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BEST OF EDMONTON 2005
The Results |
EDMONTONIANS
Hottest Edmontonian (Male)
1) Graeme MacKinon
2) David Eggen
3) Stephen Mandel
Hottest Edmontonian (Female)
1) Carrie Doll
2) Dawn Chubai
3) Sarah Lim
Most effective local Politician
1) Stephen Mandel
2) Michael Phair
3) Raj Pannu
Favorite radio personality
1) Shannon Tyler
2) Peter Brown
3) Lionel Rault
Favorite TV weatherperson
1) Claire Martin
"This is huge! I’m floored!" exclaims Global TV’s Claire Martin. "I always thought I wasn’t cool enough for SEE readers, so it comes as a big surprise to me."
Once again, SEE readers have given the charming British-born TV personality the crown that makes her the Queen of Edmonton Weather.
In the end, what makes a good weather anchor?
"To be quite honest, I think it’s genuineness."
What’s the worst thing you can do as a weather person?
"You’re swearing all day because the forecasts change all the time! You have to be careful not to drop the F-bomb."
How will you make sure you stay on top?
"I’m very superstitious, like a hockey player. Maybe the next step is to bring in a talking weather dog."
Yes, you’re cool, Claire. Anyone who sang on Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick In The Wall" as a kid can only get a "We’re not worthy!" from our readers. Cheers! (FM)
2) Josh Clausen
3) Mike Sobell
Favorite TV news anchor
1) Gord Steinke
2) Lynda Steele
3) Carrie Doll
Favorite sportscaster
1) Kevin Karius
2) John Sexsmith
3) Adam Cook
Favorite local newspaper journalist
1) Todd Babiak
2) Paula Simons
3) Fish Griwkowsky
Favorite local band
1) Wednesday Night Heroes
2) Painting Daisies
3) Social Code
Most Interesting Edmontonian
1) Sean Edmondson
2) Stephen Mandel
3) Lois Hole
Most creative Edmontonian
1) Anastasia Powell
2) Gene Dub
3) Con Boland
Most effective activist
1) Michael Phair
2) Mike Hudema
3) Earth’s General Store
Favorite local athlete
1) George Laraque
2) Ryan Smith
3) Lori-Ann Muenzer
Most obnoxious local celebrity
1) Peter Hill
2) Bryan Hall
3) Lorraine Mansbridge
Worst local politician
1) Ralph Klein
2) Bill Smith
3) Stephen Mandel
E’VILLE
Best neighbourhood
1) Old Strathcona
2) Oliver
3) Glenora
Best TV station
1) Global
2) A-Channel
3) CBC
Best radio station
1) CJSR
When told that CJSR was voted the Best Radio Station for the third straight year, program manager Daryl Richel shouted, "Praise baby Jesus!"
"I think what it says when we’ve won three years in a row is that people want a local product," he says. "And that’s a beautiful thing.
CJSR has a rather more momentous accomplishment to celebrate as well—this will be its first debt-free fiscal year in more than 20 years. Since 1980, the station has been paying back a debt of $100,000 to the University of Alberta Student Union. That debt is now cleared.
"The station is on perhaps the best financial footing it’s been on in years," says Richel. "This award is the icing on the cake." (AC)
2) CKUA
3) CBC
Worst radio station
1) The Bear 100.3
2) Joe 92.5
3) 96
Best one-day getaway
1) Jasper
2) West Edmonton Mall
3) Elk Island
Best cultural institution
1) Provincial Museum
2) Winspear Centre for Music
3) Edmonton Art Gallery
Best bowling alley
1) Red’s
2) Gateway
3) Bonnie Doon Bowling lanes
Best golf course
1) Victoria
2) Mayfair
3) Millwoods
Best place to play video games
1) Red’s
2) Paladium
3) West Edmonton Mall
Best use of taxpayers money
1) Road Repair
2) LRT Expansion
3) Snow Removal
Worst use of taxpayers money
1) Churchill Square
2) Big Bat on 97th
3) Politician’s Salary
Best place to forget you’re in Edmonton
1) River Valley
2) Muttart Conservatory
3) West Edmonton Mall
GETTIN’ OUT
Club with the hottest clientele
1) New City
2) Halo
3) Windsor Pub and Grill
Best dance club
1) The Standard
2) Halo
3) New City Suburbs
Best club night
1) Saturday
2) Friday
3) Halo
Best live venue
1) Side Track Café
2) Blues on Whyte
3) Starlight Lounge
Best neighbourhood pub
1) Black Dog
2) O’Byrne’s
3) Windsor Pub and Grill
Best sports bar
1) Shanks
2) Overtime
3) Mo’s Sports Parlour
Best queer bar
1) The Roost
2) Buddy’s
3) Boots and Saddles
3) Woody’s
Best comedy club
1) Yuk Yuks
2) The Comedy Strip
3) Comedy Factory
Best film house
1) Garneau
2) Princess
3) Metro
Best movie theatre
1) South Common
2) Princess Theatre
3) SilverCity
Best karaoke bar
1) B street bar on 111th ave
2) Rosarios
3) H2O Lounge
Best place to shoot pool
1) Metro
2) Billiard Club
3) Red’s
Best bar
1) Black Dog
2) New City
3) Overtime
EAT/DRINK
Best burger
1) Garage burger
2) Tasty Tom’s
3) Red Robbins
Best pizza
1) Funky Pickle
2) Tasty Tom’s
3) Royal Pizza
Best Cajun
1) Da De O
2) Louisana Purchase
3) Cajun House
Best old standby
1) Boston Pizza
2) Tasty Tom’s
3) High Level Diner
Best perogies
1) Perogy house
2) Shumka
3) Uncle Ed’s
Best fish & chips
1) Joey’s Only Seafood
2) Brit’s Fish and Chips
3) Back Home
Best coffeehouse
1) Second Cup
2) Sugarbowl
3) Muddy Waters
Best vegetarian
1) Café Mosaics
Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got Teriyaki Tofu in my tummy! Café Mosaics is a staple for many Edmontonian’s seeking delicious, nutritious, and reasonably priced vegetarian cuisine. The café has a laid back and relaxed vibe that encourages you to take your time and enjoy your hard earned meal. The eclectic menu makes Café Mosaics a perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some favourites: the tomato and garlic soup, the breakfast burrito (with egg and potato), teriyaki tofu caesar salad, and of course their vegan chocolate cake. Deelish and nutrish! (NC)
2) Padmanadi Restaurant
3) Oriental Veggie House
Best restaurant patio
1) Earls
2) Joey Tomato
3) Tin Palace
Best bar patio
1) Black Dog
2) O’Byrne’s
3) Iron Horse
Best wings
1) Brewsters
2) Earls
3) Hooters
3) Pizza 73
Best fries
1) New York Fries
So, Stephen Mandel’s surprise win over perennial favourite Michael Phair wasn’t the only big upset in this year’s poll. As far back as one can remember, McDonald’s brand of deep-fried potato sticks have held a baffling yet indisputably tight grip on first place in this category.
No more—the Golden Arches glisten a little less greasily this go-round as the bright lights of New York Fries, another franchise, takes top prize.
SEE contacted McDonald’s world domination headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois for comment on the matter, conceivably their biggest PR disaster since Morgan Spurlock became a household name. Their media-relations office said they’d have a representative call back by the "end of the day," but as of press time... they never did!
No mind. Thanks to the Internet and a site called dietfacts.com, we’re able to provide the following data:
A large-sized serving of McDonald’s fries weighs in at 177g (550 calories), while a New York Fries’ small Fry Cup tips the scales at 200g (604 calories). And, according to the site’s chart, a McD’s large serving contains 26g of total fat, while the smallest portion from NYCF yields an absolutely delish 34g of total fat.
Congratulations, then, to those discerning readers who, er... opted to optimize? (ZV)
2) McDonald’s
3) Dadeo
Best Italian
1) Sorrentino’s
2) Chianti
3) Sicilian Pasta Kitchen
Best Greek
1) Yianni’s
2) Koutouki
3) It’s All Greek to Me
Best Indian
1) New Asian Village
For the past 15 years, the New Asian Village, with its sweeping view of Edmonton’s river valley and elegant dining room has invited foodies to dine like maharajahs. Family run, the restaurant boasts excellent service with a personal and knowledgeable touch. The extensive menu, featuring succulent Shahi Butter Chicken, tender tandoori, and tikkas galore, is a profoundly mouthwatering tome and has consistently garnered the restaurant Best of Edmonton nods from contented diners. Favourites on the menu are the Channa Masala (chickpea curry with tomato and onion) with Bhatura, and, for dessert, Kulfi—a paradisial frozen confection of evaporated milk, almonds and sweetness. Also setting New Asian Village apart for greatness is the veritable Baedeker of a beer fridge —blonde, stout, dark or amber, there’s a beer to suit your preference, and the weekly dinner buffet as well as the daily lunch buffets are a thing of beauty. (BDC)
2) Khazana
3) Punjabi Sweet House
Best Chinese
1) Dynasty
2) Lingnan
3) Oriental Veggie House
3) Pear River
Best Mexican
1) Julio’s Barrio
2) Acajutla
3) Taco Time
Best Thai
1) The King and I
2) Sukhothai
3) Bua Thai
Best Vietnamese
1) Doans
2) Pagolac
3) Golden Bird
Best new restaurant
1) Culina
2) Langano Skies
3) Wild Tangerine
Best ice cream/yogurt/gleato
1) Baskin Robbins
2) Marble Slab
3) Block 1812
Best desserts
1) Cheesecake Café
2) Vi’s
3) Block 1812
Best organic food
1) Planet Organic
2) Roots
3) Big Fresh
Best bakery
1) Bee Bell Bakery
2) Italian Bakery
3) Tree Stone
Best Deli
1) Italian Center Shop
2) Save On
3) Sunterra
Best seafood
1) Billingsgate
2) Red Lobster
3) Atlantic Trap and Grill
Best steak
1) The Keg
2) Hy’s Steak House
3) Jack’s Grill
Best Japanese
1) Mikado
2) Kyoto
3) Japanese Village
Best late night eats
1) Boston Pizza
2) Funky Pickle
3) Keagan’s
Best brunch
1) High Level Diner
2) Hotel MacDonald
3) Sawmill
Best high-end dining
1) Characters
2) Hardware Grill
3) Jack’s Grill
Best beer selection
1) New Asian Village
I’m not much of a beer drinker, but when I do get a craving for the hop-juice I tend to be the worst kind of beer snob. Needless to say, the southside New Asian Village (10143 Saskatchewan Dr)—Edmonton’s oldest (approaching the two-decade mark) and most venerable Indian—is my fave watering hole given it boasts the city’s best selection of beers: almost 250 international and local beers hailing from as many as 30 countries. Quaffable offerings run the full gamut from ethereal lagers to heavy wheat and rice beers, meeting any and all personal tastes as well as offering up the best possible pairings for the restaurant’s superb cuisine. For my money, nothing pairs better with that icy brew than a bracing Tandoori-cooked dish, myriad grilled Nan breads and the restaurant’s saffron-laced Biyarni, chock-a-block with cashews and raisins. (Note: beer is a perfect palate cleaner and helps even the most spice-averse gourmet handle curries and assorted spices with effortless ease.) While I tend to lean towards lagers from Belgium or Germany while visiting the Village, popular imported beers with patrons include: Raj from India, Dusker from Kenya, and Boddington from England. (GB)
2) Brewsters
3) Savoy
Best wine list
1) Hardware Grill
2) Il Portico
3) Century Grill
3) Earls
Best place for an after work drink
1) Savoy
2) Windsor Pub and Grill
3) 1904
3) Black Dog
3) Brewsters
SEX
Best strip club
1) Diamonds
2) Showgirls
3) Crazy Horse
Best place to pick up
1) The Standard
2) New City
3) Gas Pump
Best lingerie store
1) La Senza
2) La Vie En Rose
3) Dawn’s Bratique
Best fetish wear
1) B&D Emporium
2) Sanctuary
3) Rodeo
Best sex toy shop
1) Love Boutique
2) Love Shop
3) Source Adult Video
Best adult video store
1) Source Adult Video
2) Adult Superstore
3) Express Video
Most discrete porn shop
1) Source Adult Video
2) Adult Superstore
3) Alternative Video
Best massage parlour
1) Sinderella’s
2) Fantasy Massage
3) Cloud Nine
SHOPPING
Best place to get fit
1) Club Fit
2) Kinsmen
3) World Health Club
Best place to buy vinyl
1) Blackbyrd Myoozik
2) Listen
3) Sound Connection
Best CD store (new)
1) A&B Sound
2) HMV
3) Megatunes
Best CD store (used)
1) Blackbyrd
Blackbyrd Myoosik’s been in the game for a number of years now and not without lack of trying: knowledgeable staff, obscure selections, and an interesting in-store atmosphere are hallmarks of their success. But their longevity is due largely to a powerful used catalogue. For one, they have (at one time or another) employed a used CD section that was split into the day of the week that the CD came in, giving a certain level of perspective on where the product came from. One of the best examples of a spectacular find on my behalf was picking up a copy of the temporarily out-of-print Since I Left You by The Avalanches, and that sort of thing happens a lot around these parts. The best thing about a good used record store is that you get the instant gratification of buying music with a cheaper price tag with the added element of surprise. You might liken it to the crane game: put it down, pull it up, and you might come across a limited-run EP. And that’s why they keep coming back. (RP)
2) Southside Sound
3) Sound Connection
Best DVD store
1) A&B Sound
2) HMV
3) Best Buy
Best independent bookstore (new)
1) Greenwoods
2) Audrey’s
3) Edmonton Bookstore
Best chain bookstore
1) Chapters
2) Indigo
3) Coles
Best used bookstore
1) Wee Book Inn
2) Edmonton Bookstore
3) Athabasca
Best car stereo
1) A&B Sound
2) Certified Radio
3) Visions
Best computer store
1) Compusmart
2) Best Buy
3) MDG
Best independent movie rental store
1)Alternative Video
Located in the heart of Old Strathcona, Alternative Video Spot is a small business that caters to people who care about film. Locally owned and operated, the store’s objective is to bring Edmontonians the best movie selection at the most reasonable prices. They carry a wide range of videos and DVD titles for rent, including the most recent new releases, hard to find independent and alternative films, documentary features, cult classics, Canadian films, as well as an excellent selection of foreign titles featuring directors such as Bergman, Fellini, Kurosawa, and Wong Kar Wei. A nerdy film fan’s wet dream! (NC)
2) Movie Studio
3) Sneak Preview
Best chain movie rental store
1) Blockbuster
2) Rogers
3) Movie Studio
Best art supply store
1) The Paint Spot
2) Michaels
3) Colours
Best home decor store
1) Ikea
2) Home Outfitters
3) Home Sense
Best women’s clothing store
1) Winners
2) Nokomis
3) Donovans
Best pawn shop
1) Cash Canada
2) Uncle Ed’s
3) Cash Converters
Best shoe store
1) Gravity Pope
2) Aldo
3) Payless Shoes
Best bike shop
1) United Cycle
2) Red Bike
3) Western Cycle
Best hair stylists/salon
1) Sacre Bleu
2) Swizzle Sticks
3) Eveline Charles
Best magazine store or newsstand
1) Hub Cigar
So, Stephen Mandel’s surprise win over perennial favourite Michael Phair wasn’t the only big upset in this year’s poll. As far back as one can remember, McDonald’s brand of deep-fried potato sticks have held a baffling yet indisputably tight grip on first place in this category.
No more—the Golden Arches glisten a little less greasily this go-round as the bright lights of New York Fries, another franchise, takes top prize.
SEE contacted McDonald’s world domination headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois for comment on the matter, conceivably their biggest PR disaster since Morgan Spurlock became a household name. Their media-relations office said they’d have a representative call back by the "end of the day," but as of press time... they never did!
2) Chapters
3) Front Page
Best place to buy jeans
1) Winners
2) Gap
3) Old Navy
Best clubwear store
1) Le Chateau
2) Forever XXI
3) Polly Magoo’s
Best place to get pampered
1) Eveline Charles
2) Spasation
3) The Spa Club
Best outdoor gear
1) Mountain Equipment Co-op
2) Campers Village
3) Coast Mountain Equipment
Best travel agent
1) Travel Cuts
2) Jolly Time Travel
3) AMA
Best furniture store
1) Ikea
2) Urban Barn
3) Finesse
Best ski/board shop
1) Sport Check
2) Sundance
3) Plush
Best skateboard shop
1) Plush
2) Easyrider
3) Famous
Best tattoo parlour
1) Ritualistics
2) Ink Machine
3) Eye of the Lotus
Best piercing studio
1) Divine
2) Ritualistics
3) Strange City
Best wine store
1) Liquor Depot
2) Cristall’s Wine Market
3) De Vine Wines and Spirits
Best musical instrument store
1) Avenue Guitars
2) Mothers
3) Long & MacQuade
Best Camera Shop
1) McBain
2) London Drugs
3) Black’s
Best place for yoga gear
1) Lululemon
2) Winners
3) Goodwill
Best consignment store
1) Robes and Relics
Best vintage clothing store
1) Value Village
2) Divine Decadence
3) Goodwill
Best futon store
1) Ikea
2) Heaven Sent
3) FCC Futon
Best tailor
1) Harry Rosen
2) Capital City Tailors
3) Sam Abouhassan
Best shoe repair
1) Richard’s Shoe Repair
You’ve really got to appreciate an establishment dedicated to bettering something that you spend all day stomping all over and sweating into. But Richard’s Shoe Repair isn’t just dedicated, they’re damn talented at making shoes that you’ve nearly destroyed functional again, and they’ve been doing it sincle you were in sleepers. From resoling your favourite leather digs to replacing faulty zippers and buckles, to dieing leather (do you know how hard it is to do that yourself?) to fixing mangled heels or even just providing you with a pair of insoles, Richard’s is the place reputable shoe stores will tell you to bring the wares you treat so poorly. All technical prowess aside, Richard’s has the best sign/mural too—you can’t be taking this stuff for granted. (JW)
2) Coronoa Shoes
3) Shoemasters
Best comic store
1) Warp 1
2) Wizzard
3) Comic King
Best florist
1) Laurel’s
2) Bunches
3) The Artworks
Best cannabis/hemp shop
1) True North
2) Two Guys With Pipes
3) Shell Shock
Best internet café
1) Naked Café
2) Campus Copy Centre
3) Bohemia
Best Yoga Studio
1) The Yoga Loft
2) Lion’s Breath
3) U of A |
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SEE STAFF
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