The readers have spoken and determined this year’s Best of the City winners in dozens of different categories.
Representatives from voters’ No. 1 choices for such things as best restaurant for Thai food (Baan Thai) and Japanese food (Japanese Village), best used book store (Russell Books), best flower shop (Brown’s the Florist), best wine store (Everything Wine) were among those welcomed at The Wellesley retirement community on Thursday (June 27), as Black Press unveiled the annual community awards.
A number of businesses, community service providers and even an individual – morning man Ed Bain of 100.3 The Q radio, who doubles as weather man on CHEK-TV – took top spot in multiple categories.
Some merchants added to longstanding titles atop their respective categories, such as Thrifty Foods for best grocery store, and Ming’s Restaurant, which captured a 10th straight win for best Chinese food.
For these Greater Victoria icons and all of the top three finishers in this year’s Best of the City awards, the results proved they are among the best reasons to live in the Capital Region.
Best of the City was delivered in select copies of the June 28 Victoria News.
Find feature stories from the 2013 Best of the City soon at vicnews.com/lifestyles/tourism/.
The list of top three finishers by category and topic is as follows:
LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Place to take a tourist
1st BUTCHART GARDENS
2nd INNER HARBOUR
3rd DALLAS ROAD
Best Place to take a parent
1st BUTCHART GARDENS
2nd BEACON HILL PARK
3rd THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS
Best place for afternoon tea
1st THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS
2nd THE WHITE HEATHER TEA ROOM
3rd MURCHIE’S
Best Place to escape urban stress in the city
1st BEACON HILL PARK
2nd MOUNT DOUG PARK
3rd WILLOWS BEACH
Best place to walk your dog
1st DALLAS ROAD
2nd THETIS LAKE
3rd ELK LAKE
Best place to meet a mate
1st STARBUCKS
2nd THRIFTY FOODS
3rd UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Best free fun
1st BEACON HILL PARK
2nd INNER HARBOUR
3rd DALLAS ROAD
Best Place to worship
1st CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
2nd ST. ANDREWS CATHEDRAL
3rd GLAD TIDINGS CHURCH
Best Museum
1st ROYAL BC MUSEUM
2nd MARITIME MUSEUM
3rd ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA
Best adventure tourism
1st WILD PLAY ELEMENT PARKS
2nd PRINCE OF WHALES
3rd EAGLE WING TOURS
Best outdoor art
1st MOSS STREET PAINT- IN
2nd GOVERNMENT STREET CHALK ART
3rd INNER HARBOUR
Best place to spot a celebrity
1st FARIMONT EMPRESS
2nd INNER HARBOUR
3rd GOVERNMENT STREET
Local celebrity you’d like to invite to dinner
1st ED BAIN
2nd DAVID FOSTER
3rd HUDSON MACK
Best Place to spot a ghost
1st ROSS BAY CEMETERY
2nd BASTION SQUARE
3rd VICTORIA GOLF COURSE
Best urban hiking trail
1st MOUNT DOUG
2nd GALLOPING GOOSE
3rd THETIS LAKE
Best romantic beach
1st WILLOWS BEACH
2nd DALLAS ROAD
3rd GONZALES BAY BEACH
Best worst kept secret in Victoria
1st RED FISH, BLUE FISH
2nd THE BLUE FOX CAFÉ
3rd BRASSERIE L’ECOLE
SHOPPING
Best shop for vitamins & nutrition
1st THE VITAMIN SHOP
2nd LIFESTYLES MARKET
3rd POPEYES
Best Bookstore
1st MUNRO’S BOOKS
2nd BOLEN BOOKS
3rd CHAPTERS
Best used Bookstore
1st RUSSELL BOOKS
2nd SMART BOOK SHOP
3rd CHRONICLES OF CRIME
Best Flower Shop
1st BROWN’S THE FLORIST
2nd POPPIES FLORAL ART
3rd THRIFTY FOODS
Best Garden Shop
1st GARDENWORKS
2nd DIG THIS
3rd MARIGOLD NURSERY
Best Thrift Shop
1st VALUE VILLAGE
2nd VICTORIA WOMEN IN NEED COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE
3rd THE SALVATION ARMY
Best Consignment Shop
1st BAJA ROSI’S CONSIGNMENT CABANA
2nd MY SISTER’S CLOSET
3rd THE PATCH
Best new car dealership
1st METRO LEXUS TOYOTA
2nd CAMPUS HONDA
3rd BMW VICTORIA
Best used car dealership
1st GALAXY MOTORS
2nd HOWIES CAR CORRAL
3rd METRO LEXUS TOYOTA
Best for motorcycles/scooters
1st STEVE DRANE HARLEY DAVIDSON
2nd ACTION MOTORCYLES
3rd SG POWER
Best bicycle shop
1st OAK BAY BICYCLES
2nd FORT STREET BICYCLES
3rd RUSS HAYS BICYCLE SHOP
Best for your pets
1st PETCETERA
2nd BOSLEY’S PET FOOD PLUS
3rd PETS WEST
Best for appliances
1st SEARS
2nd TRAIL APPLIANCES
3rd WEST COAST APPLIANCES
Best for hardware
1st THE HOME DEPOT
2nd HOME HARDWARE
3rd RONA
Best kitchen shop
1st COOK CULTURE
2nd CAPITAL IRON
3rd PENNA
Best independent shoe store
1st THE COBBLER
2nd FOOTLOOSE
3rd SHE SHE SHOES
Best fashion boutique
1st STILL LIFE
2nd MANGO
3rd BLISS
Best farmers market
1st RED BARN MARKET
2nd MOSS STREET COMMUNITY MARKET
3rd THE ROOT CELLAR VILLAGE GREEN GROCER
Best for window coverings
1st RUFFELL & BROWN
2nd SEARS
3rd HOME DEPOT
Best for flooring
1st END OF THE ROLL
2nd THE FINISHING STORE
3rd HOME DEPOT
Best for lighting
1st MCLAREN LIGHTING
2nd ILLUMINATIONS LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
3rd THE HOME DEPOT
Best Department Store
1st THE BAY
2nd SEARS
3rd WALMART
Best furniture store (independent)
1st DODDS FURNITURE & MATTRESS
2nd SAGER’S HOME LIVING
3rd LUXE HOME INTERIORS
Best furniture store (chain)
1st THE BRICK
2nd SEARS
3rd URBAN BARN 3rd: ASHLEY FURNITURE
Best for pool/spa
1st CAPITAL IRON
2nd VINTAGE HOT TUBS
3rd TWILIGHT HOT TUBS & BILLIARDS
Best for barbeques
1st THE HOME DEPOT
2nd CAPITAL IRON
3rd CANADIAN TIRE
Best for musical instruments
1st LONG and MCQUADE
2nd TOM LEE MUSIC
3rd LARSEN MUSIC
RESTAURANTS/FOOD & DRINK
Best new restaurant
1st BIN 4 BURGER LOUNGE
2nd JAM CAFÉ
3rd TARTAN TOQUE
Best old school diner
1st FLOYD’S DINER
2nd JOHN’S PLACE
3rd ROSIE’S DINER
Best for first date
1st MILESTONES
2nd IL TERRAZZO
3rd FIRESIDE GRILL
Best seafood
1st PESCATORES SEAFOOD & GRILL
2nd RED FISH, BLUE FISH
3rd NAUGHTICAL NELLIES
Best for steak
1st THE KEG STEAKHOUSE & BAR
2nd BRASSERIE L’ECOLE
3rd PRIME STEAKHOUSE
Best Chinese
1st MING’S
2nd DON MEES
3rd JJ WONTON NOODLE HOUSE
Best Greek
1st SAN REMO
2nd IL GRECO
3rd OPA SOUVLAKI
Best Italian
1st IL TERRAZZO
2nd ZAMBRI’S
3rd PAGLIACCI’S
Best Japanese
1st JAPANIESE VILLAGE RESTAURANT
2nd AZUMA SUSHI
3rd EBIZO JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Best Mexican
1st CAFÉ MEXICO
2nd HERNANDE`Z
3rd LA TAQUISA
Best Vietnamese
1st PHO VY
2nd GREEN LEAF BISTRO
3rd SAIGON NIGHT
Best Indian
1st SIZZLING TANDOOR
2nd THE SPICE JAMMER
3rd SABRI INDIAN CUISINE
Best Thai
1st BAAN THAI
2nd LITTLE THAI PLACE
3rd SABHAI THAI
Best for Breakfast
1st BLUE FOX CAFÉ
2nd JAM CAFÉ
3rd JOHN’S PLACE
Best vegetarian/vegan
1st REBAR
2nd GREEN CUISINE
3rd THE LOTUS POND
Best “all you can eat”
1st Brunch at THE MARINA RESTAURANT
2nd RAYMONDS
3rd PURPLE GARDEN
Best business lunch
1st CACTUS CLUB CAFÉ
2nd MOXIE’S CLASSIC GRILL
3rd LURE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Best for your sweet tooth
1st THE DUTCH BAKERY
2nd ROGERS CHOCOLATES
3rd OOH LA LA CUPCAKES
Best coffee/latte/cappuccino(independent)
1st HABIT
2nd DISCOVERY COFFEE
3rd CAFÉ FANTASTICO
Best ice cream
1st BEACON DRIVE IN
2nd QOOLA FROZEN YOGURT BAR
3rd MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY
Best wings
1st TARTAN TOQUE
2nd HECKLERS BAR & GRILL
3rd 1550’S
Best fish & chips
1st BARB’S FISH & CHIPS
2nd RED FISH, BLUE FISH
3rd HAULTAIN FISH & CHIPS
Best burger
1st BIN 4 BURGER LOUNGE
2nd THE PINK BICYCLE
3rd BIG WHEEL BURGER
Best Pizza
1st PIZZERIA PRIMA STRADA
2nd ROMEO’S
3rd ALI BABA PIZZA
Best patio bar
1st CANOE CLUB
2nd GLO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
3rd THE LOCAL KITCHEN
Best sports bar
1st SHARK CLUB
2nd THE PODIUM SPORTS GRILL
3rd THE STICKY WICKET PUB
Best for a martini
1st VENETO
2nd CLIVES CLASSIC LOUNGE
3rd THE BENGAL LOUNGE
Best pub
1st IRISH TIMES PUB
2nd BARD & BANKER SCOTTISH PUB
3rd THE FERNWOOD INN
Best for scotch
1st BARD & BANKER SCOTTISH PUB
2nd CLIVES CLASSIC LOUNGE
3rd ARGYLE ATTIC 3rd: THE BENGAL LOUNGE
FOOD SERVICE
Best Grocery Store
1st Thrifty Foods
2nd Market on Yates
3rd Fairway Market
Best bulk food store
1st Costco
2nd Thrifty Foods
3rd For Good Measure
Best for produce
1st The Root Cellar
2nd Red Barn Market
3rd Fairway Market
Best organic grocer
1st The Root Cellar
2nd Red Barn Market
3rd Planet Organic
Best bakery
1st Cobb’s Bakery
2nd Dutch Bakery
3rd Wildfire Bakery
Best specialty deli
1st Italian Food Imports
2nd Ottavio Italian Deli
3rd Red Barn Market
Best local brewery/winery
1st Phillips Brewery
2nd Hoyne Brewery
3rd Spinnakers
Best wine store
1st Everything Wine
2nd BC Liqouor Store
3rd Liquor Plus
Best for making your own wine
1st The Wine Maker
2nd Cook Street Village Wineworks
3rd Wine Kitz
Best U-Brew
1st Brew Works – U Brew Victoria
2nd Bedford Brewing
3rd West Coast Brew Shop
SERVICE
Best Hotel
1st The Empress Hotel
2nd Delta Ocean Pointe Resort
3rd Hotel Grand Pacific
Best barbershop
1st Victory Barbershop
2nd Jimmy’s
3rd Status Barber Shop
Best spa
1st Willow Stream Spa at the Empress
2nd The Spa at Delta Victoria – Ocean Pointe
3rd Spa Magnolia
Best manicure/pedicure
1st Willow Stream Spa at the Empress
2nd Alchemy Hair Design & Spa
3rd The Spa at Delta Victoria – Ocean Pointe
Best hair salon
1st Lab Hair Salon
2nd Alchemy Hair Design & Spa
3rd Fish Hair Salon
Best shoe repair
1st Stevenson’s Shoe Clinic
2nd Oak Bay Cobbler
3rd Arcadia Shoe Repair
Best optical/eyewear
1st Goo Goo Goggles
2nd Maycock Eyecare
3rd Costco
Best pharmacy
1st London Drugs
2nd Pharmasave
3rd Shoppers Drug Mart
Best for photo finishing
1st London Drugs
2nd Costco
3rd Walmart
Best place for picture framing
1st Michaels
2nd Island Blue
3rd Opus
Best custom home builder
1st Abstract Developments
2nd Terry Johal Developments
3rd Coastal Construction & Maximillian Huxley Construction
Best condo development
1st Dockside Green
2nd Abstract
3rd The Hudso
Best retirement residence
1st The Wellesley
2nd Berwick House
3rd Carlton Hous
Best tattoo/piercing parlour
1st Urge Tattoos
2nd Tattoo Zoo
3rd Empire Tattoo
Best tire store
1st Kal Tire
2nd Canadian Tire
3rd Big O Tire
Best automotive service (chain)
1st Canadian Tire
2nd Midas
3rd Kal Tire
Best automotive service (independent)
1st Searles Auto Repair
2nd Rand Automotive
3rd Speedy Aut
Best place to improve your smile
1st Academy Dental
2nd Saanich Dental
3rd Mayfair Denta
Best public washroom
1st The Bay Centre
2nd Cactus Club
3rd Empress Hote
Best pet clinic
1st Hillside Veterinary Hospital
2nd McKenzie Vet Services
3rd Kindred Spirits
Best weight loss cente
1st Weight Watchers
2nd Jenny Craig
3rd Curves
Best bank/financial institution
1st Coast Capital Savings
2nd TD Canada Trust
3rd RBC
Best for insurance
1st Coast Capital Savings
2nd Megson Fitzpatrick
3rd BCAA
RECREATION
Favorite local sports team
1st Victoria Royals
2nd Victoria Grizzlies
3rd Victoria Shamrocks
Best yoga studio
1st Moksha Yoga Victoria
2nd Moksana Yoga Center
3rd Feel Good Yoga & Pilates
Best rec centre
1st Oak Bay Recreation Centre
2nd Saanich Commonwealth Place
3rd Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre
Best gym/fitness studio
1st YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria
2nd VI Fitness Centres
3rd Oak Bay Recreation Centre
Best running store
1st Frontrunners
2nd Running room
3rd Peninsula Runners
Best 18-hole golf course
1st Olympic View Golf Club
2nd Highland Pacific Golf
3rd Royal Colwood Golf Club
Best 9-hole or par-3 golf course
1st The Ridge Course at Cordova Bay
2nd Henderson Park Golf Course
3rd Juan de Fuca Golf Course
Best swimming pool
1st Saanich Commonwealth Place
2nd Oak Bay Recreation Centre
3rd Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre
Best dance lessons
1st de Pfyffer Dance Victoria
2nd Karen Clark Dance Studio
3rd Lynda Raino Dance
Best for martial arts
1st Fierce Studio
2nd Zuma
3rd Olson’s Gym Martial Arts and Boxing
KIDS
Best kids’ attraction
1st Beacon Hill Children’s Farm
2nd Victoria Bug zoo
3rd Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
Best kids clothing store
1st Gap kids
2nd The Children’s Place
3rd Abra-Kid-Abra
Best camp for kids
1st Y Camp Thunderbird
2nd Camp Imadene
3rd Camp Pringle
MEDIA
Best local blog
1st Victoria Mom & Victoria Burger Blog & Lip Smacking by Chef Heidi Fink
2nd Mamma Kärlek & GoVegan.net
3rd Style Feed Victoria & The Morning After
Best local radio personality
1st Ed Bain – The Q! Morning Show
2nd KOOL Mornings with Robin & Brian
3rd Dylan and Jason in The Morning Zone
Best local TV personality
1st Hudson Mack – CTV News Vancouver Island
2nd Ed Bain – Chek News
3rd Astrid Braunschmidt – CTV News Vancouver Island
