When Bostonians want to experience some of the city’s finest restaurants, they head to the annual Best of Boston celebration. This was the first year that Marc and I attended the Boston Magazine event, which was held at the City Hall Plaza on July 19.  If you’re a local, or visiting the area, make sure to buy tickets for next years’ event…it’s a fun opportunity to dress up, hit the town, and experience everything Boston has to offer. This year, over 20 of the city’s best tastemakers and chefs participated. Here are some of the highlights we want to showcase from the evening:

Who could say no to a smoked Manhattan? Let’s start the night out right! Now on to some BBQ:

2019 Best Barbecue

The Smoke Shop

Pitmaster Andy Husbands has fired up three Boston-area locations, smoking up delicious brisket and signature agave wings. Andy’s BBQ is said to pair wonderfully with pit beans, pimiento mac ’n’ cheese, and whiskey (he has a large selection) but Marc and I usually order BBQ to go and pair it with a California Zinfandel or Argentina Malbec.

One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, 617-577-7427, thesmokeshopbbq.com

2019 Best Up-and-Coming Chef

Ellie Tiglao, Tanám

Chef Ellie Tiglao has a personality larger than life, and offers pre-ticketed guests at a 10-seat table for elegant, multicourse explorations of Filipino cuisine. We can’t wait to visit his restaurant, Tanám. He offers a weekend storytelling dinner that sounds awesome for $90. Reservations fill up fast, so book soon if you want to go.

One Bow Market Way, Somerville, 617-669-2144, tanam.co

2019 Best Tacos

Yellow Door Taqueria

The folks that work here really love tacos and it shows. From duck confit, to scallop frito, pork belly and mushroom carnitas, they serve um up fresh with daily made tortillas. And if you’ve never tasted Elote, the famous Mexican corn roasted over an open grill, served with chipotle aioli, cotija, cayenne, lime and cilantro, you’re in for a treat. And the bonus? They offer a full bar.

2297 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, 857-267-4201, yellowdoortaqueria.com

Best Bartender

Naomi Levy, Better Sorts Social Club

Naomi served a delicious Ketel One Botanical Breeze, made with Ketel One botanical grapefruit and rose vodka, iced hibiscus tea, grapefruit juice, and lemon juice. Cheers!

Best Crudo

Whaling in Oklahoma

Whaling in Oklahoma is a modern American brasserie located in the South End in the legendary space formerly known as Tremont 647. Chef team Tim Maslow and Matt Hummel focus on Japanese flavors, which is matched by Colin Mason’s similarly focused beverage program.

647 Tremont St. , Boston, 617-266-4600, whalinginoklahoma.com

Although Best of Boston heavily focuses on restaurants, they have many other categories that are equally spectacular, which include shops, bars and services. For a full list of winners, head on over to the Boston Magazine site!

And if you’re a big burger fan, we’ll be hitting up Boston Magazine’s Battle of the Burger event happening at the Flynn Cruiseport Boston on August 14, 2019. Will we see you there?