The Finer Consigner
Amy Hahn Heller's shop is a mecca for bargain hunters, stocking gently worn versions of only the best: Hermès scarves, Chanel jackets, Prada skirts, and designer bags. And with all the cash you save on everything else, coming home with an extra pair of YSL pumps is entirely forgivable. 53 Langley Rd., Newton, MA 2459, thefinerconsignershop.com.
Sullivan Square
The big new station looks like a small spaceport with its three-story-high concrete terminal, curving ramps, and Route 93 arching over the whole thing. Too bad it has the same old trains and buses as the other stops. Charlestown, MA
City Salon
What good is having a face that holds up against time and gravity if you neglect your hands? They're the surest sign of a person's true age. A manicure by Victoria will help console even the most abused paws. And they'll look so good, you'll never ignore them again. 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Yale Applicances and Lighting
Shopping for a fridge or stove at a big-box store can be absolutely maddening, with all the appliances displayed like lawn mowers. At Yale, the ceilings are low, the lighting is soft, and each piece seems like a perfect fit for your home. Peep the $16,000 ranges on your own or book a tour at the desk. 296 Freeport St., Boston, MA 2122, yaleappliance.com.
Sola Men
These minimalist men's clothing stores carry young, hip lines like Theory and Calvin Klein, plus cooler-than-thou jean labels K24 and Boulevard. Their own brand of shoes are Prada-esque, sans the hefty price tag. They also sell Kenneth Cole footwear. 333 Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Will Lyman
Lyman has long been an institution on the Boston theater scene. But he stands out this year for his Elliot Norton Award-winning roles as James Tyrone in the New Repertory Theatre's Long Day's Journey into Night, and Otto Hahn in the Nora Theatre Company's Operation Epsilon. whitethroat.com.
Doyle's
Forget the bland griddle frisbees from IHOP that turned you off pancakes years ago, and get thee to Doyle's. Plumped with luscious strawberries, these pancakes are so moist you can skip syrup entirely. True gluttons, however, will want to drizzle it on and sponge up the whole sweet mess. 3484 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
This last year tells us that we may have a good old-fashioned newspaper war in town.
Yes, the Globe still holds most of the cards, but the Herald made 20 new hires and created an investigative unit, and its sports section continues to stomp the Globe's. And the Globe, which used to regard the Herald with lofty disdain, has sharpened its political reporting and is now starting to take shots at the Herald.
St. Cloud
Brooks Brothers skirts, Louis shirts, white leather boots, and black funk. What do they have in common? You can see 'em all at the St. Cloud bar, where anybody and everybody feels at home nibbling an appetizer or scarfing down a four-course dinner, even at midnight. 557 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Monroe Inker's
During the 1994 campaign, Inker, Joan Kennedy's divorce attorney, pressed her ex, Ted Kennedy, for more money. Small wonder that dissatisfied spouses across the commonwealth have long said of Inker, "Don't leave home without him."
Sauchuk Farm
This pick-your-own operation has implemented some new procedures this year— face masks and social distancing are a must, and don’t forget to reserve your tickets in advance—but a day in the fresh air scoop- ing up blueberries already lends itself to distance (and pie!). Here’s hoping the PYO pumpkins and corn maze return this fall. 53 Palmer Rd., Plympton, MA 02367, sauchukfarm.com.
Cuffs & Collars
Even the most reluctant shopper will enjoy Cuffs & Collars, which offers ample options for designing the perfect wedding-day getup. Host a private event in the store, where you and your crew can choose from thousands of fabrics with a cocktail in hand, or book the company’s “We Come to You” service, during which a tailor will take your measurements at your home or office and then send the finished product, made to order in Italy, to your door in just four to six weeks. One Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, cuffsandcollars.com.
George's Shoe Repair
Cobbling is in George Triantafillidis’s blood, having spent his younger years working at his father’s shoe-repair shop in the Pru. Now at his own shop in the South End, Triantafillidis refinishes worn leather boots, fixes heels snapped on cobblestones, and replaces soles that have been completely worn through from long walks around the city — and he does it all with fast turnaround times and great prices. 120 Union Park St., Boston, MA 02118, .
Tenzin Samdo, ArtScience
Industry vet Tenzin Samdo has taken over the bar-director role at ArtScience with grace and ease, sticking to the tech-forward restaurant’s tradition of high-flying, science-forward cocktail craft while putting his own spin on things. Over the past year, he’s brought thoughtful, sustainably minded touches to the program, including pledging to forgo the use of plastic straws. And just as noteworthy, Samdo never fails to serve his cocktails with a wide smile and a side of old-fashioned hospitality. 650 E. Kendall St., Cambridge, MA 02142, cafeartscience.com.
Tatte Bakery & Café
Tatte is on a roll this year (no bun intended). Since 2016, it’s opened three new cafés—with a Seaport outpost on the way—which means there are now even more of those sweet, swirling chocolate roses to go around. A Boston with Tatte in every neighborhood is a future we can get behind, especially if it means stopping in for a croque-madame in the morning and picking up an ultra-flaky almond croissant for the walk home. Multiple locations. 1352 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215, tattebakery.com.