Beam
At a time when the Bay State’s CBD scene is absolutely exploding, this buzzy local startup has gone to great lengths to produce some of the cleanest and purest cannabidiol products on the market, helping users improve sleep, focus, and recovery one drop (or capsule) at a time. And by aligning themselves with a range of top athlete ambassadors such as professional golfer Billy Horschel and gold medalist triathlete Gwen Jorgensen, the company continues to prove that we’re only just scratching the surface of CBD’s powers. beamtlc.com.
Green Dragon Tavern
Picking Boston's best Irish pub is a little like picking the loveliest clover in County Kildare. Still, the Green Dragon manages to stand out from its many worthy rivals. Set on a cobblestone street by Faneuil Hall, this 350-year-old pub once played host to Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty, and now rallies a bustling after-work crowd that comes for well-poured pints of stout, excellent fish and chips, live entertainment seven nights a week, and one mean Boston cream pie. Slainte! 11 Marshall St., Boston, MA somerspubs.com.
Jo Jo Taipei
One bite of this Allston beauty's crisp, pillowy scallion-and-roast-beef pancakes, and you'll never order those sad, green-flecked cardboard slabs from your local Chinese takeout joint again. Here, it's all authentic Taiwanese dishes—like three-cup cuttlefish, spicy beef-noodle soup, and dry-cooked chicken with three peppers—and none of that greasy cream cheese-stuffed crab rangoon or gloppy General Gao's chicken you get elsewhere. 103 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, jojotaipei.com.
Skoah
Skoah's slogan is "personal training for your skin," and yes, a facial here is honestly one of our favorite workouts. All that deep cleansing and extracting while we kick back in a peaceful, light-filled setting. We now go for regular sessions—and you can see the results all over our perfectly toned face. 641A Tremont St., Boston, MA 2118, skoahboston.com.
Janie and Jack
Ah, sweet infants: immaculately adorable one minute, covered in spit-up the next. The best baby collections accommodate both extremes, though none with quite as much versatility as Janie and Jack. Made of the softest cottons, velours, and wools, these garments evoke the preciousness and high quality of European layette lines, but have a roll-with-it American attitude that won't wilt at that first spot of drool. Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, .
9 Months
Style and comfort: two concepts once forsaken by expectant moms. That is, until Katie Tagliavia's new shop gave a maternity-sized shout-out to pregnant women everywhere. Tagliavia's boutique, with ample couch space and a toddler play area, stocks stylin' sweaters, designer denim, and sleek diaper bags (including a long-overdue invention: one for Dad). Which makes her almost as welcome as the stork itself. 286 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Marion Von Hollander
Marion knows that men's haircuts can be a delicate affair—one part seduction, and a heaping dose of free therapy. Not only will she unflinchingly shear the stray legions off the ears and mow through the shrubbery that accumulates in the zone where the neck ends and the back starts, she will also equivocate like a pro on touchy matters. "Receding hair line? What receding hair line?" Ecocentrix, 30 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Adrian Walker, <em>Boston Globe</em>
In June, the Metro columnist was briefly cut back from writing two columns a week to one, owing to a number of errors in his stories, including a column on the first black law-school dean in the region who, a subsequent correction informed us, turned out to be the second black law-school dean in the region. The good news is that, unlike his predecessor Patricia Smith, Walker made factual errors.
Larry Bird
(Fooled you again, right?) With Kevin McHale a worthy runner-up.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Better than home. Each stall is a spacious 5'9" by 5'9". Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA .
Kacie Corbelle, KC Bridal Beauty
Styling upward of 40 brides per season, Kacie Corbelle is one of the most sought-after makeup artists around—and it’s easy to see why. Her bronzer and highlighter make a bride glow, while neutral-colored eye shadow adds a subtly seductive touch. And whether she’s working with Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, Bernie Sanders, or you, she comes prepared: Equipped with foundation for all skin tones, long-lasting lipstick, and false eyelashes, the only thing she’ll ever wing is your eyeliner. 450 Harrison Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, kcbridalbeauty.com.
The Porches Inn
Fleeing the city seems an idyllic notion, until you find yourself bunking down among doily-strewn antiques and overpowering potpourri at a B&B advertising bucolic "charm." A rare exception is the Porches Inn, set in a row of renovated multi-colored Victorians in North Adams. Its 50-odd rooms are done up in modern décor and feature high-speed Internet and smart service. Out back are a pool and sauna; out front, the stylish Mass MoCA complex. Those still craving a little countrification can kick back in one of the dozens of rocking chairs that sit on the inn's verandas. 231 River St., North Adams, MA 2147, porches.com.
Deep Ellum
Grungy and loaded with undergrads, Allston isn't exactly known for its restaurants. One place we can always count on, though, is Deep Ellum, where a great meal can be had at any time of day. Start out with root-beer-glazed pork belly or soft pretzels dunked in beer-cheese sauce, then progress to bigger plates like pork schnitzel or fried catfish po' boys. Bar too packed? Swing on over to the restaurant's new sibling, the adjacent Lone Star Taco Bar, for killer chili con queso and micheladas. 477 Cambridge St., Allston, MA 2135, deepellum-boston.com.
The Boston Marathon's Turning Pro
There was no question that by remaining stubbornly amateur in a sport that had gone professional, the Marathon was dying. Then David D'Alessandro persuaded his employer, the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, to spring for $10 million to sponsor 10 Boston Marathons. A course record, a world-class field, and hundreds of runners later, today's Marathon is again one of the city's—and the country's—preeminent sporting events. "We've got athletes from 30 or 40 countries," said D'Allessandro, a senior vice president at Hancock. "I've got letters on my desk from the agents of guys who wouldn't even look at us last year."
Stellabella
Only enlightened children need apply. Stellabella, you see, is a completely gun-free shop that specializes in educational toys. But before you start criticizing what political correctness has done to childhood fun, check out the selection: nature projects, musical instruments, colorful science puzzles, and bulk art supplies. Better still, look at what the kids are doing. They're singing songs, painting, listening to stories, riding on oversized stuffed animals: just plain playing. Prices are reasonable, and the staff is beyond helpful. It's like one big PBS special come to life. 1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA stellabellatoys.com.