Mahaniyom
After sampling Mahaniyom’s tapas-style takes on Bangkok street eats — housemade crab curry with vermicelli noodles, three-spice salt-and-pepper pork cheeks — you just won’t be able to go back to your basic pad-Thai-on-a-weeknight joint. Not when you have a date-night-feeling destination like this on deck, complete with flirty, Land of Smiles–inspired cocktails — such as the Mahaniyom Sazerac made with Thai-tea-infused rye — to leave you with a rosy glow. 236 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02445, mahaniyomboston.com.
The Newbury Boston
What better place to celebrate your future than in a glamorous ballroom steeped in Boston’s past? When the former Taj reopened in 2021, the 1927 landmark building was reimagined as the Newbury Boston, complete with updates to the hotel’s storied party spaces. Book the Assembly Ballroom for thoughtfully preserved crystal chandeliers, silver-leaf-adorned ceilings, and dramatically draped, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame sweeping Public Garden views. 1 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thenewburyboston.com.
Roadrunner
THE SCENE: Built by the same people who brought us the Sinclair, the area’s largest (and newest) indoor live-music room has a similar flair for ultra-cool minimalism, pristine sightlines, and industry-leading acoustics — at more than six times the capacity. THE LINEUP: A who’s who of 2022 touring acts, from Gen Z pop darling Olivia Rodrigo to multi-night runs by LCD Soundsystem and Lake Street Dive. 89 Guest St., Boston, MA 02135, roadrunnerboston.com.
Gustazo
Break free from your pizza rut with help from this teensy Cuban jewel in Waltham, which combines the warm service of an old-world café with decidedly modern touches—namely, an efficient takeout oper- ation offering dishes that pack a flavorful punch: husky Cubanos, savory empanadas (hot or frozen for later), and plantain chips with an herbaceous cilantro sauce that tastes like summer in a thimble. Beer and wine are available to take home, too, so you can wash it all down with a crisp bottle of Muscat. 240 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham.
Olives & Grace
If you’re looking for Red Sox mugs or Revolutionary War gimcrackery, look elsewhere: Paul Revere is not here. Trust that you will find thoughtfully arranged displays and artisanal goods that this garden-level shop’s loyal legion of Instagram followers—more than 30,000 strong—simply crave. Whether shipping a present to the happy couple whose wedding you couldn’t attend or treating yourself to a locally made treasure, purchasing a gift from Olives & Grace comes with the added joy of plugging into your community. 623 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, olivesandgrace.com.
Bishop John M. Borders III
Bishop John M. Borders III of Mattapan’s Morning Star Baptist Church partnered with Boston Medical Center and Mattapan Community Health Center to use his house of worship as a vaccination site — and in so doing, gave the community a trusted place backed by a trusted leader to receive lifesaving shots. Now that’s what we call keeping the faith. 1257 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan, MA 02126, .
Willow Tree Films
When a former client likens Greg Fisher’s films to something you’d see on a major TV network, you know you can count on him to tell your love story with skill and ease. The founder of Willow Tree Films, the videographer combines stunning drone shots with high-level footage of the day’s festivities to deliver a breathtaking finished product, whether you host an intimate celebration aboard a sailboat in the harbor or a magical fete in the orchards of a New Hampshire farm. willowtreefilms.net.
The Herb Lyceum at Gilson's
Micro weddings are here to stay — and no venue caters to them quite like the Herb Lyceum. Its amenity-laden package includes access to party spots such as an airy greenhouse; locally sourced cuisine prepared by catering partner Puritan & Company, which uses herbs grown on-site; and an in-house planner to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. 368 Main St., Groton, MA 01450, herblyceum.com.
Moxie
Moxie’s Kerry Zirpolo is the secret weapon for many a suburban doyenne, not to mention quite a few city dwellers who appreciate her warmth and value. There’s just one chair, so you’ll receive plenty of personal attention as Zirpolo dishes out honest feedback about what will work for your face and then takes her time snipping and highlighting. Known for her ability to fix color conundrums, she’s also eager to go edgy with balayage and asymmetrical cuts, if you so please. 691 Belmont St., Belmont, MA 02478, moxiebelmont.com.
Olives & Grace
In a year when sending love meant more than ever, Sofi Madison’s “Local Maker Gift Box” provided a much-needed dose of TLC, in the form of delectable shortbread cookies from Lark Fine Foods, peanut butter patties from Seacoast Sweets, and a Well Told rocks glass engraved with a city map. The best part? Purchasing one for your favorite cousin or college bud is a gift to the community, too, as every small-batch, handcrafted item inside is produced right here in the Bay State. 623 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118, olivesandgrace.com.
Laurel Wellness
Chakras out of whack? Crick in your back? Can’t seem to focus? Laura Corrigan is on the case. Offering appointments on Mondays at Ardan Medspa + Salon in Wellesley and the rest of the week from her home office in Newton, the well-trained healer is adept in a range of wellness modalities, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reiki, and energy work. Whatever cocktail of services she cooks up, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed — and wondering why you didn’t start seeing her sooner. laurelwellness.com.
Tawakal Halal Café
This national-caliber Somali kitchen makes and bottles its own luxuriously supple-textured mango-habanero hot sauce, which adds just the right zhoosh of incendiary complexity to coconut-milk grits with slow-cooked chickpeas; unctuous braised goat (hilib ari) bursting with turmeric and cardamom; and, honestly, any leftover taking up space in your fridge right now. 389 Maverick St., East Boston, MA 02128, tawakalfoods.co.
Sportello
During the pandemic, Barbara Lynch’s lunch-counter-style trattoria, ever her empire’s undersung outlier, finally stepped into the spotlight as a curbside hub for scoring pan-imperial delights, including fresh pasta made in-house; cheeseburgers and craft-cocktail kits by Drink downstairs; and No. 9 Park’s magical Bolognese sauce by the pint, quart, or trough 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, sportelloboston.com.
Offsuit
It’s a snug, sophisticated, don’t-call-it-a-speakeasy space that opened during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic (yikes). Yet Offsuit pulled off its gambit on the strength of simple cocktails that nail everything that really counts: top-shelf spirits, fresh ingredients, and slow-melting bergs of hand-carved ice. The philosophy turns sleepy standards like the Dark & Stormy or gimlet into revelations, while house originals — such as the Lounge Act, made with chamomile-infused apple brandy — are no less impressive. 107 South St., Leather District, MA 02111, offsuitboston.com.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.