Oro
Its name means gold, and owners Jill and Robin King have struck it with this newcomer. The Kings source much of their fish and shellfish from local boats, and while the menu isn't limited to seafood, once you've tasted the lobster cake with tomato crema, or the prosciutto-wrapped cod, you'll find it difficult to order anything else. 162 Front St., Scituate, MA 2066, restaurantoro.com.
Bella Sante
Bella sante strikes the right combination of peaceful spa (fruit-infused water, plush furnishings) and briskly run business (in and done in half an hour). Technicians prune and preen nails into such pristine condition it's almost a shame to cover them with polish — but those who do will walk out with lacquered tops strong enough to endure several days worth of wear and tear. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Sofra Bakery and Cafe
Trailing orange blossom syrup and rose petal sugar, Ana Sortun's year-old bakery-café comes on like a Salome of sweets, beguiling the cupcake-and-cookie crowd with such Middle Eastern-inspired delicacies as Egyptian bread pudding and Syrian shortbread with rhubarb-rose jam. To pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick, our oversugared palates owe thanks for a much-needed dose of spice. 1 Belmont St., Cambridge, MA 2138, sofrabakery.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
Where others might lean on 'steak wines' like big California cabs (yawn), Grill 23's DeWinter is likely to suggest a Paolo Bea Rosso 2000, from the little Umbrian town of Sagrantino, for your bone-in filet—he's just that excited about the unsung heroes in his cache of some 1,500 labels. Odds are, you will be, too. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, grill23.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
Formaggio features a carefully considered yet seemingly endless array of marbled blues, sharp cheddars, and runny Robiolas, some of it kept in underground "caves" built to duplicate the conditions of the natural European caverns where cheeses are traditionally aged. You'll find a great selection of other high-end groceries, too, but just try walking out the door without an expertly wrapped wedge of fromage in your bag—it simply can't be done. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA formaggiokitchen.com.
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Chef Jeremy Sewall has a family connection to the best crustaceans around: His cousin Mark is a Maine lobsterman. And the best vehicle for his wares just may be Island Creek's lobster roll. Mixed with créme fraîche, dill pickles, and celery salt, the succulent meat is stuffed into a house-made rosemary-flecked roll and sent out to the table bursting at the seams. Take a moment to savor the stunning visual, because it'll be gone before you can say, "Pass the napkins, please." 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2115, islandcreekoysterbar.com.
Beacon Hill Chocolates
The truffle display alone, filled with row upon row of beautiful, handcrafted chocolates from the best confectioners in the world, is well worth the trip to this Charles Street boutique. Once we've chosen from the blood-orange fleur-de-lis and candied-bacon caramels, each dainty treat is wrapped individually—which we suppose is cool and all, but really just delays our tearing into them. 91 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, beaconhillchocolates.com.
Church
Don't let the Korn-T-shirt-clad crowd outside the adjoining music club scare you off; once you get inside the restaurant portion of Church, you're in for a mellow—and seriously enjoyable—dining experience. If tuna tartare is available, go for it; our favorite version is served with cucumber chunks and wonton chips. The grilled steak tips with truffle-Parm fries are also delicious. 69 Kilmarnock St., Boston, MA 2215, churchofboston.com.
Barneys New York
While these days any clothing boutique worth its counter-side Hanky Panky display boasts a 'denim wall,' none can touch the selection at the downtown Barneys. The racks and tables and shelves of jeans include the blue-chip (True Religion, Paper Denim & Cloth), the hard-to-find (Acne, Edun), and the affordable (J Brand, Cheap Monday). Bargain hunters salivate over the store's semi-annual sale, which recently saw a pair of $300 Ksubis go for less than $60. 100 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2116, barneys.com.
Samsonite Black Label
Whether it's being plundered by humorless airport security or punted down the escalator in frustration by its God-awfully delayed owner, today's luggage had better be tough. Samsonite's Copley boutique has manifold takes on the luggage maker's famed durability: hard- and soft-shelled suitcases, totes, weekenders, handbags, and wallets (many done in collaboration with couturiers like Alexander McQueen). Don't miss the chance to tap the staff's encyclopedic knowledge of airport regs and size restrictions while you're at it. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, .
Second Time Around
Some things just get better with age—especially at Second Time Around, where last year's splurges are today's total steal. Sort through racks of gently used Gucci, BCBG Max Azria, and Dolce & Gabbana pants, suits, tops, and jeans, all at a fraction of their original prices and none more than two years old. Staffers are as helpful as they are fashion-conscious, and can often tell you the history of the designer suit they're ringing up. 176 Newbury St., Boston, MA secondtimearound.net.
Fit
No wonder fashion retailers from DKNY to Intermix use Fit. The high-quality workmanship that comes out of this elegantly appointed Newbury Street tailor shop is downright untouchable. But much of owner Lyudmila Sletkova's work is done for consumers who need an experienced hand on complex projects such as taking in a wedding dress, overhauling a crepe suit, or relining linen pants. She can update an old shift dress with new lines, or stitch up a tux lickety split. 268 Newbury St., Boston, MA bestfitinc.com.
George Wright
Legendary Scottish golf architect Donald Ross designed this shotsmakers course in 1931 with an emphasis on strategy and placement instead of distance and punishment. Coures manager Bill Flynn rescued GW from dereliction in the 1970s by restoring it with an eye to Ross' original intentions. Club professional Don Lyons has gone out of his way to make GW a nurturing environment for learners, going so far as to offer free lessons to kids. 420 West Street, Hyde Park, MA .
Dave Vasconcellos, Gold's Gym
Feeling flabby, unmotivated, and bored with your workout? Charming, funny, and committed to making you crank it, Vasconcellos won't let you off easy, but you'll hardly know it. And you'll see results in a matter of days. Dave can help you drop pounds, gain muscle, and tone up through proper weight training, aerobics, and nutrition tips. He'll also build your confidence like a personal cheerleader. 30 Park Ave., Arlington, MA .
Steven Doherty
The man is the patron saint of peroxide. He brings his artistic vision (he's also a creator of eccentric decorative "wigs" made from leaves, twigs, and pine cones) to every mousy brunette yearning to be bombshell-blond. His chunky foils are cutting edge and to die for. Whether you want highlights or a complete hydraulic overhaul, Steven Doherty will give you the look that nature should have intended. Ecocentrix, 30 Newbury St., Boston, MA .