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Best of Atlanta 2009 Index

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2009 Index of Winners

Best marching band BOA Award Winner

Seed and Feed Marching Abominable

Runner-up
Grady High School
929 Charles Allen Drive, 404-802-3001, www.gradyhighschool.org

Best morning drive-time show BOA Award Winner

Q100

Runner-up
"Morning Edition" (90.1 WABE-FM)
www.pba.org/

Best muckraker in lean media times BOA Award Winner

Jim Walls
The prediction is that online “citizen journalists” will one day replace daily newspapers. There could be something to that if there were more free-range Internet scribes like JIM WALLS, the admitted “ink-stained wretch” behind Atlanta Unfiltered. Having overseen themore...
The prediction is that online “citizen journalists” will one day replace daily newspapers. There could be something to that if there were more free-range Internet scribes like JIM WALLS, the admitted “ink-stained wretch” behind Atlanta Unfiltered. Having overseen the AJC’s investigative reporting unit for 12 years until taking a buyout in 2008, Walls is the master of the public records search. Since launching his site in late March, he’s beaten his old employer on several news stories, including the messy firing of DeKalb Police Chief Terrell Bolton; an illegal attempt by the state Public Service Commission to switch chairmen; and a costly legal malpractice decision against a DeKalb state lawmaker. We’re not sure how Walls makes a living, but having a guy like him on the beat is a benefit to us all. www.atlantaunfiltered.com. less...

Best neighborhood for nightlife BOA Award Winner

East Atlanta

eaca.net


Runner-up
Virginia-Highland
www.virginiahighland.com

Best place to ride your bike BOA Award Winner

Silver Comet Trail

Runner-up
Freedom Park
1500 Clifton Terrace N.E., 404-817-6813, www.freedompark.org

Best posh preschool BOA Award Winner

Riverstone Montessori Academy

Runner-up
Paideia
1509 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-377-3491, www.paideiaschool.org

Best street character BOA Award Winner

Baton Bob

www.batonbob.com


Runner-up
Bicycle shorts man

Best tree to climb BOA Award Winner

Piedmont Park

Runner-up
Decatur Recreation Center
231 Sycamore St., Decatur, 404-377-0494, www.decaturga.com

Best antique store BOA Award Winner

Kudzu Antique Market

Runner-up
Paris on Ponce
716 Ponce de Leon Place, 404-249-9965, parisonponce.com

Best approachable bling BOA Award Winner

Solomon Brothers Fine Jewelry
Anyone who’s ever shopped for diamonds knows about the four C’s: cut, clarity, carat and color. But what about the long-lost fifth C: cost. Can a material girl on a budget ever catch a break? At SOLOMON BROTHERS FINE JEWELRY, the answer is yes. The staid showroom, hidden away on themore...
Anyone who’s ever shopped for diamonds knows about the four C’s: cut, clarity, carat and color. But what about the long-lost fifth C: cost. Can a material girl on a budget ever catch a break? At SOLOMON BROTHERS FINE JEWELRY, the answer is yes. The staid showroom, hidden away on the 17th floor of a Buckhead high-rise, is far from intimidating, and Solomon’s staff is friendly, not pushy. Best of all, you’ll get a quality piece of sparkle for a totally fair price. 3340 Peachtree Road. 404-537-2859. www.solomonbrothers.com. less...

Best Asian food market BOA Award Winner

Super H-Mart

Runner-up
Buford Highway Farmer's Market
5600 Buford Highway, Doraville, 770-455-0770

Best colonic BOA Award Winner

Nile Wellness Center

Runner-up
Midtown Wellness Center
117 Fifth St., Suite 1, 404-347-9444, www.midtownatlantawellness.com

Best drag wear BOA Award Winner

Junkman's Daughter

Runner-up
Psycho Sisters Consignment Boutique
428 Moreland Ave., 404-523-0100, www.psychosistersshops.com
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best florist BOA Award Winner

J Patrick Designs

Runner-up
Candler Park Flower Mart
1395 McLendon Ave., 404-522-0005, www.candlerparkflowers.com

Best furniture for trust fund babies BOA Award Winner

Room & Board

Runner-up
Roche Bobois
3400 Around Lenox Road, Suite 204-205, 404-467-1900, www.roche-bobois.com

Best gamers shop BOA Award Winner

GameStop

And other metro Atlanta locations.


Runner-up
Oxford Comics and Games
2855 Piedmont Road, 404-233-8682

Best head shop BOA Award Winner

Forty Two Degrees South

Runner-up
Junkman's Daughter
464 Moreland Ave., 404-577-3188, www.myspace.com/junkmansdaughteratlanta

Best health food store BOA Award Winner

Sevananda Natural Foods Market

Runner-up
Whole Foods
650 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-853-1681, www.wholefoods.com
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best hip men’s clothing store BOA Award Winner

Boy Next Door Menswear

Runner-up
Urban Outfitters
3393 Peachtree Road, #2241-A, 404-264-8849
1061 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-541-9256
www.urbn.com

Best independent bookstore BOA Award Winner

A Cappella Books

Runner-up
Outwrite Bookstore and Coffeehouse
991 Piedmont Ave., 404-607-0082, www.outwritebooks.com

Best kids' clothing BOA Award Winner

Wiggle

Runner-up
Gymboree
3393 Peachtree Road, 404-846-8707, www.gymboree.com
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best local clothing designer BOA Award Winner

Bill Hallman Original

Runner-up
Michael Knight

Best martial arts studio BOA Award Winner

Unit 2 Fitness

Runner-up
Atlanta Kick
764 Miami Circle, Suite 204 and 206, 404-352-1140, www.atlantakick.com

Best massage therapist BOA Award Winner

Garden View Massage

Runner-up
Robert Joiner

Best maternity store BOA Award Winner

A Pea in the Pod

Runner-up
Izzy Maternity
2385 Peachtree Road, #A2cd, 404-949-0222, www.izzymaternityclothes.com

Best nail salon BOA Award Winner

Jazmin Spa - Little Five Points

And other metro Atlanta locations.


Runner-up
Nail Talk & Tan
62 Fifth St., 404-817-9326, www.nailtalkandspa.com

Best outdoor farmers market BOA Award Winner

Morningside Farmer's Market

Runners-up
Tie
Decatur Organic Farmer's Market
163 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, www.decaturfarmersmarket.com
and
East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market
1231 Glenwood Ave., www.farmeav.com

Best pet store BOA Award Winner

PetSmart

And other metro Atlanta locations.


Runner-up
Highland Pet Supply
1186 N. Highland Ave., #G, 404-892-5900, www.highlandpet.com

Best sneaker store BOA Award Winner

Abbadabbas's

And other metro Atlanta locations


Runner-up
Wish
447 Moreland Ave., 404-880-0402, www.wishatl.com

Best tattoo studio BOA Award Winner

Memorial Tattoo - East Atlanta/Ormewood Park

Runner-up
13 Roses Tattoo
524 Flat Shoals Ave., 404-880-0713, thirteenroses.squarespace.com

Best used CDs BOA Award Winner

Criminal Records

Runner-up
Decatur CD
356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, 404-371-9090, www.decaturcd.blogspot.com

Best yoga studio BOA Award Winner

Kashi Atlanta Ashram

Runner-up
Urban Body
742 Ponce de Leon Place, 404-201-7994, www.urbanbodyfitness.com

Filthy pick: Best bins for bargain-hunting BOA Award Winner

Nearly New Shop
Not all thrift stores are created equal. Some are basically indoor flea markets with dozens of shoppers picking through crowded racks and overflowing shelves. We like those places, too, but sometimes you want a thrift store that’s more like a boutique, with a quieter vibe and better merchandise.more...
Not all thrift stores are created equal. Some are basically indoor flea markets with dozens of shoppers picking through crowded racks and overflowing shelves. We like those places, too, but sometimes you want a thrift store that’s more like a boutique, with a quieter vibe and better merchandise. The NEARLY NEW SHOP, operated by the Junior League of Atlanta, is pricier than Goodwill, but where else are you likely to find Kate Spade bags, Ferragamo shoes, Brooks Brothers suits and Thomas Pink dress shirts? Like any thrift store, the stock turns over constantly, but since Nearly New has a highfalutin donor pool, it’s not unusual to walk out with secondhand haute couture for a steal. 1715 Howell Mill Road. 404-355-3547. www.jlatlanta.org/nearlynew. less...

Best bakery BOA Award Winner

Alon's Bakery and Market

Runner-up
Highland Bakery
655 Highland Ave., 404-586-0772, www.highlandbakery.com

Best brew pub BOA Award Winner

5 Seasons Brewing

Runner-up


Twain's Billiards & Tap
211 E. Trinity Place, Decatur, 404-373-0063, www.twains.net



Editor's Note: The incorrect winner was previously listed. The error has been fixed as of 10/1/09.

Best Burger BOA Award Winner

The Vortex Bar and Grill

Runner-up
Flip Burger Boutique
1587 Howell Mill Road, 404-343-1609, www.flipburgerboutique.com

Best chef BOA Award Winner

Restaurant Eugene

Best chef BOA Award Winner

Rathbun's

Runner-up
Richard Blais of Flip Burger Boutique
1587 Howell Mill Road, 404-352-3547, www.flipburgerboutique.com

Best Chinese BOA Award Winner

Tasty China
Like many Chinese restaurants, TASTY CHINA has gone through numerous chefs and staff changes — the charmingly abrasive hostess Phuong departed this year under mysterious circumstances. But, like a phoenix, the Marietta Szechuan restaurant manages to rise triumphant from every transition. Skipmore...
Like many Chinese restaurants, TASTY CHINA has gone through numerous chefs and staff changes — the charmingly abrasive hostess Phuong departed this year under mysterious circumstances. But, like a phoenix, the Marietta Szechuan restaurant manages to rise triumphant from every transition. Skip the "American" menu and go straight for the good stuff — anything made with Sichuan peppercorns. The french fry-like batons of dry-fried eggplant are as crispy and addictive as ever. The "Shan City chicken" — a pile of boneless or bone-in chicken fried to a crisp with toasted peppercorns and dried red chilis — will have your mouth tingling long after you depart. If the heat is too much to bare, dishes such as the "Slice fish and sour cabbage soup” — a silky and tangy broth swimming with tender pieces of white fish — are mild enough for tamer palates without sacrificing any of the wow factor. 585 Franklin Road, Marietta. 770-419-9849. less...

Best desserts BOA Award Winner

Alon's Bakery and Market

Runner-up
Cafe Intermezzo
1845 Peachtree Road, 404-355-0411
4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 770-396-1344
www.cafeintermezzo.com

Best fried chicken BOA Award Winner

Watershed

Runner-up
South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave., 404-873-7358
1675 Cumberland Parkway, Smyrna, 770-435-0700
www.southcitykitchen.com

Best Indian BOA Award Winner

Bhojanic

Runner-up
Udipi Cafe
1850 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 700, Decatur, 404-325-1933

Best Japanese and Best sushi BOA Award Winner

Sushi House Hayakawa
SUSHI HOUSE HAYAKAWA is one of those rare Japanese restaurants that does exceptionally well on two fronts: The sushi and sashimi is expertly cut, fresh and fabulous, and the hard-to-find home-style Japanese dishes and nightly specials elevate Hayakawa to destination-restaurant status. Golden-fried squidmore...
SUSHI HOUSE HAYAKAWA is one of those rare Japanese restaurants that does exceptionally well on two fronts: The sushi and sashimi is expertly cut, fresh and fabulous, and the hard-to-find home-style Japanese dishes and nightly specials elevate Hayakawa to destination-restaurant status. Golden-fried squid legs served with Japanese mayo, crispy croquettes with a creamy center, roasted gingko nuts, seductively slippery seaweed salads and an assortment of noodle dishes are perfect with an ice-cold carafe of sake from the restaurant's small, but excellent selection. 5979 Buford Highway. 770-986-0010. www.atlantasushibar.com. less...

Best-looking waitstaff BOA Award Winner

Tavern at Phipps

Runner-up
Apres Diem
931 Monroe Drive, 404-872-3333, www.apresdiem.com

Best restaurant for late-night dining BOA Award Winner

Taqueria El Rey Del Taco
Finding something to eat in the wee hours of the morning can be a tough task if greasy spoons aren’t your thing. But Buford Highway has plenty of ethnic options serving food designed to soak up for a belly full of alcohol. TAQUERIA EL REY DEL TACO is one of the best taquerias in Atlanta thatmore...
Finding something to eat in the wee hours of the morning can be a tough task if greasy spoons aren’t your thing. But Buford Highway has plenty of ethnic options serving food designed to soak up for a belly full of alcohol. TAQUERIA EL REY DEL TACO is one of the best taquerias in Atlanta that just so happens to be open daily from 10 to 5 a.m. Handmade tortillas, an abundance of taco fillings, large seafood cocktails and some stellar salsa with serious kick are just as good at 4 in the morning as they are at lunchtime. And the occasional group of rowdy Latina drag queens only adds to the already colorful scenery. 5288 Buford Highway, Doraville. 770-986-0032. less...

Best restaurant to take visitors BOA Award Winner

TWO urban licks

Runner-up
Mary Mac's Tea Room
224 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-876-1800, www.marymacs.com

Best restaurant trend BOA Award Winner

Organic/sustainable

Runner-up
Farm to table

Best restaurant when someone else is paying BOA Award Winner

Bacchanalia

Runner-up
Kevin Rathbun Steak
112 Krog St., 404-524-5600, www.kevinrathbunsteak.com

Best sandwiches BOA Award Winner

Alon's Bakery and Market

Runner-up
Star Provisions
1198 Howell Mill Road, 404-365-0410, www.starprovisions.com

Best seafood BOA Award Winner

Atlanta Fish Market

Runner-up
Six Feet Under
415 Memorial Drive, 404-523-6664
685 11th St., 404-810-0040
www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com

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