Newtonville Books

296 Walnut Street
Newton, MA 02460

Angela H. writes: Mary Cotton just bought this place and every week she sends out a great email newsletter. She's doing incredible things with the small but expansive bookstore on Walnut St. The Books and Brews series (where you get free wine and beer!) has a great…

Cadia Vintage
Neighborhood: Charlestown, North End

148 Salem St
Boston, MA 02113

Morgan F. writes: Its worth it to head to the North End on weekends just to make it to this small vintage store tucked away on Salem Street. Have a thing for antique silverware? Squat down and dig to the back of one of the shelves to find a whole container of them.…

Greenward
Neighborhood: Porter Square

1776 Massachusetts Ave
Ste 1
Cambridge, MA 02140

Maria V. writes: It's hard to walk the tightrope of environmental responsibility and consumerism. One of the best things you can do for the Earth is to HAVE LESS STUFF.

That said, there's stuff in life that you need. Basic stuff for shopping -- messenger or shopping…

Main Street's Market & Cafe

42 Main St
Concord, MA 01742

Vanilla P. writes: With my mixed green salad and butternut squash chili, my guess is Main Street's Market & Cafe is as close to "roughin' it" as the upper middle class in Concord will get. Waiting for more than five minutes for a table must be pretty tough, especially…

Burton's Grill
Neighborhood: Fenway

1363 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02215

Melissa M. writes: Impressed!  I want to say this place is similar to a Joe's American Bar and Grill.  It wants to be upscale but casual, but still wants to charge you a somewhat high price to dine/drink there.   Let me set the mood, my sister, Melanie has Celiac…

Cohen's Fashion Optical w/ Dr. Baumal
Neighborhood: Back Bay

179 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116

Jessica P. writes: Yelpers, I feel led astray. I found this place through Yelp reviews. I have a fabulous eye doctor at home who I loved, but I stopped being able to read the board in class and knew I couldn't wait until Thanksgiving.for an appointment. Making an…

S & I Thai
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

168 Brighton Ave
Ste A
Allston, MA 02134

Tom E. writes: PRE-VISIT ADVICE: Avoid ordering the usual pad thai and whatever here - it won't blow you away and they'll just americanize it for you. Ask the server for something from the Thai menu. Get his/her recommendations. The pictures on the walls can be…

Hair Connection
Neighborhood: Porter Square

1768A Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140

Jim C. writes: I was a loyal customer of Peter's for 7 years.  I moved away four years ago, and have missed my Peter haircuts, but I've been in the area this summer and needless to say went straight back there and have had three more haircuts from Peter this since…

Somerville Memorial Day Parade

Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143

L D. writes: Quite possibly the greatest parade I have ever witnessed! From the random marching bands not actually playing anything to the 'dancers' walking down Highland barefoot to the thousands of shriners in their tiny cars. AMAZING.

My only complaint was the…

Belmont Pizza

388 Trapelo Road
Belmont, MA 02478

Deepa C. writes: After calling like 5 places at 6:30 on Labor Day, Belmont Pizza was the only one that was open. I ordered a large veggie, a small salad and a coke, which came to $20. It was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but I was too hungry to care.

The pizza was…

Chestnut Hill Reservoir

400 Chestnut Hill Ave
Brookline, MA 02445

Jennie W. writes: Last spring, I awoke a little before 7 on a Saturday morning surprisingly alert and full of energy. A rare occurrence, indeed. The sun was out and the weather was cool and brisk.

"Why not a morning run?"

::fifteen minutes later::

wheeze. gasp. ooh…

Buddha's Tavern

144 Washington St
Peabody, MA 01960

Victoria F. writes: I LOVE BUDDHA'S!!!  And greatly miss them since we have moved to the South Shore.  Whether we order take-out or eat-in... it is always hot, yummy, and filling.  

They have recently revamped the inside and it looks awesome.  We have gone to Buddha's…

Fit Z's Bar and Grille

451 Main St
Watertown, MA 02472

Robyn L. writes: Fit Z's is the old Busy B Pub, a place I drove by regularly for a very long time and never had any desire to enter. It looked like a dive and was easily overshadowed by Halfway Cafe across the street. I've also never been inside Fit Z's but I can…

Mahri
Neighborhood: Back Bay

215 Newbury
Boston, MA 02116

Ligaya T. writes: The team behind Mahri has impeccable taste. The women's boutique itself is gorgeous, simple and sophisticated, with great lighting and layout. There are a number of captivating jewelry counters with an amazing selection of distinctive pieces. The…

Asiana Fusion

1 Waverley Ave
Watertown, MA 02472

Roni E. writes: I was deterred in this direction this evening due to the fact that 2 of the restaurants I did want to go to were closed - on a flippin' Monday!

Moving on - I drove around and remembered about this place, and dropped in for some take-out. Much to my…

Addis Red Sea
Neighborhood: Porter Square

1755 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Ligaya T. writes: For those who haven't had Ethiopian before know that a) you best be devirginized STAT and b) taste wise, it's a bit like Indian, a bit Middle Eastern and a whole lotta delicious.

Things I love about Addis:
Kifto
Doro wat
Berbere sauce
Samusas
Ayib begomen…

Grille Zone
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

1022 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

Mihir S. writes: Finally we can say to our west side friends who always boast about IN-N-OUT Burgers, "We have Grille Zone!"

This was probably one of the best burgers I have had in a long ass time. Not too big and not too small. I got the 1/4 pound cheeseburger with…

The Outer Limits

437 Moody St
Waltham, MA 02453

James L. writes: I haven't been in the Outer Limits in probably 5 years until the other day, and aside from being moved a block down the street, it's the same great shop it always was. They have a huge selection of comic books, all kinds of memorabilia from days gone…

Boston Pedal Party

Boston, MA 02228

Nick K. writes: I'm not sure what category this would go in because I have never seen one of these until my trip to Boston this past weekend. We went out to dinner on Saturday night and from inside the restaurant, I saw these large bikes go by with a bunch of people…

MAP Boston/1st Publications

236 Huntington Ave
Ste 312
Boston, MA 02115

Tyler B. writes: First things first, this is my girlfriend's publication.  However, I LOVE it!  I'm not much of an "on paper" type of person but the maps of the MBTA and the city get me where I'm going faster than my cell phone can Google Map things (which is crazy…

Gaslight Brasserie du Coin
Neighborhood: South End

560 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02228

Jeffrey H. writes: I had no idea what the menu said...so what, I took Spanish in high school...all of a sudden I'm supposed to be able to read a menu in French?
*Inner thoughts: Be cool Jeffrey, be cool. Just look for words you understand. "bonjour jjfhh&9*@hjshj2387…

Lululemon
Neighborhood: Back Bay

376 Boylston St
3rd floor, Ste 304
Boston, MA 02210

Charlotte L. writes: Oh, Lululemon, your yoga clothes are as cute and flattering as they are overpriced and pervasive.

In a 24/7 world, your store is open a mere four days a week; you don't sell online. Your yoga pants cost more than I care to acknowledge spending on…

Pinky's Famous Pizza

165 Main St
Medford, MA 02155

Erin G. writes: Pinky's has become my favorite pizza place in the area.  Delivery is free and the food is always hot.  The specialty pizza options are nice and the cinnamon bread sticks are to die for.  

It's also nice to know that when you call and place your order,…

Whippoorwill Crafts
Neighborhood: Downtown

Franklin St.
Boston, MA 02228

Jess K. writes: So technically Sleep Sheep and Friends made these baby toys but Whippoorwill has the good sense to sell them. And I had the good sense to buy them and obsess about how amazing they are to the point of not wanting to actually give them to the baby. Or…

Prana Power Yoga

282 Centre St
Newton, MA 02458

alyssa m. writes: I was really wary about doing hot yoga, especially as a beginner. This is by far the best work out I've ever had. The instructors are great - extremely helpful and encouraging. It is a small studio and can get crowded at peak times, but is very well…

Somerville Public Library

79 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143

B P. writes: Like so much in the Boston area (including the hospital where I work), the Somerville Public Library-Main has attractive, austere "street appeal," but could definitely use some indoor renovations.

However, you can't hate on a library. They have…

La Flamme Barber Shop
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

21 Dunster St
Cambridge, MA 02138

stacey l. writes: Had to speak up here on behalf of the LaFlamme name...my boyfriend goes there (and has for the past three years).  He started going there when he first moved to Cambridge because it's my last name and was intrigued by the coincidence of the uncommon…

Horror Business
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

77 Harvard Ave
Allston, MA 02134

Dan P. writes: OK, the owner of this store is a good friend of mine, so this review is biased, but honest nonetheless.

Horror Business is primarily a clothing shop for the discerning punk rocker at cheaper prices and higher quality than places you might find in…

Patou Thai

69 Leonard St
Belmont, MA 02478

Ilene F. writes: Hard to believe that the town where Mitt Romney lives actually has some flavor.  

I've eaten here quite a few times, and have found it to be consistently good.  Last night was no exception.  We got the beef macadamia, which was loaded with beef,…

McKinnon's Butcher Shop

73 Holten St
Danvers, MA 01923

Jared B. writes: If you're going to go grocery shopping, do it wherever you normally do, but when you buy meat, you need to do it at McKinnon's. They do have a small grocery and produce section, but the main attraction is there amazing meats and knowledgeable staff.…

Economy True Value Hardware

219 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02228

Viv C. writes: This hardware store saved my sanity by providing me with an affordable window fan and other necessary items for staying in a new barely furnished apartment in the middle of summer. Well, the other "necessary" items were a Swiffer, a tea pot and a…

The Beehive
Neighborhood: South End

541 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116

Melissa C. writes: I brought a pretty tough crowd there. One guy eats nothing but meat and potatoes. 2 gals were pesco-vegetarians. 1 girl, I don't know what her criteria is, but she's one tough lady to please. 1 woman who could be incited by almost anything. Everyone…

Tuscan Grill

361 Moody St
Waltham, MA 02454

Quinn E. writes: It started well, I made a reservation online (yay, convenience!) and waited for my gf to get back from her crazy yoga retreat. I had this gift certificate sitting on my fridge since Christmas, it was a gift from co-workers. I hadn't used it because I…

Forever 21

South Shore Plaza
250 Granite St
Braintree, MA 02184

Rachele K M. writes: Seriously, if I see one more soccer mom shopping here, I'm going to 'out' them.  

They're not shopping for their daughters, or neices, or anyone else for that matter.  I don't buy it.  

I don't  care how thin you are.  Congrats for being able to 'fit'…

The Lobster Shanty

25 Front St
Salem, MA 01970

Jenny N. writes: Lobster Shanty is a misnomer. I was expecting a seafood shack but instead found a dive bar with outdoor seating. Alas, the one nod to its namesake was a sad looking tank of crustaceans stuck in one corner of the bar. They sure looked like some…

Ashmont Market & Liquor
Neighborhood: Dorchester

630 Adams St
Dorchester, MA 02122

michelle i. writes: The Ashmont we discovered is a great neighborhood store with a very popular meat counter.... since we decided we wanted more steak tips for the BBQ party later, G took us here for some meat shopping. (that sounds kind of odd, meat shopping. hmm...)…

Grub Street

160 Boylston Street
Floor 4
Boston, MA 02116

Jesse P. writes: If you have any interest in writing, and live near Boston, go here.  Grub Street is a nonprofit writing workshop, I believe it is the largest independent writing workshop in Boston (they also have a branch in Cambridge).  
Writing groups are…

Santoro's Sub-Villa Sandwich Shop

259 Essex St
Saugus, MA 01906

Andrew S. writes: Best steak sandwiches in Massachusetts.  Plus, enough towny sluts to turn even Tom Cruise straight.

The Christian Science Monitor
Neighborhood: Back Bay

175 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115

Walker S. writes: I am a long time subscriber to The Christian Science Monitor.   It's a real daily newspaper, not a religions paper.  Coverage is global with a paper edition published Monday through Friday.  The Monitor also has a multimedia website, an e-mail…

Soc's

67 Lynn Fells Pkwy
Saugus, MA 01906

Paul S. writes: Everything here is great. I have been going to this place since I was a kid. The first place I have had a dipped Ice cream. Vanilla with Cherry Dip, Heaven....!

Ice Cream is the best, Prices are great. A Must Try place...