Reader's choice: presenting the winners of our annual poll.

Winners are listed first in each category, followed by the two finalists (more in the case of a tie). The finalists are listed alphabetically, not in the order of votes received. You can learn more about our winners on ABC7's "Best of Everything" coverage during evening newscasts this month.

FOOD AND DRINK

Restaurant View: MARINA JACK; Ophelia's on the Bay, University Park Grille

American Restaurant: PATRICK'S; Libby's Cafe + Bar, Michael's On East

Meal Deal: YODER'S; Applebee's, Libby's Cafe + Bar, Patrick's

Italian Restaurant: CARRABBA'S; Cafe Baci, Caragiulos, Mediterraneo

Chinese Restaurant: MRS. CHEN'S; Oriental Buffet, Pei Wei

Japanese Restaurant: DA RU MA; Jo To Japanese Steakhouse, Pacific Rim

Thai Restaurant: BANGKOK; Siam Orchid, Tropical Thai

French Restaurant: C'EST LAVIE; Bijou Cafe, French Affair

Central American Restaurant: SELVA GRILL; Columbia, Javier's

Mexican Restaurant: Ml PUEBLO; El Adobe, Two Senoritas

Romantic Restaurant: OPHELIA'S ON THE BAY; Beach Bistro, Euphemia Haye

Seafood Restaurant: BONEFISH GRILL; Barnacle Bill's, Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar

Restaurant to Seal the Deal: MICHAEL'S ON EAST; Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Libby's Cafe + Bar

New Restaurant: OLIVE R. TWISTS; Andrea's, Braza, Pei Wei

Steakhouse: FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE; Outback Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris Steak House

Wine List: MICHAEL'S ON EAST; Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Libby's Cafe + Bar

Breakfast: FIRST WATCH; Broken Egg, Word of Mouth

Brunch: UNIVERSITY PARK GRILLE; First Watch, Vernona at the Ritz-Carlton

Bar Scene: LIBBY'S CAFE + BAR; Ca d'zan Lounge, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Restaurant to Eat Outdoors: UNIVERSITY PARK GRILLE; Marina Jack, Mattison's City Grille

Restaurant to Arrive by Boat: MARINA JACK; Old Salty Dog, Ophelia's on the Bay

Non-chain Pizza: IL PANIFICIO, RICO'S (TIE); Cosimo's, Demetrio's

Dessert: EUPHEMIA HAYE; Melting Pot, Yoder's

Restaurant for Vegetarian Food: SIMON'S; Lonjevity, Sweet Tomatoes

Small Plates: CEVICHE; Libby's Cafe + Bar, Sangria

Sushi: PACIFIC RIM; Da Ru Ma, Yume

Burger: PATRICK'S; Cheeburger Cheeburger, Five Guys

Barbecue: SONNY'S; Lee Roy Selmon's, The Oaks Open-Pit

Caterer: MICHAEL'S ON EAST; Morton's, Nellie's Deli

Deli: NELLIE'S DELI; Publix, TooJays

Gourmet Market: MORTON'S; Fresh Market, Whole Foods

Wine Store: TOTAL WINE; ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Michael's Wine Cellar

Bakery: PUBLIX; C'est La Vie, Morton's

Happy Hour: HYDE PARK PRIME STEAKHOUSE;.Applebee's, Libby's Cafe + Bar

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS

Performing Arts Group: ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE; Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet

Black-Tie Event: UNGALA; Night of 1,000 Stars, Orchid Ball, University Park Country Club Diamond and Crystal Ball

Place to Work Out: YMCA; Gold's Gym, Shapes Total Fitness

Festival or Event: SUNCOAST OFFSHORE GRAND PRIX; Christmas Boat Parade, Sarasota Film Festival

Boating Destination: MARINA JACK; Egmont Key, South Lido Beach

Place to Watch a Performance: VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL; FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House

Place to Hear Live Music: VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL; 5 O'clock Club, Mattison's City Grille

Place to Play Tennis: UNIVERSITY PARK COUNTRY CLUB; Bath & Racquet, Laurel Oak Country Club

Place to Play Golf: UNIVERSITY PARK COUNTRY CLUB; Bobby Jones Golf Complex, Laurel Oak Country Club

Museum: RINGLING MUSEUM; G.WIZ, South Florida Museum

Art Gallery: DABBERT GALLERY; Selby Gallery (Ringling College of Art and Design), Wyland Gallery

Blogger: MC COOLIDGE; Robert Plunket

GOODS AND SERVICES

Hair Salon: YELLOW STRAWBERRY; Cutting Loose, Nuovo

Baby Shop: CHILDREN'S WORLD; Babies R Us, L. Kids

Women's Boutique: CHICO'S; Foxy Lady, L. Boutique

Men's Boutique: THE MET; Brooks Brothers, Tommy Bahama

Skincare: NEODERM AESTHETICS; The Met, Monee @ Diane K

Antique Shop: CRISSY GALLERIES, SARASOTA ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE (TIE); Blue Moon, St. Armands Antiques, Woman's Exchange

Bookstore: BARNES & NOBLE; Books-a-Million, Borders

Bank: BANK OF AMERICA; SunTrust, Wachovia

Florist: BENEVA FLOWERS; Bee Ridge Florist, Flowers by Fudgie

Interior Designer: SALLY TROUT; Anne Folsom Smith, Judy Graham

Home Accessories Store: HOME GOODS; Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Resource

Furniture Store: KANES; Baer's Furniture, Robb & Stucky

Consignment Shop: WOMAN'S EXCHANGE; Designing Women Boutique, Laura Jean, Plato's Closet

Gift Shop: CROWDER'S GIFTS AND GADGETS; Elysian Fields, Persnickity Cat

Swimsuits: SWIM CITY; Swim Mart, Splish Splash

Spa: THE MET; Body & Spirit, The Ritz-Carlton Members Club Spa

Landscaper: CRITTER RIDGE; ArtisTree, Bayside Outdoor Services, Jeff Hibbs Landscape

Dry Cleaner: COVE CLEANERS; 60 Minute Cleaners, Bob's Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Retirement Community: THE GLEN RIDGE; Bay Village, Plymouth Harbor

Veterinarian: BAY ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL; Bee Ridge Animal Hospital, University Park Animal Clinic

HOTSPOTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Tourist Attraction: SIESTA KEY BEACH; Mote Aquarium, Ringling Museum

Place to Take the Kids: G.WIZ; Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Mote Aquarium

Beach: SIESTA; Crescent, Lido

Free Fun: BEACHES; Bayfront Park, Siesta Beach drum circle

Place to See Wildlife: MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK; Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Mote Aquarium

Scenery: BAYFRONT PARK/MARINA JACK; Ringling Bridge, Siesta Key Beach

Place to Meet Singles: LIBBY'S CAFE + BAR; Bonefish Grill, church, Horse Feathers

Place to People Watch: ST.ARMANDS CIRCLE; Main Street (downtown Sarasota), Siesta Key Beach

Reason to Move Away: NONE; cost of living/taxes, heat/humidity

Reason to Stay: WEATHER; beaches, arts/ culture

Thing That Could Happen Here: ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING; real estate turnaround, more live music/nightlife

Article Details

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Title Annotation:	The BEST of 2010
Publication:	Sarasota Magazine
Date:	May 1, 2010
Words:	813
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