Jenny Luu Hair + Makeup
Trust Jenny Luu with your bridal makeup, and she’ll do so much more than expertly blend your foundation and apply false lashes. Weeks before you walk down the aisle, Luu (a self-proclaimed “skinthusiast”) will equip you with a personalized skin-care routine to ensure that your face remains blemish-free. Then, on the big day, the Boston-based artist will use products from Charlotte Tilbury and Dior, among others, to create a look that not only highlights your natural beauty, but also outlasts the after-party (seriously). 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, jcluu.com.
SchnelleCares
If you have kiddos under 12, chances are you still need plenty of masks. Thank goodness, then, that Schnelle Shelby’s hand-sewn face coverings come in three adult sizes and two children’s sizes. Choose from a wide variety of styles, from quirky mermaid scales and spaceships to tasteful plaids and beautiful African and batik patterns. And know that by ordering from SchnelleCares, you’re supporting a business that donates masks to food pantries and health centers in the city, as well as gives a portion of sales to the Boston Resiliency Fund for COVID relief schnellecares.com..
Pure Oasis
As the first recreational pot shop in Boston proper, and the first Black-owned one in the state, Pure Oasis carries the weight of history on its shoulders. From the moment it opened in early 2020 (unluckily, mere moments before COVID lockdowns set in), the store has been embraced by its community. Stocked with an impressive array of flower, tinctures, THC-infused chocolates, and even a line of locally made cannabis seltzers, it certainly has the goods. But a year later, shopping at Pure Oasis still feels like a celebration — of a ceasefire in the war on drugs that caused immeasurable harm in its backyard, and of all that’s yet to come as the industry flourishes. 430 Blue Hill Ave., Boston, MA 02121, mypureoasis.com.
Drinkwater's
Drinkwater’s might be small, but its shelves contain countless sartorial gems—all thanks to Gary Drinkwater, who earned his stripes at Louis Boston. Now, 15 years into running his own brick-and-mortar, Drinkwater uses his discerning eye to curate only the best clothing and accessories for his customers: suits from Samuelsohn, shoes from Paraboot, and neckties from Seaward & Stearn, to name a few. Want to go bespoke? Take advantage of the shop’s Made to Measure program to ensure the perfect fit for a sure-to-be perfect day. 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, drinkwaterscambridge.com.
See
You own more than one shirt, right? And probably a couple of pairs of shoes? Well, See is committed to making sure you have glasses to match every outfit, too, working with designers from all over Europe and the United States to create on-trend specs that look more like fashion accessories than vision enhancers. The bright boutique displays all of its eyewear on open shelves, never in locked cases, so you can try on pair after pair until you find the perfect fit. 115 Newbury St., Boston, 617-236-0105; 1276 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-868-1500; seeeyewear.com. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, seeeyewear.com.
Drinkwater’s
Chinos have their charm, but when the occasion calls for something dignified, Dapper Dans make a beeline to Drinkwater’s. Owner Gary Drinkwater, formerly of Louis Boston and Stonestreet’s, presides over a small but expertly curated collection of modern classics: made-to-measure suits from Samuelsohn, custom button-downs from Individualized Shirts, and footwear from legendary French cordonnier Paraboot. Correction, June 28, 2016, 4:30 p.m.: This post has been updated to reflect that Drinkwater's carries custom button-downs from Individualized Shirts, not custom shirts from Engineered Garments. We regret the error. 2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140, drinkwaterscambridge.com.
Palehound
Ellen Kempner’s vocal melodies have a tendency to shoot up high without warning, just like her hands on the fretboard of her guitar during bouts of frenzied rocking. It’s this unpredictability that brings excitement to Dry Food, the debut album from her band, Palehound. The trio recently made an appearance at Boston Calling, where after their last song, Kempner said, appropriately enough, “We’re Palehound, from right here!” The band plans to record their follow-up in the fall. Here’s hoping they go far, but always remain nearby. palehound.bandcamp.com.
Louis
Originally established as a fine menswear store, this Boston institution is now run by fourth-generation purveyor Debi Greenberg, who continues the family tradition by offering made-to-measure suits, ties, and shoes from Kiton, Belvest, Massimo Bizzocchi, and Valentini. (Designers from these iconic brands and others previewed their fall collections at a two-day Louis event in May.) And yet the selection here is ever-changing and always-eevolving, with refined pieces from sartorial up-and-comers like Ami and recent CFDA Fashion Award winner Tim Coppens. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2210, louisboston.com.
The Altered Bride
The dress may garner most of the attention, but no vision of white tulle is complete without a few painstakingly chosen accessories. And the more perfect they are, the better the odds they came from the Altered Bride. For more than a decade, Boston brides (and bridesmaids) have made this boutique a crucial stop on their way to the aisle. They come to quiz the knowledgeable and experienced staff and browse the exquisite offerings of jewelry, shoes, and veils, as well as the area's largest collection of handmade tiaras. In her new and expanded Boylston Street space, owner Roseanna Martino acts as a guide, strategizing ensembles that are both simple and extravagant. And when even that is not unique enough, she's happy to provide custom-designed headpieces and veils. 376 Boylston St., 2nd floor, Boston, MA .
Robert Sisca, Bistro du Midi
Boston is blessed with a bumper crop of young culinary talent injecting our food scene with energy and enthusiasm. But while many seem to spend as much time on the party circuit as they do in the kitchen, Robert Sisca has retained a singular focus: turning out exacting Provencial fare. The deceptively simple plates he creates at Bistro du Midi—pan-roasted cod with golden raisins and chorizo; grilled Mediterranean sea bass with slow-cooked fennel—employ the meticulous French technique he honed under chef Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin in New York. 272 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, bistrodumidi.com.
French Memories
The low-key town of Duxbury is better known for bivalves than brioche, but that doesn't keep this café's Paris-born bakers (the same artistes behind Café Vanille in Boston and Chestnut Hill) from turning out the most decadent pastries on the South Shore. Flaky napoleons, rich éclairs, petite financiers, elegant pear tarts, all types of crusty loaves, and other French classics beckon from the shelves, but it's the enormous croissants—especially apricot and chocolate—and the chewy-moist coconut macaroons (a.k.a. congolais) that really convince pastry lovers that the world's their oyster. 459 Washington St., Duxbury, MA 2332, frenchmemories.com.
O Ya
We Bostonians didn't need Frank Bruni to tell us that O Ya is extraordinary. But when the New York Times food critic named it the best new U.S. restaurant outside New York City, he shined a klieg light on just how good the place is—and repositioned our fair city as a worthy dining destination in the bargain. Husband-wife team Tim and Nancy Cushman have created a gastronomic jewel box full of dazzling innovations like ivory salmon with red curry and toasted garlic, and foie gras with chocolate-balsamic sauce. And Boston is richer for it. 9 East St., Boston, MA 2111, oyarestaurantboston.com.
B & G Oysters
Anatomy of a Winner: Here in Boston, it's tough to stand out in a veritable ocean of chowdah. Here's how Barbara Lynch's oyster bar shows up the competition. 1. Flaky puff pastry "oyster crackers" are coated with sweet paprika and cayenne pepper for a buttery crunch and a bit of heat. 2. Thick bacon lardons add smokiness and bite. 3. A heavy distribution of meaty top-neck clams give the soup the requisite brine and chew. 4. Clam juice and white wine cut the richness of the butter and heavy cream. 5. A swoosh of black pepper and a sprinkling of chives add additional flavor and make for a beautiful bowl. 550 Tremont St., Boston, MA bandgoysters.com.
Aquitaine
There's no shortage of French technique in Boston, but few restaurants can effectively transport you to Paris for the night. Aquitaine, in the lovely old St. Cloud building (master architect Nathaniel J. Bradlee's 1869 homage to the French flat), feels like a real 11th-arrondissement brasserie. Gold-stenciled mirrors, an oversize chalkboard, and voluptuous floral arrangements (courtesy of Spruce) look the part. But it's the buttery, bouquet garni-rich classics—mussels en cassoulette, escargots de Bourgogne—that keep us coming back again and again. 569 Tremont St., Boston, MA aquitaineboston.com.
Good
Owner Paul Niski culls the world for art and oddments seldom seen here in Boston, and consequently Good's inventory of goods—which run the gamut from furniture to linens to pure objets d'art—is almost continuously refreshed. Among the constants in this tiny, museumlike space: John Derian's eccentric découpage pieces, handcrafted jewelry from the likes of Melissa Joy Manning and Chan Luu, and pristine Japanese lacquerware by Morihata. Above all, there's Niski's own exquisite taste, which, if you're unsure of your gift recipient's style—or even your own—is quite a reliable one to adopt. 133 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, shopatgood.com.