BU basketball's Mike Jarvis
"Not only has he done a good job, he is the first goddamn guy around here who is really setting some standards for the kids."
Blazing Paddles
Batting at Fenway may not be an option, but you can swing steps away, in Game On’s new Ping-Pong basement bar. 82 Lansdowne St., Fenway/Kenmore, MA 2215, blazingpaddles.com.
A tie between the <em>Herald</em>'s Karen Guregian and the <em>Globe</em>'s Jackie MacMullan
Two women who have excelled in a world once dominated by legions of cynical and sarcastic men.
Robert J. Lurtsema of WGBH-FM
His dulcet tones combined with the bird songs make the perfect morning pick-me-up.
Charlie's Kitchen
Off-Harvard Square hangout, with the best burgers and brew in town. Stay downstairs; upstairs looks like a Combat Zone club. 10 Eliot St., Cambridge, MA .
Violette Wine Cellars
Richard Kzirian's selection may seem small, but as Spencer Tracy once said, what's there is "cherce." Kziriain's advice is indispensable. 1 Belmont St., Cambridge, MA .
Turtle Swamp Brewing
Gone are the days when Sam Adams was J.P.’s only claim to brewery fame. Opened in 2017, Turtle Swamp serves IPAs, porters, sours, and ales all made with local ingredients. turtleswampbrewing.com.
East Coast Grill
The resurrected East Coast Grill is once again serving up its famed spicy seafood and kitschily garnished cocktails, while adding a few new tricks from the current ownership (the same folks behind Highland Kitchen). 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, eastcoastgrill.net.
Bonwit Teller's
Would you believe Bonwit Teller's, 234 Berkeley St.? Neither did we, but it's so. Spend an hour in their lingerie department, and you'll never go back to the Combat Zone. 234 Berkley St., Boston, MA .
Roses and Thistle
Whether you're looking for a birthday bouquet, a get-well arrangement, or a get-me-out-of-the-doghouse masterpiece, owner Tracey Scott's exotic, seasonal arrangements will set exactly the right tone. 51 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead, MA 1845, rosesandthistle.com.
Cafe Celador
A charming little neighborhood find, where chef Patrick Noe parlays his Perpignan roots into an authentic, inventive melange of the sunny cuisine of southern France, fresh ingredients, and a modern sense of style. 5 Craigie Circle, Cambridge, MA .
The Capital Grille
From five to seven in the evening the Capital Grille has a pleasant mixture of regulars, tourists, and the lonely, all served with skill and charm by Richie, Nate, and Vinnie. There is something quaint about drinking in the midst of well-polished brass. 359 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Digital Equipment
Sure, the company itself is half as big as it used to be. Sure, the sales of its once-popular VAX computers are still plummeting. But give CEO Robert Palmer credit for righting a sinking ship and beginning to turn a profit.
Joanne Langione Dance Center
A star among dance schools for four decades, Joanne Langione raised the bar even higher last year by opening a 10,000-square-foot facility complete with four modern studios. Many alums have gone on to careers in professional dance companies. 38 Border St., Newton, MA 02465, jldancecenter.com.
Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra
Three years in a row? Really? Yet after scarfing down the fig and almond serpentines and ridiculously good chocolate cookies at Sofra, the bakery/mezze bar that Kilpatrick opened last year with chef Ana Sortun, we once again have to tip our hat—and loosen our belt. One Belmont St., Cambridge, MA 2138, .