Best Happy HourMcCORMICK AND SCHMICK’S was our readers’ clear choice in this

Published 7:00 am Monday, October 9, 2006

Best Happy HourMcCORMICK AND SCHMICK’S was our readers’ clear choice in this category—and with super-cheap food specials like $1.95 burgers, who can blame you? This Portland chain has several cozy, dark-wood bars around town, and also happens to have a nice waterfront location on Westlake— a great spot to get your cheap drink fix after work, with a view. 1200 Westlake Ave. N., 206-270-9052 and other locations. www.mccormickandschmicks.com.Best Specialty CocktailOoh la la, TINI BIGS’ BURNING MAN–TINI is the spicy leader of the pack. You probably don’t want to have this bad boy (made with chili pepper vodka, chocolate liqueur, and sweet cream) with co-workers, just in case sparks fly. 100 Denny Way, 206-284-0931, www.tinibigs.com.Best Gay BarSince the September 2005 demise of the Timberline, NEIGHBOURS offers Seattle’s most spacious and popular dance floor—though whether it’s a gay bar anymore or has fully morphed into a place-for-straight-women-to-ogle-cute-guys-without-having-to- worry-unduly-about-being-hit-on is still being debated. It just edges out the competition in this category—R Place—and that perennial favorite response, “Are there any left?” 1509 Broadway, 206-324-5358, www.neighboursnightclub.com.Best BartenderEvery cozy neighborhood restaurant needs its beloved bartender and it seems Tini Bigs has one: AARON MARSHALL.Have this winning barkeep whip you up a Burning Man–Tini (See Best specialty cocktail) or another fancy drink and feel free to share your troubles—just tip well. 100 Denny Way, 206-284-0931, www.tinibigs.com.Best Local Wine ShopWith its vast selection, PETE’S inched past Ballard’s Portalis in the polls. Pete’s Supermarket in Eastlake has a slightly smaller selection than Pete’s of Bellevue, but it still has over 1,000 wines from which to choose. Pete’s of Bellevue holds tasting classes and Wine 101. 58 E. Lynn, 206-322-2660; and 134-105th N.E., Bellevue, 425-454-1100, www.petes.cc/bellevue.htm.Best PubThis Fremont watering hole is one of the most genuinely British pubs on this (far) side of the pond, and as such, the GEORGE & DRAGON PUB won your votes. With a great selection of British brews on tap, this place possesses an easygoing atmosphere, unless, of course, you happen to stop by during World Cup season, when patrons bring their pint glasses outside to the parking lot to settle in front of the tube (that’s TV, not Subway, bloke). 206 N. 36th St., 206-545-6864.Best Local MicrobrewThe clean, easy-drinking flavor of MANNY’S PALE ALE BY GEORGETOWN BREWING COMPANY was the easy winner. Crafted from Northwest hops in the up-and-coming Georgetown neighborhood, this hipster brew is available at taps all over town. www.georgetownbeer.com.Best Independent CoffeehouseLocated inside the shiny new Center for LGBT Health, Alaska-founded KALADI BROTHERS COFFEE was picked by eager coffee drinkers this year. Long-time favorites Espresso Vivace, Victrola, and Caffe Ladro scored major points with the joe-obsessed, too. 511 E. Pike St., 206-388-1700, www.kaladi.com.Best Local ChefLike Thai restaurants in Seattle, TOM DOUGLAS is everywhere. In case you’ve been under a rock for the last five years, his restaurants include Dahlia Lounge, Lola, Palace Kitchen, Etta’s, and the soon-to-open Serious Pie. If that weren’t enough, TD products like the Rub with Love spice rubs seem to stalk us around QFC. www.tomdouglas.com.Best New Restaurant in the Last YearTechnically CRUSH has been open a year and a half, but hey, who’s counting? The artfully prepared Northwest cuisine here is definitely award-worthy. Plus, we love that chef Jason Wilson focuses on local, sustainable ingredients. Hot Dish, new in Ravenna, was another top scorer. 2319 E. Madison St., 206-302-7874, www.chefjasonwilson.com.Best vegetarian foodWith a cozy garden courtyard and delicious menu options including their famous portobello Wellington, Madison Valley’s Cafe Flora is an old favorite with some great reasons to stop in. 2901 E. Madison St., 206-325-9100, www.cafeflora.com.BEST SPLURGEWith a chocolate fondue fountain, omelet chefs at your disposal, and plates of shrimp as far as the eye can see, SALTY’S BRUNCH at the popular Alki restaurant is one splurge you won’t soon forget. Fasting the day before should ensure a most enjoyable eating experience. 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W., 206-937-1600, www.saltys.com.Best Outdoor CafeWith weather like this, you’ll want to find a nice outdoor spot to grab a bite and sip a cold one. The reader favorite in this category: AGUA VERDE, the Northwest-influenced Mexican spot perched on Union Bay. You’ll enjoy some great fresh eats with your view. A very close second was the more upscale Pink Door in Pike Place Market, which looks out over Elliott Bay. 1303 N.W. Boat St., 206-545-8570, www.aguaverde.com.Best Restaurant for a First DateAh, the first date—so full of possibility and mystery. It’s fitting that such a date should take place at BLEU BISTRO. The Capitol Hill restaurant/bar is quirky, with its unique seating arrangements (many of them romantically secluded) and its crazy long drink menu. Log on to your Internet dating site du jour, select a date-worthy prospect, and bring that person here. It might just be a match made in, well, Bleu. 202 Broadway Ave. E, 206-329-3087.Best Restaurant for a Last DateDICK’S DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS won this category hands-down. Does that mean our readers are cruel? What, don’t want to take your lover to Canlis for a pre-dump farewell dinner? Sheesh. The good part: Dick’s is great food for a quick getaway and a strawberry milk shake just might help soothe a broken heart. Locations in Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Lake City, Queen Anne, and Crown Hill, www.ddir.com.Best 24-hour restaurantThe perennial favorite, 13 Coins, is one of the oldest old-school all-nighters in town. Sidle up to the bar in one of the tall-backed leather chairs and tuck into a nice steak, spaghetti carbonara, veal scaloppine, or some fine salmon—this place may be open all night, but the menu is classy. Take a look around and you’ll notice that you’re keeping company with a crowd that’s been hanging out here longer than you’ve been alive. 125 Boren Ave. N., 206-682-2513, www.13coins.com.Best Downtown BreakfastWell, whadda ya know? MACRINA BAKERY & CAFe wins again. If you’re patient or lucky enough to get a seat at the Belltown location for brunch, the experience is amazing. Decadent plates such as a fried egg sandwich and brioche French toast make for a memorable meal. 2408 First Ave., 206-448-4032, and 615 W. McGraw St., 206-283-5900, www.macrinabakery.com.Best PizzaYour hands-down, no-question-about-it favorite is once again (no surprise) PAGLIACCI PIZZA.A great place to stop in for an-after work beer and a quick slice, this local chain’s offerings range from plain cheese to seasonal pies crafted with heirloom tomatoes or wild Pacific salmon. Various locations, www.pagliacci.com.Best Hot DogIn a very un-Seattle move, our readers chose the dogs at Costco over the independently owned, vegetarian Cyber Dogs near the Convention Center and the Chicago-style ones at Matt’s Gourmet Hot Dogs. Does a good deal (a fantastically low buck fifty three) trump all in this case?4401 Fourth Ave. S., 206-622-3136, www.costco.com.Best Barbecue”Barbecue? In this burg? Haaah!” Well, pardner, in these parts, JONES BARBEQUE has the sauce to top them all. Still, some readers go only to “my house” for barbecue, while one reader simply wrote “ick.” Guess there’s no pleasing everyone. 3216 S. Hudson St., 206-725-2728 (currently closed for remodeling); Crossroads Shopping Center, 15600 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue, 425-746-3955; 3810 S. Ferdinand St., 206-722-4414; 2454 Occidental Ave., Suite 3A, 206-625-1339; www.jonesbarbeque.net.Best Cheese ShopOut-of-town visitors go nuts for Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market, and it seems like our readers do, too. Where else can you see cheese being made before your eyes? Plus, those free, fresh cheese curd samples are delish. 1600 Pike Place, 206-956-1964, www.beechershandmadecheese.com.Best Local BakeryFor being such a health-conscious city, it’s funny how passionate Seattleites are about their bakeries. Leslie Mackie’s MACRINA BAKERY & CAFe earned the highest praise, followed by Essential Baking Company and Columbia City Bakery. At Macrina’s tucked-away Queen Anne outpost, nothing beats sitting down with a cherry almond scone, a latte, and a fat newspaper. 2408 First Ave., 206-448-4032, and 615 W. McGraw St., 206-283-5900, www.macrinabakery.com.Best Gourmet BurgerThis year’s reader’s pick is once again Red Mill Burgers. This hot spot is often crowded with hungry folk waiting to get their hands around some great, messy burgers. Toppings to dress your burger include caramelized onions, fire-roasted Anaheim peppers, and peppered bacon. Red Mill Burgers, 312 N. 67th St., 206-783-6362; 1613 W. Dravus St., 206-284-6363, www.redmill-burgers.com.Best Local CandyThose rich gold bars, Fran’s Chocolates, tempting you in the checkout lane of your favorite grocery store, won our readers’ pick for best local candy. With treats from dark truffles to gourmet caramels, this candy factory is sure to soothe your sweet tooth 2626 N.E. University Village, 206-528-9969; 10036 Main St., Bellevue, 425-453-1698, www.franschocolates.com.Best Non–Pike Place Farmers MarketLike the colorful fan of flags at its entrance, the BALLARD FARMERS MARKET has verve. At this top-voted market, pick up a bouquet of flowers for your sweetie, along with fresh produce and artisan bread. Bring your appetite, because there are always plenty of ready-to-eat goodies including bruschetta and enormous cookies. Sundays on Ballard Avenue between 22nd and 20th avenues N.W., www.fremontmarket.com/ballard.Best Taco TruckThough the best answer for this category was: “Good Mexican food comes from Mexico, not Washington,” the actual reader favorite was TAQUERIA LOS POTRILLOS, a truck located in a gas station parking lot on the corner of Rainier Avenue South and South Graham Street. 6230 Rainier Ave. S.Best PhoMaybe it’s the deliciously airy, complimentary cream puffs that you (of course) save for dessert, or the fact that new THAN BROTHERS restaurant locations seem to be popping up like mushrooms, but this pho standby, with supersized bowls of great, filling (and ultracheap) Vietnamese soup took an easy win. 516 Broadway Ave. E., 206-568-7218 and other locations, www.thanbrothers.com.Best SushiHome of fat sushi rolls and a superfine wine list, Belltown’s hip six-year-old Wasabi Bistro won your vote. With friendly staff and a fine-looking Belltown crowd, this place is a hot spot to get fresh fish, or just to get fresh. 2311 Second Ave., 206-441-6044, www.wasabibistro.biz.Best Place to Break the 25-foot RuleWe thought readers would choose one spot that topped all others as a hassle-free and fun place to break the state’s asinine ban on smoking within 25 feet of doors to public buildings. We figured there might be a symbolic place for smokers to tell nonsmokers where to stick it. Like a bar. Or in front of the downtown Wells Fargo Building, where Seattle & King County Public Health’s tobacco czar, Roger Valdez works. Our rebellious readers took it a step further. The best spot to fire up: ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE.