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The Best of Winston-Salem

Smitty’s Notes First Annual “Best of Winston-Salem” Awards
July 2009

Welcome to Smitty’s Notes Best of Winston-Salem awards, where we gauged who has the best of what we like and appreciated about our fair city, and add to our general quality of life here as recommended by you – Smittyheads!

Votes we compiled by a survey passed around to those on the Smitty’s Notes e-newsletter listserv and posted on the SmittysNotes.com web site during the month of June. Although not a scientific polling, but due to the great response, we can say it is a good sampling of what businesses, people and place you like about Winston-Salem. Remarkably, there were few attempts of "ballot stuffing" that occurred, but some e-mail “lobby” for your favorites among friends. Yes, we knew how to track those. However, did not sway the voting in any category.

Each survey compiled at a single computer could not be filled again once completed. A "cookie" was dropped once submitted. This prevents "ballot stuffing" which protects the integrity of survey results.

The voting tabulation for each category each had a Winner (clear choice) Runner Up (highest second choice) Honorable Mention (enough votes to get noticed) and; where applicable, Best Quote (a comment worth noting or too hilarious it deserved a mention) and Smitty Comment (if I felt like putting my two cents in). In compiling the list, some “obvious” categories were missed by our crack team. However, we felt adding a special “Honorable Choice” at the end will give them their due, if there was a consensus for the category. Their a couple of comments about the length of the survey. However, I ask those - Where would you cut categories that mean something to someone else? Trust me. It could have been longer. In reading it, I hope you find places and people you've known all about for a while, found lesser-known highlights in the city and like myself, plan to visit (or even meet) some of the places and people I didn’t know about and worthy of a look. I hope you find as much joy exploring as Smitty’s Notes did putting together it’s annual “Best of Winston-Salem Contest”

General Comments on this year’s awards or input for “2010 Best of Winston-Salem” Contest. Email “Best of Winston-Salem Contest Comments”

Bakery

Winner: Ollie's Bakery

Runner Up: Dewey's Bakery

Honorable Mention: Camino Bakery

Best Quote (s): Ollie's Bakery - "Wonderfully friendly staff, great variety of baked goods not found at most bakeries (focaccia, glazed fruit tarts, etc.)"

BBQ

Winner: Little Richards

Runner Up: Bibs Downtown

Honorable Mention: Mr.. Barbeque

Best Quote (s) Little Richard's -" I love the smell when you drive by at night after hours. Smokin' all night long, the way good barbecue is supposed to be"

Buffalo wings

Winner: East Coast Wings

Runner Up: Ronnie's

Honorable Mention: Buffalo Wild Wings; Wild Wings Cafe

Best Quote (s): Wild Wing Cafe -"Yum - had the hottest date of my life there too! He ended up getting engaged to someone else though...ah well..".

Breakfast

Winner: Mary’s Of Course

Runner Up: Midtown Café & Dessert-ery

Honorable Mention: Cloverdale Kitchen

Best Quote (s): Mary's, Of Course - "This is the best breakfast to be had in Winston Salem. Everything made from scratch, in a setting that promotes community. The waitstaff is the best!"

Coffee

Winner: Krankie’s

Runner Up: Starbucks

Honorable Mention: Confluence Coffee House

Best Quote (s): Starbucks - " I don't know what their secret ingredients are that keep's everyone coming back. That might make a good Chris Hansen (Dateline) investigation show." Confluence Coffee -"YUM - brewed coffee, espresso drinks... The Best." "My mother-in-law's. She preps the pot for me every night, and at 6:30AM, that's love."

Bagel

Winner: Bagel Station

Runner Up: Panera Bread

Honorable Mention: Bruegger's Bagels

Best Quote (s): The Bagel Station - "Their name, their fame. good service, fine bagels with the fixin's".

Dessert

Winner: Midtown Cafe and Dessertery

Runner Up: Ketchie Creek

Honorable Mention: Dewey's Bakery

Ice Cream

Winner: Blue Ridge Ice Cream

Runner Up: Cold Stone Creamery

Best Quote (s): "It may not be all shiny and new like the others, but Blue Ridge Ice Cream is still the best. The flavors change regularly and they offer ice cream, sorbet, AND gelato"

Gelato

Winner: Café Prada

Runner Up: Café Gelato

Best Quote (s): Cafe Gelato - "Amazing flavors! Always a weird one or two."

Custard

Winner: Wolfies Custard

Runner up: Kernel Kustard

Best Quote (s): Wolfie's! Love the fact that they make the flavors, it's not shipped in. Coconut is the bomb and you've got to get it in a cone!

Hamburger

Winner: Five Guys

Runner Up: Cook Out

Honorable Mention: Twin City Diner

Best Quote (s): Twin City Diner. "My personal favorites are the BBCB burger and the Gus Burger. Juicy 1/2 pounders, these are a man's burgers. No skirts allowed."

Hot dog

Winner: Skippy's

Runner Up: PB's Hotdogs

Honorable Mention: Pulliam BBQ

Best Quote (s): Skippy's - "Gotta love that pretzel bun!" Pulliam's - " I love PB's and the Caboose, but there is something magic about a Pulliam's hot dog"

Meal under $5

Winner: Cook Out

Runner Up: K&W Cafeteria

Honorable Mention: PB's Hotdogs

Best Quote (s): "A Coke and a pack of Nabs. You can't get anything good for less than $5"

Italian restaurant

Winner: Vincenzo's

Runner Up: Paul's

Honorable Mention: Carraba’s

Best Quote (s): "Carraba's (as much as it pains me to choose a chain)"

Mexican Restaurant

Winner: Mi Pueblo

Runner Up: Las Estrellas

Honorable Mention: La Caretta and La Bonnetta

Soul Food

Winner: Sweet Potatoes

Runner Up: Bell Brother’s

Honorable Mention: Meta's

Best Quote (s): "I voted for Mr. Obama, but I'm still frighteningly white and unadventurous."

Steak

Winner: Ryan's

Runner Up: Twin City Chop House

Honorable Mention: Firebird's

Best Quote (s): "My friend Larry's gril"l

Chicken

Winner: Mountain Fried Chicken

Runner Up: Ted's Kickin' Chicken

Honorable Mention: Bojangles

Best Quote (s): "Mountain Fried (it's 8:15am and now I want some) and Ted's Kickin' Chicken (Robinhood) -- sorry for the tie!"

Ribs

Winner: Bib’s Downtown

Runner up: Firebird’s

Honorable Mention: Texas Roadhouse

Best Quote (s): "I don't want to eat on anyone's ribs"

Asian restaurant

Winner: Downtown Thai

Runner Up: Xia Asian Fusion Cuisine

Honorable Mention: Cha Da Thai

Best Quote (s): "Tough! Cha Da Thai for great food in a family friendly setting...Downtown Thai for also great food with city atmosphere."

Lunch

Winner: West End Café

Runner up: The Carving Board

Honorable Mention: Mozelle’s

Best Quote (s): "Mozelle's. Cheap, good, great service and a tremendous spot to people watch."

Brunch

Winner: Mary's Of Course

Runner Up: Fourth Street Filling Station

Honorable Mention: Village Tavern

Best Quote (s): "Mary's (Brookstown Ave) can't be wrong for 20 years"

Deli

Winner: Jason’s Deli

Runner up: Dioli’s Italian Market

Honorable Mention: The Carving Board

Best Quote (s): "Dioli's No Kidding around here. The only reason this wouldn't win is because folks haven't been there. Really. Do it!"

Ethnic (Other)

Winner: Nawab Indian Cuisine

Runner Up: Cha Da Thai

Honorable Mooney's

Best Quote (s): "Nawab Indian - everything is fabulous, the waitstaff is top notch and the owners really are interested in what you think, want and need."

Romantic dinner

Winner: Ryan's Restaurant

Runner Up: Nobles Grille

Honorable Mention: Meridian Restaurant

Best Quote (s): "My husband hates to eat out... bah humbug!"

Take a First Date

Winner: Village Tavern

Runner up: Ryan’s Restaurant

Honorable Mention: 6^th and Vine Wine Bar

Best Quote (s): "I don't think my wife would approve"

Fine dining restaurant

Winner: Ryan's Restaurant

Runner Up: Nobles Grille

Honorable Mention: Meridian Restaurant

Family friendly restaurant

Winner: West End Cafe

Runner Up: The Loop

Honorable Mention: Big Shotz Tavern

Best Quote (s): "I have 4 kids so I don't know that ANY of them like to see ALL of us come in!"

Seafood restaurant

Winner: Full Moon Oyster Bar

Runner Up: Jimmy's Seafood and Oyster Bar

Honorable Mention: Mayflower Seafood

Late Night Place To Eat (after 10 p.m.)

Winner: Burke Street Pizza

Runner Up: 6th and Vine Wine Bar

Honorable Mention: Cook Out

Best Quote (s): "Don't eat after 10:00 pm; bad for the digestive system." "My house. But I'm not telling where." "Depends on how much alcohol is involved - anything from Taco Bell to Waffle House"

Pizza Parlor

Winner: Burke Street Pizza

Runner Up: Mellow Mushroom

Honorable Mention: Mario's Pizza

Health food

Winner: Whole Foods Food Bar

Runner Up: Mary's Of Course

Honorable Mention: Fresh Market

Best Quote (s): "Whole Food's Salad Bar. It's a nice thought. Thinking about eating a nice healthy salad makes me feel better about myself when I am eating a queso burrito next door at Qdoba"

Guilty pleasure (Food)

Winner: Krispy Kreme

Honorable Mention: Pink Lemonade Cake Squares- Dewey's; 6th and Vine - getting both the Antipasti Platter and Cheese Board is absolutely gluttonous.; Super Cham at T.J.'s Deli; 5 Flavor Pound Cake at the Dessertery

Sushi

Winner: Ishi

Runner Up: Ichiban

Honorable Mention: Sakura

Best Quote (s): "The kind that's still swimming?"

Vegetarian food

Winner: Whole Foods Market

Runner Up: Mary's of Course

Honorable Mention: Nawab Indian Cuisine; Camino Bakery's sandwiches sold at Krankie's Airstream

Best Quote (s): "Any vegetarian dish with meat added to it!"

Wine list

Winner: Sixth and Vine Wine Bar

Runner Up: Camel City Cafe

Honorable Mention: Meridian Restaurant

Best Quote (s): "Hmmmm....I think I will go with Camel City for effort. I like their suggestions and most importantly, I like their willingness to answer, over again, questions [what grapes; from where; blend....they're VERY patient and informative.]"

Chef

Winner: Trevor Dye Meridian Restaurant

Runner Up: Camel City Cafe -

Honorable Mention: Monica Alonso - 6^th and Vine; Tim Grandinetti - Twin City Quarter

Best Quote (s): Meridian- Mark & Trevor-creative and ever changing menu keeps us coming back for more. The best food in the Triad

Restaurant Service

Winner: Village Tavern

Runner Up: Ryan's Restaurant

Honorable Mention: Nobles Grille; Meridian and Mozelle’s

Wait Person (Server)

Winner: Liza Alesi – 6^th and Vine Wine Bar

Runner Up: Pamela Lillard - West End Cafe

Honorable Mention: Big Shotz Tavern Staff

Best Quote (s) The guy with the longish hair from Noma who goes skiing in Colorado and remembers that I'm Swiss

Annual event/Festival

Winner: Rock the Block!!

Runner Up: Salute! The North Carolina Wine Celebration in Downtown Winston

Honorable Mention: Greek Festival; The Dixie Classic Fair!, North Carolina Wine Festival @ Tanglewood, Twin City Ribfest

Tourist attraction

Winner: Old Salem

Runner Up: Reynolda House and Gardens

Honorable Mention: Downtown Arts District

Best Quote (s): There's just something about the Coffee Pot in Old Salem. I could hang out there forever.

People watching

Winner: Hanes Mall

Runner Up: Downtown Winston (Fourth Street and The Arts District)

Honorable Mention: Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday Night (Racing)

Best Quote (s) "downtown (I think we need more benches for that reason)"

Park

Winner: Tanglewood Park

Runner Up: Hanes Park

Honorable Mention: Washington Park

Bike riding

Winner: Salem Lake

Runner Up: Tanglewood Park

Honorable Mention: Miller Park and Washington Park

Best Quote (s): Only on my stationary bike in front of the TV.

Walking trails

Winner: Salem Lake

Runner Up: Reynolda Gardens

Honorable Mention: Hobby Park

Place for the pet

Winner: Washington Park

Runner Up: Horizon Park

Honorable Mention: Hanes Park

Best Quote (s): Apparently my house. They keep showing up.

TV news personality, male (Any Triad Station)

Winner: Cameron Kent - WXII.

Runner Up: Austin Caviness - WXII

Honorable Mention: Neill McNeill - Fox 8

Best Quote (s): Cameron Kent, he gives good news!

TV news personality, female (Any Triad Station)

Winner: Wanda Starke - WXIII

Runner Up: Lanie Pope - WXII

Honorable Mention: Kimberley Van Scoy

Best Quote (s): Nicole Ducouer - Nicole is always smiling and delivers the news in a direct and unbasis manner. She is also very community minded

Radio personality, male (Any Triad Station)

Winner: Two Guys named Chris - Rock 92

Runner Up: Jack Murphy, Murphy in the Morning Show.

Honorable Mention: Josh in the Box - 107.5 KZL

Radio personality, female (Any Triad Station)

Winner: Katie O'Brien, Murphy in the Morning Show - 107.5 KZL

Runner Up: Denise Franklin - WFDD

Honorable Mention: Deidre James, Two Guys named Chris - Rock 92

Best blog

Winner: Life in Forsyth by Esbee

Runner Up: JonLowder.com

Honorable Mention: TriadSmartyPants SarahSouth http://sarahsouth.blogspot.com\

Local Print Publication

Winner: Skirt Magazine

Runner up: Yes Weekly

Honorable mention: Relish Magazine

Local politician (City, County or State Representative)

Winner: Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines

Runner Up: United States Senator Richard Burr, North Carolina (lives in Winston-Salem)

Honorable Mention: Fifth District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx

Smitty Comment: Mayor Joines blew out the competition for a third straight year. Nobody came even close to him in the voting. I can't argue with you either ;-)

Tap beer

Winner: Foothills Brewery

Runner Up: Mellow Mushroom

Honorable Mention: 1st Street Draught House

Best Quote (s): How can you beat Rec Billiards?? Maybe not as much as Mellow, but Rec has stuff I'd actually drink

Dive Bar

Winner: Silver Moon Saloon

Runner Up: Recreation Billiards

Honorable Mention: The Tap at West End

Best Quote (s): Not a bar visitor.; Swaim's Grocery. Not really a dive, but the best local spot out there with tons of character, some great games and brilliant banter from all the regulars.

Restaurant Bar

Winner: Sixth and Vine Wine Bar

Runner Up: NOMA

Honorable Mention: Big Shotz Tavern

Bartender, male (Location)

Winner: "Joe Booty" Thomas - Sixth and Vine Wine Bar

Runner Up: Norm Kirby - Finnagan's Wake

Honorable Mention: John Fox - Milners

Best Quote (s): Joe!!!! I don't know your last name.... 6th&Vine..maybe still at Carlisles....we love you Joe!

Bartender, female (Location)

Winner: Liz Alesi - Hideout Bar

Runner Up: Summer - Carliese’s

Honorable Mention: Becky - Meridian Restaurant

Best Quote (s): My wife says I have no answer here

Outdoor patio

Winner: 4th St. Filling Station

Runner Up: 6th & Vine Wine Bar

Honorable Mention: Village Tavern (Reynolda Village)

Best Quote (s): Recreation Billiards for drinking and people watching; the filing station for food

Nightclub for Dancing

Winner: The 411

Runner Up: Club Odyssey

Best Quote (s): Haven't danced a night club in a lon-g-g-g-g-g-time.

Pool tables

Winner: Recreation Billiards

Runner Up: Fox and Hound

Honorable Mention: Break Time

Best Quote (s): Recreation Billards ...cool staff and good management

Live Music venue

Winner: The Garage

Runner up: Confluence Coffee House

Honorable Mention: 6th & Vine Wine Bar

Best Quote (s): Confluence Coffee - great variety of artists... awesome place to hear local artists! Llive music every weekend and sometimes weeknights

Sports bar

Winner: Fox and Hound

Runner Up: Big Shotz Tavern

Honorable Mention: Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Quote (s): Big Shotz Tavern - even more TVs added

Best Place To Meet Single UNDER 40

Winner: 6^th and Vine Wine Bar

Runner up: NOMA

Honorable Mention: Big Shotz Tavern

Best Quote (s): Please tell me so I can take my grandson

Best Place To Meet Single OVER 40

Winner: 6^th and Vine Wine Bar

Runner up: Village Tavern

Honorable Mention: Big Shotz Tavern

Best Quote (s): Still looking...

Winery

Winner: Raylen Vineyards

Runner up: Childress Vineyards

Honorable Mention: Shelton Vineyards

Best Quote (s): Raylen. They always have something happening...and the wine too

Grocery Store

Winner: Fresh Market

Runner Up: Whole Foods Market

Honorable Mention: Lowes Foods; Harris Teeter

Best Quote (s):Fresh Market - Always something unique that you cannot find in other stores

Beer and/or Wine Shop

Winner: City Beverage

Runner Up: Total Wine and More

Honorable Mention: Wine Merchants Gourmet

Best Quote (s): City Beverage. Knowledgeable friendly owners, good selection.

Gifts for relatives and other people you barely know (Shop/Boutique)

Winner: Patina

Runner Up: Hip Chic (Clemmons)

Honorable Mention: Signature

Shopping Center

Winner: Thruway Center

Runner Up: Hanes Mall

Honorable Mention: Reynolda Village

Best Quote (s): Thruway - It's a great place to just hang out with friends and they have nice stores

Day Spa

Winner: Tranquility Salon and Day Spa

Runner Up: Lamberti's; European Touch

Honorable Mention: Van Davis Aveda

Exercise/Fitness Center

Winner: YMCA

Runner up: Gold’s Gym

Honorable Mention: The Rush

Yoga

Winner: Village Yoga

Runner up: New Planet Yoga

Honorable Mention: Sunrise Yoga

Best Quote (s): New Planet Yoga - Megan is an incredible instructor. Truly values her relationship to her students and incorporates all aspects of yoga in her teaching. A wonderful warm place to study yoga!

Free Wi-Fi

Winner: Panera Bread

Runner up: 4^th Street Downtown

Honorable Mention: Confluence Coffee House

Bookstore

Winner: Borders Books and Music

Runner Up: Barnes & Nobles

Honorable Mention: Edward McKay

Bargains

Winner: Goodwill

Runner Up: TJ Maxx

Honorable Mention: Mega Thrift