Democracy Brewing
An employee pours a beer at Democracy Brewing. / Photo by Brian Samuels Several employees here seemed giddy when we ordered birria tacos; they’re a staff favorite, with good reason. As we wiped the savory broth off our hands and perused the style-hopping beer list — Sours! Radlers! Double IPAs! — we remembered why this worker-owned brewpub is such a fantastic neighborhood spot. The food and beer are great, the vibe is family-friendly and welcoming, but most of all, everyone just seems happy. 35 Temple Pl., Downtown, MA 02111, democracybrewing.com.
Museum of Fine Arts
Photograph by Alex Lau We love underdogs, but lately the MFA has reminded us why it’s the establishment. It has earned its bona fides with shows of trippy hippie fashion, action-packed samurai armor, John Singer Sargent watercolors, and a thematic exploration of the color pink. Its of-the-moment survey of photographs taken by women from Iran and the rest of the Arab world was proof that the august institution does new well, too. After eye-popping 19th-century quilts and a sampler of that sensitive Baroque scoundrel Caravaggio this spring, the Magna Carta, which paved the way for modern democracy, arrived on July 2. The underdogs might wanna get a move on. 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 2115, mfa.org.
Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michael Barrett
While his two Democratic opponents were running for governor, Barrett revived the tired old shtick of walking across the state, and finished third.
Jim McGovern, Democratic congressional candidate in the 3rd District
Longtime Washington aide to Joltin' Joe Moakley, McGovern knows where the bodies and the bacon are buried better than incumbent Peter Blute. With Pal Joey sticking around for at least one more term, McGovern, if elected, could be the most influential Massachusetts freshman member since Joe Kennedy.
To the Massachusetts Republican party
If for no other reason than the obvious fact that Massachusetts Democrats don't stand for anything anymore.
Augie Grace
After handily winning the Democratic Convention endorsement for secretary of state, the onetime state rep sank without a trace in the primary.
Peter Berlandi, Weld's chief fundraiser
After resigning his controversial gigs as a consultant to two large Big Dig contractors, Berlandi, a Democrat, landed in clover with a $5,000-a-month contract with the Republican Governors Association.
Joe Kennedy
JK took a pass on Uncle Ted's coronation at the Democratic state convention to go to—irony alert—Florida. If Grandpa were still alive, little Joe would have been taken to the woodshed and spanked.
Shannon O'Brien
Gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien, who sent a letter to her Democratic rivals proposing a pact against negative campaigning shortly before her campaign spent $30,000 on a letter from an independent group attacking her opponents.
Emmet Hayes
The former state legislator and husband of Democratic State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien obviously deserves some credit for his wife's recently announced pregnancy, which in turn guarantees her at least a year of good press—a la Republican Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift.
John Brockelman, executive director, Massachusetts Republican Party
The GOP attack dog is successfully pitching the idea that the state is running short of federal money to pay for the Big Dig because our all-Democratic congressional delegation has lost its clout in D.C. It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that the project costs so damn much, could it?
Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Gerald D'Amico's at the State Democratic Convention, in May
Introducing Senate president William Bulger. D'Amico said, "This is the guy I work for." His constituents expressed surprise.
Waypoint
NINA GALLANT. STYLING BY ELLE SIMONE This seafood restaurant helped hatch the trend of democratizing caviar, once solely served on special occasions. Its caviar pairings—Belgian with Siberian, or Israeli with Royal Osetra—come with doughnut holes, blini pancakes made with white corn and Maine-sourced phytoplankton, or (during late-night service) one-bite “bumps” topped with buttermilk cream. 1030 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA waypointharvard.com.