Julien
Homemade buckwheat blini and every fixin' you could hope for accompany the osetra caviar ($60/ounce). Yellow roses decorate the block of ice that chills a bottle of Stolichnaya (it comes with each order). All ceremoniously rolled out on a trolley. Does it get any better than this? Le Meridien Boston, 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Koreana
"Bibimbop" yourself to where every stone pot runneth over with savory dishes starring rice, fish, the freshest veggies, or practically the whole darn cow (from tongue to blood to feet). Novices can find Korean food inedibly strange, but Koreana's savory dishes make it easy to learn to like the cuisine. 154 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA .
Clear Flour Bakery
Not too sweet, not too sticky, these addictive, oven-warm, golden, glazed concoctions, known as Morning Buns, are required a.m. accompaniments to coffee and the newspaper. That's assuming they last until you get back home. Available with or without walnuts. 178 Thorndike St., Brookline, MA .
Bob the Chef's
If you can beat two eggs, your choice of breakfast meat, hot bread, grits or home fries, juice, and coffee for five bucks, let us know. Don't miss what may be the best sweet-potato pie in the city. 604 Columbia Ave., Boston, MA .
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
"It's okay to hold the mayonnaise or mustard but not the meals tax," warned the DOR when temporarily closing down that Boston landmark and gastronomic nightmare, Buzzy's Fabulous Roast Beef. Who said bureaucrats don't have a sense of humor?
Kevin Connolly
Singer/songwriter Kevin Connolly's soulful voice (reminiscent of that of Van Morrison) has taken us to Italy and other faraway places via his "musical postcards." His next record—inspired by his childhood in Marshfield—will keep us closer to home.
Noir
For years, this Charles Hotel lair was home to the most dedicated Mad Men fans in New England, thanks to its debonair screening parties. The show may be over, but the hangout’s sexy, mysterious vibe—and the top-notch scotch flights—live on. One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 02138, noir-bar.com.
Made in Fort Point
Fort Point is home to more than just tech-bro-approved selfie spots—it’s still an artists’ stronghold, too. Duck into this store—which showcases prints, handcrafted textiles, and more by some 50 community artists—for a reassuring splash of old Fort Point. 315 A St., Boston, MA 02210, fortpointarts.org.
Antonio Vitale, Studio for Hair
When the avant-garde salons of Newbury Street mistake overzealousness for creativity, only one man can come to the rescue: Antonio Vitale. You won't find posh ambiance here; Vitale revels in his tiny Kenmore Square studio's perfunctory décor and pretense-free atmosphere. Instead, come for careful, thoughtfully rendered hair coloring. The 29-year-old sixth-generation stylist started working with hair at 11 in his father's studio and came back to it after years of toiling as an artist. That's exactly what he still is—an artist layering subtle shades of color to tone down or brighten in all the right spots, fixing what has been put asunder and putting his clients at ease through every step of the process. 464 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA studioforhairboston.com.
Scampo
Its serendipitous location—just a bulkie roll's throw from where drunk-grub mecca Buzzy's Roast Beef once stood—is one reason why Scampo gets our late-night bucks. More important, it's also steps from fellow Liberty Hotel denizens Clink and Alibi, whose hormone-charged bar scenes can overwhelm even the most dedicated carouser. When it's time to retreat, follow the scent of garlic down to Lydia Shire's Italian-inspired eatery for crusty pizzas, fresh-baked flatbreads, burrata BLTs, and other starchy, cheese-laden hangover preventives, all served till 11 (and pizzas till midnight). And for those not ready to cash it in yet, Scampo's potent cocktails will keep that buzz going. 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, scampoboston.com.
O Ya
As sushi has gone mainstream, it's become increasingly run-of-the-mill: rolls, rolls, and more rolls, with too much rice and tasteless (and, frequently, cooked) fish. O Ya doesn't even offer rolls, just sparklingly fresh sashimi and nigiri—including heretofore unseen specialties like big-eye red snapper, conch, and Santa Barbara spot prawn. With a surgeon's precision, chef-owner Tim Cushman and his line of sushi sous pair each fish with thoughtfully chosen exotic adornments like Thai basil and torched banana pepper mousse, and one of dozens of house-made sauces. The results—like the bluefin tataki with smoky pickled onions and truffle oil—are transporting. 9 East St., Boston, MA .
The Daily Stroll
Sign up your four-legged friend for 30-to-60-minute walks that avoid toxic ice melt in the winter and hot pavement in the summer; off-leash pup playgroups; or daycare, where they’ll enjoy lounging on couches and playing with toys. Your dog will come home tired but happy and ready to snuggle. thedailystrollllc.com.
Anh Hong
This Dorchester destination offers up traditional home-style dishes for those daring to venture beyond bowls of pho or bánh mì. Hungry? Pair ca kho to (caramelized clay-pot fish) with an order of canh chua (sour soup) and a side of white rice, or spring for the seven-course beef, bò 7 món. 291 Adams St., Dorchester, MA 02122, .
Siemasko + Verbridge
Thad Siemasko and Jean Verbridge lead a skilled team of organized, disciplined architects whose greatest talents come from knowing what makes a house a home, as seen in such recent projects as a cozy mountain retreat built into a quiet urban hideaway. Beverly, MA svdesign.com.
Beehive the Salon
Whether you’re looking for a pastel-pink ombré that fades just so or you need help with a few pesky grays, these ladies listen well and execute flawlessly. Unlike at salons in the city, you won’t find tiers of stylists: Here the whole team comes highly recommended and highly trained. 8 Standish St., Duxbury, MA 02332, beehiveduxbury.com.