David Vendetti, South Boston Yoga
If you had told us a few years ago that one day we'd be scrambling to get to a yoga studio in Southie, we'd have thought you were nuts. Yet here we ar—and it's all a testament to David Vendetti. After his flowing, challenging class, we're sore but ready to take on the world, and looking forward to meeting him on the mat again. 36 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA southbostonyoga.net.
Mandarin Oriental
Even the most basic guest rooms at this Back Bay behemoth overflow with amenities: luxe slippers, Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, rainforest shower. But what stands out is the way staffers treat you: like a frequent, honored guest, even if it's the only time you'll ever visit. But we're guessing that after one night in the Ploh feather-and-down bedding, it won't be. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, mandarinoriental.com.
Michael Albor, The Loft
On nights when you need to make an entrance, make a pit stop at the Loft first. Miami-bred owner Michael Albor does gravity-defying updos and soft, luscious curls like no one else. More important, his looks are upscale, not uptight—meaning that after a few hours of cocktailing, dancing, and otherwise having a ball, your piled-up 'do will look even better than when you arrived. 253 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, theloftsalonanddayspa.com.
Sarra
People don't realize how important brows are to the face,' says Lauren Genatossio, brow master at Sarra. So she meticulously tweezes them into well-shaped submission. (She never waxes—plucking is more precise, she says.) Genatossio also offers advice on keeping brows looking their best—in the case of one tester, she even used pencil to show where they could use extra growth. The result is brows that feel naturally beautiful—never too thin or overly arched. 840 Summer St., Boston, MA 2127, .
Jeffrey Lyle, Emerge
Not only are some of the city's most high-powered blondes among his clientele, but even Newbury's notoriously catty cutters (who'd sooner drink bleach than compliment a peer) cant resist gushing over Lyle's work. In the words of one, The foil placement is superb. And another: I understand why his blondes keep going back. 275 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Akris
Luxurious double-faced cashmere, the basis of an Akris coat, keeps out the cold and looks great in the process. (A novel concept in fashion: practicality.) The coat collection here is all about fabric and tailoring, exquisite wraps for the consumer who lives and buys by the maxim quality, not quantity. As one faithful customer pointed out: "They're forever." Better be, at these prices. 16 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Alpha Omega Jewelers
With more than 30 brands in stock, from Akteo to Waterman, these stores are truly the one-stop shop for fine timepieces. Salespeople are very helpful without being pushy—an important consideration when you're slapping down an ungodly sum for an item you'll be wearing day in and day out for the foreseeable future. If you want something a bit more seasonal, you can pick up an official Olympic Swatch starting at $40. 80 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Rosaline's Skin Care Clinic
Rarely have we seen as devoted a clientele as Rosaline's customers, who laud her quality, service, product line, and commitment to teaching clients about skincare. They love the shoulder massage that comes as part of her facials, and the fact that she's low-key about pushing products, not to mention the results they see in their skin. "In lean, mean times I give up everything but my facial," says one long-time fan. 1426 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Jim Horgan
Front Street's bar (260 Berkeley St., Boston) is a quiet, secure haven, protected by Horgan. A five-year veteran of the bartending wars of Boston and Cape Cod, Horgan knows his regulars and what they drink, and he protects their privacy. "This isn't a pickup bar," Horgan says. "People come here to relax. Single women come in by themselves and trust me to see they're left alone. People know that no one will bother them here." Front Street, 260 Berkely St., Boston, MA .
Back Bay Brewing Company
In years past, we anointed Back Bay, but with one reservation. Brewmeister Tod Mott always made the damn small-batch beers this side of the Mississippi. (His seasonal Imperial stout is a classic, notwithstanding that goofy squabble over naming it Boston Strangler Stout.) But the food left something to be desired. New chef Jim Casey has taken care of that, however, with a fine inventive menu devoid the culinary pretense that hobbles other brew pubs. 755 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Gordon's Fine Wines
Gordon's is Waltham's answer to one-stop shopping for wine and spirits aficionados. The wine market has a solid foundation in Bordeaux in addition to an impressive international selection; in addition, Gordon's sells a wide range of single-malt scotches and imported tequilas. Added amenities: a gourmet catering service, a glassware department, and an e-mail newsletter listing daily specials. 892 Main Street, Waltham, MA gordonswine.com.
Erbaluce
Drawing on his Piedmontese heritage, Charles Draghi turns out elegant northern Italian-inspired fare with a delicate touch—homemade pappardelle with cubed beets and speck; butternut-squash broth with spicy shrimp; and wild boar with a Concord-grape mosto, all designed to pair with the restaurant's Italian wine list. A one-time contestant on the Food Network show Sweet Genius, the chef also excels at after-dinner treats—we're partial to his mascarpone-stuffed pear enrobed in caramel. 69 Church St., Boston, MA erbaluce-boston.com.
Theresa Paopao, Ribelle
We first fell in love with Paopao when she was the bubbly sommelier at Oleana, in Cambridge—and then, as is often the case with talented hospitality folks, she split for New York, for a prestigious gig as the sommelier for David Chang's Momofuku group. But early this year, Paopao returned to consult for Ken Oringer's impending Toro New York concept, and decided to stick around Boston. And now? She's the one responsible for the wines at Ribelle, her pal Tim Maslow's new Washington Square eatery. 1665 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Rubin's Kosher Restaurant Delicatessen
Sadly, the deli is seriously endangered in this country. Thankfully here in Boston, or in Brookline anyway, at least one shining outpost exists, an homage to a time when eating a sandwich piled high with corned beef, pastrami, coleslaw, and Russian dressing didn't make you think, Oh my God, my arteries just froze. That place is Rubin's and that sandwich is called "The Gramercy Park." It is a monster. Provided that you've got health insurance, please, go and order it. 500 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, rubinsboston.com.
The Sweet Life Café
This year French-American husband-and-wife team Pierre and Susan Guerin revamped the menu and ratcheted up the service at their Oak Bluffs café, effecting a vast improvement on what was already a pretty sweet place. Vegetarians enthuse over the meaty wild mushroom strudel, while the lemon-infused pasta with fresh shellfish and the tender steak in a Paris-grade bordelaise are can't-miss propositions for carnivores. One thing, though, remains happily unaltered: the romantic white-lit garden patio. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, sweetlifemv.com.