The Boston showing of "A New World Masterpieces of American Painting, 1760-1910" at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Mr. Sid
In the 21st century, Boston's been getting used to the idea of dynasties, what with the Red Sox winning two World Series championships and the Patriots a trio of Super Bowls. Mr. Sid has similarly dominated its field: Since 2000 the family-owned men's clothing mainstay has taken the hardware every year this Best of Boston category has been judged. Add that streak to its continued strong performance in custom fitting (with seven in-house tailors), selection (running from Agave to Zegna), and amenities (free cocktails enjoyed before vast flat-screens), and it's clear why men are still walking out of Mr. Sid looking like winners. 1211 Centre St., Newton Centre, MA 2459, mrsid.com.
Anthony Spinazzola Dinner
With food from Boston's top 30 restaurants and more than 10 wineries. Uh... we think we remember it was the best.
Weylu's on the Wharf
These are sweet and tender. Boston's just not a city for the barbecued version. 254 Summer St., Boston, MA .
Bill Rodgers's third consecutive Boston Marathon victory, despite the uncertainty of the Olympic walkout.
The Boston Pops' June benefit, which raised a hefty $405,000 from Boston's corporate community, and featured a surprise interlude from First National's Dick Hill, who rose from his seat for a little Saint-Saëns on the clarinet.
John Dewar's
For fresh foie gras and game, this is where Boston's best chefs go. 753 Beacon St., Newton Center, MA .
Commonwealth Brewing Company
Try Boston's Best Burton Bitter. 138 Portland St., Boston, MA .
Bobbie Steinbach
A veteran of Boston's theater scene, Steinbach exhibits astonishing versatility—and this year was one of her best yet. As a founding member of the Actors' Shakespeare Project, she played not one but two ancient kings: Nestor and Priam, in Troilus and Cressida. Then, when the Boston Playwrights' Theatre staged Deported, a dream play, Steinbach excelled as an Armenian-genocide survivor. But her biggest triumph was in the New Repertory Theatre's Collected Stories by Donald Margulies. That performance as an aging author betrayed by her protégé won her the Independent Reviewers of New England's best actress award.
<em>Boston Globe</em>'s "Mush from the Wimp" editorial headline of March 15, over a commentary on Jimmy Carter's latest economic proposals
Maison Robert
French cuisine in Boston's Old City Hall. 45 School St., Boston, MA .
Alan Shestack as director of the MFA
The affable writer, scholar, and former director of the Yale Art Museum and the Minneapolis Institute of Art starts work at Boston's MFA next month. Lucky MFA. Lucky us.
The Freedom Trail
Boston's three-mile walk through America's history. Start at the kiosk near the Park Street subway station. Don't miss the USS Constitution, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House.
Riccardi
Boston's original denim source—and the pride of Evisu jeans-clad owner Riccardo Dallai—stocks more than 40 "it" lines, among them Prps, Ksubi, and Nudie. 116 Newbury St, Boston, MA 2116, riccardiboston.com.
A Tie-Boston College's Doug Flutie, Brant College's Jim Hallett, and Harvard's Mark Fusco
Flutie took the Eagles to a Bowl; Hallett was the top amateur in the Masters; and Fusco won college hockey's version of the Heisman.