THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Welcome to the 2004 edition of the Boston Phoenix Best awards. Well, we don't really hand out awards, but we do try to give credit where it's due. Each of our four categories "Arts and Entertainment," "City Life," "Food and Drink," and "Shopping" features Best selections chosen by our readers ("Readers' Picks") in the 2004 Best Readers Poll. Look there to see if your nominee won the day. We also feature a slightly more off-beat collection of Bests selected by our writers and editors. Find these under "Editors' Picks."

Then do us all a favor and go out and experience the best our city has to offer. It's all here, from the "Best revival of an arcane Russian term" to the "Best way to gratify your inner chauvinist" to the "Best alternative to cat commitment," and more.