Reader Ballot Winners

Best Local Liberal

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OUR 'BEST' PRIZE WINNERS!

This year, you went out of your way to craft intelligent, thoughtful answers to the questions we asked on our Best of Seattle survey. To show our appreciation, we've drawn three of the countless ballots we received out of a very large hat. The trio of randomly selected voters below may feel gratified to have won prizes, but we hope that all of our respondents are pleased to have contributed to our 19th annual Best of Seattle issue. Thanks for your participation and support. Without further ado, the winners are . . .

Grand Prize

Alicia Yamamoto of Capitol Hill has won the grand prize in this year's Best of Seattle reader contest. She and a guest of her choosing will enjoy a two-night getaway at Orcas Island's Resort at Deer Harbor, where a deluxe cabin with a private hot tub on the deck awaits them. Home to several prominent art galleries, Orcas Island is also a paradise for outdoorsy Northwest folk, with kayaking, whale watching, and hiking—a beautiful escape for stressed-out city dwellers. We wish Yamamoto a restful, rejuvenating stay at the resort.

Second Prize

More proof that Seattle is a small town, the second-prize winner is First Hill resident and former SW staffer Jill Mogen, now publisher of Seattle Homes & Lifestyles magazine. She gets dinner for two at Piazza Capri, the Sorrento Hotel's lovely courtyard restaurant. Modeled on a popular Venetian cafe, the Piazza shares its culinary spirit with the hotel's acclaimed Hunt Club, whose chefs also design its creative Mediterranean cuisine with Northwest flair.

Third Prize

Bob Peterson of Madison Park gets an SW–themed prize package that includes two Music Awards T-shirts, a case of Jones soda in two flavors (root beer and strawberry-lime), and a handy portable logo-emblazoned radio.

People, Politics & Media

Best Activist/Hell-Raiser: David Goldstein

Best Local Liberal: Jim McDermott

Best Local Conservative: No such thing

Best-Run Campaign (So Far): John Kerry and John Edwards

Best Local Cause: Monorail

Best Do-Gooder: Bill and Melinda Gates

Best Local Celebrity: Dave Matthews

Best Place to Work: At home

Best Way to Avoid Being Outsourced: Working for yourself

Best Union: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Best Seattle Department: Police or Fire: Fire

Best Radio Station, News or Talk: KUOW-FM (94.9)

Best Local Morning Radio Show: "John in the Morning" on KEXP-FM (90.3)

Best Talk Radio Host: Mike Webb of KIRO-AM (710)

Best Local Sports Radio Host: New York Vinnie of KIRO-AM (710)

Best Local TV News: KING-TV (5)

Best TV News Reporter: Kathi Goertzen of KOMO-TV (4)

Best Way to Improve KCTS: More funding

Best Local Magazine: Seattle

Best Daily Newspaper: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Best Daily Newspaper Reporter: (tie) Nicole Brodeur (Times) and Art Theil (P-I)

Best Community Newspaper: (tie) Real Change and Seattle Star

Best Local Web Site: SeattleWeekly.com

Food & Drink

Best Family Feed: Buca di Beppo

Best Splurge: Canlis

Best View Restaurant: Salty's on Alki

Best Outdoor Cafe: Agua Verde

Best Breakfast: Glo's

Best Takeout: Snappy Dragon

Best Pizza by the Slice: Pagliacci

Best Barbecue: Jones Barbeque

Best Nonvegetarian Restaurant for Vegetarians: Tandoor

Best Steak House: Metropolitan Grill

Best Burger: Red Mill

Best Happy-Hour Food: McCormick & Schmick's

Best Specialty Cocktail: Mojito

Best Bar: Linda's Tavern

Best Washington Wine: Chateau Ste. Michelle

Best Local Microbrew: Redhook

Best Coffeehouse Black Coffee: Hot Stuff Espresso

Best Coffeehouse Pastries: Starbucks

Best Deli Counter: Whole Foods Market

Best Farmers Market (Other Than Pike Place): University District Farmers Market

Best Supermarket: Whole Foods Market

Best Fish Market: Pike Place Fish Market

Arts & Entertainment

Best Local Actor

Best Free Fun: Seattle Center

Best Independent Music Store: Sonic Boom

Best Rock Club: Crocodile Cafe

Best Non-Rock Club: Jazz Alley

Best Concert Venue: Showbox

Best Place to Hear Free Music: Pike Place Market

Best Classical Music Group: Seattle Symphony

Best Theater Company: ACT Theatre

Best Local Actor: Tom Skerritt

Best Movie Theater: Cinerama

Best Local Independent Video/DVD Store: Scarecrow Video

Best Place to Get Adult Videos: Blue Video

Best Local Artist: Gail Grinnell

Best Art Gallery: Seattle Art Museum

Best Local Novelist: Sherman Alexie

Best Independent Bookstore: Elliott Bay Book Co.

Best Used Bookstore: Half Price Books

Best Amateur Sports League: Underdog Sports Leagues

Best After-Hours Spot: Contour

Best Shooting Range: Wade's

Best Way to Improve the Mariners: Just sell the team

Turf: Urban Living

Best Neighborhood: Capitol Hill

Best (Last?) Cheap Neighborhood: Ballard

Best School: University of Washington

Best Walk: Green Lake

Best Place to Pick Someone Up: Green Lake

Best Place for a First Date: Alki Beach

Best Thing to Do With Kids: Woodland Park Zoo

Best Alternative to the Monorail: Walking

Best Building: Central Library

Best Yoga Studio: 8 Limbs

Best Nearby Getaway: Vancouver, B.C.

Best Service Station: Hobbs Hilltop Auto

Best Day Care: KidsCentre

Best Plumber: Rad Dyke Plumber

Best Vet: Rainier Animal Hospital

Best Pet Store: Three Dog Bakery

Best Furniture Store: IKEA

Best Local Beach: Alki Beach

Best Charity: PAWS

Best Church: St. James Cathedral

Best Thrift Store: Value Village

Best Store Sales: Bon-Macy's

Best Free Wi-Fi Location: Central Library

Extras

Best Thing That's Changed in Seattle in the Last Year: Central Library

Best New Thing You Discovered in Seattle in the Last Year: Hot Stuff Espresso