Bradley & Diegel
How would you like your blowout today: sleek and long or Barbarella-style bouncy? Of all the stylists we visited, this was the only one to ask our preference. But that's not all. The B&D staffers really tease out the pampering experience; never do you feel hurried as the friendly folks shepherd you from shampoo station (where they give some of the finest scalp rubs in town) to massage chair. Best of all, each client leaves with a mane that looks as sexy as a supermodel's for three whole days. 77 Newbury St, Boston, MA 2116, bradleyanddiegel.com.
Willowbee & Kent
The travel superstore stocks alarm clocks, passport cases, wrinkles-free clothing with hidden pockets, electronic travel gadgets, guidebooks, maps, journals, and a full-service, in-house travel agency. If you can think of anything else you'd need for a weekend getaway or a trip around the world, we'll eat our lightweight, floats-in-water, sun-protective, ventilated safari hat. 519 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Craigie On Main
Pity us. We're so inclined to stuff our bellies full of chef Tony Maws's house-made pastas and glorious takes on pork that we have a hard time saving room for dessert. This is tragic, because it's simply not a Craigie experience without the wildly decadent confections assembled by Jessica Scott. She expertly blends traditional delights (bourbon-pecan ice cream) with inspired elements (a bacon-Mexican chocolate crust) for an extraordinary savory-sweet finale. 853 Main St., Cambridge, MA 2139, craigieonmain.com.
Sel de la Terre
In our quest for the ultimate meat-wich, we knocked back dozens of Franken-patties built from precision combinations of brisket, round, short rib, sirloin, skirt, even marrow and suet. But in the end, plain old ground chuck triumphed. Loaded onto a toasted house-made bun, the $14 SDLT Burger's pronounced grilled crust and superbeefy flavor stand up to sharp Vermont cheddar, spicy aioli, and the most savory pancetta ever made. 255 State St., Boston, MA 2109, seldelaterre.com.
Johnny's Luncheonette
Having eaten our way across the MetroWest in a futile search for a challenger, there's little left to say except, once again, here's Johnny's. This four-time Best Of winner extends its run by virtue of its satisfyingly thick French toast and rib-sticking meals like pastrami skillet scrambles and Santa Fe burritos. Its sparkling-clean setup (surprisingly rare in breakfast joints) and '50s-style cheeriness further ensure its rulership over the early-bird roost. 30 Langley Rd., Newton Centre, MA 2159, .
Crane Beach
Seven miles of white sand edged with rolling dunes make this our favorite spot to plop down a beach chair, catch some rays, and read a trashy romance novel—all thanks to a 1945 bequest from the estate of Chicago bazillionaire Richard Crane of plumping and fire hydrant fame. Parking fees are steep ($15 to $20), but a $40 yearly membership gets you a discount and helps the Trustees of Reservations with an aggressive wildfire management program. It also helps keep the shore free of debris and the bath houses clean. Crane Beach, Argilla Rd., Ipswich, MA .
The Beehive Cafe
One part jazz club, one part restaurant, the Beehive is our go-to spot for a laid-back night out on the town. The stellar list of libations (we're fans of the champagne cocktails and the "Apparatus," a Scotch and cognac concoction) and the sophisticated fare are the perfect complement to the musicians onstage. Something to keep in mind: If you want to be at all close to the action, make a reservation—otherwise, you'll be cooling your heels at the bar. 541 Tremont St., Boston, MA 2809, beehiveboston.com.
Cumar
After nearly 30 years in the business, Cumar still wins our vote for the best selection of full-slab stone in town. Trust owner Angelo Cubi and his team to find you the cream of the crop (Italian marble, Brazilian granite, French limestone—you name it), and then cut and install it perfectly. Your countertops won’t know what hit them. 69 Norman St., Everett, MA 02149, cumar.com.
Long's Jewelers
A visit to any of our local high-end jewelers will render you an expert on the four Cs in no time. But on selection and service, Long's takes top honors, offering more than 500 styles in-store (from vintage-inspired numbers by Ritani to modern beauties by Furrer-Jacot) and guaranteeing that if a stone shakes loose long after you walk out the door, they'll fix it, gratis. 100 Summer St., Boston, MA 2110, longsjewelers.com.
Lunette Optic
A good pair of sunglasses possesses a strange power to make you look and feel glamorous, even when you're slumming it in sweats. Lunette Optic has long been our trusted guide to finding such shades. Pros whisk you from case to case, pointing out the right style for your face and the level of protection and price you're seeking. Ready to splurge? Check out the specs from Tom Ford and Barton Perreira. 121 High St., Boston, MA lunetteoptic.com.
Sandy Poirier, Shag
Some say you should never trust a bald barber, but there's an exception to every rule. Poirier, the tonsured and tattooed owner of this year-old salon in South Boston, is ours. He uses a straight razor and skills acquired during a two-decade tour on Newbury Street to create the kind of just-got-outta-bed looks that hipsters know can only be crafted by expert hands. 840 Summer St., South Boston, MA shagboston.com.
Blue Willow Fine Foods and Bakery
Save the formal service and immaculate silverware for your power lunches in the city. On the Cape, you want to grab something fast and friendly—and then head right back outside. At Blue Willow, the ingredients are fresh, the sandwiches inventive, and the baked goods all made from scratch. Our superlative midday meal: the signature grilled chicken and Brie panini followed by a fudgy, walnut-studded 'outrageous' brownie. 1426 Route 6, Wellfleet, MA 2663, .
Cafe Vanille
Boston doesn't have many patisseries, and our bakeries feel like coffee spots that just happen to have cinnamon buns and cupcakes. Café Vanille, however, seems like a French pastry shop that just happens to serve espresso and tea. One look at the lineup of flaky napoleons, ganache-glazed éclairs, colorful petits fours and fruit tarts, and buttery brioche makes the cookie-and-donut offerings everywhere else seem downright dull. 70 Charles St., Boston, MA 2108, frenchmemories.com.
Allston Car Wash
Most car washes charge you $20 to roll your vehicle under a few spritzers and a blow dryer. At Allston, that same amount gets you full doors-to-floors tidying. (Want just the exterior cleaning? Ten bucks.) We were impressed by the attention to detail: When our—admittedly, hanging on by a thread—radio antenna popped off in the tunnel, the attendant gladly replaced it with a new one. 434 Cambridge St., Allston, MA allstoncarwash.com.
Marina Kan, Bella Sante
We used to prefer our pedicures short and sweet. But after just one Bella Foot Facial with Marina Kan, we've grown more than happy to linger. What's not to love about dozing for 80 minutes in a plush armchair while your tired pups are exfoliated, massaged, masked, and moisturized? Kan's all-business approach spares you the chitchat, and her palette of scrubs and creams looks almost good enough to eat. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.