Sophia's
Let the Lycra-wrapped hordes swarm Lansdowne Street. The real action is around the block at Sophia's, where a beautiful and diverse crowd can be found jumping around on any of the three floors. Not into the bump-and-grind, Miami-style Latin sound on the main floor or in the basement lounge? Then hit the first floor, pick a stranger to share a pitcher of sangria, and your salsa impulses will no doubt kick in with a little help from the live band. Those who prefer a more mellow scene head to the rooftop—the building's courtship nucleus—to let the sweeping view of the city and soft music work their matchmaking magic. 1270 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Crescent Ridge Dairy
It may not be the 1890s anymore, but Crescent Ridge Dairy still delivers glass jars of milk—really good milk—to doorsteps across the western (and many southern) suburbs. Smooth and clean-tasting whole, chocolate, 2 percent, and skim are dropped off in retro metal containers at customers' requests, then replaced each week. The company also carries more than 100 products, from hamburger buns and chowder to margarine and laundry detergent. But really, it's the dairy that counts; the 2 percent milk couldn't taste more wholesome, and the chocolate sports the richness of a melted candy bar. 355 Bay Rd., Sharon, MA crescentridge.com.
www.yoursound.com
Gotta have the latest Godboy disc? Want to know where to hear The High Ceilings live? How 'bout downloading some fresh MP3's from the likes of Double Dong and Miracle Baby? If you answered yes to any of those questions, surf on over to this slick site. Started by a couple of local music aficionados in Somerville, yoursound.com is the definitive source on the local music scene: Order CDs online, read show reviews, and follow links to equipment vendors and indie labels. Bonus: It's even got bands you have heard of. yoursound.com.
Polka Dog Bakery
Puffy's not the best shopping companion: drooling on merchandise, constantly demanding attention, invading strangers' personal space. Any place that overlooks —welcomes, even—such unseemly habits scores big with us. This year Polka Dog expanded to accommodate its lines of animal gear with voluminous bins of squeaky cupcakes and rubber telephones, walls of collars, piles of beds, and accessories for literal clothes hounds. As if all that weren't enough, there's the popular buffet of inventive edibles, for when your guests' shoes are no longer an option: liver chips, salmon coins, and catnip "pawbreakers" for delicate breeds; cow thigh bones for those with heartier appetites. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
Mimi's Chūka Diner
Chūka ryōri—the Japanese term for Chinese food—puts a distinct spin on familiar flavors like dim sum dumplings and stir-fried rice by switching up the seasonings and ingredients to suit Japanese tastes. Given that it’s a cuisine about collaboration, it makes sense that Boston’s version, Mimi’s Chūka Diner, fits in wherever it goes. The pop-up is in residence at Artifact Cider in Central Square, so we can attest to the bar-snack brilliance of porky wontons and vegan gyoza with a lacy bottom crust, dished up hot to order whenever the taproom is open. 438 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, mimischukadiner.com.
The Vault Nantucket
All that glitters is gold — and diamonds and rubies — at the Vault Nantucket. Owner, gemologist, and designer Katherine Jetter has made sure of that. With its gem-cut mirrors, Murano glass chandelier, and lush purple sofa, the new Chestnut Hill outpost of her Nantucket boutique feels like a walk- in treasure chest. And in reality, it is: Lining the space are cases filled with Moritz Glik’s diamond pendants, Shay’s emerald pinky ring, and Silvia Furmanovich’s blue butterfly earrings. Then there’s Jetter’s own designs, including stacks of imperial topaz, mint-green tourmaline, and rubellite ban- gles that would turn Elizabeth Taylor into a fangirl. Multiple locations, thevaultnantucket.com.
Crystal Morgan, C.Spa
Even before the very talented Crystal Morgan gets you on the table at her immaculately clean Back Bay studio, she’s already working, sizing up the way you stand to see exactly where your tension lies. Once she begins the massage, her magic hands free up every knot and tension spot. Go ahead and glance in the mirror after your 60- to 90-minute treatment is over: Not only will you feel different, but your posture will actually look visibly different, too. 715 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, cspaboston.com.
The Emerald Necklace
What’s large, lucky, and green all over? Nope, it’s not a monster leprechaun; it’s the Emerald Necklace, the name for the tremendous 1,100 acres of public park space that connects Boston’s neighborhoods, from the Back Bay to Jamaica Plain to Dorchester. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted more than 100 years ago, the parks continue to serve as many Bostonians’ backyards, offering everything from quiet walks to sailing and golf, plus the Franklin Park Zoo — a true sanctuary within our city. emeraldnecklace.org.
Andrew Brady, Field & Vine
If you’ve been lucky enough to discover chef/co-owner Andrew Brady’s secret garden of vibrantly flavored, veggie-heavy cookery, hidden behind an unmarked green door in a Union Square alley, you know he’s a star who deserves more exposure. Exuding cool, mellow confidence in the kitchen, Brady makes the most of seasonal bounties: Marinated purple beets are gorgeously plated on a green bed of ramp yogurt; mint-flecked mussels escabeche sing on sourdough brushed with curry aioli. In a wide field of talent, he’s growing in the right direction—and thriving. 9 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA 02143, fieldandvinesomerville.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.
White Elephant
For the second year in a row, we hand over the title of best Nantucket hotel to the White Elephant, and happily so. Around since the 1920s, you could say the iconic resort knows how to do a thing or two — as proven by the white-glove service, luxurious bed linens so popular you can now buy your own, and seafood restaurant showcasing an awe-inspiring harbor view. And with accommodations ranging from garden cottages and residences to hotel rooms and downtown lofts, getting a room has never been easier. 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephantnantucket.com.
Town Meeting Bistro
Mimosas, freshly baked pastries, and a raw-bar-and-charcuterie tower for you and as many friends as you can fit around the table — what more could you ask for on a leisurely weekend afternoon? At the Inn at Hasting Park’s prix-fixe champagne brunch, a lot more, actually — namely, elevated breakfast classics such as 48-hour beef brisket hash and buttermilk pancakes topped with apple compote and pecans. With seating in a cozy fireplaced dining room or al fresco every Saturday and Sunday, it’s an occasion brunch, even when the occasion is just being with the people you love again. 2027 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02421, innathastingspark.com.
Ledger
Whether you’re looking to soak up your hangover with pork belly and grits, satisfy your sweet tooth with French toast pancakes, or stay on your health kick with salmon and avocado toast, there’s something on Ledger’s Sunday-brunch menu worth getting out of bed for. And you won’t want to sleep on the cocktails, either, including the “Electric Relaxation,” featuring cognac, cr&_egrave;me de cacao, RumChata, and chocolate, as well as a 22-ounce bloody mary made with organic Prairie vodka and “secrets.” 125 Washington St., Salem, MA 01970, ledgersalem.com.
Harvest
Out of Town News? Folded. The Curious George store? Closed. Harvard Square has lost many landmarks, but Harvest endures through all seasons — likely because its brunch remains the best reason around to get out of bed. The 46-year-old institution’s new chef, Nick Deutmeyer, carries on the very civilized tradition, serving up tempting weekend treats such as fried chicken and waffles dripping with foie gras butter, burnt honey, and wild-apple purée. The Ivy League eavesdropping is timeless, too. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvestcambridge.com.
Greydon House
The talk of Nantucket since its debut in 2016, Greydon House continues to impress with its design-forward common spaces and guest rooms, to say nothing of its small-but-mighty restaurant and bar, helmed by Michelin-starred executive chef Marcus Gleadow-Ware. Settle into your new digs—decked out with reclaimed-chestnut floors, antique furniture, and maritime-inspired artwork—then head out to explore the town: The inn conveniently stands just a short bike ride away from many island destinations, including the ferry terminal. 17 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 02554, greydonhouse.com.