Icarus
We love it, especially on Friday nights, when there is live jazz (resuming in September), and you're sitting in one of the booths by the wall with a bottle of champagne. 3 Appleton St., Boston, MA .
China Pavillion
This one kind of snuck up on us. Excellent menu top to bottom (unusual for Chinatown), with outstanding dim sum and clams in black-bean sauce. 14 Hudson St., Boston, MA .
Mark Roosevelt
His boast that he was one of the best Massachusetts legislators of the twentieth century makes Charles de Gaulle look like Joe Meek.
Ana Sortun, Aigo Bistro
One taste of her gutsy, flavorful food and you'll know that few people really understand cooking the way she does. 84 Thoreau Street (Concord Depot), Concord, MA .
Speed's hot-dog cart
You've got to taste them, preferably with the special sauces, to believe them. Exra "Spee " Anderson is one of the Hub's great culinary treasures. Somewhere in the corner of the Newmarket parking lot, corner of Massachsuetts Avenue and Newmarket Square, Boston, MA .
The Mall at Chestnut Hill
One of the most elegant malls on the East coast. Rated four stars by the Society of Bankrupt Husbands. Route 9, Newton, MA .
Eric Fuchs model trains
One of the world's finest selections of model everythings. Red Sox catcher Bob Montgomery chooses his choo-choos here. 28 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Louis Boston
There are plenty of good places to buy suits in Boston, but the one place that offers the edge that you will need at Sonsie or on State Street is Louis. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
From Here to Maternity
Step out in style in one of this store's two dozen formal dresses—about $50 for three days worth of revelry. 1691 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Let state transportation secretary Fred Salvucci talk to it. (Credit the Globe's Mike Barnicle with this one.)
Steve Kurkjian, the <em>Globe</em>
Head of the Spotlight Team, he's one of the best investigators in journalism. Boston's lucky to have him.
Ralph Memolo, Boston Redevelopment Authority
Same garage, Ralph, same floor. We'll be the one wearing the fake nose.
Bull and Finch Pub
A favorite year after year, and one that even the Boston Globe credits us with discovering. Hampshire House, 84 Beacon St., Boston, MA .
Frank's
Great working-class food in one of Boston's last great working-class suburb. 300 Beacon St., Somerville, MA .
Romagnoli's Table
One of the Marketplace's best, in a North Shore waterfront location that doesn't yet have Boston's crowds. East India Square Mall, Salem, MA .