Best of Boston

1998 Best Persian Restaurant

Lala Rokh

This gem moves in for the three-peat, and not just for lack of contenders. Beacon Hill’s prince of Persia still delivers attentive, congenial service, a solid wine selection, and exotic variations on standard meat and rice, such as the obscenely rich Fesenjan, made with duck and pomegranate. You might never trek to Persia. You might not even be able to find it on a map. But this Persian delight is only one door in from Charles Street.

97 Mt. Vernon St., Boston, 617-720-5511,