BEST OF ROCHESTER '08: Readers' Choice 

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 Café 16 Gibbs St, 232-4820

Best Bagel Shop

Bagel Bin Café 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