Temple Bar
When we want to pray to the god of late-night dining ("Please let it be open!"), this is the temple where we come to worship. It offers sandwiches, pizza, and sophisticated small plates—wasabi-laden tuna tartare, spicy crab cakes—to satisfy all types of cravings until 12:30 a.m. And don't forget the cocktails: A frothy espresso martini is guaranteed rocket fuel to propel you further into the wee hours of the morning. 1688 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA templebarcambridge.com.
Brasserie Jo
Okay, it's not in the theater district, but it's hopping till the wee hours. With a jovial ambiance and serious Alsatian cuisine, this is the place to head for a bite when most other kitchens are cleaning their pots. Drop in until 1 a.m. and take the edge off with a bowl of sturdy onion soup or a plate of choucroute. Check out the selection of great beers and good wines if you want to stretch out the night, or order a cappuccino or an espresso to sharpen up for the road. Colonadde Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Cisco
Nantucket is filled with righteous beaches, but there's something extra-special about Cisco and its shifting moods. On calm afternoons, surfers ride rolling waves for hours, then nap in soft, white sand. On windy mornings, thrill-seekers get adrenaline rushes by battling serious South Shore breakers. And on sunny island days, locals lunch and soak in some rays while being watched over by lifeguards, but not trampled on by tourists. Off Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Jillian's
Among up-scale pool halls, the original Jillian's gets bonus points for being there first. But what sets it apart from the competition is all the stuff beneath the third-floor pool tables: hundreds of high-tech video games on the second floor and a decent restaurant/mental amusement park called the Atlas Grill at street level. Which means there's lots of things to do on a Friday night while you wait hours for a pool table. 145 Ipswich St., Boston, MA .
Galleria Umberto
WHAT’S THE VIBE? A bare-bones old-school haunt, with cafeteria-like seating and lines that form before the pizza sells out — and it always does, within just a few midday hours. TASTING NOTES: Spongy, saucy, cheesy, and fresh-baked every morning, these $2 slices are an exemplar of the form. Ask for an especially toothsome corner piece, if you can. 289 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, .
Pain d'Avignon
This may be Hyannis, not Honfleur, but for a few hours at least, you can pretend you’ve teleported to France’s shoreline with a late-morning meal at this boulangerie/bistro, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Here, les oeufs are served every which way; crêpes get spiked with Grand Marnier; and the French onion soup is an exemplar of the form. The pristine oysters, though? Those are Wellfleet, naturally. 15 Hinckley Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601, paindavignon.com.
Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms has been around almost as long as the Pilgrims. Seriously: Founded in 1638, it’s one of the oldest family-operated farms in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s stale. The 1,000-acre Trustees of Reservations property now offers a staggering array of kid-approved programming in all seasons, from petting farm animals to barnyard story hours to cross-country skiing. Though with picturesque grounds like these, even popping in to grab fresh veggies at the farm stand can be a fun adventure. 219 County Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938, thetrustees.org/place/appleton-farms.
Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill
Come October 31, this lively street buzzes with friendly competition as each brownstone decks out its front stoop in spooky décor, creating a spellbinding vibe that’s absolutely infectious. Making for an even more festive Halloween experience? The well-lit thoroughfare closes to traffic during peak trick-or-treating hours — and residents are known to give out full-size candy bars. Boston, MA 02108,
Nina Ganci, Trephin
Nina Ganci will not judge you for being a lazy blonde, even if your year-old highlights are brassy and now fall somewhere in line with your eyebrows. Instead, she'll craft a color that matches your complexion, mixing high- and lowlights that seem deeply embedded in your genetic code, and she'll do it in a way that factors in your low-maintenance lifestyle: a brushed-on balayage treatment requiring precious little upkeep. 25 Temple Place, Boston, MA trephin.com.
Kathryn Van Patten, Boston Bodyworks Studio
Do you know if your left scapula juts out farther than your right, or if your right hip rides higher than your left? Kathryn Van Patten will know. While many Pilates instructors drag their clients straight to the "Cadillac" or the "Reformer," Van Patten—an ex-ballerina with top-level certification—does a complete body check to see how she can balance out all your "idiosyncracies." Then she drags you to the Cadillac and the Reformer. of all? Her studio is in a beautifully appointed Beacon Hill townhouse. 12 Joy St., Boston, MA bostonbodyworksstudio.com.
Boonsom Pasooktham, Bonnie's Boutique
Sure, go ahead, get your pants shortened at your local cleaners. But if you have a more challenging job, why not entrust it to someone who understands complex clothing construction? Boonsom Pasooktham, of Bonnie’s Boutique, was trained in pattern-making, and while she can shorten, nip, or tuck your duds, she can also make just about anything from scratch. Which means, of course, that if you were so inclined, your tailor could also become your own personal designer. That’s an option we think is worth exploring. 43 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2445, bonniesboutiquema.blogspot.com.
Bambini Design
Sure, you can find a crib or changing table at any old baby-furniture warehouse, but here's what you'll be missing: design staffers who will come to your home, interview your child (who may or may not answer back), and determine the furniture match for her budding personality. Meanwhile, they'll scope out the rest of your pad to ensure the nursery jibes with your carefully chosen décor. Expect high-end contemporary pieces by the likes of Oeuf and Monte, streamlined beauties that are still comfortable enough to take the edge off those 3 a.m. feedings. 82 Boylston Street, Brookline, MA 2445, bambinidesignonline.com.
The Scarlet Oak Tavern
The dish is hot crab-and-cheese dip, and it goes a little something like this: chunks of tender, sweet blue crab tossed with heavy cream and supersharp cheddar, then wood-fired to a roof-of-mouth-scorching sizzle. After that, the menu at this guilty-pleasure oasis is your oyster. Or your goat cheese-slathered wild mushroom pizza. Or your flaky chicken potpie with a scrumptious baked side of three-cheese macaroni. The elegant setting is so picturesque you could have your wedding reception here—so long as you let out the dress first. 1217 Main St., Hingham, MA 2043, scarlettoaktavern.com.
Dbar
Dorchester has become a hub for Boston's gay scene, with Dbar at the center of it all. From Showtunes Tuesdays to Magnum Saturdays (you'll have to see for yourself), there's always something happening at this Dot. Ave. hot spot. The Christopher Coombs-inspired menu and deftly crafted cocktail list are all the fuel you need to dance into the wee hours when the restaurant transitions into a nightclub. 1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02125, dbarboston.com.
Claudia Grimaud, Jardin Day Spa
Few pedicures truly exfoliate tired, rough feet; even fewer actually redeem them. The capable hands of Claudia Grimaud can do both. The kindly, experienced Brazilian has earned a justifiably devoted following since opening her sunny spa last year. The reason is clear: her talent for banishing calluses, whisking away rough spots, unearthing shiny and soft new skin, and finishing a perfect polish in under an hour. 115 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .