Zocalo Cocian Mexicana is a fast and friendly neighborhood restaurant. They feature authentic and delicious Mexican food based on the culinary traditions of Oaxaca and Veracruz. They prepare each dish individually, using only the freshest available produce. Visit zocalobackbay.com for more information.

Nick Varano, owner of Strega, Nico and Nick Varano’s Famous Deli Restaurants, just might be Boston’s biggest celebrity restaurateur. Some of the celebrities spotted at the North End favorite Strega include none other than Tony Soprano himself (the late James Gandolfini), Robert DeNiro, Paris Hilton, Steven Tyler, The Rock and Justin Timberlake. Diners of all ages flock to this super hot Hanover Street restaurant not only for the lively scene, where Varano claims you will be treated like a celebrity even if you aren’t, but also for the authentic Italian cuisine. There are Italian gangster movies, i.e. The Godfather, running continuously on the numerous TVs set in the wall. House specialties include veal chops stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese and grilled filet mignon with a Remy-Martin sauce. The Buccatini All’ Amatricana (pasta sautéed with pancetta, San Marzano tomato sauce with onions covered with a blend of pecorino and parmigiano cheeses) just might be the best dish on the menu. End the night with a sweet limoncello or a strong cup of cappuccino.

The Rattlesnake Bar and Grill has been a staple in Boston’s lifestyle scene for decades. The rooftop deck opens up as soon as the warm weather debuts and Poe’s Kitchen offers some of the funkiest tacos in town ranging from grilled lamb tip and Hudson Valley duck to smoked pork and grilled scallop prepared by Chef Brian Poe. Wash it down with a pineapple sage or berry acai mint margarita for a fun night out on the town. There is also a good selection of tequilas and whiskeys available here. Click here for more information.

Here in Red Sox Nation, one of the most coveted spots (if you can make your way in) during a home game is The Baseball Tavern. The four-story bar/restaurant offers a variety of large screen high def TVs so you can get a great view of the game from any seat in the house. Those in the know sneak up to the roof deck for some al fresco dining or a nice cold beer in the sun while listening to the roar of Fenway Park just steps away. Order up some Fenway franks or a sausage smothered in onions and peppers and you’ll feel right at home. Visit thebaseballtavern.com for more information.

Jerry Remy is one of the biggest names in baseball here in Red Sox nation so we knew it would be just a matter of time before he opened his own restaurant just steps from Fenway Park. Located on Boylston Street, the casual restaurant serves up burgers, wings, nachos, salads, pulled pork, barbecue and of course, Jerry’s famous RemDawg hot dog covered in chili, cheddar cheese and onions. Be sure to ask about the “season pass” that allows guaranteed seating, front of the line privileges and exclusive entry. Visit jerryremys.com for more information.

Just when men thought their wardrobe couldn’t be trendy along comes a hot little boutique shop like Uniform. Located in the South End, this popular men’s store for contemporary clothing, skincare and accessories offers those fashion forward men a sense of style. If you are looking for a new suit, head over here where the staff will size you up and fit you in the most exquisite suit you’ve ever seen. They also carry fun T-shirts, deconstructed blazers, roll sleeve button downs, slim fit chinos, and even reversible shorts.You’ll transition from work to play in no time and look fabulous in the process. Check out the website at uniformboston.com.

Imagine a cupcake shop that offers zero carbs, sugars and fats! Impossible, you say? Not when you are Johnny Cupcakes, the quirky clothing store designed with cupcakes on them. Started by a kid who sold T-shirts out of his car, the company is now a multi-million dollar business and owner Johnny Earle was ranked #1 “Best Entrepreneurs 25 and Under” by BusinessWeek. Inside the shop, you will find a uniquely decorated interior, including antique refrigerators and all sorts of baking products with fun clothing items sitting prominently on display on baking trays and in glass pastry cases. Visit johnnycupcakes.com for more information.

Sometimes in life you just need a little indulgence. When that time comes, Tweed Barbers comes to the rescue with a good old-fashioned shave.

Tweed Barbers, formerly State Street Barbers, has provided award-winning men’s haircuts and hot lather shaves to discerning Boston-area clients since 2006. They take tremendous pride in their work and perpetuating the fine art of classic barbering. Their strength and differentiation is manifest in the details: how intently they listen to what you want, how well the hair is tapered, how straight the neckline is, how even the sideburns are. Tweed Barbers would love the opportunity to be your Boston barber of choice. Check out the website at tweedbarbers.com.

Stephanie’s on Newbury restaurant is as iconic as ritzy Newbury Street itself, and when namesake owner Stephanie Sokolove is not enjoying her award-winning patio and sophisticated comfort food, she goes to fellow Newbury Street business Bella Santé Spa.

“When I think of unwinding it is all about getting pampered,” Stephanie Sokolove told citybuzz. “For that I turn to Bella Santé Spa.” Similar to Stephanie on Newbury’s numerous accolades, Bella Sante Spa is a multi award-winning spa, receiving the most ever “Best of Boston” nods for its massages, skin care, and nail salon than any other spa in Boston. It’s known for the Swedish-based Bella Santé Massage and the Bella Santé Spa Facial, which includes a double exfoliation process and mineral infused fabric mask.

“The service is exceptional, the treatments are divine,” adds Stephanie. “And there is one located on Newbury Street, right down the street from my restaurant, so sometimes I am able to sneak away for a massage after work.” That sounds like a divine day, indeed! Visit bellasante.com for more information.

*** Stephanie Sokolove is the Owner and Executive Chef of the iconic Newbury Street restaurant Stephanie’s on Newbury, which has won her the nickname of “Queen of Patio Dining.” Stephanie just opened the Stephanie’s on Newbury sister restaurant, Stephi’s on Tremont, in Boston’s South End. Stephanie is known for her upscale, sophisticated take on American comfort food.

Everything you’ve ever wished for can be found at the dreamy little boutique Wish in Beacon Hill. The contemporary women’s shop features high end designer labels (think black American Express Centurion), including Shoshanna, Diane von Furstenberg, Theory, Rebecca Taylor, Hudson and Citizens of Humanity.

Everyone loves a fabulous shop that has all the latest fashions and Wish truly has it all from handbags to jeans. Whether your look is trendy or traditional, Wish offers some of the most stylish threads in the city, but be prepared to pay luxury store prices.

Wish is the brainchild of three former Newbury Street employees, who had a dream of opening their own clothing store. This boutique just goes to prove that wishes really do come true. Check out wishboston.com for more information.

Visit gardnermuseum.org to see the latest exhibits and schedules.

“America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” is uniquely nestled in the city of Boston. Fenway Park is a place where dreams are made, traditions are celebrated and baseball is forever. See the home of Red Sox Legends, Williams, Yaz, Fisk and Rice. Visit Pesky’s Pole and sit atop the world famous Green Monster which stands 37 feet 2 inches high overlooking leftfield. Our experienced tour guides will provide a thrilling, one hour, walking tour of Fenway Park. We welcome all fans to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and the pulse of Red Sox Nation.

Starting April 1, 2013: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or three hours prior to game time (last tour departing at 5 p.m. or three hours prior to game time)
Tours are available year-round and depart at the top of the hour. Click here for more information.

Checking out the stars on a clear night in Boston can be a hard find until now. The Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science recently underwent a $9 million facelift where you can now spend an evening out under 9,100 stars in the most technologically advanced digital theater in New England. The surface of the dome is used to project the night sky to offer a virtual experience of flying through the universe. It just doesn’t get any cooler than this. For more information, check out mos.org/planetarium.

Looking for a place to listen to Latin, contemporary jazz, blues, soul, R & B, cabaret or world music? Then look no further than Scullers Jazz Club where you can find something going on almost every night of the week. Located in the Doubletree Suites near Harvard Square, the lounge has hosted some of the top musicians in the business including Harry Connick, Jr., Chris Botti, Jamie Cullam, David Sanborn, Michael Bublé, Arturo Sandoval and Tony Bennett.

The 200-seat lounge sits high atop the hotel offering spectacular views of the Boston skyline and Charles River. Make your night out on the town even more special by booking a dinner and a show package and staying over after. Check out the schedule at scullersjazz.com.

If you have ever wanted to get up close and personal with some sharks and stingrays, the New England Aquarium has the exhibit just for you.

The largest Shark and Ray touch tank on the East Coast has just debuted at the Aquarium allowing visitors of all ages to get a hands-on experience gently touching cownose rays and bonnethead sharks as they swim around in a mangrove-themed tank. The exhibit also discusses the importance of conserving essential coastal habitats, including mangroves and lagoons. Check out the website for the Aquarium at neaq.org for more information.

Located on Clarendon Street just across the street from the old John Hancock building, Hotel 140 offers one of the city’s best priced accommodations at under $200 a night. The boutique hotel is situated in a recently renovated historic landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Boston’s Copley Square. The Lyric Stage is also located in this building, so you can simply step outside the hotel and check out a production.

Hotel 140 offers a variety of rooms from king bedrooms to suites with full kitchens. If you are looking to stay in the city for an extended period of time, be sure to ask about the special weekly or monthly rates and rooms. The modest and affordable accommodations offer the best value for the dollar in the city- including deals on theater productions to college visit specials- and you can’t beat the downtown location. There are numerous great places to go for drinks or dinner; the on-site Stuart Street Grill is an ideal spot for grabbing a quick breakfast before heading out to a day on the town.

Location, location, location – when you are looking for a stay in Boston, finding a reasonably priced hotel in the center of all the action is what most people have in mind but actually finding that property can be difficult – until now. The Charlesmark Hotel located right on Boylston Street across from the Boston Public Library and the Copley T station, the modern hotel sits prominently at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. With Free wi-fi, a complimentary continental breakfast, a super cool lounge, a Thai dinner menu and rates as low at $119 per night, the Charlesmark Hotel just might be the best value in town.

The latest newcomer to the city is The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel located in the Seaport District offers amazing views of Boston Harbor. The oceanic designed hotel offers 450 rooms with a Starbucks on the first level along with Capiz Bar, a hot after-work gathering spot for a freshly muddle mojito. Renowned Chef Michael Schlow has recently added another restaurant to his roster of establishments – 606 Congress, the hotel’s on-site restaurant that features modern American cuisine (think local sea scallops, Brandt Farms ribeye and lobster club sandwiches). Be sure to request a suite for a waterfront view.

Nearly eight years ago, the InterContinental Boston hit the hotel scene running and hasn’t stopped to look back. With more than 400 guest rooms and even a collection of private residences (for those who never want to leave), the all-glass contemporary property designed to resemble a Tall Ship, has an unbeatable location. The international dining scene here is impressive – start off with a rum cocktail while listening to Latin and Caribbean music at RumBa, order up a spicy tuna roll at Sushi-Teq and then end the evening with a relaxing dinner at the French brasserie known as Miel. Don’t miss a walk in the InterContinental Gardens, a two-acre waterfront promenade along Fort Point Channel. Click here for more information.

Encore Bed & Breakfast, which has been open since 2001, offers just four contemporary accommodations in the South End neighborhood. The alternative to typical hotel lodging, Encore offers 21st-century comfort in a 19^th century Victorian town house. Each room features modern amenities, including a private bathroom with shower, queen-size bed, cable TV with DVD player. In keeping with the theatrical theme of the Inn, the rooms are named after choreographer Jerome Robbins, conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, playwright Edward Albee and composer Stephen Sondheim. A continental breakfast is served each morning featuring European-strength coffee, pastries, granola, and fresh fruit.