Bernard Toale
Toale wins this year not just for his keen eye but for his moxie. When all five gallery owners at 11 Newbury Street were forced to leave in April because of an outrageous rent hike, all but Toale went across the street to 14 Newbury Street. He boldly chose to move to the South End, adding his adventurous style to a handful of galleries that are trying to turn this area into Boston's version of SoHo. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
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.
Micro Plant Studio
Invite a little life into your workspace with help from this South Boston shop, which carries and delivers all things leafy and green (bamboo palm, burro’s tail, Venus flytraps), plus fun pots to display them in. Even better: You can brighten two households with Micro’s “buy to give” initiative, which lets you sponsor a succulent to send to a local essential worker. 365 W. Broadway, Boston, MA 02127, microplantstudio.com.
Tupelo
The reserved atmosphere may be more Cambridge than New Orleans, but Tupelo's southern flavors are right on. Owners Mike Walker and Renee McLeod serve authentic comfort-food classics like creamy pimiento cheese (the caviar of the South), hearty gumbo, and crunchy fried crawfish tails. The crown jewel? Alligator prepped the way God intended: coated in buttermilk batter, hot sauce, and Cajun spices, and piled on a bed of creamy cheddar grits. 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, tupelo02139.com.
Louis Boston
Hey, you—in the cargo pants and Chucks. Casualwear is fine for casual moments, but your big client meeting, your anniversary dinner, and for-the-love-of-Christ your best friend's wedding call for something far spiffier. At Louis Boston (go on, it's not as scary as it looks), made-to-measure and ready-to-wear suits from Brioni, Kiton, and Dries Van Noten make dressing up a cinch. Even easier-going ensembles by such names as Neil Barrett and Annapuna put postcollege khakis to shame. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Stel's
With worthy new openings like Flock, Uncle Pete's, and Suneri, this category is getting crowded. But Stel's owners Tina Burgos, Dave Nauyokas, and Jon Callahan keep packing their Newbury digs with an independent-minded collection that's fashion-forward without being too trendy. Personalized service and a unique selection of Rachel Comey, Gary Graham, Tom Scott, and Cardigan threads earn the shop mail-order customers from around the country, many celebrities among them. 334 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, .
The Boston Harbor Hotel
This 230-room palace has bragging rights locked up, thanks to its flawless waterfront view from Rowes Wharf. The whole scene—billowing sails, bright blue slices of sky and harbor, and a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape—is straight out of a postcard fantasy (and will even make you forget the chaos of Big Dig construction out front). The interior views aren't too shabby, either: luxuries including a plush spa, gracious suites, experienced concierges, and a terrific restaurant. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA bhh.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
Let the newcomers show off their newfangled steakhouse specialties; people who really love steak will always return to Boston's exemplar of the genre. Here you'll find dry-aged, bone-in chops and tenderloins that drip with flavor in each juicy bite. The vibe—gold rails, leather banquettes, white-coated waiters—is classic without seeming clubby. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.