PKL
That “thunk” you’re hearing in every corner of Boston right now? That’s the sound of a movement. As the buzziest sport around gains steam, the team behind PKL has emerged as the city’s hippest pickleball entrepreneurs, first with a hit pop-up in Assembly, and next with a tricked-out indoor space in Southie, where you’ll find five pristine courts, lounge seating, an impressive cocktail list, and a staff of evangelists eager to get you hooked on the newly trendy pastime. 64 C St., Boston, MA 02127, playpkl.com.
DTR Modern
Lost among the sea of galleries that line Newbury Street? Find yourself (and that very special piece you’ve been searching for) at DTR Modern, the longtime purveyor of stunning contemporary artwork in Boston and beyond. With the biggest names in modern art — Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons — displayed alongside newer faves like Clara Hallencreutz and Nelson de la Nuez, this is the perfect spot for hard-core collectors and dabblers alike. 167 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, dtrmodern.com.
Lily P's
Boston has plenty of places to find down-home platters of southern-style fried chicken, but lately, we can’t get enough of the chef-driven polish acclaimed toque Chris Parsons — previously known for upscale seafood — brings to the poultry at his newish, fit-for-franchising Cambridge outfit. Pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, the tender, buttermilk-brined meat has just the right crunch whether you devour it by the full bird or in a crispy sandwich topped with everything from black-pepper honey to spicy kimchi. 50 Binney St., Cambridge, MA 02142, lilypschicken.com.
Thom Solo
Why should Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera be the only ones to sport Boston shoe designer Thom Solo’s rock-star creations? Go ahead and snag a pair of his blush lambskin wedge boots or sculptural reptilian stilettos. Not only will you tower over most mere mortals, but you’ll be wearing heels that consistently turn heads. thomsolo.com.
The Homeport Restaurant & Oyster Bar
The long-defunct island institution was resurrected last year by Boston restaurateur Seth Woods, who vastly improved on everyone’s favorite spot to watch the sun set while eating dinner. In addition to all of the New England classics, this phoenix from the ashes now has the best tuna niçoise this side of Nice, newly spiffed-up décor, including better sun coverage on the patio, and the Back Door, where you can order everything from a double-patty burger to a full clambake for takeout. 512 N. Rd., Menemsha, MA 02535, thehomeportmv.com.
The Coast Café
Purveyors of proper American soul food are scant in Boston, so we’re grateful that after a brief hiatus, this Cambridge takeout star is again serving up some of the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken in the city. That’s hardly all: Barbecued pork ribs, fried catfish, hefty sides (of collard greens, candied yams, and mac ’n’ cheese), and old-timey desserts (like sweet-potato pie and coconut wonder bars) should all be a part of your next beachside picnic or casual home supper. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 02139, coastsoulcafe.com.
The Superette
Where else can you buy yoga pants, high-end custom fragrances, tacos, and, oh yeah, an electric car all in one place — and top it all off with a round of indoor mini golf? That’d be the Seaport’s newest shopping destination. It may have been designed to look like a “charming European square,” but the sprawling 125,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space is New Boston through and through — and we’re loving every bit of it. Boston, MA 02210, bostonseaport.xyz/superette.
Yunnan Kitchen
Chinese cuisine in Boston got a welcome expansion with the arrival of this South End spot showcasing Dian fare, which dazzles with eye-watering mala heat (fresh chilies and Sichuan peppers), fierce raw garlic, and novel aromatics like the gingery tsaoko. Bring friends to share huge, fragrant, bubbling pots of pork in chili oil and Yongping braised chicken, and learn why chef Yisha Siu has already garnered a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef Northeast. 1721B Washington St., South End, MA 02118, yunnankitchensouthend.com.
Rare Steakhouse
Seamless service and melt-in-your-mouth beef make Rare an oasis inside the hustle and bustle of Encore Boston Harbor, especially if you’re willing to fork over some of your casino winnings for, say, caviar service, a seafood tower, and Japanese Wagyu. The luxurious steakhouse harkens back to a golden age of fine dining, with white tablecloths and a fiery tableside preparation of baked Alaska, but the tiny, fancy chair just for your purse is a 2020s luxury through and through. Encore Boston Harbor, 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com/dining-and-nightlife/dining/rare-steakhouse.
Nightshade Noodle Bar
After stints at Clio and Bondir that earned breathless praise from the likes of Zagat and this magazine, chef Rachel Miller’s first solo venture has Boston foodies programming Waze for Lynn and coming back with the zeal of converts. Miller’s tasting menus of up to 14 courses feature wildly inventive Vietnamese- and French-inspired seafood and noodle dishes — such as uni brûlée with red-curry hollandaise and torched cinnamon — that are so delicately perfect, 14 courses might not be enough. 73 Exchange St., Lynn, MA 01901, nightshadenoodlebar.com.
Hummingbird Bridal & Events
As couples grapple with uncertain wedding plans during the coronavirus outbreak, virtual celebrations have emerged as promising alternatives—and Hummingbird Bridal & Events as the firm to make them happen. Helmed by planner Mandy Connor, the nearly 11-year-old Boston-based company can help coordinate an intimate live-streamed ceremony before whisking you away for a festive meal for two, complete with a bespoke playlist, to keep the party going. Want to make sure your guests feel the love? Connor is happy to send out DIY cocktail kits to your nearest and dearest so they can join in on the fun from afar. 213 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, hummingbirdbridal.com.
Get Konnected!
There would be a lot more strangers in Boston without this multicultural networking group, which aims to remind business leaders of all backgrounds that our economy is a web, stronger when we work together. Run by public relations maven Colette Phillips, the organization has long linked a diverse range of professionals through job listings, a digital magazine, and high-profile events honoring influential people of color. Now it’s doing so through webinars about how small businesses can survive the pandemic, mentoring sessions with senior execs, and more—all online for everyone to take part in. getkonnected.com.
Lauren Genatossio, Sarra Studios
There are plenty of ’90s trends we’re glad to welcome back into our repertoires—chunky sandals, slip dresses, high-waisted everything—but one thing that can stay in the last century? Pencil-thin eyebrows. Thankfully, Lauren Genatossio is firmly on the same page, creating nothing but lush, full looks from her South Boston and Hingham studios. Bring your out-of-control brows to Genatossio and watch as she plucks and trims them into goddess-like arches, creating the exact shape needed to make your eyes and cheekbones pop. 840 Summer St. , Boston, MA 02127, sarraboston.com.
Recreo Coffee & Roasterie
Any java can wake us up in the morning—but Recreo’s also help us sleep at night. Though much coffee production is notorious for labor exploitation, this hyper-responsible West Roxbury café sources its single-origin beans from co-owner Miriam Morales’s family farm in Nicaragua, which uplifts area workers and their children with free lodging, schooling, and healthcare. Not only is this a coffee shop with a conscience, but Recreo’s rich, full-bodied espresso is so good, the team even won the chance to set up a high-traffic takeaway counter right inside Boston City Hall. 1876 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, elrecreoestatecoffee.com.
Claudiane Philippe, @nailthecocktail
In the beforetimes, Philippe used her Instagram blog to hype Boston bars and booze brands—and show off her always-on-point manicures. Since the city’s first Black Lives Matter protest of 2020, though, her platform has also reminded us to #SayTheirNames with a compelling photo series of original drink recipes dedicated to Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, and others lost. The poignant project importantly helps Philippe’s 35,000-plus followers get educated about systemic racism, even as she continues sharing top-shelf cocktails we can actually handle making at home. instagram.com/nailthecocktail.