The Cantab Lounge
Proper dive bars may be a dying breed, particularly in developing neighborhoods like Central Square, but amid all the ATMs, one redoubt of a bygone era holds fast. While other dives may offer the same gritty character (and characters), very few couple that with worthwhile live bluegrass bands, jazz, poetry, and folk. 738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, cantab-lounge.com.
Whole Foods Market, River Street Location
We thought the "freedom fries" movement was absurd, and we can't imagine a diplomatic conflict grave enough to make us swear off truffles. But somewhere a line must be drawn: In this age of geopolitical anxiety and economic uncertainty, no self-respecting American foodie should drop 10 bucks on a teensy chunk of French goat cheese at the neighborhood fromagerie—not when the exact same item costs less at Whole Foods Market. This outpost of the supermarket juggernaut stocks everything from shredded organic mozzarella to imported moldy raw-milk rounds from Europe displayed in a special climate-controlled case. Like the produce section, the cheese shop highlights the work of local farmers and takes care to remove overripe products. Monthly specials entice aspiring cheese snobs to try new varieties, and pairing a bottle of red with your purchase couldn't be easier: The store's expansive wine section is just across the aisle. 340 River St., Cambridge, MA wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/riverstreet.
UpStairs on the Square and Via Matta
In replacing their much-loved UpStairs at the Pudding (some considered it the real institution of Harvard Square), Deborah Hughes and Mary-Catherine Deibel had big shoes to fill—their own. But they've done it, creating an outstanding restaurant that has surpassed the expectations of even their most loyal following. The décor is at once outrageous and glorious—plaid patterns on the walls with animal-print carpeting, jewel-toned upholstery, massive fireplaces, gilded mirrors, and lots of pink. Two menus, in the hands of chefs Susan Regis and Amanda Lydon, offer everything from simple grilled cheese and rich tomato soup to flavorful Kumamoto oysters, roasted lamb, and rabbit. Don't miss the "wedding cake for one" dessert: The portion is large enough to share, but this is a divine indulgence for you and you alone. Via Matta, meanwhile, has had the kind of debut year legends are made of: Mick Jagger commandeered a table not once, but twice in the restaurant's first two months of business. Add to that gushing praise from critics nationwide and you've got, by all accounts, a bona fide success. But is that really a surprise? Schlow and partners Christopher Myers and Esti Benson know how to put on a show, as evidenced by the success of their powerfully stylish Radius. At Via Matta, the gloss is toned down, but the style still shines through, with an elegantly casual dining room, cozy bar, and adjacent café. Then there's the food: perfectly executed traditional Italian fare bursting with flavor, from the simple spaghetti aglio e olio to pan-roasted chicken—all dishes that will make you long for another serving. UpStairs on the Square: 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge; Via Matta: 79 Park Plaza, Boston, MA upstairsonthesquare.com; viamattarestaurant.com.
<em>Joe Turner's Come and Gone</em> and <em>I'm Not Rappaport</em>
You didn't have to be black or Jewish to admire either August Wilson's stirring Joe Turner's Come and Gone at the Huntington or Herb Gardner's heartwarming I'm Not Rappaport at the Colonial.
Green Pinata Toys
Kids love toys. Kids also get bored of toys at lightning speed. Free your home from accumulating mounds of unused playthings — and cut your spend in half — with this straightforward and charming subscription box. For a monthly fee, you get up to four non-toxic, non-tech novelties per month. If (ahem, when) your little ones tire of the trinkets, you can simply ship them back and get a new box — making this a win-win for parents and kids alike. greenpinatatoys.com.
Fresh Pond Seafood
It's not much to look at from the outside, and the décor inside isn't much of a confidence builder, either. But who cares? The giant 500-gallon tanks hold oceans of fresh-caught lobsters in a range of weights from manageable one-pound chickens to gargantuan granddaddies. The assortment of fresh shellfish is neatly and temptingly displayed on beds of ice. From sushi-grade tuna to cod fillets, the salty dogs at Fresh Pond catch the best. 355 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge, MA freshpondseafood.com.
Anna's Taqueria
Sick of hearing the yammering of burrito snobs putting down the local variety? Take them to Anna's and shove one of these foil-wrapped fat boys in their mouths. Chances are, they'll change their minds. Anna's got the whole thing down: the rice, the frijoles, refritos, the guacamole, and the salsa are just like your mother used to make — that is, if your mother happened to be born south of the border. 1412 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
HealthPoint
What makes HealthPoint the in this crowded category? Three stories of windows overlooking an evergreen thicket, plenty of trainers on the floor at any given moment, an astonishingly clean pool, and a top-condition track. The cherrywood lockers in the dressing rooms give it that Ivy League feel, and the steam and sauna rooms can actually accommodate a crowd. Plus, one side of the lobby offers a café while a Daryl Christopher salon holds court on the other. 840 Winter St., Waltham, MA .
Boston Ballet
The 50th season launched with a bang—including a bang-up London tour that deserved every "favourable" review it received. The company then gave Boston a free "Night of Stars" gala on the Common. At the Opera House, it looked equally at home in the classical Cinderella, George Balanchine’s neoclassical Jewels, and Jirí Kylián’s quirky Bella Figura. Capping off the season this past June with a traveling tour to Washington and New York, the Boston Ballet is solidly placed as one of the top five companies in the U.S. bostonballet.org.
Katrina Hess
Makeup savant Katrina Hess gives brides a glow so natural they seem lit from within. We'd guess it was magic, but Hess will also provide tips to help you re-create the look at home. And she doesn't tout just one particular line: She blends high-quality products such as Chanel, Laura Mercier, and Shu Uemura to find what works best with your coloring and skin type. 105 Newbury St., Boston, MA katrinahess.com.
Alpha Omega
Getting married in today's world just isn't what it used to be—it's much better. Thank the gay community if you want, but we're also grateful for the designer bands that line the cases at Alpha Omega's flagship store. From Carelle and Art-carved to Tycoon and Simon G., the world-class selection is as epic as it is beautiful. Leave it to a jewel of a store to throw down one of the most compelling reasons to get married—right behind that whole love thing, of course. 1380 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Dress
Blessed with great taste and strong buying instincts, co-owners Martha Hilfinger and Jane Schlueter have stocked their airy 900-square-foot Back Bay boutique with work-to-play separates and delicious dresses from modern favorites (3.1 Phillip Lim, Vena Cava, Vanessa Bruno) and exclusive up-and-comers (Lyell, Lofli denim). The shopping experience is a joy; if you've left your best friend at home, one of the chatty girls here will be happy to dish out reliable opinions on her behalf. 221 Newbury St., Boston, MA dressboston.com.
Derby Street Shoppes
Don't be deterred by the plaza sign advertising big-box bores like Kohl's—this open-air mix of 70-plus businesses has one-offs that justify jockeying for a parking space, including hip young boutique Gia B, and the Bay State's first outposts for the Obama-approved Crewcuts and color-splashed homegoods store Company C. Shop up an appetite, and sate it at the lively bistro Rustic Kitchen, or even at the fully tricked-out Whole Foods (hey, is that a gelato bar we spy?). 92 - 98 Derby Street, Hingham, MA 2043, .
Coach
Ever wish for an elegant overnight bag, one that can hold all your clothes and accessories but doesn't resemble something from a military maneuver? Coach has the answer. With its new store open at Copley Place, the luxe leather manufacturer continues to expand and redefine its products, recently adding luggage to the line-up. From men's dop kits to large duffles, Coach's Hamptons Travel Collection is perfect for quick overnight trips, and also includes pieces for the long haul. Copley Place, Boston, MA coach.com.
Bespoke of Winchester
Bespoke of Winchester’s custom kitchens look kind of like the ones you see on celebrity cooking shows (who hasn’t lusted after Ina Garten’s sophisticated backdrop?). Perhaps most important for the heart of the home, though, they also feel welcoming. That’s thanks to the team’s expertise in architecture and interior design, which allows them to offer clients a full-service experience, from space planning and custom built-ins to countertops, lighting, and hardware. 25 Thompson St., Winchester, MA 01890, bespokeofwinchester.com.