Summer is definitely here! The Best of Alameda 2012 list has been released!
For those who don’t know, the July/August “Best Of” issue of Alameda Magazine is the one that the editors go all out to showcase the everyday greatness of Alameda.
Our congratulations go to the Park Street District businesses that received Readers’ Choice and Editors’ Choice awards for this year’s Best of Alameda 2012. As usual, there are a lot of them! Categories include Restaurants, Drinks, Goods & Services, Kids, Pets, and Lifestyles. For your convenience, our winning businesses have been alphabetized in each category.
Tip: Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the list to find out what Alameda named as the best annual event.
RESTAURANTS
Asena Restaurant (2508 Santa Clara Ave) Best Mediterranean Restaurant, Best Restaurant with Staying Power (5+ years in business)
Bowzer’s Pizza (1330 Park Street) Best Thick Crust Pizza
Burma Superstar (1345 Park Street) Best Exotic Comfort Food
C’era Una Volta (1332 Park Street, Suite D) Best Italian Restaurant
Ching Hua (1650 Park Street) Best Chinese Restaurant
Dimitra’s Sandwich Shop (1251 Park Street) Best Place for Soup-Sandwich Combo
East End Pizza Co. (1650 Park Street) Best Thin Crust Pizza
Feel Good Bakery (1650 Park Street) Best Bakery, Best Place to Buy Cakes
Jim’s Coffee Shop (2333 Lincoln Ave) Best Breakfast
Kamakura Restaurant (2549 Santa Clara Ave) Best Sushi Restaurant
La Penca Azul (1440 Park Street) Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Lunch Value/Street Tacos
Pappo (2320 Central Ave) Best Overall Restaurant, Best California Cuisine, Best Date Night Restaurant, Most Romantic Dining Spot, Restaurant with the Best Service, Best Chef (John Thiel)
Scolari’s Good Eats (1303 Park Street) Best Burger, Best “Non-Burger” Burger, Best Twist on French Fries, Best Late-Night Munchies
Speisekammer Restaurant (2424 Lincoln Ave) Best Outdoor Restaurant
Spice I Am Thai Bistro (1353 Park Street) Best New Restaurant
The Hobnob (1313 Park Street) Best Brunch
Toomie’s Thai Cuisine (1433 Park Street) Best Thai Restaurant, Vegetarian Lunch Treat (Fried Tofu)
DRINKS
Du Vin Fine Wines (2526 Santa Clara Ave, Suite A) Best Wine Shop
Fire Den Bar & Grill (1231 Park Street) Best GLBT Hangout
Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden (1223 Park Street) Best “Cup of Warmth” (Mexican Hot Chocolate)
La Penca Azul (1440 Park Street) Best Margaritas
Lucky 13 (1301 Park Street) Best Neighborhood Bar, Best Place to Drink Cheap, Best Bottled Beer Selection, Best Draft Beer Selection, Best Local Beer
McGee’s Bar & Grill (1645 Park Street) Best Sports Bar
Pappo (2320 Central Ave) Best Wine List
Peet’s Coffee & Tea (1365 Park Street) Best Coffee
The Hobnob (1313 Park Street) Best Happy Hour, Best Martini
GOODS & SERVICES
Book’s Inc. (1344 Park Street) Best Bookstore
Daisy’s (1347 Park Street) Best Home Decor Store
Luque’s Upholstering (1532 Park St) Best Upholstering Shop
M Zoe Couture (1424 Park Street) Best Women’s Boutique
Pauline’s Antiques (1427 Park Street) Best Antique Store
Salon One (1327 Park Street) Best Beauty Salon
Scott’s Shoes (1330 Park Street) Best Shoe Store
Second Home (2524 Santa Clara Ave) Best Resale Shop
Sway (1350 Park St) Best Women’s Accessories
The Clothes Line (1407½ Park Street) Best Park Street Shopkeeper (Maggie Cunningham)
The Nail Shop (1351 Park Street) Best Manicure/Pedicure
To Herb With Love (1336 A Park Street) Best Baubles for the Buck
KIDS
Lauren’s Closet (1420 Park Street) Best Gently Used Kids’ Clothes
Monkey Bars (1339 Park Street) Best New Kids’ Clothes
Starland Music Center (1631 Park Street) Best Music Instruction for Kids
Tomatina (1338 Park Street) Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Toy Safari (1410 Park Street) Best New Toys, Best Used Toys
Tucker’s Ice Cream (1349 Park Street) Best Children’s Birthday Cakes
The Party Warehouse (1125 Park Street) Best Party Supply Store [this entry comes from Parents’ Press Best of East Bay 2012, another publication from Alameda Publishing Group]
PETS
Dog Bone Alley (1342 Park Street) Best Pet Shop
LIFESTYLE
Park Street – Best Shopping District
Park Street Art & Wine Faire – Best Local Festival or Annual Event
You weren’t really surprised to see that the Park Street Art & Wine Faire is Alameda’s favorite annual event were you? If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, be sure to come out and enjoy the street festival on July 28 and 29!
(Note: The complete “Best of Alameda” list appears on Alameda Magazine’s website. To enjoy the great photos that accompany the article, view the digital version — story starts on pages 50-51. You can also purchase a copy of the popular magazine issue at Books Inc., located at 1344 Park Street.)
Now that you’ve made it to the bottom of the list… What are your favorite businesses in the Park Street Business District? Do you have any tips to share about your favorites?
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The Park Street Business District offers great food & drink establishments, charming shops, and fun things to do! To learn what’s happening in Alameda’s historic downtown district, including this week’s calendar highlights, visit our website at www.shopparkstreet.com/news. You can also find the “Park Street Business Association” on Facebook and Twitter.
