Rusty Colston, Salon Mario Russo
After working under the tutelage of makeup-guro-to-the-stars Bobbi Brown, Rusty has come to Boston to transform our faces. He applies makeup with Brown's signature minimalist technique, which strives for natural, subtle strokes for daytime. Colston is also adept at using color to create a little drama for evening. As an added bonus, he'll tweeze unruly brows and even make house calls if necessary. 9 Newbury Street, Boston, MA mariorusso.com.
Toscanini's
It's insanely rich, full of intense flavor, and made right on-site. Quite simply: This is a place that all ice cream aficionados must go before they die. Our all-time favorite scoops include the nocciola (hazelnut) and the famous burnt caramel. Yet with Toscanini's ever-rotating inventory (mango ginger, Earl Grey, and lemon pistachio, to name a few), you'll surely find your own pilgrimage-worthy flavor in no time. 899 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tosci.com.
Douzo
Like laser eye surgery and brake repairs, raw fish is something we're loath to cheap out on. Rather than risk gastric distress—or merely off-tasting nigiri—we get our budget-sushi fix at the Back Bay's Douzo, where the ambiance is polished and the sashimi as glistening-fresh as it is at the astronomically pricey joints. Ample space at the bar means it's a cinch to belly up for a quick lunch, while the scores of tables means there's no silly reservation policy standing between you and your maki. 131 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 2116, douzosushi.com.
Jake's Seafoods Restaurant & Market
Where local seafood is concerned, we're of the keep-it-real ilk. And Jake's does just that, with heaps of just-netted steamers, light-as-a-feather fried filets, and lobsters (we'll take ours boiled plain, thanks). There's even a Grape-nut pudding worthy of your Yankee forebears. Down it all on the patio area overlooking the sun-dappled harbor, and you'll have a solid reminder of what summer in New England is all about. 50 George Washington Blvd., Hull, MA 2045, jakesseafoods.com.
L'Espalier
The better the food, the flirtier we feel. And chef Frank McClelland's tasting menu really revs our engines. With choices from white asparagus and oyster salad to decadent poached lobster and a selection of handcrafted cheeses, we guarantee just a few bites will have your date absolutely enamored, too. Impeccable service in the hushed dining room helps seal the deal, ensuring lovebirds a happy ending. 774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 2199, lespalier.com.
Matt Murphys
It's strange that Boston is short on purveyors of good Irish food. (Especially when, according to our research, the city was founded by Patrick O'Patrick and his brothers Pat, Pat, Patty, and Steve, who, we're pretty sure, was adopted.) But who needs options when there's Matt Murphy's—still the best spot in town for fish and chips, rabbit pie, and good soda bread. Wash it down with a Guinness and suddenly you're Irish. Even if your name is Steve. 14 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, mattmurphyspub.com.
Muqueca
The fact that every Boston Brazilian joint has earned its fame doling out all-you-can-eat portions of meat left us wondering: How do those girls in Rio look so hot in their thongs? Then we discovered Muqueca, where even our most carnivorous friends fell for the single servings of spicy dishes, including the traditional seafood stew for which the restaurant is named. It's so good we guarantee you'll bring back your very lean booty for more. 1008 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, muquecarestaurant.com.
Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve
We like it rough, but that bruise on our shoulder? Ouch. And do-nothing spa massages? A waste of a good nap. With a just-right blend of relaxation and technical know-how, Natalie Maibenko at Unique Verve can adjust to whatever your need may be—a lulling back rub to relieve stress, serious bodywork for injuries and muscle tightness. No matter the case, she uses her custom-made aromatherapy oils to deliver an intensive massage session that's both effective and blissfully quiet. 530 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2116, uniqueverve.com.
Ceia Kitchen and Bar
We appreciated the doting service. We marveled at the kitchen's inventive-ness (e.g., the vegan-friendly dish whipped up for our dining companion). We admired the exposed-brick dining room. But we absolutely worshipped Ceia's steak frites: a mouth-watering hunk of tenderloin coated with porcini butter and served with sweet-potato steak fries and chef Patrick Soucy's house-made ketchup. This stuff is so good, he'll soon be bottling it for household consumption. 38 State St., Newburyport, MA 1950, ceia-newburyport.com.
Dr. Detail Car Wash
Most of us do very bad things in our cars, what with the speeding and the cussing and whatnot. Some of us also do very bad things to our cars, leaving them to suffer the indignity of coffee-stained dashes and trash-strewn floors. When the situation reaches the Good God, what is that smell? stage, it's time to pay a visit to Dr. Detail. At its three local mall-garage setups (bonus: shop while you wait) and flagship operation in Walpole (bonus: spot a Patriot), this auto aesthetician offers a decent hand-wash and vacuum for 30 bucks. But book a full detail, starting at about $160, and the guys will buff, shampoo, and vacuum away every last vestige of your sins. Consider it an exorcism, with new-car smell. Copley Place, Boston, MA 2116, drdetailcarwash.com.
Forage
Why schlep out to pick up locally grown produce when Forage can do the work for you? The farm-to-table restaurant is now partnering with small area growers and producers to offer several options for upgrading your pantry and fridge: multiweek subscription boxes of fresh veggies like local mushrooms and fiddleheads; separate “Goodie Bags,” available à la carte, featuring house-made herb oils, cocktail mixers, and other delights; and weekly orders of unique natural wines. With even delivery available, we wonder: Why wait in supermarket lines ever again? 5 Craigie Cir., Cambridge, MA 02138, foragecambridge.com.
Blank Label
You could easily drop a few grand on a bespoke model from a name-brand designer. But if you want to save thousands and strut away looking just as dapper, pay a visit to Blank Label. This Boston-based company houses a cadre of knowledgeable tailors who will measure you from head to toe while demystifying the finer points of pick stitching, venting, and canvassing. Within three weeks, Blank Label’s partners in Shanghai will ship off your new favorite outfit. Correction, July 5, 11 a.m.: A previous version of this post misstated the location of Blank Label's international partners. They are in Shanghai, not Hong Kong. We regret the error. 36 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108, blanklabel.com.
Dance Complex
Dance classes aren't just for kids in pink tights and ballet slippers. A top-notch studio offers a variety of options that can make anyone feel footloose. The Dance Complex does just that by hosting an astonishing array of classes, including the traditional (ballet, jazz, tap), cultural (Afro-Brazilian, flamenco, Kathak), and simply funky (hip-hop, street funk, capoeira). Four floors of studios house the artist-run organization, which boasts teaching talent from some 20 countries. There's a decidedly unpretentious and inclusive atmosphere in the affordable, drop-in classes—a relief when you're getting up the courage to try Irish dance. 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA dancecomplex.org.
The Eliot Hotel
If you want blinking neon welcome signs, uninspiring neutral furnishings, and tasteless room service in an anonymous structure, don't come here. The four-star Eliot is an intimate and cozy home away from home (we should all live so well) with a decidedly European flair. Its beautifully furnished one- and two-bedroom suites, featuring living rooms and private pantries, are the perfect respire following a day exploring the Back Bay or simply as an urban retreat with your honey. And right downstairs is the nationally acclaimed restaurant Clio. 370 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Dal
Put one foot in this tapas bar and (as its name foretells) suddenly you've stepped inside a surrealist painting. The walls bombard the senses, covered as they are with trinkets, tchotchkes, knick-knacks, and accouterments from all over the Iberian peninsula. The food follows suit, starting with the tapas menu, which offers a palette of wildly disparate tastes in a few small bites, from juicy duckling smothered in berry sauce to delicate scallops swimming in saffron cream. But the entrées are the genuine masterpieces—especially the house special, melt-on-your-fork pescado a la sal (striped bass cooked in coarse salt that tenderizes the fish as it's baked). 415 Washington St., Somerville, MA dalirestaurant.com.