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PrintBest of the South Shore 2011
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Best Kids Museum
Our World Children’s Global Discovery Museum ★ Cohasset
Childhood imagination is a terrible thing to waste. Our World Children’s Global Discovery Museum in Cohasset is a unique parent-run facility that aims to expand the horizons of youngsters as they venture along the various play zones. Kids can climb aboard a giant wooden pirate ship, check out a nearby colorful coral display, or watch informative films in the theater area. The space also has tables for art projects and there is a playground outside. There are also plans to add to the museum offerings in the coming year, thus increasing the fun and social learning opportunities.
Best Ballet Fusion Workout
Secret Physique Barre Studio ★ Pembroke
Hit the floor with the energetic instructors at Secret Physique and experience a West Coast Barre workout, a fitness style that combines ballet steps and stretches with yoga and Pilates movements, leaving you feeling stronger and rejuvenated by the end of each class. Owner and instructor Jenny Anania, a former Patriots Cheerleader and fitness model, spent the last three years developing and delivering her customized bardio dance workout. Bardio focuses on strengthening and building muscles by practicing balance and stretching on the barre while also engaging in a series of cardio and aerobic exercises. The best part—it’s all about having fun. As a tribute to her former dance days in Los Angeles, Anania also offers a Hollywood dance class, incorporating sexy moves in a burlesque fashion.
Best Bedroom Décor
La Petite Maison ★ Hingham
Sunlight pours through the large shop windows of this Parisian-inspired boutique casting a warm glow upon inviting bedroom displays with cloud-like comforters and decorative pillows. The shop specializes in luxurious linens, tasteful antiques, and home accessories, hand selected by owner Nanette Walsh to deliver a stylish European look and feel. There are soft sheets from Yves Deloreme and Matouk, as well as cozy robes, slippers, custom monogrammed towels, and delicately scented soaps and candles. High quality table linens are also available as well as unique decorative tableware, such as Pillivuyt brasserie porcelain, which is inscribed with French bistro menu items. With soft music playing in the background, shoppers may experience sweet day dreams of strolls beside the Champs-Elysées.
Best Way to Spread The Love
Zamforia Global Threads ★ Quincy
Positive thinkers will no doubt fall in love with the clever L-O-V-E logo printed on Zamforia Global Threads products—the creators of the “It Says Love” T-shirt (readable right side up and upside down). No matter your cultural background, you can share your love with the world by donning a colorful T-shirt emblazoned with the word “love” in the language of your choice: Italian, French, Chinese, Lithuanian, Hindi, or even sign language. Founded by brother and sister team Jonathan and Olivia, the company operates out of a small, funky shop in Quincy where even the packaging is unique—shirts come packaged in reusable “potato chip” bags. Toss one to a friend and spread the love around.
Best Cheese Shop
Bloomy Rind ★ Hingham
Seated at the long farmer’s table at the center of this unique and cheerful cheese shop, guests can mingle while sampling from a wide variety of American-made artisanal cheeses such as Vermont Shepard sheep’s milk cheese, Toma Prima from New York, Oregon’s own Oregonzola, and Kunik, a goat and cow’s milk cheese made in New Jersey. Owned and operated by Chef Robert Gonsalves and his wife Mary, the shop also sells a wide range of gourmet food products like pastas, olive oil, and slate stone cheese platters, as well as homemade side dishes, fresh soups, and savory sandwiches. The shop will also prepare you a picnic basket filled with specialty goodies for a relaxed summer meal in the open air.
Best Pet Groomer on Wheels
The Nautical Dog ★ Plymouth
When the doggy trailer pulls up, man’s best friend need not shy away. Experienced pet groomer Julie MaKinnon makes it easy for dogs and owners to feel comfortable at the groomers as she conveniently arrives in the driveway to give personal care to all breeds of pups. One at a time, pets hop inside her grand grooming trailer where MaKinnon will begin a champion grooming session that includes a double shampoo, luxurious blow dry, trimming, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. Experienced in the world of competitive dog showing, Makinnon’s artistic and skilled doggy treatments leave pets looking p-arfff-ectly ready to turn heads in the ring or at the dog park.
Best Dairy Delivery
Hornstra Farms ★ Hingham
Driving up to doorsteps in refrigerated trucks, the friendly milkmen from Hornstra Farms offer a taste of the good old days—served up in environmentally friendly glass bottles. Serving the South Shore since 1915, the company continues to produce Grade A hormone-free milk the old-fashioned way, using vat pasteurization at the “family” farm in Haverhill New Hampshire. In addition to dairy products, the company also delivers farm fresh eggs, bread, frozen foods, and sweet treats like ice cream and lemonade. The groceries are kept cool on customers’ doorsteps inside insulated galvanized metal boxes. Pour yourself a glass of Hornstra’s cold, creamy milk for a taste of nostalgia.
Best Martini List
The Mockingbird Restaurant and
Martini Lounge ★ East Bridgewater
If you ever dreamed you would experience a banana cream pie or tiramisu in the form of a martini, prepare to be pinched. Printed on the seven-page martini list at the Mockingbird Restaurant and Martini Lounge, are over 100 exotic signature concoctions shaken up or layered with high-end vodkas and bright, electrifying liquors (including X-Rated). This lengthy martini menu is even categorized, so if you’re looking for a tropical island infusion, an after dinner chocolate fix, or a P-Diddy party drink, you’ll easily find your nightly craving, and you can bet that having more than one won’t break the bank. Can’t decide? On Thursday nights, the inventive bartenders will test their three newest ideas out with a weekly trio of 10 oz. martini testers.
Best Custom Men’s Shirts
Bo Line Boutique ★ Norwell
For the classy man who wears his heart on his sleeve, there’s no better place to shop for custom shirts and suits than Bo Line Boutique. This chic shop, which sells high-end men’s and women’s clothing, doubles as a design studio for second generation tailor and custom shirt maker, Arthur Iskenderian. Gazing up at a wall that is stacked high with bolts of cotton fabric, customers can select from a range of cloth patterns and colors (not to mention button, cuff, and collar details) and have a one-of-a-kind dress shirt designed to fit their own personal style like a glove. The unique looks are great for special occasions or the businessman who wants to be set apart from the pack. Since complimentary alterations are included with every purchase, you can’t go wrong.
Best Piano Restoration
Piano Mill ★ Hanover
For over 25 years, Piano Mill owner Rob Norris and his talented team of piano technicians, tuners, and teachers have been selling, servicing, and restoring the magic to a wide range of pianos. The company operates both a Hanover showroom as well as a rustic restoration shop in Hanson where soundboards are repaired, pinblocks are replaced, and antique finishes are renewed to their former glory. In addition to working with brands like Steinway, Chickering, Yamaha, Mason and Hamlin, and Ivers and Pond, the shop is the exclusive dealer for Baldwin pianos in New England. If you don’t know how to play, you can have an unused piano outfitted with a high-tech player system, which will allow you to plug in your iPod and listen to a concert of your favorite music.
Best Belly Buster
The Fat Cat ★ Quincy
You don’t have to be a competitive eater to appreciate the huge portions served up at the Fat Cat, famed for its menu of stick-to-your-bones comfort food. This popular city-style restaurant has brick walls and high ceilings that give the space an industrial feel. Tables can be hard to come by at prime dinner hours as loyal customers return time and time again for a taste of addictive foods like chicken wings, fried pickles, and gourmet mac and cheese, made with a blend of manchego, parmesan, blue, and cheddar cheese—the dish that put this joint on the map. For the true champs, there is an outrageous Ultimate Fat Mac Challenge—a massive bowl piled high with six-pounds of rich and creamy macaroni and cheese, along with lobster, steak, shrimp, hot dogs, crab, and chicken. A single dish could feed 4 people easily, so prepare to take home leftovers.
READER'S CHOICE
Family Restaurant
Polcari’s Bridgwaye Inn
Marshfield
Date Spot
Alma Nove
Hingham
Lunch Spot
Circe’s Grotto
Scituate
Deli
D’Orazio’s Italian Market Place
Duxbury
Sandwich Shop
Maria’s Sub Shop
Scituate
Sunday Brunch
Atlantica Restaurant
Cohasset
Coffee Shop
Coffee Break Café
Quincy
Italian
Mia Regazza
Abington
Chinese
Tsang’s Village Café
Hanover
Thai
Sweet Lemons
Weymouth
Sushi
Fuji 1546
Quincy
Outdoor Dining
Alma Nove
Hingham
Late-night Hangout
McGuiggan’s Pub
Whitman
Steak
Burton’s Grill
Hingham
Chowder
Cabby Shack
Plymouth
Wine List
Tosca
Hingham
Bakery
White’s Pastry Shop
Hingham
Burger
Burton’s Grill
Hingham
Pizza
AVA Cucina
Cohasset
Ice Cream
Peaceful Meadows
Plymouth
Sports Bar
The Four’s
Norwell & Quincy
Irish Pub
Snug
Hingham
Mexican
El Sarape
Braintree
Seafood
Jakes
Hull
Lobster Roll
Lobster Express
Hull
Fried Clams
Hingham Lobster Pound
Hingham
Dessert
Square Café
Hingham
Cocktail Bar
Scarlet Oak Tavern
Hingham
Appetizers
Hola
Marshfield
Soups
Panera
Multiple Locations
Ribs and Barbeque
Frankie D’s BBQ & Grill
Kingston
Hot Wings
PizZing’s Pizza & Wings
Marshfield
Raw Bar
Summer Shack
Hingham
Margaritas
El Sarape
Braintree
Martinis
Ember
Marshfield
Fish ‘n Chips
Haddad’s Ocean Café
Marshfield
Tapas
Hola
Marshfield
Bagels
Atlantic Bagel
Hingham/Cohasset
Breakfast
Toast
Hull
Donuts
Dunkin Donuts
Multiple Locations
Waitstaff
AVA Cucina
Cohasset
Chef
Paul Wahlberg
Alma Nove
Hingham
Bartenders
McGuiggan’s Pub
Whitman
Scenic View while Dining
Mill Wharf
Scituate
Beer Selection – Restaurant
British Beer Company
Plymouth/Pembroke
Beer Selection - Liquor Store
Curtis Liquors
Weymouth/Cohasset
Restaurant for Kids
Red Robin
Plymouth
Place for Ladies Night Out
Hola
Marshfield
Place for Men’s Night Out
The Four’s
Norwell/Quincy
Ambience
Tosca
Hingham
Day Spa
Bodywork Day Spa
Hull
Facial
South Shore Skin Center & Spa
Plymouth/Cohasset
Wax
Bella Fiore Skin Care
Pembroke
Manicure
Face Place & Spa
Hanover
Pedicure
Bodywork Day Spa
Hull
Massage
Mariposa Massage & Body Therapies
Cohasset
Eyebrow Shaping
Julie Hall at Michael’s Salon
Pembroke
Hair Colorist
Charles David
Hanover/Plymouth
Hair Cut (women)
Lemon Lime
Cohasset
Hair Cut (men)
Gorgeous Styles
Weymouth
Make-up Counter/Selection
Charles David
Hanover/Plymouth
Chiropractor
Dr. Daoust
Hingham
Orthodontist
Siobhan Sheehan
Duxbury
Cosmetic Surgery Office
South Shore Skin Center & Spa
Plymouth/Cohasset
Pilates Studio
Balance Studio
Cohasset
Martial Arts Studio
Jade Forest Kung Fu & Tai Chi
Cohasset
Yoga Studio
Open Doors Studio
Weymouth
Golf Course (public)
Pembroke Country Club
Pembroke
Golf Course (private)
Cohasset Country Club
Cohasset
Fitness Center
Weymouth Club
Weymouth
Tennis Club
Kingsbury Club & Spa
Kingston
Gift Shop
Suzanne’s
Hingham
Gourmet Food Shop
Bo-Tes Imports
Norwell
Wine Shop
Marsh’s
Norwell
Produce Selection
Whole Foods
Hingham
Jewelry Store
King Jewelers
Cohasset
Shopping Center
Derby Street Shoppes
Hingham
Book Store
Barnes and Noble
Braintree/Hingham
Women’s Clothing
Ports & Company
Cohasset
Beachwear
Carousels and Ships
Gift Shops
Hull
Lingerie
Bloom
Hingham
Baubles and Beads
DRE Designs
Multiple Locations
Women’s Specialty Shoe
Shoe Market
Hingham
Men’s Clothing
Jos. A. Banks
Plymouth/Hingham
Consignment Shop
Designer Consigner
Hingham
Vintage Clothing Shop
Reflections Antiques
Cohasset
Fitness Wear
Lululemon
Hingham
Art Gallery
Focus Gallery
Cohasset
Children’s Clothing
Olivia Rose
Marshfield
Music Store
Music Unlimited
Hanover/Kingston
Candy Store
Fedele’s Hand Dipped Chocolates
Plymouth/Pembroke
Toys & Hobbies
Harbor Lights Toy Co
Scituate
Pet Specialty Store
Maggie’s Dog House
Hingham
Dry Cleaner
Dependable Cleaners
Multiple Locations
Sporting Goods
Good Sport Inc.
Cohasset
Department Store
Nordstrom
Braintree
Teens’ Clothing
American Eagle
Multiple Locations
Winter Gear
REI
Hingham
Stationery Shop
The Paper Store
Hingham
Cookware Shop
Williams Sonoma
Hingham
Golf Store
Edwin Watts
Hanover
Bike Store
Bikeway
Marshfield
Bath and Body Shop
Back Porch Soap Company
Duxbury
Outdoor Adventure
REI
Hingham
Organic Grocer
Whole Foods
Hingham
Prepared Meals-To-Go
Roche Bros
Marshfield/Quincy
Fish Market
Mullaney’s
Cohasset/Scituate
Nutrition Center
Good Health Natural Foods
Hanover/Quincy
Cleaning Services
Danny’s Cleaning
Braintree/Quincy
Marine Supplies
Bayside Marine Corp.
Duxbury
Daycare
The Magic Dragon Children’s Center
Duxbury
Limo Service
J B Livery
Multiple Locations
Place to Spend the Night
Inn at Scituate Harbor
Scituate
Antique Shop
Reflections Antiques
Cohasset
Garden Shop
Kennedy’s Country Gardens
Scituate
Rug Store
Rug Merchant
Rockland
Kitchen Accessories
Crate & Barrel
Hingham/Braintree
Furniture Store
Boston Interiors
Hanover
Home Accessories
Home Goods
Braintree/Norwell
Local Hardware Store
Curry Hardware
Multiple Locations
Lighting Shop
Fleming’s
Cohasset
Framer
The Village Framer
Marshfield
Tile Store
Snug Harbor Tile
Norwell
Outdoor Grills
Lowes
Multiple Locations
Outdoor Furnishings
Home Depot
Multiple Locations
Appliance Store
George Washington Toma
Weymouth
Electronics Store
Best Buy
Multiple Locations
Pool and Hot
Tub Store
Pool Place
Abington
Wedding Dress Shop
Country Weddings
Hingham
Tux Shop
Dominic’s
Plymouth
Occassion Cakes
Veronica’s Sweetcakes
Marshfield
Reception Venue (large)
Indian Pond Country Club
Kingston
Reception Venue (intimate)
Barker Tavern
Scituate
Invitations
Paperscapes
Cohasset
Florist
Winston’s Flowers
Hingham
Performing Arts Venue
South Shore Music Circus
Cohasset
Place for Kids’ Parties
Expressions
Duxbury
Radio Station-FM
95.9 WATD
Marshfield
Radio Station-AM
1030 WBZ
Boston
Local Radio Personality
Matty in the morning Kiss 108
Medford
