Harbor Hotel Provincetown
Shady motor inns might be quintessential Cape Cod, but we don't have to like 'em. So we're thrilled to see the old Cape Inn reborn as the Harbor Hotel, with a mod new look and superb amenities. Spend all day dipping your toes in the pool, then wiggle them in the sand while sitting by the fire pit. 698 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 2657, harborhotelptown.com.
Pigalle
There's a good chance the preshow stop at Pigalle will prove more satisfying than the show itself. (Especially if you're going to see Riverdance. Again.) Chef Marc Orfaly transforms simple ingredients into stars, from the hazelnut-crusted goat-cheese cake with tomato and watermelon to the crispy half duck with bright cherry glaze. And whatever you order, the efficient servers understand you need to be on your way before the curtain goes up—and will have you out the door with time to spare. 75 Charles St., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
New Jumbo Seafood
Last year a new owner added "New" to the name of this steadfastly excellent Chinatown joint. Happily, that appears to have been his only real change. The spicy salt calamari remains one of the city's best takes on tricky-to-cook squid. The XO sauce is still a house specialty, as are the dishes served in citrus-tinged Yu Hsiang sauce. And you will continue to find no fresher fish than the ones pulled from the large tanks that greet you at the door. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Pigalle
Always up for a challenge, chef Marc Orfaly is taking on the notion that bar food has to be cheap and greasy with a Malaysian-themed menu culled from his recent trip to the Far East. Pigalle's bar seats just six, but the small plates of duck fried rice, baby-back ribs with sweet and sour kumquats, and shrimp shumai with ponzu dipping sauce make the fight for a spot one worth waging. 75 Charles St. S., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
Dbar
It's tough to find a hangout that appeals on this many fronts. If you're hungry, an outstanding full-service menu is available until 10 p.m., with mouthwatering entrees ranging from duck confit to diver scallops. If you're thirsty, the wine and mixology lists, punctuated with drinks like the Go-Diva (a martini made sinful with Godiva white chocolate), are sure to satisfy. And after the kitchen closes, Dbar transforms into a nightclub replete with a frenetic light show, pumping house music, and wall-to-wall beautiful people. 1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA dbarboston.com.
Magic Beans
All-terrain or jogging? Travel system? Should we make it a double? The types of strollers alone thrown at expectant parents can be overwhelming. Mercifully, Magic Beans combines the selection of a national chain with the congeniality of a local biz to help alleviate that new-baby stress. That means personal gear consultations and a beloved annual expo — back post-COVID that promises to unlock the mysteries of baby gear well before your shower. 361 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, mbeans.com.
Midori Dowdie, MAD Soleful
Dowdie’s credentials are impressive, to say the least: She’s a former bodybuilder and marathon runner who’s certified in personal training. She’s also a certified holistic health coach, meaning she understands that training is about more than just showing up at the gym. Rather than simply focusing on weight loss and toning, Dowdie helps find your “why” and encourages healthy and sustainable habits — which goes way further than any workout ever could. madsoleful.com.
The Centerpiece Flower Shop
Nothing cheers up a space like a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers. And these days, no one’s spreading more flower-powered joy than ángel Diaz. With an eye for design, the Venezuela native and owner of the Centerpiece Flower Shop — founded in 2020 — uses seasonal blooms and greenery to create artful arrangements bursting with color and texture. Bonus points for his monthly subscription service, which promises mood-boosting handtied bouquets delivered on your date of choice. 2051 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, thecenterpieceflowershop.com.
The Coast Café
Purveyors of proper American soul food are scant in Boston, so we’re grateful that after a brief hiatus, this Cambridge takeout star is again serving up some of the crispiest, juiciest fried chicken in the city. That’s hardly all: Barbecued pork ribs, fried catfish, hefty sides (of collard greens, candied yams, and mac ’n’ cheese), and old-timey desserts (like sweet-potato pie and coconut wonder bars) should all be a part of your next beachside picnic or casual home supper. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 02139, coastsoulcafe.com.
Zimman's
If you can't find the fabric you want at Zimman’s, you can’t get it anywhere. With four generations of experience, the team here offers an extensive stock of textiles consistently touted as phenomenal, including indoor/outdoor fabrics and luxurious embroidered pieces. That’s to say nothing of the custom reupholstery services, which can give everything from Grandma’s old settee to antiques-store dining chairs a new life. 80 Market St., Lynn, MA 01901, zimmans.com.
G2O Spa + Salon
G2O might be in the heart of the city, but step inside the door, throw on a robe, and it’s like you’re far away on vacation: in the Dead Sea with a weightless soak in the flotation pods. In Bali with fruit-extract cream softening your skin in a steam room. High in the Himalayas in a salt cave that promises to improve mood and increase energy. And you know what else makes it seem like you’re on holiday when you’re at G2O? How relaxed you’ll feel. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA 02116, g2ospasalon.com.
La Saison Bakery
Be the hero of the next family gathering by showing up with La Saison Bakery’s rich, heavenly chocolate cake — or treat yourself to a slice any old day, ideally paired with a cup of iced Persian tea or sweet masala chai. Dense, moist, and just the right balance of sweet-but-not-too-sweet, the treat will put all your plans on hold for the day as you sit and savor bite after irresistible bite. 407 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, lasaison-bakery.com.
Hole in One
Who knew brunch in a takeout box could be so sweet? Before escaping to the National Seashore, pick up some much-needed fuel at this restaurant and bakery with locations in Orleans and Eastham, which offers its beloved stacks of cinna- mon-roll pancakes and scallion-cheddar biscuits smothered in sausage gravy to go. Word to the wise: Whatever you get, don’t forget to add a dozen hand-cut doughnuts (including specials like blueberry crum- ble, s’mores, or Reese’s) to your order. 98 MA-6A, Orleans, MA 02653, theholecapecod.com.
Linens on the Hill
When’s the last time you upgraded your linen closet? If you can’t remember, it might be time to pay a visit to this high-end textile haven. Owner Lynne Wolverton’s stacks of locally made Matouk bedding, elegant Sferra tablecloths, and soft Yves Delorme bath towels (a godsend for rough, over-washed hands) make staying cozy at home as easy as wash, dry, and repeat. 52 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, linensonthehill.com.
The Urban Hound
Taking off those dog-hair-covered sweatpants and heading back to the office after months of remote work? We know you’ll miss your dogs’ constant companionship, but if you drop them off at Urban Hound — with its indoor and outdoor play spaces and loving staffers — they probably won’t miss you. 129 Malden St., Boston, MA 02118, urbanhounds.com.