What makes Sarasota great? Sunshine, sparkling water and miles of sandy beaches are an enormous part of our city's allure, but fresh Gulf grouper sandwiches, live theater, killer chocolate martinis, homemade tortillas, sophisticated shopping and championship golf are just a few of the other assets-thousands upon thousands of them-you named in this year's "Best of 2006" contest. By mail and by Internet, the ballots arrived in record-setting numbers, and the competition came down to the wire in many of our 74 categories.

As our city keeps expanding, so do the opportunities and experiences, from exotic restaurants and ultra-luxurious spas to trendy boutiques and specialty services, and you honored many of those newcomers along with tried-and-true establishments and attractions.

Our list includes both winners and finalists in every category, with the winners listed first, then finalists in alphabetical order. Congratulations to all-and to you for deciding to live in this best of all possible cities! To learn more about our winners, be sure to tune in to ABC-7's "Best of 2006" coverage during evening newscasts from April 28 through May 19.

FOOD & DRINK

Waterfront Restaurant

Marina Jack

Café On the Bay; Ophelia's On the Bay

Upstairs in Marina Jack's lavish dining room, you can feast on award-winning blue crab cakes and black grouper while gazing out over Sarasota Bay and downtown Sarasota. Downstairs, the open-air raw bar is perfect for casual fare and cocktails.

American Restaurant

Patrick's

Michael's On East; Stonewood Grill

Patrick's combines old-time swank with a casual ambiance. People from all walks of life share the bar, swapping stories, watching the game and digging into juicy cheeseburgers and steaks. A true American classic.

Meal Deal

Yoder's

Mel's Diner; Vernona's "Executive Lunch" at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Corn fritter cakes, fruit Jell-O, liver and onions, spaghetti (nothing "pasta" about it)-these are a few of our favorite Yoder's entrées. But after dinner, there's dessert, and that means choosing between 25 types of homemade pies. For close, affordable encounters of Amish food at its best, there's nothing like Yoder's.

Italian Restaurant

Carrabba's ItalianGrill

Café Baci; Caragiulo's

At Carrabba's, kids play with pizza dough, chefs prepare dishes at Mario Andretti pace in the open kitchen, and adults kick back in the festive buzz with hearty Italian fare. The "Thrill of the Grill," a lusty mix of grilled seafood and meat, will leave you flushed with the cheer of it all.

Chinese Restaurant

Mrs. Chen's

China Palace; Oriental Buffet

For fast and affordable Chinese food, buffet style, Mrs. Chen's will not disappoint. We're not sure what Mr. Chen is doing, but the missus has her hands full with the daily crowds who are willing to wait in line to dig into the spicy fare.

Japanese Restaurant

DaRuMa

JoTo's Japanese Steakhouse; Pacific Rim

At DaRuMa, diners can enjoy tableside Teppan-style dining-or go for the traditional Japanese mat seating or sushi bar. And whether you're watching flashing knives or floating sailboats on Sarasota Bay, the view is great wherever you look.

Thai Restaurant

Bangkok Restaurant

Siam Orchid; Thailand Restaurant; Tropical Thai

Bangkok features classic specialties that hail from the north, south, lowland and coastal regions of Thailand. And it's rich in traditional décor, with exemplary service and a killer Thai tea, too.

French Restaurant

C'est La Vie

Café L'Europe; French Affair

Zut alors, how long has it been since you had a leek and tomato crêpe, a delectable salade Niçoise or a pâté sandwich served on a crispy baguette? Francophiles file into this casual bistro or sit curbside smoking their Gauloises, sipping café au lait and dreaming of la vie en rose.

Central/South American Restaurant

Selva Grill

Columbia; Javier's

The octopus ceviche at Selva Grill is marinated in a Peruvian black olive sauce and topped with sliced avocados and toasted bread. Sound tasty? Better make a reservation fast. This winner fills tables.

Mexican Restaurant

Mi Pueblo

El Adobe; Two Señoritas

Mi Pueblo is the next-best thing to a Mexican vacation. Start with a margarita de oro, follow with tortilla soup and enchilada roja, and finish with a classic, creamy flan. With a lively mariachi band adding to the mix, Mexico seems only a few salsa steps away.

Restaurant to Propose

Ophelia's On the Bay

Michael's On East; Vernona at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Shimmering bay waters, award-winning cuisine, gracious service and stunning sunsets. Pop the question, already!

Restaurant for Seafood

Barnacle Bill's Seafood

Bonefish Grill; Captain Brian's

This always busy restaurant is famous for good seafood, a respectable wine selection, amicable atmosphere and affordable prices. Must-haves include Barnacle Bill's bouillabaisse and the seafood risotto. None of the four locations is on the waterfront, but who's looking out the window?

Restaurant to Seal the Deal

Michael's On East

Fleming's; Vernona at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

This is where the cognoscenti flock to engage in serious talk over serious food. Michael's classic décor, sophisticated menu and discreet service create the ideal environment for the art of networking.