The Spa at Mansion House
Vineyarders in the know are already flocking to this petite, year-old day spa in Vineyard Haven's Mansion House Inn. In addition to being the only spa on the island to have an on-site pool, hot tub, and sauna, this laid-back spot offers a full range of massages, body wraps and scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures. Our favorite? The hot stone aromatherapy massage, delivered in a candlelit room using essential oils guaranteed to melt tense muscles (if de-stressing is your aim, go for the lavender). It's perfect after battling the traffic to the ferry. 9 Main St., Vineyard Haven, MA mvmansionhouse.com/marthas-vineyard-spa.
Kaju Tofu House
Choosing Boston’s best "overall" Korean restaurant is a tricky proposition. The city’s long on specialists, but short on generalists able to muster worthy renditions of the hit parade. For example, is it unfair to dock a bibimbap shop for its subpar bulgogi? Our philosophical struggle ended, however, when we discovered that our favorite spot for spicy tofu stews also puts out a rock-solid plate of kalbi. In sum: Kaju’s focus may be its glorious bubbling sundubu bowls, but it’ll keep even the most hard-core Korean-barbecue fans happy, too. 58 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA 2134, kajutofuhouse.com.
Our Fathers
Not to imply Bostonians are some beleaguered, deli-deprived populace for whom stellar pastrami has forever been but a shimmering, fat-dappled mirage—or that the heavenly hand-cut stuff Our Fathers plies in Allston is some kind of smoky, cardamom-crusted godsend. We’re flat-out stating it. Besides the Katz’s-rivaling cured beef, the takeout arm of this modern Jewish restaurant from the Franklin Café crew sells reliably stellar sandwiches, smoked fish, and other cold cuts by the pound. In other words, the stuff deli dreams are made of. 197 N. Harvard St., Allston, MA 02134, ourfathersboston.com.
Pelham House Resort
Every beachside community needs a restaurant with a view, a meeting place of sorts where families and friends can gather for birthday celebrations or just to gaze and graze on a sunny afternoon. For the mid-Cape, that place is the Pelham House. After a recent major refresh, a heated roof deck offers unobstructed Nantucket Sound views all around, not to mention a killer menu featuring plenty of fresh seafood. As for the apré-dinner scene? Multiple fire pits surrounding the sea-level dining area are perfect for cocktails and moonlit ocean views. 14 Sea St., Dennis Port, MA 02639, pelhamhouseresort.com.
Your Dream Bridal
Every fairy-tale wedding needs a fairy godmother, and for you, that person might just be Malinda Macari at Your Dream Bridal. Her singular goal? To make each and every bride who sets foot inside her inviting Sudbury boutique feel special. Before meeting with you, Macari will review your wedding details and even your Pinterest board to get a sense of your vision. Then, she’ll work her magic in a private (and pressure-free) appointment, pulling from a curated collection of covetable dresses by Truvelle, Lea-Ann Belter, Laudae, and more—no magic wand required. 730 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury, MA yourdreambridal.com.
Five Spices House
Like the city’s options for Sichuan fare, this repeat winner just keeps getting better—and bigger. Last winter, the Chinatown original spawned a sibling kitchen in Central Square that instantly warmed the Scoville-loving hearts (and mouths) of Cantabrigians with its palate-igniting cauldron of “Scalding Fish Fillet” and thin-skinned dumplings drenched in beguiling hot sauce. (The puckery, vinegary stuff—like pork with pickled cabbage soup—is tempting, too.) Here’s hoping the fire continues to spread. 58 Beach St. , Boston, MA 5spiceshouse.com .
Bob Smith's Wilderness House
The Boston alpinist's Valhalla sells all the gear you'll need to get down the hill—and look damned good doing it. Bob Smith's stock of sticks is on a par with that of other ski shops, but the service is unparalleled, thanks to a staff that actually skis—a major plus, considering the impressive and serious selection of K2s, Völkls, and Salomons. Lest we forget the agony of suffering through a season in the wrong boot size (usually too large, he says), custom boot fitter Dave Prahl is on call to save us from ourselves, expertly assessing fit and alignment. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Bob Smith's Wilderness House
First things first: If you're still skiing on old-fashioned straight skis, you should be ashamed of yourself. Skiing has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, thanks to improvements in equipment. Shorter, curved skis can make first-timers look like Picabo Street, and Bob Smith's Wilderness House is where to find them. The accessible, knowledgeable staff begins by determining where you'll be skiing (hard-core New England ice and rocks, or pansy-pants West Coast powder), your ability level, and budget, then points you to (and custom fits) the perfect pair. The wide selection—from Rossies to Völkl, K2 to Dynastar—means there's a fit for everyone. The shop also stocks a wide range of apparel and accessories, with everything from glove liners to back-country ski gear, and its end-of-season sales are a favorite with skiers in the know. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Phillips Candy House
So confident of their excellence that they offer to send you a free tasting kit including competitors' wares. 818 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA .
Court House Fish Market
Never are fresh ingredients more crucial than when it comes to seafood. These friendly fish-mongers reel in customers with a vast assortment of finned favorites such as haddock, salmon, and swordfish, as well as giant lobsters (10-15 pounds), crabs (hard and soft shelled), and no fewer than five varieties of clams on any given day. Furthermore, if your recipe requires periwinkles, fresh sardines (those here taste nothing like those tiny, stinky, oil fish in a tin), or octopus, this is the place to go. 484 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA courthouseseafood.com.
Anthony's Pier Four
Never mind the tourists; come for the wine. This is not only the greatest wine list in Boston, it's one of the greatest wine lists anywhere in America. Old, old bottles abound— and at astonishing prices. For only $40 you can choose between two wonderful, mature Sauternes from Chateux. Nairac, 1975 or 1976. For $85, you can drink a magnificent, minerally white Burgundy, the 1993 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Louis Latour. For less than half that price ($40), you will be shocked at just how good a "mere" bourgeois Margaux— Ch. Angludet— can be when it's from a year like 1978. Northern Ave., Boston, MA .
Hilliard's House of Candy
The summertime venture of this family candy business is creamy and extra rich. The chocolate chip is the best anywhere. Chewy Turtle Soup is coffee ice cream studded with Hilliard's own chopped-up cashew caramel turtles. 316 Main Street, North Easton, MA .
Ken's Steak House
Where else are you going to find the great American restaurant except next to a highway? 95 Worcester Rd. (Route 9), Framingham, MA .
Algiers Coffee House
We'll always miss the old subterranean cafe, but we're glad the Algiers is back and better than ever. 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA .