No. 9 Park
It's one thing for a restaurant to generate buzz during its first year in business. It's quite another to be the talk of the town after five years. But talk this town does, about chef/owner Barbara Lynch's No. 9 Park, a restaurant as perfect today as the day it opened. We're not the only ones who think this. So do the fans who line up nightly for a seat in the stylish Beacon Hill dining room, and so does the James Beard Foundation, which this year named Lynch the best chef in the Northeast. What everyone is buzzing about is the masterful French and Italian creations coming from Lynch's kitchen (and, in particular, the melt-in-your mouth signature prune-stuffed gnocchi). Delivered by the city's best-trained, casual-but-professional wait-staff, and paired with an impressive wine list created by wine director Cat Silirie, dinner here is a delight from start to finish. 9 Park St., Boston, MA no9park.com.
Harvest
If brunch is the most civilized way to dine, the Harvest is the most civilized place to have brunch. First there's the restaurant's lovely garden patio, which in warm weather offers a leafy retreat from the traffic of Harvard Square. Then there's the table presentation. No paper napkins and messy tabletops here—brunch at the Harvest is a white-linen, Sunday-best affair. But it's the menu that renders this restaurant a class above, with its three-course, prix-fixe ($33) menu of gourmet takes on classic dishes. The eggs Benedict, for instance, are served not one but two ways: crab and avocado on one orb, smoked ham and asparagus with roasted red pepper hollandaise on the other. Omelets come with such citified ingredients as wild mushrooms, spring onion, or pancetta. It's the final course—dessert—that makes this tradition a proper indulgence, from the milk chocolate panna cotta to the irresistible classic chocolate layer cake. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA harvestcambridge.com.
Alan Bilzerian
Others may try to copy, but he's still the one. 34 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Blooming Affairs
Single stems and bouquets with one big plus: they last. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Steve Johnson, The Blue Room
There is something to be said for dependability. In Steve Johnson's case, it's knowing that every time you visit his restaurant, you'll be served a meal that is simply outstanding. Johnson's food is neither overwrought nor overly ambitious—it's honest and easygoing, just like him. As a founding member of Chefs Collaborative and chairman of the Boston chapter, he continues to be one of the guiding forces in Boston's restaurant scene, serving as a mentor and inspiration in the industry. But most important, since he bought the place five years ago from pal Chris Schlesinger, the Blue Room has flourished—so much so that this year the James Beard Foundation recognized Johnson with a prestigious nomination for chef in the Northeast. So whether it's his morel mushroom lasagna, sautéed halibut with fennel and fava, or our favorite appetizer, "one perfect cheese" served with fruit and dried almonds, we'll keep coming back for more. Johnson is just that good. One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA theblueroom.net.
Seasons
One of the city's best, although the service could stand improvement at times. Bostonian Hotel, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Adam Vinatieri
After a season like the last one, the kicker wins by default.
Back Bay Racquet Club
One of the most stylish sports facilities we've ever seen. 162 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA .
Brookline Liquor Mart
We're fond of smaller wine shops—Back Bay's excellent Bauer Wine & Spirits, say, and Somerville's Wine and Cheese Cask (where you can pick up some good bread and cheese), or even the novice-friendly Cellars stores. But warehouse-sized Brookline Liquor Mart dwarfs the competition, and not merely because of the enormity of its wine selection. There are extras such as frequent tastings, a decent Web site, and the rare-wine room, where you can fantasize about dropping two grand on a bottle of Château Lafite. And if the place itself looks a little intimidating, just wait a few moments. One of the wine experts (there is at least one on duty at all times) will amble by and prove every bit as friendly and helpful as the salespeople at the smaller stores. 1354 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA blmwine.com.
Rialto
Photograph by Anthony Tieuli If there's anything we've learned from fine dining's shift toward farm-to-table cooking, it's that the integrity of one's cuisine is just as important as high-end ingredients and elegant presentations. And at Rialto, chef Jody Adams has quietly, unfailingly delivered food with care and purpose for 17 years. Her ability to meld New England's seasonal bounty with regional Italian preparations can be positively breathtaking, as can her presentations (like the pan-seared black bass with green-onion pesto and a head-on prawn, pictured). And while Rialto has certainly kept up with the trends—you'll find patés, pickled veggies, and craft cocktails aplenty—thanks to the dining room's unflinching service and impeccable wine list, the overall effect is timeless. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, MA 2138, rialto-restaurant.com.
Steve Johnson
An alumnus of Chris Schlesinger's East Coast Grill and Gordon Hamersley's eponymous bistro, Johnson is the quintessential product of Boston's familial and sometimes incestuous restaurant scene. Bridging the gap between the austere classicism of Hamersley's and the raucous atmosphere and aggressive flavors of East Coast Grill, Johnson also draws on sophisticated French and Asian influences. Having also mastered Schlesinger's grilling techniques, he has now come up with his own imaginative and well-prepared rendition of the new American cuisine. All of which means that his combination of talent, patience, and perseverance is a winning one indeed. And as one of the founders of the local chapter of the Chefs Collaborative and the Fresh Sheet - as well as a tireless mentor - he's a culinary gift that keeps on giving. The Blueroom, One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA .
The Trustee Committee of Mt. Auburn Cemetery
The Trustee Committee of Mt. Auburn Cemetery—room to spare for you and your loved ones. MA
James Hook & Company
Probably the largest collection of lobsters under one roof—kept in seawater, which gives them a better flavor. 15 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA .
The Cheese Shop of Concord
With more than 100 kinds of cheese in stock at any one time, this is clearly the Best of the West. 29 Walden St., Concord, MA .
John Sasso
The Dukakis administration's loss was Hill Holiday's gain. Does Jack Connors know a PR genius when he sees one?