Alden & Harlow, Gordon Hamersley, and More Make Devra First's Best-of-2014 List

"Boston ate well in 2014," declares the Globe's Devra First, announcing the winners of her 2014 restaurant awards, including Alden & Harlow (restaurant of the year), Gordon Hamersley (chef of the year), cat cafes (worst trend), and more. There's even an unfortunate category for "biggest disappointment," which gets handed to Bar Boulud. "I hold out hope that Bar Boulud will become the restaurant it should be," she notes. In November, she gave it a tepid review. Here's her full list of winners (and losers).

The Globe also shares a list of 12 of the top "cheap eats" dishes of the year, courtesy of Ellen Bhang, Sheryl Julian, and Catherine Smart, who all contributed to the Cheap Eats column over the course of 2014. Try the falafel wrap at Noor Mediterranean Grill, patty melt sliders at Snappy Pattys, and tacos at Taco Loco.