"Letters from an American"
Anxious readers seeking comfort and perspective at a time when both were in short supply found solace in Heather Cox Richardson’s daily newsletter, turning it into an unlikely smash hit. Each morning throughout the COVID crisis, the Boston College professor has penned a crisp summation of the news that is free of panicked hyperbole, heavy on context and warmth, and sprinkled liberally with historical tidbits. It’s no wonder more than 600,000 subscribers still hang on to her every word. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com .
Roche Bobois
With locations in Downtown Crossing and Natick, the vividly colored Roche Bobois showrooms deliver innovative, boundary-pushing pieces (including Jean Paul Gaultier’s playful chariot-inspired "Ben Hur" armchair with wheels) and patterns from designers such as Cécile Maia Pujol and Kenzo Takada without sacrificing comfort.
2 Avery St., Boston 617-742-9611
395 Worcester St., Natick 508-650-5844
roche-bobois.com.
Tatte Bakery & Café
Tatte is on a roll this year (no bun intended). Since 2016, it’s opened three new cafés—with a Seaport outpost on the way—which means there are now even more of those sweet, swirling chocolate roses to go around. A Boston with Tatte in every neighborhood is a future we can get behind, especially if it means stopping in for a croque-madame in the morning and picking up an ultra-flaky almond croissant for the walk home. Multiple locations. 1352 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, tattebakery.com.
Dutch ReBelle
This Haitian-born, Massachusetts-raised performer has been releasing music steadily for years, but you might have caught her most recently tearing it up at one of the Late Nite events at the MFA or braving the frosty temperatures during 2018’s First Night festivities. Named best hip-hop artist at the Boston Music Awards in 2014, she’s accomplished all of this largely outside the music-label system, raising the funds for her newest album on Kickstarter last fall. MA dutchrebelle.com.
Bootleg Special
Let the rest of New England have their boiled lobster, clams, and corn; here in Boston, we’ve become increasingly enamored with the Cajun-style seafood boils favored in the Deep South. Among them, Bootleg Special shines. Here, guests crack apart bowls of spicy crab legs, crawfish, and other crustaceans in fashionably distressed, Bourbon Street–style environs that put appealing polish on this hot-but-messy communal experience. 400 Tremont St., Boston, MA bootlegspecial.com.
The Mapparium
The three-story stained-glass-and-bronze globe depicting the world as it was in 1935 is a quirky introduction to the oft-overlooked history of Mary Baker Eddy and the Christian Science movement in Boston. Designed to capture the spirit of Eddy’s publishing empire, the globe is a snapshot of a moment, one informed by her goal of building a transparent, positive press in the era of tabloids gone wild—a goal that might feel just as urgent today. 200 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA marybakereddylibrary.org/project/mapparium.
Sue O'Connell, The Take
There are plenty of people who can tell you what’s happening in Boston, but if you want to know what to think about what’s happening, watch O’Connell. With stellar guests, tough but noncombative questions, and a real interest in talking about ideas, the host of NECN’s The Take avoids the pitfalls of partisan talking heads, and always leaves us asking: Why can’t more newscasters be like O’Connell? necn.com.
Rectify Barbershop & Beauty Alcove
After amassing a loyal following at Love and Mercy salon in Boston, Dayna Gamba and her wife, Shalyn, a brow expert, have struck out on their own with this Mansfield beauty and barbering haven. Opened just last year, Rectify has fast become a go-to shop for those looking for a sharp cut and color or life-changing brow upgrades. rectifybba.com.
Outdoor Voices
Whether your idea of a workout is a leisurely stroll around Jamaica Pond or endless squats at Burnin’ by Ray, this newcomer to the Boston fitness scene has you covered, with lightweight athletic dresses, super-soft knit hoodies, and color-blocked leggings designed with performance and comfort in mind. The Seaport outpost of the chainlet even hosts a hikers’ club, rock-climbing outings, and ’90s-themed yoga, should you need a place to put your new duds to good use. 31 Northern Ave., Boston, MA outdoorvoices.com.
O Ya
Twelve years after owners Tim and Nancy Cushman proved that Boston was ready to pay $20 a pop for sushi served by jeans-wearing waiters, their restaurant empire has expanded to Manhattan and Mexico City, where a third O Ya location opened in April. That hasn’t stopped the original Leather District location from continuing to crank out the kind of dazzlingly avant-garde raw fish that put them on the map—including umami-bomb nigiri like torched hamachi with banana-pepper mousse. 9 East St. , Boston, MA o-ya.restaurant.
New Deal Fish Market
For almost a century, this family-run market has been culling ultra-fresh catch from its generations-deep relationships with suppliers at Boston Fish Pier. It shows in the shop’s unrivaled variety of rosy salmon fillets, fresh-caught sea bass, still-live sea urchin, and lusciously fatty fish collars. Unsure how to cook that head-on ocean perch? Let New Deal’s seasoned pros show you. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA newdealfishmarket.com.
Legal Harborside
For a port city, Boston is surprisingly lean on fantastic waterfront dining. Thankfully, Legal Sea Foods’ Titanic-size flagship offers prime views from lower-level patios and a swinging third-floor rooftop lounge that kisses the space where sky and ocean meet. (A retractable roof and glass walls assist in iffy weather.) Head here to soak up the sun, slurp down oysters, and smell that salty air. 270 Northern Ave. , Boston, MA legalseafoods.com.
Dani Wagener, DW Beauty
Ever wonder how celebrities achieve that flawless red-carpet glow? It's all about the airbrush—makeup, that is. Boston beauty expert Dani Wagener, who's worked with Jenny McCarthy and Emily Deschanel, specializes in this technique. Armed with false eyelashes and the perfect lip color, she'll arrive at your prep site and promptly get about the business of making you look like a star. 326 A St., Boston, MA 02210, daniwagenerbeauty.com.
Moncler
You know it's officially winter in Boston not when the first snowflake falls, but when the first puffy coat appears. And yes, Moncler makes its fair share of those. But there's way more to this outerwear brand than the practical stylings of goose down. Rain-ready parkas, sleek leather jackets, and contemporary trenches are arranged by collection in the handsome, dimly lit Copley Place showroom, making it easy to stay toasty and on-trend through rain, snow, and gloom of night. Copley Place, Boston, MA 02116, moncler.com.
Himalayan Bistro
West Roxbury isn't known as a culinary haven, but Himalayan Bistro transports diners from the suburban western edge of Boston to the eastern reaches of India and Nepal. Enveloped in the warm scents of coriander, turmeric, and curry wafting from the kitchen, they tuck into smoky tandoori chicken, creamy tikka masala, and regional dishes like craªpes stuffed with potatoes and lamb against the backdrop of colorful Hindu art. 1735 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, himalayanbistro.net.