Bab Al-Yemen
Lucky Kenmore Square got one of the region’s only Yemeni restaurants last year — a superb (and superbly homey) addition to the neighborhood and Boston at large. From enormous pieces of fresh flatbread and warming stews to clove-and-cardamom-spiced teas, the lovely halal menu makes this a cozy spot in the winter, after the latest Sox game, or anytime, really. The ambiance adds to the comfort, from the colorful stained glass to the traditional low, pillowed seating area. 468 Commonwealth Ave., Fenway/Kenmore, MA 02215, babalyemenboston.com.
Sekali
You have to act fast to catch Sekali: The immensely popular pop-up tends to sell out quickly, thanks to its flavor-packed lineup of Malaysian cuisine, a rarity in Boston. The menu’s always changing, but watch for dishes like pulut panggang (glutinous rice wrapped in a banana leaf, grilled, and stuffed with savory mixes such as rendang, pork floss, and braised anchovies) and jars of sweet kaya jam, courtesy of chef Derrick Teh, a Pagu and Momi Nonmi alum who hails from Borneo. sekali.boston.
Giulia
With so many great Italian restaurants in the Boston area, competition for this category is always fierce, but this decade-old trattoria from chef Michael Pagliarini and his partner Pamela Ralston remains at the head of the pack for good reason. Several reasons, actually: its pretty, rustic ambiance; superb local sourcing; spectacular grilled and roasted meats; and, above all, delectable pastas rolled out every day on a long table that seats big parties at night. 1682 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, giuliarestaurant.com.
Laughing Monk Café
A restaurant half-dedicated to Thai cuisine probably isn’t the likeliest candidate for the best sushi in Boston. Then again, chef Nick Korboon has earned a quietly dedicated following exactly for his convention-flouting finesse, with rolls featuring brown rice and plenty of creativity. With luck, for instance, you’ll find the Bangkok Dynamite—shrimp tempura, soft-shell crab, chili paste, jalapeño, and lemongrass—in the daily changing omakase, which always offers big bang for its buck. 737 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, laughingmonkcafe.com.
Mike Felger, <em>Felger & Mazz</em>
Cynical to the core, Mike Felger relishes bashing our hometown teams — and inpure Boston fashion, we love him for it.Since scoring his first ratings victory over legacy sports station WEEI in May 2010, the radio host has dominated the afternoon drive, bringing a generation of local sports fans along for the ride. And the proof is in the pudding: His show on 98.5 the Sports Hub now claims a quarter of the coveted 25-to-54 demo for men. 985thesportshub.com.
Dalí Restaurant & Tapas Bar
Opened long before Toro became the niño bonito of Boston, this tapas den is a full-on party that’s still raging, and just as sexy and fun as you remember. Here, small plates like spicy chicken skewers with lemon sour cream, and lamb meatballs in tomato-mint sauce are shared over sangria at tile-covered tables or the boho-chic bar festooned with hanging bunches of garlic and greenery. The vibe? In typical Dalí form, it’s surreal. 415 Washington St., Somerville, MA 02143, dalirestaurant.com.
Polkadog Bakery
Dogs and cats were not meant to live on kibble alone, so thank our lucky paws there’s Polkadog. Unlike the endlessly bland aisles you’ll find at big-box pet-food stores, this homegrown success stocks its shelves with unexpected products, from “Clam Chowda” treats to New England-farmed meat jerky, made daily at its South Boston kitchen. And thanks to the locally sourced ingredients, you don’t have to let Fido’s diet go to the dogs. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118, polkadog.com.
Bethany Van Delft
Long one of our favorite Boston standups, this mother of two and tireless advocate for inclusion of children with special needs is a unique combination of high-alert neurosis and deadpan, low-key delivery. Since March 25, she’s been hosting her “Artisanal Comedy” show live on Instagram every Wednesday at 9 p.m., and her hilarious observations about the pandemic have kept us in stitches, even while we assiduously try to avoid the emergency room. MA bethanyvandelft.com.
Bishop John M. Borders III
Bishop John M. Borders III of Mattapan’s Morning Star Baptist Church partnered with Boston Medical Center and Mattapan Community Health Center to use his house of worship as a vaccination site — and in so doing, gave the community a trusted place backed by a trusted leader to receive lifesaving shots. Now that’s what we call keeping the faith. 1257 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan, MA 02126, .
J.Roc Design
Successfully designing city dwellings essentially boils down to one thing: creative use of space. And architect Jeremy Jih, the master of scale and proportion behind Boston-based J.Roc Design, has demonstrated his unique solutions for building in tight confines time and time again. One recent standout? A South End loft made roomier and airier thanks to a dramatic — yet space-saving — 20-foot spiral staircase that connects the home’s main level to a rooftop garden. 27 Wareham St., Boston, MA 02118, jrocdesign.com.
Commonwealth Kitchen
For a preview of the next big thing in Boston restaurants, check out whatever’s cooking at CommonWealth Kitchen. Dorchester bakery Top Shelf cookies and jerk-spiced J.P. spot Jamaica Mi Hungry are among the dozens of success stories born out of the important incubator, which connects fledgling food entrepreneurs — especially woman- and BIPOC-owned oufits — to both production facilities and brick-and-mortar restaurant spaces, including an upcoming food court at MIT. 196 Quincy St., Dorchester, MA 02121, commonwealthkitchen.org.
French + Italian
Even as her Boston outpost thrives, Aimee Lombardi continues to have faith in the suburbanite’s thirst for interesting fashion, traveling to Europe several times a year to bring home pieces that are thoughtful and thrilling but still hew to New England needs—chunky sweaters by Marni, memorable (yet wearable) dresses by Anne Willi. Insightful and cheery staffers remind shoppers why brick-and-mortar beats online: Chances are good you’ll walk out with something you never even thought to try on. 129 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945, frenchitalian.com.
Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel
If you stayed here, you’d never want to leave. After 12 years as a Kimpton hotel, this year the Nine Zero unveiled a top-to-bottom transformation, courtesy of local firm Korn Design, showcasing plush leather headboards, velvet drapes, and Eames chairs (think: classic Boston Brahmin meets midcentury-modern cool). Those fabulous views of the golden dome, however, remain blissfully the same. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02108, ninezero.com.
Red Fire Farm
From collard greens to juicy strawberries, Red Fire Farm’s certified-organic CSA shares overflow with the freshness and vibrancy of a New England summer. Grown by Ryan Voiland, who began tilling the soil of Montague with his parents in middle school, the produce is shipped to 10 pickup spots in Boston, so you never have to leave the concrete jungle to connect with the land. MA redfirefarm.com.
Crescent Ridge Dairy
Made from premium hormone- and antibiotic-free milk, the generous scoops at 50-plus-year-old Crescent Ridge are as thick and luscious as ever. And now that the Sharon-based ice cream maker has an operation in Boston Public Market, we can get our fix of cake batter, orange-pineapple, and salted-caramel chocolate-pretzel without leaving the city. 100 Hanover St., Boston, MA crescentridgedairybar.com.