Best of Boston

Don’t be deterred by the plaza sign advertising big-box bores like Kohl’s—this open-air mix of 70-plus businesses has one-offs that justify jockeying for a parking space, including hip young boutique Gia B, and the Bay State’s first outposts for the Obama-approved Crewcuts and color-splashed homegoods store Company C. Shop up an appetite, and sate it at the lively bistro Rustic Kitchen, or even at the fully tricked-out Whole Foods (hey, is that a gelato bar we spy?).