West Bridge
The egg in a jar is one of Boston's most-talked-about dishes, and for good reason. But don't let that overshadow West Bridge's many other offerings—rather, grab a spot at the bar, befriend the knowledgable bartenders, and let them guide you through a small-plate odyssey. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, westbridgerestaurant.com.
Long's Jewelers
Diamonds are forever, and the same can be said of this family-owned store. (It opened back when Boston's baseball team was called the Red Caps.) Long's especially shines when it comes to service; Tag Heuer watches, luminous Mikimoto pearls, and diamond rings are all covered by a lifetime trade-in policy. 60A South Ave., Burlington, MA 1803, longsjewelers.com.
LaMontagne Gallery
The new South Boston, recently referred to as "SoBo" by the New York Times, may eventually earn such a sobriquet around town thanks to relative upstarts like LaMontagne Gallery. Since 2007 the gallery has introduced a wide range of contemporary artists to the Boston scene, garnering regional and national attention for its exhibitions. 555 E. 2nd St., South Boston, MA lamontagnegallery.com.
Governor Weld
Best: Senate president William Bulger. Says he's "intrigued" by the job of UMass president. Even Better: Boston University president John Silber. Said he was "intrigued" by the job of Boston school superintendent. Absolute Best: Governor Weld. Believed to be "intrigued" by just about any job other than the one he was reelected to.
Ben's Café, Maison Robert
One of the city's earliest rehab projects (Maison Robert used to be Boston's City Hall), its location is elegant, its food French. 45 School St., Boston, MA .
Silvertone
DTX's dining landscape may be changing, but stalwart Silvertone remains one of Boston's most dependable industry hangouts. Find comfort-food bliss in the form of Cajun chicken tacos, bacon mac ’n’ cheese, and garlicky steak tips. 69 Bromfield St., Boston, MA 02108, silvertonedowntown.com.
Flock
Breezy and bohemian, this South End boutique stocks a creative collection of hairpieces and fringed cross-body bags. Look for jewelry set to star in the latest layering trends and sought-after Turkish kilim flats and bags by Boston's Artemis Design Co. Really, all that's missing is your Coachella ticket. 274 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118, flockboston.com.
The Gallows
The Gallows inspired Boston's potato craze with its poutine topped with ricotta curds and rich gravy. The classic will always remain so, but we're also fans of the "Out of Control" variety, with topping combos ranging from Philly cheesesteak to escargot. 1395 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118, thegallowsboston.com.
Sargent Summer
A citywide celebration of the art of John Singer Sargent—at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fogg Art Museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Boston Public Library—provides a rare chance to see the complete picture of this fascinating fin-de-siècle expatriate artists who considered Boston his American home.
Orchard
In the epicenter of Boston's skateboard scene, this Allston hangout takes things way beyond your typical shoes and decks purveyor. The profusion of brands (hats and tees from Somerville-bred Raw sit alongside national names like Nixon) is reason enough to make it your go-to, but Orchard also has cultural cred to spare: After taking a run or catching a demo on the store's mini ramp, pop upstairs to its Extension Gallery and check out works by local artists. 156 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA 2134, orchardshop.com.
Webster & Company
Boston's interior designers don't want you to know about Webster & Company: It's their secret trove of the classic American furnishings that picky New Englanders crave. David Webster and his son Peter have the area's exclusives on labels like Holly Hunt, Dakota Jackson, and Vaughan. One caveat: They only sell to the trade, so you'll need to hire an interior designer to get the goods. One Design Center Place-Suite 242, Boston, MA 2210, webstercompany.com.
Barbara Cole Lee + Company
As the longtime chair of the MFA museum school art sale, Boston's other Barbara Lee—the art consultant, not the gazillionaire—has built it into the largest event of its kind in the country. She brings that same passion to the needs of her high-powered customers, for whom she'll travel to the Venice Biennale and Art Forum Berlin in search of just the right piece. Lee is also an expert on the local scene, comfortable with both established stars such as Ellsworth Kelly and hotshots like George Rosa. 35 Fisher Ave., Brookline, MA 2445, barbaracolelee.com.
Shreve, Crump & Low
Boston's Breakfast at Tiffany's; press your nose to the glass and dream. This is the place to go with your honey when you want to browse without paying mind to price tags, to decide whether the bar-set or the channel-set band looks better with your solitaire. The staff gives everyone an upmarket education in ideal-cut diamonds. This is where you got schooled, and everyone respects the professor. 330 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Beacon Hill Chocolates
As Boston's artisanal confectioners trend toward ever-weirder flavor combinations (poblano pepper truffles, bonbons oozing with olive oil), Beacon Hill Chocolates has us falling back in love with the classics: fillings like salted caramel and hazelnut praline delivered in beautifully tempered shells. The competition can just eat their quirky-candy hearts out. 92B Pinckney St., Boston, MA 2114, .
Mark Sardina
He's guided the East Boston Yankees and All-Stars to eighteen championships during the past eleven years with a humane style of managing that clearly pays off. Sardina founded the East Boston Athletic Association, coaches football in the off-season and T-ball (modified baseball for little kids) on weekends, and is a policeman, husband, and father of five (in his spare time). East Boston, MA