Kieron Reynolds, City Gym
Let's be blunt: Kieron Reynolds kicks ass—literally, with a medley of cardio and strength exercises. In addition, his heavy brogue and constant quipping make the workout whipping a comedic treat. When Reynolds is not bolting around the room to check your form, barking an inspirational word, or holding a punching mitt in front of you, he doubles as a deejay and keep the place booming with techno tunes. If you haven't sweated enough during Reynolds' hour-long aerobics class, his 30-minute ab session that follows is sure to finish you off. 542 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA .
Paws Club
A cage for your cairn? Quelle horreur! As long as poochie can hold her own on the playground, she can roam with the big boys at Paws. This doggie camp is both day care ($17 per day) and overnight stays ($25 per night); dogs can romp supervised in the half-acre backyard (half paved, half stone). Don't let the modest house fool you: There are 11 rooms decorated with beds and couches where pooches can sleep. Cats are welcome too (in their own rooms, $12 a night). 113 Central Street, Stoneham, MA pawsclub.com.
St. Alphonzo's
In the gap between Southie's working-class past and emerging condo-class future, St. Alphonzo's stands as a small marvel of a bridge: authentic but not staid, polished but not pretentious. Owned by Silvertone alums Natasha and Peter Irving, who live nearby and obviously pride themselves on feeding their neighbors well, it plates up top-notch sandwiches (the Cuban's a standout) and affordable pastas, meat, and fish that embody home cooking in the best sense. The pocket-sized space is rarely packed, which means patrons can relax and actually hear themselves think—probably, about how soon they can come back. 87 A St., Boston, MA 2127, stalphonzoskitchen.com.
The Nightingale
It's not surprising that a restaurant as charming as the Nightingale should occupy a space that has been home to some of the South End's most charmed restaurants (Hamersley's Bistro and Geoffrey's, to name just two). With its apple-green walls, candlelit tables, and bistro menu, this cozy new restaurant-row entry, from the team behind the South End hipster haunt Delux Café, is a welcome addition. And the price is right. Entrées such as stuffed roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes, braised monkfish with littleneck clams, and roasted tomatoes on orecchiette pasta hover below $20, which makes a three-course meal for two an affordable indulgence. 578 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Bakers' Best
Some days you don't want to even decide on dinner, never mind cook it. Thank goodness this Newton Highlands restaurant chooses for you with a monthly dinner menu, two specials that change nightly, and a setup that's designed for whisking food straight home and onto the table. Dinner specials, such as grilled ginger-lime salmon and scampi over angel hair pasta, range between $11 and $18 and include a starch, vegetables, bread, and choice of dessert. Or you could skip the dinner and go straight for the sumptuous cakes and pastries. 27 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA bakersbestcatering.com.
Lizard Lounge
It is with good reason that the Lizard Lounge consistently tops our live-venue list: It's still the favorite choice for established rock acts, and, for all its renown, is still every bit as intimate as a suburban rec room. Crowded cocktail tables stand inches away from the Oriental rug-lined stage, where, on any given night, a classic jazz trio, alt-rockers, or spoken-word poets perform to no more than 105 fans. Adding to the club's character are the laid-back punks behind the bar who dole out boutique draft beers such as Mojo IPA and Victory Golden Monkey. 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, lizardloungeclub.com.
Agent Provocateur
When we need support, we wade through the beige and white underthings at Intimacy and Nordstrom, where polite ladies wielding measuring tapes thoughtfully correct our ignorance in thinking we were a B cup. When we need lingerie, however (the kind of thing that revs our engine, and hopefully yours, too, hot stuff), we head to Agent Provocateur. New this year on Newbury Street, the British retailer deals in flashy-not-trashy revisions of boudoir basics: satin corsets, push-up bras in tartan plaids, tasseled pasties...okay, maybe not too trashy. 123 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 2116, agentprovocateur.com.
Tom Mosser's <em>Celebrating Spencer</em>
Man’s best Boston Marathon friend, Spencer the golden retriever — who for years stood fast along the race route supporting runners — may be in doggie heaven after losing his battle with cancer in February, but his likeness lives on forever thanks to a Tom Mosser portrait commissioned by Spencer’s human Richard Powers. Exhibited this year just minutes from the race’s starting line, at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Celebrating Spencer shows the official marathon dog holding a Boston Strong banner — a dutiful inspiration to future generations of very good boys.
Booty by Brabants
Whether you’re working out or working from home, leggings have become a daily uniform for many of us. So it’s no wonder that Kelly Brabants’s business keeps growing: Her line of colorful and size-inclusive athleisure wear is now sold at two permanent locations, MarketStreet Lynnfield and Legacy Place in Dedham. Why do Bostonians covet her ultra-comfy leggings, shorts, and tops? It’s simple: The North Easton native uses her background as a fitness instructor to create pieces that are durable enough to survive an intense sweat sesh but cute enough to wear to brunch afterward. Lynnfield and Dedham, bootybybrabants.com.
Inn at Hastings Park
Lexington will go down in history for two reasons: starting a revolution and being home to this Relais & Châteaux inn. The four-star Forbes Travel Guide property lures travelers with tony accommodations that don’t skimp on luxury (think: in-room fireplaces, marble bathrooms, and handprinted wallpaper). But it’s worth checking in even just for Sunday brunch: Back for the season, the Culinary Garden outdoor space — with wooden farm tables and garden boxes of basil, lemongrass, and other fresh herbs found on the menu — is as idyllic as a night tucked into the Matouk linens. 2027 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02421, innathastingspark.com.
The Pop Center
Working from home when you have small children is great — that is, until your four-year-old shows up in the back of a Zoom call covered in fingerpaint from head to toe (only a slightly exaggerated story). With daycare spots limited and nannies harder than ever to find, busy moms and dads have been flocking to this Newton coworking space, where parents and young kids can work and play side by side thanks to wellstaffed playgroups, private nursing stations, and cozy coworking lounges with a call pod and nap rooms (for grownups, too!). 1037 Chestnut St., Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464, thepopcenter.com.
Dream Kid Spa
Kids like getting pampered as much as grownups do — but nail salons aren’t exactly a fun place to hang out. That’s where this brand-new kid-focused spa in Hyde Park comes in. With Disney tunes setting the scene, skilled technicians twirl in pink tutus and charming aprons, ready to give your prince or princess the royal treatment. Donning a spa robe, kids are seated on a throne while they enjoy a mani-pedi featuring whimsical nail art, a sparkly ring, and glitter lotion on their tiny feet. And did someone say party favors? After the regal service, continue the magic at home with an add-on “Dream Box” filled with toys and spa goodies. 15 Dana Ave., Hyde Park, MA 02316, dreamkidspa.com.
Strega
Dapper restaurateur Nick Varano is incredibly adept in his role as the table-hopping, handshaking host with the most. So it’s no surprise that his original Strega restaurant has been a hub for celebs making a Beantown cameo since it opened in the North End 15-plus years ago. The star-studded list of guests—Kylie Jenner! Rihanna! Shaq!—grows even longer when you add in the spot’s subsequent offshoots, including Strip by Strega steakhouse, which scored Jamie Foxx and Mary J. Blige as opening-party entertainment. 379 Hanover St., Boston, MA stregaristorante.com.
Polkadog Bakery
Walk your pooch within a block of any Polkadog location, and you’re guaranteed to feel a sharp jerk on the leash pulling you toward the store’s front door. Perhaps Fido can smell the drool-inducing Clam Chowda strips. Maybe he remembers the free snacks generously doled out by pet-loving staffers. Whatever the reason, it’ll be worth the embarrassment of being walked in by your dog, given that you’ll also love browsing the shelves stocked with colorful toys and leashes. Too bad most cats don’t go for walks, because a lot of this is available for felines, too. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA polkadog.com.
La Fábrica Central
When former Cambridge vice mayor Dennis Benzan teamed up in 2017 with restaurateurs Nivia and Hector Piña, longtime leaders of Boston’s Caribbean dining scene, they upped the ante by teaming with celeb chef Giovanna Huyke, previously dubbed the Julia Child of Puerto Rico. Now Huyke is covering Cuban-, Dominican-, and Puerto Rican–inspired flavors in Cambridge, from marvelous mofongo and garlicky tostones to a whole fried snapper that arrives, still grinning, over coconut sauce. Don’t miss the superlative list of fine rums, perfect for sipping over live reggae and rumba. 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA lafabricacentral.com.