J.P. Licks
It seems too creamy, too thick, and too rich to be fat-free—but somehow J.P.'s does it. Its chocolate-chip-cookie yogurt is even better than licking mom's batter off the spoon. It's no wonder this chain flourishes throughout the Boston area. 353 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Cafe Promenade at the Colonnade Hotel
How is it that this sparkling little dining room goes virtually unnoticed by the native population? The menu is remarkably inventive (the spinach salad with warm duck confit is terrific) and the presentation is impeccable. Not to mention the prices, which make this the best hotel lunch bargain in Boston. 120 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Rosexpress
Romance is available at your very fingertips. Just call Rosexpress, a new outfit that delivers a dozen roses, with superlong stems and huge blossoms, anywhere in downtown Boston for only $29.99. Warning: the price goes up on Valentine's Day, but it's still less than the extortion that takes place at other shops around town. 125 B St., Boston, MA .
Oishii
Bragging rights for best sushi in the western suburbs (or all of the greater Boston area, for that matter) may just have to be laid permanently at this tiny spot. Tender, delicate hamachi, hard-to-find otoro (fatty tuna belly), and succulent eel are just a few of the ingredients the sushi chefs here craft into an unforgettable experience. 612 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill, MA oishiiboston.com.
Rubyhorse
Rubyhorse's recent album Rise does not "sparkle" like their single, but it's to catch these Irish rockers (who are Cork-to-Boston transplants) in the act. The band, which jammed on Conan O'Brien's show in the spring, tears up the stage with high-stamina riffs that would wear out the Energizer Bunny.
Keith Lockhart
The new 35-year-old conductor of the Boston Pops has entered the stage on in-line skates and at another time seated on an elephant. He has also jumped out of a birthday cake and appeared before his audience suspended in a space suit over the orchestra. What's next?
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 .