The Farmer's Market on Cohasset Common
Every Thursday afternoon in the summer, locals from surrounding South Shore towns converge at this piece of green for one purpose: to buy super-fresh produce. The selection—brilliant green herbs, a slew of greens, bright red peppers—is outstanding, as are the breads and pastries. You can even pick up some handmade crafts, from woven wreaths to rustic pottery, on your way back to your car. Cohasset Common, Cohasset, MA cohassetfarmersmarket.com.
Captain Marden's Seafoods
When restauranteurs like Gordon Hamersley, Barbara Lynch, or Frank McClelland order fish, they call Kim Marden's wholesale operation. But the pros aren't the only ones Marden's supplies. Amateur cooks can also get the and freshest fish by heading west to Marden's Wellesley retail shop for a dizzying selection of grilled wonders and shelled delicacies. Squamish about cooking fish? In the adjacent restaurant, there's a vast selection of fresh and frozen appetizers and entrées, and soups and sandwiches made to order. The stuffed lobster rules. 279 Linden St., Wellesley, MA captainmardens.com.
Johnny Lee Davenport
Few actors have made such an impact in one season as Davenport did from 2010 to 2011, and he did so by playing a trio of distinctly different fathers: In the Huntington's Vengeance Is the Lord's, he grieved for a murdered son; in the BCA's caustic satire Neighbors, he played the husband in a multiracial family; in the Lyric Stage's Broke-ology, he transformed himself from an '80s-era patriarch to a present-day invalid suffering from MS. Daddy issues? Not this guy. johnnyleedavenport.com.
Yumont Hardware
So it's one-tenth the size of a Lowe's. So what? Yumont still has everything a do-it-yourselfer needs: nuts, bolts, bulbs, paint, showerheads, lawn care. All that, plus associates who don't need to be paged and a well-worn checkout counter cluttered with batteries, alarm clocks, and neighborhood gossip. Stop in, and you might never return to that big blue box in the 'burbs. 702 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, .
Alma Nove
Technically speaking, Alma Nove is a restaurant. But why quibble? There are only so many places where you can sit outside next to a giant fire pit, sip a well-crafted cocktail, and look out over the bay—and this Wahlberg-family-owned spot is one of them. If you just can't miss the Sox game, head inside. The bar is long and armed with two 50-inch TVs. 22 Shipyard Dr., Hingham, MA almanovehingham.com.
Chez Nous
In his newly renovated restaurant, chef Franck Tessier serves extraordinary French cuisine including goat cheese—and—portobello timbale, scallops with saffron risotto, and chicken fricassée. Guests sit in one of three tasteful dining rooms, and pastry chef (and Tessier's wife) Rachel Portnoy makes a hot chocolate mousse and a banana toffee tart that are sweet bliss. 150 Main St., Lee, MA cheznousbistro.com.
Maxime Salon
Nothing disappoints like a colorist who listens to your needs, then executes an entirely different shade. Swear off such nasty surprises by enlisting Ronit Enos to help your hair. Her expert team does an exhaustive preprocess consultation with every client before creating intricate highlights and lustrous glazes. The only surprise here is a pleasant one: how natural your hair looks afterward. 124 Washington St., Norwell, MA maximesalon.com.
Red Rock Bistro & Bar
At first it's easy to overlook the Red Rock's first-class food in favor of the sweeping sea and city skyline views. But one nibble of owners Paul and Louise Petersiel's properly prepared fare will have you back at the table and concentrating on your plate. Grilled pizzas, seared scallops, and a thoughtful wine selection round things out at this comfortable, kick-back-and-relax ocean-side bistro. 141 Humphrey St., Swampscott, MA redrockbistro.com.
New England Soup Factory
At least four different seasonal soups made form scratch every day, as well as chili, chowder, triple—strength chicken vegetable soup, and a range of appealing salads make this a popular destination among Brookline's lunch seekers. We loved the root vegetable for gloomy days, the chilled wild berry for sunny ones. A perfect takeout idea for dinner when packed to travel. And their Soup-o-Gram is just the ticket for friends who are under the weather. 2-4 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA .
The Eighth Congressional District's, for Quantity if Not Quality
Among those who've been in at one time or another: Joe Kennedy, George Bachrach, Jim Roosevelt, Mel King, Tom Gallagher, Carla Johnston, Tom Vallely, Jim Spiegel, Clark Abt. Midlred Jefferson, Robert Cappucci, Bill Galvin, Richard Black, Vin McCarthy, Joe Markey, Jon Hillson, Markham Lyons, and Bob O'Connell.
The Spa at Chatham Bars Inn
No need to forfeit the Cape’s sea breeze when you unwind with a treatment at the Chatham Bars Inn’s spa: Surrounded by nature and the salty air from the ocean less than a quarter-mile away, its private outdoor cabanas are the perfect spot to unwind with a bliss-inducing deep-tissue CBD massage. If you’re looking to make relaxation the full focus of your Cape getaway, book one of the hotel’s spa suites (in-room soaking tub, sauna, and steam shower included). 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, chathambarsinn.com.
Bisq at Time Out Market Boston
There’s no secret ingredient in chef Alex Sáenz’s juicy, crispy fried chicken: It’s a simple flour coating. One bite and you’ll refuse to believe it, but it’s really all in the technique. A potato bun, bread-and-butter pickles, and ranch round things off for the sandwich form of his famous chicken. 401 Park Dr., Fenway, MA 02215, timeoutmarket.com/boston/eat-and-drink/bisq.
Paws on Charles
Showcasing ultra-preppy matching woven leash and collar sets — including ones featuring local icons such as shamrocks and lobsters — as well as adorable puffer jackets for winter and sun-protective athleisure wear for warmer weather, this shop is a haven for fashion-forward pups. And when it comes to play time, don’t miss the whimsical tower for cats and a wide variety of squeaky and pull toys for dogs. 123 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, pawsoncharles.com.
The Wellness Atelier
We’ve all had those nights — the ones where you wake up the next morning with a blinding headache and an appetite for nothing but saltines. Plan ahead, and next time you can roll right out of bed and into Dr. Daniela Winston’s Newbury Street studio for the cheekily named “About Last Night” IV, a hydrating treatment designed to lessen hangover symptoms. The concierge medicine practice also offers a variety of other nutritional IVs that infuse your body with the stuff it needs to not just survive but thrive. 36 Newbury St., 3rd Fl., Boston, MA 02116, thewellnessatelier.com.
Sinesia Karol
It’s been more than 10 years since Sinesia Karol got the idea to bring the eye-catching swimwear designs of her native Brazil to New England, and we’ve been grateful for it ever since. Available online and in her Newport, Rhode Island, storefront, Karol’s bikinis and one-pieces are guaranteed to stand out on the sand, thanks to electric color schemes, playful patterns, and interesting details (oh hello, ruffled bell sleeves). 135 Spring St., Newport, RI 02840, sinesiakarol.us.