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We asked. You answered. Now it's time to toast the winners on our first annual compendium of the Best of Annapolis. Read on to discover a boatload of new finds, old favorites, and top picks around town.
by Carol Denny, j.s. houck, Annie Peroutka, Alicia Clott, and our readers.
photography by Steve Buchanan

Dining

Best Sushi
Sophisticated palettes know there's one restaurant to turn to for sushi with epicurean flair, well-balanced presentation, and authentic Japanese charm: Joss. After the familiar "Iras-shai" greeting, settle into the cozy confines for a memorable dining experience. Sake (take it hot) makes for an enhancing opener, and the tempura sampler is a tasty intro to your meal. Order big and you may deserve "the boat," the largest of the serving platters for your sushi. Whether it's a simple serving of chirashi (an assortment of fresh fish served sashimi style) or the more elaborate Dynamite Roll (salmon, yellow tail, flounder, clam, crab and F.F. roe, with a spicy, creamy sauce), Joss has you covered, with delicate offerings appealingly served. Joss Café & Sushi Bar, 195 Main St., Annapolis. 410-263-4688.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Indian
Attractive, spacious and filled with tempting aromas, India's has a loyal clientele, with good reason. Crisp-yet-moist samosas, fresh-from-the-oven breads and many varieties of entrees-the vegetarian choices are excellent-are impeccably served. India's, 257 West Street, Annapolis. 410-263-7900.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Chinese
We're feeling lucky about our top choice for Chinese: Joy Luck. Its four Annapolis locations provide tastes of the East like General Hsao's Chicken, Cantonese Lobster and more. Dine in at the handsomely-appointed Main Street address, take out from other locations. Joy Luck, 905 Bay Ridge Road, 41-263-6800; 626 Admiral Drive, 410-266-6639; 1394 Cape St. Claire Rd, 410-626-8001, and 177 Main Street, 410-267-7700.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Spanish/Mexican
Consistently excellent food in a sensational new setting keeps Jalapeños on the local hot list. If you want to sample Paella Valenciana, sangria, scrumptious seafood and fajitas in a warm Mediterranean atmosphere, better call for reservations first. Jalapeños, 85 Forest Drive, Annapolis. 410-266-7580.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Greek
The gyros are sensational, but Chris's Charcoal Pit also has a veritable pantheon of authentic Greek items. Try souvlaki (also called shish kabob here), mousaka, pastichion or the Italian specialties-even gyro pizza. The dining area is modest but friendly, or you can take out at the counter. Chris's Charcoal Pit, 1946 West Street, Annapolis. 410-266-5200.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Irish
The flavors at Galway Bay are straight out of Eire, from the perfectly-poured Guinness to delectable potato, lamb and seafood dishes. Even the little touches-like real Irish butter with your soda bread-are exceptional. But yes, it's the bar that wins over one and all. Galway Bay, 63 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis. 410-263-8333.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Italian
A notch above ordinary Italian, Ristorante Piccola Roma offers a mouth-watering menu and excellent service in one of the handsomest dining rooms in town. If you can, sample co-owner Silvana Silvestrini's very own tiramisu. Ristorante Piccola Roma, 200 Main Street, Annapolis. 410-268-7898.

Best Ethnic Restaurant: German
The Sellinger family keeps up a long-standing tradition of Gemütlichkeit at The Old Stein Inn. Choose a table in the cozy dining room or on the pleasant patio to enjoy spaetzle, a variety of schnitzels, and-if you're lucky-live accordion serenades. The Old Stein Inn, 1143 Central Avenue, Edgewater, 410-798-6807.

Best Steakhouse + Best Wine List
The superlatives are non-stop for the fare at Lewnes Steakhouse. The cuts are tender, cooked to perfection, and unanimously praised as "the best we've ever had." The surroundings are classy, the service is excellent-in short, it's worth the splurge. Lewnes Steakhouse, 401 Fourth St., Annapolis. 410-263-1617.

Best Oyster Bar
Again and again, McGarvey's tops all when it comes to the place to eat Annapolis' favorite bivalves and wash 'em down with tasty brews. Taken on the half shell and paired with an Aviator Lager (McGarvey's signature beer) is the way to fly at this seafood saloon. Served with melted butter and cocktail sauce, Chincoteague oysters are the taste of Annapolis, and everyone from local watermen to global sailors enjoys them at McGarvey's year 'round. Order six, order a dozen, and you'll be well on your way to slurping yourself into the City Dock experience. McGarvey's Saloon & Oyster Bar, 8 Market Space, Annapolis. 410-263-5700.

Most Intimate Restaurant
Savor each moment of your evening at Northwoods. Quiet, elegant dining in a lovely setting is enhanced by the personal touch of Owner/Chef Russell Brown, who presents four-star offerings with an impressive wine list. It's consistently ranked among the city's finest restaurants. Northwoods, 609 Melvin Ave., Annapolis. 410-269-6775.

Most Chic Restaurant
Feel like a hipster as you dine or drink at Tsunami, West Street's trendy Asian grill and sushi bar. The restaurant has a lounge-like feel with its midnight blue walls, hanging circular light fixtures and mellow background music. Lounge on a comfy chair or padded bench for extra chic-ness. Tsunami, 51 West St., Annapolis, 410-990-9868.

Best Restaurant Accessible by Boat
What's not to like about Cantler's? A comfortable, unpretentious setting, fabulous water view, and steaming trays of hard shells are yours for the asking, and the menu of seafood specialties is four-star. It's off the beaten track, but the crowds seem to find it-and they're all happy they did. Cantler's Riverside Inn, 458 Forest Beach Drive, Annapolis. 410-266-7580.

Best New Restaurant
Forget about driving up to Towson-The Melting Pot has made its way to Annapolis. Whether you're on a romantic date or celebrating with a group of friends, the restaurant's four-course fondue dinners are a fun feast. Top pick: the fiesta cheese fondue, worth a visit all by itself. The Melting Pot, 2348 Solomons Island Rd., Annapolis, 410-266-8004.

Best Restaurant for Sunsets
Feel the glow of a twilight panorama from the windows at Yellowfin. On a clear night, there's nothing more relaxing and beautiful than Yellowfin's waterfront view of the South River as the sun sets. We recommend sipping a martini as the myriad of cascading colors brightens the horizon. Yellowfin, 2840 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. 410-573-1333, 410-897-0190.

Best Kept Secret Restaurant
Hip and quirky, with an adventurous "global fusion" menu full of surprising combinations, Sputnik Café is an unexpectedly funky establishment on General's Highway in Crownsville. If you've got a yen for something different, with a hint of Asia, blast off. Sputnik Café, 1397 General's Highway, Crownsville, 410-923-3775.

Most Entertaining Restaurant
At Sakura, you've got a ringside seat as a Hibachi chef cooks up a Japanese feast before your eyes. Watch as he creates a flaming volcano out of onion rings, tosses delicacies into diners' mouths and even attempts never-before-seen tricks-all while preparing delicious meals. Sakura, 2625 Housley Rd., Annapolis, 410-573-0006.

Best Restaurant to Pop the Question
Can't make it to Paris to propose? Les Folies Brasserie is a worthy stand-in brimming with Gallic charm. A scrumptious menu, fine wines and a solicitous wait staff get the evening off to a good start; the rest is up to you. Les Folies Brasserie, 2552 Riva Rd., Annapolis, 410-573-0970.

Best Restaurant to Take the Kids
Climb the stairs at 100 Main Street to Buddy's, a happy downtown eatery overlooking Market Space and City Dock. The essential fries are fabulous, the menu has plenty of kid-friendly choices, and ages ten and under eat free with adults. Hey, did we mention the balloons? Buddy's, 100 Main Street, Annapolis. 410-626-1100.

Best Restaurant to Take the Out-of-Towners
Fully recovered after its flooding during Hurricane Isabel, Chart House has undergone a million-dollar transformation. The water views are stunning, and the range of seafood and other specialties will please everyone in your party, at Sunday brunch or dinner. Chart House, 300 Second Street, Annapolis, 410-268-7166.

Best Seafood Restaurant
Just steps away from Spa Creek, O'Learys, handsome and contemporary, draws raves for its seafood-only menu. O'Learys goes beyond the traditional fried shrimp and crab cakes (but yes, they do have jumbo lump crab cakes) to offer a wide variety of fresh fish cooked precisely to your liking, and many specialty entrees featuring lobster, salmon and scallops. O'Learys, 310 3rd St., Annapolis. 410-263-0884.

Best Power Lunch
Lobbyists, legislators, movers and shakers find the comfortable confines of Harry Browne's an agreeable place to discuss the affairs of the day. Peek into the windows of this State Circle landmark and you'll see ladies and gentlemen with capital clout enjoying exception cuisine in a stately room that evokes the rarefied atmosphere of the Normandie cruise liner--whose chandeliers now hang above. Harry Browne's, 66 State Circle, Annapolis, 410-263-4332.

Best Sunday Brunch
It could take an entire weekend to make your way through the super Sunday Brunch at Carrol's Creek. This sumptuous buffet earns four stars for its exceptional size and variety, with everything from eggs Benedict, custom omelets and Belgian waffles to poached salmon, smoked bluefish, chicken Alfredo, shrimp, roast beef and ham. (Check out the dessert display before you begin: it's worth saving room these tempting treats.) So grand it takes two different rooms to serve it all, the brunch even includes your choice of a Bloody Mary, champagne or mimosa. Best of all, when you're finished, you can sit back and savor one of the best water views in Annapolis. Carrol's Creek Café, 410 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, 410-263-8102.

Best Sports Bar
Loyal fans put their hands together for Griffins West, a place where serious sportsters can gather and take in the game du jour. Lots of screens, a spacious bar, comfortable booths and a man-sized menu make this colorful corner of Parole a welcoming spot for all partisans. Griffins West, 2049 West Street, Annapolis, 410-266-7662.

Best Vegetarian Entrees
For vegetarians, there's finally a course (main, that is) that's off the beaten path. Yin Yankee Cafe will lead your palette on a trip to the Orient with its Laos Salad, Grilled Hearts of Romaine, Wok Seared Vegetables & Udon Noodles or Panang Curry Tofu Bowl. Throw in a side of Crazy Veggie Chips with Crumbled Gorgonzola and your meal, sans meat, is complete. Yin Yankee Cafe, 105 Main St., Annapolis. 410-268-8703.

Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Severna Park
Food and service are exceptionally good at Garry's Grill, but it's the friendly atmosphere that keeps the locals beating a path to its door. For working breakfasts or Sunday breakfasts, leisurely lunches or dinner with friends, it's a winning choice. Garry's Grill, xx B&A Blvd., Severna Park. 410-544-0499.

Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge Plaza on Hillsmere Drive hosts Grump's, the place all the locals go for friendly service, cheap eats and a funky tropical atmosphere. It's one big slumber party on the weekends, when the servers were their fun flannel PJ's. Breakfast and burgers are tops, and a coffee bar is their latest addition. Grump's, 117 Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis. 410-267-0229.

Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Davidsonville
Killarney House, brought to you by the folks from Galway Bay in Annapolis, brings Irish food and a full complement of Celtic charm to its spacious, high-beamed dining room. Guinness on tap and live music on Tuesdays adds to the flavor. Killarney House, 584 Central Avenue, Davidsonville, 410-798-8700.

Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Eastport
Boatyard Bar & Grill was named as one of Sail Magazine's "best sailing bars in the world" (and it shows sailing films every Wednesday night), but non-boating families and friends flock here, too. The yellow cottage is a happy, happening place to east and drink. Boatyard Bar & Grill, 400 Fourth St., Annapolis, 410-216-6206.

Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Edgewater
The locals might be trying to keep it a secret, but Edgewater Restaurant keeps packing them in. A familiar fixture on Mayo Road, it serves dinner Wednesday through Sunday (lunch Friday through Sunday), with a menu of classic American favorites. Edgewater Restaurant, Mayo Rd., Edgewater, 410-956-3202.

Nightlife

Best Live Music, Best Brewpub and Best Bottled Beer
"I'll have a beer with my music, please." You may not say it, but you'll think it when you stroll into Rams Head Tavern to quaff a few of their homebrews. Take in a great national act upstairs in the On Stage forum, or a local fave in the leathery downstairs pub. Home to jazz, rock, blues, et al, Rams Head offers delight to all ears. And the bold copper fermentation tanks at the front of the house scream, "Great beer resides here!" With its five year-round draughts and a sixth "seasonal" tap, Rams Head (via Fordham Brewing) pulls the best locally brewed frosty adult beverages. Sign on to the World Beer Club and 100 beers later (from the most extensive bottle selection in town) a personally engraved "club mug" gives you bragging rights. Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. 410-268-4545.

Best Place to Dance
With music seven nights a week, you can't beat O'Briens when you want to throw on your dancing shoes and party. The oyster bar and restaurant boasts the largest dance floor in all of downtown Annapolis. Ladies, Thursdays are your nights, with drink specials and a DJ. O'Briens, 113 Main St., Annapolis, 410-268-6288.

Best Margarita
Drive by The Mexican Cafe on just about any warm evening and you'll see the overflow crowd holding cactus-stem glasses of its favorite libation: the Margarita. The house version does most folks just fine, but the top shelf recipe (choose your name-brand tequila) is worth the splurge. The Mexican Café, 975 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis. 410-626-1520.

Best Martini
With seven specialty martinis (and more on the way), Tsunami likes to put its own twist on the bar menu. Try the Tsunami Martini-Mandarin vodka, Malibu rum and blue Curacao, with a ginger garnish. For a caffeine fix, get a double jolt of energy from the expresso martini. Tsunami, 51 West St., Annapolis, 410-990-9868.

Best Bar Food
Boatyard Bar & Grill takes its nibbles seriously, with a special Bar Menu of tasty appetizers that go way beyond peanuts and chips. Order small plates of Caribbean conch fritters, jerk chicken skewers, Portobello fries, fried calamari and more. Boatyard Bar & Grill, 400 Fourth St., Annapolis, 410-216-6206.

Best Pool Hall
With 13 pool tables, Sharkey's is the pool hall of choice in Annapolis. The spacious hall, with lots of seating, gives pool sharks the opportunity to play their game of choice in a comfortable environment. Not a playah? Watch sports on the big screen TVs or play video games. Sharkey's, 2072 Sommerville Rd., Annapolis, 410-841-5599.

Best Place to be a MD Fan
On any day that the MD Terps play (be it hoops, pigskin or lacrosse) you can count on Heroes' to be the most festive of all haunts in Annapolis. The bartenders show their true red, white, and black colors, the tubes are tuned in, and the crowd gets loud with each tick-tock of the game clock. With plenty of food to choose from (try the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Strips) and 44 different beers on tap to wet your whistle, Heroes serves up gustatory satisfaction, making this enclave a home away from College Park home. Heroes, 1 Riverview Ave., Annapolis. 410.573-1996.

Best Local Performer
Whether he's playing solo or hitting the stage with one of his bands, Bens Bones (originals) or Invisible Band (covers), Dan Haas is the performing man around town. Haas delivers high-energy pop/folk/rock shows most nights of the week. Don't miss him with Bens Bones on the first three Mondays of each month at 49 West. www.danhaas.com

Best Local Band
Probably the best way in town to get your r 'n' r fix, the Jarflys play Armadillos every Tuesday night. For two bucks, you'll hear a mind-melt of rock, funk, reggae, and blues, steeped in a loose, improvisational approach that begs you to leave the barstool behind to kick down your best dance moves. These playahs (two guitars, bass, drums, keys and sax) make for a Saturday-night-special every Tuesday. Jarflys, Tuesdays at Armadillos, 132 Dock St., Annapolis. 410-280-0028.www.jarflys.com

Best Karaoke
The good, the bad, and the ugly: perhaps the only way to describe Thursday Night Karaoke at the Ebb Tide in Bay Ridge. You might hear the next American Idol or last night's chopped liver. But count on three things: a festive audience, cold beer, and rounds of laughter. Ebb Tide, 985 Bay Ridge Rd., Annapolis, 410-269-1500.

Best Jazz + Best Place to Talk

Grab a pair of gazing eyes with willing ears and have yourself a conversation at 49 West. It's a choice spot to break the ice or catch up on old times. In the evening, the lighting dims and the mood shifts to the Harlem Renaissance, so you can indulge in a glass of pinot noir and hear the best local jazz performers do their thing. 49 West, 49 West St., Annapolis. 410-626-9796.

Best Late Night Eats
Every town should have a place like this. Open 24 hours a day, the Double-T Diner boasts an enormous menu of eating options-sandwiches, seafood, Italian dishes, burgers, salad platters, desserts, and even diet delights. Diners can expect equally enormous portions at reasonable prices. The best part: breakfast anytime, day or night. Double-T Diner, 12 Defense St., Annapolis, 410-571-9070.

Best Local Watering Hole
On the corner of Fourth and Chester in Eastport sits an ol' friend, Davis' Pub. Sailors delight (and locals) favor this salty favorite for a true "American casual" experience. Burgers, crab cakes, steak, and shrimp are the main draws here, as are the beers-especially after a long day on the Bay. Davis's Pub, 400 Chester Ave., Annapolis. 410.268.7432.

Food

Best Ice Cream
This is a town of serious ice-cream eaters. And the cone heads who cast their ballots chose Storm Brothers as their unofficial ice cream mecca. Storm Brothers licked the competition in this category, with offerings like chocolate mint chip and chocolate chip cookie dough (the most popular, according to manager Veronica McNair), moose tracks, raspberry truffle, muddy sneakers, rum raisin, triple fruit sherbet, butter pecan, mocha almond fudge and more. A downtown fixture since 1976, this City Dock spot is a cool oasis on a summer night, a place to treat your sweetie, a ritual to enjoy again and again. Storm Brothers, xx Dock Street, Annapolis, 410-263-3376.

Best Deli
If the name doesn't convince you, the taste will-Giolitti's is authentic Italian. Sandwiches, pastas and salads can be enjoyed in-house, or taken home for a meal a la Roma. Don't miss the frozen items and the shelves of imported specialties (wine, too). Giolitti's Delicatessen, 2068 Sommerville Rd., Annapolis, 410-266-8600.

Best Local Coffee Shop
A favorite of sailors, strollers, and early-morning athletes, City Dock Café offers coffees ground from their own beans and terrific baked goods (try the scones). Newspapers and comfy seating invite you to linger and enjoy the passing scene. City Dock Cafés at Market Space and Maryland Avenue in Annapolis, Bay Dale Shopping Center in Arnold and Benfield Rd., Severna Park.

Best Wings
Your taste buds will take flight with fresh chicken wings at Acme Bar & Grill. Happy hour specials run Sundays to Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m., when wings are just 35 cents each. Choose from a variety of flavors-BBQ, Caesar, honey mustard, Chesapeake, lemon pepper, Memphis gold, teriyaki, Cajun and more. Acme Bar & Grill, 163 Main St., Annapolis, 410-280-6486.

Best Ribs
Adam's, The Place for Ribs is confident enough to declare its status right in the name. Their extra-meaty, fall-off-the-bone ribs are slathered in a sauce that's not-too-sweet, as are the BBQ chicken and beef. Eat in, carry out, or have them cater your party or picnic. Adam's Ribs, at 921-C Chesapeake Ave. in Eastport, 410-267-0064,169 Mayo Rd. in Edgewater, 410-798-6000, and B&A Blvd., Severna Park, 410-647-5757.

Best Burgers
If you're a true burger aficionado, here's your spot. Getting your picture onto the Wall of Fame at Cheeburger, Cheeburger is no small undertaking-you have to finish their famous pounder burger, a whole 20 ounces of beef before cooking. Pile it high with lots of toppings for an extra challenge. Cheeburger, Cheeburger, 2329 B Forest Dr., Annapolis, 410-224-7297.

Best Bargain Meal
While it may share the bargain prices of a quick-service restaurant, Baja Fresh begs to differ in big ways. The Mexican grill eliminates freezers, microwaves and can openers by preparing everything fresh at its restaurant. Phone ahead for grab and go service. Baja Fresh, 2512-A Solomons Island Rd., Annapolis, 410-897-0090.

Best Pizzeria
There's always a smile to welcome you to Mangia, an Italian grill and sports café. Pop in to its first floor for Italian to go-their brick-oven pizza is four-star-or head upstairs for casual dining, with an array of sandwiches, pastas, seafood, calzones, strombolis and, of course, pizza. Mangia, 81 Main St., Annapolis, 410-268-1350.

Most Deluxe Crab Soup
Breeze at Loews Annapolis Hotel offers this over-the-top version of cream of crab soup: fresh jumbo lump crab swimming in Spanish sherry, cream and half and half, drizzled with lobster oil and sprinkled with fennel pollen and a spoonful of caviar. Try a "demitasse" portion from the tasting menu. Breeze, Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West Street, Annapolis. 410-263-7777.

Best Appetizers
Middleton Tavern is the place to for those mouth watering morsels that you can never seem to eat enough of-mussels. Get a $3 steamed bucket during happy hour (regular price $6.25), served with drawn melted butter, white wine garlic broth, and Old Bay seasoning, and let your shellfish excavation begin. Or opt for the most acclaimed version of crab dip in town: lump crab folded into bubbling cheddar and cream cheeses, seasoned and served with crackers for dipping. Middleton Tavern, 2 Market Space, Annapolis, 410-263-3323.

Best Desserts
Forget the South Beach Diet-we're putting ourselves on The Main Ingredient Dessert Diet, starting right now. What better way to remind ourselves that paradise exists right here on earth? Michelle O'Brien is the angel behind these heavenly baked goods, and the dessert case at her Bay Ridge café shows why. These magnificent creations are, in a word, divine. Taste the lemon mousse cake, Linzer torte, banana cream pie, fresh fruit tart, cannoli cake, key lime or Derby pies and you'll see: life is sweet. The Main Ingredient Café, 914 Bay Ridge Road, Annapolis. 410-626-0388.

Best Gelato
At Aromi d'Italia, the freezer case is filled with the rainbow hues of more than twenty varieties of creamy gelato-each intensely delicious, capturing the essence of fruit, nuts, chocolate and more. Rejoice: samples on request. Aromi d'Italia, 132 Dock Street, Annapolis, 410-761-5215.

Best Salad Bar
Locally famous for its bountiful offering, Chart House has a salad bar of impressive proportions. Its fresh seasonal greens, vegetables, caviar (!), mixed salads, fruits and house-made dressings are a meal in themselves. Chart House, 300 Second Street, Annapolis, 410-268-7166.

Kids/Family Related

Best Kids' Clothing
Grandmothers and doting aunts head for The Giant Peach to find ultra-adorable children's wear. Special-occasion clothes, casual attire, and lots of cute accessories make it the place to outfit your favorite little one. The Giant Peach, 110 Annapolis St, Annapolis. 410-268-8776.

Best Toy Store
For a great selection of high-quality books, models, stuffed animals, dolls, scientific and craft projects, Be Beep is the place to go. The well-loved Severna Park and Annapolis stores have just about everything a kid could love-even a "birthday bin" to make gift selection a breeze. Be Beep, Park Plaza, Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park, 410-544-1844, and Festival at Riva, 2327-C Forest Drive, Annapolis, 410-224-4066.

Best Miniature Golf
Pack everyone in the van and head for Severna Park Golf Center for a retro round of mini-golf. It's got all the classics: the windmill, the lighthouse, the try-your-luck hole-in-one, and a real driving range next door where Tigers can test their swings. Severna Park Golf Center, 1257 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park, 410-647-8618.

Best Bike Trail
The former rail line from Baltimore to Annapolis is now the B&A Trail, a green, gorgeous, well-used path beloved by cyclists, runners, roller-bladers, dog-walkers and nature-lovers of all ages. The paved route runs 13.3 miles from Route 450 (just below Route 50) north to Dorsey Rd., with multiple points of access. B&A Trail Park, 410-222-6244.

Shops and Services

Best Casual Chic
You don't have to be beach-bound to love the look at South Moon Under. This boutique stocks plenty of skirts, sundresses, capris and tanks in luscious fabrics and colors, as well as jewelry and accessories-even for your home. Men's fashions are featured, too. South Moon Under, 2510 Solomons Island Rd., Annapolis. 410-224-1140.

Best Salon: Hair
The best-coiffed heads around town get that way at Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa. Top stylists at this West Annapolis landmark cut, color, condition and transform their clients in a luxurious hip atmosphere (gilded mirrors and leopard-skin prints), where both staff and clients seem to smile continuously. The salon also offers a full range of beauty services. Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa, 101 Annapolis Street, Annapolis. 410-263-1812.

Best Salon: Spa Services
Glow is a contemporary salon with a difference-not only with its in-house café and bar, but also in its range of services. Their cutting-edge approach includes medically-supervised Botox, microdermabrasion, glycolic peels and even custom tattoos (and hair, nails, skin care, and massage, too). Glow Salon and Day Spa, 2603 Housley Road, Suite 213, Annapolis, 410-571-6601.

Best Preppie Look
Brighten your day with Palm Beach-inspired clothing from the Pink Crab, a Lilly Pulitzer signature store. It stocks a rainbow of colorful shift dresses, wrap skirts, sandals, bags and more. Hot off the racks: the new Lillywood prints, inspired by the sun, sand and surf of California. The Pink Crab, 118 Main St., Annapolis, 410-216-9994.

Best Lingerie
For lacy lingerie and feel-good loungewear, take a peek at A La Mode. This West Street boutique has a lavish collection of silky, super-comfortable pieces you'll feel pretty wearing-and a line of "Mansilk" items, too. A La Mode, 32 West St., Annapolis, 410-280-9771.

Best Stationery
The Paper Gourmet makes the most of its adorable, English-basement space on Church Circle, where the shelves are filled with unique choices for high-quality cards, invitations, birth announcements and more. Stop in and see the note-able collection. The Paper Gourmet, 3 Church Circle, Annapolis, 410-263-8710.

Best International Grocery
For freezer cases full of easy, exotic entrees and shelves full of global goodies, Trader Joe's is the place to go. Browse among unusual snacks, cheeses, fruits, flowers and plants-it'll whet your appetite for a different kind of dinner. Trader Joe's, 160 Jennifer Rd., Annapolis. 410-573-0505.

Best Guitar Shop
Go ahead-pick up an axe at Garrett Park Guitars and play it like Page. And if you can't play it, take a lesson. The guitars of Paul Reed Smith, Gibson, Fender, and Martin represent the best known of the hand-crafted class lining GPG's walls. But don't miss the unique vintage guitars, as well the toys (pedal effects, pickups, amplifiers, etc.) that can go with 'em. Garrett Park Guitars, Inc., 38 West St., Annapolis. 410-267-6200.

Best Bike Shop
From the foothills of Davidsonville to the flats of Millersville, Bike Doctor can put you on the road, with mountain, road, BMX, tandem, and even used bikes. Got a flat? Gears not shifting up to speed? Bring in your two-wheeler for professional servicing. Bike Doctor, 160-C Jennifer Rd., Annapolis, 410-266-738; 953 Ritchie Hwy., Arnold, 410-544-3532; 1312 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, 410-451-690.

Best Wake/Skate/Snow Shop
Formerly Evolve Board Shop, Asylum is now the nomenclature of choice when answering your board calls-be it wake, skate, or snow. From men's and women's apparel to ball bearings for your board, Asylum has the head-to-toe gear to put you in motion. Asylum Wake Skate Snow, 179 Main St., Annapolis, 410-990-1111.

Best Adventure Sports Shop
If your cardinal sin is covering cardinal directions in all corners of the earth, Eastern Mountain Sports can outfit you with stoves, clothes, bags, boots, and everyone's favorite, Nalgene bottles. Whether you're packing for a young overnighter or for a sherpa, count on EMS to get it done. Eastern Mountain Sports, Inc., 2554 Solomons Island Rd., Annapolis, 410-573-1240.

Best Weight-Training
The right atmosphere and the right equipment make the Annapolis Athletic Club a favorite among the professional crowd for weight-training. It caters to members who want to feel good and stay fit (no Ah-nold wannabes here). Annapolis Athletic Club offers state-of-the-art Technogym and FreeMotion equipment, and the cleanliness and organization of the weight equipment are big pluses. Need help pumping iron? The club always has personal trainers working the floor to help out its members by spotting or providing technique tips. Annapolis Athletic Club, 1031 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis. 410-990-1095.

Best Boating Accessories
Whatever nautical equipment you need, you'll find it at City Dock's central boating emporium, Fawcett's. The fame of this establishment exceeds its modest Compromise St. digs, as demonstrated by the Boat Show crowds that pack the aisles each autumn. We lucky locals can shop in any season. Fawcett's Marine Supplies, 110 Compromise Street, Annapolis, 410-267-8681.

Around Town

Best Local Park
The 340 acres of field and forest between the South River and Harness Creek is Quiet Waters Park. Mother Earth (and Anne Arundel County Parks and Rec) have created a spectacle of nature here, with something to delight every visitor. Kids can enjoy the just-completed multi-level, state-of-the-art playground. Fitness lovers can trek the six-mile jog or bike path. Paddlers can head out on the water with a rental kayak or canoe. For man's best friend, there's both a dog park (separated into two fenced areas--one area for the little pups, and one for the larger breeds) and a dog beach along the cool South River. And, to soothe the soul, there's an exquisite sculpture garden, and art exhibits in the Visitor's Center throughout the year. Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis. 410-222-1777.

Best Golf Course
Beautiful, top-rated public courses on either side of the Bay Bridge-at South River and Queenstown Harbor-are the choice of local linksters. The two Atlantic Golf properties are accessible with one membership, or you can pay per game. Atlantic Golf's Queenstown Lakes and Queenstown River Golf Courses, Queenstown, 800 767 4837; Atlantic Golf at South River, Edgewater, 800-827-5257.

Best Raquetball
Merritt Athletic Club gets major props for having the best ball courts around-not just for racquetball, but for Wallyball, basketball and squash, too. Long-time racquetball pros Don Holler and Jeff Phillips run a lively league that runs fall, winter and spring, and open play is also available. Merritt Athletic Club, 1981 Moreland Pkwy., Annapolis, 410-269-5400.

Best Auto Repair
In business for nearly 20 years, Jack the Greek Garage has earned a stellar reputation for car care. If your Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Honda or Toyota needs an expert for transmission, engine or body work, it's the place to call for an appointment (ask for Jack). Jack the Greek Garage, 1920 West Street, G-6, Annapolis, 410-266-6013.

Best View
In a city filled with photo ops, it's a challenge to single out the most beautiful vista. The State House dome rising over Main Street, the Wednesday Night Racing fleet passing the Academy seawall, and the glorious symmetry of the Paca Gardens are all contenders. But for an expansive, awe-inspiring view of the capital and its landmarks, visit the overlook at the World War II Memorial. Just past the Academy Bridge on Route 450, where the Severn River meets the Bay, it commands a sweeping prospect of the Academy and the city beyond. The star-centered memorial on the slope below pays homage to area WWII dead, imbuing the view with a deeper meaning. Add it to your own personal city tour. WWII Memorial, Route 450, Annapolis.

Best Historic Site
Thank St. Clair Wright for restoring the William Paca House and Gardens to its original, 17th century splendor. The home of the Declaration of Independence signer, adjacent to USNA, is a delight to tour, with unexpected touches inside and a spacious walled garden behind. William Paca House and Gardens, 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis. 410-263-5553.

Best Local Event
Though each season has its share of public merry-making, the crowds really come out for Annapolis' annual 4th of July fireworks. The spectacle is doubly dazzling because it's mirrored in the waters of the harbor-and the rockets, launched from a barge offshore, always put on a heck of a show.

Best Free Activity
Let's hear it for City Dock, the beating heart of Annapolis, embracing all the things that make life in the capital a kick. Take a walk along Ego Alley, ooh and aah at the boats (how does the captain turn on a dime?), smile at the tots in the strollers. Window shop along Market Space and Dock Street, ponder the Kunta Kinte memorial, check out the crowd on Middleton's porch. Or try just sittin' on the dock of the bay, taking in the passing fleet. On a rainy day, you'll have the place practically to yourself; on a sunny day, you'll share the love with hundreds. As Samuel Johnson might have said, when a man is tired of City Dock, he is tired of life.