Sports Club/LA
Buff, Lycraclad CEOs ogle the quads of passing yoga addicts; yoga addicts ogle the finely tuned glutes of venture capitalists; interior designers swap tall tales of ankle twists by the pool; and male and female models struggle to understand their StairMaster readouts. Boston has never seen a fitness club like this—largely because it's as much urban country club and schmoozefest as gym. In this top-dollar, luxury-ridden setting meld two of humanity's greatest aphrodisiacs: money and sweat. Pound for pound, this four-star spectacle has the most muscle in town. 2 Avery St., Boston, MA boston.sportsclubla.com.
Mike Bent
Asked to describe himself, Mike Bent says he prefers to be thought of as a human oddity rather than a magician. bent, who practices a unique brand of comedy-magic with a pseudo-scientific spin, has been hooked on practical jokes since he was a school kids. His favorite tricks still have decidedly adolescent overtones although the plastic vomit of his youth has now morphed into glow-in-the-dark atomic waste. "Be the half life of your next party!" he exhorts. Showtime, ABC, and area comedy clubs are betting that this oddity is the next hot commodity.
Tara West Fashion
This Boston-based personal stylist and lifestyle blogger is who you call when a “good enough” outfit just won’t cut it. From L.A. glitz to East Coast chic, Tara West has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, curating jaw-dropping looks for any occasion (including, most recently, the Nantucket Film Festival). Need a bigger clothing overhaul? West has an uncanny knack for turning closet chaos into organized fashion nirvana and can even put together a “lookbook” of your new outfits so you’re always dressed to impress. tarawestfashion.com.
Gentle Giant Moving Company
You know your movers can get the job done when they train by running the steps of Harvard Stadium together and rowing crew alongside Olympics-qualified colleagues. Strongman tactics aside, this Somerville-founded company, now with 20 locations nationwide, is well known for its ultra-reliable service (which includes, not surprisingly, a gentle hand with valued belongings) as well as convenient climate-controlled storage and packing services. We also love its commitment to the environment: Gentle Giant reuses moving supplies whenever possible, recycles up to 100,000 pounds of materials each year, and uses only biodegradable foam peanuts. gentlegiant.com.
Davio's
Forget going someplace where everyone knows your name — Davio’s is the place where you’ll know everyone else’s name. After all, during any given lunch or dinner service, you’re likely to run into any of the most influential Bostonians. The popular restaurant group, flawlessly run by owner Steve DiFillippo, now has a shining palace overlooking the water in the Seaport, so there’s yet another reason to grab a table among the city’s leading lights and power brokers. Multiple locations, davios.com.
Mida Newton
If you don’t want your pizza crust charred at Mida’s Newtonville outpost, you’ll have to request it. And that’s just the way it should be at this Italian-inspired hot spot, which churns out New Haven–style pies that are well done in more ways than one. Also well done? Chef Douglass Williams’s homemade pastas (think: mushroom pappardelle and tagliatelle with clams) and the light-and-lovely cocktail list, which plays well with a fresh, modern ambiance perfect for everything from weekend brunch with friends to date nights close to home. 261 Walnut St., Newton, MA 02460, midarestaurant.com.
Notch Brewing
From the Euro-style lagers crowned in creamy foam to the pints of English bitter and New England IPAs, everything in Notch Brewing’s beer lineup lands under 4.5 percent ABV — making them perfect for enjoying with friends all day (while maintaining your wits, of course). Where you clink those drinks is up to you: Notch’s waterfront taproom in Salem is a quick ferry ride away, and now it’s brought the low-octane party to Boston, with a beer-garden-equipped outpost at the Charles River Speedway. Multiple Locations, notchbrewing.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Think there’s no such thing as shoe heaven? Think again. Year after year, Saks elevates Boston’s style mavens to the Divine with an apostle of top designers. Manolo Blahnik stilettos, Christian Louboutin platforms, Prada kitten heels, Gucci mules, Valentino slingbacks, Roger Vivier loafers...the list goes on and on. Aside from the classics, Saks also makes sure to stock emerging designers — don’t miss the magical styles of Mach & Mach — as well as everyday kicks from the likes of Adidas. Bonus points for the veteran staff (one of the few left in the city), which excels at customer service, overnighting any out-of-stock styles to your doorstep. Amen to that. 800 Boylston St., in Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, saksfifthavenue.com.
M. Flynn
There are some days when you just want to layer a mushroom pendant with a horseshoe charm necklace. M. Flynn has your back...er, neck. Sisters Megan and Moria Flynn stock their South End boutique with oodles of funky accessories that add stylish zest to any outfit, any day of the week (black-cherry Hotlips rings and pink-opal third-eye pendants, anyone?). Be on the lookout for M. Flynn’s cool collab with local lifestyle maven Erin Gates, which includes chunky black-onyx earrings and pretty yellow- gold lockets. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Quadrum
Listen up, boys. This is where we girls want you to buy our baubles. The Mall at Chestnut Hill, Newton Highlands, MA .
Claremont Cafe
So far, peach-and-almond has been our favorite, but even the plain version is amazingly light and delicious. 535 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA .
The Ritz Bar
You didn't know the bar served lunch? Good. Let it be our little secret. Ritz Carlton Hotel, 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Rubin's Kosher Delicatessen
Where else for pastrami? And to our way of thinking, when you've found the pastrami, you've found the best deli. 500 Harvard St., Brookline, MA .
Fresh
Nuts About Beauty, our favorite purveyor of natural body-care products and feel-good ephemera, has changed its name and moved to Newbury Street. 121 Newbury St., Boston, MA .