Sweet Life Cafe
Ten bucks says if you were asked to imagine your ideal evening of outdoor island dining, you'd pick something with a water view. Oh, naive soul: On the Vineyard, the most delicious outdoor experience happens in Sweet Life's fragrant garden, where threads of tiny white lights illuminate a handful of white-tableclothed seatings. The food is similarly divine: Lively island fare such as sweet-and-spicy roasted scallops, savory halibut with curry onion rings (a must), and salmon with lemon salsa round out the experience. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, sweetlifemv.com.
The Sweet Life Café
Once you and your sweetheart have strolled the beach and sailed at sunset, your next romantic rendezvous should be dinner at the Sweet Life Café. This upscale eatery serves fresh fare such as chévre ravioli in curry sauce and roasted halibut with eggplant purée. Don't miss dessert—the blueberry— brown butter tart is divine—in the candlelit garden. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA sweetlifemv.com.
Athan's
Hey, when you're good, you're good—and the pulse-quickening smorgasbord of sweets showcased here definitely merits an award of its own. 1621 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 2446, athansbakery.com.
Fun Food Snackery
Zero humdrum sundaes here. Dig into exotic shaved ice, crazy mounds of fruit, and Christina's ice cream, scooped by one sweet staff. 141 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, .
American Bakers' Café
Muffin lovers are in for a treat—and some tough choices—at this Navy Yard spot (try the cranberry-almond). 39 1st Ave., Charlestown, MA 2129, americanbakerscafe.com.
Bon Bon
Creamy gelato, oh-so-sinful truffles, fudge and candy of all stripes—you name it, and the folks at Bon Bon will dish it out. 197A Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 2115, .
State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien disavowing the comments of her own father, Edward M. O'Brien, when he blasted Swift for holding meetings via speakerphone while pregnant.
"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."
Sweet Peas Home
This cheerful shop in Back Bay offers a selection of creative, user-friendly items for the home—hand-painted furniture, small handmade gift items. The staff is particularly helpful, especially if you're trying to pick something up for that person who has everything. 216 Clarendon St., Boston, MA .
The Sweet Life Café
This year French-American husband-and-wife team Pierre and Susan Guerin revamped the menu and ratcheted up the service at their Oak Bluffs café, effecting a vast improvement on what was already a pretty sweet place. Vegetarians enthuse over the meaty wild mushroom strudel, while the lemon-infused pasta with fresh shellfish and the tender steak in a Paris-grade bordelaise are can't-miss propositions for carnivores. One thing, though, remains happily unaltered: the romantic white-lit garden patio. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, sweetlifemv.com.
Sweet Meadow Farm
Sure, backyard bounce houses are fun, but has your kid ever put hair bows on a potbellied pig? At this Sherborn farm’s birthday extravaganzas, children start by feeding cows, mini horses, wallabies, and even emus. Next, potbellied pigs Charlotte and Penny appear for grooming and dressing. After that, cuddle lizards, chameleons, and Chompers, the resident desert tortoise. Finally, ride a unicorn (actually a pony with a rainbow mane and horns) before pizza. No wonder this is currently the hottest party-animal ticket in town. 111 Coolidge St., Sherborn , MA 01770, sweetmeadowfarm.com.
Sweet Cheeks Q
A dozen years in, Tiffani Faison’s ode to southern barbecue is still smoking the competition. We like the fatty, juicy brisket best, but you can’t go wrong with the other expertly done meats, from pulled pork to fried chicken. They’re best enjoyed on the sunny patio with sides of mac ’n’ cheese, collard greens, and the ridiculously good (and big-as-your-face) biscuits slathered with honey butter and seasonal jams. 1381 Boylston St., Fenway, MA 02215, sweetcheeksq.com.
Crane Beach
"Majestic" hardly does justice to the landscape at Crane, where sand-swept hills roll sweetly to a pristine shore. To the north, Plum Island creates a welcome barrier from rough surf, while a ban on watercraft and gear keeps man-made disturbances to a minimum. Most visitors are content to soak up the tranquil beauty. However, this beach is also a wildlife refuge, meaning its five-plus miles of trails may reward hikers with glimpses of rare species. 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 1938, .
Governor Weld
Some family. Even his daughter Ethel disinvited him to her high school graduation. How like a serpent's tooth.
SweatHouz
Sometimes, a good shvitz is exactly what the doctor ordered. That’s certainly the case at this Assembly Row wellness destination, where you can sweat it out from the comfort of your own private infrared sauna suite, complete with towel service, a TV, and surround sound. Sign up for the monthly membership program to maximize the promised benefits, which include supple skin and better muscle recovery. 385 Revolution Dr., Somerville, MA 02145, sweathouz.com.