The Cheese Shop
No one makes booze-and-cheese pairings as easy as Wasik's, as it's known by locals. Walk in toting an obscure red or a craft beer, and depart with a sack full of goodies to go with it. Chalk this up to both experience—the Wasik family was ripening and selling artisanal cheese long before it was a foodie obsession—and a massive inventory that ranges from pungent aged cheddars to Basque sheep's-milk cheeses to Vermont chévres. 61 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 2482, .
Diesel Café
While the corporate megapercolators spend millions on ads that pit yuppies against average joes, the Diesel buzzes blissfully along, keeping the emphasis on the coffee. Tattered banquettes and walls covered with funky artwork provide a quirky welcome to Davis Square caffeine addicts. And one sip of the house blend—made from beans that are subtly roasted, not burnt to a crisp—confirms that the brew here is highly habit-forming. 257 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, diesel-cafe.com.
OtherSide Cafe
The extensive vegetarian and vegan offerings here one-up the fakin' bacon and sham ham that dominate most meat-shunning spots. At the OtherSide, tempeh can replace chicken in anything, tofu stands in for eggs in omelets, and sandwiches like the avocado-packed California wrap want not for protein. 'Raw foodists' chips and dip' and gluten-free beer further accommodate alternative appetites. 407 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2115, theothersidecafe.com.
Les Zygomates Wine Bar & Bistro
It isn't just suits that fill this low-key bistro when the quitting bell rings. Les Zygomates has carved out its place as the area's most comfortable-but-stylish local hangout. Chef Ian Just's prix fixe menu is one of the best deals in town, the kitchen sends out a mean order of pommes frites, Tuesday night tastings explore regional wines with corresponding foods, and evening jazz performances are as smooth as the aforementioned wine. 129 South St., Boston, MA winebar.com.
Pho Republique
Why choose a spring roll as the one must-try menu item in a town full of exceptional food? Because the crispy tuna spring roll at Pho Republique is just that: an exceptional take on a too-often-pedestrian recipe. With its flaky, crunchy, fried-to-perfection outsides and its scrumptious insides of sushi rice, creamy avocado, and sushi-grade, raw-but-warm ahi tuna (not to mention the tangy ginger soy dipping sauce), Pho Republique's verison of the spring roll is not just an appetizer. It's a dish that determines the destination. 1415 Washington St., Boston, MA .
Radius
Heralded as one of the 50 "most exciting" restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, this is the place where power brokers meet to wheel and deal over seared Arctic char, foie gras, and truffle-scented shrimp. Chef Michael Schlow and general manager Esti Benson have mastered the art of cuisine and flawless service—key factors when you're doing lunch under pressure. Oversized tables accommodate documents, and are far enough apart to ensure the utmost discretion. 8 High St., Boston, MA radiusrestaurant.com.
Sports Depot
Where else can you watch the Red Sox on more than 75 TVs (including one in each rest room), choose from 40 beers on tap and in bottles, eat a $9.99 Sunday brunch, banter with sports fans from all over the country, and do it all in a former railroad station with a replica Fenway scoreboard out front? Nowhere, actually, which makes the Sports Depot much less cursed than the Red Sox. 353 Cambridge St., Allston, MA .
Flat Breads Cafe
At this clean, bright restaurant across from Boston College they've spent six years perfecting roll-up combinations with ingredients such as their own homemade roasted red-and-green-tomato-cilantro salsas, Haas avocados, premium breast-meat chicken salad. Specials include Asian, Mexican, deli, barbecue, and even seafood roll-up combos. And the frequent-eater program gets you one free wrap for every 10 you buy. 11 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA .
Trudie's Treats-Homemade Treasures
If it's possible for a Scandinavian apple pie to be better than an American one, Trudie's Swedish apple pie takes the cake. The secret: sweet, juicy apples, nuts to keep it crunchy, and a crust made with real butter. You can find Trudie's pie (and an assortment of other baked goods) at Arena Farms in Concord, Mahoney's in Winchester, and a number of other area farmstands.
Crema cremada, Rauxa
Mark our words: Naples-born pastry chef Tonie Rapa is going places. And her Catalan version of a creme brulee is just one reason. It comes in a big, shallow soup plate (the usual mini gratin dish would be a frustrating tease), and you can eat a lot more because it seemingly has double the luscious, yolky vanilla flavor yet half the richness of its rivals. 70 Union Square, Somerville, MA .
Lotus Designs
Earlier this year, Lotus relocated from Columbus to Tremont, and on crisp days, the shop's ambrosial array of flowers spills out onto the sidewalks. Watch the weekly parade of dramatic arrangements filing out to the parlors of tony South End townhouses, while you choose a set creation or design one of your own. Just be sure to request a few of their specialty blooms, including the gorgeous rare orchids. 977 Tremont St., Boston, MA lotusdesignsflowers.com.
Allston Car Wash
Most car washes charge you $20 to roll your vehicle under a few spritzers and a blow dryer. At Allston, that same amount gets you full doors-to-floors tidying. (Want just the exterior cleaning? Ten bucks.) We were impressed by the attention to detail: When our—admittedly, hanging on by a thread—radio antenna popped off in the tunnel, the attendant gladly replaced it with a new one. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Nine Zero
While not entirely indie—it's part of the Kimpton hotel group—Nine Zero is a singularly splendid place to lay your head. All rooms boast robes, European linens, and windows that open to let in the fresh air. But if you're lucky enough to book one of the Premier View offerings—or, even better, the Cloud Nine Suite—you'll be treated to some of the best vistas in the city. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2108, ninezero.com.
Sarah McMahon
Trained in such advanced techniques as trigger-point work and myofascial release, McMahon often assists victims of trauma, but is equally skilled at treating those afflicted by everyday stress. She views massage as a necessity, not a luxury, and charges accordingly reasonable rates ($85 for 60 minutes) for an experience that will feel more like an afternoon at the spa than one at the, ouch, chiropractor. 651 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Back Bay Framery
Even the prettiest picture becomes an eyesore when confined to an ugly frame. A cure for such unsightliness can be found at this Back Bay fixture, where owner Kerrie Thomas frames preschoolers' doodlings, World War II medals, and everything in between. Choose from thousands of moldings in such hard-to-find materials as 24-karat gold, sterling silver leaf, and Peruvian leather. Also available are a range of albums to store those photos tagged for-your-eyes-only. Like the ones from that night at Whiskey Park. 303 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, backbayframery.com.