boast. 227 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
Heartwood Kitchens
Clients love Nancy Hanson for her made-to-order, expertly configured kitchens and baths—new construction as well as total overhauls of existing spaces—that range in style and scale from a cherry-wood traditional cabinet redo to a brand-new, floor-to-ceiling modern-in-concrete masterpiece. Danvers, MA heartwoodkitchens.net.
Eben House
Housed in a building dating to 1776, this Provincetown inn eschews the floral ruffled bed skirts typical of historically minded B & Bs in favor of crisp white duvets, restored hardwood floors, and inspired breakfast options. Add in the saltwater pool opening this summer, and you may never want to take the short walk to Commercial Street. 90 Bradford St., Provincetown, MA 2657, ebenhouse.com.
Circle Furniture
Sourced from New England workshops (thus, Yankee to the core), this local company's beds, dining tables, and upholstered pieces are classically styled and built to last. And don't avoid the sales associates her—they'll help you navigate their catalogs to discover finish options beyond what's on the showroom floor. 199 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 2138, circlefurniture.com.