Bristol Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel
The Bristol is a refreshing respite from the cigar-chompin' clubbier bars around town, yet it still manages—with its white-coated waitstaff, marble bar tops, and Vose Galleries art—to maintain a stately feel. Maybe that's why visiting celebrities (Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jordan, Billy Joel) flock to its sofas and armchairs. Or maybe it's the signature martinis (stiff and serious, even in the more frivolous forms such as the green apple) and warm nut mix that keeps them coming back for more. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA fourseasons.com/boston/dining/the_bristol_lounge.
Blossom Bar
Turns out, dan dan noodles and Latin libations are a cross-cultural match made in heaven. After putting Woburn on the map as a cocktail destination with his nationally lauded Baldwin bars, Ran Duan recently opened his third concept, in Brookline. And just as expected, the minimalist bar he installed in his parents’ Sichuan restaurant offers drinks that are as adventurous as they are thirst-quenching: Tropical flavors, unexpected textures, and sugar-cane-based spirits drive the menu, with mascarpone cheese adding weight to the Bocadillo Sour, the anise-y Colombian spirit aguardiente mingling with papaya in the Angie Valencia, and a grasshopper rim imparting an element of surprise to the avocado-tequila libation Broken Spanish. 295 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02445, blossombarbrookline.com.
Great Bay
A pure, fine broth; a smoky backbone of bacon; and plump whole mollusks elevate this above the gluey sludge commonly doled out to tourists. No bells and whistles, just the essence of the sea. Hotel Commonwealth, 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA gbayrestaurant.com.
Tamarind Bay
In a city boasting dozens of quality Indian restaurants, Tamarind Bay stands apart. Here, there's no heaviness to the rich curries and grilled meats. Instead, the flavors are delicate and light. (Make sure to try the dal tadka, a luscious mix of lentils fried in onion, tomato, and a classic spice blend of green chili, coriander, and cumin.) The dining area is small, but bright yellow walls and golden columns imbue the restaurant with the same vibrancy you'll find in each dish. 75 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA tamarind-bay.com.
Wonder Bar
Who needs comfort food when you have comfort drink? Lurking beneath the floorboards of the stiff-backed, black-attired glam scene at the Wonder Bar is a comfortable lounge downstairs. It has enveloping booths and sofas and a TV playing sports du jour. The jazz wafts down from upstairs; the pretense, fortunately, does not. 186 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA .
The Chocolate Bar
A great binge, and no hangover. The Hotel Meridien, 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Harry's Bar
Far enough out of town so you won't get caught. Close enough to get home for dinner. Sheraton Rolling Green, North Andover, MA .
Mida
Linguine, paccheri, bucatini—chef-owner Douglass Williams has mastered the fine art of pasta-making, churning out noodles with just the right amount of bite and just the right amount of sauce (that is to say, enough to sop up a little extra with bread). The best part for carb lovers? It’s all you can eat every “Mangia Pasta Monday.” 782 Tremont St., Boston, MA midaboston.com.
Tafari Wraps
Our hair is an important part of who we are. No one understands that better than Tafari founder Imani McFarlane. Celebrating the culture of the African diaspora, her gorgeous silk and Ankara head wraps (to say nothing of the sharp headbands and scrunchies) promise to protect, nourish, and beautify. McFarlane also offers tutorials and personalized consultations, so everyone can learn the art of head-wrapping. tafariwraps.com.
Casa Design Outdoor
Looking for an easy way to channel the tranquil vibes of that tropical vacation you were supposed to take this year? Pop into Casa Design Outdoor. Part of Casa Design Group’s family of showrooms, the petite SoWa space is outfitted with a lush faux-plant accent wall, artfully styled outdoor-furniture vignettes, botanical-print wallcoverings, and windows that stream in sunlight. Take a slice of paradise home with patio pieces that range from city sleek (Royal Botania dining tables) to coastal chic (braided Kettal daybeds, pictured), all so luxurious you’ll forget you’re not actually at a posh resort. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, casadesigngroup.com.
All Too Human
Two years after Louis closed, All Too Human proprietor Jessica Knez's outside-the-box selection is breathing new life into the city's fashion scene. Her storefront just off Newbury Street is indicative of her aesthetic, which is slightly left of the mainstream. Lesser-known designers such as Alyx and Strom mingle with fashion heavyweights like Proenza Schouler and Dries Van Noten, while the walls between the racks frequently act as a makeshift gallery: Recently Knez has displayed works from artists Daniel Arsham and Baron Von Fancy, proving that good style is indeed an art form. 236 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116, alltoohumanboston.com.
America Dural
Among Cantabrigians' best-kept secrets is America Dural, hidden on a quiet street in Observatory Hill. An unfussy storefront conceals treasures from every period: midcentury Bertoia chrome chairs, ornate Georgian mahogany chests, a refreshing selection of contemporary art. Only a pro could set up such an enticing array of home furnishings—and, in fact, the showroom is part of Phillip Miller's interior design business. You could buy a single piece, but then again, why not just engage Miller to bring his cultivated eye to your entire home? 143 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA americadural.com.
Ari Boston
Someone once said you can tell a man's personality from his tie. Ari Boston has a selection to reflect even the most complex psyches, in fine woven silks from Italy. 6 Liberty Square, Boston, MA .
Clio
Soothing taupe walls, oversize art and leopard print carpet make for a swanky ambiance perfect for a night on the town with visiting urbanites from elsewhere. Ken Oringer works magic with bold flavors and unique combinations, and intimate tables allow as much attention to companions as to food. If you feel underdressed for the restaurant, the bar beckons. The Eliot Hotel, 370A Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Drink
The previous generation (Eastern Standard, the sadly defunct B-Side Lounge) may have planted the seeds for a cocktail revival, but Fort Point newcomer Drink—with its house-made liqueurs and garnishes, mid-bar herb garden, and bespoke ice cubes—presents the modern imbiber's paradise in full flower. The brilliantly designed winding bar hides the bottles and puts the bartenders front and center as they work off of their imagination, rather than preconceived menus. Everything from the custom drinks to the linen-and-mini-water-glass setup at each seat is meant to focus the patron's attention on the matter at hand: the serious art of cocktail making. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, drinkfortpoint.com.