Browse Boston Editors’ Lists

Bastille Day Planner 2009: Vive le 14 Juillet!

Revel in the wine, music and accent-agued hijinks of France's independence day without packing your bags for Europe (though if you want to rakishly don a beret, we certainly won't stop you). Boston's numerous Bastille Day blowouts, conveniently distributed throughout the week, will have you murmuring ooh-la-las between bites of crêpes and sips of Champagne. N'est-ce pas fantastique, mes chéries?

(Photo: Courtesy of the Harvard Square Business Association)

Tourist Traps That Are Truly Awesome

Don’t be too quick to say bah to thronged Boston attractions that are victims of their own popularity. Sure, some tourist traps are exactly that, but many are packed because they’re a good thrill, pure and simple. Take the cameras, maps and wide-eyed en masse wonderment in stride, and you just might learn a thing or two--and fall blushingly in love with Boston once again.

Kick-Butt Barbecue

Tender, smoky and handsome: Once you know the secrets of Boston’s best barbecue joints, the meat of your dreams is just a lunch or dinner away. Whether you enjoy it pulled, hot-sauced, spit-speared, dry-rubbed or flanked by more sides than you can shake a collard green at, the city's top tier of meat-coddling restaurants should make you sweat with conviction and delight. Though we Yankees may be no match for a Memphis meat-hut or Lone Star smokehouse, there's no question that we have New England's coup of 'cue.

We Swear This is a Workout: From Martinis to Powernapping

Getting in shape doesn't have to mean cardio machines and weight rooms (as exciting as that sounds). Humor your body to an alternative workout, from a ropefest that plays on a love of punk rock to a studio brimming with backup dancer wannabes. A successful routine is one you can stick with, and we're confident that at least one of these will make you enthusiastically sweat.

The Jeans Genie: Finding Your Perfect Pair

Do you think Levi Strauss, inventor of the modern jean in 1873, would have anticipated the cult status of premium, well-fitting denim today? (A visionary, he.) Hit the ground running with these top jean boutiques in Boston, where making your booty look good isn't a crime--merely par for the course. Bring it!

Super Natural Beauty Treatments

You eat organic, shop local and take mass transit, but have you given a second thought to what gets put on your skin at the spa? Be one with nature and get seriously relaxed at these Boston spas that use natural, often chemical-free, components. Between botanically based product lines and sacred ancient techniques, your body will be cleansed of impurities with no guilt-trip strings attached.

SugarBomber: Boston's Most Wanted Desserts

Does the mere mention of something as simple as milk and cookies send you skyrocketing into sugar-coated bliss? Do you sleep at night with visions of gummy bears dancing in your head? Do you believe some ice cream sundaes are better than sex? Well, then: You. Are. Not. Alone. That's why we've created a finger-licking online lookbook called SugarBomber, the ultimate go-to guide for dessert devotees. Here is a sampling of Boston's finest, plus where you can go get 'em. And if you've already found a sweet spot on your own, make sure you submit it through the site! Who knows? We might feature your pick next. Bombs away!

(Photo: Christine Liu)

Ladies First: Girls Night Out Planner

No offense, gentlemen, but on occasion the fairer sex requires face time with the ultimate nose-powdering posse--yes, we're talking about the resoundingly capital-lettered Girls Night Out. Despite the hype, the point is not necessarily the stereotypical stampede of stilettos and sunless tanners (like, OMG), but merely to uphold a comfort zone that a male presence may otherwise perturb and, of course, employ the phenomenal strength in wing-woman numbers. Gals, it's on.

One Isn't the Loneliest Number: Best of Boston's Single Scene

Noah might have harnessed his flock two-by-two, but you're on another boat entirely: a single, independent, party animal of a vessel, one that finds safe harbor in the city's best singles spots. Rest assured, Boston has no shortage of spaces teeming with eager singletons--chalk it up to the city's propensity for enormous college populations, vagrant hipsters and brilliant but time-strapped professionals. Make eyes at these locales that ensure better-than-expected odds, and if nothing bites your line? Whatever--there's plenty of fish, and you still had a fantastic time.

(Photo: Lucky's Lounge by Christine Liu)

Sleepless in Boston: 24/7 in the City

Even if you don't gallivant about at 4am on a regularly basis, knowing which spots burn the midnight oil can bring some peace of mind when the city is otherwise shuttered. Whether you crave sugary sustenance or a crucial snail-mail postmark, these Boston businesses dependably save you at all hours of the day and night. You can certainly sleep well knowing these places exist--but actually doing that is up to you, night owl.

Kid-Friendly Boston: The Tykes are Alright

Spending the day with your whippersnappers and lil' wrigglers? See Boston again through a child's eyes with our picks for kid-approved stopovers and activities in the city. There's oodles of adventurous learning and energy-spending opportunities to spare, and nary a worry that the vibe will be yawningly adults-only.

Boston's Homegrown Ice Cream

Ice cream eating is a local sport--thanks to the utter preponderance of Boston-based ice creameries and evidenced by plenty of year-round cones-in-hand. There are as many ice cream masters and their respective kitchens, churning out the freshest batches, as you'll find at any a fairer weathered city. Yes, for a place buried beneath snow for half the year, Boston fights all odds in the quest for sugary, melty orbs of frozen, tongue-coating cream. That's moxie right there, and some fiiine ice cream.

(Photo: Toscanini's by Christine Liu)

Summer Drinks

Summer goes as such: sweat, sip, savor, repeat. Douse yourself with some of the city's best summer drinks, from brilliant tequila cocktails that make Mexico lime-green with envy, to effervescent refreshers that make any day a holiday. Sunshine on the rocks? Yes, please.

(Photo: Rocca by Christine Liu)

Boston Eats for Pleasin' a Vegan

We're all about living--and eating--green. Nothing warms our cockles quite like a farm-fresh plate beaming with Mother Earth's plant-based goodies. Fellow veg-lovers can fuel up with our handy-dandy spotlight on the city's best, and sometimes well-hidden, vegan-friendly eats, compiled from our vegan-only lookbook, VeggieThing.com and edible-bliss-for-$3.99-or-less lookbook, 3BuckBites.com. Know a delish vegan dish that we missed? Enlighten us with one of your favorites here!

Pig Out for Cheap at the Magic Hour

"Happy hour" proper may not legally exist in Massachusetts, but such is the joy of the loophole: Ridiculously cheap food. Time things right (after-work specials plus, well, the recession) and one can feasibly stuff the belly for less than a sawbuck. With the help of the swell-palated masses at Citysearch's cheap-eats lookbook 3BuckBites.com, we've highlighted some of the tastiest, can't-miss, steal-o-rama deals on record. Have a favorite el-cheapo food? Wax poetic on its awesomeness here!

Drinking, Au Naturale

'Tis the season for imbibing in the big, bad, breezy outdoors. (Yeah, pity us.) Nursing a beer or cocktail en plein air is a survival skill we're all too eager to brush up on, especially on Boston's sundry and in-high-demand patios and gardens. Go and venture out of bounds--word says you're a natural.

Foolproof Ways to Get Fat, Happy

Live long and prosper? Yeah, right ... Deep-fry me up, Scotty! Over-fattening foods are a surefire formula to win (and stop) our hearts. Take something of questionable health and push it over the frialator's edge. Such is the logic behind these belly-busting Boston "snacks," for better lack of a term, which stridently gild the junk food lily. Batter up.

(Photo: Lower Depths by Pam Aghababian)

Everything Tastes Better Down by the Water

Hark, what's that sound? Oh, just the glorious lap-lap-lap of water while you lap-lap-lap up a leisurely meal. Waterfront dining is a Bostonian's well-deserved everyday luxury--we've got plenty of H20 hugging our shores, and we'll be damned if we're not going to exploit that detail as long as the weather allows us. These restaurants, distinguished by swell food that actually lives up to the scenery, do a body of water good.

(Photo: Courtesy of ICA Boston)

Boston Picnic Planner

Essential ingredients for a grand, summery meal? Snacks, unadulterated sun and a long, lazy afternoon. Take the chow on the road with a much-deserved picnic, whether it be a lavish, bring-the-silverware affair or a simple sandwich-fest enjoyed on a blanket. Read on for the best picnicking spots, where to procure eats and all the proper accoutrements. With Boston as your backdrop, a meal that's your own will be--ants and all--absolutely picnic-perfect.

Urban Taco Safari

Boston's awesome tacosphere cleaves into two camps: no-frills taquerias or their city-slicking translations. This is a paean to the latter (though we adore the former), places where you can get your juices-running-down-your-chin Mexican fix alongside fine drink and company. Dare we say it? Taco is the new black.

(Photo: Green Street by Christine Liu)

Boston's Green Living Guide

You don't need to scour trendsetting magazines to know that green is the new black. Adopt a more sustainable lifestyle with boutiques and restaurants that make it extremely simple to pay heed to planet Earth. Lest you think it's all bean sprouts and granola, check out the vast horizon of modern choice, from a strikingly chic wardrobe to locally sourced menus.

Have Leash, Will Travel: Pup-Friendly Boston

Whether your pet is more robust hiking companion or twee dress-up doll, there are plenty of Boston spots--beyond the city's open spaces--that offer a welcoming woof to dogs and their owners. Take your pooch out on the town, where you can socialize, treat and butt-sniff with the best of them.

How to Look Like a Million Bucks for Waaay Less Than That

The economy's seen better days--we get it. But just because you've chosen to tighten the purse strings doesn't mean you have to ditch the whole honkin' purse. For the Bostonian keeping up appearances, here are some of our beloved strategies to score a bodacious look while discreetly saving time and money for later. Ready? Stretch your dollar like you mean it, beautiful.

The Well-Dressed Bostonian: Female Edition

So many clothes, so little time! Ladies, if you're in a wardrobe rut, reorient your style compass to some of our favorite, foolproof boutiques in Boston. From sleek shoes to a snappy skirt, you'll cover all your bases. Remember, shopping well goes hand in hand with dressing well, so trust the professionals--and your own intuition--and walk out feeling like a million bucks.

Worldly Escapes in Boston

Want a vacation from our fair city, but don't have the time, or the money (or both)? There's still plenty of ways to escape Boston within, well, Boston. Sounds tricky, but we've figured out a few maneuvers that you can use when you're looking for a little refresher without dragging out your passport and emptying your wallet.

Shameless All-You-Can-Eat Feasts

Unlimited food is a titillating concept--liberated loin-girding for a fixed cost, sign me up! But when going all-you-can-eat, we expect really good food and a lot of it. (No gloppy unlimited quesadillas or $80 omelet bar here.) These picks in Boston fit squarely in the sweet spot, offering a generous, fabulous meal that satisfies the palate and calls for your most tasteful stretchy pants.

Boston's Best Free Bar Snacks

There's nothing worse than being a few drinks in and discovering that the only available bar fuel lies in a couple of stale nuts, napkin-greasing kernels or--horrors!--nothing at all. Rest easy, we have five places where you'll be treated with bowls worthy of scrumptious snarfage. Well, don't mind if we do....

Boston's Best Birthday Party Bars

Your birthday comes only once a year, so make it count! Turn it up to 11 by celebrating at one of Boston's best party bars. Meaning, they're ace at fueling festive energy, juggling drink orders, accommodating your posse and making the guest of honor (ahem, that's you) feel like a rock star. Which leaves you, of course, free to don your birthday suit and shake what your momma gave ya.

Try It: Neighborhood Hangouts

Boston's high-energy nightlife has its place, but there are times when you simply want to relax with friends over a good pint, greasy bar food and a great jukebox. You know, one of those places with grizzly regulars, where you don't have to take out a mortgage to spring for a round. With that in mind, here are a handful of haunts long on character and camaraderie.

Light Bites in Boston

Need a breather from heavy meals? Looking to eat healthier without sacrificing taste? The small plates at these restaurants are perfect when you crave intense flavor and variety without the bulk. Though we won't deny our affinity for eye-popping portions and multi-course meals, these lighter meals are vital--your belly (and blood sugar levels) will thank you.

Guided Tour: Coolidge Corner

Coolidge Corner, the intersection of Beacon and Harvard Streets, bustles like a big city in the midst of otherwise sleepier Brookline. You've got excellent pizza, sushi, wine, Kosher eats, trendy boutiques and an indie arthouse theater within throwing distance to one another. Mix in the eccentric townies and spillover students from nearby Allston, and you've got a central destination for all sorts of delightful diversions.

Try It: Bittered Cocktails

One of the most confusing or maligned cocktail ingredients (joining vermouth and Campari, perhaps), bitters give the je-ne-sais-quoi edge necessary to the fastidiously mixed drink. The various distillations of aromatic herbs, barks, roots and plants steeped in alcohol enhance and deepen a cocktail's flavor profile. From artfully housemade elixirs to Boston-based Bittermens, take a dash of dark extracts with these five fine examples.

The Well-Dressed Bostonian: Male Edition

Sorry to break it to you, gentlemen, but an oxford and khakis do nothing for your social life. Suggestion: Don a smile, relaxed confidence and choice pieces from these exceptional Boston menswear boutiques. From haute Italian suits to the effortless jeans-and-tee, they've got everything you'll need to look more put-together in two shakes of a lamb's tail. Go forth and be handsome--you can thank us later.

5 to Try: Steak Frites

Being a meat-and-potatoes person sounds so much better in French, n'est-ce pas? Hearty, delicious steak frites entrees loom in all corners of Boston, and it's your job to dig into every last beefy one. Here are five to get your gullet going... or whatever it is that meat, salt, fat and a French accent are best at doing.

5 to Try: Tequila Cocktails

Believe it or not, there's more to tequila than painful, salt-chased shots or syrupy, saccharine margaritas. Want proof? These cocktails give a sophisticated, modern twist on Mexico's treasured agave spirit. Top-notch bartending, fresh ingredients and respect for tequila's flavor in these five drinks will dispel any haunting of past Cinco de Mayo indiscretions.

Boston Chinatown Eat Sheet

Chinatown: It's a loud, confusing, smelly mess for one not properly initiated. But behind mysterious doors and dusty entrances lie glorious feasts for those in the know: Roasted duck, juicy pork buns, spongy taro cake, milky bubble tea. There are plenty opportunities to polish your butterfingered chopstick skills, from dim sum houses to sinus-clearing shabu stalls.

Guided Tour: Beacon Hill

Flanked by the gold-domed State House and known for its cobblestone streets lined with multi-million dollar properties, Beacon Hill is easily one of the swankiest neighborhoods in Boston. Envy aside, it's hard to resist the area's rich history and charming gas-lit streetlamps. There's plenty of accessible pleasures that lie in Beacon Hill--just perhaps not a penthouse.

Guided Tour: Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain (otherwise endearingly referred to as JP) remains one of the most fascinating intersections of diversity in Boston. The progressive neighborhood attracts artists, grad students and political activists alike, as well as a supportive gay-lesbian community. It's also home to a large number of Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican immigrants. Which, altogether, creates a haven for unparalleled eats, one-of-a-kind businesses and a happy, colorful populace. Dig in.

Celebrity Picks: Michael Schlow

Michael Schlow, executive chef and co-owner of Radius, Via Matta, Great Bay and Alta Strada, originated from Brooklyn (sadly, he's a Yankees fan) to become one of Boston's culinary maestros, with multiple prestigious awards under his belt. Check out his favorite spots in Boston.

Vintage Goldmines in Boston

Some things just get better with time: Childhood friendships, fine Bordeaux, a perfect pair of suede peep-toes from the '40s. (You with me here?) There's plenty of style to coup at Boston's most passionate vintage boutiques, especially for the adventurous and patient. Trust shopkeepers' recommendations, and if ever in a moment of hesitation--take the plunge. Don't tempt fate.

5 to Try: Tapas in Boston

Often, you'll see the word "tapas" thrown around willy-nilly to mean anything that's diminutively plated or remotely sharable. Wrong. Authentic Spanish tapas are essentially fancy bar snacks: small, appetizing bites that make for social, breezy munching alongside sherry or wine. From slivers of ham to garlicky shrimp, supping in Boston just took an Iberian turn.

Dinner and a [ ! ] in Boston

Not that there's anything wrong with the dinner and a movie formula, but we can all agree that the romance wheel needs some serious greasing once in a while. Pepper the routine with victory dancing or beat-boxing, whatever it takes to get physical.

The Haute Dollar Menu

One. Dollar. It's a mad world when a single buckaroo of American tender can yield wonderful, top-notch food. From Italian grazing plates to greasy-chic burgers, learn how a good ol' George in your pocket can glean something incredible.

Try It: Romantic Bars

There's something magically intimate about a date at one of the city's most romantic bars--whether that means canoodling in a secluded loveseat in Beacon Hill or clinking a toast at a bar in Allston. Here's a bonus Casanova pointer: Bar snacks, when paired with adventurous cocktails or boutique wines, provide the ultimate let-me-feed-you opportunity.

Lustworthy Lingerie in Boston

Whether you're feeling frisky or, perhaps, fallen, there's nothing like sensual lingerie to perk things up. An audience is nice, yes, but indulgent intimates can definitely be one's own little secret, too. Whenever the moment strikes, seek satiny solace at these ladypart-loving shops.

Boston Wedding Guide

Calling all those betrothed: You've already done the hardest part--the wooing, dating, engagement--so allow us to help you with the whole wedding shebang. Even if you're not bride-groom-zilla, here are some priceless recommendations in Boston to make sure your special day goes down as smoothly as silk.

Where to Watch the Game in Boston

Ever screamed from the couch at the game on TV, only to realize you're alone and, frankly, shaking your fist to no one? Hey, if you're going to go crazy, do it where there's strength in numbers. For serious sports-watching, sometimes you need the camaraderie and wicked energy of shared Boston spectatorship. Here are some of the sweetest spots to kick back with a cold one and follow the play-by-play.

Best Spots to Kiss in Boston

We should all have a secret hideaway in the city to sneak a smooch, from lush verdant hills to a lounge's shadowy corners. Whether it's your first (or last) kiss, you can make each one count with a stellar, it-can't-get-better-than-this setting.

Best New Bars of 2008

In 2008, Boston welcomed new stopovers for pints, stool-shuffling and cocktails, not to mention more reasons to curse our hangovers. But we're quick to forgive, and so here's a toast to Boston's top bars of the year. Cheers!

Editor's Favorites: Christine Liu

Takes it: Strong, with milk
Would kill for: A bespoke cobbler
Wishes happened year-round: Barbecues
Sweet or salty? More like sour and bitter
Secretly: A morning person

In case you've been curious about where I spend my time when I'm not writing or risking my life dodging traffic as a pedestrian, here are several clues.

Best New Restaurants of 2008

In 2008, almost every Boston neighborhood received a promising newcomer, with many locals finally enjoying the arrival of a cozy spot sporting high-quality food and friendly faces. But among the ambitious eateries, serving everything from housemade pappardelle to locally sourced bacon, here are our favorite new restaurants for the year.

Try It: Seafood Shacks

Boston stands out for its bevy of seafood shacks, from low-key neighborhood options to slick, modern interpretations. Here are five destinations perfect for enjoying fried seafood and steamed lobsters.

Now in Boston: New Restaurants

Whether it's brand new, recently opened or right on the cusp, it's here. Read on for the latest on Boston's restaurant scene, and hit the ground hungry.

Now in Boston: New Hotels

Looking for a discount hotel room, luxury hotel suite or charming boutique hotel? Find new places to stay in Boston.

Now in Boston: New Spas & Salons

From the latest massage therapy treatments to the best spots for a cool new 'do, check out the top new spas and salons in Boston.

Now in Boston: New Shops

From upscale boutiques to trendy shops, find the top new retail outlets to take Boston by storm.

Now in Boston: New Nightlife

From the shiniest nightclub to the grittiest dive to your down-home neighborhood pub, find the best new cocktails and dance spots in Boston.

Try It: Gelato

Ice cream is so 1990s. Foodies of all stripes pledge their allegiance to gelato, ice cream's sinful Italian cousin. A handful of Boston purveyors churn out excellent versions of this gourmet frozen treat. Here are five of the best.

Try It: Exotic Burgers

Every-other bar and greasy spoon serves up a straightforward burger, and better restaurants tend to use higher-quality meat and toppings. But it's Boston's most exotic burger options that really thrill true burger lovers. Here are five places that will forever change the way you view America's favorite sandwich.

Try It: Belgian Beer Bars

Does your mouth water for a wheat-based beer? Or is your perfect pitcher filled with a pale ale? Beer snobs have long believed that Belgium churns out some of the world's greatest beers. Here's five local bars worth seeking out if you're looking for Belgian brews.

24/7 in Boston

From a 24-hour restaurant to a shop that never closes, find the best spots for night owls in Boston.

Romantic Hotels

Boston-area hotels perfect for a rose-filled weekend getaway.

Comfort Food Favorites

For an eggy, hearty brunch or just a slinging of down-home meatloaf and mac & cheese, you can head to Boston's top spots for a comforting meal.

5 to Try: Dive Bars

Those bright, flashy bars have their place. But when you want to get away from the real world for a while, there's no better place to hide out than your friendly neighborhood dive. Here are five that we've come to know and love.

Snow Zone: The Northeast

All the best places to ski in New England.

Boston Brewpubs

Tired of the same light beer every time you go out to a bar? Then get it together and hit one of the many brewpubs in the city. With ales, stouts, bitters and seasonal brews, there's no reason not to put back a couple fresh pints at these beer-respecting spots.