Nesting On Main
Ascending the worn wooden stairs to reach Nesting on Main recalls a trip to Grandma's attic. The three owners, each with a talent for finding charm in the humblest of artifacts, have covered almost every inch of surface in their four-room boutique with antique card-catalog drawers, beveled mirrors, birdcages, glass doorknobs, chess pieces—the list is seemingly endless. If by chance you don't find what you're after, just write it down in the "wish list" book, and let the buyers work their magic. 44 Main St., Concord, MA 1742, .
Fresh City
These avowed wrapmasters hone in on a few select points: even distribution of ingredients; made-to-taste variety; and overall freshness, heftiness, and yumminess. They succeed. For those finicky wrapsters among us— you know who you are— there's no overabundance of rice here, or goopy sludge of extra sauce to soak up your roll. Living up to such standards of wrapsody, Fresh City in Brookline blazes the way toward the future of fast food. 1335 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA .
Uva
The wine list changes frequently, but its hallmark remains affordability. Consider this: old-vine 1996 Pernand-Vergelesses from Delarche for a mere $26; a fabulous Sauternes, the 1988 premier cru Chateux. La Tour Blanche, for $36; and, for a splurge, a simply great 1983 Hermitage "La Chapelle" for $89. Fetch me my reading glasses! Prices like these have got to be wrong. (But they're not.) 1418 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Mamma Maria
Don't be misled by the name: this ain't no spaghetti house. Bringing high-end Northern cuisine to the North End, chef Bill Wallo is a maestro of the classics. Papardelle is served in a lovely traditional Tuscan rabbit sauce, and Bistella della Fiorentina with potato gratin is a hearty delight. And for a taste of la dolce vita, try the Semifreddo. This place is so refined and elegant, yet so friendly, you'll feel like a close personal friend of the Medicis. 3 North Square, Boston, MA .
Joey's
Herren of Steve's Ice Cream has won this award. But Steve has sold Steve's to Joey Crugnale, who owns Joey's. And Joey is putting a bit more effort into Joey's than he is into Steve's (also, the lines at Joey's are shorter). Very smooth and light ice cream (Joey says he uses a "fast-whip" process). A make-your-own sundae bar, and chocolate-cinnamon-raisin to boot. 1161 Broadway, Somerville, MA .
Yale Appliance + Lighting
The location ain't Park Plaza chic, but kitchen-wise, this 20,000-square-foot space is virtually unbeatable. Inside, you'll find products including professional-quality Thermador and Viking ranges and glamorous wine refrigerators from Sub-Zero. The knowledgeable salespeople don't work on commission and will help you figure out what you really do and don't need for your kitchen and cooking style (which just might benefit from one of Yale's on-site cooking classes). 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA yaleappliance.com.
Kitchen Arts
Gadget lovers will find their utopia at this Back Bay culinary treasure trove. Need a butter curler? Kitchen Arts stocks them, along with a huge variety of pots, pans, appliances, and seemingly any tool a novice or expert chef could want. It's easy to stock up here on the little extras that make cooking fun, from a mortar and pestle for grinding your own spices to pastry bags, cutting boards, dish towels, measuring cups, and an array of knives that would make a surgeon jealous. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Bill Rodgers's
Last December, the Boston Marathoner went to the Globe with a sob story about how evil Bank of Boston was foreclosing on his happy Dover home to settle a bank loan to Rodgers's running-goods store. Lo and behold, four months later, Rodgers announced that the bank had given him a fair price on his home and had signed him to a personal-services contract. Hmmm.
Mr. Sid
Is there anything out there more wonderfully old-school than Mr. Sid? The parquet floors; the in-house bar, hair salon, and billiards table; the genteel service—it all feels reminiscent of another time. The clothing itself is as current as it gets, however, with sharp styles from the likes of Ermenegildo Zegna, Brioni, and Scott James, plus a collection of high-end footwear. Men who prefer to go bespoke will appreciate the "made-to-measure" program, which offers custom clothing from a selection of the store's designers. 1211 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA mrsid.com.
Surroundings
There was a time when anyone on the South Shore interested in fine furnishings had to make the trek up to Boston. But there's no need now. At this lovely one-stop decor shop, you'll find outstanding American lines like Oly and Hickory Chair, French furnishings made by Grange, and accessories by the Vermont-based Simon Pearce. Overwhelmed? Seek out the in-house designer, Bill Barr, who offers complete interiors service. 81 1/2 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett, MA surroundingshome.com.
Wilson Farm
Since the 19th century, the sprawling barn at Wilson Farm has proffered more than 100 varieties of the grower's own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers; fresh-baked breads and pastries; locally made cheeses; and house-made pastas, soups, salads, and more. It's a one-stop shop in the dead of winter, the height of summer, and any time in between. 10 Pleasant St., Lexington, MA 2421, wilsonfarm.com.
Union Brewhouse
Wood paneling, arcade games, a collection of retro beer cans ... hopping onto a barstool at the Union Brewhouse is like sneaking down to your uncle's basement man cave, circa 1976. Thankfully, the beer selection goes well beyond Bud longnecks at this laid-back spot, which boasts 17 craft beers on tap (including special offerings from the likes of Oskar Blues and Firestone Walker) and more than 100 bottle selections (Belgium's Delirium Tremens and Duvel, among others). 550 Washington St., Weymouth, MA 2188, unionbrewhouse.com.
Fin
The romance started with a rich local-oyster-and-bacon chowder with chive and truffle oil. Then came the scallops with oyster mushrooms, asparagus, pancetta, pea shoots, and chive béarnaise, and then the organic beef special with ramps and shiitakes. By the time the heavenly macademia-nut-and-coconut tart showed up, we knew for certain that this homey new spot from Brewster Fish House alum Martha Kane would be more than just a one-night stand. 800 Main St., Dennis, MA 2638, fincapecod.com.
French Memories
As if life on picturesque Duxbury Harbor wasn't sweet enough, French Memories steps in with a cadre of top-notch carbs to up the ante. On hand are tiny petits fours and crunchy baguettes that would hold their own anywhere along the Seine. But the standouts are the truly irresistible almond croissants. Their crispy, buttery layers and dense, nutty filling condense into one cakelike bite. 459 Washington St., Duxbury, MA frenchmemories.com.
American Seasons
It's dark in here. That's one of the reasons couples come in to snuggle up. The other is what amounts to a cross-country tour of American cuisine. We suggest sticking close to home with local seafood and cornmeal polenta, or venturing into the West for hangar steaks and Humboldt Fog goat cheese. Whatever you choose—from here, there, or everywhere—you'll get thoughtfully prepared, seasonal food that's somehow also very sexy. 80 Centre St., Nantucket, MA americanseasons.com.