Thomas Park
Sure, you could catch a gorgeous sunset on the Esplanade, but the best view in town is from atop Thomas Park. Nine months of the year, you'll find couples picnicking, dogs socializing, and runners stopping to savor the Back Bay skyline vista. Boston, MA 02127,
Home.stead Bakery & Café
Serving up far more than just chai lattes, Home.stead has found a special place in our hearts for its selection of artisanal impulse buys, from Goga bags to Alexis Mattox Design cake toppers. 1448 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, dorchesterhomestead.com.
PorchFest Somerville
Bands of all genres playing on hundreds of porches and enjoyed by thousands of revelers. It's not your wildest musical dream—it's PorchFest, a Somerville staple for the past seven years. The event has been such a bonding experience for the city that similar events have since launched nearby. somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest.
Holly Cleaners
A white wool suit covered in tomato sauce didn't faze the wizards at Holly. Our regular Back Bay cleaner looked at the mess and said he was likely to discolor the fabric. Holly humbly offered no guarantees, but returned the suit exactly as it was, pre-lasagna. 1314 Centre St., Newton, MA .
Cigar Masters Boston
Cigar Masters might seem like your average smoke shop. It's not. Sure, it's got the requisite walk-in humidor brimming with expensive stogies, but there's also a low-lit bar and acres of leather couches. Smoking aficionados can even track their investments on monitors that flicker through a haze of blue smoke. 745 Boylston St., Boston, MA cigarmasters.com.
Coach
Forget the limited line of bags, wallets and key rings that were a rite of passage for college graduates and sure standbys for Mother's and Father's Day gifts. The company underwent a major makeover and has updated its inventory to include luggage, furniture, watches and shoes. The new-concept store opens here soon. Copley Place, Boston, MA .
Portico
There's nothing more heavenly than slipping between 250 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. Portico stocks some of the highest thread counts around by Frette, Anna Chini and Portico private label. The average person spends almost a third of his or her life in bed, so spend it in luxury. 77 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
L.J. Peretti Co.
Like cigars, but can't stand the sort of people who go to cigar bars? Take home a box from Peretti's instead. These guys have been around since 1870, which practically makes them the Puritans' tobacconists. 2.5 Park Square, Boston, MA .
Sweet Peas Home
This cheerful shop in Back Bay offers a selection of creative, user-friendly items for the home—hand-painted furniture, small handmade gift items. The staff is particularly helpful, especially if you're trying to pick something up for that person who has everything. 216 Clarendon St., Boston, MA .
Boston Athletic Club
Boston doesn't yet have that one great health club, but in the meantime, BAC is the best thing in town. There are basketball, tennis, racquetball, and squash courts galore, not to mention the basics such as Nautilus and aerobics. It also offers cardio-boxing, golf, a hair salon, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists. 653 Summer St., Boston, MA .
Legal Sea Foods
On a recent visit, the Waquoit oysters were fabulous. But don't limit yourself—the Cherrystone clams are also wonderful, as is fresh fish of almost every variety. We've had particularly good luck with the grilled trout of late, and even Legal's fried fish—its longtime staple—seems to have a new lightness. Various locations, .
Monica Glass, Clio
A touch of sumac to balance a rich chocolate cremeux; a hint of briny olive to bring out the zing in Meyer-lemon beignets—Glass is known for incorporating savory elements into her creative confections. The result? Richly satisfying desserts that give the taste buds—and the mind—a blissful workout. 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA cliorestaurant.com.
John Lakian
Despite a checkered past that includes resume-padding, Lakian promises to be a thorn in Mitt's side all the way to the September primary. Lakian's willingness to spend a million of his own dollars to rehab his image proves the modern American adage: money talks.
Blue Nami
A solid sushi bar, with seasonal specialties like soft-shell crab, and traditional Korean dishes like bulgoki, cooked at your table and served with eight separate side dishes, including three kimchis. And you're on a ship docked in Boston Harbor! 310 Congress St., Museum Wharf, Boston, MA .
Parker House's Last Hurrah
The editors have concurred that no sane individual selects a restaurant by the merits of its salad bar. But they're popular nowadays. If you want the best, go to the Parker House's Last Hurrah. But for God's sake, don't be enticed by the salad alone. The restaurant has more to offer.