Nick's Moving
Ask almost anyone to name the milestones in life they hate most, and moving invariably ends up in the top five. The experts at Nick's prove that even the most intense uprooting needn't mean an existential crisis—or any other crisis, for that matter. Staffed by a network of experienced, careful, swift, and—get this—often intelligent movers, Nick's takes one of life's most stressful moments and makes it almost easy with speed, organization, and even humor. Moves are efficiently structured, valuables are carefully wrapped and packed, and customers' concerns and requests are handled with respect. Moving may never be fun, but moving with Nick's comes closest. 495 Columbia St., Somerville, MA bostonmamovers.net.
KO Prime
Gazillion-thread-count sheets aside, a hotel is really only as good as its bar. And chichi steakhouse KO Prime has admirably elevated the one at downtown's Nine Zero Hotel over the past year. Adjacent to the restaurant's sweeping dining room, the loungelike space caters to an in-town audience as well as trysters and overnight guests with a smart by-the-glass wine list and wowza cocktails such as the green tea-calamansi gimlet (chilled with liquid nitrogen!). For travelers with work to attend to, the combination of wireless Internet and tush-pleasing seating banishes the memory of sterile hotel business centers. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2108, .
Boston Rock Gym
A huge industrial loft in Woburn, the Boston Rock Gym is carpeted with 20 tons of chopped-up car tires, the walls are studded with tiny gargoyles, dinosaurs, and rocklike footholds, and the place looks like a preppy torture chamber. One of the best-equipped climbing gyms in all of New England, the rock gym has 30 different climbing routes of varying complexity, ranging from beginner to impossible. Check out Hades—a bouldering cave in which climbers hang upside down, suspended by their fingers and toes—as well as the Treadwall (imagine a treadmill that's a vertical wall). Patient instructors keep an eye out for your safety and offer group classes and individual instruction. 78G Olympia Ave., Woburn, MA .
Bakers' Best
The increasingly popular sit-down service is good, too (especially for Saturday and Sunday brunch), but it's the takeout that sets this Newton Highlands institution apart. The friendly staff will wrap up anything to go, from a cup of coffee to a multicourse gourmet dinner for as many guests as you can gather. Big orders like those require one day's notice, but Baker's Best makes it easy with a quiet catering office and a convenient check-off menu. There are also freezers full of ready-to-cook meal components in the main store, from hors d'oeuvres to entrées. And that food—it really is the best. 27 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA bakersbestcatering.com.
Weston Nurseries
This 80-year-old Hopkinton nursery fills the horticultural needs of everyone from weekend enthusiasts to professional landscapers. The garden center stocks a vast selection of healthy, robust annuals and perennials—a scene that would be overwhelming were it not for the fact that plants are grouped according to what looks good together, taking much of the guesswork out of gardening. Shrub seekers can hop into one of the company's Land Rovers to scour the 650 acres of growing fields for the perfect specimen. There's plenty to choose from, since 80 percent of Weston's merchandise is grown on the premises. Don't have a green thumb? Take advantage of the nursery's landscaping services. 93 East Main St. (Route 135), Hopkinton, MA westonnurseries.com.
Farfar's Danish Ice Cream Shop
For decades, this much-adorned creamery has been the real reason why school kids in Duxbury yearn for summer and dads in whale belts try to work off calories on the quiet town's lime-green golf courses. And it's the reason why, after one revelatory lick, you'll find yourself driving back again and again. Outside of Copenhagen, there's precious little ice cream this rich—infused with simple but pure, intense flavors like peanut butter, banana, creamy maple walnut, and black raspberry. No wonder they wanted to keep it a local secret. Well, too bad. Now you know. 272 Saint Georges St., Duxbury, MA farfarsicecream.com.
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.
November Project
The November Project, a fitness movement born in Boston nearly three years ago, began as a way to embrace the harsh New England winters by starting the day with a heart-pumping workout among friends. Now it’s ballooned to a group of up to 300 people who meet three early mornings a week for workouts that include running the stairs at Harvard Stadium and shoveling out neighbors on Summit Avenue (there are also some sweaty hugs involved). One Runner’s World cover and numerous New Balance commercials later, the always-gratis November Project has 17 " tribes" across the country and in Canada. Want to get involved? #justshowup. november-project.com.
Joanne Chang's MasterClass
Ever marveled at the luscious, confectionary perfection that is the Flour sticky bun, and wished you could replicate it? Thanks to a series of online lessons from Boston pastry queen Joanne Chang — who’s currently sharing her James Beard Award-worthy techniques in a 30-day Bake Like a Pro course on MasterClass — now you can at least try. Even if you can’t get it just right, at least you’ll get to hang out virtually with one of this city’s friendliest celebrity chefs, and get your apron dirty in the process. masterclass.com.
DTR Modern
Expect to find exceptional works by modern masters along with emerging and mid-career artists at this seasoned gallery on Newbury Street, which also has locations on Nantucket and in Washington, DC, New York City, and Palm Beach. Hunt Slonem’s iconic bunny paintings are always on display, and other notable pieces usually include those by lauded contemporary artists Alex Katz and Keith Haring. If you’re on the hunt for a Warhol or even a rare creation by Paul Gauguin, the highly knowledgeable staff has the means to hunt one down for you. 167 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, dtrmodern.com.
Peak Event Services
Ensuring everything in your event space is in sync with your wedding is a top priority — after all, no couple wants their tent coming down or their tabletops folding up at the wrong time. With Peak Event Services at the helm, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is showing up at the altar. The industry pros offer decades of experience, exceptional service, and a vast, varied inventory of everything from sailcloth tents to delicate china to champagne hedge walls (yes, that’s really a thing). And with six showrooms in New England, including one right in Boston, you won’t have to go far to find the party setup of your dreams. Multiple locations, peakeventservices.com.
Davis Farmland
Where else can you cuddle a baby goat, ride a pony, cool off in a splash pad, and barrel down an enormous slide all in one day? The truth is that’s just scratching the surface of the activities at this animal lover’s wonderland in Sterling. Kids will relish the opportunity to be a farmer for the day and frolic in Imagine-Acres, with its jumbo jump pad, sand and water areas, and entire town of playhouses. Parents, meanwhile, will appreciate the cleanliness (strategically placed sinks for rinsing those germy hands!) and the excellent on-site barbecue joint for filling up after all the fun. 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling, MA 01564, davisfarmland.com.
Phở Hòa and Ánh Hồng
Since these two Dorchester Vietnamese favorites teamed up under one roof last year, it’s been easier than ever for diners to get the best of both worlds. Now past the three-decade mark, Phở Hòa is probably best known for its extensive selection of phở, noodle soups with a seemingly endless combination of meat options. But the addition of Ánh Hồng brings along bò 7 món, a thrilling seven-course parade of beef dishes (including some you’ll cook at the table yourself ). The third course, thinly sliced eye of round steak marinated in lemongrass and sesame, then grilled in hot butter, is among our favorite bites of the year. 1370 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, phohoarestaurant.com.
Kent Stetson
Not content to simply create bags that make socialites ask, “Where did you get that?” at local galas, Stetson has recently been upping the ante on his quirky, personality-filled clutches. The fashion maverick is making bags for the LPGA team heading to this summer’s Solheim Cup in Spain (peep the patriotic flag design) and working on a collab with Grey Goose — all while finding new ways to wow his core customers. He recently snagged exquisite hide remnants from a top-notch tannery and is turning those tiny treasures into one-of-a-kind masterpieces. 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860, kentstetson.com.
Majenta with a J
When live performance was off-limits, this glam-punk queen raised the (gay) bar on virtual drag shows in a major way. Her “Full Spin” series, start-to-finish presentations of iconic albums in the queer canon — Lady Gaga’s Artpop, for one — has so far raised nearly $40,000 in Venmo’d tips for underemployed artists and social justice orgs. That’s when she’s not releasing her own debut record of dark, glossy electro tunes (Before Me), offering eye-popping makeup tutorials on YouTube, or cohosting “Now Serving,” a Drag Race–style digital competition that shines the spotlight on other colorful local talent. majentawithaj.com.