The larger Poor Little Rich Girl shop in Somerville has expanded its vintage and consignment business to the oh-so-stylish Newbury Street. Originally a hidden hole-in-the-wall on Highland Avenue, owner Meredith Byam's independent vision has grown into a full-blown shopping experience now at two locations that’s chock full of vintage jeans, killer pumps, '80s-style shoulder pad dresses and old-school clutch purses with attitude. The smaller Newbury Street shop next to Sarni's dry cleaners is definitely more upscale ... with a focus on vintage evening wear and hard-to-find classics.

Ben Sherman, the ultimate British mod brand famous for its Oxford button-down shirts and Carnaby-style fit, invades Newbury Street in late 2008. The brand of choice for five decades of rock royalty ranging from the The Kinks and The Beatles in the '60s to The Clash in the '70s to the Arctic Monkeys and The Killers today, the Ben Sherman style is revered by stylistas for its focus on tailored classics which includes suits, shirts and shoes.

Recently opened in early June 2008, the funky jeans made popular by Fergie's "My Hump" song are now on their way to Newbury. The jeans are characterized by the distinctive back-pockets (most designer jean buffs know jeans by the design on the back pocket) and the outter seam twisting forward to the front of the pant. The jeans flatter most figures- letting you have curves in all the right places. The jeans will cost you a heafty $150 and up. Apart from the well known jeans, the store will carry men, women and children's clothing lines, sportswear, headware, and handbags.

The Copley Square Hotel plans to unveil its new urban-chic look on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 after a $17 million facelift. The historic hotel's initial re-launch date was postponed from Nov. 11 to New Year's Eve after mandatory city inspections held up the renovations kicking off more than one year ago on January 24, 2008. At this contemporary boutique hotel, guests will enjoy top-tier accommodations at a lower rate within walking distance of many of the city's most popular restaurants, nightspots, shopping and attractions, The Copley Square Hotel showcases the best of Boston at highly competitive hotel rates. Also, the revamped hotel boasts a new martini bar, formerly Domani Bar & Trattoria, called Minibar. Inspired by lounges at the W Hotels and Miami's Delano, designer/architect Stephen Sousa's Minibar boasts modern design elements including a black-and-metallic color motif and gray-leather seating surrounding a minimalist U-shaped bar area.

UPDATE: Minibar is now open for business. The Copley Square Hotel plans to unveil its new urban-chic look on Wednesday, Dec. 31 after a $17 million facelift. Formerly Domani Bar & Trattoria, this new martini bar is located in the heart of Boston's Back Bay. The interior of Minibar, the soon-to-be-opened lobby lounge and U-shaped bar adjacent to the Copley Square Hotel, is emerging as a sleek example of modern chic. Inspired by lounges at the W Hotels and Miami's Delano, designer/architect Stephen Sousa's Minibar boasts modern design elements including a black-and-metallic color motif and gray-leather seating surrounding a minimalist bar area. After snooping outside of the Copley Square hot spot yesterday, it looks like the interior of the South End's Oishii coupled with the contemporary flair of Vintage Lounge in the Financial District as well as the stark modern design elements of the new Downtown Crossing Italian restaurant Bina Osteria. Of course, Sousa designed Gypsy Bar and nearby Saint so there are obvious design similarities. Minibar will offer a renowned drink menu with signature cocktails and an inspired host of appetizers. All served under the ambient sounds of cool, hip, progressive lounge music. Minibar will be accessible from both the hotel lobby and the street, and will be open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week.

Replacing Armani Cafe, Zara is a women's and men's fashion store that officially opened its doors in March 2008. Specializing in European-style clothing and footwear, the new Zara store on Newbury Street is basically an upscale H&M. Famous for its flagship stores in Montreal, Italy and NYC (see the YouTube video below for more info), the Back Bay store has three levels (two floors dedicated to women's clothing, one for men with a stylish kids section on the second floor).

Agent Provocateur unveiled its controversial new window display on Newbury Street and let's say heads will be turning with the store's scantily-clad mannequins striking a come-hither pose that seems more like a Parisian red-light district and less Newbury Street. But, what do you expect from a store that means "inciting agent" in French? In the wake of Diptyque has emerged Agent Provocateur, a high-end lingerie shop with apparel that will raise a few eyebrows among Boston's Puritanical set. Co-founder Joe Corre, who opened the label's first boutique back in 1996 with Serena Rees, has crafted a naughty collection of classic to exotic lingerie. Think enticing suspender belts, corsets, garters and see-through undergarments that will add a sizzle to your boudoir during the winter months. Cross Streets: Claredon and Dartmouth

Where's the beef? The first Daily Grill to open in New England, Daily Grill Boston is located at The Shops at Prudential Center. The venue has a bar area boasting its array of signature cocktails as well as a stellar selection of surf and turf including a New York Strip Steak that has been aged for 28 days ($28.75) and prime rib with au jus only served on Saturdays and Sundays ($27.95). Their sauce seems to be, well, their secret sauce ranging from savory red wine to creamy horseradish. Also, the dining area and bar is completely open--or alfresco--on sunny days and is the perfect spot to people watch as tourists trek up and down Huntington Ave.

PLEASE NOTE: L'Espalier moved to its new home on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street.

UPDATE: L'Espalier opened its doors at 774 Boylston Street for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
Fearlessly led by Frank McClelland, one of the top 25 chefs in the nation according to Food and Wine, L'Espalier is as good as it gets. And it gets good. Ascend the narrow staircase into the first of L'Espalier's 2 classically-decorated dining rooms (get a table in the more modern upper dining room if you can) and prepare yourself for high-class French food, catering to no less than serious eaters with serious finances; this is one place that'll get you psyched for Parents Weekend. The menu is a standard three-course prix-fixe for $75: spanning a wealth of tastes, from foie gras to Hawaiian red snapper to grilled lamb, the seasonal selection is substantially varied and guaranteed to delight every palate (course if that isn't enough, there's always the 6-course Degustation Menu for $95; $135 and up with paired wines). But perhaps the best thing L'Espalier has to offer: their special events, like “cheese Tuesdays,” a 4-course dinner with matching wines and a grand cheese sampler, all led by the restaurant's top cheese and wine meisters for a bargain $55. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard. Afternoon tea: There are two tea service choices offered: 'Make Way For The Ducklings' ($27) - your choice of tea plus a selection of petit fours and pastries - and 'Red Riding Hood's Basket' ($36), which adds tea sandwiches and canapes. For 15 dollars further, a glass of fine champagne can be served with either. Vegetarian substitutions can be requested. The tea choice is a typical 8 or so varieties and your cup is refilled from teapots carried by the staff rather than leaving them on your table. The accompanying food includes lobster salad, cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, strawberry terrine and the classic L'Espalier swan.

Be it for a power breakfast, long and leisurely lunch, or night on the town for dinner, Asana in the new Mandarin Oriental, Boston, can offer American and Asian fusion cuisine for all of the above. Stocked with a special cheese cavern and extensive wine list, Asana also offers an exclusive Chef's table for 8 in the kitchen that allows the diners to watch Executive chef Nicolas Boutin at work.