Scullers
It may be housed in the DoubleTree hotel next to a highway overpass, but once you enter this cozy cabaret-style venue of just 200 seats, you might as well have been teleported to a chic lounge in the French Quarter. Get up close and personal with the genre’s leading artists—Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea—or spot the jazz world’s next big thing: Scullers is dedicated to hosting next-gen musicians from local schools. 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston , MA 02134, scullersjazz.com.
Matt Murphy’s Pub
If the sophisticated dark wood paneling didn’t already clue you in, one look at the backlit bar—showcasing a fine selection of whiskeys and excellent draft beers—reveals that this is a pub for the refined Irish drinker. Drop in on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. for completely free, no-strings-attached oysters. 14 Harvard St., Brookline Village , MA 02445, .
Benedetto
Grape-juice stewardship is an art, not a science. But it’s empirically proven that a well-informed beverage team increases your odds of success. Sommelier Robert Taylor manages arguably the city’s loveliest Italian lineup—showcasing gorgeous bottles in the two-digit range and exhilarating nebbiolo depth—and GM Megan McKinnon is a seasoned vino vet herself. A deep bench helps: On a recent visit, a clued-in server whisked us away on an impromptu Friulano mini tour. Charles Hotel, One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 02138, benedettocambridge.com.
Village Vinyl & Hi-Fi
Crate-diggers, rejoice: What started as longtime record collector Jonathan Sandler’s passion project has yielded Brookline’s best trove of wax, launched this past October as a pop-up and now here to stay. Browse the stacks, and you’ll find vintage albums from Pink Floyd, the Bosstones, and Miles Davis—at bargain prices. 58A Harvard St., Brookline Village , MA 02445, .
Just Add Cooking
There are an endless number of meal kits on the market, but only one that taps into New England’s creative culinary minds. From bangers and mash from New England Charcuterie’s Joshua Smith to black-bean burgers from Grafton Group culinary director Mark Goldberg, Just Add Cooking’s recipes (made with locally produced veggies and proteins) are so simple that even the most frazzled home chef won’t mess them up. MA justaddcooking.com.
Sault New England
Owner Philip Saul knows that casual doesn’t have to mean sloppy. To wit: Where else can you try on Japanese selvedge denim in two contemporary, tailored fits? Whether you’re shopping for cheerful printed tees and canvas shorts for your next Cape vacation or fitted button-downs and slim-fit pants for breezy weekends in the city, playing it cool never looked this sharp. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Bar Mezzana
Go for the house-made pastas and crudos, stay for the…well, everything else. Two years in, chef Colin Lynch and his team have hit their stride, doing a dizzying number of things well. Toasting a special occasion? Sit back with a bottle of Barolo and let Lynch send out a chef’s-choice parade of inspired dishes. Craving a casual bite? The bar-only chicken Parm sammy (served Mondays) has a cult following, the burger is among the best in town, and, believe it or not, they pour a mean scorpion bowl here, too.. 360 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, barmezzana.com.
Boston Sail Loft
For a generation, this minimal-frills North End eatery at the water’s edge has attracted a legion of fans with its herb-y, unpretentious, preposterously thick take on the New England staple. To wit: Each overflowing mug comes loaded with fresh, tender clams and, in an unusual but welcome twist, a handful of chopped dill. There are few chowders in Boston this rich, and none this good. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, thebostonsailloft.com.
Bodega
Is it uncool to call this store cool? Regardless, it’s hard not to get excited once you open the door camouflaged as a vending machine and step inside the sleek, well-lit space, where the latest and greatest styles from Nike, Adidas, and Puma are lined up like artifacts in a museum. And just to ensure Bodega continues its reign of cool, the brand opened Series, a constantly evolving micro art space just a couple of doors down that offers buzzy limited releases and serves as a mecca for local sneakerheads. 6 Clearway St., Boston, MA 02115, shop.bdgastore.com.
Buk Kyung
With a Korean joint seemingly popping up on every corner, Allston Village is steadily earning its K-town reputation, but the noodle dishes at neighborhood stalwart Buk Kyung still go unmatched. We’re not just talking about pop hits like the inky, pork-rich sauce in the jajangmyeon or the glassy sweet potato threads in the japchae. Because if you haven’t tucked into a bowl of dduk mandoo gook—Korea’s take on beef-noodle soup, carbed up with house dumplings and glutinous rice cakes—or the party-size platter of seafood, stir-fried veg, and potato-noodle shards served with a sweet-hot mustard sauce (otherwise known as yangjangpi), you’re missing out. Multiple locations. 151 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 02134, bukkyungrestaurant.com.
Redd’s in Rozzie
NOW CLOSED Those mourning the loss of Trillium’s winter pop-up should know that Roslindale’s best beer selection has been right here all along. Sample Night Shift and Exhibit A brews at the bar, or head to the patio to sip al fresco. Cocktails skew fruity and herbaceous—a fitting post-Arboretum-jaunt refreshment. 4257 Washington St., Roslindale, MA 02131, reddsinrozzie.com.
9Tailors
Make no mistake, fellas: Your strut down the aisle is just as important as any bride’s. At 9Tailors, custom-suiting gurus will help you create an ensemble worthy of your big moment, walking you through myriad design options to make sure your getup matches your style and your shindig. Is the ceremony outside in summer? Lightweight fabrics only. Love to dance? Nix the skinny fit. No suit off the rack will ask you these questions. 132 Lincoln St., Boston, MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Marina Melnikova, Zenarose
A round brush, a blow dryer, and a flat iron are all Marina Melnikova needs to transform even the most shapeless and tangled of manes into the envy of anyone who’s ever wrestled with styling tools. Clocking in at 40 minutes, her blowouts easily fit into a lunch break—but you may not want to rush out of Zenarose’s adorable rose-wallpaper-covered boutique after the blissfully extra-long head massage. 49 River St., Boston, MA 02108, zenarose.com.
Barre & Soul
You don’t need to be a ballerina (or even a fitness buff) to benefit from this studio’s proprietary barre method, led by cheery instructors who inspire, encourage, and never, ever judge. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a rigorous workout—just wait until you step into those resistance bands. When the going gets tough, the view down to Harvard Square from the tall windows provides a superb distraction. Multiple locations. 36 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge, MA 02138, barresoul.com.