Mario Russo
You have to be either supremely talented or obscenely arrogant to charge $225 for a mere coiffure. Mario Russo is the former. The proof? He's been snipping and shaping some of Boston's pickiest VIPs for more than 20 years. 9 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, mariorusso.com.
San Bernadino, California
The church in San Bernadino, California, that was unaware Boston's "street priest" and alleged child molester Paul Shanley was running a hedonistic gay inn 50 miles away at the same time he was serving as a pastor at the church.
Catherine Silirie, Rocco's
Like a master alchemist, Silirie mixes and matches form one of Boston's best wine lists and certainly the Hub's most eclectic menu. And she ain't a snob about it. 5 Charles St. South, Boston, MA .
The Julien Lounge at Hotel Meridien
Talk about a makeover. This former vault of Boston's old Federal Reserve Bank is adorned with massive oil paintings and one of the most elegantly decorated ceilings in town. A fine dining room is just a few steps away. 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA .
Atwood's Tavern
This locals' hang boasts one of Greater Boston's best patios in the warmer months, and a seriously rocking lineup of local and traveling bands on its intimate stage year round. A long list of craft beers is ready to accompany your new soundtrack. 877 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, atwoodstavern.com.
Red Raven
New chef Alisa Levy (from Biba) only adds to the pizzazz of Greater Boston's most atmospherically enchanting eatery. Maitre d'/owner Michael Frechet's diabolically delicious Twisted Suzie cocktails (individually concocted to fit your mood) are reason enough to make the trip. 75 Congress Street, Salem, MA .
Verona
It's no surprise that this classy new boutique has struck a chord among Boston's fashion-conscious women. Where else can you find such charming frocks for those occasions that demand something special? The windows, like the merchandise, are the smartest on the street. 8A Newbury Street, Boston, MA .
Nightstage
Other clubs wow 'em with ambiance: plastic tropics or Beyond Thunderdome desolation. Nightstage relies on the real thing: music. With acts including Wynton Marsalis, Varl Perkins, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Dizzy Gillespie, Nightstage is the liveliest of Boston's live-music clubs. 823 Main St., Cambridge, MA .
The Space
What the Space lacks in Newbury Street glitz it makes up for vision. Founder Stella MacGregor says her gallery is in "the south end of the South End." We say it's on the cutting edge of Boston's experimental-art scene. 788 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Bonwit Teller
Boston's finest selection of Anne Klein II. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
A Mano Catering
Elyse Etling is Boston's hottest caterer, and for good reason. Her presentation is sublime, her service is flawless, and her fare is serendipitous, tapping into ethnic dishes and unusual spices. 301 Reservoir Street, Needham, MA .
The Clark Gallery
Owner Meredyth Hyatt Moses's consistently accurate eye for Boston's best emerging painters and sculptors make the trip so far from Newbury Street worth the effort. The Mall at Lincoln Station, Lincoln, MA .
John Dewar's
Follow Boston's Best chefs, both professional and amateur, to Dewar's. 753 Beacon St., Newton Center, MA .
The People Who Gave Us Hope
If we could dream up a 2020 all-star squad of heroes, champions, and advocates, it would look a lot like this: Community organizer Gladys Vega (1) of the Chelsea Collaborative, who has spent the past two decades fighting for social justice but swiveled her focus to feeding 11,000 residents each week as the coronavirus ravaged her city. Public health advocate and Harvard professor of epidemiology Marc Lipsitch (2) would also make the team, in no small part due to his consistent and clear message, whether speaking to us in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, or the Boston Globe: Never underestimate COVID-19. Our best city politician is Julia Mejia (3), the first immigrant and Latina on the Boston City Council, who fought back against racist harassment after taking office in early 2020. She has also worked to improve bilingual communications in Boston and even made a series of TikTok videos with her daughter to liven up the mood at City Hall during the early days of the pandemic. Ibram X. Kendi (4), meanwhile, is the man of the hour and our hope for humanity. A bestselling author, the 2019 Guggenheim Fellow recently became a history professor and the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, where he’ll lead many of the country’s brightest minds to solve problems of racial inequity. His books, including How to Be an Antiracist, are already required reading among those in the know around town. As for the best social justice advocate in Boston? That’s Monica Cannon-Grant (5), a Roxbury mother of six children who rallied tens of thousands of residents to Franklin Park to peacefully protest police brutality. She also runs a victim-assistance program that supports men, women, and children of color through her organization Violence in Boston. And though he’s best known for his moves on the court, Celtics star Jaylen Brown (6) is our clear choice for celebrity ambassador—he’s peacefully protested, regularly speaks about race in America, and was honored at the State House this year for his charity work with children. We’re proud to have him on our home team.
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.