Bill Cleary of Harvard and Jack Bicknell of Boston College
Cleary made hockey's Final Four, proving it is possible to build athletic powers in the Ivy League. And Bicknell simply proved that there was BC football after Doug Flutie.
The Purchase of USA Cinemas by Loews
The good news for local moviegoers is that the new owners are reportedly going to clean up the mucky floors and repair the torn screens of the Boston theater chain. In fact, the word is that Loews is too embarrassed to put its own name on local marquees until the theaters pass muster.
Four Seasons
If your idea of the ultimate staycation involves in-room make-your-own martini bars or "glamping" tents for the kids, book a room at the Four Seasons. Fresh off a recent full renovation but with the same VIP service—including a program that allows you to text your needs directly to the staff—there’s nothing this luxe hotel won’t do to make you feel comfortable. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, fourseasons.com.
Area Four
The Hub’s abundance of prize-worthy pies continues to grow, but this year’s cornicione crown goes to a repeat winner. We credit the Area Four team’s obsessive attention to detail, starting with the tang, chew, and char of that crust, enough to make a dough aficionado’s knees wobble. And the toppings? Just your run-of-the-mill larder staples like hand-stretched mozzarella, Wellfleet clams, and a satiny mushroom sauce that is surely the reduction of some luxe French bisque. 264 East Berkeley St., South End, Boston, 857-317-4805; 500 Technology Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-758-4444, areafour.com
Seasons Four
From wicker to wrought iron, teak to traditional wood, this Lexington showroom lives up to its name with a selection of year-round outdoor goodies that go far beyond furniture (think: bird feeders, hammocks, and wind chimes, among other finds). Best of all, its décor switches with the season. In winter, warm your outdoor hearth with wreathes and candles, and don’t miss the tiki torches and lemonade dispensers come summertime. 1265 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420, seasonsfour.com.
Les Fleurs
There's not a sprig of baby's breath, tacky filler greenery, or tinsel-like anything in sight at this Andover florist. The bright, tasteful store contains classically beautiful, Parisian-style arrangements of French roses, tulips, and lilacs, and has an attentive staff that keeps personality and occasion in mind. Teens and brides: Les Fleurs specializes in events, whipping up elegant corsages for proms and elaborate centerpieces for weddings. 354 N. Main St., Andover, MA 1810, .
Area Four
Michael Leviton's Cambridge venture is many things to many people: a morning latte-and-breakfast-sandwich stop for local tech gurus; a de facto study hall for MIT students; a casual spot for friends to catch up over a crispy potato-and-pancetta pizza and a couple of glasses of wine. Despite the crowds, though, Area Four maintains a warm, neighborhoody vibe. 500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 2139, areafour.com.
Fitcorp, Prudential Center
Tired of sweating on prehistoric equipment in dimly lit subterranean weight rooms? Head to Fitcorp at the Prudential Center, where floor-to-ceiling windows lend natural light to rows of treadmills, bikes, elliptical machines, and free weights. Convenient schedules—and affordable parking—make it a cinch to get to classes including circuit boxing, power yoga, and tai chi. The clean locker rooms and courteous trainers will keep you running back for more. Prudential Center, Boston, MA fitcorp.com.
HealthPoint
What makes HealthPoint the in this crowded category? Three stories of windows overlooking an evergreen thicket, plenty of trainers on the floor at any given moment, an astonishingly clean pool, and a top-condition track. The cherrywood lockers in the dressing rooms give it that Ivy League feel, and the steam and sauna rooms can actually accommodate a crowd. Plus, one side of the lobby offers a café while a Daryl Christopher salon holds court on the other. 840 Winter St., Waltham, MA .
Bella, Equinox
Bella has an all-business attitude when it comes to cleaning up your feet, to be sure. Who else in town will spend a full 45 minutes filing, buffing, and pampering to ensure the outcome of 10 utterly perfect-looking toes? Bonus: Her fourth-floor space is serene and comfortable, a welcome respite from the bustle of the street. 85 Newbury Street, Boston, MA equinox.com.
Ligne Roset
This established French brand's furniture (pictured) is made to be enjoyed, not just admired. A select number of smartly chosen pieces grace the bright, modest showroom floor, but their impact is undeniable: Each design is assertively contemporary, whether it's cheerful cushions draped over a crisp, clean sofa or translucent green blown-glass fruit bowls straight out of Betty Draper's pantry. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, lignerosetboston.com.
Allston Car Wash
Most car washes charge you $20 to roll your vehicle under a few spritzers and a blow dryer. At Allston, that same amount gets you full doors-to-floors tidying. (Want just the exterior cleaning? Ten bucks.) We were impressed by the attention to detail: When our—admittedly, hanging on by a thread—radio antenna popped off in the tunnel, the attendant gladly replaced it with a new one. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Linda's Critter Corral
Linda Katz and crew have been pampering four-legged friends on the North Shore for more than 20 years. And when we say pampering, we mean it: In addition to standard grooming services, Linda's offers aromatherapy treatments and a Bathing Beauty power wash that gives your pet a massage while it cleans. Fido has never looked (or felt) so good. 73 Bessom St., Lynn, MA 1902, lindascrittercorral.com.
The Wellness Floor at One Dalton
If the makeshift desk setup in the corner of your bedroom didn’t destroy your neck and back this year, the stress of the pandemic likely did. Not to worry: The Four Seasons One Dalton’s spa has the post-pandemic massage you’ve been patiently waiting for. Like a homing device, the talented therapists’ hands zero in on every knot and trouble spot without needing direction, ensuring you walk out the door feeling looser and more relaxed than you have in a very long time. One Dalton St., Boston, MA 02115, fourseasons.com/onedalton/spa.
Redemption
Tattoos stopped being solely for bikers and misfits a long time ago, so it's only right that tattoo shops have graduated from dimly lit spaces to more contemporary (and way less scary) digs. Redemption is the very model of the modern tattoo parlor: a hip, clean venue with wood floors, a classy portfolio on the walls, and talented artists. Whether you know what you want or need some collaborative input, the crew will deliver a flawlessly executed design, all while you lounge—to the extent that it's possible while having your skin pricked over and over—in a cushy chair. 2094 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2140, .