La Provence
Those smug Concord so-and-sos. It's not enough they've got bragging rights on historic charm and sterling schools; they also get La Provence and its viands par excellence coming and going. Located opposite the commuter rail station, this longtime French bakery-café sees commuters off to work with spiraling golden croissants and buttery brioches, while in the evening it sends them home with herbes de Provence rotisserie chickens and tender salmon in champagne sauce. Top dessert pick? The jaw-droppingly rich gateau Concorde. Talk about having your cake! 105 Thoreau St., Concord, MA 1742, .
Pizzeria Regina, North End Branch
There's no shortage of great pizza in this town, but the place we always come back to is the original North End home of Pizzeria Regina. Ignore the outposts at Faneuil Hall and in the suburbs, and get in the (often long) line at the corner of Thacher and Endicott streets for a slice or two. The wait is worth it. First, the basics: a thin crust that's simultaneously crisp and chewy, slathered with tangy tomato sauce and cheese. Then there are traditional pizza house enhancements such as meatballs (juicy bursts of seasoned meat), sausage, or any fresh vegetables. Last, there's the homemade flavored olive oil—a secret mix we're pretty sure contains hot peppers, herbs, and garlic—meant to be doused liberally on every slice. 11 Thacher St., Boston, MA pizzeriaregina.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
Formaggio is the cheese shop that puts all others to shame. Whether it's a rustic sheep's milk cheese from Vermont or a bleu de Termignon made only by an old woman in France from her herd of nine cows, owner Ihsan Gurdai finds the world's best and rarest cheeses and brings them home to Boston. Shopping can be a slow process, since the staff spends a lot of time dispensing thinly sliced samples. There's a method to the madness: A customer who tastes the rich overtones of real Parmigiano-Reggiano from the red cows of Parma will never go back to the powdery stuff in the green can. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA formaggiokitchen.com.
Nashoba Brook Bakery
A sandwich is only as good as the bread that holds it together, and this mini-chain (the other location is in Concord) takes the prize for bread that's a perfect canvas for inch-thick masterpieces. Sourdough, seven-grain, rye, rosemary garlic, and pepper jack are just some the bases for the savory curry chicken salad with pecans and grapes, or smoked turkey, avocado, and carrot sandwiches. As the well-trained staff will tell you, bread selections rotate according to the day of the week, so if you're hankering for a construction of ham, Swiss cheese, caramelized onion, and apple slices on olive bread, make sure to swing by on either a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. At $5.50 each, these sandwiches could become a serious habit. 288 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA slowrise.com.
Casablanca
For more than 30 years, Casablanca restaurant has been the canteen of choice for Cambridge's smart set when they dine en masse. The reason for its success: An inviting bar with plenty of by-the-glass wine choices, an expertly prepared yet casual Mediterranean menu courtesy of chef Ana Sortun (don't miss creamy chick pea soup, the tangy short rib appetizer, or the filet of cod wrapped in bacon), and the whopping laughter of owner Sari Abul-Jubein providing the perfect soundtrack to the fun. Groups of any size are encouraged to make themselves right at home. 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA casablanca-restaurant.com.
Club Café
This fairly upscale bar, club, and restaurant is still the staple of Boston's South End gay scene, despite its consistently overpriced food. Still, you don't come here to eat. You come to be seen, drink with friends, and flirt with the many single men and women who flock here, especially on Thursday nights. The crowded back room and video bar is where most of the action is (no, not that kind of action), and it's a great place to meet new people—or bump into exes you hoped you've never, ever see again. 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA clubcafe.com.
The Biltmore
With its shabby-chic dining room (mismatched old chairs, vintage ephemera), the Biltmore makes weekend mornings feel like brunch at Grandma's. An indulgent grandma, that is. Yours probably didn't serve Cap'n Crunch-coated French toast drizzled with warm vanilla icing, or whole-wheat flatbread topped with fresh mozzarella, local tomatoes, basil, pancetta, and sunny-side-up eggs. The sausage-infused biscuit "fritters" with house-made apple-butter dipping sauce, meanwhile, are hearty enough to inspire a post-meal nap. 1205 Chestnut St., Newton, MA 2464, thebiltmoregrill.com.
Swartz True Value
More than a century of know-how emanates from this suburban institution, founded by Michael Swartz's immigrant grandparents in 1890 and eventually passed down the line to him. While the old-time architecture was destroyed in a fire 38 years ago, the old-time 'real hardware' attitude hasn't changed (you'll be hard-pressed to find a teakettle here, for instance). Our local DIY expert reports that Swartz has 10 times the number of tools found at other stores, plus products that others dropped decades ago. Also earning high marks are the paint department's mix masters and, out back, a roomy parking lot for the load-it-up, haul-it-home contingent. 353 Watertown St., Newton, MA 2458, .
Trina's Starlite Lounge
Hipsters, locals, and industry folk mingle at this Inman hangout, where stiff drinks and retro vibes accompany seriously good late-night eats, cranked out by the kitchen staff till midnight on weekends. The crisp tots with rosemary-garlic aioli pair well with a Green Goblin (a neon mezcal-based tipple), as does the beefy Starlite chili with a side of cornbread—a butter-soaked masterpiece so good, you might as well order an extra slice to take home for breakfast. Correction, June 26, 11 a.m.: In the July issue of Boston, we misstated how late Trina's serves (midnight). We regret the error. 3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143, trinastarlitelounge.com.
Cape Cod Baseball League
Excuse the pun, but the Cape Cod Baseball League hits it out of the park. Every summer for the past 100 years, the nonprofit organization has brought high-level baseball to the Cape with teams boasting the best-of-the-best collegiate athletes in the nation — many of whom go on to the major leagues, including alums like the Red Sox’s Chris Sale and the Yankee’s Aaron Judge. The free (yes, free, though donations are encouraged) games are played at 10 local fields across the Cape — so pack a few lawn chairs, park yourself right behind home plate, and let your kids watch near-pro baseball up close and personal. capecodbaseball.org.
Long's Jewelers
Buying big-ticket jewelry can be stressful. After all, that Rolex or radiant-cut engagement ring is hopefully going to be worn for many years to come. For 145 years, customers have been putting their trust in Long’s Jewelers, and for good reason. The team here will not just help you pick out a stunning piece but will also repair your jewelry, treating the oldest family heirlooms with the best care. And even after more than a century in business, the local chain keeps growing. After 75 years in South Shore Plaza, the jeweler is moving to a new freestanding location in Braintree, giving locals a new spot to shop for something sparkly. Multiple locations, longsjewelers.com.
Little Donkey
When Tony Maws’s celebra- ted Craigie on Main closed, taking with it the area’s most- buzzed-about burger, Central Square neighbor Little Donkey — from Beard-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette — quickly refocused our attention as the experienced understudy for that part. Theirs is a more-playful interpretation of the role: a delightfully hot mess of melty-cheese-topped dry-aged beef stacked with spicy Buffalo pickles, “onion soup” mayo, crispy jalapeño chips, and a little luscious foie gras. And you know what? It’s a star, baby. 505 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, littledonkeybos.com.
Bliss
Some pedicures are utilitarian—file, buff, polish, and out the door in 30 minutes or less. Bliss’s glam foot treatments are anything but. Want to watch your favorite show (headphones provided) while a technician buffs your calluses? Zone out with a fashion mag during your calf massage? Or just polish off a few mini brownies as your polish is applied? Done, done, and done. The spa’s heavenly scented scrubs and lotions, meanwhile, make pedicures here a delightfully sensory—and, yes, positively blissful—experience. 100 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, blissworld.com/spa/locations/massachusetts/bliss-boston.
Tasting Counter
When Peter Ungár’s 20-seat Somerville restaurant temporarily shuttered back in March, he knew transitioning to ordinary takeout service couldn’t possibly re-create his restaurant’s expo-kitchen intimacy. So instead he launched TC@Home, a unique, interactive alternative. Over two hours, the chef remotely guides online “guests” through assembling multicourse meals using the provided components. By the time you’ve put the finishing touches on the King crab risotto and almond cake with seaweed caramel, you’ll agree: This is officially the coolest online dinner party around. 14 Tyler St., Somerville, MA 02143, tastingcounter.com.
Claudiane Philippe, @nailthecocktail
In the beforetimes, Philippe used her Instagram blog to hype Boston bars and booze brands—and show off her always-on-point manicures. Since the city’s first Black Lives Matter protest of 2020, though, her platform has also reminded us to #SayTheirNames with a compelling photo series of original drink recipes dedicated to Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, and others lost. The poignant project importantly helps Philippe’s 35,000-plus followers get educated about systemic racism, even as she continues sharing top-shelf cocktails we can actually handle making at home. instagram.com/nailthecocktail.