Solas
Neighborhood: Back Bay

710 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199

michelle i. writes: how much room do you really need to consume a magnitude of beers anyway? not much! of course i had some drinks in here... i was staying at the freaking hotel upstairs. yes, i loved the fun energy in here but wished there was a little more space.…

B-Side Lounge
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT

92 Hampshire St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Billie M. writes: I once went here on a date.  We sat at the bar, and I ordered a sidecar on the rocks, and the bartender smiled happily as she went about making one of the best sidecars I've ever tasted.  My date ordered a Coors light, and she grimaced as she slammed…

Stella
Neighborhood: South End

1525 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118

Keane L. writes: I had forgotten about Stella.

I had forgotten about that wonderful pear martini, and the delicious, though overpriced, gnocchi. I had forgotten about the not-so-coherent review I wrote when I got back to the hostel, complaining about how the gnocchi…

B & G Oysters
Neighborhood: South End

550 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116

Ina K. writes: B & G: South End Hopping stop #2.

I love...
- the little cards that tell you what oysters they're serving that day.
- the fact that the oyster selection is different all the time!
- being able to see into every crevice of the kitchen because it's just…

Buckaroo's Mercantile
Neighborhood: Central Square

5 Brookline Street
Cambridge, MA 02139

Erica S. writes: THE spot for pin-ups, old school Wonder Woman clocks, skull embossed accessories, and that vintage laminate kitchen table you didn't know you needed, but can't live without.

Frolic your way through this totally unique store with wide eyes and your…

75 Chestnut
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill

75 Chestnut St
# 1
Boston, MA 02108

Liz D. writes: I don't get out in Beacon Hill enough for my liking.  Such a vibrant area where I can flaunt my cord sweater around my neck, and my salmon colored Lily Pulitzer capri pants with whales and JUST BE ME, YKNOW?!

My colleague went to lunch at 75 with her…

Mandy & Joe's Delicatessen

328 Washington St
Brighton, MA 02135

Joe L. writes: I love going to places like this; a simple, unpretentious storefront restaurant with good food, low prices and lots of regulars.

Walking down a portion of Washington St. to Mandy & Joe's it was then that Amanda and I realized several businesses in…

Turtle
Neighborhood: South End

619 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02118

Hana T. writes: Turtle bites.  Turtle pretty.  I'd shop at Turtle, if it isn't for my lame salary.

I want to be fashionable, but I also want to spend wisely.

Clothes maybe out, but accessories are alright.

I guess I can splurge.

But are they worthy?

I browse and browse…

Museum of Useful Things
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

49B Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138

Lindsey B. writes: Ever wonder what to get the weird distant relatives around Holiday time? This is your place,a little Harvard Square store which definitely lives up to it's name.. After your eyelids widen with amusement at the fantastic things you are left wondering…

Golden Temple

1651 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02445

Amanda H. writes: Want to know the best part about Golden Temple? It is not greasy.  Not even a little bit.  How can it be Chinese food without the grease?? Blasphemy!

Well listen up kids, because grease it out and crunchy goodness is in.  No longer do you have to sop…

Boston Ski & Sports Club

70 Leo M Birminghm Pkwy
Brighton, MA 02135

Rebecca H. writes: Yeah, it's a bit pricey I suppose, but cheaper than my gym so I can't really complain.

I just joined a co-ed flag football league and am having a freakin' blast.  The key with BSSC is really what team you're on.  My team rocks.  We all want to win,…

Johnny D's
Neighborhood: Davis Square

17 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144

Ligaya T. writes: After an unintentional seven year hiatus, I waltzed into JD's with purpose: to dance. Luckily Samba Trementerra was performing and filled the place with energy. It was a confluence of goodness; the crowd was diverse and enthusiastic, staff friendly,…

Hotel Commonwealth

500 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

Damien S. writes: Day One - Sox game and valet was beeeeeat. 45 min wait because of the Fenway runover and construction on Comm Ave. I had a room - isn't the customer always right? Upgraded to a suite BONUS! Turndown service gave a B&B feel, boasting chocolate cookies…

Salon Pini & Co.
Neighborhood: Back Bay

18 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116

Aurora C. writes: I think the thing that is great about Mr. Pini's haircuts is that your hair looks fantastic afterwards not just the day you walk out of the salon, and not after you have spent ample time laboring over it at home with brushes, hairdryers, etc. ... but…

Azure
Neighborhood: Back Bay

710 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116

erica c. writes: The three stars you see above are not for the entrees. Although interesting, if you are a foodie you will find them to be mediocre. The chef describes Azure as "clearly American with subtle French, Asian, Latin and Mediterranean influences"…

Pepper Sky's Thai Sensation
Neighborhood: Central Square

20 Pearl St
Cambridge, MA 02139

JJ G. writes: I am so embarrassed to say that I only just tried Pepper Sky, after living a block away and passing it daily for over a year.  My loss!  Pepper Sky is great.  It is solid Thai; fresh, spicy and flavorful, with crisp veggies holding their own in the…

Peach Farm
Neighborhood: Chinatown

4 Tyler St
Boston, MA 02111

PC W. writes: Like many authentic Cantonese restaurants in Boston, Peach Farm has had its good years and its bad years.  My family sticks to one restaurant for a while (sometimes up to a few years) until it starts going downhill and they revisit old favorites that…

Planet Records
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

54 JFK St
Ste B
Cambridge, MA 02138

Alex R. writes: Hands down the best used CD store in Boston.  The selection is unparalleled.  CDs cost an average of $8-10, which actually runs toward the high side.  But the CDs that cost $10 are the real popular ones; the more obscure it gets, the cheaper it gets,…

White Sport Restaurant

506 Medford St.
Somerville, MA 02145

Katie H. writes: I don't really care much about their other food there, but omg yay! They have broccoli bites. I used to always have to go to Bennigan's for my broccoli bite fix.  My friends swear by their pizza, but as a non-pizza eater I cannot vouch for it. The…

Paddock Lounge & Pizza

249 Pearl Street
Somerville, MA 02145

Billie M. writes: This is one of those places that you have to talk your friends into going to.  And the whole way there, you keep saying, "I promise you'll love this place guys, seriously, it's the best pizza in ALL of Boston!"  And then you get there and it's a…

Army Barracks
Neighborhood: Back Bay

328 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02115

Ligaya T. writes: Source for military gear, accessories and weapons. They carry some generic samurai swords, knives and legit looking toy gats in the back.

Want to experience an amazing transmogrification for cheap-o? Enter in black Gap t-shirt and jeans. Purchase the…

Cafe Belo
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton

181 Brighton Ave
Allston, MA 02134

Eli G. writes: Sure, the heat lamped food is kind of ghetto, but the Brazilian BBQ is oh so juicy and when I lived in the neighborhood and was still in college I would come here at least once a week. Belo is a great option for a cheap, but still decent meal,…

Condom World
Neighborhood: Back Bay

332 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115

Melissa C. writes: I was originally not going to review this place, but I am bored and not quite awake enough to be bashful.

The first time I passed by Condom World I pointed and laughed.
I prefer to discretely make my purchases online. When I looked all over the…

Chocho's
Neighborhood: Porter Square

1815 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140

Erica S. writes: Yum! Chocho's is one of my favorite spots, and within the Porter Exchange circuit it has the most and best options for vegetarians. Plus you get to space out to the crazy looking fish in the HUGE fish tank while you wait... pweetty feeshes!

The menu…

Le's Restaurant
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

36 Dunster St
Cambridge, MA 02138

Ligaya T. writes: Le's (then Pho Pasteur) pleasantly popped my Vietnamese cherry many years ago, and thus inspired a fervid love for the cuisine. (And made me reconsider the worth of parsley which I previously despised. If that's not a commendable feat, I don't know…

Midwest Grill
Neighborhood: Inman Square

1124 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Tom E. writes: And finally, monsieur, a wafer-thin mint.
:::    Nah.
Oh, sir, it's only a tiny, little, thin one.
:::    No. Fuck off. I'm full.
Oh, sir. Hmm?
:::    *groan*
It's only wafer thin.
:::    Look. I couldn't eat another thing. I'm absolutely stuffed. Bugger…

South Street Diner
Neighborhood: Waterfront, South Boston

178 Kneeland St
Boston, MA 02111

Liz G. writes: I've never understood why Boston has exactly one all-night diner and my hometown in south-central-east-nowher e Pennsylvania has two. Oh well. I love diners so I've eaten basically any meal that could occur between 11 pm and 9 am here at some point.…

City Feed and Supply
Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain

66 Boylston St
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Nate Y. writes: It's literally your local neighborhood store, with wooden swing doors and vinyl seating if you need to sit down for a spell. There are assorted unique sundries and specific goods that cater to vegans. On weekends they can get very busy and the main…

Zoe's
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

1105 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Arnab M. writes: I love my weekend brunches and Cambridge has some fabbb options. My friend picked Zoe's since I'd not been there and she loved it the one time she had in the past. There was a wait since it was a Saturday afternoon and it also happened to be family…

Boomerang's

298 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135

Erin G. writes: FYI this is where I donate ALL of my used wares, so that t-shirt you're wearing, probably mine. the belt too.  I shop here as well and the selection reflects the people who live in Brighton which is a good thing.  nice area but poor parking.…

The Baak Gallery
Neighborhood: Harvard Square

35A Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138

sonali m. writes: I totally echo ellie l's comments. Perfect gift place because the pieces are unique and original. It is definitely kind of pricey, but look out for good deals -- apparently I am not a jewelry connoisseur because many pieces look similarly beautiful…

Back Bay Dental Care

21 Bay State Rd
Boston, MA 02215

Morgan F. writes: I have been told by several doctors that I have "really sensative, prone to decay teeth" and in the process have had about 7 root canals. I am sure NONE of this had to do with the fact that I used to drink 3 cans of sprite a day, eat TONS of candy…

Foreign Auto Center Inc
Neighborhood: Inman Square

251 Prospect St
Cambridge, MA 02139

A A. writes: An excellent shop.  Very friendly, honest and knowledgeable.  I have had my VW and honda repaired here.  

In both instances, they correctly diagnosed problems that the dealers and other "specailty" garages could not correctly identify, and fixed them…

Molana Persian Cuisine

5 Spring St
Watertown, MA 02472

Jose T. writes: JOYA.....a hidden gem
Yes the service is a bit tardy, but you cannot go wrong with the excellent food.  The fact that you can bring your own bottle of wine just adds to the great value of this place.  Named after the honorific title bestowed on Rumi I…

Christopher J Hawes Color & Design Group
Neighborhood: Back Bay

36 Newbury St # 2
Boston, MA 02116

karin j. writes: My hair hasn't looked so pretty in ages.  

And it's a cool artsy little place, too.  In a funky kind of way, none of that pretentious Newbury Street stuff (despite its locale).

1369 Coffee House
Neighborhood: Inman Square

1369 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Ligaya T. writes: Ooh ooh, so here's a riddle!

What do you get when combining the milk of a cow, the unfertilized baby of a hen and three day old orange spice, blueberry and poppyseed muffins?

Why, 1369's bread pudding, of course!

This exemplifies my experience with the…

Boston Tropical Fish & Reptiles

243 Monsignor Obrien Hwy
Cambridge, MA 02141

midnight i. writes: This place isn't as cheap as the Petco a few blocks away, but I'd rather pay slightly more to a local shop than to a mega chain.

They have a TON of fish and reptiles, probably the best selection in the area.

It's the kind of place where you can spend…

TN Beauty Salon

384A Trapelo Rd
Belmont, MA 02478

Jenny N. writes: Thao, the hairdresser/owner, of this salon seems like a sweetie but my experience was marred by the fact that not 5 minutes into my cut, some crazy  woman came in and hovered around my chair for what seemed like 10+ minutes, begging Thao to give her…