Wining & Dining | Food | Entertainment | Goods & Services
People | Sports & Leisure | Kidstuff
Over the past year, what was the best?

This issue marks the tenth anniversary of Best of Columbia, and responses and categories have increased tenfold. Beginning this year we are polling and publishing the results of our poll in the fall. Previously we waited until the end of the year. Also beginning this year we are not notifying the winners in advance, so the following bands, brands and businesses will find out if you chose them as the Best of Columbia at the same time you read the paper.

Congratulations to all of the Best of Columbia chosen by the Best Readers. Thanks for voting.

A.S., Publisher

Wining & Dining

New Restaurant
Winner: South by Southwest
Honorable Mention: LaVecchia's

Overall Dining Experience
Tie: Hampton St. Vineyard and Yesterday's

Restaurant For Romance
Winner: The Melting Pot
Honorable Mention: Hannah Jane's

Power Lunch
Winner: Harper's
Honorable Mention: Yesterday's

Special Occasion Restaurant
Tie: Mr. Friendly's and Hampton Street Vineyard

Deli
Winner: Andy's Deli
Honorable Mention: Groucho's

Coffeehouse
Winner: Courtyard Coffeehouse
Honorable Mention: Adriana's

Restaurant Restrooms
Winner: Mangia! Mangia!

Sandwich Selection
Winner: Courtyard Coffeehouse
Honorable Mention: Rising High

Vegetarian Menu
Winner: The Basil Pot
Honorable Mention: Rosewood Market

Country-style Cooking
Winner: Lizard's Thicket
Honorable Mention: Yesterday's

Seafood Restaurant
Winner: Red Lobster
Runners up (tied): LaVecchia's, Joe's Crab Shack, and Blue Marlin

Ethnic Restaurant
Winner: Mediterranean Tea Room
Runners up (tied): Sushi Yoshi and Ital Island

Chinese Restaurant
Winners (tied): Miyo's and Eggroll Station
Honorable Mention: Eggroll Chen

Greek Restaurant
Winner: Zorba's
Honorable Mention: Parthenon

Indian Restaurant
Winner: India Pavilion
Honorable Mention: Touch of India

Italian Restaurant
Winners (tied): Villa Tronco and The Olive Garden

Japanese Restaurant
Winner: Yamato
Honorable Mention: Kyoto

Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Monterrey Mexican Restaurant
Honorable Mention: San Jose

Thai Restaurant
Winner: Bangkok
Honorable Mention: Thai Cuisine

Asian Restaurant
Winner: Bangkok
Runners up (tied): Blue Cactus and O-Bok

Bakery
Winner: Cribb's Bakery
Honorable Mention: Tiffany's Cafe & Bakery

Dessert Selection
Winner: Nonnah's
Honorable Mention: Goatfeathers

Soul Food Restaurant
Winner: Bert's Grill

Take-Out Food
Winners (tied): What-A-Burger and Toogie's

Breakfast
Winner: The Original Pancake House
Honorable Mention: International House of Pancakes

Sunday Brunch
Winners (tied): Hannah Jane's and Motor Supply Co. Bistro

Quick Lunch
Winner: Toogie's
Runner's up (tied) What-A-Burger and Wendy's

Bar Food
Winner: Publick House
Honorable Mention: Sharky's

Late-Night Menu
Winners (tied): Yesterday's and Waffle House

Wine List
Winner: Hampton St. Vineyard
Honorable Mention: Grazin' Monkey

Daily Drink Special
Winner: New Brookland Tavern
Runners up (tied): Elbow Room Music Hall and Group Therapy

Bar In A Restaurant
Winner: Yesterday's
Honorable Mention: Grazin' Monkey

Cigar Bar
Winner: Goatfeathers
Honorable Mention: Puff the Magic

Service
Winners (tied): Yesterday's, Mr. Friendly's and Hannah Jane's

Food & Drink

Fresh Bread
Winner: Rising High
Honorable Mention: Atlanta Bread Co.

Fresh Meat
Winner: Ole Timey Meat Market
Honorable Mention: Fresh Market

Fresh Produce
Winner: The Fresh Market
Honorable Mention: Rosewood Market

Fresh Seafood
Winner: The Fresh Market
Honorable Mention: Waccamaw Seafood

Bagels
Winner: New York Bagel
Honorable Mention: Manhattan Bagel

Salad Bar
Winner: Ruby Tuesday's
Honorable Mention: Ryan's

Pizza
Winner: Village Idiot
Honorable Mention: Papa John's

Chicken Wings
Winner: D's Wings
Honorable Mention: Wings N' Ale

Steaks
Winner: Outback Steakhouse
Honorable Mention: Longhorn Steakhouse

Barbecue
Winner: Maurice's Piggie Park
Honorable Mention: Little Pigs

Burrito
Winner: Monterrey Mexican Restaurant
Honorable Mention: Taco Bell

Hamburger
Winner: Rockaway Athletic Club
Runners up (tied): Rush's, What-A-Burger and Fuddruckers

Hot Dog
Winner: Sandy's Hot Dogs
Honorable Mention: Frank's Hot Dogs

French Fries
Winner: McDonald's
Honorable Mention: Burger King

Onion Rings
Winner: What-A-Burger
Honorable Mention: The Salty Nut Café

Iced Tea
Winner: Lizard's Thicket
Runner's up (tied): What-A-Burger and Bojangles'

Ice Cream
Winner: Baskin Robbins
Honorable Mention: Sandy's Hot Dogs

Sushi
Winner: Camon
Honorable Mention: Sakura

Cup of Coffee
Winner: Courtyard Coffeehouse
Honorable Mention: Goatfeathers

Martini
Winner: Grazin' Monkey

Wine Selection
Winner: The Gourmet Shop

Bottled Beer Selection
Winners (tied): Rockaway Athletic Club, The Publick House and Monterrey Jack's

Draft Beer Selection
Winner: Ichobod's Oasis
Honorable Mention: The Publick House

Microbrew Selection
Winner: Hunter-Gatherer
Honorable Mention: Columbia Brewing Company

Brand of Beer
Winner: Budweiser
Runners up (tied): Michelob and Guinness

Soft Drink
Winners (tied): Mountain Dew, Pepsi and Coca Cola

Entertainment

New Nightclub
Winner: Tombstone
Honorable Mention: The Knock Knock Club

College Bar
Winner: Group Therapy
Honorable Mention: Elbow Room

Brewpub
Winner: Hunter-Gatherer
Honorable Mention: Columbia Brewing Company

Concert Venue
Winners (tied): Tombstone and Elbow Room Music Hall

Place for Rock
Winner: New Brookland Tavern
Honorable Mention: Elbow Room Music Hall

Place for Alternative Rock
Winner: New Brookland Tavern
Honorable Mention: Elbow Room Music Hall

Place for Acoustic and/or Traditional Music
Winner: Village Idiot
Runners up (tied): New Brookland Tavern and Elbow Room Music Hall

Place for Blues
Winner: Beulah's
Honorable Mention: Decision's

Place for Country
Winner: Tombstone's
Honorable Mention: Merlin's

Place for Jazz
Winner: Hunter-Gatherer
Honorable Mention: Grazin' Monkey

Place for Rap/Hip-Hop
Winner: Rafters
Honorable Mention: Secrets

Place to Dance
Winner: Tombstone
Honorable Mention: Art Bar

Gay Bar
Winner: Metropolis
Honorable Mention: Traxx

Meet Market
Winner: Jillian's
Honorable Mention: Nightworks

Neighborhood Bar -- The Vista/Downtown
Winners (tied): Jillian's and Art Bar

Neighborhood Bar -- Five Points/Shandon
Winner: Group Therapy
Honorable Mention: The Publick House

Neighborhood Bar -- St. Andrews/Irmo
Winner: Bailey's

Neighborhood Bar -- Northeast Columbia
Winners (tied): The Owner's Box, GB's, Willoughby's and Josh's

Neighborhood Bar -- Southeast Columbia
Winner: Tombstone

Outdoor Deck
Winner: Group Therapy
Honorable Mention: Beulah's

Place for Crowd-Watching
Winner: Tombstone
Honorable Mention: Art Bar

Place to Meet an Intellectual
Winner: Barnes & Noble
Honorable Mention: Goatfeathers

Place to Unwind After Work
Winner: Tombstone
Honorable Mention: Group Therapy

Festival
Winner: St. Patrick's Day -- Five Points
Honorable Mention: Greek Festival

Movie Theater
Winner: Dutch Square
Honorable Mention: Nickelodeon

Video Rental Store
Winner: Blockbuster Video
Honorable Mention: Moovies

Local Theatre Production
Winner: Boys in the Band

New Local Band
Winner: Reactor #4
Runners up (tied): dot.f**king.com and Mellow Blue Marsh

Local Cover Band
Winner: Break the Silence

Local Original Band
Winner: Balance of Power
Honorable Mention: Skillit

Goods & Services

Department Store
Winner: Dillard's
Honorable Mention: Belk

Grocery Store
Winner: Harris Teeter
Runners up (tied): Bi-Lo and Kroger

Consignment/Thrift Shop
Winner: Community Thrift
Runners up (tied): Revente and His House

Florist
Winner: Blossom Shop
Honorable Mention: Rosewood Florist

Office Supply Store
Winner: Staples
Honorable Mention: Office Max

Copy Shop
Winner: Kinko's Copies
Honorable Mention: Universal Copies

Printer
Winner: Kinko's Copies

Antiques Selection
Winner: Old Mill Antique Mall
Honorable Mention: Antique Mall 378

Flea Market
Winner: Barnyard Flea Market
Honorable Mention: Hwy. #1 Flea Market

Bike Selection
Winner: Out Spokin'
Honorable Mention: Cycle Center

Adult Video/Novelty Shop
Winner: Nicki's

Dry Cleaner
Winner: Tripp's Fine Cleaners
Honorable Mention: Burnette's Cleaners

Car Wash
Winner: Frank's Car Wash
Honorable Mention: Constan Car Wash

CD Selection
Winner: Manifest Discs & Tapes
Honorable Mention: Papa Jazz Record Shoppe

Used CD Selection
Winner: Papa Jazz Record Shoppe
Honorable Mention: Manifest

Place To Buy Music By
Local Artists
Winner: Manifest Discs & Tapes
Honorable Mention: Papa Jazz Record Shoppe

Musical Instruments Selection
Winner: Pecknel
Honorable Mention: The Music Store

Computer Software Selection
Winner: Best Buy

Body Piercing Service
Winner: Body Rites
Honorable Mention: Superior Feet

Kennel
Winner: Columbia Cat Clinic

Newsstand
Winner: Capitol Newsstand
Honorable Mention: Books-A-Million

Health Food Store
Winner: Rosewood Market
Honorable Mention: GNC

Beer Selection (retail)
Winner: Green's Discount Beverage
Honorable Mention: The Gourmet Shop

Wine Store (retail)
Winner: Green's Discount Beverage
Honorable Mention: The Gourmet Shop

New Car Dealership
Winner: Pulliam Ford

Used Car Dealership
Winner: Pulliam Ford

Nail Salon
Winners (tied): Pretty Nails and J.B. White

Cigar Selection
Winner: Intermezzo
Honorable Mention: The Gourmet Shop

Furniture Selection
Winner: Rhodes
Honorable Mention: Ethan Allen

Travel Agency
Winners (tied): Forest Lake and AAA Travel

Sporting Goods Selection
Winner: Jumbo Sports
Honorable Mention: Todd & Moore

Motorcycle Shop
Winner: Harley Haven

Hardware Store
Winner: Hiller Hardware
Honorable Mention: Home Depot

Arts & Crafts Store
Winner: Michael's
Honorable Mention: Phoenix Graphix

Picture Framing
Winners (tied): Havens, Mouse House, Frame Shop and Old America

Jewelry Selection (general)
Winner: Jewelry Warehouse

Handmade Jewelry Selection
Winner: The Joyful Alternative

Place to Buy a Wedding/Engagement Ring
Winner: Moseley's

Plants Selection
Winner: Lowe's
Honorable Mention: Home Depot

Electronics Selection
Winner: Best Buy
Honorable Mention: Circuit City

Bank
Winner: NationsBank
Honorable Mention: Wachovia

Books Selection
Winner: Barnes & Noble
Honorable Mention: Books-A-Million

Used Books Selection
Winner: The Book Dispensary
Honorable Mention: The Book Place

Greeting Cards & Stationery Selection
Winner: Hallmark
Honorable Mention: The Joyful Alternative

Vintage Clothing
Winners (tied): OEO and Roja's

Alternative Clothing
Winner: Superior Feet
Honorable Mention: OEO

Women's Boutique
Winners (tied): The Joyful Alternative, Luna and Roja's

Shoe Selection
Winner: Dillard's

Maternity Boutique
Winner: Motherhood

Men's Store
Winner: Lourie's
Honorable Mention: Roja's

Customer Service
Winners (tied): The Joyful Alternative and Body Rites

Personal Ad/Dating Service
Winners (tied): Rock 93.5 and Free Times Companions

People

Bartender
Winner: Denise Smith, New Brookland Tavern

Waitstaff
Winners (tied): Grazin' Monkey and Mr. Friendly's

Club DJ
Winner: Brian Nodine, Tombstone

Chef
Winner: Grasshopper, Yamato
Honorable Mention: Gary Wolfe, Mr. Friendly's

Hairstylist
Winner: Command Performance

Local Actor
Winners (tied): Grady Dennis and Chris Sheridan

Local Actress
Winner: Dewey Scott-Wiley

Local Artist
Winner: Blue Sky
Honorable Mention: Kevin Pettit

Local Athlete
Winner: Trinity Johnson

Local Author
Winner: William Price Fox

Local Musician
Winner: Danielle Howle

Local Female Vocalist
Winner: Danielle Howle

Local Male Vocalist
Winner: Lawrence Burwell

Local Radio Personality
Winner: Fook
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Rush

Local Newspaper Writer
Winners (tied): Alex Todorovic and Yon Lambert

Local Sports Announcer
Winner: Rick Henry
Honorable Mention: Terry Chick

Local TV Personality
Winner: Susan Audé Fisher
Honorable Mention: Joe Pinner

Local Weatherman
Winners (tied): Reg Taylor and Joe Pinner

Local Politician
Winners (tied): Jane Frederick and Joe E. Brown

Sexiest Local Male Personality
Winners (tied): Jeff Roper and Joe E. Brown

Sexiest Local Female Personality
Winner: Allison Funderburk
Honorable Mention: Susan Groves

Best Hair
Winners (three-way tie): Sarah Wooten, Ashli (Superior Feet), Emeline Lavender

Most Overexposed Local Person in The Media
Winner: Joe Pinner
Honorable Mention: Gov. David Beasley

Most Visible Activist Group
Winner: Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement

Sports & Leisure

Sports Bar
Winner: Garrett's Grille & Grog
Honorable Mention: Jillian's

Sports Venue
Winner: Williams-Brice Stadium
Honorable Mention: Capitol City Stadium

Sports Team
Winner: USC Men's Soccer
Honorable Mention: Capitol City Bombers

Billiards
Winner: Jillian's

Bowling Alley
Winner: Anchor Lanes
Honorable Mention: Parklane

Golf Course
Winner: University Club
Honorable Mention: Golden Hills

Martial Arts Academy
Winner: Barkoot

Place To Get In Shape
Winners (tied): Columbia Athletic Club and Gold's Gym

Place To Rent Recreational Equipment
Winners (tied): Adventure Carolina and AARO Rental

Place for Outdoors/Camping Gear
Winner: The Backpacker
Honorable Mention: Adventure Carolina

Place for Gamecock Merchandise
Winners (tied): USC Bookstore and Jewelry Warehouse

Place for Clemson Merchandise
Winner: Jewelry Warehouse

Kidstuff

Children's Arts Program
Winner: Outside the Lines

Kids' Books Selection
Winner: Barnes & Nobles

Kids' Video Selection
Winner: Blockbuster Video

Place To Take The Kids On A Rainy Day
Winner: The State Museum

Educational Saturday
Winner: The State Museum
Honorable Mention: Riverbanks Zoo

Recreational Playground
Winner: Finlay Park

Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Winner: Chuck E. Cheese

Toy Selection
Winner: Toys R Us
Honorable Mention: Beep Beep

Over the past year, what was the best?

Ad Campaign
Winner: "Georgia Loves Beasley" commercial campaign

Use of Public Funds
Winner: Vista Renovation
Honorable Mention: Five Points fountain

Best-Kept Secret
Winner: Beasley's "Affair"

Political Scandal (Local)
Winner: Beasley's "Affair"

Live Concert
Winner: Rock 93.5 Fallout

Local Publication
Winner: Free Times

New Book
Winner: Cold Mountain by Charles Frasier

New Film
Winner: Saving Private Ryan
Honorable Mention: There's Something About Mary

New CD
Winner: Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty

TV Program
Winners (tied): South Park and Jesse

Website
Winner: www.bodyrites.com