The votes are in. The people have spoken. The winners of this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards are a few new faces, many old ones — and some that simply defy common sense.
Like George Clooney as best male actor. Or Sandra Bullock as best female actor.
Guys, this isn’t the Oscars. Readers’ Choice is all about locals.
At least Daughtry’s win for best band was local. Sorta.
As for the rest of the winners, they’re definitely homegrown.
But are they deserving? You decide.
=== FOOD AND DRINK ===
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Winner: Josephine’s
Runner-up: Southern Lights Bistro
Honorable mention: Iron Hen Cafe
BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: 1618 West Seafood; Table 16 (tie)
Honorable mention: Salvino Cucina Italiana; Fincastle’s Diner; Lucky 32; Green Valley Grill; Liberty Oak; Bianca’s (tie)
BEST PATIO DINING
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: Cafe Europa
Honorable mention: Green Valley Grill
BEST DATE RESTAURANT
Winner: The Melting Pot
Runner-up: Undercurrent Restaurant; Green Valley Grill (tie)
Honorable mention: Table 16; Bianca’s (tie)
BEST RESTAURANT THAT USES LOCAL INGREDIENTS
Winner: Iron Hen Cafe
Runner-up: Lucky 32
Honorable mention: Sticks and Stones
BEST BAKERY
Winner: Delicious
Runner-up: Simple Kneads; Maxie B’s (tie)
Honorable mention: Ganache
BEST CUPCAKES
Winner: Delicious
Runner-up: Maxie B’s
Honorable mention: Yummy Goodness
BEST DOUGHNUTS
Winner: Krispy Kreme
Runner-up: Dunkin’ Donuts
Honorable mention: Donut World
BEST BAGELS
Winner: Bruegger’s
Runner-up: Panera Bread
Honorable mention: Lox, Stock & Bagels
BEST BUFFET
Winner: Golden Corral
Runner-up: Saffron Indian Cuisine
Honorable mention: K&W Cafeteria
BEST BREAKFAST
Winner: Tex & Shirley’s
Runner-up: Smith Street Diner
Honorable mention: IHOP
BEST BRUNCH
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: Green Valley Grill
Honorable mention: Lucky 32
BEST 24-HOUR DINING
Winner: Jake’s Diner
Runner-up: Jan’s House
Honorable mention: IHOP
BEST COFFEE
Winner: Starbucks
Runner-up: Green Bean
Honorable mention: Tate Street Coffee
BEST DELI
Winner: Lox, Stock & Bagels
Runner-up: Jason’s Deli
Honorable mention: First Carolina
BEST DINER
Winner: Smith Street Diner
Runner-up: Carolina’s Diner; Jake’s Diner (tie)
Honorable mention: Fincastle’s Diner
BEST LATE NIGHT
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: IHOP
Honorable mention: Jake’s Diner
BEST TAKEOUT
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: China’s Best
Honorable mention: Phoenix Asian Cuisine
BEST STEAK
Winner: Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Runner-up: Outback
Honorable mention: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
BEST BARBECUE
Winner: Stamey’s
Runner-up: Country Barbecue
Honorable mention: Carter Brothers Barbecue
BEST RIBS
Winner: Shane’s Rib Shack
Runner-up: Smokey Bones; Chili’s (tie)
Honorable mention: Carter Brothers Barbecue
BEST WINGS
Winner: East Coast Wings
Runner-up: Buffalo Wild Wings
Honorable mention: Minj Grill
BEST HAMBURGER
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: Five Guys
Honorable mention: Fincastle’s Diner
BEST ICE CREAM
Winner: Yum Yum Better Ice Cream
Runner-up: Coldstone Creamery
Honorable mention: Bruster’s
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Elizabeth’s Pizza
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom
Honorable mention: Mario’s Pizza
BEST SEAFOOD
Winner: Bert’s
Runner-up: 1618 West Seafood
Honorable mention: Red Lobster
BEST SUSHI
Winner: Sushi Republic
Runner-up: Asahi; US Sushi (tie)
Honorable mention: Wasabi
BEST VEGETARIAN
Winner: Boba House
Runner-up: Vietnamese Garden
Honorable mention: Jack’s Corner
BEST CHINESE
Winner: P.F. Chang’s; Phoenix Asian Cuisine (tie)
Runner-up: China’s Best
Honorable mention: Golden Dragon
BEST MIDDLE EASTERN
Winner: Zaytoon
Runner-up: Jack’s Corner
Honorable mention: Ghassan’s
BEST GREEK
Winner: Mykonos Grill
Runner-up: Acropolis
Honorable mention: Opa Taverna
BEST INDIAN
Winner: Saffron Indian Cuisine
Runner-up: India Palace
Honorable mention: Tandoor Indian Cuisine; Tumeric Indian Restaurant (tie)
BEST ITALIAN
Winner: Elizabeth’s Pizza
Runner-up: Bianca’s
Honorable mention: The Olive Garden
BEST JAPANESE
Winner: Arigato Japanese Steakhouse
Runner-up: Asahi Japanese Steakhouse and Restaurant
Honorable mention: Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
BEST MEXICAN
Winner: San Luis
Runner-up: Mexico
Honorable mention: Poblano’s
BEST THAI
Winner: Taste of Thai
Runner-up: Rearn Thai
Honorable mention: Thai Pan
BEST VIETNAMESE
Winner: Pho Hien Vuong
Runner-up: Saigon
Honorable mention: Binh Minh
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Winner: Fisher’s
Runner-up: Fishbones
Honorable mention: Natty Greene’s
BEST GAY BAR
Winner: The Q Lounge
Runner-up: Warehouse 29
Honorable mention: Thrive
BEST BEER SELECTION
Winner: Bestway
Runner-up: Natty Greene’s
Honorable mention: Mellow Mushroom
BEST MARTINI SELECTION
Winner: The Mix
Runner-up: Village Tavern; Much (tie)
Honorable mention: Green Valley Grill
BEST WINE LIST
Winner: Green Valley Grill
Runner-up: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Honorable mention: Rioja; Cafe Europa (tie)
BEST VINEYARD
Winner: Childress
Runner-up: Shelton Vineyards
Honorable mention: Stonefield Cellars
=== SHOPPING AND SERVICES ===
BEST SHOPPING MALL/CENTER
Winner: Friendly Center
Runner-up: The Shoppes at North Elm
Honorable mention: Hanes Mall
BEST LADIES’ APPAREL STORE
Winner: Belk
Runner-up: Chico’s
Honorable mention: Anthropologie; Sylvia’s Outlet (tie)
BEST MEN’S APPAREL STORE
Winner: Belk
Runner-up: Brooks Brothers
Honorable mention: Jos. A. Bank
BEST LOCALLY OWNED CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Mack and Mack
Runner-up: Sylvia’s Outlet
Honorable mention: Design Archives; Songbirds; The Hub; First Class Clothing (tie)
BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE
Winner: The Children’s Place
Runner-up: Polliwogs Children’s Boutique
Honorable mention: Gymboree; Carter’s; Lollipop Shop (tie)
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Winner: Schiffman’s Jewelers
Runner-up: Mark Holder
Honorable mention: Sisters Jewelry & Gifts
BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Design Archives
Runner-up: Wild N Crazy Vintage
Honorable mention: Goodwill
BEST CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING SHOP
Winner: Songbirds
Runner-up: Rubenesque for Less
Honorable mention: Bargain Box
BEST THRIFT STORE
Winner: Goodwill
Runner-up: Carolina Thrift
Honorable mention: Bargain Box
BEST SHOE STORE
Winner: DSW
Runner-up: The Shoe Market
Honorable mention: SRI Shoe Warehouse
BEST ANTIQUE STORE
Winner: The Red Collection
Runner-up: Thrill of the Hunt
Honorable mention: Antique Marketplace
BEST CONSIGNMENT FURNITURE STORE
Winner: The Red Collection
Runner-up: Consignment First
Honorable mention: Consignment Furniture Emporium; Adelaide’s Vintage Home and Garden (tie)
BEST RETAIL FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Ashley Furniture
Runner-up: Furnitureland South
Honorable mention: Rooms To Go
BEST FRAME SHOP
Winner: Thousands O’ Prints
Runner-up: Michaels
Honorable mention: Hang Ups
BEST USED BOOK STORE
Winner: Edward McKay Used Books and More
Runner-up: Pages Past
Honorable mention: Empire Books; Goodwill (tie)
BEST COMIC BOOK STORE
Winner: Acme Comics
Runner-up: Parts Unknown
Honorable mention: Edward McKay Used Books and More
BEST FARMERS’ MARKET
Winner: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
Runner-up: Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market
Honorable mention: Downtown Farm Market
BEST FLORIST
Winner: Send Your Love Florist & Gifts; Plants and Answers (tie)
Runner-up: Clemmons Florist
Honorable mention: Farmer’s Wife
BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY
Winner: New Garden Landscaping and Nursery
Runner-up: Guilford Garden Center
Honorable mention: Lowe’s
BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Winner: Earth Fare
Runner-up: Deep Roots
Honorable mention: Whole Foods Market
BEST WINE SHOP
Winner: Total Wine
Runner-up: Zeto Wine & Cheese
Honorable mention: The Vino Shoppe
BEST DOGGIE DAYCARE
Winner: Dog Days
Runner-up: Dog-Gone Fun
Honorable mention: Best Friends Bed and Biscuit
BEST BIKE SHOP
Winner: Cycles de Oro
Runner-up: Recycles Bike Shop
Honorable mention: Revolution Cycles; Higgins Cycle Shop (tie)
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
Winner: Dick’s
Runner-up: Omega Sports
Honorable mention: REI
BEST GIFT SHOP
Winner: Evy’s Gifts
Runner-up: Just Be
Honorable mention: Fleet Plummer
=== PEOPLE AND MEDIA ===
BEST LOCAL TV ANCHOR (MALE OR FEMALE)
Winner: Neill McNeill (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Cindy Farmer (WGHP, Fox 8)
Honorable mention: Julie Luck (WGHP, Fox 8)
BEST LOCAL SPORTS ANCHOR
Winner: Kevin Connelly (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Danny Harnden (WGHP, Fox 8)
Honorable mention: Brian Formica (WFMY, News 2)
BEST LOCAL METEOROLOGIST
Winner: Van Denton (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Eric Chilton (WFMY, News 2)
Honorable mention: Lanie Pope (WXII, 12 News)
BEST TV NEWS STATION
Winner: WGHP (Fox)
Runner-up: WFMY (CBS)
Honorable mention: WXII (NBC)
BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Winner: Chris Kelly and Chris Demm (Two Guys Named Chris, Rock 92 FM)
Runner-up: Jack Murphy (WKZL, 107.5 FM)
Honorable mention: Chuck & Leanne (93.1 The Wolf)
BEST MORNING RADIO SHOW
Winner: Two Guys Named Chris (Rock 92 FM)
Runner-up: Murphy in the Morning (WKZL, 107.5 FM)
Honorable mention: Brad and Britt in the Morning (WZTK, 101.1 FM)
BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION
Winner: WKZL, 107.5 FM
Runner-up: Rock 92 FM
Honorable mention: 93.1 The Wolf
BEST COLLEGE RADIO STATION
Winner: WQFS, 90.9 FM (Guilford College)
Runner-up: WUAG, 103.1 FM (UNCG)
Honorable mention: WNAA 90.1 FM (N.C. A&T)
BEST LOCAL COLUMNIST
Winner: Jeri Rowe
Runner-up: Lorraine Ahearn
Honorable mention: Mike Fuchs; Ed Cone (tie)
BEST LOCAL BLOGGER
Winner: Cecelia Thompson (modmealsonmendenhall.com)
Runner-up: Ed Cone (edcone.com)
Honorable mention: Stewart Pittman (lenslinger.com)
BEST TWEETS
Winner: Anastasia Faust
Runner-up: Danielle Hatfield
Honorable mention: Philip Jones; Chris Berg; Michael Driver (tie)
BEST VISUAL ARTIST
Winner: Bill Mangum; Anthony Keever (tie)
Runner-up: Kat Lamp; Frank Russell; Connie Logan (tie)
Honorable mention: Jordan Grace Owens
BEST BAND
Winner: Daughtry
Runner-up: Sinners For Saints
Honorable mention: Walrus
BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER
Winner: Daughtry
Runner-up: Bruce Piephoff
Honorable mention: Laurelyn Dossett
BEST THEATER DIRECTOR
Winner: Preston Lane
Runner-up: Joe Nierle
Honorable mention: Mitchel Sommers; Richard Whittington (tie)
=== ENTERTAINMENT. ARTS AND CULTURE ===
BEST ART GALLERY
Winner: Weatherspoon Art Museum
Runner-up: Fat Cat
Honorable mention: Green Hill Center for N.C. Art
BEST HISTORICAl MUSEUM/HISTORICAL SITE
Winner: Greensboro Historical Museum
Runner-up: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Honorable mention: International Civil Rights Center & Museum
BEST MUSEUM FOR KIDS
Winner: Greensboro Children’s Museum
Runner-up: Natural Science Center of Greensboro
Honorable mention: Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem
BEST COMEDY CLUB
Winner: The Comedy Zone
Runner-up: The Idiot Box
BEST DANCE CLUB
Winner: Inferno
Runner-up: Heaven
Honorable mention: The N Club
BEST MUSIC VENUE
Winner: Blind Tiger
Runner-up: Somewhere Else Tavern; Greensboro Coliseum Complex; Carolina Theatre (tie)
Honorable mention: Greene Street Club
BEST THEATER COMPANY
Winner: Triad Stage
Runner-up: The Broach Theatre
Honorable mention: Open Space Cafe
BEST DANCE COMPANY
Winner: Greensboro Ballet
Runner-up: Daliana & Troupe Bellysima
Honorable mention: Fred Astaire Dance Studios
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: The Carousel
Runner-up: Grande Stadium 16
Honorable mention: Palladium Cinemas 14
BEST BARGAIN MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Sedgefield Crossing’s Cinema
Runner-up: Cinemark Brassfield Cinema 10
Honorable mention: The Carousel
BEST PUBLIC PARK
Winner: Country Park
Runner-up: Center City Park
Honorable mention: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
BEST GOLF COURSE
Winner: Bryan Park
Runner-up: Grandover Resort
Honorable mention: Sedgefield Golf Course
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Winner: Brunswick Triad Lanes
Runner-up: Gate City Lanes
Honorable mention: AMF All-Star Lanes
=== HEALTH, BEAUTY AND FITNESS ===
BEST DAY SPA
Winner: Balance Day Spa
Runner-up: Chakras
Honorable mention: Grandover Resort
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Leon’s Salon
Runner-up: Chakras
Honorable mention: Salon Medusa
BEST HEALTH CLUB/GYM
Winner: The Rush
Runner-up: Planet Fitness
Honorable mention: Downtown Greensboro YMCA
BEST MASSAGE THERAPY
Winner: Balance Day Spa
Runner-up: Massage Therapy
Honorable mention: Kneaded Energy
BEST MANI/PEDI
Winner: Buff Natural Nail Bar
Runner-up: Balance Day Spa
Honorable mention: Hollywood Nails and Spa
BEST PILATES STUDIO
Winner: Core Integrity Pilates
Runner-up: Get Fit Pilates
Honorable mention: Mind/Body/Fitness Yoga
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Mind/Body/Fitness Yoga
Runner-up: Triad Yoga
Honorable mention: Family Yoga
