Darlene's Cleaning Service
Once you experience the personal touch of Darlene and her crew, you'll never go back to a corporate cleaning outfit. Would they pick up your kids at the airport, wash your dog, do your laundry, go grocery shopping, and even prepare dinner for you? Well, Darlene will. Not only that, she hand-scrubs your floors and even makes that black city grime on the window ledges disappear. 28 Smart Street, Waltham, MA .
Splash
You could quite feasibly get lost as you wander from room to room. Wait... there's the gang-waterfall-shower-stall, so you're almost back to the front door. In addition to configurations you never dreamed a sink or tub could take (basins hand-painted with fairy tales for the kids; glass cones for mod grownups), there are so many varieties of faucets and knobs that you want to throw in the towel. Just give me water! 244 Needham St., Newton, MA .
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.
The Publick House
Carb addicts, allow us to introduce you to your downfall: Monk's Frites at the Publick House. A mere $6 gets you a shareable portion of hand-cut fries worth their weight in Yukon gold. These not-too-crispy, not-too-soft pommes are lightly dusted with sea salt, wrapped in a traditional Belgian paper cone, and finally served up with a choice of two homemade dipping sauces (we can't get enough of the fresh herb mayo and the truffle ketchup). 1648 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2445, .
Spice
Pittsfield, once derided as the underarm of the Berkshires, has made a turnaround in recent years, thanks in part to its revitalized North Street. The hippest on the block is the much-hyped contemporary American eatery Spice. The place is at its liveliest after the dinner rush, when the band packs up and an energetic young crowd assembles in the roomy backlit bar for sipping and mingling. 297 North St., Pittsfield, MA .
Toro
The hype, for once, is justified: Ken Oringer's achingly trendy taberna not only outclasses its Boston competition, but would stand proud among the top eateries in Barcelona. The tapas are inspired—gambas al ajillo arrive in a delicate cascabel chili sauc—and expertly prepared: At last, a potato omelet that's not overcooked. For steak lovers, there's a prime rib for two that's to die for. But maybe the biggest surprise, considering the deafening buzz, is that the all-Spanish wine list is extremely reasonably priced. 1704 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, toro-restaurant.com.
Vinny's at Night
Word about its low-priced, generously portioned Sicilian fare got out a while ago, but dinner at this no-longer-hidden gem in East Somerville still makes you feel you're in on a well-kept secret. It could be because the no-frills dining room is set up in the back half of a corner store, where the handmade mafalda noodles are magnificent. Once you've feasted at Vinny's, you won't be able to resist boasting to all your foodie friends about your find. 76 Broadway, Somerville, MA vinnysatnight.com.
Casa Romero
With so many tacky taquerias representing what in reality is an extremely graceful cuisine, it's little wonder Americans rarely give Mexican food the credit it deserves. Which is where Casa Romero rushes in, with its menu full of smooth textures (the grilled shrimp with tomatillos and cilantro are at once piquant and soothing) and its energy, a balance between dramatic and intimate. The brightly tiled and brick-walled interior is a cozy delight, and the friendly, knowledgeable service only nudges the experience even closer toward elegance. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA casaromero.com.
Paula Tierney, A Matter of Face
Locating an eyelash in a haystack is easier than finding a local makeup artist with a light touch. Once you hop up on the hot seat, you're more likely to get the Elvira treatment. Enter sprightly stylist Paula Tierney. A little color in the brow ridge, a porcelain finish, a dusting of bronzer on the cheeks, and you're glowing, not garish. Tierney opened her shop in the North End a few years ago, much to the delight of city women seeking $35 pick-me-ups. 425 Hanover St., Boston, MA amatterofface.com.
Maxime Salon
For years, Maxime has been on the mark with its cuts and color. But the salon's atmosphere never quite matched its high-end service. That changed when owner Ronit Enos relocated her team from Norwell to Hingham last year, choosing as her headquarters a brand-new, light-filled space decorated in a restful blend of creamy whites and earth tones. The new location creates a fresh backdrop for Maxime's long-standing artistry, a combination that's bound to please even the most exacting customer. 1 Derby St., Hingham, MA 2043, maximesalon.com.
Midnight Farm
You may not be looking for anything in particular when you enter Midnight Farm, but once you lay eyes on its quirky and exotic collection of clothing, housewares, bedding, and gifts, you'll surely find an excuse to slap down your credit card. Co-owned by singer Carly Simon, the shop stocks ethereally scented lotions and body creams, soft-as-can-be knit outfits to cover some lucky baby's bottom, handmade shoes, and (of course) CDs and books signed by Simon. 18 Water-Cromwell Lane, Vineyard Haven, MA midnightfarm.net.
Giblee's Fine Men's Clothing
In an area where the men's clothing selection has traditionally tended toward golf shirts and whale pants, Giblee's is a welcome departure. Italian merino wool sweaters from Bobby Jones share rack space with Hugo Boss leather jackets and Joseph Abboud three-button suits. The shop rounds out its stock with a selection of shoes from such makers as Alden and Bruno Magli and the latest watches from Swiss Army. All in all, definitive proof of life after seersucker. 85 Andover St., Danvers, MA giblees.com.
Jennifer Harvey, The Wellesley Center
With years of teaching under her belt, and a style that's at once soothing and energizing, it's no wonder Harvey has such a huge following. Her phenomenally popular neuromuscular integrative action class feels like MTV-meets-dance-therapy; it's a great workout regardless of your fitness level. Harvey is also great at modification, offering a class as challenging for advanced students as beginners. 140 Great Plain Ave., Wellesley, MA .
New England School of Photography
Known for turning out the area's finest photographers, NESOP also offers workshop classes that allow budding shutterbugs to get top training behind the lens. Once students pass the basic digital-camera and darkroom classes, they dig into studio lighting, portraiture, digital imaging, and street-photography courses, or even put together their own documentary project. Best of all: NESOP's classes include access to the school's top facilities, faculty, and exciting community of artists. 537 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, nesop.com.
Tremont 647
To complement his "Adventurous American Cuisine," chef and owner Andy Husbands shook up an Adventurous version of the classic cocktail as a signature drink. As with any great margarita, the secret is hand-squeezed sour mix (none of that pre-mix swill) and a heaping dose of gold tequila, in this case Sauza. Replacing the triple sec with Grand Marnier doesn't hurt, either. 647 Tremont St., Boston, MA .