Colin Lynch, Bar Mezzana, No Relation, Shore Leave
Lynch recently launched two new hits while keeping Bar Mezzana, his coastal-Italian gem, sparkling like an Aperol spritz. Up next: Black Lamb, an American brasserie. 360 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA shoreleaveboston.com.
Bay State Cruises' Boat to P-town
A round-trip that leaves the city behind.
The Baldwin Bar and The Baldwin & Sons Trading Co.
Foams, tinctures, syrups, elixirs: Onetime GQ cover guy Ran Duan is the tiki-driven scientist behind the Baldwin Bar, a tropical island hideaway, and the Baldwin & Sons Trading Co., a speakeasy devoted to experimental drinks. The ornate mansion that houses both concepts was originally transformed by his dad, a former opera singer, into the Sichuan Garden restaurant — and you can still order stellar Sichuan food alongside ethereal cocktails you simply won’t find anywhere else. Ask for the Betty Draper, an icy gin-lime creation crowned with clouds of coconut foam, by name. And if you’re lucky, you might get to test-drive a libation slated for Duan’s upcoming tropical haven Birds of Paradise, opening this summer in Brighton. 2 Alfred St., Woburn, MA 1801, thebaldwinbar.com.
Tasty Burger
A flagship restaurant on Boylston Street wasn’t enough for the Red Sox’s official burger joint; Tasty Burger had to open inside Fenway Park, too. In fact, the Franklin Restaurant Group won’t be satisfied until its burgeoning chain of burger bars (with outposts as far away as Washington, DC) can compete with the In-N-Outs of the fast-casual game. And not just on scale, but with more progressive policies like environmentally sound packaging and responsibly sourced, non-GMO beef. 1301 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, tastyburger.com.
Petco
Okay, so this massive warehouse chain has great prices on a huge selection. No surprise there. But it also offers surprisingly good service. You're greeted right after entering the store and guided to the aisle for, say, your iguana, and they'll even schlep the 40-pound bag of food to your cat. The doggie-biscuit salad bar is the canine equivalent of Bread & Circus. All locations, .
Brown Sugar Cafe
Think all Thai restaurants in Bosotn are serving from the same kitchen? This Fenway spot is a welcome departure from bland curries and soggy pad thais. The dinner roster is absolutely enormous, featuring a dozens of noodles dishes and a vast selection of seafood oddities; our favorite is "Fisherman Madness," a fresh and spicy combo of crustaceans and filets. The ambiance is relaxed, making Brown Sugar perfect for dining solo or entertaining a blind date. 1033 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA brownsugarcafe.com.
The Abbey Lounge
"Cheap booze" and "rock 'n' roll," those twin sacraments of a great neighborhood bar, are in high evidence at this grungy yet lovable spot on the Cambridge/Somerville border. Tattoos abound on boozers of all ages in the cafeteria-style main room, while the sweaty stage area next door features loud up-and-coming (read: will play for drinks) bands, including the tavern's own Schnockered. Booze now, repent later! 3 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA .
Lotus Blossom
Why is this parking lot so crowded? Why are they three-deep at the register, picking up huge bags of takeout? Could be the great shrimp with pineapple, the fantastic Grab Rangoon, the ever-popular General Gao's Chicken or the best Peking Duck this side of Chinatown. Come early, or be prepared to hang at the bar while happy diners vacuum up every morsel on their plates. 394 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA .
The Wellness Atelier
We’ve all had those nights — the ones where you wake up the next morning with a blinding headache and an appetite for nothing but saltines. Plan ahead, and next time you can roll right out of bed and into Dr. Daniela Winston’s Newbury Street studio for the cheekily named “About Last Night” IV, a hydrating treatment designed to lessen hangover symptoms. The concierge medicine practice also offers a variety of other nutritional IVs that infuse your body with the stuff it needs to not just survive but thrive. 36 Newbury St., 3rd Fl., Boston, MA 02116, thewellnessatelier.com.
Ripcord
A good wedding band knows just when to bring the energy and when to dial it down; Ripcord blends this intuition with virtuoso musicianship, complete with Grammy Award–winning trumpeter Yaure Muniz in the lineup. They pivot effortlessly from Aretha Franklin covers to hip-hop and jazz, matching the music to the mood without missing a beat. Bonus: They’ve been known to perform original songs contributed by wedding guests, graciously welcoming revelers onstage to play alongside them for the big day. ripcordmusic.com.
The Ritz Café
A modest watering hole that islanders depend on after the day’s work is done and the summer crowds have evacuated to the mainland, this institution, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has acquired the patina of legend. If it’s a dive, it’s one that argues there’s more to the designation than peeling paint and a well-worn bar. Located next to the shinier, chicer bars that now line Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, the rough exterior might scare off the faint of heart. And while the aura is arguably friendly, it’s also a bit reckless, hinting at a long history of spirited delights: It wasn’t unheard of, for instance, for regulars to throw a fake wedding at a moment’s notice. Read more 4 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA theritzmv.com.
Patterson Group
Frustrated that she couldn't find bedding to satisfy her fierce aesthetic and quality standards, interior designer Eileen Patterson started her own custom line. The sheet sets, made with stratospheric-thread-count organic cottons, all feature hand- and machine-embroidery options—and put those impossibly expensive off-the-shelf brands to shame. 1 Design Center Pl. #324, Boston, MA 2210, pattersongroup.com.
Pratesi
Egyptian cotton? Please, darling—we only sleep on silk (and cashmere in winter). At the tony Pratesi, no fabric is too soft, no thread count too high, for the extravagant sheets that lay beneath lace coverlets, delicately embroidered shams, and silk-lined cashmere throws. Even babies get in on the action, with fluffy receiving blankets and tiny terry robes. 110 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, pratesi.com.
Drink
There's no shortage of great bars in Boston: Green Street, Eastern Standard, and Deep Ellum are on par with the very best in this cocktail-revived country. But Drink is the thinking tippler's bar. Under the leadership of manager/cocktail wonk John Gertsen, it demonstrates a commitment to excellence at every level, from the cocktail-specific ice cubes to the historical authenticity of the flips, punches, and fizzes served at the bar. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, drinkfortpoint.com.
Tie: Bim Skala Bim and The Allstonians
Two acts ostensibly playing the same style, but each with a unique sound. The former's catchier doubletimes tunes rocket you from your seat; the latters more sluggish, sparse style digs a deep groove. Plus, you have to love the 'Stonians endearing tribal loyalty: "Living in Allston is the final word!"