Kobe Cap Steak, Grill 23 & Bar
We’re jonesing for the primal pleasures of a deep-charred steak crust that doesn’t involve sweating bullets over a home grill. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Cindy Jensen, Studio 9
Trained in the school of Michaud, Jensen calls on her years as a makeup artist to deliver brows that enhance the whole face. Plucking, not waxing, allows for maximum precision. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Venus de Milo
A beautiful, stylish place, featuring cutting-edge hip-hop and house music, and a sophisticated, multicultural crowd. A slice of the Apple in the home of the bean and the cod. 9 Landsdowne St., Boston, MA .
Taurus Records
Three decades in, this reggae- and R & B-focused music shop on Blue Hill Ave. is still playing the role of cultural hub, hangout, and icon of the neighborhood’s vibrant Caribbean community.
Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar
The cocktails at this funky-meets-casual spot hit it out of the park—order the mezcal-based "No More Parties in Fenway" to channel your inner ’Ye before weaving through Sox traffic on your way home. 1310 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, citizenpub.com.
Goodale Orchards
The antique stone barn displays all kinds of produce, but apples are the specialty here—more than a dozen varieties. They appear whole, in tasty pies, doughnuts, pressed into cider; the dry hard cider is a find. 123 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA .
Greenhills Irish Bakery
The crust is thicker than usual—almost cobbler-like—flaky and delicious, holding loads of fresh apples; this pie is terrific. We like it Irish-style, without cinnamon. It's also a bargain, at $6 for a 10-inch pie. 793 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA .
Singing Beach
Leave the car at home. Singing Beach—so named for the lyrical sound the sand makes when you walk on it—is just a 10-minute stroll from the Manchester commuter-rail station. 119 Beach St., Manchester, MA 10944, .
Boyajian Caviar
There is no better source for caviar in Boston, but you can also depend on Boyajian for a slew of expensive treats, including a whole line of smoked delicacies, foie gras, and especially honeys. 33 Belmont St., Cambridge, MA .
Dee Steffen Chinn, Fool's Errand, Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama
As sweets guru for Tiffani Faison’s restaurant empire, Steffen Chinn’s versatility stuns—from down-home desserts to elaborate, whimsical platings. bighearthospitality.com.
Jason's
It used to be the big hangout for the local ad community. But then Joe's American Bar & Grill opened and the whole crowd moved there. Like a big vacuum cleaner. 131 Clarendon St., Boston, MA .
Lucia Small
Lucia Small, who took home the Grand Jury prize at the Slamdance Film Festival for her powerful documentary My Father, the Genius.
Interlocks Salon and Day Spa
There's very little on the cutting edge of hairstyling that hasn't made its way up north, thanks to Interlocks. This full-service salon and day spa may have a small-town feel, but it boasts a pool of stylists and colorists straight from the Back Bay and beyond. Specialty services include strand-by-strand hair extensions, thermal straightening, and imaging software consultations so you can see your hair in any color, style, and length before you take the plunge. Once you're properly coiffed, head over to one of the massaging thrones in the nail salon for a "Margarita Mango" pedicure. 58 Merrimac St., Newburyport, MA interlockssalon.com.
The Tannery
Whether you're lacing up for work or a workout, the Tannery has your soles covered. The vast selection of footwear encompasses most makes—Clarks, Sperry, Converse—and models—wingtips, boat shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals. 711 Boylston St., Boston, MA thetannery.com.
Neptune Oyster
This North End gem trumps even North Shore clam shacks with its pristine, local whole-bellies; nonpareil crunch, courtesy of expert batter-frying; and exceptional tartar sauce. 63 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, neptuneoyster.com.