Clear Flour Bread
This tiny Brookline shop has made its name—quite literally—on its nubby olive rolls, grainy loaves, and airy brioche. But when we line up on weekends, it's for something a bit sweeter, in the form of cinnamon morning buns, stunning fruit tarts, and showstopping pain au chocolat—a pastry so buttery and deeply chocolaty, you'll make the pilgrimage for a warm one each morning. 178 Thorndike St., Brookline, MA clearflourbread.com.
Sam Treadway, Backbar
In just a year, Treadway has taken this already exciting snack-and-cocktail spot and upped the ante even further with his unique mix of seasonally driven classics (like our favorite drink of summer, the grapefruit-and-tequila-based Paloma), modern spins on standards (barrel-aged mai tais), and fun, laid-back options like the smoky mezcal pickleback. 9 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA backbarunion.com.
Cooperative Dog
After suffering through trainers who merely barked advice (our ears are still ringing), we were overjoyed to discover owner Vera Wilkinson's quiet expertise. Certified both as a dog-behavior consultant and professional dog trainer—and armed with more than a decade of experienc—Wilkinson begins by watching you interact with Fido at home. Only then does she offer suggestions. She takes her time, and you and your dog will end up the better for it. 1786 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2445, cooperativedog.com.
Sean Kavanagh, Shag
Underneath all those tattoos and piercings is a man deeply committed to hair. Kavanagh combs, coddles, and coerces your strands to suit any occasion, with a down-to-earth bonhomie rarely seen among big-city stylists. Trained at Vidal Sassoon, this locally grown talent is now a disciple of Sandy Poirier's Shag principles, which include rocking out while preening the clientele and getting 'Princess' tattooed on your knuckles. (Alas, his mother nixed that last part.) 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA 2127, .
Four Seasons
When a local institution undergoes a renovation, we take notice. As part of this year's stunning Four Seasons makeover, lumpy old armchairs, timeworn furniture, and outdated décor were tossed to make room for cushy couches, flat-screen TVs, rich comforters, and marble-topped dressers. Add to that the hotel's already unflappable service, prime location, and stellar restaurants—Aujourd'hui and the Bristol Loung—and this sleepover spot has soared back to the level of glamour its brand implies. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, fourseasons.com.
Blades Board and Skate
What impressed us most about this place was that the friendly sales assistant had personally tried on 50 of the skates on display. Even better, she seemed genuinely interested in helping us find the right pair. The stock here also includes a smorgasbord of gear, such as helmets, pads, and socks. The staff arms you with tips on finding a qualified instructor and Boston's places to skate, so you'll leave feeling ready to roll. 349A Newbury St., Boston, MA blades.com.
Beauty Therapies
Anyone who has discovered the rewards of that fledgling and hybrid phenomenon called the medispa knows what makes a great one: equal parts medical knowledge, professional responsibility, and an eye for beauty. The staff at Beauty Therapies masters all three, and the result is a solid understanding of everything from how to prevent dehydration after microdermabrasion to the ideal way to replace collagen to nearly painless permanent laser hair removal. Not many spas this side of Switzerland can say as much. One Brookline Place, Suite 302, Brookline, MA .
Marion Von Hollander
Marion knows that men's haircuts can be a delicate affair—one part seduction, and a heaping dose of free therapy. Not only will she unflinchingly shear the stray legions off the ears and mow through the shrubbery that accumulates in the zone where the neck ends and the back starts, she will also equivocate like a pro on touchy matters. "Receding hair line? What receding hair line?" Ecocentrix, 30 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Yale Appliance & Lighting
A 20,000-square-foot space that stocks everything plus the kitchen sink: Sub-Zero fridges and Thermador stovetops, Maytag dish-washers, GE microwaves, and more. But the best part is that it's not just a showroom full of floor models; thanks to the seminars run by resident chef Kurt von Kahle and demos by area culinary pros, you can also see people cook using many of said appliances. Check out the scratch-and-dent selection for some killer steals. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA 2122, yaleappliance.com.
Filene's Basement
The thrill is definitely back. Don't even bother with the suburban locations (you'll do just as well at Marshall's or TJ Maxx), but the Boston store has gotten its groove back. Other than for the big sales (bridal gowns, men's and ladies' suits, Ferragamo shoes, and whatever upscale New York City emporium is dumping its past-season stuff), the most successful bargain shoppers drizzle in frequently, armed with no specific purchasing agenda, an absence of modesty, and a big-city sense of style. Downtown Crossing, 426 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Robert Aron, Cardealerphobia
Wanna buy a car? Whether you are looking for something new or used, to lease or purchase, Robert Aron will guide you through the car-buying maze. Aron's three-part service will help you decide what you really want, allow you to test drive your choices without having to endure the hard-sell of fast-talking car dealers, and then help you buy at a cost close to dealer's invoice.
Geoffrey Harvey
Harvey is the head teaching professional at one of the city's most exclusive clubs, the Badminton and Tennis Club, in the Fenway. A native Aussie, he's the man racquet aficionados like the Globe's Bud Collins and PBS's Kim Prince turn to for friendly advice when their backhands get rusty. "Tennis is a good form of stress management," offers Harvey. "I look at the individual and bring him into the learning problem. It involves his whole being. The actual physical movements are the simplest part." Boston, MA
Bo Line
If casual men's clothes can look smart just as easily as they can look dumpy, why not go for smart? That's the question eloquently posed by Bo Line, the style-wise custom shop filled with perfectly tailored dress shirts, ties, and stretch tops that are equal parts comfortable and cool. Got a suit that won't hang right? Bring it in: the custom tailoring here is unassailable. 495 Washington St., Norwell, MA bolineboutique.com.
Colonial Theatre
History repeating: After 100 years of trap doors, fake blood, and on-stage livestock, the Colonial Theatre is still luring Broadway hits to Beantown. Armed with layers of gold paint, all manner of allegorical scenery, and crystal chandeliers, C.T. provides an opulent backdrop for productions of Les Mis, Ragtime, and Macbeth. Vertigo sufferers beware, though: With capacity for 1,700, seating is steep. It's a good thing sound travels up. 106 Boylston Street, Boston, MA boston.broadway.com/venues/theaters/citi-colonial-theatre.
Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
With an unadulterated sound and a timeless, gamine look, Aly Spaltro, a.k.a. Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, upstages every testosterone-fueled act in Boston. Her voice is light yet certain, as are her banjo and guitar stylings, which will sound even better when properly recorded (until now, her bedroom has served as her studio). Next to Spaltro's spare verses and trancelike repetition, everything else sounds like a whole lotta noise. ladylambthebeekeeper.com.