Trident Booksellers & Café
Any old Store 24 or CVS has the household names—GQ, Vanity Fair, Wired, a certain city mag you may have heard of—and yes, it surely is convenient to load up on required reading and toothpaste all in one go. Trident's draw is that, instead of toiletries and Slim Jims, it supplements its big titles with the coolest niche publications around. The racks are dense with the surprising and quirky (2600 and Heeb being a combined purchase, perhaps, for the techie hipster Jew in your life), and sampling the wares is encouraged: Just take a copy to the store's mellow café and peruse it over a cup of equally mellow joe. 338 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, tridentbookscafe.com.
Good
Owner Paul Niski culls the world for art and oddments seldom seen here in Boston, and consequently Good's inventory of goods—which run the gamut from furniture to linens to pure objets d'art—is almost continuously refreshed. Among the constants in this tiny, museumlike space: John Derian's eccentric découpage pieces, handcrafted jewelry from the likes of Melissa Joy Manning and Chan Luu, and pristine Japanese lacquerware by Morihata. Above all, there's Niski's own exquisite taste, which, if you're unsure of your gift recipient's style—or even your own—is quite a reliable one to adopt. 133 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, shopatgood.com.
Olivia Rose Children's Boutique
Scientists theorize that cute babies have had an evolutional leg up, as our Stone Age ancestors were less likely to abandon them. Modern-day parents are obviously far more civilized—but all the same, one could argue that Olivia Rose owner Gloria Peotrowski does give her tiny customers an edge. Her racks of darling yet functional clothing and accessories—including tees from California brand Le Top, colorful leggings by Mulberribush, and jumpers by Sweet Potatoes (tagged with product names like 'You're My Pumpkin Pie')—make their wearers so adorable, they'll be able to get away with anything. 1945 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA 2050, oliviarosechildrensboutique.com.
Children's Book Shop
Our first choice for children's books is your local public library. That said, this wee shop in Brookline is a close second for its thoughtful mix of classics (of the Make Way for Ducklings, Charlotte's Web, and Eloise ilk) as well as blockbuster newcomers like the Harry Potter series. The selection runs the gamut, from the newly released works of 1940s author Louis Lenski's "little" books to volumes that speak to contemporary teens. The store is nearly childproof, too, with huge stuffed animals and pop-up books on shelves strategically lower in height, so little ones can let themselves, and their minds, wander. 237 Washington St., Brookline Village, MA thechildrensbookshop.net.
Ilex Designs
There are floral bouquets, and then there is floral art. Ilex is in the latter category, orchestrating fields full of fresh blooms—luminescent calla lilies with orchids and fluffy penoes with full-petaled, butter-hued French tulips. Even the simplest of arrangements are minimalist treasures, such as one with mango-hued garden roses, glossy green anthurium, and pale apricot hypericum berries. The staff, talented as it is, couldn't be more helpful or down to earth. When you're handed your arrangement, you won't know whether to put it on the dining room table or in an exhibit case. 73 Berkeley St., Brookline, MA ilexflowers.com.
Boston Athletic Club
By far the most complete facility in the Hub. A South Station shuttle totes the club's downtown professional clientele to its palatial Summer Street facility; a kiddie gym takes care of the little ones while parents pump up; and a swimming pool, driving range, and squash, tennis, and basketball courts offer every possible perspirational opportunity. The BAC also has in-house trainers, nutritionists, hair stylists, masseurs and masseuses, and a restaurant and TV lounge. The BAC serves with fin-de-siècle family style, and members wouldn't have it any other way. 653 Summer St., Boston, MA .
Stil
While most specialty clothing boutiques are inviting enough, it's increasingly hard to find ones that risk stocking merchandise that is, in fact, special—that is to say, not all over Barneys, Neiman's, and Saks. In the mall but still in the vanguard, Betty Riaz's Stil satisfies fashion individualists with such off-the-grid labels as Copenhagen's Bruuns Bazaar and Munthe Plus Simonsen and mold-breaking looks from otherwise more-mainstream designers. Rounding out the mix are local talents like casual-cool Nirva and couture wunderkind Sam Mendoza (whose workshop in Stil's second outpost, at the Pru, is a draw unto itself). 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, stillinc.com.
Helena's
Refreshingly chic silhouettes from Olian, Ripe, Paper Denim, and Inca Mama are enough to recommend Helena's. So are the racks of nonmaternity styles, which include tees by Johnny Was and trapeze tops by Tulle that can be repurposed by those with baby bumps (instantly dressing up, say, a pair of Gap Maternity stretch pants). What puts Helena's over the top, however, is its location, flanked by like-minded businesses Wild Child (see above) and Isis Maternity. In one fell swoop, moms-to-be can purchase a come-hither cocktail dress, sign up for a prenatal yoga class, and test-drive the stroller of the moment. 397 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 2474, .
Alex & Co.
The way it wriggles off a finger or pops out of its setting, you'd think jewelry had a mind of its own—one that knows how to roll juuuust out of reach under the refrigerator or, worse, straight down the garbage disposal. Capricious gems need a strong hand, which is where the dexterous staffers at Alex & Co. come in. They can restring, reset, or resize anything quickly and securely; if more-drastic measures are needed, owner Alexander Zamsky will pour his European design training into creating a brand-new piece guaranteed to fit, and look, a hundred times better. 100 Needham St. #1, Newton, MA 2464, alexandcompany.com.
Louis Boston
Debi Greenberg and Beth Negron have revamped the top floor and stocked it with an eclectic range of labels that runs the gamut of trends from funky to cool classics. In the Betty room, young, cutting-edge designers at affordable prices hang feet away from the likes of Jil Sander and her European contemporaries, Prada, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana. The buying team is constantly on the lookout for new design talent, so expect to find one-of-a-kind items that rarely materialize on department store racks. Another bonus is the sales staff which is fashion-friendly without being overbearing. 234 Berkely St., Boston, MA .
Giordano's Restaurant
Before you board the ferry in Oak Bluffs, make time for one more taste of island living at its greasy, salty, satisfying best: a cardboard box full of Giordano's fried clams. Housed in a no-frills walk-up stand (there are a couple of picnic tables outside) just across from the Flying Horses carousel, Giordano's fries the clams in a light batter until they're crisp and serves them with fresh tartar sauce and lemon wedges. You could order a side of crunchy, boardwalk-style fries, but leave room instead to sample the superlative fried oysters or a lobster roll. 107-109 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA giosmv.com.
Ristorante Toscano
Real Italian food isn't about layering precious specialty ingredients into one impressive dish. It's about honest, simple ingredients that spotlight intense flavors. So it is at Toscano, Charles Street's beloved tribute to Northern Italy. The space, divided by brick walls hung with cooking instruments, antique maps, and handpainted plates, is rustic Tuscan through and through. As is the welcome. And the food. Chef Vinicio Paoli whips up such traditionals as vitello tonnato, roasted veal sliced thin as a dime and smothered with fresh tuna sauce, and a risotto that highlights nothing more complicated than earthy, meaty wild porcini. 47 Charles St., Boston, MA toscanoboston.com.
Mark Edwards, The Federalist
What makes a great waiter? At a restaurant like the Fed, it's one who is friendly but not intrusive, informative but not obsequious. Mark Edwards has these admirable qualities and more, which is why he's not just the best waiter at the Federalist: He's the best waiter in Boston. With his easy smile and gracious hospitality, the dapper Edwards guides the diners at his tables through their meals, from the moment their napkins are placed in their laps to the last sip of coffee and the final nibble of crème brûlée. In a town where service can so often go wrong, it's refreshing to find a place where it's so right. 15 Beacon St., Boston, MA .
The Seasonal Table
Imagine, if you will, a place with simple, well-prepared foods, a courteous and friendly staff, and truly terrific international noshes. Welcome to the Seasonal Table—one-stop shopping for epicures and entertainers alike. Come with your picnic basket in hand and fill it with a smattering of perfectly aged cheese (try the beautiful ash-rolled cylinders of chèvre), fresh-baked bread and pastries, imported beer and wine, exotic ice creams, flavored oils, even elegant flatware and linen. On Sundays the baby grand in the corner comes to life while the "Seasonal Table Sopranos" serenade you. 61 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA .
Bia Bistro
That contented sigh that comes with shucking off the 9-to-5 suit in favor of jeans and a tee? It's the same one you might hear any night at this four-year-old bistro, as diners relax into its placid charms. Dusky red walls and buttery candlelight set the scene for chef Brian Houlihan's contemporary versions of European comfort-food classics, like duck confit with poached figs, steak au poivre, and tarte Tatin. Figure in a modest but irreproachable wine list, and a night at Bia goes down easy in every sense. 25 N. Main St., Cohasset Village, MA 2025, biabistro.com.