This week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice contest asks what's the single greatest unsung bit of awesomeness our neighborhood has to offer.
This week's "Best Of Patch Readers' Choice" contest is a fun one: What's Jamaica Plain's Hidden Gem?
I asked folks on the JP Patch Facebook page for nominations, and added some of my own. I'm sure this is not a complete list of our hidden gems. Please bring others up in the comments section. I can't add them to the contest, but a good discussion is my real aim with these features.
Here's how it works. Vote in the poll below. Add comments supporting your decision. Rate the businesses involved. Votes and ratings decide the winner, with ties broken by most favorable comments.
The poll closes at 9 a.m. Friday. Because this poll isn't scientific, it isn't the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor (that's me, Chris Helms), based on poll results, comments on this story and ratings on Patch Places. Please vote only once per survey. The official rules are attached to this post as a PDF.
And now, the nominees, along with links to their Patch Places pages, if applicable:
Have fun with it. I'd love to learn about some new neighborhood awesomeness this week.
Chris Helms
8:12 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
Several readers on Facebook suggested various dishes at JP restaurants, like the corn muffins at Fiore's and the milkshakes at El Oriental. I didn't add those to the contest since "Best Dish" seems like a really great subject for a future "Best Of" contest. That said, if you'd like to talk about other hidden gems in the JP restaurant scene, please feel free to do so. I can file them away for that future contest...
Matt
2:10 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Other... Minston Stable Community Gardens!
Chris Helms
2:46 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Good one! For those of you who don't know about this gem, it's on Williams near Doyle's: http://sites.google.com/site/mintonstablegarden/
BW
5:21 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Since I've lived in JP for 10 years and I've never heard of Nira's Rock before this poll, I guess I have to vote for it as the hidden gem! and remind myself to stop by and see it sometime....
Max "Jay" P.
12:24 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Curley House. Literally hidden -- there's no public programming there. Literally a gem -- well, metaphorically, but it's got to be worth more than its $1.5M assessment.
I think the city should do something with it or else sell it.
Chris Helms
7:55 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
That's another good suggestion, Max. I think about the potential of that place whenever I go past it.
Rebecca Greening
12:24 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Forest Hills Cemetery! Despite many folks becoming more aware due to their programming, it still remains undiscovered by a lot of people!
Phoenix Boulay
12:49 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
I love Jamaica Pond, I'm an avid visitor to Arnold Arboretum, I have visited the lovely hidden Minton Stable Gardens, and I have strolled in Franklin Park on the North side via the Park Lane entrance. However, Forest Hills Cemetery is the most lovely, quiet and peaceful place to stroll, bike ride, or relax by Hibiscus Lake. If you are up for it, seeking out and viewing the grave sites of famous deceased persons is an interesting adventure. The Lantern Festival in July is not to be missed, but on any other day, the peace felt at this hidden gem is remarkable.