Jeffrey Jagling, Grettacole
It's sad, but true: Highlights take their toll on tired tresses, and dye jobs gone awry take months to grow out. Thankfully, Jagling is a pro at instantly erasing unseemly streaks and reversing regrettable color. Ladies who can't resist the lure of lightening their locks should keep him on speed dial. We do. Copley Place, Boston, MA grettacole.com.
Mobile Auto Repair Service
They say the proof is in the pudding, or, in this case, the carburetor: Paul Levin is the guy to fix your car. With a vast knowledge of foreign and domestic autos, plus a wicked sense of humor, Levin puts you to task with a thorough Q&A session while narrowing down a diagnosis for your ailing vehicle. Sensitive to tight budgets, he won't take you for a ride. Levin is also completely accommodating. He even offered to look through our car receipts to check the quality and pricing of repair work done in the past. 90 Windom Street, Allston, MA .
Dirk Diegel, Vidal Sassoon
Fortunately for men seeking a haircut, Dirk Diegel of Vidal Sassoon styles and cuts like he was born with comb and scissors in hand. Trained in Hamburg, Germany, Diegel has done his thing at Vidal Sassoon for five years. He's been the manager for more than a year, but he still lavishes his talent on upwards of forty heads a week. If you're lucky enough, you'll let Dirk work his magic on your locks. 14 Newbury Street, Boston, MA sassoon.com.
Cat Silirie, No. 9 Park
A good sommelier knows wine. A great sommelier enlightens all the rest of us. That's what makes No. 9 Park's Cat Silirie the best in town. Each evening her servers are treated to "wine word" classes—"it's grassy, not bright!"—during the staff meal, while diners are gently encouraged to experiment outside their comfort zone—but not beyond their price point. 9 Park St., Boston, MA no9park.com.
Akris
The praise doesn't get any higher: The late Liz Tilberis, editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar, once commented at a charity event in Boston on how elegant the women looked in their Akris suits. The suits are exquisitely crafted in fabrics like double-faced wool, cashmere, silk chiffon, linen, and cotton voile; even those of us who have to work for a living can appreciate that. 16 Newbury Street, Boston, MA akris.ch.
The Bristol Lounge
The best-loved burgers in Boston fall into two camps: the frills-free fast-food type (Flat Patties, Tasty Burger) and the oversize variety topped with high-end accoutrements (Radius, Craigie on Main). Bristol's version, though, stands alon—a layering of juicy beef with a hint of char, aged Vermont cheddar, cool lettuce, sweet tomato, and house-made pickles on a buttery bun. It's the basics done absolutely right—and worth every cent of the $21 it costs. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Ideal Manhattan, Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar
Like an antique wing chair done up in a sharp new print, Citizen's spin on the Manhattan hews to tradition while freshening things up. The cocktail starts with the classic recipe (Maker's Mark, sweet vermouth, Angostura), then amps it up with a touch of the unconventional (St. Germain, grapefruit bitters). The final effect? True to the original cocktail's spirit, but tastier. 1310 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2215, .
L'Espalier
It no longer serves the classic French haute cuisine it once did, but L'Espalier still maintains the highest standards with imaginative new American cuisine. Chef Frank McClelland turns out some of the cleverest, most sophisticated food around: rabbit "streudel" delicately wrapped in phyllo pastry; whipped potatoes scented with truffle oil; "kir royale" sorbet (balls of cassis ice drenched tableside in champagne); and a cheese platter to die for. The Back Bay townhouse setting is the height of luxury and the service is exquisite. 30 Gloucester St., Boston, MA .
XV Beacon
Once the big chains got wise to the fact that people like to stay in quirky, independent places when they travel, the term "boutique hotel" started to get watered down: Suddenly, any place with a Louis Ghost chair or free cookies in the lobby was branding itself with the B-word. Columbus Hospitality Group's 63-room XV Beacon hotel, however, is the real deal—a locally owned gem that's straight luxe, from the cashmere throws to the complimentary car service. 15 Beacon St., Boston, MA 2108, xvbeacon.com.
Gentle Giant Moving Company
Gentle Giant's elite squads take extra care with heavy furniture and breakables, without—if you can believe it—so much as scuffing the walls. What's more, they'll deliver anywhere in the United States and pay up to $500 for any damage done. Of course, a seamless relocation doesn't come cheap. But in this case, coughing up a little extra is a decidedly good move. 29 Harding St., Somerville, MA 2143, gentlegiant.com.
Saus
A truly great fry is only as good as the stuff you dip it in. And while we love Heinz as much as the next guy, It's hard to top this ;frites shop's cheddar Duvel sauce, garlicky "Vampire Slayer' aioli, and truffle ketchup—merely a few of the condiments available. Order your cone of hand-cut, cooked-to-order spuds with a deep-fried egg on top, and write us a thank-you note later. 33 Union St., Boston, MA 2108, eatfrites.com.
Ball Square Fine Wines
There are glossier retailers of rioja and champagne. But Ball Square's supreme approachability has us bubbling over. Once a perfectly respectable neighborhood store, this shop has gradually expanded into a wine-lover's heaven, with staffers that make education—not the upsell—their mission. Whether you seek something for the cellar or something you can drink, um, right now, it's impossible to walk out unsatisfied. 716 Broadway, Somerville, MA 2144, ballsquarefinewines.com.
Met Back Bay
The first downtown outpost of the suburban Met chain provides a something-for-everyone experience with an expansive menu, excellent drinks, and just a bit of sparkle. The kitchen doesn't break many rules, gastronomically speaking, but delivers basics—clam chowder, mac and cheese—done well, along with a few twists (think cedar-miso salmon or Scituate-lobster-and-cheddar dip). And did we mention the ham and cheese bar? 279 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 2116, metbackbay.com.
John de Madeiros Spa/Salon
Everything about Madeiros's facials is done right, from the back-and-neck massage to the gentle cleansing process that goes on and on. And the things other salons do wrong are blessedly absent, particularly excessive product promotion. The salon also offers a wide range of other services, including haircuts, collagen masks, biosauna massages and reflexology. The $55 facial is expensive but worth it. the Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill, MA .
The Jeanie Johnston Pub
We like our karaoke with a side of characters, and this J.P. pub packs 'em in on Saturday nights: a James Spader doppelganger crooning the Temptations' "Get Ready," a gaggle of girls rapping their way through the early-'90s hip-hop songbook, and a tone-deaf regular unleashing his jazz hands during a rendition of "Just a Gigolo." Extra points for solid drafts, an encouraging crowd, an extensive Cher selection, and the occasional New Wave videos between performances. 144 South St., Jamaica Plain, MA 2130, jeaniejohnstonpub.com.