Best of Annapolis 2008 Award Winners
Thousands of votes have been tallied—now come meet the “Best of” winners as selected by the What’s Up? Publishing readers’ poll during the 5th annual Best of party, June 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Proceeds from the Silent Auction benefit Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, and Modest Needs.
Discover which establishments are named as having the best crab cake, the best cream of crab soup, the best sushi, the best wine list, the best place to take a date, the best flowers, the best manicure, the best clothing—over 75 categories in all! Best of restaurant winners will be on hand to sample their famous cuisines, while the region’s best-of-voted bands manufacture melodious merriment. See below for a complete listing of winners.
Congratulations to our Best of Annapolis Five-Year Winners!
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Carrol's Creek
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Joss Cafe & Sushi Bar
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Mexican Cafe
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Chart House
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Les Folies
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Northwoods
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Cheeburger Cheeburger
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Lewnes
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O'Leary's
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City Dock
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McGarvey's
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Ram's Head
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Grumps
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Melting Pot
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The Main Ingredient
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Best Food and Dining
Best Coffee Shop Location
Overall Winner: City Dock Coffee
Finalists: Starbucks, Ahh Coffee
Best Breakfast
Overall Winner (tie): Grump’s Cafe, Chick & Ruth’s
Finalists: The Main Ingredient, Double T Diner
Best Brunch
Overall Winner: Carrol’s Creek Café
Finalists: Chart House, Boatyard Bar & Grill
Best Bakery
Overall Winner: The Main Ingredient
Finalists: Caroline’s Cakes, Cakes & Confections
Best Gourmet Sandwiches
Overall Winner: The Big Cheese/Sammy’s Deli
Finalists: Giolitti’s, Kerri Out Food
Best Burger
Overall Winner: Cheeburger Cheeburger
Finalists: Five Guys, Davis’ Pub
Best Fries
Overall Winner: Five Guys
Finalists: Davis’ Pub, Cheeburger Cheeburger
Best Pizza
Overall Winner: Rocco’s Pizza
Finalists: Ledo’s, Squisito’s
Best Wings
Overall Winner: Acme
Finalists: O’Loughlin’s, Bill Bateman’s
Best Burrito
Overall Winner: Chipotle
Finalists: Mexican Café, California Tortilla
Best Oysters/Raw Bar
Overall Winner: McGarvey’s
Finalists: Middletons, O’Brien’s
Best Ice Cream
Overall Winner (tie): Annapolis Ice Cream, Storm Bros.
Finalists: Maggie Moos, Ben & Jerry’s
Best Happy Hour
Overall Winner: Yellowfin
Finalists: Rams Head, Stan & Joe’s Saloon
Best Steakhouse
Overall Winner: Lewnes' Steakhouse
Finalists: Ruth’s Chris, Morton’s
Best Innovative Seafood
Overall Winner: O’Leary’s
Finalists: Yellowfin, Yin Yankee
Best Crabcake
Overall Winner: Edgewater Restaurant
Finalists: Deep Creek Restaurant, Phillips Seafood
Best Cream of Crab Soup
Overall Winner (tie): Carrol’s Creek, Deep Creek
Finalists: Chart House, Annapolis Seafood
Best Steamed Crabs
Overall Winner: Cantler’s
Finalists: Mike’s Crabhouse, Harris’ Crabhouse
Best Sushi
Overall Winner: Joss
Finalists: Tsunami, Nano Asian Dining
Best Upscale Ethnic Dining
Overall Winner: Lemongrass
Finalists: Jalapenos, India’s
Best New Ethnic Restaurant
Overall Winner: Pad Thai
Finalists: Lemongrass II, Kyma
Best Italian Restaurant
Overall Winner: Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante
Finalists: Luna Blu, Piccola Roma, Osteria
Best French Restaurant
Overall Winner: Les Folies
Finalists: Café Normandie, Café Bretton
Best Mexican Restaurant
Overall Winner: Mexican Café
Finalists: El Toro Bravo, Jalapěnos
Best Thai Restaurant
Overall Winner: Lemongrass
Finalists: Pad Thai, Viet Thai
Best Chinese Takeout
Overall Winner: Joy Luck
Finalists: Jack’s Fortune, Court of Shanghai
Best Creative Cuisine
Overall Winner: Wild Orchid
Finalists: Yin Yankee, Northwoods
Best Waterfront Dining
Overall Winner: Chart House
Finalists: Carrol’s Creek, Pusser’s
Best Boaters Pub
Overall Winner: Boatyard Bar & Grill
Finalists: Davis’ Pub, Pusser’s
Best Dock & Dine Restaurant
Overall Winner: Pusser’s
Finalists: Cantlers, Mikes Crab House
Best for Conversation
Overall Winner: Sly Fox
Finalists: City Dock Coffee, 49 West
Best “Dream Meal”
Overall Winner: Morton’s
Finalists: O’Leary’s, Ruth’s Chris
Best Prix Fixe
Overall Winner: Northwooods
Finalists: Wild Orchid, Luna Blu
Best Wait Staff
Overall Winner (tie): Lewnes' Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris
Finalists: Northwoods, Deep Creek
Best Presentation/Plating
Overall Winner: Northwoods
Finalists: O’Leary’s, Wild Orchid
Best Family Restaurant
Overall Winner: Boatyard Bar & Grill
Finalists: Buddy’s, Adam’s The Place for Ribs
Best New Restaurant
Overall Winner (tie): Fado’s, Greystone Grill
Finalists: Morton’s, McCormick & Schmick’s
Best Restaurant for Dates
Overall Winner: Melting Pot
Finalists: Chart House, Lewnes' Steakhouse
Best Outdoor Eating
Overall Winner: Pusser’s
Finalists: Carrol’s Creek, Mike’s Crab House
Best Make-Your-Meal(s)
Overall Winner: Super Suppers
Finalists: Your Neighbor’s Kitchen, Everyday Gourmet
Best Gourmet to Go
Overall Winner: Palate Pleasers
Finalists: Kerri Out Food, The Main Ingredient
Best Desserts
Overall Winner: Main Ingredient
Finalists: Chart House, Garry’s Grill
Best Beer Selection
Overall Winner: Rams Head Tavern
Finalists: Heroes, Old Stein Inn
Best Wine List
Overall Winner: Purple Tooth
Finalists: Lewnes' Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris
Best Cocktails
Overall Winner: Kyma
Finalists: Pusser’s, Tsunami
Best Bartending
Overall Winner: Rockfish staff
Finalists: Acme staff, Raoul Graves of Chili’s
Best Chef(s)
Overall Winner (tie): Russell Brown of Northwoods, Josh Brown of O’Leary’s
Finalists: Ken Upton of Ken’s Creative Kitchen, Jim Wilder of Wild Orchid
Best Caterer
Overall Winner: Ken’s Creative Kitchen
Finalists: The Main Ingredient, Kerri Out
Best of Healthy Living
Best Gym
Overall Winner: Annapolis Athletic Club
Finalists: Big Vanilla, South River Fitness
Best Personal Training Staff
Overall Winner: Annapolis Athletic Club
Finalists: South River Fitness, Evolutions
Best Yoga Studio
Overall Winner: Golden Heart Yoga
Finalists: Annapolis Athletic Club, Evolutions
Best Spa Services
Best Day Spa
Overall Winner (tie): Robert Andrew Salon & Spa, Varuna
SalonSpa
Finalists: Morgan Gerard, Body Connection
Best Hair Stylist
Overall Winner (tie): Jen McGraw and Brian Washburn, both of Robert Andrew
Finalists: Luc Foquet and Matt Hudson, both of Hudson & Foquet, Kelly Fisher of Ruby
Best Hair Colorist
Overall Winner: Allison Orange of Halo
Finalists: Brian Washburn of Robert Andrew, Matt Hudson of Hudson & Foquet
Best Men’s Haircut
Overall Winner: Hudson & Foquet
Finalists: Brian Washburn of Robert Andrew, David Ott of Morgan Gerard
Best Women’s Haircut
Overall Winner: Hudson & Foquet
Finalists: Brian Washburn and Jen McGraw of Robert Andrew, Luc Foquet of Hudson & Foquet
Best Place for a Makeover
Overall Winner (tie): Robert Andrew Salon & Spa, Morgan Gerard
Finalists: Hudson & Foquet, Varuna
Best Massage
Overall Winner (tie): Body Connection, Varuna, Morgan Gerard
Finalists: Even Keel, Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
Best Manicure
Overall Winner: Morgan Gerard
Finalists: Glamour Nails, Bella’s
Best Pedicure
Overall Winner: Morgan Gerard
Finalists: Glamour Nails, Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
Best Retail and Shopping
Best Unique Gifts
Overall Winner: Mary & Blanche
Finalists: Artini, Echoes & Accents
Best Luxury Gifts
Overall Winner: Candles Off Main
Finalists: Nordstrom’s, Weekend Living
Best Jewelry
Overall Winner: Zachary’s Jewelers
Finalists: W.R. Chance, La Belle Cezanne
Best Diamonds
Overall Winner: Zachary’s Jewelers
Finalists: La Belle Cezanne, Tilghman’s
Best Women’s Clothing
Overall Winner (tie): Paradigm, Sitting Pretty
Finalists: Chico’s, Diva
Best Men’s Clothing
Overall Winner (tie): Paradigm, Laurance Clothing
Finalists: Nordstrom’s, Joseph A. Banks
Best Florist
Overall Winner: Gateway Florist
Finalists: Michael’s Designs, Severna Flowers
Best Stationary
Overall Winner: Paper Gourmet
Finalists: Priss Paper, The Papery
Best Gourmet Grocery
Overall Winner: Whole Foods Market
Finalists: Trader Joes, Graul’s
Best Organic Produce & Food
Overall Winner: Whole Foods Market
Finalists: Trader Joes, Giant
Best Customer Service
Overall Winner: Maritime Auto Wash
Finalists: Body Connection, Hudson & Foquet
Best of Entertainment and Fun
Best Nightlife Venue
Overall Winner: Rams Head Tavern
Finalists: Rockfish, Sly Fox
Best Local Band/Musician
Overall Winner: Doug Segree
Finalists: Dan Haas, Sammie & The Pirates
Best Music Venue
Overall Winner: Rams Head OnStage
Finalists: The Whiskey 1803, Armadillos
Best Karaoke Venue
Overall Winner: Ebb Tide
Finalists: Mike’s Crab House, Castlebay
Best Dancing Venue
Overall Winner (tie): Dock St. Bar, O’Brien’s
Finalist: Federal House Bar and Grille
jun 08
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