January 2011 Issue
The 30 Best Bars in Boston (Along with Our Favorite Cocktails)
The city’s 30 best cocktails—and the bars that make them.
Feature
A Sweet Celebration
Flour Bakery’s Joanne Chang and restaurateur Christopher Myers toast 2011 with a festive New Year’s Day brunch — and plenty of friends and bubbly.
Almost Famous
Ayla Brown, the elder daughter of U.S. Senator Scott Brown, is destined to be a star. Just ask her.
WTF Happened?
Fourteen months ago, the W Hotel was the hottest property in the city. Today it has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Department
The Scapegoats
Two black politicians have already been convicted of taking bribes, but the real crime when it comes to awarding valuable liquor licenses in Boston is the abuse that remains perfectly legal.
Four Loko Madness
How do you get a sleepy federal agency to spring into full regulatory action? Terrify parents about the alcoholic energy-drink craze that’s sweeping college campuses.
City Journal
A Decision Worth Toasting?
Our long civic nightmare is over: Starting this month, booze is once again sales-tax free.
Restaurants
One Perfect Meal: Picco
What makes a dinner of pizza, beer, and ice cream even better? That’s easy: when said pizza is a perfectly charred wonder from South End hangout Picco, and the ice cream is churned fresh in-house.
Small Bite: Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen
Darryl’s is a happy, welcoming place, but it would do well to organize the menu more tightly around the southern-fusion fare it does best.
First Bite: Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar
The Fenway’s latest addition is a new take on old tradition.
My Broccoli Does Not Need a Birth Certificate
Hey, restaurateurs: Want to make green eating a way of life? Start by using your imagination.
The Ultimate: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
With comfort food taking over menus at every tavern in town, it’s not surprising that so many restaurants are paying homage to a humble classic: a grilled cheese sandwich served with creamy tomato soup.
Restaurant Review: Deuxave
With lofty ambitions and kitchen talent to spare, a Back Bay newcomer aims high—but doesn’t always hit the mark.
Other
Hubbub: Matt LeBlanc
For the first time since Friends, the Newton native will be playing a different character on TV…himself. Sort of.
Forecast
Person of Interest: Keith Ablow
The good doctor is about to alienate all of Massachusetts.
MIT’s Birthday Bash
This month the Institute kicks off an anniversary celebration for the ages.
Fashion + Style
Style Debut: Button-Down Shirts
Some see the traditional white button-down as decidedly boring, but Cambridge-based designer and fashion-industry veteran Katiti Kironde sees it as an opportunity to overhaul a closet staple long due for an upgrade.
A Room of One’s Own
A warm welcome, please, to the city’s first legit (and much-needed) fashion showroom.
Bling That Thing
The latest in personal grooming is more personal than ever before. Austyn Ellese Mayfield goes in search of her own vajazzle monologue.
Arts + Entertainment
Why American Idol Will Rescue Aerosmith
The hot mess that goes by the name Steven Tyler will make his debut as an American Idol judge.