Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar
The best gay club in town? Whichever "straight" bar (their words) this grassroots group decides to take over, flash-mob style. Unlikely past locales have included Tommy Doyle's, An Tua Nua...even Europhile favorite Caprice. Once you find out where to go—the details are announced via listservs and Twitter—get there early: Lines often stretch around the block. bostonguerrilla.com.
Bank of America Pavilion
This is not the place to go to make some great new musical discovery—the Pavilion's schedule remains heavy on well-known arena rockers. But there's no better spot to catch your favorite '80s band than this open-air venue, especially once the sun sets, the breeze picks up, and you settle in with a couple of frosty beers. Bonus: As Boston's waterfront continues to develop, so do the Pavilion's pre- and post-show drinking and dining options, such as Morton's, Legal Test Kitchen, and Atlantic Beer Garden. 290 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2210, bankofamericapavillion.net.
Taiwan Café
Taiwan Café's light-as-a-feather handmade pan-fried dumplings, delicious tilapia braised with scallions and spicy bean curd, or garlicky sautéed watercress are a welcome change from the heavy-handed dishes found at many joints in Chinatown. And they're only a few of the 80 items on the diverse menu. Diners with a bold streak can even join the regulars sampling duck tongue with basil, which (once you get past the texture) is an authentic treat. Be sure to stop at the ATM first: Taiwan Café is cash only. 34 Oxford St., Boston, MA taiwancafeboston.com.
Persy's Place
Bring your reading glasses and a couple of hours to spare: The Persy's brunch menu lays out more than 100 possible orders, ranging from the expected (three eggs any style) to the bizarre (haddock poached in milk). You may need a few cups of joe just to power through the list of choices, but once you do, the payoff is sweet—especially if you decide to go for the yummy French toast made with fresh-baked bread, creamy crab Benedict, or above-par banana-walnut crepes. 52 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Mashpee, MA 2649, .
Gypsy Bar
A constant stream of stylish singles flows through the doors of Gypsy Bar on weekends, where they entertain themselves before the eye-catching glow of the video-screen wall with cocktails such as the Deception martini. Behind the bar, an illuminated aquarium offers a conversation starter for the well-groomed men and stiletto-heeled women who flock here. Once they hit the dance floor, however, most of them find the music so loud that there's no need for small talk. 116 Boylston St., Boston, MA gypsybarboston.com.
Lumiere
Chef Michael Leviton's ode to fresh, light, locally sourced cuisine is an elegant yet casual boîte perfect for toasting birthdays and promotions, or even just a night away from the kids. The vaguely French menu focuses less on a specific style of cuisine than the food's provenance, which translates to vibrant dishes like flaky Maine halibut served with roasted artichokes and a citrusy salsa verde, or juicy Crystal Valley roast chicken perfumed with preserved lemon and mint—the kind of fare that turns an ordinary day into a celebration. 1293 Washington St., Newton, MA 2465, lumiererestaurant.com.
China Pearl
Once again, China Pearl has proven itself the gem in an otherwise lackluster world of Hub dim sum. Quite simply, this Chinatown eatery has more seating, more circulating food carts, tastier morsels on the carts and fresher ingredients in the morsels. Don't underestimate the value of freshness in the sea of warmed-over Chinese-food impersonations. 9 Tyler St., Boston, MA .
WHDH
WHDH-TV, Channel 7, whose Jeff Derderian was slapped in the face on camera by an alleged sex offender's girlfriend while he was trying to interview her, and whose Mike Macklin—once reportedly charged with assault in an incident involving his girlfriend (the charges were later dropped)—was told on camera by an alleged priest sex victim: "We all have our problems."
Call Phil Now
Who says that a jack-of-all-trades is a master of none? Handyman extraordinaire Phil Nowers applies his substantial fix-it skills—and markedly pleasant attitude—to hanging curtains, installing smoke detectors, repairing stairs, putting up molding, and just about anything else a homeowner could need. On the rare occasion that Nowers can't solve a problem on his own, he'll bring along a specialist who can. 35 Pleasantdale Rd., West Roxbury, MA 2132, .
Brattle Theatre
Fundraising is still under way to save this beloved Harvard Square institution from the pernicious encroachments of Netflix and TiVo, and the outcome remains uncertain. All the more reason to buy tickets for the Brattle's screenings of foreign gems, art-house premieres, tributes to Golden Age Hollywood, and annual Bugs Bunny Film Festival. Skip the DVD for once, and watch Casablanca the way it was meant to be seen: on the big (independent) screen. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 2138, brattlefilm.org.
AMC Theatres Fenway 13
Big screens, sharp sound, stadium seating. The AMC Fenway, once again, gets top billing. And here's why: We like our popcorn popping out of its box in Sony Dynamic Digital Sound. We prefer to recline way back in club-car-like seats. And we insist on plenty of parking. Hollywood cinema may lack substance, but at least you can treat yourself to star service in the theater. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA fandango.com/regalfenwaystadium1326rpx_aaovd/theaterpage.
Galleria Umberto
WHAT’S THE VIBE? A bare-bones old-school haunt, with cafeteria-like seating and lines that form before the pizza sells out — and it always does, within just a few midday hours. TASTING NOTES: Spongy, saucy, cheesy, and fresh-baked every morning, these $2 slices are an exemplar of the form. Ask for an especially toothsome corner piece, if you can. 289 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, .
Fasika Café
Before it was a hub of urban life in Boston, Roxbury was a farming community. Fasika seems to feel that agrarian soil in its bones, seeding it with Ethiopian flavors to create something truly magical. Its bountiful portions of kikk ali-cha, stewed split peas in garlic and turmeric, and spiced red lentil wot (swiped up with spongy injera), have a fresh-tasting satiety that can only come with a deep connection to the land(s). 51 Roxbury St., Boston, MA 02119, fasikarestaurants.com.
Polkadog
Baked fresh every day at the company’s Boston Fish Pier kitchen, the “Chicken Littles” bones — made with simple ingredients such as poultry, long-grain brown rice, and potato flour — are better quality than anything you’ll find at the grocery store. The brand’s dried cod skins and chickenstrip jerky are also guaranteed to say “top dog.” Multiple locations, polkadog.com.
Magic Beans
Now that a certain big-box retailer has closed its doors (sob!), having a top-notch local option for baby gear is more important than ever. Thankfully, this tot-prep goldmine is still offering essential services such as in-person consultations and a help line staffed with equipment experts who actually answer. The best part? When you’ve finally made your choices, registering for that UppaBaby stroller or leopard-print BabyBjörn carrier can be done with the click of the mouse online. 200 Linden St., Wellesley, MA 02482, mbeans.com.