Harborlights Pavilion
Boston hasn't had an outdoor concert venue since Concerts on the Common was canned. Now there's Harborlights, a dramatic open-air structure whose graceful tented peaks overlook the harbor, with sailboats, cruise ships, and the cityscape as a backdrop. Perfect for a summer night in the city.
Hale & Dorr's
At the behest of U. S. senator John F. Kerry, the prestigious Boston law firm agreed to provide free legal counsel to Quincy shipyard workers who opted for early retirement. Unfortunately, the pro bono offer was not extended to laid-off workers, who could really have used the help.
Franklin Cape Ann
Like its South End sister restaurant (and fellow Best of Boston winner), the Franklin Cape Ann has it made. Its wellpriced wine list, crazy-good cocktails, and New American fare are enhanced by its amiable spirit. Must-order items include the mixed grill daily assortment of meats, corn, and potatoes. 118 Main St., Gloucester, MA franklincafe.com.
NYNEX
NYNEX has failed so far to unplug the Boston Phoenix's escort-service ads, even though (hypocrisy alert) the NYNEX yellow pages contain 15 pages of escort-service ads. Score another one for the First Amendment.
Tiger's Baku
In Japan, a baku is a creature reputed in mythology to eat bad dreams. Here, it is a blend of jazz and fusion that soothes the savage beast. Tiger (aka Toru Okoshi) came to Boston from Japan in 1972 to study at Berklee. He's been in the mainstream of the local jazz scene ever since.
The Harvard men's hockey team
For winning the NCAA championship. Honorable mention: Dana Barros. BC's stylish point machine supplied what little college hoop excitement Boston enjoyed. And Salem's Jeff Juden finished up a starry career by getting drafted by the Houston Astros and no-hitting Wakefield.
Evacuation
When Boston Garden president Larry Moulter said, "Everybody get out of the building right now," they did. Sure, it was only for the fourth game of the Stanley Cup finals, when the power failed. But at least someone finally took action.
Fresh
To consider Fresh simply an emporium specializing in soap is cleanly missing the point. This Boston-based business has revolutionized the beauty product industry with its French milled soaps, perfumes, skin care products, makeup line, scented candles, and bathroom accessories. Smelling sweet was never so, well, sweet. 121 Newbury Street, Boston, MA fresh.com.
Globe Corner Bookstore
This is the place to satisfy literary wanderlust, from Boston to Bangladesh to Beijing. Seating makes longer browsing more comfy. And the staff doesn't seem to mind, even when you pull out a pad and take notes on hotel and restaurant phone numbers. Now, if they'd just install a phone for making the reservations. 500 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Splash
When the Newton showroom expansion opens in September, Splash will have the most extensive and by far the sexiest bath fixtures anywhere in the Boston area. Besides Kohler and American Standard, you'll find many Italian lines and cutting-edge styles. Coming soon: contemporary European kitchen cabinetry. 244 Needham Street, Newton Highlands, MA .
Little Groove
Classes offer kids the opportunity to jump, dance, play music, sing, do yoga, and so much more, all soundtracked to instruments ranging from guitar to sax to Omnichord. Best of all, sessions are al fresco (ideal for COVID safety), and they’re held at convenient locations in almost every corner of Boston and beyond. 1313 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118, babywiggle.com.
The $100,000 mural of the original hills of Boston covering the State House renovation, part of which blew off after five days.
Skippy White's
Thank Raytheon for laying off Skippy White back in the day, otherwise he might never have started hustling vinyl to make ends meet—and Boston might have never got this gem of a used-record store, still going strong 56 years later. 971 Columbus Ave., Roxbury, MA 02119, .
Trattoria Toscana
This Tuscan specialist hits all its marks: good wine, great pasta, glorious espresso. Grab one of the 28 seats, and relax in the mellow atmosphere (and the knowledge that nothing tops 20 bucks). 130 Jersey St., Boston, 617-247-9508 130 Jersey St., Boston, MA .
Tosca
Chef Kevin Long's body of work spans Hingham, Boston, and Foxwoods. But it's at Tosca, where he started in 1995 and met longtime collaborator Brian Hennebury, that his cooking really shines. Hand-rolled pastas team up with superfresh seafood and hearty cuts of meats, making for spectacularly indulgent dining. 14 North St., Hingham, MA 2043, toscahingham.com.