Augusta Magazine features the Best of Augusta

photo by John Harpring

Best of Augusta Magazine

by Dan Pearson

What defines the best there is? Ask any business in town and they'll be glad to tell you they're the best. Ah, but what do the people say? Who's got the certified street credit that can't be bought at any price? Why, it's the winners on the following pages, champions one and all in the court of public opinion. As the gavel descends, let's read on for the decision of the judges. All rise!

FOOD

With new restaurants opening every month and old restaurants closing their doors forever (Cafe Du Teau, rest in peace), how is one to navigate through the Augusta culinary scene? Follow your nose and growling stomach as we guide you through the most delicious and devilishly tempting delights that Augusta chefs and bartenders have to offer. Just make sure you wear a belt so you can open your top button afterwards.

Chinese Food

1. Shangri-la
2. Ming Wah
3. Formosa

Japanese Food

1. Miyabi
2. Matsu Sige
3. Mikoto of Kurama

Thai Food

1. Mai Thai
2. Thai Kitchen
3. Thai Jong

Mexican

1. Monterrey
2. Vallarta
3. Teresa's

Italian (National)

1. Carrabba's
2. Olive Garden
3. Macaroni Grille

Italian (Local)

1. Luigi's
2. Mimmo's
3. Guiseppe's

Downtown Restaurant

1. Luigi's
2. Pizza Joint
3. Tie: Blue Sky
3. Tie: La Maison
3. Tie: Boll Weevil

Elegant Dining

1. Calvert's
2. Bistro 491
3. Tie: Augustino's
4. Tie: La Maison

Outdoor Dining

1. Rhinehart's
2. Vallarta
3. Tie: Pizza Joint
4. Tie: Cotton Patch

Sunday Brunch

1. Partridge Inn
2. Pepper Mill
3. Palazzo's

Down Home Cooking

1. Hot Foods by Calvin
2. Wife Saver
3. Café 209

Breakfast

1. Malley's
2. Waffle House
3. Sunrise Grille
4. Whistle Stop Café

New Restaurant

1. Bonefish
2. Loco's
3. Sheehan's

Restaurant Overall

1. French Market Grille
2. Augustino's
3. Calvert's

Best Undiscovered

1. Cuizine
2. Sheehan's
3. Rae's Coastal Café

Business Lunch

1. Partridge Inn/Veranda Grille
2. Augustino's
3. 6th at Watkins

Friendly Service

1. French Market Grille
2. Augustino's
3. Tie: Fatz Café
4. Tie: The Village Deli

Place to Go When Someone Else Pays

1. Calvert's
2. Bistro 491
3. La Maison

Waiter/Waitress

1. Paula White @ French Market
2. Gene Gurley @ Village Deli
3. Tie: Andres @ Mellow Mushroom
3. Tie: Lena Corley @ Mellow Mushroom

Chef Caterer

1. Very Vera's
2. Da Vinci
3. Tie: Roux Catering
3. Tie: Hot Foods by Calvin

Appetizers

1. French Market Grille
2. Bonefish
3. Tie: Wild Wings
4. Tie: Chili's

Barbecue

1. Sconyer's
2. Famous Dave's
3. Motts

Ribs

1. Tony Roma's
2. Famous Dave's
3. Sconyer's

Wings

1. Wild Wings
2. Wing Stop
3. T-Bonz

Seafood

1. T's
2. Bonefish
3. Rhinehart's

Sushi

1. Takosushi
2. Matsu Sige
3. Mikoto

Steak

1. T-Bonz
2. Outback
3. Long Horn

Catfish

1. T's
2. French Market Grille
3. Old McDonald's Fish Camp

Fried Chicken

1. Wife Saver
2. KFC
3. Zaxby's

Soup

1. Sunshine Bakery
2. Walton Way Deli
3. Atlanta Bread Company

Pizza (Dine In)

1. Pizza Joint
2. Giuseppe's
3. Mellow Mushroom

Pizza (Take Out)

1. Pizza Hut
2. Papa John's
3. Domino's

Hot Dog

1. Sonic
2. Dino's
3. Rollin' Franks

Burrito

1. Barberitos
2. Tie: Nacho Mamas
2. Tie: Monterrey's
3. Salsa

Sandwich

1. Atlanta Bread Company
2. Subway
3. Tie: Panera
3. Tie: Baldino's

Hamburger

1. Village Deli
2. T-Bonz
3. Backyard Burger

Bread

1. Atlanta Bread Company
2. Panera
3. Sunshine Bakery

Salad

1. California Dreaming
2. Olive Garden
3. Ruby Tuesday

Dessert

1. Boll Weevil
2. Da Vinci Cakes
3. French Market Grille

Pastries/Cookies

1. Da Vinci Cakes
2. Sunshine Bakery
3. Fresh Market

Special Occasion Cakes

1. Publix
2. Da Vinci Cakes
3. Very Vera

Donuts

1. Krispy Kreme
2. Dunkin Donuts

Bagels

1. Malley's
2. Bagel Factory
3. Panera

Ice Cream/Yogurt

1. Bruster's
2. Cold Stone Creamery
3. Dip N Dots

Wine Selection

1. Harvards
2. Tie: Wine World
2. Tie: Vineyard
3. Cadwallader's

Wine Menu

1. Cadwallader's
2. Calvert's
3. La Maison

Beer Selection

1. Harvards
2. Wine World
3. Fresh Market

Beer Menu

1. Pizza Joint
2. Limelight
3. Red Hugh's

Margarita

1. Vallarta
2. Monterrey
3. Teresa's

Martini

1. French Market Grille
2. Modjeska
3. Room 9

Iced Tea

1. Wife Saver
2. Sunshine Bakery
3. Sconyer's

Coffee

1. Starbucks
2. PJ's
3. Abbi's Coffee Mill

SHOPPING

The finest ways to release the hounds trapped in your wallet that so desperately want to be spent. We tell you the best places to divest yourself of your earnings; you choose the method of payment-paper or plastic.
Men's Clothing

1. Boardroom
2. Dillard's
3. Lionel Smith Ltd.

Women's Clothing (Department Stores)

1. Steinmart
2. Dillard's
3. Macy's/Rich's

Women's Clothing (Boutiques)

1. Summerville Rags
2. The Village
3. Via Mizner

Children's Clothing

1. Posh Tots
2. Baby Banks
3. Jancy's

Place to Buy Shoes

1. Shoe Studio
2. Dillard's
3. Main and Taylor

Supermarket

1. Publix
2. Kroger
3. Fresh Market

Gourmet Groceries

1. Fresh Market

Seafood Market

1. Fresh Market
2. Publix
3. Island Seafood

Produce

1. Fresh Market
2. Tie: Saturday Market on Broad
2. Tie: Farmer's Market
3. CG's

Nursery/Garden

1. Green Thumb
2. Bedford
3. Green Brier

Book Store

1. Barnes & Noble
2. Borders
3. Books-a-Million

Gifts

1. Cudos
2. Sweetbriar Fair
3. Design Images

Place to Shop Husband/Boyfriend)

1. Rivers Glenn
2. Windsor
3. Dillard's

Place to Shop (Wife/Girlfriend)

1. Windsor
2. Summerville Rags
3. Tuscany Spa

Home Furnishings

1. Weinberger's
2. Ashley
3. Bassett

Antiques

1. Merry's Trash and Treasures
2. Louise Mulherin
3. Trends and Traditions

Fine Jewelry

1. Windsor
2. Doris Diamonds
3. Jeweler's Bench

Car Accessories

1. Trucks and Moore
2. Dealer Options
3. Auto Zone

New Store

1. Kohls
2. Marshall's
3. Rooms 2 Go

BEAUTY AND FITNESS

As the saying goes, if you work hard, play hard. Here are the best places to break a sweat, then follow it up with some hard-earned and well-deserved pampering.

Exercise Facility

1. Family Y/YMCA
2. Omni
3. Health central

Masseuse

1. Tuscany
2. Raintree
3. Health Central

Facial

1. Tuscany
2. Paradise
3. DJ & Co

Eyebrow Shaping

1. Tuscany
2. Jill Wagenner
3. Shapers

Personal Trainer

1. Dimitris Jones
2. Annie (Health Central)
3. John Weiss

Place to Swim

1. Aquatic Center
2. Health Central
3. YMCA

ENTERTAINMENT

We all need the occasional dose of R&R. Well, here are some outstanding people and places to help you R (not to mention R).

Local Performing Artist

1. Behind the Masque
2. Hellblinki Sexton
3. Davidson Drama Students

Visual Artist

1. Ed Rice
2. Phyllis Morsburger
3. Rhian Swain-Giboney

Singles Spot

1. Modjeska
2. Soul Bar
3. Metro Coffeehouse

Dance Spot

1. Modjeska
2. The Vue
3. Cadillacs

Late Night Spot

1. Modjeska
2. Bees Knees
3. Saint's

Bartender

1. Paula White @ French Market Grille
2. Kenny Morrison @ Metro
3. Judy Whitaker @ Fox's Lair

Place to Throw Darts

1. Surrey Tavern
2. Limelight
3. Sports Center

Place to Play Pool

1. Sports Center
2. Robbie's
3. Metro Coffee House

Bar to Watch People

1. Wild Wing
2. Soul Bar
3. Metro

Karaoke

1. Greene Streets
2. Cotton Patch
3. Fox's Lair

New Bar/Night Club

1. The Vue
2. Country Club
3. Red Hugh's

Place to Be Seen

1. Pinnacle Club
2. Church
3. Modjeska

Public Golf Course

1. Jones Creek
2. Goshen Plantation
3. Tie: Forrest Hills
3. Tie: River Club

Private Golf Course

1. West Lake
2. Augusta Country Club
3. Champion's Retreat

Tennis Courts

1. Newman Tennis Center
2. Forrest Hills Racquet Club
3. Petersburg Request Club

Local Park/Recreational Facility

1. Patriots Park
2. Hickman
3. Warren Road

Tourist Attraction

1. Augusta Canal/Boat Tours
2. Riverwalk
3. Fort Discovery

Place to Spend a Rainy Afternoon

1. Augusta Mall
2. Morris Museum
3. Tie: New Library in Evans
4. Tie: Library

Place to Spend the Day Outdoors

1. Riverwalk
2. Clark's Hill
3. Augusta Canal

Place to Walk Your Dog

1. Riverwalk
2. Augusta Canal
3. Lake Olmstead

Car Wash

1. Top Notch
2. Harvey's
3. Squeaky's

Barber Shop

1. Daniel Village
2. King's Crown
3. Durden

Public Restroom

1. Publix
2. Dillard's
3. Pinnacle Club

Place to Buy Gas

1. Circle K
2. Wal-Mart
3. Kangaroo

Cheap Date

1. Riverwalk
2. Bruster's
3. History Museum on Sunday

Place to Propose Marriage

1. Riverwalk
2. Calvert's
3. Partridge Inn

Place to Break off a Relationship

1. Riverwalk
2. Augusta Mall
3. Green Jackets Game

Local Charity

1. Golden Harvest Food Bank
2. MCG Children's Center
3. Salvation Army

Fund Raiser

1. Junior League Attic Sale
2. 12 Bands of Christmas
3. Morris Museum Gala
Christmas Lights Display

1. Fat Man's
2. Downtown Augusta
3. Hopeland Gardens

Historic Landmark

1. Sacred Heart Cultural Center
2. Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson
3. Enterprise Mill

Hot Local Issue

1. Local Politicians/Commissioners
2. Race Track
3. Charles Larke

Bumper Sticker

1. Hang Up and Drive
2. PBS Mind in a Fox News World
3. Support our Troops

Local Secret

1. Phinizy Swamp
2. Pinnacle Club
3. Saturday Market on Broad

Things to Happen in Augusta

1. Arts in the Heart of Augusta
2. Tie: Mayor Copenhaver
2. Tie: Masters(r)
3. Best of Augusta Bash

Reason to Live in Columbia County

1. Schools
2. New Library
3. Richmond County Government

Reason to Live in Richmond County

1. Historic Homes/Buildings
2. Shopping, Restaurants and Convenience
3. Downtown

MEDIA

Weather is important. So are sports. And traffic reports. And music. It's important to keep up with the news. These are the people who do the best job informing and entertaining us via broadcast and print media. And who also have the Best Hair.

Local TV Station

1. WJBF
2. WRDW
3. WAGT

Local TV Personality - News

1. Brad Means
2. Tie: Jennie Montgomery
2. Tie: Laurie Ott
3. Mary Morrison

Local TV Personality - Sports

1. John Hart
2. Tara Miller
3. Chris Kane

Local TV Personality - Weather

1. George Meyers
2. Bob Smith
3. Matt Monroe

Local Radio Station

1. WGAC
2. Kicks 99
3. WBBQ

Local Talk Radio Personality

1. Austin Rhodes
2. Harley Drew

Local Radio DJ

1. Mark Summers
2. Harley Drew
3. Dale Thomas

Local News Story

1. Linda Schrenko
2. James Brown Festival
3. Mill Closings
Local Writer/Columnist

1. Bill Kirby
2. Don "Ramblin" Rhodes
3. Sylvia Cooper

Best TV Hair

1. Jennie Montgomery
2. Laurie Ott
3. Matt Monroe

Favorite Part of Augusta Magazine

1. Around Town
2. Best of Augusta
3. Dine Out

Billboard

1. Morris Museum
2. Fort Discovery
3. Chik-Fil-A

MUSIC

Nothing adds to the ambiance of a night out more than a gentle serenade. Or yodeling and screeching guitar solos, if that's your thing. These are the local bands with the skills to top the bills.

Local Male Vocalist

1. Pat Blanchard, Jr.
2. Jamie Jones
3. Tie: Nick Brush
4. Tie: Brian Kelly

Local Female Vocalist

1. Tara Scheyer
2. Eryn Eubanks
3. Julia Easterland

Local R&B Band

1. Tony Williams & Blues Express
2. Playback
3. Unmentionables

Local Jazz Band

1. Quiet Storm
2. J.J. Maj
3. Hakim Rashul & Company

Local Country Band

1. Silver Dash
2. Reese Reeves
3. Crosstie Walkers

Local Rock/Alt Band

1. Edison Project
2. Last Chance
3. Carbonic Machine

Local Bluegrass Band

1. Split Rail
2. Eryn Eubanks & the Family Fold
3. Carl Purdy

Local Christian/Gospel Band

1. Eryn Eubanks
2. One Way
3. The Wave

School Band

1. Evans High School
2. T.W. Josey High School
3. Lucy Laney High School