Treasured Legacy
Rosalyn Elder opened this gallery/bookshop almost four years ago to make African American culture both approachable and affordable, and to foster a sense of artistic heritage that had been lacking in the community. Elder offers reproductions by such celebrated African American artists as Romare Nearden and Jacob Lawrence, as well as handmade wares form Africa and original art by local artist. There's also a great selection of African American books, toys, games, and note cards; the store is both an inspiration and an education. Coplely Place/The Dartmouth Street Shops, Boston, MA .
Cafe Vanille
Boston doesn't have many patisseries, and our bakeries feel like coffee spots that just happen to have cinnamon buns and cupcakes. Café Vanille, however, seems like a French pastry shop that just happens to serve espresso and tea. One look at the lineup of flaky napoleons, ganache-glazed éclairs, colorful petits fours and fruit tarts, and buttery brioche makes the cookie-and-donut offerings everywhere else seem downright dull. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA 2108, frenchmemories.com.
The Dan'l Webster Inn
Four-poster beds. High-speed Internet. Full-service spa. This Sandwich inn, a blend of old-fashioned atmosphere and modern creature comforts, has 'em all. If you can pry yourself from your room's private whirlpool and heated bathroom tiles, indulge in cranberry wraps, marine eyelifts, and PermaSound facials at the on-site spa. Feeling hungry? Stop in the fine-dining Conservatory for a meal of fresh seafood paired with award-winning wine. 149 Main St., Sandwich, MA danlwebsterinn.com.
Furnature
Four generations into making furniture, the Shapiro family discovered they could not only craft a gorgeous sofa, loveseat, chair, or bed to match a customer's specific vision, but also make it totally nontoxic. The company they founded on that principle, Furnature, draws upon organic and sustainable materials for its upholstery, which is good for the environment, and formaldehyde-free wood and finishes that won't emit unhealthy chemicals into the home—which is good for your environment. 86 Coolidge Ave., Watertown, MA 2472, .
Tinailery
Bedazzled with sparkly gemstones and pearls. Painted with watercolor vintage roses. Bespeckled with colorful polka dots. The fingernails-as-art trend continues at this sleek salon, which recently moved from downtown to a shiny new location in Brookline. Before your appointment, consult with your nail artist over text to collaborate and share ideas for your custom paint job — then sit back, relax, and watch her create 10 tiny gel masterpieces that last for more than four weeks. 1680 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446, tinailery.com.
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe
Bibliophiles flock here not only to explore literary treasures but also to be seen doing it. The highly Instagrammable four-level space boasts unique book selections and a lovely ambiance to linger in, but the best part just might be the tea service. Indulge in a delightful array of tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweets accompanied by a pot of custom-blended tea or a flute of prosecco while flipping the pages of whatever you just picked up for your book club. 71 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, bhbooks.com.
Roxbury International Film Festival
Twenty-four years after its debut, this summer festival’s commitment to showcasing vibrant, dynamic films by, for, and about people of color remains as strong as ever. This year’s fest premiered its offerings in person and online, and handed out awards for categories including Narrative Film, Documentary Short, Audience Favorite, and more. And for those interested in making their directing debut, the fest has long offered abundant networking opportunities, as well as panels and workshops. Multiple Locations, Boston, MA 02111, roxfilmfest.com.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.
Courtside
Karaoke at this Cambridge dive can be a Darwinian proposition—despite Courtside's rec-room feel, every singer's out for herself on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. But that's part of the fun. Lubricated by cheap pitchers of beer and egged on by crowds that only get feistier as the night wears on, singers who take Courtside's "stage" revel in their four-ish minutes of glory, leaving the next person itching to try to win over the room with even larger antics. 291 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, courtsidekaraoke.com.
CinemaSalem
This indie movie theater has been a community favorite for years, with live music, film festivals, and art shows bolstering its new and classic big-screen offerings. While it's homegrown, it's hardly old-fashioned, with a coffee bar on offer from the beloved Atomic Café. Meanwhile, four screens mean a flick for (virtually) everyone—go ahead and put the kids in something animated while you hit the latest action movie. One East India Sq., Salem, MA 1970, cinemasalem.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
We approached the crew at Newbury Tailoring Company with a horizontal-striped dress and an innocent question: "Will hemming it mess up the pattern?" Turns out, we had no need to worry. Flavio Rivas and his team have tackled far greater challenges, inspiring customers to follow first as they moved down Newbury Street in 2009, then over to Boylston four years ago. We can see why: Exactly a week after dropping it off, we were reunited with our beloved frock—every last stripe intact. 376 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Stellabella Toys
So often, toy shopping is an experience in extremes: You’re either wading in aisle-to-aisle plastic packaging or browsing precious baubles curated to please parents’ aesthetics, not kids’. Stellabella, however, has found the sweet spot at its four Boston-area stores. Its stacking cups are environmentally friendly but also fun for your growing infant, and the baby dolls are soft, cuddly, and ethnically diverse. Also find German-made tricycles, sturdy play kitchens and firehouses, and Legos galore. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge; and other locations, stellabellatoys.com.
Long's Jewelers
A visit to any of our local high-end jewelers will render you an expert on the four Cs in no time. But on selection and service, Long's takes top honors, offering more than 500 styles in-store (from vintage-inspired numbers by Ritani to modern beauties by Furrer-Jacot) and guaranteeing that if a stone shakes loose long after you walk out the door, they'll fix it, gratis. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.
Craft Beer Cellar
Much to the delight of local hopheads, this shop—opened in Belmont four years ago by Cambridge Common alums Suzanne Schalow and Kate Baker—is now spreading its sudsy gospel to new locations in Newton, Winchester, Braintree, and Westford. In addition to offering tastings and classes, staffers take their inventory of ales and lagers quite seriously, regularly updating the varieties available at each store online (the newly opened Newton Centre outpost alone carries more than 1,000 beers) and cataloging them by brewery, provenance, and style. 51 Leonard St., Belmont; and other locations, craftbeercellar.com.
Desfina
You won't find modern, four-star Greek cuisine at this hole in the wall. But in an oddly delightful way, it reminds us of every humble neighborhood taverna we've savored in Greece, from the blue-and-white paper place mats to the scattered but amiable service. The tzatziki is a house specialty, the moussaka hearty and delicious, the ;horiatiki a true Greek salad—all plates so tasty, we'd be loath to smash a single one. 202 3rd St, Cambridge, MA 2141, desfina.com.