Rialto at the Charles Hotel
Chef Jody Adams continues her exuberant exploration of the foods of France, Italy, and southern Spain. Who needs the hassles of monetary conversion and translators when you can take a culinary armchair tour on the banks of the Charles? Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA .
Small Planet Bar and Grill
Eclectic props and great people watching can keep you entertained if the date turns out to be a bore, and the excellent vegetable burgers can save the evening if your new friend turns out to be a vegetarian. 565 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Tavern on the Water
Opened eight months ago, the Tavern has great water views, outdoor dining, and outrageous sunset jazz and entertainment in the summer on Thursdays and Fridays. Come by car, water taxi, or sail over on your yacht. 1 Pier 6, Eighth St., Charlestown, MA .
The Original Sports Saloon
"No brag, just fact," is the slogan of this 1993 Massachusetts Grande Barbecue Champion which takes the business of serving succulent ribs quite seriously. The only place these ribs will stick is in your memory. 47 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA .
Gazelle Candies by Jamron
Totally free of artificial ingredients, wrapped in environmentally conscious packaging, and 10 percent of the profits are donated to nonprofit earth-friendly organizations. What better excuse to indulge your chocolate binges? 36 Jarman Rd., Sudbury, MA .
Legal Sea Foods retail outlets
Day in and day out, all year round, the most dependable source for high-quality fresh flappers and crustaceans. And the frozen fish stock is excellent for making your own soups at home.
J. Pace & Sons
We frequent this store for its fine selection of olive oils and great deals on arborio rice. The homemade prepared foods and sandwiches are always worth sampling, and this is a great place to get condimenti for your antipasto. 22 Cross Street, Boston, MA .
Anchovies
The chicken "parm" is terrific, the drinks are huge, the prices can't be beat, and the serving staff couldn't be friendlier. When Mary, the waitress, raps your salad dressing options, it's virtual poetry. 433 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA .
Castle Island
This is where Whitey used to go to commune with nature, collect his thoughts, and avoid electronic surveillance. If you happen to run across him now while on your daily constitutional, we hear there's a reward.
A Few Good Girls
Kids have so few good role models in the entertainment industry today. A Few Good Girls, a four-woman hip-hop dance group from Boston and Newton, is dedicated to dancing—and to promoting positive image.
Guitar Center
Unmatched selection, salespeople who are available but not pushy, and a policy of matching any price in the country make this a musician's Disneyland. Find the classic ax of your dreams here, or just spend a pleasant afternoon sampling the goods in the store. 750 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Toad
Brand-new and about as big as your living room, this music club (capacity: 65) devotes itself to bringing in top tunesmiths and letting you get so close to them you can observe them in full texture. 1912 Massachusetts Avenue (Porter Square), Cambridge, MA .
Chamber Theater Productions
Here's to a 16-year-old Boston-based for-profit company so successful with its touring theatrical productions for junior and senior high school students that it is now able to be a corporate sponsor and support other local arts organizations.
Governor Michael Stanley Dukakis
Boring, plodding, humorless, and cold, right? Right. And on his way to the White House. Face it: he did the impossible. Dukakis has had the best year of any politician since John Kennedy in 1960.