What's Up Magazines
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Best of 2007
It's that time of year again, time to celebrate the best our town has to offer. From bagels to breakfast, from shoes to shopping destinations, from margaritas to the must-have salad bar experience—you've voted and weighed in with your opinions on where to find and enjoy the best services and entertainment. Now that beautiful weather has arrived, now is the time to enjoy the services and goods of the winners. This year more readers voted than ever before, and most of them voted online by visiting our website, www.whatsupmag.com . This year, we did things a little differently. With some electronic assistance we were able to shut out duplicate ballots by limiting computers to only one voting ballot. By mail, we only counted votes that were cast on the original ballots removed from the February issue of the magazine. Over 4100 people participated by casting a ballot. Thus, we can confidently say that our results are the most accurate to date in the history of Best of voting and we are pleased to share our findings with our readers. One of the most popular voting categories was pizza, a food many people feel passionately about, given the numbers of ballots cast and the wide variety of businesses that serve pizza on their menus. Do you like your pizza Chicago-style with a thick crust, baked and cut in rectangular slices? Or do you prefer New York-style pizza, large in size and cut into thin, flexible, triangular slices? The word pizza is thought to have been coined from two similar words: Pissa, a Vulgar Latin term used in the 9th century for flat bread, and Pizzo, which means “point” in older Italian dialect. Early pizza contained no tomato sauce, as tomatoes were not introduced to Europe from the New World until the 16th century. Naples , Italy is thought to be the birthplace of pizza, where it was primarily considered a peasant dish. There are many different approaches to creating pizza, from placing cheese on the crust first, followed by sauce and toppings or cooking pizza on a grill—first grilling one side and then flipping to be complete with the toppings. The first pizzeria was opened in the United States in 1905, by Gennaro Lombardi, on Spring Street in New York City . “When the moon hits the sky like a big pizza pie, that's amore,” sang popular singer Dean Martin. It was the 1950's, the decade when pizza became immensely popular in the United States . And the popularity of pizza keeps expanding and creative chefs keep developing a variety of pizzas. Care for Hawaiian-style pizza with pineapple and ham? Or perhaps goat cheese, sprouts and spinach more suit your fancy. Annapolitans love their pizza! Our Top Best Pizza Winners were: Rocco's: First Place Ledo's: 2nd Place Squisito: 3rd place How do you start your day? For the majority of us, coffee is a must. The categories related to coffee created a voting frenzy as readers cast their ballots for their favorite coffee and their favorite coffee shop. The voting was close as local barristers City Dock Café and Pronto ran neck and neck to the very end and national franchise Starbucks running a strong third. The results: Best Eye Opening Coffee: Caffe Pronto Best Coffee Shop: City Dock Café Selling and serving coffee on a retail and wholesale basis, Pronto has a number of different locations throughout the Greater Annapolis area. The original place to enjoy their flavorful brew is at 90 Russell Street, Suite 500 , and there are now locations inside the Loews Hotel on West Street and at the Festival at Riva . Many local restaurants proudly put the Pronto emblem in the window or front door to let customers know they are serving Pronto coffee. While coffee is all-important, what about those yummy items you eat along with the coffee—hot or iced, tea, or chai? For the fourth year in a row, City Dock Café won easily for Best Breakfast Pastries . City Dock Café, winner of Best Coffee Shop and Best Breakfast Pastries Distinctive coffee drinks, delicious teas, beverages and the best breakfast pastries—scones, muffins, quiche, and individual coffee cakes baked fresh each morning cause this business to keep adding locations to serve the cravings of the local clientele. While the original downtown café, at 18 Market Space, (410) 269-0969 , still is a favored destination for the earliest of risers, there are three additional locations. 17 Maryland Ave. ; 1296 Bay Dale Dr. , Arnold ; Baltimore Washington Medical Center , 301 Hospital Dr. , Glen Burnie . Best Bagel went to: Naval Bagels. When it comes to fresh-baked bagels, first place winner was Naval Bagels, a popular place for breakfast and lunch. The smell of its yummy bagels will get your taste buds craving a nosh. T he shop sells sandwiches and bagels individually and by the dozen. 609-A Taylor Ave. After they get revved up and started with a cup of coffee and a light breakfast, many Annapolitans start their day by exercising. This year's winners in the Health & Fitness categories were: Best nutrition programs: Excellence In Fitness1244 Ritchie Highway | Suite 18 | Arnold Best yoga and meditation: Golden Heart Yoga179 Admiral Cochrane Dr., Suite 210 Best Pilates: Evolutions1834 George Avenue www.evolutionsbodyclinic.com Best fitness trainers on-site and Best gym to break a sweat: Annapolis Athletic ClubConvenient to downtown, the Annapolis Athletic club offers all the right workout gear, classes covering many fitness topics, massage, personal trainers, and more. 1301 Bay Ridge Ave. , Eastport. www.annapolisathleticclub.com Best spinning classes and Best variety within a gym: Big VanillaBig Vanilla Athletic Club | 1209 Ritchie Highway , Arnold www.bigvanilla.com Best place for alternative sports exercise: Annapolis Sailing Fitness www.annapolissailingfitness.com While stretching and working those muscles is part of looking good, the other part is knowing where to go for the best services to help you look your best. Best hair salon for women, Best men's haircut and shave: Hudson & Fouquet www.hudsonfouquet.com 181 West St Best cutting edge stylist: Luc Fouquet at Hudson & Fouquet, Jen McGraw at Robert Andrew Salon & Spa (tie)
Best hair colorist: Kelly Fisher at Ruby Salon 3 Monticello Ave Best makeup artist/consultant: Lisa Gregoire, freelance consultant 410-693-0200; lisag65@msn.com Best salon for a facial,and Best salon for “the works”: Robert Andrew Salon & Spa Robert Andrew: 1328 Main Chapel Way , Gambrills Best salon for a massage: Body Connection Best massage therapist: Jen Yoakum at Body Connection 2521 Riva Rd # U2 Best skin care: Annapolis Day Spa In the Loews Hotel, 126 West St . Best place to find unique clothing: Astrid175 West St Best “it girl” shoes and Best men's dress shoes, and Best women's business attire: NordstromAnnapolis Mall Best comfortable shoes: Sole Comfort2574 Solomons Island Rd Best fun and stylish bling: Lilac Bijoux145 Main St Best silver jewelry: Blanca Flor34 Market Space Best watches and designer jewelry: La Belle Cezanne117 Main St Best fine gems, Best gold jewelry: Zachary's Jewelers100 Main St . (410) 266-5555 Best adorable children's shop: Madeleine50 Maryland Ave. www.madeleineboutique.com Best unique small boutique: à la mode32 West St . www.alamodelingerie.com Best cocktail/party clothing: Sitting Pretty35 Maryland Ave www.shopsittingpretty.com Best upscale men's clothing and Best place to shop for Him: Vertu46 Maryland Ave. ( 410) 263-3494 Best casual with class clothing: Chico 's30 Market St . (410) 216-9251 Best athletic wear: Gotta Run168 Main St www.gottarunshop.com Best place to shop for Her: Artini40 Randall St . 410) 267-0040
After a hard day of toting around all those shopping bags its time to collapse and reflect on some marvelous purchases surrounded by goods from some of the Best Home Décor & Gifts. Best designer furniture: Ethan Allen2401 Solomons Island Rd Best unique furniture: Echoes & Accents and Alister & Ruby (tie) Echoes & Accents 224 Chinquapin Round Rd www.alisterandruby.com 1816 George Ave Best home furnishings: Parkemoor Home179 Mitchells Chance Rd (410) 956-1701 Best knick-knacks and creative accessories: Shore Living157 Mitchells Chance Rd (410) 956-7057 Best scented accessories/candle shop: Candles Off Main6 Cornhill St Best gallery for affordable art: Liz Lind167 Mitchells Chance Rd www.lizlindeditions.com Best gallery to find a masterpiece: McBride Gallery215 Main St . www.mcbridegallery.com Best place to find an unusual gift: Mary & Blanche78 Maryland Avenue www.maryandblanche.com Best stationery: Paper Gourmet914 Bay Ridge Road www.thepapergourmet.com Best creative florist: Gateway Florist914 Bay Ridge Rd # 160 Best toy store: BeBeep www.bebeepatoyshop.com 558 Ritchie Hwy # A Best store for gourmet cooks: Williams-SonomaAnnapolis Mall (410) 266-3221 Best local store for gourmet cooks: The Cook's Revenge197 Main St Best fresh produce and Best supermarket: Whole Foods 2504 Solomons Island Rd Best specialty food store: Trader Joe's 160 Jennifer Rd # F Best seafood market: Annapolis Seafood Market 1300 Forest Dr . (410) 269-5380 Best caterer to impress your guests: Main Ingredient 914 Bay Ridge Rd Best cooking school: A Cook's Café/Chesapeake School of Cooking 911 Commerce Rd If there's cleaning to be done; the house, the car, or if something needs fixing—she's always got her handy list of who does it the best Best interior house cleaning: Merry Maids42 Hudson St # 212 Best Local Hardware Store: Clements Hardware500 Ritchie Hwy. , Severna Park (410) 647-44611 Best auto wash: Maritime Auto Wash 2473 Solomons Island Rd , Edgewater (410) 897-9274 Best all natural pet store: Crunchies 2421 Crofton Ln # 11 Best pet boutique: Paws Pet Boutique www.pawsannapolis.com 64 State Cir. Best place to pamper your pet: Muddy Paw Wash www.muddypawwash.com 130 Hillsmere Dr . Best pet boarding, Best pet care services: Perfect Pet Resort 840 West Bay Front Road , Lothian www.perfectpetresort.com Best veterinarian/vet clinic: Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital 1901 Generals Hwy. 410-224-3800 Best happy hour specials: Yellowfin 2840 Solomons Island Rd (410) 573-1333 Best mai tai: Court of Shanghai 1971 West St Best beer selection and Best live music venue: Ram's Head 33 West Street (410)268-4545 Best local music act: Doug SegreeBest up-and-coming band: Jordan Page Best non-alcoholic entertainment venue: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts801 Chase St .www.mdhallarts.org Best place to be at 5 a.m.: Asleep in bedJpg. Couple at Metropolitan Where to go? Why not the Best place to woo a hot date? Metropolitan also was voted: Best place to flirt and Best “shaken not stirred” martini. 69 West St . (410) 268-7733 Where to go for something to eat… Choose one of the Best restaurants. Best Italian: Maria's Sicilian Ristorante 12 Market Space Best French: Les Folies Brasserie 2552 Riva Rd Best Southeast Asian: Yin Yankee 105 Main St Best Middle Eastern/Indian: India 's 257 West St Best Irish: Galway Bay 63 Maryland Ave (410) 263-8333 Best Tex-Mex, Best margarita: Mexican Cafe 875 Bay Ridge Road (410) 626-1520 Best Sushi: Joss 195 Main St Best Thai: Lemongrass 169 West St . (410) 280-0086 Best restaurant where everybody knows your name: Boatyard Bar & Grill 400 4th St Best Old World cuisine: Old Stein Inn 1143 Mayo Rd Best dock and dine restaurant: Pusser's 80 Compromise St Best restaurant for sunsets: Severn Inn 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Best restaurant to take the kids: Buddy's Crabs & Ribs 100 Main St Best rise 'n' shine breakfast: Grump's 117 Hillsmere Dr. Best crab pickin': Cantler's 458 Forest Beach Rd Best innovative chef: Brendan Keegan at 208 Talbot 208 Talbot St . St. Michael's 410-745-3838 Best attentive waitstaff: The Rockfish 400 Sixth St Best bartender to mix/pour you a drink: Kevin Epley at ACME Bar & Grille, Sparky Critzman at the Rockfish, Jeff MaGuire at the Boatyard Bar & Grill (3-way tie) ACME: 163 Main St. (410) 280-6486 Rockfish: 400 Sixth St. (410) 267-1800 Boatyard: 400 Fourth St. (410) 216-6026 Best restaurant to celebrate, Best wine bar/wine by the glass: Ruth's Chris Steak House 301 Severn Ave Best “meet the parents” restaurant: Northwoods 609 Melvin Ave. (410) 268-2609 Best “love at first bite” restaurant: Nano Asian Dining 189 Main St # A Best consistently creative cuisine: Breeze and Wild Orchid (tie) Breeze : In the Loews Hotel, 126 West St (410) 263-7777 Wild Orchid : 909 Bay Ridge Ave. (410) 268-8009 And at the end of a very long evening let's go ahead and dream about tomorrow. Best event you look forward to: All Star Express (Lacrosse tournament) www.liexpresslacrosse.com Best charity/benefit/social event: Chefs by the Bay http://www.jlannapolis.org/chefs.htm Best organization to volunteer for: Junior League of Annapolis and SPCA of Annapolis (tie) www.aacspca.org |
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