Formaggio Kitchen
Formaggio is the cheese shop that puts all others to shame. Whether it's a rustic sheep's milk cheese from Vermont or a bleu de Termignon made only by an old woman in France from her herd of nine cows, owner Ihsan Gurdai finds the world's best and rarest cheeses and brings them home to Boston. Shopping can be a slow process, since the staff spends a lot of time dispensing thinly sliced samples. There's a method to the madness: A customer who tastes the rich overtones of real Parmigiano-Reggiano from the red cows of Parma will never go back to the powdery stuff in the green can. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA formaggiokitchen.com.
Casablanca
We'll forgo the hackneyed movie references here. Casablanca, while canonized by the classic picture of its namesake, has forged its own identity as a tried-and-true Harvard Square hangout. Every night of the week pulls in cute young couples huddling over Turkish meze spreads and warm olives, regulars on a first-name basis with the chatty waiters, and Oxford-clad yuppies who kick back in the corners under the shadow of palm fronds. They all converge in the bar-cum-boîte, where high-octane martinis and an accessible wine list only deepen the appeal of this beloved institution. 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA casablanca-restaurant.com.
Maria's Pastry Shop
Yes, we love the biscotti (and the heavenly hazelnut meringues) at Biscotti's, made by a strapping soccer-playing lad from Salerno (95 Salem Street, Boston, 617-227-8365). But on North End pastry expeditions, we head to Maria's Pastry Shop, where Maria Merola continues to turn out her addictive, chocolate-drenched spice cookies; crunchy, shell-shaped sfogliatelle and extravagant lobster tails; soft, nearly fat-free anisette cookies; big, wheel-shapped taralli; and, of course, cannoli filled to order. Some North End traditions won't change, come hell or Big Dig derricks. 46 Cross St., Boston, MA .
Val Chiaradia, The Loft Salon and Day Spa
Perched in an uncomfortable chair, your hands bound (inevitably, an itch) while a stranger picks at your cuticles, you cant help but wonder: Is a speedy, painless, and long-lasting manicure out of the question? Not when youre sitting across from the Lofts Chiaradia, who narrowly bested Jeanne Lee (formerly of Salon Trio, she almost had us with that add-on reflexology treatment). Chiaradias polish work was flawless and superquick, and didnt chip for nearly a week. Hate small talk? Youll appreciate the option to catch up on your E! podcast of Speidi and Glambert gossip as she overhauls your nails in silence. 207 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Goody's Moving Service
There comes a moment during most moves—usually preceded by the sound of breaking glass—when homeowners wonder if they'd have been better off on their own. Following their own move-gone-awry five years ago, brothers Eric and Aaron Goodwine rounded up an eight-person crew and set out to turn their frustration into a business. Goody's wraps and pads like the big companies, and even offers a post-move-out 'old-school toothbrush and white glove' cleaning to your now former abode. It almost makes us want to break out the boxes. Almost.
Rialto
Chef Jody Adams is clearly a romantic: Her menu is loaded with graceful, elegant dishes that can make even the most stoic diner swoon. Her refined palate is tempered with whimsy, and all ingredients are procured locally. Favorite dishes: Grilled lamb chops in pomegranate molasses; lobster fricasse with fresh corn; coconut and passion fruit Napoleon with caramel rum sauce. In addition to the New American food, the restaurant also has very professional service, a sexy backlit bar area with cushy booths, tango dancing lessons every Thursday night, and nearby rooms in the Charles Hotel in which to discreetly retire. 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA rialto-restaurant.com.
Casablanca
For more than 30 years, Casablanca restaurant has been the canteen of choice for Cambridge's smart set when they dine en masse. The reason for its success: An inviting bar with plenty of by-the-glass wine choices, an expertly prepared yet casual Mediterranean menu courtesy of chef Ana Sortun (don't miss creamy chick pea soup, the tangy short rib appetizer, or the filet of cod wrapped in bacon), and the whopping laughter of owner Sari Abul-Jubein providing the perfect soundtrack to the fun. Groups of any size are encouraged to make themselves right at home. 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA casablanca-restaurant.com.
Bank of America Pavilion
Dock all the points you like for the pricey beer, seasonal setup, and occasional 'Ya Mo B There' booking, and this harborside venue with the graceful sail-like tent and stunning skyline backdrop still posts the winning score. Wide aisles give the B of A's 5,000 seats serious elbow room, while nine jumbo TVs ensure everyone gets an eyeful of the onstage action. Even if you believe the Roxy has the more intimate and interesting space, and the House of Blues (provided it sprays for tourists first) is coming on as a contender, you'd still have to concede that with the right band on the right night, the Pavilion is nothing short of a concertgoer's nirvana. 290 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2210, bankofamericapavillion.net.
Midway Café
In a nightlife scene that at its worst can pass for an endless Greek mixer—scrupulously gelled studs angling for meticulously dolled-up girls—the Midway is the city's all-inclusive off-campus rager. The music dive bar is sweaty, dark, loud, and packed on most evenings, but divinely so on Thursdays, when Women's Dance Night brings the XX-chromosome crowd and their pals out in force. Couples can hop onstage during Queeraoke to serenade each other with 'My Girl,' while singles can scope the crush of punk coquettes, sardonic tomboys, drama mamas, and more. Bonus: The Midway will finally move forward on its hard-fought, long-awaited expansion later this year. 3496 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, midwaycafe.com.
28 Degrees
With Boston's bona fide gay bars going the way of BostonNow, it's getting tough for the feyer sex to pick up a stiff drink and a well-blended man in the same place. Fortunately, local lounges are filling the void. While the South End's 28 Degrees isn't technically a gay venue, the camp-spiked cocktails (like the Ima Gimlet), Sunday drag shows, and fabulously fierce, male-dominated weeknight crowd (weekends get a smidge touristy) make labels obsolete. If a gay night out simply isn't the same without the worn décor and cocktails served in plastic, both Fritz and the Eagle are a mere two blocks away. 1 Appleton St., Boston, MA 2116, 28degres-boston.com.
T.T. the Bear's Place
Boston has no shortage of excellent small music venues, but T.T.'s just keeps edging out the competition. Perhaps it's because former Clash guitarist Mick Jones chose this Central Square nook to showcase his new group last April. Or because it features a healthy mix of worthy local bands and visiting punk veterans like New Model Army and Jesse Malin. Or because some weekends DJ Chris Ewen busts out our favorite '80s New Wave classics. Whatever. It's cramped, it's sticky, it's totally authentic—and it's unbeatable. 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, MA 2139, ttthebears.com.
Jamaicaway/Riverway
Whether you're training for the marathon or just trying to raise your heart rate, a jog along the Emerald Necklace is unrivaled. We tried them all—the Charles River Esplanade, the Minuteman Bikeway, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall—and still came away with the same answer as last year: Running through the gardens of the Back Bay Fens, along the Riverway and Jamaicaway, out to Jamaica Pond, and onto the Arnold Arboretum is literally a breath of fresh air. The serenity along the river, the dirt trails just before the pond, the water fountain at the boathouse, the hills and flowers of the arboretum—they combine to make for a perfect jog. Even if 26.2 isn't in your future. MA
New England Treatment Access
Soaring ceilings, marble accents, mahogany casework, and a huge waft of fresh bud? What was once the main branch of the Brookline Bank is now the area’s finest medical marijuana dispensary. Here you’ll find a sampling of more than 60 highly calibrated strains of green, all grown in Franklin, designed to give patients relief from chronic pain and nausea. NETA’s extremely professional approach to manufacturing is evident everywhere, from the illuminated cases to the beautifully designed packaging of their edibles, topicals, vape products, and flowers. 160 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02114, netacare.org.
Meghan Thompson, Townsman
Meghan Thompson’s seasonal desserts aren’t merely a source of Instagram envy—there’s nostalgia and accessibility beneath the aesthetic. Take her frozen yuzu soufflé with poached quince, wild-bay-leaf ice cream, and toasted meringue shards, scattered like a broken robin’s egg. It looks like a late-era Metzinger, but swipe your fork through each element and take a bite. Yep, tastes like lemon meringue pie. This avant-garde ingenuity is everywhere on her menu, from the jerk-spiced bagels at brunch to the complimentary brown bread augmented by Korean doenjang. 120 Kingston St., Boston, MA 02111, townsmanboston.com.
Brookline Booksmith
More than just a bookstore, it's a monument to the literary life. The orderly stacks have helpful comment cards from the staff, and they're packed with more than just bestsellers. Get lost in a labyrinthine maze of maps, glasses, cheeky tote bags, even midcentury-modern mugs for the requisite bookish spot of tea. Downstairs, there's a tidy used-book area and gift-wrapping station. Regular author readings, a monthly book club, and a well-stocked kids' section with pint-size chairs are nice community touches at this Coolidge Corner favorite. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, brooklinebooksmith.com.