Blooming Affairs
Single stems and bouquets with one big plus: they last. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Steve Johnson, The Blue Room
There is something to be said for dependability. In Steve Johnson's case, it's knowing that every time you visit his restaurant, you'll be served a meal that is simply outstanding. Johnson's food is neither overwrought nor overly ambitious—it's honest and easygoing, just like him. As a founding member of Chefs Collaborative and chairman of the Boston chapter, he continues to be one of the guiding forces in Boston's restaurant scene, serving as a mentor and inspiration in the industry. But most important, since he bought the place five years ago from pal Chris Schlesinger, the Blue Room has flourished—so much so that this year the James Beard Foundation recognized Johnson with a prestigious nomination for chef in the Northeast. So whether it's his morel mushroom lasagna, sautéed halibut with fennel and fava, or our favorite appetizer, "one perfect cheese" served with fruit and dried almonds, we'll keep coming back for more. Johnson is just that good. One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA theblueroom.net.
Seasons
One of the city's best, although the service could stand improvement at times. Bostonian Hotel, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Adam Vinatieri
After a season like the last one, the kicker wins by default.
Back Bay Racquet Club
One of the most stylish sports facilities we've ever seen. 162 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Brookline Liquor Mart
We're fond of smaller wine shops—Back Bay's excellent Bauer Wine & Spirits, say, and Somerville's Wine and Cheese Cask (where you can pick up some good bread and cheese), or even the novice-friendly Cellars stores. But warehouse-sized Brookline Liquor Mart dwarfs the competition, and not merely because of the enormity of its wine selection. There are extras such as frequent tastings, a decent Web site, and the rare-wine room, where you can fantasize about dropping two grand on a bottle of Château Lafite. And if the place itself looks a little intimidating, just wait a few moments. One of the wine experts (there is at least one on duty at all times) will amble by and prove every bit as friendly and helpful as the salespeople at the smaller stores. 1354 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA blmwine.com.
Rialto
If there's anything we've learned from fine dining's shift toward farm-to-table cooking, it's that the integrity of one's cuisine is just as important as high-end ingredients and elegant presentations. And at Rialto, chef Jody Adams has quietly, unfailingly delivered food with care and purpose for 17 years. Her ability to meld New England's seasonal bounty with regional Italian preparations can be positively breathtaking, as can her presentations (like the pan-seared black bass with green-onion pesto and a head-on prawn, pictured). And while Rialto has certainly kept up with the trends—you'll find patés, pickled veggies, and craft cocktails aplenty—thanks to the dining room's unflinching service and impeccable wine list, the overall effect is timeless. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, rialto-restaurant.com.
Steve Johnson
An alumnus of Chris Schlesinger's East Coast Grill and Gordon Hamersley's eponymous bistro, Johnson is the quintessential product of Boston's familial and sometimes incestuous restaurant scene. Bridging the gap between the austere classicism of Hamersley's and the raucous atmosphere and aggressive flavors of East Coast Grill, Johnson also draws on sophisticated French and Asian influences. Having also mastered Schlesinger's grilling techniques, he has now come up with his own imaginative and well-prepared rendition of the new American cuisine. All of which means that his combination of talent, patience, and perseverance is a winning one indeed. And as one of the founders of the local chapter of the Chefs Collaborative and the Fresh Sheet - as well as a tireless mentor - he's a culinary gift that keeps on giving. The Blueroom, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA .
Dr. Ramsey Alsarraf, The Newbury Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
The Botox frenzy—you know, the one that has everyone and her mother running off to unwrinkle their brows with Botox injections—belies one important truth: The treatment may be easy, fast, and essentially risk-free, but that doesn't mean just anyone should inject it. It's still a medical procedure that requires expertise, safety, and finesse. Dr. Ramsey Alsarraf stands out on all of those fronts for his credentials (Harvard, Yale, a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and board certification); his integrity (if you don't need it, he'll tell you); and his finely tuned aesthetic sense (his work is known for being subtle and natural-looking). If you're going to do Botox, the last thing you should be worried about is whose hands you're in. And on that front, Alsarraf gives you fewer reasons to furrow your brow. 69 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Much of this bright and sunny bakery's success is due to the fact that it was one of the first businesses of its kind to move into the Washington Street corridor—in other words, before the arrival of the Silver Line, other restaurants, high-priced condos, and boutiques. The muffins, cakes, breads, tarts, and sandwiches sold here are delicious, but the cookies are the standouts. If you have to limit yourself to one, make it owner and pastry chef Joanne Chang's downright dreamy chocolate chip. These oversized, half-inch-thick rounds are baked just long enough to leave a bit of chewy goo in the center, without sacrificing the sugary crunch. But what truly elevates Chang's chocolate chip cookie are the chips, made from liberal portions of Scharffen Berger chocolate. 1595 Washington St., Boston, MA flourbakery.com.
The Trustee Committee of Mt. Auburn Cemetery
The Trustee Committee of Mt. Auburn Cemetery—room to spare for you and your loved ones. MA
James Hook & Company
Probably the largest collection of lobsters under one roof—kept in seawater, which gives them a better flavor. 15 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA .
The Cheese Shop of Concord
With more than 100 kinds of cheese in stock at any one time, this is clearly the Best of the West. 29 Walden St., Concord, MA .
John Sasso
The Dukakis administration's loss was Hill Holiday's gain. Does Jack Connors know a PR genius when he sees one?
The works of Emil Nolde at the Museum of Fine Arts
An expansive collection of watercolors, prints, and paintings, the Emil Nolde show at the MFA revealed the works of one of Germany's most talented expressionists.