The Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains
Anyone with kids knows the word “more.” So why visit just one splash pad when you can visit any of the seven fountains along the Rose Kennedy Greenway? Our suggested itinerary moves from south to north: Enjoy the waterfall and rock features of the Chinatown Stream, the cool mist of the Harbor Fog Sculpture, and end up at the Rings Fountain when night falls to take in the colorful light show accompanying the spouting jets of water. What more could they ask for on a hot day? Boston, MA rosekennedygreenway.org.
Strega by Nick Varano
Known for hanging with A-list celebs, North End restaurateur Nick Varano is one of the most beloved and colossal characters around — but that’s nothing compared to the size of his Mamma’s Famous Meatball. Made from a tried-and-tested recipe of veal, mushroom, and Parmigiano, slathered in marinara and served next to a bed of ricotta, this oversize, pillow-soft beauty will make any Italophile say, “mangia!” 379 Hanover St., North End, MA 02113, stregabynickvarano.com.
Peach Farm
At a moment when Chinatown’s borders are shrinking due to high-end development, this stalwart still thrives by serving neighbors, restaurant industry pros, and lovers of traditional Chinese fare from all over. The unadorned underground space hits the neighborhood restaurant trifecta: It’s superb at one thing (in this case, Hong Kong–style live-tank seafood); great at many things (a long list of Cantonese classics); and value-priced at all of them. 4 Tyler St., Chinatown, MA 02111, peachfarmseafood.com.
Plymouth G Pub
Hoops and hard cider make a great pairing. That’s the thinking, at least, behind this newly opened spot in West Plymouth Square, which serves up local brews and fanciful cocktails alongside a variety of nostalgic arcade games (pinball, anyone?) that’ll make you feel like a kid again. Elevated pub fare, meanwhile — short-rib poutine, tuna poke bowls — make it a one-stop spot for kicking back when your own kids are with the babysitter. 101 Carver Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360, gpubrestaurants.com/plymouth.
Ini Spahiu, Salon Mario Russo
Spending time in Ini Spahiu’s chair feels just like catching up with an old friend — albeit one who knows her way around a set of foils. After a quick consultation to suss out our transformation goals, the longtime colorist got to work, whipping up and applying just the right formula while we chatted. And the results? Let’s just say our sun-starved locks, which Spahiu thoughtfully brightened with perfectly placed balayage highlights, have never looked better. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, mariorusso.com.
Revelry
Looking for a party? Follow chef Brian Ledet’s food truck — covered in harle- quin diamonds in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green — when it pops up at Boston-area breweries or city parks. One taste of the New Orleans transplant’s spicy jambalaya, red beans and rice with fried chicken, andouille sausage gumbo, or barbecue-shrimp po’ boys, and you’ll swear you can suddenly hear Bourbon Street jazz bands all the way from the Greenway. Boston, MA revelryboston.com.
Beach Road
President Obama and his family have been known to dine at this hot spot within whistling distance of the Vineyard Haven ferry. One taste of the seafood-forward menu (the blue-swimmer crab app is a favorite), and you’ll see why. Chef Frank Williams honors the handiwork of island fishermen, farmers, and food artisans by transforming it into something sublime; the dining room, meanwhile, oozes nautical charm — a nod to the shipyards and boatbuilders surrounding it — and overlooks Lagoon Pond, the ideal spot to watch the setting sun or rising moon. 79 Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, beachroadmv.com.
Reside
The magic of modernist furniture design is on full display at this Cambridge staple, which buys, sells, and consigns the types of hard-to-find period pieces that make even the most reserved vintage lovers gasp with delight. The shop’s wide-ranging collection of midcentury wares is especially compelling; after all, where else can you snag always-cool Eames loungers, sleek Hans Wegner daybeds, and brass-hinged Børge Mogensen sideboards in one fell swoop? 266 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, resideinc.com.
Q Restaurant
Chinatown is a cross-roads of cultures, and Q clearly understands the assignment: In one place, it offers people-pleasing Chinese classics like kung pao shrimp and scallops, a great Japanese sushi bar, and Mongolian-style hot-pot cooking. When we’re not around tables bubbling our own veggies, meats, and noodles in the peanut-y Malaysian satay broth, though, you’ll find us grabbing a lychee or ginger “Q-tini” at the bar, the perfect perch for a pre-theater cocktail. 660 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, thequsa.com.
MoveStudios
Ever want to catch a class at the gym, but don’t feel like schlepping all the way there? Good thing MoveStudios can come to a neighborhood near you. Launched in February 2021, the roving fitness studio now takes its climate-controlled truck all over the city and beyond, offering everything from small-group training to public classes at places like A Street Park and the Hingham Shipyard. And with a full range of equipment, it has everything you need to get fit under one (portable) roof. movestudios.net.
Bethany Van Delft
Long one of our favorite Boston standups, this mother of two and tireless advocate for inclusion of children with special needs is a unique combination of high-alert neurosis and deadpan, low-key delivery. Since March 25, she’s been hosting her “Artisanal Comedy” show live on Instagram every Wednesday at 9 p.m., and her hilarious observations about the pandemic have kept us in stitches, even while we assiduously try to avoid the emergency room. MA bethanyvandelft.com.
Chris Donovan
Who knew that Boston’s newest fashion superstar would be a retired telephone repairman? After years of dreaming about designing shoes, last year Chris Donovan officially took the plunge and launched his eponymous brand of footwear—and we’re so glad he did. Made in one of Italy’s most famous luxury shoe factories, Donovan’s bold, sculptural boots (pictured) and chic heels are investment-quality pieces that stand the test of time. chrisdonovanfootwear.com.
Follain
Skin-care purists searching for the most natural of products need only step into this sunny, subway-tiled boutique to make their dreams come true. After all, if an item contains any one of 31 ingredients barred by the company, including parabens, animal fats, and synthetic fragrances, it never hits the shelves—so you can rest assured that every cleanser, eye cream, and face serum has passed the company’s extensive review process. All that’s left to do is start pampering. 65 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, follain.com.
Uni
Omakase translates—very roughly—to “entrusting the chef to create a special meal of sequential bites from a perch mere inches from your face,” and Uni was always one of our favorite spots to partake. In the meantime, whatever Akira Sugimoto’s super-luxe 8-, 12-, and 16-piece nigiri boxes to go lack in off-the-cuff serendipity, they more than make up for in jewel-like exquisiteness. 370A Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, uni-boston.com.
Cusser's
During COVID, expanded hours and new sidewalk seating helped us rediscover the revelatory lobster rolls at Cusser’s, the street-level takeout window chef Carolyn Johnson built into the side of Mooncusser Fish House and Moon Bar. Red-wine butter sauce dresses juicy meat on the decadent hot version; tantalizing tarragon mayo, meanwhile, is used for the heavenly cold one. Either way, the perfectly griddled potato bun is a curbside craving all on its own. 304 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, cussersboston.com.