What’s so special about Sarasota? How about Saturday morning croissants and coffee at C’est La Vie, late-night Peruvian-style seafood at Selva Grill or the white sand of Siesta Beach on any day at any time of the year?

By mail and through cyberspace, you told us about the very best things to see, do, taste and experience in Sarasota. And you told us in record numbers, with a huge range of nominations for everything from the coolest martini to the controversy of the year. Some of the winners are longtime local favorites, but you also chose some newcomers and surprises as the Best of 2007.

Read on to remind yourself of what brought you to this sunny seaside city or to discover new reasons to keep your love affair with Sarasota going strong. Please note that the winner of each category is listed first, followed by two finalists who are listed in alphabetical rather than vote-getting order. Congratulations to all 227—and to you, for saluting and savoring what makes our city great.

To learn more about our winners, be sure to tune in to ABC7’s “Best of Everything” coverage during evening newscasts in May.

Food & Drink

Waterfront Restaurant: Marina Jack
Charthouse, Ophelia’s
Who doesn’t love a delicious meal with an even more delicious view of our sparkling water? Marina Jack’s offers an eyeful of Sarasota Bay and mouthfuls of exquisite cuisine. Enjoy the view and the high life on the second floor or just get casual at the open-air raw bar downstairs. It’s the best of both worlds.

American Restaurant: Patrick’s
Fred’s, Gecko’s, Michael’s On East
No jive, no hype, no chain imitation of all-American authenticity. Patrick’s is the real deal. Sports on the tube. Suits sealing deals. After-hour tête-à-têtes over martinis and Manhattans. Super-sized burgers, sizzling steaks—it’s the all-American joint with a big dose of downtown swank.

Meal Deal: Yoder’s
Honey Tree Cafe, Mel’s
Yoder’s massive menu offers the kind of no-nonsense, hearty fare that will force you to loosen your belt a notch. But even after indulging in platefuls of Amish quesadillas, Hungarian goulash and Southern-style fried fish fingers, you can’t leave without a slice of the famous pie. Make ours peanut butter, please.

Italian Restaurant: Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Café Baci, Caragiulos
Carrabba’s is the stuff of high opera. Each table affords a full view of the kitchen maestros battering calamari, frying zucchini, tossing fettuccine, seasoning the filet fiorentina and crushing fresh garlic over the tagliarini picchi pacchiu. Sing along if you wish—but not with your mouth open.

Central/South American Restaurant: Selva Grill
Columbia, Javier’s
Chef/owner Darwin Santa Maria adds a dash of Peruvian flavor to this happening downtown enclave. Start with ceviche and move to the anticuchos—spicy kebabs of beef drizzled with a garlicky marinade and served over fried mashed plantains. Ask for translations, then ask for more.

Thai Restaurant: Bangkok Restaurant
Siam Orchid, Thai Gardens
Bangkok is available without a plane flight at this spice-infused haven of intricate Thai art, cozy booths and a surprising variety of cuisine. The menu ranges from the four corners of Thailand to the spirited tastes of Burma, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Now boarding.

French Restaurant: C’est La Vie
Café L’Europe, French Affair
This bustling downtown café is the place to bathe in French accents and the sun-splashed colors of Provence. Fill up on leek and potato crepes, crusty baguettes and almond croissants. Practice your French. Or just soak in the scene at one of the coveted sidewalk tables. It’s la vie française in Sarasota.

Japanese Restaurant: DaRuMa
JoTo, Pacific Rim
Zen is the joy of what is: the texture of fresh sushi served barside; the tingle of Asahi beer on your throat; a flick of fire from the tableside grill. Zen and the art of fine dining are practiced at DaRuMa. After all, the name means “father of Zen.”

Chinese Restaurant: Mrs. Chen’s
Empress Garden, Oriental Buffet
Sarasota may not have its Chinatown but, thankfully, it has its Mrs. Chen’s. Crowds gather here to line up for the buffet, although you can ask for table service, too. It’s relaxed and affordable, and no one cares if you play with your chopsticks.

Steakhouse: Fleming’s
Outback, Ruth’s Chris
A good steak is a work of art. The Fleming’s chefs begin with the finest beef, cook it as you like it (at scientifically controlled temperatures, mind you), perform their signature magic and the creation is complete. It’s so perfect it seems a shame to eat it. But you will.

New Restaurant: Rustic Grill
MacAllister’s, Roy’s
Rustic Grill is new but it already feels like it’s always been here. Its cozy interior is reminiscent of an upscale, historic inn with art and antiques, intimate seating and a sophisticated bar that’s dark enough to make you feel glamorous. The menu fuses old-Florida concepts with a global twist. It’s history in the making.

Restaurant to Seal the Deal: Michael’s On East
Fleming’s, Ruth’s Chris, Vernona
You want them to sign on the dotted line? Relax, it’s as good as done. Sink deep into your plush seat while you survey the Who’s Who around you. Bite into the crispy oyster salad. Sip a spicy Zin. Go for a spoonful of chocolate timbale. The art of the deal never tasted better.

Seafood Restaurant: Bonefish
Barnacle Bill’s, Captain Brian’s
Passionate about fish? There’s plenty at Bonefish—even Florida grouper from our own back yard, cooked over a wood-burning grill and drizzled with lime- tomato-garlic marinade. There’s no mystery to Bonefish—just fresh fish cooked the way you want it.

Mexican Restaurant: Mi Pueblo
El Adobe, Two Senoritas
It’s like stepping into a Robert Rodriguez movie. The air is heavy with the smell of fresh tortillas, chilies and cilantro. A mariachi band plays with crackling energy. A mysterious senorita sips her margarita de oro. This is no McTaco joint; everything’s authentic. Indulge your inner desperado.

Romantic Restaurant: Ophelia’s
Bijou Café, Mattison’s Steakhouse (Longboat Key)
A director scouting for location shots for a romantic movie couldn’t find a better spot: dining outdoors or in overlooking the sweep of sparkling water, mangroves and seabirds, perfume wafting from the tropical gardens, an evening sky lifted from Matisse—and a menu to swoon over.

Wine List: Fleming’s
Mattison’s Steakhouse (Longboat Key), Michael’s On East
Offering more than 100 wines by the glass, Fleming’s is to wine lovers what the Chocolate Factory was to Charlie. Explore the world one glass at a time. Or divide your journey into wine flights, and enjoy groupings by region. The “Pick of the Month” offers a taste of rare boutique wines.

Power Breakfast: First Watch
Broken Egg, Serving Spoon
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Well, the most important people in town eat theirs here. The fare is sturdy and the level of competence so high it seems effortless. Powerful people appreciate that sort of thing.

Brunch: Vernona
The Colony, First Watch
Sit outside on the terrace overlooking the bay for a few hours. You’ll need that long. More than 10 stations serve up endless delights, including stone crab claws, jumbo shrimp, oysters, caviar, cured salmon, blinis, waffles, omelets, crepes, cakes, pies. And champagne—don’t forget the champagne!

Bar (tie): Ca d’Zan Lounge, Fred’s
Mattison’s City Grille, Linksters
The Ca d’Zan Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is an experience in comfort, glamour and (good) taste. Ask bartender Peter Whitely to make a chocolate martini; the jazz and dancing will help you work off the calories. Fred’s is where Sarasotans gather to indulge in innovative bistro fare and people-watch while sipping exotic martinis. Tough call.

Restaurant to Eat Outdoors: Mattison’s City Grille
Old Salty Dog, Ophelia’s
Commandeering the best corner in downtown, Mattison’s shares its tables with the sidewalk. The world wanders past while you sip (top-shelf wine list, down-to-earth beers, booze, too) and sup (from sandwiches to rack of lamb) under the Sarasota sky. All that—and music nightly.

Non-Chain Pizza: Il Panificio
Filippo’s, Rico’s
Plato, if he were looking for the ideal pizza, would cease his search here. One bite and you’ll know: It’s what pizza should taste like. And it’s not complicated: crispy crust, simple and fresh toppings. Truth tastes good.

Restaurant to Arrive by Boat: Marina Jack
Old Salty Dog, Ophelia’s
Park your boat and sidle up to the bayside tables where you can dig into blue crab nachos, fried grouper nuggets, fresh oysters and conch chowder. What better way to end a day telling fish stories?

Place for Dessert: Euphemia Haye
Jolly, Yoder’s
You’ve earned your just desserts—so why not go where the desserts are supreme? Upstairs in the intimate Hayeloft, there’s a dazzling show each night. Myers rum pie, bananas Foster and crepes Suzette are just some of the mouth-watering stars.

Place for Salad: Sweet Tomatoes
Bonefish, Columbia
Salad’s not just an afterthought at Sweet Tomatoes. Bright red tomatoes and leafy greens share the plate with pasta, beans, broccoli, potatoes, chicken and cheese. You won’t need anybody to tell you to eat your vegetables.

Best Sushi: Pacific Rim
JoTo’s, Saga
Pacific Rim’s sushi chefs are devoted to the art of sushi. Starting with the freshest ingredients, they add a few deft cuts of the knife (and a lifetime of experience) to create their art. And the hip young crowd adds another fresh and artful note to the experience.

Burger: Patrick’s
Cheeburger Cheeburger, Hob Nob
The burgers at Patrick’s aren’t portion-controlled by committee, cooked by machines, shipped frozen, reheated and served with indifference. They are cooked and served with a passion for perfection—and that’s what makes them the best.

Barbecue: Sonny’s
The Oaks, Woody’s
You’re driving by Sonny’s when, suddenly, the smell hits you. Your mouth waters. You can’t help it. Fire plus food plus barbecue sauce equals a need for a heaping serving of baby back ribs and okra. Now!

Martini: Chocolate Martini, Ca d’Zan Bar
Espresso Martini, Fred’s
Year after year, the Ritz’s chocolate martini is the people’s favorite. Why not? It combines two of the tastier items around: Godiva chocolate liqueur and Stoli vanilla vodka. The people have sipped—and spoken.

Caterer: Mattison’s
Michael’s On East, Morton’s, Nellie’s Deli
Chef Paul Mattison commands an army of restaurants, but his catering commandos can also deliver chez vous whether it’s a dinner for two or a wedding for 400. You’ll be happy. Your guests will be happy. Next question?

Deli: Nellie’s Deli
Publix, TooJay’s
It looks like a deli. It smells like a deli. And, with the overwhelming selection of kosher foods, home-style entrées, cheeses, meats, salads, soups, fresh breads and desserts, it acts like a deli. Who says the friendly neighborhood deli is a thing of the past?

Gourmet Grocery/Market: Morton’s
Publix, Whole Foods
Morton’s is like an old-time grocer with a gourmet edge. It’s intimate, the clerks know your name, and the aroma of fresh-baked bread fills the aisle. But here you can leave with a slab of fois gras, a hunk of artisanal cheese, a pound of wild salmon and a choice Malbec. Progress can be a good thing.

Bakery: Publix
C’est La Vie, Morton’s
The neighborhood bakery isn’t gone. It simply set up shop inside your friendly neighborhood Publix, where shopping for baguettes, bagels, apple pie, rugalach, and cannolis are also a pleasure. You knew.

Ice Cream Store: Kilwin’s
Big Olaf, Cold Stone
What’s more satisfying than ice cream? Homemade ice cream from Kilwin’s. What beats that? Dipping your ice cream into homemade hot fudge at Kilwin’s. Are you ready to surrender?

Happy Hour: Carrabba’s
Fred’s, MT’s
At Carrabba’s, people at happy hour actually look happy. The kitchen is bustling, the sauces are bubbling, and glasses of wine keep arriving. What’s not to be happy about?

Arts, entertainment & sports

Performing Arts Group: Asolo Repertory Theatre
Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet
With its big, top-flight cast (including students from FSU/Asolo Conservatory) and a season that seemed to satisfy both audiences and critics, the Asolo Rep is up for almost anything. Sometimes, more is more.

Local Actor/Actress: David S. Howard
Carolyn Michel, Kate Alexander
Asolo Repertory actor Howard had the audience in the palm of his hand in this past season’s performance as Yogi Berra in Nobody Don’t Like Yogi. For most actors, it would have been a once-in-a-lifetime performance. But Howard always hits it out of the park.

Black-tie Event: UnGala Gala
Mistletoe Ball, Orchid Ball
It’s the unsocial event of the season. Every October, more than a thousand of the well-heeled and well-dressed join in on the uncelebration to benefit the Ringling Museum. From “The Matrix” to “Moulin Rouge,” there’s always an edgy theme, and the setting—the romantic Ringling courtyard—is spectacular.

Place to Work Out: YMCA
Lifestyle, Shapes
The Y finds a happy medium between cinderblock sweat factories and chromium yuppie excess. All the equipment and expertise you could ever need, and not an ounce of pretension. Plus, your fees help underwrite a world of charitable work for needy kids and families.

Place to Watch a Performance: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
FSU Center (“Asolo”), Sarasota Opera House
The Van Wezel is not so big that it’s impersonal, not so small that it’s crowded. The talent ranges from Broadway shows to jazz legends to alternative bands. When you’re at the Van Wezel, you know you’re in for a good show.

Place for Live Music: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Five O’Clock Club, St. Armands Circle
The Van Wezel has been compared to a seashell. If you put your ear up to it, you won’t hear the sea—but you will hear a creative mix of sounds, from B. B. King to Itzhak Perlman to Donna the Buffalo. From anywhere in the hall, the acoustics are superb.

Museum: John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Circus Museum (Tibbals Learning Center), G.WIZ
Circus magnate John Ringling expressed his Baroque sensibilities in a weird and wondrous art collection. Now, with recent expansions—placing it among the 20 largest museums in North America—the Ringling also plays host to world-class traveling exhibitions.

Festival or Special Event: Sarasota Film Festival
Arts Day, Florida Winefest & Auction
The Sarasota Film Festival is not just the talk of the town—it’s the talk of the industry. The recent ninth annual season starred big names, a creative mix of films, seminars with the people who made them and loads of photo ops and swanky parties. It’s the reel deal.

Place to Play Tennis: University Park Country Club
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, Serendipity Racquet Club
Tennis is a grand slam at University Park, with its 11 Har-Tru courts, luxe amenities, tennis clinics and expert staff. But forget all the lavishness around you and concentrate on your game!

Place to Play Golf: University Park Country Club
Bobby Jones Golf Complex, TPC at Prestancia
Golf, in the end, is all about chasing a small, white ball around and hitting it with a stick. At this 27-hole course designed by Ron Garl, it’s easy to get distracted by the sheer beauty of the landscape. Don’t. Follow that ball.

Attraction for Kids: G.WIZ
Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Mote Aquarium
Kids are little scientists. G.WIZ gives them the lab they’ve always dreamed of: crackling Tesla spheres, a game of Mindball played with alpha waves, the footprints of the dinosaurs. Let your children (including your inner child) experiment to their heart’s content.

Beach: Siesta Key Public Beach
Lido, Longboat Key
Sand experts worldwide agree: Siesta’s sand is among the world’s whitest and finest. All that powdery stuff feels good to sink your feet into. Ahhh. That’s what you moved here for, after all.

Goods & Services

Hair Salon: Nuovo
Diane K, Yellow Strawberry
Nuovo is Italian for new and fresh—and it’s the place to go to feel new and fresh. Got stress? Sign up for the Day of Rejuvenation and come away transformed—Aveda-style.

Travel Agency: AAA
Admiral Travel, VIP World Travel
AAA is the first name you think of for maps and emergency road service, but it’s also a leading travel agency. They not only get where you’re going, they make sure you have the vacation of your dreams when you get there.

Children’s/Baby Shop (not a department store): Baby & Kids at Bennett’s
Funtoysia, Little Bo-tique
Dr. Dentons, huggable baby pillows, baby bedding, mobiles of smiling stars. You’ll find something perfect here for the little ones in your life.

Skin Care (tie): NeoDerm, The Met
Monee at Diane K, Body & Spirit
The sun is out to fry you. The experts at NeoDerm and The Met want to pamper the skin you’re in. At NeoDerm, the menu ranges from microdermabrasion and chemical peels to Botox and Restylane injections. The Met offers 5,000 square feet of body services in ultimate luxury. Unless you’re an alligator, you need to discover these places.

Antique Shop: Woman’s Exchange of Sarasota
Crissy Galleries, Sarasota Trading Co.
Sarasota’s greatest attic also contains some great antiques and other assorted treasures. You probably won’t find the Lost Ark of the Covenant at the Woman’s Exchange. But you might.

Bookstore: Barnes & Noble
Main Bookshop, Sarasota News & Books
At B & N, there are book lovers on both sides of the cash register. So, relax. Sit down and spend some time over a book. Drink some coffee. Write your novel. Oh, and buy a book or two.

Bank: Bank of America
SunTrust, Wachovia
Amadeo Giannini, the founder of Bank of America, helped San Francisco survive the 1906 earthquake with loans on a handshake. It’s still a people-friendly bank—with lines that move, tellers who know your name and loans for those who aren’t millionaires.

Florist: Beneva Flowers & Gifts
Lakewood Ranch Florist, Mr. Florist
Beneva Flowers & Gifts is the ultimate one-stop shop for deeply considerate gifts—ordered at the last minute. You can send anyone anything from here: gourmet meals, aromatherapy baskets, stuffed animals, sports gift sets, pasta baskets. Flowers, too!

Art Gallery (not museum): Wyland Galleries
Paradise Gallery, Selby Gallery, State of the Arts
Three-fourths of the earth is covered by water. The art at Wyland reflects that fact. Vivid undersea scenes of whales and dolphins and other sea marvels are rendered with scientific accuracy by Wyland, with fantastic visions by other artists, too. Dive in!

Home Accessories: Home Goods
Pier One, Robb & Stucky
What are a few of your favorite things? Embroidered throw pillows, willow hampers, ceramic table lamps, scented votives, plush towels, garden tools, and ribbed red vases? Ah—home, sweet home.

Furniture Store: Robb & Stucky
Baer’s, Kanes
The folks at Robb & Stucky want to know a little about you before they sell you anything. Buying a chair here is a lifestyle decision—a precise and artful transaction. Where will the chair go? What lamp is nearby? What’s the color of the wall? Take your time—they want you to.

Consignment Shop: Woman’s Exchange of Sarasota
Designer Consigner, Laura Jean’s
You never know what you’ll find at the Women’s Exchange—could even be something you gave away decades ago. But the best thing about this treasure trove of vintage to nearly new is that proceeds are directed to college scholarships and area arts organizations. Need a better reason to shop?

Gift Shop: Funtoysia
Elysian Fields, Persnickity Cat
Featuring classic toys, collectibles, and educational toys, Funtoysia is, well, just plain fun for anyone who loves toys—no matter what age. These toys are made to last for generations. Santa probably shops here.

Swimsuits: SwimMart
Dillards, Splash
What do you mean you haven’t worn a bathing suit in years? You obviously haven’t been to SwimMart, where you’ll be comforted by finding more to choose from than just itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot bikinis. There is a suit waiting to flatter you here.

Spa: The Met
Body & Spirit, The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Sometimes we all need a sanctuary, and The Met offers a whole lot of that with its ultra-luxe treatments in an ambiance adorned with mahogany woodwork, sparkling marble floors and a whispering fountain. A few hours here and all is good. Very good.

Landscaper: ArtisTree
Jeff Hibbs Landscape, Mike Armstrong Landscaping
These green-thumbs-for-hire combine luxury, ecology and artistry. They create natural beauty where none existed before; enhance the beauty that was already there; and make sure gorgeous landscapes stay that way, by caring for them, week in and week out.

Dry Cleaner: Michael the Cleaner
Cove Cleaners, Main Street Cleaners
Clothes make the man (or woman). Michael the Cleaner makes sure they come out of the dry cleaning process looking good as new.

Limousine Service: Luxury Limousines
Executive Limousines, Longboat Limousine
There’s nothing like a stretch limo to make your evening really special, take the edge off turning 40 or remind yourself what it feels like to stretch your legs on the drive back from the Tampa airport. Step up to the executive class.

Retirement Community: Glenridge on the Palmer Ranch
Bay Village, Kobernick House, Plymouth Harbor
It doesn’t feel like anybody’s retired here. The architecture’s people-pleasing and anything but institutional. The Glenridge Performing Arts Center is one of the best auditoriums in town. It makes you want to retire early.

Car Wash: Johnny’s Car Wash
Eager Beaver, University Auto Spa
Your car is an extension of yourself. Your auto-ego will be pampered at Johnny’s. Total car cleansing, canola wax, loving auto detailing. You and your car will shine.

Hotspots & highlights

Neighborhood: University Park Country Club
Downtown, The Meadows
OK, there’s no university there. But there are secluded neighborhoods, shimmering lakes, nature preserves, golf and tennis clubs, and a swanky country club. School’s out forever.

Place to Take Visitors: Beach
Ringling Museum of Art, St. Armands Circle
They’re here from Minnesota and they want to see the beach. Now. Stop arguing and take them there. You can show them the art later.

Free Fun: Beach
Bayfront Park, St. Armands Circle
If you can’t find something to smile about at a Sarasota beach, then you just can’t smile at all.

Local Controversy: District 13 election
Clowns, construction/development, Midnight Pass
Eighteen thousand votes just … disappeared. We suspect a man named Chad is behind it. But we can’t prove anything.

Local TV personality (tie): Heidi Godman, Bob Harrigan
Linda Carson, Scott Dennis
TV has the effect of turning people into personalities. Somehow, Godman and Harrigan remain caring individuals, despite the effects of the tube. That’s why so many people love them.

Part of Living Here: Climate/weather
Beaches, culture/arts
Sarasota would have far less traffic if our bays and beaches were covered with a glacier. But they’re not. Enjoy it.

Thing that could happen here: Sarasota development slows down
More stores and restaurants; solution to traffic problems
The year is 2026. Imagine a developer in a small boat navigating flooded and abandoned neighborhoods, past the shells of empty condominiums. These days, Greenland is the hot spot. Al Gore, it seems, was right. Close up: A tear drops from the developer’s eye. But was that the kind of slowdown you were hoping for?