Linnea Tangorra
Linnea Tangorra and her staff of three can help both brides who know exactly what they want and those who have no clue. Services range from soup-to-nuts planning to hourly consulting with no minimums. Tangorra is quick to respond in any situation, whether she's answering your late-night e-mails, fielding your future mother-in-law's incessant questions or averting weather-related reception disasters with a well-orchestrated plan B. Tangorra Wedding Planning, 251 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, linneatangorra.com.
Linnea Tangorra
Linnea Tangorra and her staff of three can help both brides who know exactly what they want and those who have no clue. Services range from soup-to-nuts planning to hourly consulting with no minimums. Tangorra is quick to respond in any situation, whether she's answering your late-night e-mails, fielding your future mother-in-law's incessant questions or averting weather-related reception disasters with a well-orchestrated plan B. Tangorra Wedding Planning, 251 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, linneatangorra.com.
Toro
What's as rich as Toro's cheese plate, has as much flavor as its olive oil-roasted Brussels sprouts, and is as undeniably saucy as its patatas bravas? The neighborhood designers and artists, in-the-know real estate movers and shakers, and local restaurateurs who—without fail, seven nights a week—flock to chef-owner Ken Oringer's no-reservations hot spot from happy hour till closing time. Rubbing elbows with such characters over cava at the raucous bar makes waiting for a table seem like a perk, not a burden. 1704 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Audubon Circle
There aren't many places where Asian pot stickers, pork schnitzel, and lobster rolls happily coexist on a menu, but Audubon's eclectic mix of global and American comfort food simply works. The dimly lit spot on a nondescript section of Beacon Street is the perfect hideaway—and after throwing back a couple of BBC Steel Rail brews and snacking on grilled bread dunked in a silky white-bean purée, you'll be glad you're in on the secret. 838 Beacon St., Boston, MA 2115, auduboncircle.us.
Charles G. Crones
Crone's father began the J.A. Sanborn Company forty-nine years ago at 28 Merchants Row (next door to Quincy Market), and it's still flourishing. "We go out of our way to buy the best," Crones told us. "We buy whole fish off the boats, and cut them here. You can always find a good selection." If you dine at the Ritz, or at St. Botolph Street, you're eating Sanborn selections, and Crones will even mail fresh lobsters for you. J.A. Sanborn Company, 28 Merchants Row, Boston, MA .
Gypsy
Want proof that cobblestoned Nantucket is no longer just a quaint and quiet haven of whaling lore and preppies on vacation? Look no further than the designer-filled boutique Gypsy. Catherine Malandrino frocks, by turns sassy and sexy, hang next to cutout Chloé tops, palm-print Celine slacks, lower-than-low-cut True Religion jeans, and Lucite heels. Not exactly sailing gear, but hey, since when must fashion bow to function? 47 Main St., 2nd floor, Nantucket, MA .
Sharrock's English Bakery
Forget "English muffins" and get a hold of the original article. These crumpets are filling enough for a decent breakfast (and, if you have the power to skip butter, they're fat- and cholesterol-free), yet light enough to leave plenty of room for lunch. Ex-pat Brits swear they're the only "real" crumpets this side of the Atlantic. If mail order's not your bag, the bakers also market their goods under the Trader Joe's label (at all Trader Joe's stores in the area). 1649 Wheeler St., North Dighton, MA .
The Barn Bowl & Bistro
Great food and “bowling for everyone,” as its mission states (pop-up rails, please!), make the Barn Bowl & Bistro an ideal hangout for families with kids of all ages, especially on those days when the island’s socked in by rain. And unlike most bowling alleys, you won’t find any tacky Formica lounge furniture here — just comfy sofas and even a place for an ice bucket. This is the Vineyard, after all. 13 Uncas Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, thebarnmv.com.
Via Mare
Jetting off to the Italian Riviera may not be in the cards just yet, but brunch at Via Mare — Italian for “by the sea” — is nearly as exciting. Showcasing honey-hued shiplap walls, cozy sofa seating, and vintage coastal décor, the restaurant offers American classics dressed up with Italian gusto: Take, for example, the deviled-egg starter prepared with daily-changing ingredients like pesto and pickled shallot, or the breakfast sandwich on a house-made kaiser roll topped with seared mortadella. Sail away at the end of the meal with the budino topped with toffee caramel and decorated with lightly torched triangles of meringue. 17 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 02554, viamarenantucket.com.
Doggieday
Need someone to look after your critters? While you're away, DoggieDay will walk Spot four times a day, clean Fifi's litter box, grab your mail, water your plants, inject your diabetic gerbil with insulin, and taxi Dirk the boa constrictor to the vet—all for a competitive fee. Unlike most services, DoggieDay covers almost all of Greater Boston, and is registered with Pet Sitters International. Future services in the works include dog training at home while you're at work and massage therapy (for your pets, not you). 295 Devonshire St., Boston, MA .
Paws to Consider
Even the bad pun can't keep us away from a pet service this efficient, loving, and dependable. Owner Scot Jones clearly cares for his four-legged commissions with the same passion he does his business, keeping an organized staff of five fully briefed in everything from pet first aid to the fundamentals of TLC. Whether it's cat sitting (litter changes included) or dog walking (rain or shine, 365 days a year), Paws to Consider makes as many visits as you want—and will even care for plants, collect mail, and make veterinarian or grooming runs. 24 Halifax St., Jamaica Plain, MA pawstoconsider.com.
Warren Asnes, Peace of Mind
A couple of years ago, Warren Asnes was a bureaucrat in the state's Office of Human Services. But last year, he decided to become a full-time housewatcher—a move inspired by his musing whether he or the other occupant of a two-family home was responsible for filling the house's boiler. Today he'll tend to the care and feeding of your home while you're away by walking your dog, watering your plants, forwarding your mail, even stocking your refrigerator for your return—all for seven bucks a trip. He comes with references, is fully insured, and is not put off by large numbers of pets: he once baby-sat 34 cats. Newton, MA
Car Talk.com
This companion to the long-running National Public Radio show extends the lunacy that you hear on the air every Saturday. The centerpiece of Click and Clack's home page is "Time Kill Central," which includes features like the Hate Mail Generator (which can churn out letters to lousy mechanics) and the Daily Didactic Diversion, a trivia contest. You can also print out your own traffic tickets—like a "Blue Hair Offense" for people who can't see over the wheel and rive 35 mph in a 65 mph zone.
Teresa Heinz, aka Mrs. John Kerry
Best: Lauren Rauschenbach, aka Mrs. Henri Rauschenbach. Indicted on charges of shilling for jailed financier Carmen Elio, the ape Cod senator gallantly laid the blame for his predicament on his wife's expensive tastes. "My wife was, you know, prodding me a bit," Rauschenbach said. "My wife comes from a family with dollars. You know, Lauren's the only one of the daughters that's married to a guy who's making 30 beans a year." Even Better: Teresa Heinz, aka Mrs. John Kerry. See Best Quote.
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.