FOOD & DRINK
Best Pizza Joint
Pontillo’s Many area locations
Best Burger Joint
Bill Gray’s Many area locations
Best Barbecue Joint
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que 99 Court St, 325-7090
Best Place for Breakfast
Jines Restaurant 658
Park Ave, 461-1280
Best Fish Fry
Jeremiah’s Tavern 1104
Monroe Ave, 461-1313
Best Wings
The Distillery 1142
Mt. Hope Ave, 271-4105 | 300
Paddy Creek Circle, 621-1620 | 3010
S. Winton Rd, 339-3010
Best Rochester
“Plate”
Nick Tahou Hots 320
W. Main St, 436-0184
Best Diner
Highland Park Diner 960 Clinton Ave,
461-5040
Best Street Meat Vendor
Mr. V’s Corner of Goodman and Monroe
Best New Restaurant
Tap & Mallet381
Gregory St, 473-0503
Best Asian Restaurant
King & I 1455 E.
Henrietta Rd, 427-8090
Best Italian Restaurant
Mr. Dominic’s 4699
Lake Ave, 865-4630
Best Mexican Restaurant
Salena’s 302 N.
Goodman St, 256-5980
Best Family Restaurant
Hogans Hideaway 197
Park Ave, 442-4293
Best Sandwich Shop
DiBella’s Old-Fashioned Submarines Many area
locations
Best Pub/Tavern
The Old Toad 277
Alexander St, 232-2626
Best Bakery
Little Bakery 89
Charlotte St, 232-4884
Best Ice Cream Shop
Abbott’s Frozen Custard Many area locations
Best Coffee Shop
Java’s Cafรฉ 16 Gibbs
St, 232-4820
Best Bagel Shop
Bagel Bin Cafรฉ 2600
Elmwood Ave, 461-4475
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying
2 Vine 24 Winthrop St,
454-6020
Best Meal for Under $10
Aladdin’s Natural Eatery 646
Monroe Ave, 442-5000 | 8
Schoen Place, 264-9000
Best Bar for Beer
MacGregor’s Grill & Tap Room Many area
locations
Best Wine List
2 Vine 24 Winthrop St,
454-6020
Best Cocktail Selection
Tapas 177 177
St. Paul St, 262-2090
Best Regional Winery
Casa Larga 2287 Turk
Hill Rd, 223-4210
SHOPPING
Best Laundromat
Park Ave Laundromat 644 Park Ave,
461-5250
Best Record Store
House of Guitars 645
Titus Ave, 544-3500
Best Bookstore
Brownbag 678 Monroe
Ave, 271-3494 (closed during polling)
Best Place to Buy a New Car
Dorschel Automotive Many area locations
Best Place to Buy a Used Car
Auction Direct 6520
State Route 96, Victor, 742-8000
Best Auto Repair Shop
East Ave Auto 1656 East Ave,
271-7610
Best Florist
Arena’s 260 East Ave,
454-3720
Best Hair Salon
Scott Miller Salon & Spa 3340
Monroe Ave, 264-9940 | 980
Ridge Rd, 264-0620
Best Spa
Del Monte Lodge 41 N.
Main St, 381-9900
Best Clothing Store
Thread 654 South Ave,
232-7110
Best Secondhand Clothing Store
Godiva’s 653 South
Ave, 244-3370
Best Shoe Store
A Step Apart 235 Park
Ave, 241-3110
Best Tattoo Parlor
Physical Graffiti 374
W. Ridge Rd, 262-4444
Best Liquor Store
Marketview Liquor 1100
Jefferson Rd, 427-2480
Best Corner Store
The Corner Store 655
University Ave, 271-8050
Best Furniture Store
Charlotte Furniture/Appliance 3200 Lake Ave,
663-5050
Best Antique Store
Historic Houseparts 540
South Ave, 325-2329
Best Nursery/Garden Store
Garden Factory Inc. 2126
Buffalo Rd, 247-6236
MEDIA
Best Local Morning Radio Show
Friday Morning Show (WBER 90.5 FM)
Best Sexiest Radio Voice (Male)
Joey Guisto (WBER 90.5 FM)
Best Sexiest Radio Voice (Female)
Sally Carpenter (WCMF 96.5 FM)
Best Radio Station
WBER (90.5 FM)
Best Reliable Weatherperson
Glenn Johnson (Ch 13)
Best Local TV News Station
WHAM (Ch 13)
Best TV News Reporter (Male)
Don Alhart (Ch 13)
Best TV News Reporter (Female)
Ginny Ryan (Ch 13)
Best Local Website
democratandchronicle.com
Best Commercial for a Local Business
Lori’s Natural Foods
Best Local News Story of 2008
Spitzer Hooker Scandal
LOCAL COLOR
Best Politician
Robert Duffy
Best Politician in Need of a Slap to the Head
Maggie Brooks
Best Local Newsmaker
Abby Wambach
Best Neighborhood
Park Ave
BestPark
Highland Park
Best Use of Public Funds
Clean Sweep
Best Misuse of Public Funds
Fast Ferry
Best Local Urban Legend
White Lady in Durand-EastmanPark
Best Local Scandal
Funeral home traffics dead body parts
Best Improvement Rochester
Needs
Revitalized downtown
SPORTS & REC
Best Local Sports Team
Rochester Red Wings
Best Local Athlete
Abby Wambach
Best Gym
YMCA Many area locations
Best Local Racing Event
Lilac 10K
Best Bowling Alley
Clover Lanes 2750 Monroe
Ave, 244-1484
Best Golf Course
Oak Hill Country Club 346
Kilbourn Rd, 586-1660
Best Hiking Spot
LetchworthState
Park1 LetchworthState Park, 493-3600
Best Hill to Ski/Snowboard
BristolMountain5662
State Rt 64, 374-6000
Best Playground
ManhattanSquarePark353 Court St, 428-7541
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Original Band
The Budhahood
Best Cover Band
The Skycoasters
Best Solo Musician
Teddy Geiger
Best Live Music Venue
Water Street Music Hall 204
N Water St, 546-3887
Best Open Mic
Boulder Coffee 100 Alexander St,
454-7140
Best Local DJ
DJ A-Ko
Best Music Concert of 2008
Rochester International Jazz Fest
Best Theater Production of 2008
“Wicked” (RBTL)
Best Art Gallery/Museum
MemorialArtGallery500 University Ave, 276-8900
Best Art Show of 2008
Clothesline Festival
Best Movie Theater
The Little 240 East
Ave, 232-3906
Best Dance Troupe
Garth Fagan Dance
Best Festival
Lilac Festival
Best Nightclub
Bug Jar 219 Monroe
Ave, 454-2966
Best Place to People Watch
Rochester Public Market 280 N Union St,
721-1720
Best Kids Entertainment
StrongNationalMuseum of Play 1 Manhattan Square
Dr, 263-2700
LOVE & SEX
Best Place for a First Date
The Little 240 East
Ave, 232-3906
Best Romantic Restaurant
2 Vine 24 Winthrop St,
454-6020
Best Place to Pick Up a One-Night Stand
East & Alexander
Best Straight Bar
The Old Toad 277
Alexander St, 232-2626
BestGayBar
Tilt 444 Central Ave,
232-8440
Best Strip Club
Klassy Cat 3800 W
Henrietta Rd, 359-8639
Best Lingerie Shop
Naughty & Nice Back of Aaron’s Alley, 662
Monroe Ave, 244-5044
Best Adult Bookstore
Show World 1167
Brighton Henrietta Townline Rd, 424-2580
Best Outdoor Make-Out Spot
Highland Park
This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2008.
