The Parker House Bar
Everything from rumaki to taco dogs, daily from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., but never on Sunday. Boston, MA
House Speaker George Keverian
For giving the lie to Attorney General James Shannon's charge that members of Keverian's staff had tried to thwart the two-year investigation into alleged corruption in the Speaker's office.
The Sevens Ale House
The only people unhappy with the Sevens are those standing in line when a regular patron walks by them and through the door. Some of the regulars should have their mail delivered here. 77 Charles St., Boston, MA .
The Chef's Table at the Parker House
Executive chef Joseph Ribas reinstituted the century-old tradition this year. 60 School St., Boston, MA .
Chef Chang's House
Where else can you get Peking duck without calling ahead? 1006 Beacon St., Brookline, MA .
Algiers Coffee House
An excellent Eastern interpretation, served outside during the summer months. 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA .
Pelham House Resort
Should you take your spicy marg by the beach or the pool; the swanky rooftop restaurant or the cool firepit-equipped patio? These are the toughest decisions you’ll have to make at this newly Luxe Dennis Port Hotel, which reopened in 2020 with freshly renovated oceanfront rooms and a slew of fun amenities. And with the opening of two new satellite properties this summer — each with its own unique look but connected to the main resort’s beach bonfires and poolside live music via shuttle — the Cape’s newest hot spot is only getting hotter. 14 Sea St., Dennis Port, MA 02639, pelhamhouseresort.com.
Hong Kong
If you’ve never had a night out end with a hazily remembered jaunt to this Faneuil Hall spot, you haven’t done after-hours in Boston right. Amid the bustle of the seven-night-a-week party—a blend of college kids, off-the-clock restaurant staff, and coworkers from downtown office buildings—the generously spiked scorpion bowls offer liquid courage in no short supply. The $1 chicken-teriyaki-on-a-stick, served (how else?) from a tin-foil-wrapped bucket, is tastier than you’d think. Sure, you may have to wait hours for your turn at the mike, but if you’re in the mood to get "Born to Run" off your chest, there’s no better place than the Kong. 65 Chatham St., Boston, MA 02109, hongkongboston.com.
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.
Claudia Grimaud, Jardin Day Spa
There are pedicures, and then there are pedicures. One changes the color of your toenails; the other actually changes the way your feet feel on your body. It's the second kind that Claudia Grimaud has down to an art form. The fast-talking, sharp-witted brunette caresses, exfoliates, clips, and files years off your aching feet, whisking away the toughest calluses as if they were nothing. In under an hour, you have sandal-ready dogs that look and feel positively adolescent. 115 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA lejardinspa.net.
Broadway Bicycle School
Not a shop for pricey equipment and attitude, but it does happen to be the place most couriers recommend. Have the expert staff fix your wheels, or fix them yourself: The school rents out shop space and tools for $6 an hour, rents all of the above and a private mechanic-instructor for $12 an hour. Roll in or make an appointment. If that's not cool, what is? 351 Broadway, Cambridge, MA .
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 adopted children who rallied tens of thousands of residents to Franklin Park to peacefully protest police brutality. She also runs a victim-assistance program and free-meal delivery service through her organizations Violence in Boston and Food for the Soul. 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.
Mauro's Painting
Mauro Henrique made his name on This Old House; now he makes sure homes across the area are camera-ready through his Somerville-based business, Mauro’s Painting. With a focus on restoration and a background in carpentry, he’s a dream combination of handyman and artisan, with a calm demeanor and attention to detail to match. Also, unlike many painters, Henrique doesn’t use subcontractors, which means you’ll get consistent quality in every space he and his team transform. maurospainting.com.
The Little Flags Theatre's leaving Boston and blaming the critics for red-baiting.