BEST OF THE EASTSIDE 2009 READER’S PICKS

All in all 2009 has been a good year around here. Now, as we head into 2010 we have several new faces in the Eastside dining/entertainment scene. This year’s Best Of drew double the voters as 2008. We left the categories and nominees up to you. It took three 14 hour days to tally the results and here you have them. All listed business addresses are on page 6 for quick reference.
Remember: These are 100% reader voted winners. Eastside Vibe staff had no influence in the outcome of the totals determining the winners or second and third place finishers.
We did add the “Don’t Forget” businesses for a more comprehensive listing.

BEST ITALIAN
Olive Garden
All Locations
2nd year in a row! We don’t see the attraction but this is the reader’s choice awards. So here it is. Obviously big money ads pay off.
Close behind: Carrabba’s, Padrino, Mama Vita’s and Bella Luna.

BEST MEXICAN
Los Cabos
1248 W Ohio Pike Amelia 752-6383
This is a new one to us, we’ll dig deeper and find out why this cantina took top honors.
Close behind: El Pueblo, Acapulco.
Don’t forget: El Picante, Allyn’s and Cazadores.

BEST SOUTHWESTERN
El Coyote
7404 State Road 232-5757
Another 2 years in a row! El Coyote’s brand of Tex-Mex, steaks and chicken has been a local fave forever and a day. Look for coupons in the Reach. You may even see them on our site if El Coyote gives us the okay to post them.
Close behind: Nobody.
Don’t forget: Miguels.

BEST INDIAN
Royal Taj
7711 Beechmont Ave. 231-0500
2 years in a row again! What’s not to love about the lunch buffet? Variety and vegetarian options galore are just two reasons we love the Taj. If your a curious carnivore call and ask when they are featuring goat on the menu. It’s tender like ribs and soaked to the bone in Indian sauces. A must try for all meat eaters. Coupons are available in the guide section and on our web site.
Close behind: Indian Mun and Ambar.
Don’t forget: New Krishna’s.

BEST AMERICAN
Applebee’s
All Locations
How do they pull this off every year? A true icon of corporate restaurants. We don’t see the fact that Applebee’s started an Ohio non smoking policy before the official ban as coincidence. We don’t see anything on the menu worth bothering over either.
Close behind: Terry’s Turf Club, Great Scott and Mamas Grill.
Don’t forget: Batavia Station and Tabby’s.

BEST Traditional
Campbell’s Barn
1836 St. Rt. 125 Amelia, Oh 797-8019
Beautiful building, good ole fashioned menu. This place is where you take your grandparents who scoff at city-fied restaurant food. Campbell’s Barn is famous for serving fried chicken that would make the Colonel cry. The entire menu is definitely Dixie and it’s all cooked with Southern Pride.
Close behind: Bob Evans (Ha!) and Sleepy Hollow.
Don’t forget: The Schoolhouse and Woe Is Me.

BEST BURGER
Terry’s Turf Club
4618 Eastern Ave. 533-4222
You knew it! Terry’s fans will testify to the tastiness of Terry’s terrific burgers. TTC took the top spot with a wide margin. This little burger joint is a must try. The menu is simple, the tables are tight and the line forms at the door way before dinner. The near chaos is well worth the wait for die hard best burger fans. Be warned if elbow rubbin’ with the next table is out of your comfort zone you had better get there at 5. We recommend SPF 10 or higher sunblock to protect yourself from a neon burn.
Close behind: Zips Cafe, Red Robin, Main Street Cafe, By Golly’s and Maloney’s.
Don’t forget: J&B’s “Palmer Burger” and Batavia Station.

BEST VEGETARIAN AND
BEST WRAPS
The Veg Head
920 B Loveland Maderia Rd. 697-7090
Two awards, two years in a row. That should be an award in itself. The Veg Head isn’t just great food, it’s a great concept, a great initiative and a great asset to the community.
There is much to learn from this little family eatery, no matter how many millions a year your restaurant’s income may be. Maybe by 2025, all restaurants will be required to operate like the Veg Head. Pure organic ingredients, full circle recycling (their waste makes compost for their tea!) 100% biodegradable to-go containers/silverware, healthy beverages and additive/preservative free foods are merely par at The Veg Head. Lowering their carbon footprint, contributing nothing to the land fill and educating local school children gives this place top honors every time. Oh yeah, it’s really good too! At the Veg Head healthy doesn’t have to mean boring and bland. Check out that veggie burger (below). Look for a new Veg Head in the Blue Ash area in mid 2010.
Close behind: Nobody.
Don’t forget: Green Dog Cafe.

BEST BBQ & RIBS
Smokey Bones
509 Ohio Pike 528-17255
Two straight years can’t be a lie! That beautiful hardwood bouquet bombards you at the car! They aren’t the first rib joint on the pike, but they are the first smoked rib joint and that’s what counts. Truth is if you ain’t smokin’ your grillin’ and you can’t call grilled food BBQ south of the Mason Dixon line and get away with it. The best corporate menu we’ve seen.
Close behind: City BBQ (1 vote from a tie!), Sleepy Hollow (only 3 votes behind!) and Montgomery Inn.
Don’t forget: Woe Is Me and BBQ Revue.

BEST GYRO
Buffalo Wings & Rings
All locations.
The fact that Cafe Mediterranean didn’t crush this category is proof we aren’t explaining to you all just how good the homemade gyro meat is there. Seriously, it even smells good raw! Wings & Rings gyros are very different by location. George’s in Milford and the Loveland location are the best of the bunch.
Close behind: Cafe Mediterranean.
Don’t forget: Demetrio’s! Our 2007 winner, still one of our all time faves.

BEST PIZZA
LaRosa’s
All Locations 347-1111
2nd year here too. I bet most Cincinnatians would say the same thing if asked by an out of towner. LaRosa’s is as dear to Cincy as the Reds and much more loved than the Bengals. It’s classic pizza and little has changed in the last 50 years other than the ingenious phone number all Cincinnatians know by age 12.
Close behind: Grammas, Dewey’s, Mamma Vita’s, Uno’s and Padrino.
Don’t forget: Flying Pizza, Newtown Village Tavern, Old Boston and Latitudes Anderson (sure they have just one pizza, The Margarita but it’s soo goood).

BEST FRIED CHICKEN
Sleepy Hollow (dine in)
378 Bridge St. Loveland 677-0290
Sundays are chicken days at Sleepy’s. Get there by 4 or don’t complain about the wait. It’s worth it if you have to.
The Hitching Post (take out)
4535 Kellogg Ave 871-4293
“Worlds best fried chicken” is on the sign and no one argues. This remnant of a lost franchise is still kickin’ ass selling fried chicken. We think it’s better than the only other place by the same name in Hyde Park. No they are not connected in any way other than a long gone franchise name.
Close behind: The Schoolhouse, Campbell’s Barn and Batavia Station.

BEST INDIAN BUFFET
Indian Mun
7397 Main St. Newtown 561-7444
Goat curry’s and lamb specialties are frequently on Indian Mun’s lunch buffet menu ($6.99 all December). We have never had anything but excellent food from them and now we expect nothing less.
Close behind: Royal Taj and Ambar
Don’t forget New Krishna, they serve a mean dinner buffet.

BEST BURRITO
Chipotle
All Locations
Go figure. It’s a good thing their burritos are so good because that’s really all they have.
Close behind: Moe’s Southwest Grill.
Don’t forget: Sleepy Hollow! They have been locally famous for their burritos for decades.

BEST WINGS
Buffalo Wings & Rings
Overwhelming votes on this one. The whole wing thing is vast and varied. We’ll break it all down for you in detail in an upcoming issue.
Close behind: BW3’s, Quaker Steak & Lube, Putters, By Golly’s.
Don’t forget: Too many to name.

BEST CHINESE
Rong Tan’s Bistro & Lounge
606 Ohio Pike 752-1907
Rong Tan’s took the top spot by a landslide. Is it the crunchy bottom Cantonese noodles, the crab dinner buffet or the delivery that makes this place #1? We think it just might be the nightlife in the lounge that does the trick.
Wonton by day Rock On by night. Where else?
Close behind: First Wok, Win Wok and Sizzling Wok.

BEST CHINESE BUFFET
China Buffet
4394 Eastgate Square Dr. # 1300 943-7555
Even though we dig the Egg Foo Young at China Buffet the rest of the selections are quite run of the mill at best in our opinion.
Close behind: Rong Tans and Chinatown.

BEST CHILI
Skyline
Aargh! They win it every time in every paper! We love it but c’mon, are there no good chilis out there that aren’t Cincinnati style? Sure it’s a past time but Texas style chili still takes the top spot for us. Skyline will always be disputed, challenged and even ridiculed by other states but here in Cincy they will always be king. We like the chili pups.
Close behind: Gold Star.
Don’t forget: Moonlight Chili, Demetrios and Country Inn.

BEST DESSERTS
Sugar Cupcakery
32 Main Street Milford 340-4166
So new we haven’t even been there yet. It’s off to a hell of start though so we’re going to check it out and give you the details.
Close behind: Graeters and Jerry’s Cheesecakes.
Don’t forget: Marble Slab and Cold Stone Creamery.

BEST BAKERY
Servatii
All Locations
In it’s fourth generation Servatii’s serves 450 delicious family recipes from Europe and America. Almost as dear to Cincy as LaRosa’s and Skyline.
Close behind: Busken’s, Sugar Cupcakery and Panera Bread.
Don’t forget Mt. Washington Bakery.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS
Chick Fil -A
All Locations
What gives with that? We used to like Chick-Fil-A until we read the ingredients in the breading (and the sauces). Now it’s just a bad memory chalked up to corporate crap.
Close behind: Chuck-E-Cheese and CiCi’s Pizza.
Don’t forget: Putters “kids eat free” Mondays and Salem Gardens, everytime we’re there kids are running wild in every direction.

BEST CHEF
Paul Barraco
20 Brix 101 Main Street Milford 831-2749
He cooks with the best of them, TV chef quality on your table every time. Creating seasonal menus, insisting on top quality ingredients such as Tanglewood Chicken, imagination and perfect pairings are just a few of this Milford chef’s strong points. You’ll see more Chef Barraco articles in the future we guarantee.

BEST PLACE TO EAT AFTER MIDNIGHT
White Castle
That’s a given. The original slider... buy em’ by the sack of course.
Close behind: IHop and Steak & Shake.
Don’t forget: Shanghai Momma’s! Yeah it’s downtown but it is east downtown. Their scratch made Asian noodles are well worth the drive. Also Newtown Village Pizza they actually deliver until 2:30 on Fridays & Saturdays.

BEST PUB GRUB
Anderson Bar & Grill
8060 Beechmont Ave. 474-2212
Another 2 years in row winner! Try their fish sandwich and you’ll understand why. Late night 1/2 off appetizer specials, prime rib night (Wednesday), fresh breaded fish and so much more. Try the cheese sticks, they are really cheese egg rolls, the best take on a cheese appetizer we’ve seen so far. ABG serves a lot of food and they know how to do it right.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
The Lounge
7740 Beechmont Ave. 231-2401
We can’t top what we said when they won this last year. “Anderson’s neighborhood Cheers if you will. There is always something going on at the Lounge. Birthday parties, game nights, karaoke, live bands and free appetizers are usually abound. A testament to the true meaning of neighborhood pub. Owned and operated (almost) entirely by ladies, the pub has the warmth of a woman’s touch.”
It still holds true today. This little pub is always in the top spot for best neighborhood bar.

BEST PUB
Stanley’s Pub
323 Stanley Ave 871-6249
With the lack of a real menu we have our doubts as to Stanley’s being classified as a pub. Nevertheless, you voted it so they get it. It is however a good band bar. You see many great jam bands pass thru Stanley’s. They stray from booking the normal classic rock bands and keep the list eclectic and funky. Just for the record, chicken wings on the outdoor grill doesn’t make a bar a pub though.
Close behind: KC’s Pub and Allyns Cafe.
Don’t forget: Shaffer Shack, MTT’s, McLevy’s.

BEST PLACE TO EAT CHEAP
Little Ceasars Pizza
4256 Mt. Carmel Tobasco Rd.
$5 large cheese, pepperoni or sausage says it all. This same place ranked super high on Best Staff too. Great Job Ceasars!

BEST PROMOTIONS
Buffalo Harrys
1001 Lila Ave Milford 831-6307
By Gollys 714 Lila Ave Milford 248-4444
Midget wrestling, toga parties, Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonators are all examples of the By Golly’s/Buffalo Harry’s standard line-up. See why they won? Keep an eye on em’
Close behind: McNamara’s Irish Pub.

BEST PLACE TO SEE BANDS
Rhino’s Bar & Grill
Tied with
Stanley’s Pub/Buffalo Harrys
An exact three way tie. Crazy! Cool thing is they all represent different musical styles/genres. Rhinos books the top rock, Harry’s books the best country and Stanley’s always has the best jam and slamgrass bands. Looks like this Best of thing is damn accurate.
Close behind: Latitudes, J&B’s and K.C’s Pub.
Don’t Forget: All our local pubs & clubs who support live music! The Eastside is stocked with too many to mention.

BEST DANCE BAR
Sports Page Cafe
453 Old state Route 74 Mt. Carmel 688-1009
Still the premier place see booty shakers. Latest hip hop tunes are kept fresh and the occasional wild & crazy half naked girl promotions are bound to be found. It’s Eastside Gone Wild in true spring break fashion. Sports Page is also popular for decent food and sports by day!

BEST KARAOKE
Lebos 5869 Kellogg Ave. 232-1763
In 2020 this place will have 11 awards for Best Karoke on the wall. Nobody takes it more serious than Lebo’s. They really are the Karaoke King.
Close behind: J&B’s Tavern and The Lounge.

BEST KARAOKE HOST
B & B Karaoke
B&B earned a good reputation at the Lounge and Maloneys. They had just enough votes to squeeze out Vince & Tammy followed by Big Daddy Walker.

BEST OPEN MIC
Latitude’s Cafe Anderson
7426 Beechmont Ave. 827-9146
Joe Wolf hosts this long running Anderson area open mic. You know Joe you must be doing a damn fine job to win this year over all the good open mic nights we have in this town. Good job Joe! Check Joe out on youtube doing Tangled Up In Blue.

BEST OPEN MIC HOST
G. Burton
R.P. McMurphy’s
G we have to admit we’ve not yet seen the show, we’ll stop by soon.

BEST DJ
Ryan Lehmkuhl
Ryan is from Cincy DJ Entertainment.
He squeezed DJ Shay off the top spot by 2 votes.

BEST DIVE BAR
Cindy’s Friendly Tavern
125 Karl Brown Way 583-5469
We think Cindy’s is a step up from a dive but either way congratulations to the good folks at Cindy’s. You all run the best bar in Loveland! Just ask the employees at Paxton’s and The Works where they hang out at. If they tell you no lies they’ll tell you The Moose and Cindy’s, what does that tell you?

BEST PLACE TO HOOK UP
Latitude’s Cafe Milford
18 Main Street 831-9888
It’s not what they were going for when they opened the Milford cafe but the fact remains Latitudes has evolved into quite a hot spot for singles. The Anderson location is getting the same rep, just look at the October Steppin’ Out photos... hot!
Close behind: Buffalo Harry’s and Rhinos.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE A DATE
Latitudes Cafe Milford 831-9888
Tied with
20 Brix 101 Main Street Milford 831-2749
Again with Milford Latitudes! Good for them, we can see the connection. Great food, cool hip decor, fresh music and upper level seating for a more private dinner conversation really does sound like a great place to take a date.
20 Brix will get anyone in the mood with their sexy gourmet food and the swanky cosmopolitan vibe. Here is a dinner that’s certain to impress (pictured).

BEST MALE BARTENDER
Sam Khoury
Latitude’s Cafe Anderson
7426 Beechmont Ave. 827-9146
His talents behind the mahogany have taken him all the way to the owner’s position. Just goes to show how far you can go in the service industry if you’re talented and ambitious. Sam and brother Cory have more going for them than most of their peers who went to college. All from learning to take care of customers.

BEST FEMALE BARTENDER
Judy from The Lounge
7740 Beechmont Ave 231-2401
If The Lounge is the Beechmont Cheers, then Judy is the equivalent to Sam Malone. Her (and owner Mary’s) long standing ties to the community solidify her position as bartender, confidant and friend to her customers. “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” The Army is going to have to share that one liner with the Lounge.

BEST SERVER
Cheryl
Putter’s Tavern 5723 Signal Hill 831-5777
She’s also a bartender and manager.

BEST BOUNCER
Cabo Mike
Cabo Mike is a fine example of professionalism. Keep your cool, don’t take anything personal and put the crowds safety first. It seems simple but many bouncers still can’t get it right.
Cabo Mike is currently keeping the peace at Shaffer Shack.

BEST PLACE TO PLAY GAMES
BW3’s
All Locations.
We like the draft hard cider.

BEST PATIO
Quaker Steak & Lube
590 Chamber Drive, Milford 831-5823
Biggest bike night in Cincinnati, right here on the Eastside. Car shows as big as Kroger’s too! The patio design is perfect for the smoking ban. You don’t even need to go inside. You can sit outside rain or shine see all the action and smoke em’ if you got em’
Close Behind: Putters, Tabby’s, Rhino’s and Lebo’s.
Don’t forget: J&B’s, El Picante, KC’s, Rong Tans and The Lounge.

BEST STAFF
Anderson Bar & Grill
8060 Beechmont Ave. 474-2212
The captain of the good ship ABG is Chris Ornella. Chris has steered ABG to the top of the Anderson area pub club. That’s something that eluded the past three owners but Chris works tirelessly to keep his back to the wind, his hands on the wheel and his eyes on everything. It’s natural he would only enlist qualified mates with strong sea legs to serve on the ABG. Super special shout out to Kenny Tarter back in the kitchen! Kenny has served on all three tours of duty under several flags in ABG’s galley and no one knows it better than Kenny. You’re in good hands when Kenny’s on duty. Congrats to the whole staff, your ability, professionalism and experience really shows.
Close behind: Latitudes, Sports Page and Little Ceasars.
Don’t forget: To tip your wait staff!

BEST COUNTRY BAND
Best Original Music
The Dan Varner Band
www.danvarner.com
That’s a fact. The Dan Varner Band’s original work is so good it makes us sad. Sad because why in the hell are they not on CMT. If they were we’d see a lot less of them and that would make us sad too. However, if they do become mega country stars we’ll be invited to all the good stuff and that will make us happy.
If you are a music fan and you’ve heard even one country song you like, buy the DVB CD. Every single song is worthy of repeated play. There is a new CD coming together now and if it’s as good as the last one you should see a video on CMT. Sooner or later it’s bound to happen. These guys are just as good as anyone in the charts and better than many. Seriously.

BEST COVER BAND
Sidewinder
www.sidewinder-band.com
We haven’t seen these guys since the OBMR Music Festival. They always put on a great show. They stay booked all over the Cincy area and beyond. They have some originals but it’s when they tear into Lynyrd Skynyrd that you see why they won best cover band.

BEST jam band
Headband
www.myspace.com/headbandohio
How can you not be a jam band with a name like Headband? Matt Anderson (bass & vocals)
Jason Stenger (guitar & vocals), Elliot Koop (drums) and Nick Giese (guitar) are fast becoming known in the area as a great jam band. It’s no wonder why, just look at their list of influences from their myspace “Secret Service, Brooks and Dunn, Devo, Men Without Hats, Will Smith, Tina Turner, Pablo Cruise, Amy Grant, and Gwar, that’s about it” Truth is they are more aligned with Phish and Widespread Panic than Tina Turner. You can see them slap bass and freak out on some Amy Grant live at many area clubs. Check their schedule at www.myspace/headbandohio

BEST BLUES BAND
Sonny Moorman Group
www.myspace.com/thesonnymoormangroup
Sonny is always going to win this category. We see the band less blues and more rock, power blues as Sonny calls it. Either way the originals are timeless, the live performance is mesmerizing and they always have their sound dialed in perfect. They have many CD’s and singles available. We have them all, if you want some check out Sonny’s page on www.myspace.com/thesonnymoormangroup or on our site.

BEST 80’s BAND
The Rusty Griswolds
www.therustygriswolds.com
Still comin’ out on top in the 80’s or cover band categories. Solid pro musicians that keep bringing in the crowds. We’re wondering who’s going to last longer, The Griswolds or The Menus. Both bands can call the #1 Best Cover Band in Cincinnati spot home year after year.

BEST METAL BAND
Parable Heresy
www.myspace.com/parableheresy
These guys made the list out of the blue. When it comes to deafening death metal Parable Heresy fills the bill. With insane “seizure” style stage antics and deep demonized vocals the band commands attention. It’s unlikely any band in Cincinnati is as hard. You can see them booked regularly at Big Ed’s along side a long, long list of other up & coming hard rock/ metal bands.

BEST SOLO ARTIST
Bob Cushing
www.bobcushing.com
OMEB almost took this spot from Bob. While both are very talented all it takes is 3 notes of “C’Mon Big Brother” to make us smile and nod along in agreement. Bob’s CD releases are an autobiography in music. A Bob Cushing Musical could be made from them! Call it “Cushing’s West Side Story” Maybe it could run at the Aronoff and scare the sh!t out the unsuspecting Linder family and their guests.
He sings Price Hill Folk (for the lack of a better term) and his original work can really hit you hard. Check him out at www.bobcushing.com or on our site. His latest release “Still Alive” is our personal favorite. Bob gives us the best version of The Allman Brothers “Soul Shine” we’ve heard to date on it.

BEST TRIBUTE BAND
No Saints No Saviors
www.myspace.com/nosaintsnosaviors
Speaking of The Allman Brothers here’s the top dog in the area... maybe even in the nation. Hair raising, spine tingling, warm and fuzzy is all we can say about how we feel at a No Saints No Saviors show. Sonny Moorman plays in the band and he’s booked solid so you rarely get a chance to see them. Bring your camcorder, it’s not to be missed. We have videos ourselves on our site. You have to see it to believe it. It couldn’t sound any better if it was the Allman Brothers on stage themselves. It’s interesting to note Sonny has almost been chosen to play in The Allman Brothers Band... twice.

BEST MODERN ROCK BAND
Howard Brothers Band
www.myspace.com/howardbrotherband
The Howard Brothers showcase their talents on their latest CD catch The Party Train. Check out their website to see more.

ROWDIEST PARTY BAND
Right Turn Clyde
www.myspace.com/rtclive
They took their name from a line in the movie “Any Which Way But Loose”. You could tour the Eastside with these guys and a camcorder and make a funnier movie to be certain. Call it “Any Which Way But Arrested” maybe. This is a good timin’ party band that could crack Belushi up. In fact he’d fit right in. Here’s a gag, call out any song for the band to cover and they will. ANY song. You can’t stump em’ we’ve tried it and we’ve never heard a better Neil Diamond.

BEST GUITAR PLAYER
Nick Giese
Headband
www.myspace.com/headbandohio
Nick plays the six string in Headband. He plays so hot when he’s done with a set, he sits his guitar in the walk in to cool down. This CCM honors graduate is dripping with raw talent. You should here him play bass! We wonder if he had a custom 10 string (4 bass strings and 6 guitar strings) if he could play both at the same time? We wouldn’t bet against it. At one point Nick shared the stage with renowned guitarist Sonny Moorman in the band No Saints No saviors. They even switched instruments back and forth (Nick played bass), it was something to see.

BEST BASS PLAYER
Kris Jones
Rusty Van Band
www.myspace.com/rustyvanband
Tied with
Tom Callahan
Jerry’s Little Band
www.myspace.com/jerryslittleband1
Two great bass players from two of our very favorite bands. The Rusty Van Band is straight dope. One of our very, very favorite bands. Much of that cool funk sound the band is known for is due to Mr. Jones. His bass stylings are the basis of the bands signature sound. You need to see this band if you haven’t yet. Look for an upcoming article.

BEST DRUMMER
Pete Pemberton
Sidewinder
Sidewinder-band.com
A madman with a drum kit. Sidewinder has a lot of talent. Pete drives the machine with power and precision.
Kyle Boering 1 vote behind, just goes to show you what talents lie in the RVB!
Close behind: Jamie Combs.
Best all around drummer we’ve ever seen.

BEST KEYBOARD PLAYER
Ricky Nye
http://rickynye.com
The local legend boogie woogie master. He’s shared the stage with the greats at his blues summit performances as well his Euro tours. This guy will be on A&E’s biography someday. He’s a true world master player.
Al Leffler (from RVB!) missed this by 1 vote!

BEST FIDDLE & MANDOLIN
Nick Netherton
Dan Varner Band
Known as a “musical genius” Nick can pick up any number of instruments and wail. We haven’t heard his “Devil Went Down To Georgia yet but he can tear anything up that’s ever been thrown at him so far. His original work is sweet. Not overbearing, the perfect accompaniment to the band.

BEST SINGER
Dan Varner
He’s the voice of the band and the ladies would have it no other way.

BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Cherry Grove Lanes
4005 Hopper Hill Road 528-7888
This Beechmont bowling alley features 34 lanes with automatic scoring, 7 volleyball courts, darts, pool tables, a full kitchen, indoor & outdoor lounges and meeting rooms. They also have a popular volleyball court that’s packed in the summer.

BEST POOL HALL
Bocca Billiards
749 State Route 28 Milford
No disrespect but they HAVE to win. Well either Bocca or House of Billiards. Either way it’s all the same guy, Jim Furnella “The Pool Table Fella” Jim has an old school pool hall PHD. His halls are always hoppin’ and a lot of hard work goes into keeping them that way.
Owner of two out three remaining pool halls in the area period. Jim is doing well with what others say can’t be done. He’s proved the pool hall is still alive and kicking ass.
Check out Bocca’s New Years Eve game night. Everyone in attendance gets shuffled into teams for pool, darts and foosball until the midnight buffet and champagne toast. You can dance to the Deja Vu DJ too.

BEST SUMMER FESTIVAL
Taste Of Blue Ash

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
Wangdangdoodle
They lost the original location but that didn’t slow them down at all. The new Doodle is just across the street from the old one. This is one of the few music festivals with pure Woodstock heart & soul. It’s for the fans with true grit, and it’s chock full of that man.

BEST CAB COMPANY
Danos
797-4411

BEST HAIR SALON
Identity
8501 Beechmont Ave. 791-2555
Close behind: Spa De Da
8315 Beechmont Ave # 5
474-8000
Don’t forget: JJ and Amy at Sun Cutz.

BEST DRY CLEANER
Royal Custom Cleaners
834 Ohio Pike Withamsville 753-7774

BEST MECHANIC
Mazan’s Auto Care 722-7900
6420 Smith Rd. Goshen

BEST VETERINARIAN
All Creatures Animal Hospital
1894 Ohio Pike Amelia 797-7387
8451 Beechmont Ave Anderson 474-5700
We love Dr. Dan Meakin and the staff at All Creatures. There is almost nothing they cannot do in-house, surgeries, blood work you name it. Their level of caring, compassion and professionalism sets a benchmark. They are truly capable, full service A-Z veterinarians. They aren’t even expensive either! This is more like a hospital than a vet office. They even have a grooming center and a pet supplies store.