Santarpio's Pizza
Forget the perfunctory décor and out-of-the-way address, Santarpio's pies are the zenith of 'za, delivered dangerously hot from the depths of a loud and steamy backroom. Some say the secret is the sauce. Others swear by the cheese. Whatever the magic ingredient, one thing is obvious: This is soul pizza. The doughy, oven-charred crust blisters with bubbles and is smothered beneath a voluptuous helping of cheese. Santarpio's is so addictive, it's got devotees cheerfully volunteering to make pickups at nearby Logan so they can stop on the way for a slice. Or three. 113 Chelsea St., East Boston, MA santarpiospizza.com.
L.A. Burdick Chocolates
Want to experience a European café without the jet lag? Head to Burdick. The true test of chocoholism is actually finishing the iced hot chocolate—a deeply decadent concoction poured over ice, and crowned with a veil of whipped cream. If the craving persists, move on to the signature (and adorable) chocolate mice, filled with cinnamon, mocha, or orange. Or snag a spot at one of the café's tables by the window, and survey the march of humanity in Harvard Square as you linger over any of the 13 truffle varieties and slip into a Proustian peace. 52D Brattle St., Cambridge, MA burdickchocolate.com.
Tea Tray in the Sky
This little cafe offers a welcome respite from Starbucks culture, offering everything from your standard Assam to more exotic blends, from scented and flavored teas to herbal infusions. For summer, try the iced ginger-and-lemongrass tea with one of Tea Tray's sandwiches or desserts. Complimentary tea tastings Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Fava
It's fascinating to watch owner/ chef Paul Booras slave over the stove in the small kitchen here. It's even more rewarding to taste what he does with wood grilled salmon and monkfish, hanger steak, and thick racks of pork. Located next to the Needham Center MBTA station, the stone-walled hideaway is not easy to find but definitely worth the effort. Booras— a veteran of Pomodoro and Olives— also opened the new Mediterranean spot Sweet Basil down the street. How lucky can one town be? 1027 Great Plains Ave., Needham, MA .
Chuck Bass Jean Pierre Salon
A scissoring from Bass doesn't come cheap (expect to drop a C-note on a session), but you'll finally get what you need in a haircut, as opposed to those one-size-fits-all quickies available elsewhere. Bass first scrupulously studies your hair, then delivers a cut that complements your face and frame, and your head's idiosyncratic contours. In short, he makes sure it's all working seamlessly and, dare we say, suavely. 116 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, chuckbass.com.
David Carlson
The longtime head instructor at the Boston Sailing Center, Carlson—a sailor since age 6—knows the Charles and the harbor inside and out, and has novices jibing and tacking like old hands after just two weekends of instruction. Free advice: "One of the biggest mistakes people make is to overtrim the sails—the boat tends to heel over or stall out. It's more efficient to keep the boat flat, and let the foils on the rudder do their work." Boston Sailing Center, 54 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA 2110, .
Westport Rivers Vineyard's Sparkling Wines
Vintners Bob and Carol Russell often refer to themselves as farmers rather than winemakers, though they produce a national and international award-winning series of methode Champenoise sparkling wines. These are bottled testimony to their efforts and ethos—the Russells' business is a family one (sons Bill and Bob make the wine and manage the vineyard respectively) devoted to preserving Massachusetts farmland and producing a superior product. If it's good enough for the White House (the sparkling wines were served at the Governor's Dinner 2000), then it is welcome on our table. 417 Hixbridge Road, Westport, MA westportrivers.com.
Henrietta's Table
Where else but in the sunny confines of this Charles Hotel restaurant could you expect to find such a large collection of Nobel Prize-winners huddled under one roof? Breakfasting regularly at Henrietta's Table are MIT and Harvard professors noshing side-by-side with dotcommers and other high-level business executives. Why do they come here? The dining room is easygoing, the waiters are friendly without being obsequious, and the fare, from omelets and country bacon to fresh fruit smoothies, is fresh, healthy, and reasonably priced. 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA henriettastable.com.
Taqueria La Mexicana
Don't let the hairnets scare you: This Union Square joint is the closest you'll find to authentic Tex-Mex in Boston. It even saved one of our friends from moving back to the land of the Rio Grande. The red peppers and zucchini used for the veggie burros are grilled to a juicy crispness while you watch. Don't miss the fabulous homemade corn tortillas! 247 Washington Street, Somerville, MA cantinalamexicana.com.
L'Espalier
Chef Frank McClelland's celebrated dining room offers not one, but two extravagant tasting options. There's the "Seasonal Degustation"—a six-course meal headlined by dishes like Hudson Valley foie gras (take that, California!) with angelica and oatmeal-nut tuile, or lamb alongside roasted figs and caramelized fennel, both featuring ingredients sourced from the chef's own Essex farm. Not lavish enough for you? Then choose the $200 "Chef's Tasting Journey," and you'll be treated to an hours-long repast replete with caviar and truffles. 774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, lespalier.com.
Sam's at Louis
We've been known, on those perfect 72-degree days, to work an "emergency" business lunch at Sam's into our schedule. Neither Newbury Street's sidewalk cafés nor Cambridge's funky hidden patios can match the scenic respite from the daily grind that this Seaport gem delivers. And considering the crowds on the huge, sun-drenched deck—noshing on polished yet unfussy fare (like the tomato-marmalade BLT)—it seems we're not the only ones who've caught on. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, samsatlouis.com.
Gary Croteau, Salon Mario Russo
"Do you want to stand out from the crowd or do you want to blend in?" asks Croteau. But don't fret that Croteau will cut your locks into an impossible-to-recreate 'do. His M.O. is all about keeping hair fresh, modern, and manageable. And for those who prefer a one-stop shopping experience, he's equally adept at color. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Dillon's Russian Steam Bath
The only drawback is that men get to take advantage of this blissful oasis six days a week while women must condense their restorative needs into a single day (Monday). Male or female, you will feel pleasantly noodle-like when you emerge from this no-nonsense, old-fashioned bath house. One note of caution: This is not some fancy chrome-and-etched-glass spa, so leave your attitude out at Canyon Ranch. 77 Chestnut St., Chelsea, MA .
Eastern Standard
Every evening, somewhere around midnight, a magical—if vaguely treacherous—moment occurs in Boston. High up onto the back bar of one of the city's most beloved restaurants clambers an employee who, teetering precariously, writes the late-night specials onto a gargantuan mirror. The items differ—flatiron steak with bérnaise, or maybe a Cubano with house spicy mustard—but what remains constant is the anticipation generated, and the rush of orders that inevitably follows. 528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 2215, easternstandardboston.com.
Yasu
Nothing sinks the heart of a Korean food aficionado more than seeing steamed broccoli as one of the panchan side dishes of a restaurant's every meal. That won't happen at Yasu, where the kimchi and all variations thereof are abundant and flavorful. Order up beef to grill at the tabl—the kalbi and bulgogi are juicy and tender—plus a hearty, spicy tofu stew to go with it, and your palate will want for nothing. 1366 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2446, yasuboston.com.