Best of Greater Rochester 2005 

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Reader's Choice WinnersEat, drink

Chinese restaurant: Ming's (Golden Dynasty)

Indian restaurant: India House (Thali of India)

Italian restaurant: Mario's Via Abruzzi (Veneto Woodfired Pizza & Pasta)

Thai restaurant: King & I (Mamasan's)

Middle Eastern restaurant: Sinbad's Mediterranean Cuisine (Aladdin's Natural Eatery)

Greek restaurant: Mykonos (The Olive Tree)

Cup of coffee: Java's Café (Spot Coffee)

Diner: Highland Park Diner (Jay's Diner)

Pizza: Pontillo's Pizza & Pasta (Mark's Pizzeria)

Place to get fresh-baked bread: Montana Mills Bread Co. (Wegmans)

Burgers: Bill Gray's (Tom Wahl's)

Sushi restaurant: California Rollin' (Plum House)

Barbecue: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Sticky Lips Pit BBQ)

Street meat vendor: Alexander Street & East Avenue (Goodman Street & Monroe Avenue)

Fish fry: Captain Jim's Fish Market (Bill Gray's)

Place to take someone for a birthday dessert: Phillips European (Friendly's)

Cannoli: Savoia Pastry Shoppe (Wegmans)

Subs: Dibella's (Pelligrino's)

Wings: Jeremiah's Tavern (Richmonds)

Hot sauce: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Nick Tahou Hots)

Bar with best beer selection: MacGregor's (Old Toad)

Bar/restaurant to impress a wine connoisseur: Restaurant 2 Vine (Grill at Strathallan)

Bar/restaurant to order beer in a can: Lux Lounge (O'Loughlin's Restaurant)

Regional winery: Casa Larga Vineyards (Dr. Konstantin Frank)

Martini: Martini Grille (Lola Bistro)

Place to eat at 3 a.m.: Gitsis Texas Hots (Mark's Texas Hots)

Place to take the kids: Strong Museum (Chuck E. Cheese's)

Place to take a vegetarian: Aladdin's Natural Eatery (Skippy's Veg-Out)

Place to take your parents: George Eastman House (Wegmans)

Place to cure a hangover: at home, in bed (Jines Restaurant)

Place for a first date: Pomodoro Grill (Little Theatre)

Place for a last date: Nick Tahou Hots (Mt. Hope Cemetery)

Place for a secret rendezvous: Lola Bistro (Rooney's Restaurant)

Bar to see a fight: Alexander Street Pub (Coyote Joe's)

Bar to have a conversation in: Old Toad (Lux Lounge)

Delicacy: Nick Tahou Garbage Plate (Zweigle's White Hots)

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Consumer affairs

Place to find affordable gas: Delta Sonic (Hess)

Way to deal with rising gas prices: walk (ride a bike)

Dry cleaner: Julian's Dry Cleaners (Speedy's Cleaners)

Record store (non-chain): Record Archive (House of Guitars)

Bookstore (non-chain): Brown Bag Book Shop (Greenwood Books )

Place to find a paperback for less than $5: Brown Bag Book Shop (Rick's Recycled Books)

Jewelry store: Craft Company No. 6 (Mann's Jewelers)

Place to buy a used car: Dorschel (Hoselton)

Most honest auto repair: East Ave. Auto (Craig Autometrics)

Florist: Arena's (Fioravanti)

Place to shop for a kid's birthday: Archimage (Piccadilly's Toy Shoppe)

Place to buy a gift: Craft Company No. 6 (Parkleigh)

Divorce lawyer: Joan O'Byrne (Gregory Mott)

Place to find antiques: All That Jazz (Antiek Journeys)

Place to get vintage clothes: Godiva's (Salvation Army)

Plumber: Gatti Plumbing (Howe & Bassett Co.)

Sex shop: Show World (Outlandish Video and Gifts)

Dance studio: Garth Fagan (TIE: DancEncounters/Goddess Hour)

Car wash: Delta Sonic (Buckman's Car Wash)

Skateboard shop: Krudco. Skateshop (Hardpact Boardgear)

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Media savvy

Commercial for a local business: House of Guitars (Lori's Natural Foods)

TV channel for newscaster banter: Channel 13 (Channel 10)

Radio station for morning-show banter: WCMF 96.5 FM (WHAM 1180 AM)

Hottest news anchor: Doug Emblidge, Channel 13 (Jennifer Johnson, Channel 10)

Weatherperson you wish was family: Scott Hetsko, Channel 8 (Kevin Williams, Channel 10)

Blog: gevacomedyimprov.blogspot.com (livejournal.com/community/roch_ny)

Protest slogan of 2005: Buck Fush (Bush Lied. Thousands Died.)

Slogan to replace "Rochester Made For Living": TIE: "Made for Leaving"/"We've Got a Ferry!" ("Rochester: At Least It's Not Buffalo")

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Inside scoop

Employer: Wegmans (University of Rochester)

Place to see and be seen: Park Avenue (Restaurant 2 Vine)

Place to see and be unseen: Lux Lounge (Spot Coffee)

Community role model: Bob Duffy (Tom Golisano)

Place to get your car broken into: East End (downtown)

Bragging point: Craft Company No. 6 (Wegmans)

Tradition: Nick Tahou Garbage Plate (Lilac Festival)

Use of public funds: fast ferry (schools)

Misuse of public funds: fast ferry (Renaissance Square)

Evidence the region's outlook is good: fast ferry (new mayor)

Evidence we're all going to hell: fast ferry (Kodak)

Way to lure people to the area: fast ferry (TIE: casino/jobs)

Place to get arrested: Alexander Street (Lyell Avenue)

Celebrity you'd like a one-night stand with: Jennifer Johnson (Bob Duffy)

Best-kept secret: Craft Company No. 6 (Downtown Fitness Club)

Most annoying public person: Mayor Johnson (Bob Lonsberry)

Item to buy at the Public Market: fruits and veggies (fresh flowers)

Place to have your ashes scattered: Lake Ontario (Highland Park)

Most fun-to-watch Rochester sports team: Rhinos (Red Wings)

Day trip: Niagara Falls (Letchworth State Park)

Way out of town: Toronto (Route 390)

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Body moving

Bike route: Canal Path (Tryon Park)

Spa: Scott Miller Salon & Spa (Del Monte Lodge)

Thing to do on Lake Ontario: boating (fishing)

Thing to do on the Genesee River: TIE: canoeing/kayaking (fishing)

Best place to pick up a basketball game: Cobbs Hill Park (YMCA)

Workout spot: Downtown Fitness Club (Rochester Athletic Club)

Bowling alley: Clover Lanes (Bowl-A-Roll Lanes)

Batting cages: Adventure Landing (Rochester Sports Garden)

Go-karts: Minnehans Fun Center (The Clubhouse Fun Center)

Place to go camping: Letchworth State Park (TIE: Hamlin Beach State Park/Stony Brook State Park)

Hill to go sledding: TIE: Ellison Park/Cobbs Hill (Durand-Eastman Park)

Cross country skiing spot: Mendon Ponds Park (Durand-Eastman Park)

Public pool: Genesee Valley Park (Perinton Community/Aquatic Center)

Beach: Durand-Eastman Park (Hamlin Beach State Park)

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Be merry

Cheap thrill: Seabreeze (see a movie)

Place to pass out: home (Lux Lounge)

Church dinner: Greek Festival, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (Plymouth Spiritualist Church)

Original band: Uncle Plum (Skycoasters)

Cover band: The Taint (Uncle Plum)

Band name: The Taint (Uncle Plum)

Theater production of 2005: A Chorus Line, Geva Theatre (Geva Comedy Improv)

Music concert of 2005: Coldplay, Darien lake (Dave Matthews Band, Darien Lake)

Art show of 2005: Clothesline, Memorial Art Gallery (Corn Hill Arts Festival)

Place for your single parent to find a date: Wegmans (Taylor's Nightclub)

Place to dig some poetry: Java's Café (Daily Perks)

Place to meet a rich husband: Restaurant 2 Vine (TIE: Restaurant jojo/University of Rochester)

Club to hear live music: Milestones (Bug Jar)

Place to see a cheap concert: Water Street Music Hall (Party in the Park at High Falls)

Gay bar: Muther's (Nasty D's)

Public playground: Maplewood Playground (Veterans Memorial Park)

Place to pick up a woman: Wegmans (Lux Lounge)

Place to pick up a man: Bachelor Forum (East Avenue and Alexander Street)

Place to see naked women: Klassy Kat Tavern (Mirage Palace)

Place to see naked men: Highland Park (my bedroom)

Way to spend $10: see amovie (at the Public Market)

Way to spend $1,000: Craft Company No. 6 (Eastview Mall)

Public place to throw a party: Ellison Park (Genesee Valley Park)

Happy hour: Johnny's Irish Pub (Lux Lounge)

Place to dance: Tapas 177 Lounge (Whiskey Bar & Lounge)

Pickup line you've heard in 2005: No two answers the same.

Place to say "yes": Highland Park (in bed)