2008 Readers' Choice Awards
Sep 30, 2008 05:00PM ● By Super Admin
The number of votes and results show an overwhelming trend: Style readers are passionate about their favorites! You’ve voted and we’ve tallied. There’s everything from favorite place to get a burger to favorite local hero, and we’ve got the standouts…plus a few Editors’ Picks to give you even more of the inside scoop!
Congrats to all the winners!
Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Treat Place
1. Big Spoon
2. Cold Stone Creamery
3. Snooks
Editor’s Pick: Peach Pit
Favorite Smoothie Place
1. Planet Smoothie
2. Jamba Juice
3. Juice it Up
Favorite Pizza Place
1. Chicago Fire
2. Ciro’s
3. Pizzeria Classico
Favorite Breakfast Place
1. Sutter Street Grill
2. Early Toast
3. A Maad Tea Party
Favorite Brunch Place
1. Mimi’s Café
2. Bistro 33
3. Balcony Bistro
Favorite Burger & Fries Joint
1. The Purple Place
2. Islands
3. In-n-Out
Editor’s Pick: Burger Hut
Favorite BBQ Place
1. Texas West BBQ
2. Burton’s BBQ
3. Back Forty Texas BBQ
Favorite Mexican Restaurant
1. Mexquite
2. Q’Bole
3. La Fiesta Taqueria
Favorite Chinese Restaurant
1. Fat’s Asia Bistro
2. Hop Sing Palace
3. Debbie Wong’s
Favorite Sushi/ Japanese Restaurant
1. Mikuni
2. Suishin Sushi
3. Aloha Sushi
Favorite Steakhouse
1. Tahoe Joe’s
2. Black Angus
3. Cattlemens
Favorite Italian Restaurant
1. Visconti’s
2. My Brother Vinny’s
3. Macaroni Grill
Favorite Indian Restaurant
1. Hemalaya’s
2. Taj India
3. India House
Favorite Thai Restaurant
1. Chantara
2. Thai Paradise
3. Amarin
Favorite Deli
1. Mama Ann’s
2. Beach Hut Deli
3. Nugget Market
Favorite Sandwich Place
1. Beach Hut Deli
2. Mr. Pickles
3. Mama Ann’s
Editor’s Pick: The Black Rooster
Favorite Salad Place
1. Jack's Urban Eats
2. La Bou
3. Ruby Tuesday
Favorite Bakery
1. Karen’s
2. O!Brot
3. Bakerie & Latte Chateau Arme
Favorite Romantic Restaurant
1. Café Campanile
2. The Ravine
3. Bidwell Street Bistro
Favorite Outdoor Dining
1. Bistro 33
2. Hacienda
3. Malabar
Favorite Take-out Restaurant
1. Chili’s
2. Fat’s Asia Bistro
3. BJ’s
Favorite Casual Restaurant
1. BJ’s
2. Jack’s Urban Eats
3. Dos Coyotes
Editor’s Pick: Balcony Bistro
Favorite Overall Restaurant
1. Bidwell Street Bistro
2. Bistro 33
3. Fat’s Asia Bistro
Favorite Waitperson
1. Matt, Suishin Sushi
2. Gina, The Purple Place
3. Jennifer, My Brother Vinny’s
Favorite Coffee or Tea
1. Starbucks
2. Peet’s
3. Sartory Café
Editor’s Pick: Coffee Republic
Favorite Bar
1. Streets of London
2. Powerhouse Pub
3. Bistro 33
Favorite Happy Hour
1. The Purple Place
2. The Ravine
3. Folsom Lake Bowl Sports Bar
Favorite Cocktails
1. Bistro 33
2. Fat’s Asia Bistro
3. Scarlett’s
Editor’s Pick: the Folsom Style Margarita from Mexquite. We’re a little partial on this one!
Favorite Place for a Glass of Wine
1. Wine Konnection
2. Bidwell Street Bistro
3. Procissi Wine Gallery
Editor’s Pick: Back Wine Bar
Favorite Bartender
1. Jeff, Café Campanile
2. Kevin, The Ravine Bar & Restaurant
3. Brent, Manderes
Favorite Local Winery
1. Crystal Basin Cellars
2. Boeger
3. Young’s
Favorite Day Trip
1. Lake Tahoe
2. Folsom Lake
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Playground
1. Castle Park
2. EDH CSD
3. Livermore Park
Editor’s Note: One voter said, “Cameron Park Skate Park Has a Handicap Swing for my Daughter.” Help us build a universally accessible playground in Folsom. Be a Play For All 100 Member. Visit sierrastyle.com and click on the Play For All logo.
Favorite Kid’s Activity
1. Folsom Zoo
2. Folsom Aquatic Center
3. Bike Trails throughout Folsom and EDH
Favorite Park
1. Livermore Park
2. EDH CSD Park
3. Lembi Park
Favorite Picnic Spot
1. Lake Natoma
2. Folsom Lake
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Golf Course
1. Empire Ranch
2. Bass Lake
3. Serrano
Favorite Personal Trainer
1. Ty Silva, The Red Pit
2. Sharon Felts, EDH Sports Club
3. Neil & Jennifer, Fitness Together-EDH
Favorite Gym/Health Club
1. EDH Sports Club
2. California Family Fitness
3. 24 hour Fitness
Editor’s Pick: Broadstone Racquet Club
Favorite Martial Arts
1. El Dorado Hills Taekwondo
2. Kovar’s
3. Robinson’s Taekwondo
Favorite Casino
1. Thunder Valley
2. Jackson Rancheria
3. Harrah’s
Favorite Local Spiritual Leader
1. Kim Clarity, Spiritual Center for Positive Living
2. Brad Franklin, Lakeside Church
3. Kent Carlson, Oak Hills Church
Favorite Museum
1. Folsom History Museum
2. Crocker Art Museum
3. Railroad Museum
Editor’s Pick: Gold Bug Park & Mine
Favorite Local Hero
1. Jason Harper of EDH
2. Local Firefighters
3. Our Military
Favorite Civic Leader
1. Kerri Howell
2. Debbie Manning
3. Steve Miklos
Favorite Local Businessperson
1. Deirdre Hawkins
2. Jeffrey DuFault
3. Giovanna Stark
Favorite Neighborhood in Which to Live
1. The Parkway
2. Empire Ranch
3. Serrano
Favorite Annual Event or Festival
1. Folsom Rodeo
2. Folsom Live
3. Thursday Night Market
Favorite Artist
1. Dianne Mattar
2. Julie Bjorgum
3. Randall Tillery
Favorite Musician/Band
1. Azuar
2. Walking Spanish
3. Mercy Me
Favorite Performing Arts Organization
1. El Dorado Musical Theater
2. Stages Northern California Performing Arts
3. El Dorado Dance Academy
Favorite Charitable Organization
1. El Dorado Food Bank
2. Snowline Hospice
3. Twin Lakes Food Bank
Favorite Best Kept Secret
1. Sartory Coffee
2. Lake Forest Café
3. American Visions Gallery
Editor’s Note: ok, folks, we thought this response was hysterical: “My Wife’s Weight.”
Favorite Teacher
1. Pamela Hart, Jackson Elementary
2. Mary Larick, Carl Sundahl Elementary
3. Debbie Palmer, Oak Meadow Elementary
Editor’s Pick: Our own Kelley Saia as favorite future teacher.
Favorite Athletic Coach
1. Kris Richardson, Folsom High School
2. Mark Watson, Oak Ridge High School
3. Robert Skaggs, Oak Ridge High School
Favorite Place to Volunteer
1. Grace Foundation
2. Lakeside Church
3. Mercy Hospital
Favorite Place to Take
Out-of-Town Visitors
1. Old Town Folsom/Sutter Street
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Local Web Site
1. MyFolsom.com
2. FolsomLiving.com
3. CraigsList.com
Favorite Barber
1. Barber Jon’s
2. Tom’s Barber Stylist
3. Randy Boxell
Favorite Hair Stylist
1. Jeffrey DuFault, DuFault’s Beauty Boutique
2. Liisa Ramsey, Echelon
3. Jill Jurchuk, Maribou
Favorite Salon
1. Maribou Spa Salon
2. DuFault’s Beauty Boutique
3. Chez TJ
Favorite Place for a Manicure/Pedicure
1. Lilly’s Nails
2. Le Chateau Nail Salon
3. Chez TJ
Editor’s Pick: Excel Nails
Favorite Place for a Massage
1. Dream Day Spa
2. Massage Envy, Folsom
3. Asante Spa
Editor’s Pick: Michael Clifford, Massage Therapist
Favorite Place for a Facial
1. Marissa, Chez TJ
2. TTE Skincare
3. (TIE) Asante Spa and Dream Day Spa
Favorite Pet Groomer
1. Bark Avenue
2. Pampered Pooch
3. PetsMart
Favorite Florist
1. Folsom Florist
2. Exotica
3. Crystal Rose
Favorite Photographer
1. K. Walker Photography
2. Reflections by Michelle Lipowski
3. Charm Photography
Favorite Art Gallery
1. Hang it Up Gallery
2. American Visions Gallery
3. Our House Gallery
Editor’s Pick: The Gallery at 48 Natoma
Favorite Local Bank
1. Bank of America
2. El Dorado Savings Bank
3. Folsom Lake Bank
Favorite Auto Repair
1. Folsom Car Care Center
2. Folsom AutoTech
3. Folsom Motor Works
Favorite Dry Cleaner
1. Dry Cleaning to Your Door
2. Swanson’s
3. Park Place
Favorite Tailor
1. Alterations Express
2. EDH Tailoring & Alterations
3. Absolute Alterations
Favorite Dentist
1. Jeffrey Olson, D.D.S., Folsom Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
2. Gerard Ortner D.D.S., Designs in Dentistry
3. Wayne K. Tsutsuse, D.D.S., Aloha Family Dental
Editor’s Note: If you don’t think your vote counts, you’re wrong. There was only one vote between #3 and #4 Dentist, Shelley Edwards, DDS.
Favorite Produce Department
1. Nugget Market
2. Trader Joe’s
3. Bel-Air
Favorite Grocery Store
1. Raley’s
2. Safeway
3. Nugget Market
Favorite Boutique
1. Sandra D’s
2. Belle Mode
3. Uptown Girl
Favorite Children’s Store
1. Starlight Starbright
2. Posh Punkins
3. Mind Over Matter Toys
Editor’s Pick: Toys that Teach
Favorite Gift Shop
1. Periwinkle
2. Veda Home
3. Bella Casa Home Decor
Favorite Jewelry Store
1. Rainbow Bridge Jewelers
2. Roger’s Jewelers
3. Sharif Jewelers
Favorite Store in Which to Shop
1. Target
2. Macy’s
3. Costco
Favorite Mall or Shopping Center
1. Broadstone Marketplace
2. Roseville Galleria
3. Town Center in El Dorado Hills
Congrats to all the winners!
Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Treat Place
1. Big Spoon
2. Cold Stone Creamery
3. Snooks
Editor’s Pick: Peach Pit
Favorite Smoothie Place
1. Planet Smoothie
2. Jamba Juice
3. Juice it Up
Favorite Pizza Place
1. Chicago Fire
2. Ciro’s
3. Pizzeria Classico
Favorite Breakfast Place
1. Sutter Street Grill
2. Early Toast
3. A Maad Tea Party
Favorite Brunch Place
1. Mimi’s Café
2. Bistro 33
3. Balcony Bistro
Favorite Burger & Fries Joint
1. The Purple Place
2. Islands
3. In-n-Out
Editor’s Pick: Burger Hut
Favorite BBQ Place
1. Texas West BBQ
2. Burton’s BBQ
3. Back Forty Texas BBQ
Favorite Mexican Restaurant
1. Mexquite
2. Q’Bole
3. La Fiesta Taqueria
Favorite Chinese Restaurant
1. Fat’s Asia Bistro
2. Hop Sing Palace
3. Debbie Wong’s
Favorite Sushi/ Japanese Restaurant
1. Mikuni
2. Suishin Sushi
3. Aloha Sushi
Favorite Steakhouse
1. Tahoe Joe’s
2. Black Angus
3. Cattlemens
Favorite Italian Restaurant
1. Visconti’s
2. My Brother Vinny’s
3. Macaroni Grill
Favorite Indian Restaurant
1. Hemalaya’s
2. Taj India
3. India House
Favorite Thai Restaurant
1. Chantara
2. Thai Paradise
3. Amarin
Favorite Deli
1. Mama Ann’s
2. Beach Hut Deli
3. Nugget Market
Favorite Sandwich Place
1. Beach Hut Deli
2. Mr. Pickles
3. Mama Ann’s
Editor’s Pick: The Black Rooster
Favorite Salad Place
1. Jack's Urban Eats
2. La Bou
3. Ruby Tuesday
Favorite Bakery
1. Karen’s
2. O!Brot
3. Bakerie & Latte Chateau Arme
Favorite Romantic Restaurant
1. Café Campanile
2. The Ravine
3. Bidwell Street Bistro
Favorite Outdoor Dining
1. Bistro 33
2. Hacienda
3. Malabar
Favorite Take-out Restaurant
1. Chili’s
2. Fat’s Asia Bistro
3. BJ’s
Favorite Casual Restaurant
1. BJ’s
2. Jack’s Urban Eats
3. Dos Coyotes
Editor’s Pick: Balcony Bistro
Favorite Overall Restaurant
1. Bidwell Street Bistro
2. Bistro 33
3. Fat’s Asia Bistro
Favorite Waitperson
1. Matt, Suishin Sushi
2. Gina, The Purple Place
3. Jennifer, My Brother Vinny’s
Favorite Coffee or Tea
1. Starbucks
2. Peet’s
3. Sartory Café
Editor’s Pick: Coffee Republic
Favorite Bar
1. Streets of London
2. Powerhouse Pub
3. Bistro 33
Favorite Happy Hour
1. The Purple Place
2. The Ravine
3. Folsom Lake Bowl Sports Bar
Favorite Cocktails
1. Bistro 33
2. Fat’s Asia Bistro
3. Scarlett’s
Editor’s Pick: the Folsom Style Margarita from Mexquite. We’re a little partial on this one!
Favorite Place for a Glass of Wine
1. Wine Konnection
2. Bidwell Street Bistro
3. Procissi Wine Gallery
Editor’s Pick: Back Wine Bar
Favorite Bartender
1. Jeff, Café Campanile
2. Kevin, The Ravine Bar & Restaurant
3. Brent, Manderes
Favorite Local Winery
1. Crystal Basin Cellars
2. Boeger
3. Young’s
Favorite Day Trip
1. Lake Tahoe
2. Folsom Lake
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Playground
1. Castle Park
2. EDH CSD
3. Livermore Park
Editor’s Note: One voter said, “Cameron Park Skate Park Has a Handicap Swing for my Daughter.” Help us build a universally accessible playground in Folsom. Be a Play For All 100 Member. Visit sierrastyle.com and click on the Play For All logo.
Favorite Kid’s Activity
1. Folsom Zoo
2. Folsom Aquatic Center
3. Bike Trails throughout Folsom and EDH
Favorite Park
1. Livermore Park
2. EDH CSD Park
3. Lembi Park
Favorite Picnic Spot
1. Lake Natoma
2. Folsom Lake
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Golf Course
1. Empire Ranch
2. Bass Lake
3. Serrano
Favorite Personal Trainer
1. Ty Silva, The Red Pit
2. Sharon Felts, EDH Sports Club
3. Neil & Jennifer, Fitness Together-EDH
Favorite Gym/Health Club
1. EDH Sports Club
2. California Family Fitness
3. 24 hour Fitness
Editor’s Pick: Broadstone Racquet Club
Favorite Martial Arts
1. El Dorado Hills Taekwondo
2. Kovar’s
3. Robinson’s Taekwondo
Favorite Casino
1. Thunder Valley
2. Jackson Rancheria
3. Harrah’s
Favorite Local Spiritual Leader
1. Kim Clarity, Spiritual Center for Positive Living
2. Brad Franklin, Lakeside Church
3. Kent Carlson, Oak Hills Church
Favorite Museum
1. Folsom History Museum
2. Crocker Art Museum
3. Railroad Museum
Editor’s Pick: Gold Bug Park & Mine
Favorite Local Hero
1. Jason Harper of EDH
2. Local Firefighters
3. Our Military
Favorite Civic Leader
1. Kerri Howell
2. Debbie Manning
3. Steve Miklos
Favorite Local Businessperson
1. Deirdre Hawkins
2. Jeffrey DuFault
3. Giovanna Stark
Favorite Neighborhood in Which to Live
1. The Parkway
2. Empire Ranch
3. Serrano
Favorite Annual Event or Festival
1. Folsom Rodeo
2. Folsom Live
3. Thursday Night Market
Favorite Artist
1. Dianne Mattar
2. Julie Bjorgum
3. Randall Tillery
Favorite Musician/Band
1. Azuar
2. Walking Spanish
3. Mercy Me
Favorite Performing Arts Organization
1. El Dorado Musical Theater
2. Stages Northern California Performing Arts
3. El Dorado Dance Academy
Favorite Charitable Organization
1. El Dorado Food Bank
2. Snowline Hospice
3. Twin Lakes Food Bank
Favorite Best Kept Secret
1. Sartory Coffee
2. Lake Forest Café
3. American Visions Gallery
Editor’s Note: ok, folks, we thought this response was hysterical: “My Wife’s Weight.”
Favorite Teacher
1. Pamela Hart, Jackson Elementary
2. Mary Larick, Carl Sundahl Elementary
3. Debbie Palmer, Oak Meadow Elementary
Editor’s Pick: Our own Kelley Saia as favorite future teacher.
Favorite Athletic Coach
1. Kris Richardson, Folsom High School
2. Mark Watson, Oak Ridge High School
3. Robert Skaggs, Oak Ridge High School
Favorite Place to Volunteer
1. Grace Foundation
2. Lakeside Church
3. Mercy Hospital
Favorite Place to Take
Out-of-Town Visitors
1. Old Town Folsom/Sutter Street
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Apple Hill
Favorite Local Web Site
1. MyFolsom.com
2. FolsomLiving.com
3. CraigsList.com
Favorite Barber
1. Barber Jon’s
2. Tom’s Barber Stylist
3. Randy Boxell
Favorite Hair Stylist
1. Jeffrey DuFault, DuFault’s Beauty Boutique
2. Liisa Ramsey, Echelon
3. Jill Jurchuk, Maribou
Favorite Salon
1. Maribou Spa Salon
2. DuFault’s Beauty Boutique
3. Chez TJ
Favorite Place for a Manicure/Pedicure
1. Lilly’s Nails
2. Le Chateau Nail Salon
3. Chez TJ
Editor’s Pick: Excel Nails
Favorite Place for a Massage
1. Dream Day Spa
2. Massage Envy, Folsom
3. Asante Spa
Editor’s Pick: Michael Clifford, Massage Therapist
Favorite Place for a Facial
1. Marissa, Chez TJ
2. TTE Skincare
3. (TIE) Asante Spa and Dream Day Spa
Favorite Pet Groomer
1. Bark Avenue
2. Pampered Pooch
3. PetsMart
Favorite Florist
1. Folsom Florist
2. Exotica
3. Crystal Rose
Favorite Photographer
1. K. Walker Photography
2. Reflections by Michelle Lipowski
3. Charm Photography
Favorite Art Gallery
1. Hang it Up Gallery
2. American Visions Gallery
3. Our House Gallery
Editor’s Pick: The Gallery at 48 Natoma
Favorite Local Bank
1. Bank of America
2. El Dorado Savings Bank
3. Folsom Lake Bank
Favorite Auto Repair
1. Folsom Car Care Center
2. Folsom AutoTech
3. Folsom Motor Works
Favorite Dry Cleaner
1. Dry Cleaning to Your Door
2. Swanson’s
3. Park Place
Favorite Tailor
1. Alterations Express
2. EDH Tailoring & Alterations
3. Absolute Alterations
Favorite Dentist
1. Jeffrey Olson, D.D.S., Folsom Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
2. Gerard Ortner D.D.S., Designs in Dentistry
3. Wayne K. Tsutsuse, D.D.S., Aloha Family Dental
Editor’s Note: If you don’t think your vote counts, you’re wrong. There was only one vote between #3 and #4 Dentist, Shelley Edwards, DDS.
Favorite Produce Department
1. Nugget Market
2. Trader Joe’s
3. Bel-Air
Favorite Grocery Store
1. Raley’s
2. Safeway
3. Nugget Market
Favorite Boutique
1. Sandra D’s
2. Belle Mode
3. Uptown Girl
Favorite Children’s Store
1. Starlight Starbright
2. Posh Punkins
3. Mind Over Matter Toys
Editor’s Pick: Toys that Teach
Favorite Gift Shop
1. Periwinkle
2. Veda Home
3. Bella Casa Home Decor
Favorite Jewelry Store
1. Rainbow Bridge Jewelers
2. Roger’s Jewelers
3. Sharif Jewelers
Favorite Store in Which to Shop
1. Target
2. Macy’s
3. Costco
Favorite Mall or Shopping Center
1. Broadstone Marketplace
2. Roseville Galleria
3. Town Center in El Dorado Hills