Richard Smith
Smith played the White Knight and charged to the rescue of Carter Hawley Hale Stores for the second time in two years, thwarting the Limited's second hostile takeover attempt on the Los Angeles company. All General Cinemas got for its corporate chivalry was a controlling interest in the fastest-growing and most profitable part of Carter Hawley's entire operation: its $1.1 billion-a-year-specialty-store division, which includes Neiman-Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Contempo Casuals. General Cinemas, Chestnut Hill, MA .
Gimme the Skinny
Do we really need overpriced, over-greased, artery-clogging takeout? Not anymore, if Gimme the Skinny has anything to do with it. At this takeout hot spot, a circle of chefs whips up delicious and balanced low-calorie, low-fat meals that brim with fresh flavor, such as miso-glazed salmon, pan-seared scallops, and pear-and-prosciutto pizza. Suddenly "to go" takes on a whole new (healthy and guilt-free) meaning. 35 Washington St., Norwell, MA .
Tir Na Nog
Its name means "Land of Eternal Youth" in Gaelic, but this smallish bar in Union Square hosts both young and old. Proprietors Robert Elliot and Patsy Wheelan run a welcoming pub, where those with a brogue out-number those without. Patsy's band Zozimus (starring Billy Bulger's son Brendan, on fiddle) rocks the house on weekends, and during Sunday seisiunsan Irish gentleman can sing an old folk song to the respectful silence of the whole room. Tasty food is available; parking is easy. 366A Somerville Ave., Somerville, MA .
Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant & Music Club
Pancakes as large as plates are served up every Saturday and Sunday at this, which is fast becoming known for great food as well as good music. Buttermilk-blueberry and buckwheat-apple-raising flapjacks are always available. Don't miss the organic multigrain pancakes with dates, walnuts, and raisins. Order a short stack (two pancakes) and a side of great home fries, while you enjoy the gentle jazz guitar. 17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville, MA .
Wolfers Lighting
For urban dwellings that feel stuck in the dark ages, this standby has scores of ways to usher in enlightenment, from boudoir-ready chandeliers to energy-efficient outdoor sconces, and all the (lamp)shades in between. And here's the best part: You can take prospective purchases for a test run in Wolfers's real life-simulating light labs, guaranteeing the final pick is truly the most flattering for your home—not to mention that beautiful mug of yours. 1339 Main St., Waltham, MA 2451, wolfers.com.
Furnature
Four generations into making furniture, the Shapiro family discovered they could not only craft a gorgeous sofa, loveseat, chair, or bed to match a customer's specific vision, but also make it totally nontoxic. The company they founded on that principle, Furnature, draws upon organic and sustainable materials for its upholstery, which is good for the environment, and formaldehyde-free wood and finishes that won't emit unhealthy chemicals into the home—which is good for your environment. 86 Coolidge Ave., Watertown, MA 2472, .
Montage
Chris Bates and Liz Cingari, the duo behind Montage, recently executed a flawless makeover of their bright, sleek Arlington Street showroom, and with it, unveiled a brand-new roster of European and American designers, including up-and-coming lines exclusive to Montage. Only here, for example, can you find Armani/Casa, Giorgio Armani's foray into high-end (and highly gorgeous) home furnishings. 75 Arlington St., Boston, MA 2116, montageweb.com.
Greydon House
Islanders and visitors alike have been buzzing about the recently opened Greydon House, and for good reason. A visual stunner featuring handpainted tiles and custom Roman and Williams furnishings, the 18-room boutique inn boasts common areas infused with a flora-inspired signature scent (which you can take home as a souvenir) and an on-site bar and bistro overseen by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Gleadow-Ware. 17 Broad St., Nantucket, MA 2554, greydonhouse.com.
42 North
A bagpiper who leads guests through a forest to the reception, a private fireworks display above a string-lit al fresco dinner party—with Britt Cole and Francie Dorman running the show, the sky is the limit. The luxury event planners work with only 10 couples a year, so you know you'll have their full attention—and all the unbridled creativity that comes with it—throughout the planning process. 42northweddings.com.
Sephora
The holy land of beauty, Sephora's appeal lies not in its endless selection of cult-favorite products from YSL, Bobbi Brown, and Nars, but in its accessibility: All of the products can be tested, staffers are happy to spend time talking about the differences between liquid eyeliners, and samples of products can be requested at will. While the cosmetics behemoth continues to expand in Boston with locations in the Fenway and Faneuil Hall, the Prudential Center shop remains a product junkie's mecca, with frequent classes on such essential topics as dark-circle correction and "no-makeup makeup." Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, sephora.com.
Ostra
Boston certainly doesn’t lack for seafood. But Ostra, the splashy brainchild of restaurateur Jamie Mammano, rises above the rest with a bricolage of whole roasted fish and a lobster-laden paella served tableside. It’s not all pomp and grandeur, though: Dishes like grilled local porgy with spicy Marcona-almond romesco showcase a mastery of simple yet elegant flavors. One Charles St. S., Boston, MA 02116, ostraboston.com.
Select Oyster Bar
Unlike the chef-owners who delegate oenophilic duties elsewhere, Michael Serpa has embraced the role of part-time wine professional, curating an astute list that displays the same fastidiousness as his seafood menu. Debating between a sancerre and that stony Sicilian rosé? Just ask the chef: He knows the perfect glass to stand up to the panoply of flavors in his saffron-tinged bouillabaisse. 50 Gloucester St., Boston, MA 02115, selectboston.com.
Yale Appliance & Lighting
At this Dorchester megaplex, you'll find everything you need to create a functional home: fridges, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and vacuums from prime brands like Bosch, Sub-Zero, and Wolf. But what really sets Yale apart are the extras: product demos with prominent chefs (Taranta's Jose Duarte was a recent visitor), plus a blog that actually offers helpful advice written by humans, and an outlet that sells overstocked items at up to half off. 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA 02122, yaleappliance.com.
Union Square Donuts
Card-carrying Bostonians that we are, we couldn't really get behind the whole Boston-cream doughnut thing—until we tried the version at Union Square Donuts, with its thick layer of dark ganache frosting and custardy vanilla-laced center. The shop also specializes in unusual flavors like sea-salted bourbon caramel, PB & J, even pizza (hey, it works). 20 Bow St., Somerville, MA 02143, unionsquaredonuts.com.
The Sinclair
With top-notch bookings (courtesy of promoters Bowery Boston) and the city's best-designed concert experience, the Sinclair is the House of Blues, only more intimate; the Paradise, without poles obstructing the sightlines; the Middle East downstairs, with a balcony and style. And no other venue can sustain this level of buzz, with surprises like Converse's weeklong run headlined by Passion Pit, Slayer, the Replacements, and Chance the Rapper this past spring. 52 Church St., Cambridge, MA 02138, sinclaircambridge.com.