"<em>Full Disclosure</em> . . . is filled with the kind of intriguing possibilities, drama, and suspense that plummeted <em>Advise and Consent</em> to the top of the bestseller list a few years back."—from a radio spot heard during a Red Sox broadcast in July.
The Boston Globe, which was serializing the new William Safire novel, commissioned the radio ad, but referred us to the agency that wrote it, Quinn & Johnson. At Q & J, they claimed the verb had been changed to "sky-rocketed" and that radio stations had been told of the correction. Error charged to WMEX?
Ben's Café
The meal deal at Maison Robert is the prix fixe menu in Ben's Café, which is most enjoyable eaten outside. Three courses of French classics are available for $18 or, with more options per course, for $25. of all, you get to say "pree feex" like a Parisian, while sitting in historic downtown Boston. 45 School St., Boston, MA .
Nine Zero
The city is smitten with Nine Zero. And what's not to love? Travelers embrace its classic contemporary elegance, streamlined design, and central downtown location. The spacious in-room workstations and Louis Boston and Armani personal shoppers are reasons to check in; the upscale Mario Russo bath products and soft, luxury bedding are reasons to never check out. 90 Tremont St., Boston, MA ninezero.com.
Pamela Santorelli
A store with avant-garde clothing needs a sales assistant who can steer a client through it. Pamela Santorelli of Louis Boston does just that. She's relaxed and refreshing, patient and pressure-free. And she tells us when something looks terrible without hurting our feelings. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Allen Edmonds
Set the kids and their sneakers aside and Boston is a business town. And while you won't see Shaq in Allen Edmonds, at 36 Newbury Street, you'll see some of the legends from the financial district selection from about 50 styles that are fashionable when it comes to making money the old-fashioned way. 36 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Nancy Garber
Garber combines her natural talents (she's been making predictions since she was a kid) with over a decade of training in England to tap into a world of spirit. Garber, the only medium in the Boston area certified through the Spiritualist National Union, is in high demand at spiritualist churches all over New England.
Mike's Pastry
Boston cream pies are all about ratios: cake to chocolate, chocolate to cream, cream to cake. At Mike's Pastry in the North End, somebody did their algebra homework. More like a cake than a pie, Mike's rendition brings together equal parts satiny custard, rich chocolate frosting, and airy sponge cake. 300 Hanover St., Boston, MA .
Roland Tumble
With a restless slide on a molted guitar, Roland Tumble, who frequently perches in the Park Street Red Line station, plays rubbery melodies with all the melancholy of a heavy-hearted Boston evening rush hour— and just enough bounce to snap us out of the drone of commuting.
Chau Chow
Chau Chow stays open until 4 a.m. most nights, which makes it the best restaurant in Boston after midnight. The rest of the time (from 6 a.m.), it's just the best Chinese restaurant around. 52 Beach St., Boston, MA .
Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe
Muffins and homemade rolls cool aromatically in the window while the Manjourides family flops eggs and pancakes in individual pans on the stove top. This half-century-old Boston institution retains many of the original fixtures, including a wooden refrigerator, and a homeyness that makes the morning bearable. 429 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
The $100,000 mural of the original hills of Boston covering the State House renovation, part of which blew off after five days.
Bagelsaurus
More than 24 hours of slow fermentation and a decades-old sourdough starter yield handmade rounds so chewy, crackly-crusted, and flavorful that they’ve helped spark a better-bagels movement in Boston. Bonus: spreads we’d eat with a spoon. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA bagelsaurus.com.
Divine Design + Build
In kitchen design, conceiving the proper layout is half the battle. We’d trust the Divine Design team to lead the charge any day: The Wellesley firm—which also boasts a stunning showroom in Boston—once revamped a local space by swapping a restrictive peninsula for a granite-topped island with storage and seating. Multiple locations. 180 Linden St., Wellesley, MA 02482, divinedesignbuild.com.
PolkaDog Bakery
Pearl, a malnourished rescue mutt, was the inspiration for this Boston-based canine bakery that started in the small kitchen of dog lovers. Made from locally sourced ingredients, the salmon chips and cod skins are accompanied by high-end, natural dog and cat food and a selection of innovative toys for the truly pampered pet. 256 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118, polkadog.com.
Alpha Omega
Hands down the best selection of watches in Boston. From inexpensive Swatches to twenty-thousand-dollar Vacherons, you're sure to find your new timepiece here. Look for new additions such as Piaget, Ebel, and Corum alongside old favorites like TAG Heuer, IWC, and Rolex. Harvard Square Galeria, 57 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .