Pastry Love, Joanne Chang
Just before self-isolation drove all of us into home-baker mode, the sugar-speckled sage behind Boston’s Flour Bakery + Café empire released her latest tome (and with it, scored her most recent James Beard Award nomination). Its 125 recipes, accompanied by brief journal-like backstories, cover everything from caramel popcorn cookies to s’mores pie to orange-almond pudding cake. Each helped us experiment beyond simple sourdough and, during socially distant times, felt like a loving hug from a local dining legend. flourbakery.com/books.
Salon Mario Russo
No matter who you make an appointment with at this style sanctuary, you’re guaranteed to leave looking and feeling your best. That’s thanks to the leadership of Italy-born, London-trained maestro Mario Russo, who has amassed a team of Boston’s most talented, trend-savvy stylists for his twin salons. And now that they’ve packed up those scissors for a move from Newbury to the Heritage on the Garden this spring, there’s a shiny new space to get that sharp cut or color transformation you’ve been dreaming about. Seaport and Back Bay, mariorusso.com.
The 'Quin House
Boston’s swankiest, sexiest new hangout has plenty of James Bond–style secrets: The first-floor speakeasy, Scottie’s, features “champagne buttons” to summon bubbly, while a hidden room a few floors up is revealed by pulling on a bronze bust. But really, the best reason to finagle an invitation to lunch at Sandy and Paul Edgerley’s fresh take on the members-only club is the who’s who of power players known to walk through the doors every day. Who, you ask? That’s the biggest secret of all. 217 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02116, thequinhouse.com.
Zam Zam
Boston’s not short on spots offering humdrum takes on tandoori chicken, but for a truly superlative representation of the Indian subcontinent—and then some—make the jaunt to Medford Square. Zam Zam stands apart by spotlighting standards such as tikka masala alongside hard-to-find Pakistani specials—particularly lush, long-cooked stews like haleem (a spicy, savory meat-and-lentil porridge) and nehari brimming with spoon-tender lamb shank. 42 Riverside Ave., Medford, MA zamzammedford.com.
For Now
If you’re a budding small brand, how do you get your products into the public’s hands when you can’t afford Boston’s high rents? Connect with For Now, a shop that acts as a revolving showcase for indie labels, with about a dozen lines—from soaps to shoes—displayed at any given time. 68 Seaport Blvd., Boston, MA itsfornow.com.
<em>Hype Man: A Break Beat Play</em>
When Idris Goodwin’s play premiered at Boston’s Company One in 2018, its intimate portrait of an interracial hip-hop trio rocked by the needless police killing of a Black teenager had its finger directly on the national pulse. Hype Man’s pivot to video with the original cast — presented with great sound, ample drama-heightening close-ups, and interstitial animations — added renewed vigor to a production whose timeliness has only increased exponentially in the intervening years. americanrepertorytheater.org; companyone.org
Phoenix Landing
Discussions of Boston’s Irish pubs typically involve squirrely notions of authenticity. The problem is, no such thing exists, and most attempts ring about as true as some "Ireland-land" simulacrum at Epcot. So this year we decided to give the nod instead to the best pub, period, which just so happens to be Irish (a subtle but important distinction). The Phoenix Landing is like four bars in one: You can go for a quiet afternoon pint alone, brunch with the family, crack-of-dawn soccer broadcasts, or nighttime dancing to some of the best DJ talent around. 512 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, phoenixlandingbar.com.
Beauty by Nelse
Who do Boston’s movers and shakers call when they need to look their best for a big event? That’d be this cosmetics queen, whose 18 years of experience doing makeup for runway fashion shows and beauty pageants (not to mention Real Housewives such as Sonja Morgan and Teresa Giudice) have refined her craft into an art form. Using top-tier products from Chanel, Dior, and Armani, Nelse Karini delivers memorable, effortlessly glam looks with acute attention to detail and infectious passion. Just be sure to book early, as her schedule tends to fill up fast. beautybynelse.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Think there’s no such thing as shoe heaven? Think again. Year after year, Saks elevates Boston’s style mavens to the Divine with an apostle of top designers. Manolo Blahnik stilettos, Christian Louboutin platforms, Prada kitten heels, Gucci mules, Valentino slingbacks, Roger Vivier loafers...the list goes on and on. Aside from the classics, Saks also makes sure to stock emerging designers — don’t miss the magical styles of Mach & Mach — as well as everyday kicks from the likes of Adidas. Bonus points for the veteran staff (one of the few left in the city), which excels at customer service, overnighting any out-of-stock styles to your doorstep. Amen to that. 800 Boylston St., in Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, saksfifthavenue.com.
Copious Row
Boston’s best high-end women’s clothing store is in—the ’burbs? Hear us out for a minute. Like the most coveted of closets, this jaw-droppingly pretty new boutique in Chestnut Hill is home to a tightly curated selection from fashion’s biggest stars—Balenciaga, Dior, Fendi—alongside up-and-coming darlings like Adam Lippes, Brock Collection, and Khaite. The smart selection of high-end shoes and jewelry, meanwhile, feels polished, but not too precious to wear on a Friday-night dinner date with pals, whether you’re headed to the city or just outside of it. 33 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA copiousrow.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
For years, Grill 23 has served Boston’s ultimate power-crowd fare. Sure, you have your waiters in white jackets, towers of fresh seafood, and a top-notch wine list, but the reason we keep coming back to this local institution is because no one in town cooks a better steak. It’s salty, crusty, buttery—an unmistakable carnivore’s delight. And remember, if the 10-ounce American Kobe cap seems a bit too small, the 18-ounce 100-day-aged prime rib-eye will be more than happy to oblige. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Claudiane Philippe
UX designer, Maggie fashion model, and influencer extraordinaire, Claudiane Philippe is one busy gal:The 30-year-old Waltham native creates content for not one but three Instagram accounts: @cphilipp, a lifestyle blog; @itsclaudiane, focusing on all things beauty; and @nailthecocktail, highlighting Boston’s best cocktails. She’s also bringing awareness to social justice. To wit: To celebrate Black beauty, she posted a different look each day in honor of Black History Month, and throughout the pandemic, she named each of the DIY drinks on her cocktail blog after a person of color who died at the hands of police. Call it style with a whole lot of substance.
Kaju Tofu House
Choosing Boston’s best "overall" Korean restaurant is a tricky proposition. The city’s long on specialists, but short on generalists able to muster worthy renditions of the hit parade. For example, is it unfair to dock a bibimbap shop for its subpar bulgogi? Our philosophical struggle ended, however, when we discovered that our favorite spot for spicy tofu stews also puts out a rock-solid plate of kalbi. In sum: Kaju’s focus may be its glorious bubbling sundubu bowls, but it’ll keep even the most hard-core Korean-barbecue fans happy, too. 58 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA 2134, kajutofuhouse.com.
Mimi's Chūka Diner
Chūka ryōri—the Japanese term for Chinese food—puts a distinct spin on familiar flavors like dim sum dumplings and stir-fried rice by switching up the seasonings and ingredients to suit Japanese tastes. Given that it’s a cuisine about collaboration, it makes sense that Boston’s version, Mimi’s Chūka Diner, fits in wherever it goes. The pop-up is in residence at Artifact Cider in Central Square, so we can attest to the bar-snack brilliance of porky wontons and vegan gyoza with a lacy bottom crust, dished up hot to order whenever the taproom is open. 438 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, mimischukadiner.com.
Emmets Irish Pub & Restaurant
Sorry, shamrock-covered Southie, but Boston’s best spot to enjoy Guinness in a pint — or in a spiked-broth onion soup, or in a beer-braised-beef stew — is actually on Beacon Hill. Emmets proudly unfurls its tricolour in the shadow of our gold-domed State House, so you know the hearty pub fare and whiskey cocktails get the stamp of approval from the area’s high-powered politicos. That said, the pretense-free tavern covers its walls in flags from every FIFA nation precisely because all are welcome here — you know, unless you call it “soccer.” 6 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108, emmetsirishpubandrestaurant.com.