Chickadee
How a swish Mediterranean-inspired restaurant ended up with the best fried chicken in Boston is a mystery to solve later. For now, we’re too fixated on the ultra-crunchy, golden-brown skin and moist, piping-hot meat, as well as the refined spins on cookout sides: say, scoops of mashed celeriac-walnut skordalia. 21 Drydock Ave., Seaport, MA 02210, chickadeerestaurant.com.
Papercuts J.P.
Browsing in this shop feels less like shopping and more like snooping though a stylish friend’s library—if said friend happened to stock the city’s best collection of art monographs, emerging authors, and stories penned by kids at 826 Boston, that is. 5 Green St., Boston, MA 02130, papercutsjp.com.
Rimowa
Made of aluminum or lightweight poly-carbonate, the stylish suitcases from this German luggage maker, which opened its first shop in Boston last year, are built to stand up to turbulence, tight connections, and the TSA—and look good while doing it. 12 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, rimowa.com.
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.
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.