Eventide Fenway
When it comes to New England lobster rolls, there are two major types: “hot and buttered” and “cold and mayo’d.” And then there’s Eventide’s, a third-party candidate featuring fresh lobster meat sweetened with brown butter and salted with chives in a squishy, bao-like roll. Five years after the Portland, Maine– founded restaurant set up in the Fenway, its justifiably famous signature spin has become part of our city’s fabric. 1321 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, eventideoysterco.com.
Ace Wheelworks
If anyone can convince parents to leave their gas-guzzling SUVs at home, it’s Ace Wheelworks, which has increasingly become a hub for Über-popular cargo bikes, those practical movers of kids and groceries alike. Plus, at a moment when kinks in the bike-part supply chain have made cycling more of a hassle, its large workshop staffed with true gearheads has been a lifeline for commuters on the move. Multiple locations, wheelworks.com.
Date & Time
Elegant, modern ambiance and top-notch service define this aptly named jeweler, right down to the buttery lounge chairs (ideal for weary shopping companions) and soft lighting. Browse luxury timepieces and understated baubles from Messika and Pomellato, and be treated like a gem too: Our dented antique ring that cried out for resetting and embellishment was given the same care as a prized diamond. 5 Concord Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776, dateandtimema.com.
Whim Events
Natalie Pinney and Moira Thompson may have started their aptly named wedding-planning firm on a whim, but the dynamic duo is all business when it comes to coordinating and executing the details of their luxe celebrations. The business partners lend their design savvy and exceptional taste to all aspects of event production, dreaming up fairy-tale parties with elegant signage, Insta-worthy tablescapes, and killer floral arrangements. MA whimevents.com.
Gre.Co
This new counter-service spot on Newbury serves up everything you love about classic Greek street food, only with less grease than you might find at a cart. With well-done classics like avgolemono and fluffy pita wraps with a few thick-cut fries tucked in, owner Demetri Tsolakis has created an Olympus-worthy lunch spot. 225 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, grecoboston.com.
The Beach Plum Inn
Secreted in the hills of Menemsha overlooking Vineyard Sound, the Beach Plum—and its satellite cottages and houses—is a cozy little sanctum that epitomizes the absolute best parts of the Vineyard in the summer. It offers tennis courts, bike rentals, kayaks, and passes to exclusive Lucy Vincent Beach, but also low-key perks like being able to gather eggs from the inn’s chickens in the morning. Throw in one of the finest restaurants on the island, and you have a recipe for the ideal under-the-radar getaway. 50 Beach Plum Ln., Menemsha, MA 02535, beachpluminn.com.
Blackbird Doughnuts
Blackbird has a big new nest—a massive Brighton production facility/storefront to supply its growing flock of doughnut shops—but thankfully, the expansion hasn’t compromised the quality of its fresh-daily delights. We still get wide-eyed when we spot the baker’s simple yet luscious vanilla-glazed variety, as well as more-inventive iterations amped up with cold-brew coffee, sprinkled with chili-lime salt, or laden with tart cranberries. 100 Holton St., Bay #4, Brighton, MA blackbirddoughnuts.com.
Dani Wagener, DW Beauty
Ever wonder how celebrities achieve that flawless red-carpet glow? It's all about the airbrush—makeup, that is. Boston beauty expert Dani Wagener, who's worked with Jenny McCarthy and Emily Deschanel, specializes in this technique. Armed with false eyelashes and the perfect lip color, she'll arrive at your prep site and promptly get about the business of making you look like a star. 326 A St., Boston, MA 02210, daniwagenerbeauty.com.
The Sinclair
With a cozy, intimate vibe and a who's-who of trendy touring acts (upcoming headliners include Sonic Youth legend Thurston Moore), the Sinclair has in short order made itself the hippest place in town for a show. Expanded offerings have included emo night, as well as the occasional offbeat comedy show or Point Break Live! experience. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA 02138, sinclaircambridge.com.
Renae Connolly, Benedetto
Renae Connolly's desserts are such exquisite works of refinement and balance, we've come to think of her as a real-life Sugar Plum Fairy. Whether you indulge in a wedge of classic torta al limon jazzed up with a bright-pink prickly-pear gel stencil on the plate, or a rustic elderflower granita elegantly surrounded by a sugar lace toile, its sweetness cut with tart poached rhubarb and bright basil meringue, the finale to your Italian feast will be on point. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 02138, benedettocambridge.com.
The New School of Music
In one room, you might find tots trying to vocally or physically interpret instrumental sounds as part of the school's popular Dalcroze Eurhythmics program; in another, grade schoolers might be exploring the cultural roots of playground songs. Once they're hooked, sign them up for group or private lessons on instruments ranging from the piano to the didgeridoo. 25 Lowell St., Cambridge, MA 02138, newschoolofmusic.org.
Pini Swissa
Pini Swissa identified our hair dilemma immediately—lose the bulk around the crown that grows in bushy after a week, he advised. This is the man who styles Tom Brady, after all, so he should know. A close fade on the side nicely transitioned into a fuller top that looks great when styled with a bit of product, or parted and slicked for formal occasions. No one mistook us for Mr. Ba¼ndchen afterward, but we did receive a few long glances while strolling down Newbury Street. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, piniswissa.com.
Todd Maul, Cafe Artscience
Imagine a boozy amuse-bouche of scotch, inhaled as a plume of smoke. Or a mai tai that actually grows stronger thanks to rum-soaked banana leaves lining the walls of your tiki glass. Armed with gadgets like a centrifuge and Le Whaf, an invention that turns liquids into vapors, Todd Maul has created a cocktail program that’s as much kitchen chemistry as it is adult playground. 650 E. Kendall St., Cambridge, MA 02142, cafeartscience.com.
Ventuno’s Back Bar
The al fresco bar tucked behind Ventuno is less polished than the anchoring Italian restaurant, but that’s part of the charm. With a beachy-casual vibe owing to a cover of vines and an ever-so-random crowd that could, on any given night, include Patriots owner Robert Kraft, pop star Meghan Trainor, one-time frat boys, and a crew of local fishermen, it’s the rare local’s hangout that’s welcoming to outsiders. Bonus points for an unbeatable selection of craft beer. 21 Federal St., Nantucket, MA 02554, ventunorestaurant.com.
Noel McKinnon, Makeup 2 Die 4
Brides call Noel McKinnon the "wedding whisperer," a nod to her cucumber-cool poise. Armed with a silky southern accent, individual lashes, and airbrush foundation, she creates flawless looks in a soothing atmosphere—which makes sense considering she's worked with everyone from Miss Universe Olivia Culpo to comedian Amy Poehler. makeup2die4.com.