Best of Annapolis 2009

It is an often heard question. And often is the case when this question elicits multiple answers or a singular confirmation. It is a question that can be asked at anytime and anywhere. It is a question whose final answers supersede all others. It is simply, “Who offers the best in the business?” Whether it’s a restaurant you seek for delicious seafood or a retailer that offers precious gems, it pays to know who is considered the best in the city.
This June marks our sixth year of celebrating the Best of Annapolis. After tallying more than 6,000 ballots (no repeats allowed) submitted by you, our loyal readers, we are excited to reveal 2009’s winners. And so we tip our hats to this year’s finest restaurants, boutiques, spas, gyms, and services throughout Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
Food & Dining
Best Pizza: Rocco’s Pizzeria
954 Bay Ridge Rd. • Annapolis • 410-263-9444
Best Ice Cream: Annapolis Ice Cream Company
196 Main St. • Annapolis • 443-482-3895 • AnnapolisIcCream.com
Best Local Coffee Shop: City Dock Coffee
18 Market Space • Annapolis • 410-269-0961 • CityDockCafe.com

Who makes the best sandwich in Annapolis? Bob and Judith Schwartzberg. Married for more than 40 years, the couple opened The Big Cheese/Sammy's Deli 15 years ago. It has since become the go-to purveyor of genuinely delicious sandwiches. Photo by Tony Lewis, Jr.
Best Sandwiches: The Big Cheese/Sammy’s Deli
47 Randall St. • Annapolis • 410-263-6915
Best Steamed Crabs: Cantler’s Riverside Inn
458 Forest Beach Rd. • Annapolis • 410-757-1311 • Cantlers.com
Best Crab Cake: Edgewater Restaurant
148 Mayo Rd. • Edgewater • 410-956-3202
Best Crab Soup: Carrol’s Creek Waterfront Restaurant
410 Severn Ave. • Annapolis • 410-263-8102 • CarrolsCreek.com
Best Raw Bar: McGarvey’s Saloon & Oyster Bar
8 Market Space • Annapolis • 410-263-5700 • McGarveys.net
Best Burger: Five Guys Burger and Fries
509 S. Cherry Grove Ave. #E • Annapolis • 410-216-7971 • FiveGuys.com
Best Fries: Five Guys Burger and Fries
509 S. Cherry Grove Ave. #E • Annapolis • 410-216-7971 • FiveGuys.com
Tucked away in the foothills of Annapolis' Browns Woods community, with waterfront views of Mill Creek, is Cantler's Riverside Inn, serving bushels of steamed crabs seven days a week, year round. Since 1974, Cantler's has been known far and wide as the destination for pickin' Maryland's most succulent delicacy. Photo by David Trozzo.
Best Cheesesteak: Philly Flash
1901 West St. • Annapolis • 410-280-2888 • MyPhillyFlash.com
Best Barbeque: Adam’s Ribs
169 Mayo Rd. • Edgewater • 410-956-2995 • AdamsRibs.com
Best Italian: Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante
12 Market Space • Annapolis • 410-268-2112 • MariasAnnapolis.com
Best French: Les Folies Brasserie
2552 Riva Rd. • Annapolis • 410-573-0970 • LesFoliesBrasserie.com
Best Mexican: Jalapeños
85 Forest Dr. • Annapolis • 410-266-7580 • JalapenosOnline.com
Best Thai: Lemongrass
169 West St. • Annapolis • 410-280-0086 • KapowGroup.com
Best Chinese: Jack’s Fortune
960 Bay Ridge Rd. • Annapolis • 410-267-7731
Best Sushi: Joss Café
105 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-263-4688 • JossCafe-SushiBar.com
Best Steakhouse: Lewnes’ Steakhouse
401 Fourth St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1617 • LewnesSteakhouse.com
Best Seafood: O’Learys Seafood Restaurant
310 Third St. • Annapolis • 410-263-0884 • OLearysSeafood.com
Best Scrumptious Desserts: The Main Ingredient
914 Bay Ridge Rd. #5 • Annapolis • 410-267-1951 • TheMainIngredient.com

Pad Thai anyone? The most tantalizing can be had at Annapolis' Lemongrass, where the best Thai is enjoyed daily. Flavor combinations, such as coriander and sweet chili or red curry and coconut, jump off the plate, awakening your palate.
Best Cupcake: Nostalgia Cupcakes
188 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-280-0660 • NostalgiaCupcakes.com
Best Wedding Cake: The Main Ingredient
914 Bay Ridge Rd. #5 • Annapolis • 410-267-1951 • TheMainIngredient.com
Best Vegetarian: India’s Restaurant
257 West St. • Annapolis • 410-263-7900 • IndiasofAnnapolis.com
Best Take-Out: Lemongrass
169 West St. • Annapolis • 410-280-0086 • KapowGroup.com
Best Bang for Your Buck: Punk’s Backyard Grill
2188 Annapolis Mall • Annapolis • 410-571-7744 • PunksBackyardGrill.com
Best Breakfast (Tie):
Chick & Ruth’s Delly • 165 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-269-6737 • ChickandRuths.com
Grump’s Café • 117 Hillsmere Dr. • Annapolis • 410-267-0229 • GrumpsCafe.com
Best Sunday Brunch: Carrol’s Creek Waterfront Restaurant
410 Severn Ave. • Annapolis • 410-263-8102 • CarrolsCreek.com
Best Early Bird Specials: Greystone Grill
200 Westgate Circle #104 • Annapolis • 410-349-5052 • GreystoneGrill.com
Best New Restaurant: Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen
1 Park Place, Ste. 10 • Annapolis • 410-268-6569 • CarpaccioTuscanKitchen.com
The Lewnes' family has been serving Annapolitans for almost 90 years and today, Lewnes' Steakhouse in Eastport is overwhelmingly favored as the go-to restaurant for the best steaks in town.
Best Outdoor Dining: Pusser’s Caribbean Grille
80 Compromise St. • Annapolis • 410-626-0004 • PussersUSA.com
Best Place to Take the Family: Boatyard Bar & Grill
400 Fourth St. • Annapolis • 410-216-6206 • BoatyardBarandGrill.com
Best Place to Take In-Laws: Chart House
300 Second St. • Annapolis • 410-268-7166 • Chart-House.com
Best Romantic Restaurant: Wild Orchid Café
909 Bay Ridge Ave. • Annapolis • 410-268-8009 • TheWildOrchidCafe.com
Best Place to Watch the Sailboat Races: Chart House
300 Second St. • Annapolis • 410-268-7166 • Chart-House.com
Best Dock & Dine: Pusser’s Caribbean Grille
80 Compromise St. • Annapolis • 410-626-0004 • PussersUSA.com
Lures Bar and Grille's fantastic outdoor patio behind the restaurant in the verdant forest, helped this Crownsville establishment earn best hidden gem honors.
Best Hidden Gem: Lures Bar & Grille
1397 Generals Hwy. • Crownsville • 410-923-1606 • LuresBarandGrille.com
Best Dream Meal: Ruth’s Chris Steak House
301 Severn Ave. • Annapolis • 410-990-0033 • RuthsChris-Annapolis.com
Best Place to Meet Singles: Rockfish Raw Bar & Grill
400 Sixth St. • Annapolis • 410-267-1800 • RockfishMD.com
Best Place to Eat Alone: 49 West Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
49 West St. • Annapolis • 410-626-9796 • 49WestCoffeehouse.com
Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant: Sly Fox Pub
7 Church Circle • Annapolis • 443-482-9000 • SlyFoxPub.com
Best Creative Menu: Wild Orchid Café
909 Bay Ridge Ave. • Annapolis • 410-268-8009 • TheWildOrchidCafe.com
Best Use of Local Ingredients: A Cook’s Café
911 Commerce Rd. • Annapolis • 410-266-1511 • ACooksCafe.com
Best Chef: Olivier Senoussaoui of Breeze Restaurant
126 West St. (inside Loews Annapolis Hotel) • Annapolis • 410-295-3232 • LoewsHotels.com
Best Waitstaff: Lewnes Steakhouse
401 Fourth St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1617 • LewnesSteakhouse.com
Best Caterer: The Main Ingredient
914 Bay Ridge Rd. #5 • Annapolis • 410-267-1951 • TheMainIngredient.com

Rich, velvety, and luscious best describes Carrol's Creek Waterfront Restaurant's award-winning cream of crab soup. With jumbo crabmeat, sublime texture, and a hint of sherry, this soup is heaven in a bowl.
Best Happy Hour: Yellowfin Steak & Fish House
2824 Solomons Island Rd. • Edgewater • 410-573-1333 • YellowfinRest.com
Best Wine List: The Purple Tooth Wine Bar
114 West St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1422 • ThePurpleTooth.com
Best Pub for a Pint: Galway Bay
63 Maryland Ave. • Annapolis • 410-263-8333 • Galway2006.com
Best Draught Selection: Heroes Pub
1 Riverview Ave. • Annapolis • 410-573-1996 • HeroesPub.com
Best Martini: Tsunami
51 West St. • Annapolis • 410-990-9868 • KapowGroup.com
Best Exotic Drink: Capital Teas
6 Cornhill St. • Annapolis • 410-263-8327 • CapitalTeas.com
Best Place to Hear Local Music: Ram’s Head On Stage
33 West St. • Annapolis • 410-268-4545 • RamsHeadTavern.com
For two generations, Chick & Ruth's Delly has faithfully served hungry Annapolitans morning, noon, and night. For a fantastic start to your day, join the staff and fellow patrons for the Pledge of Allegiance, recited daily at 8:30 am (9:30 am on Sat/Sun). Then enjoy one of the best breakfasts in town.
Best Fresh Produce Market: Whole Foods Market
Update with New Info Coming
Best Specialty Grocer: Trader Joe’s
160 Jennifer Rd. #F • Annapolis • 410-573-0505 • TraderJoes.com
Health & Fitness
Best Gym: Annapolis Athletic Club
1031 Bay Ridge Ave. • Annapolis • 410-990-1095 • AnnapolisAthleticClub.com
Best Personal Trainer: Excellence in Fitness
1244 Ritchie Hwy., Ste. 18 • Arnold • 410-544-5780 • ExcellenceInFitness.com
Best Group Fitness: South River Fitness
3277 Solomons Island Rd. • Edgewater • 410-956-2665 • SouthRiverFitness.net
Beauty
Best Place for a Makeover: Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa
101 Annapolis St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1812 • MorganGerard.com
Best Hair Colorist: Allison Orange of Halo-A Color Salon
927 West St., Ste. 102 • Annapolis • 410-267-1655 • HaloColorSalon.com
Best Women’s Hairstylist: Kelly Fisher of Ruby Salon
3 Monticello Ave. • Annapolis • 410-263-7829 • RubySalon.net
Best Men’s Hairstylist: Brian Washburn of Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
1328 Main Chapel Way • Gambrills • 410-721-3533 • RobertAndrew.com
Best Massage: Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
1328 Main Chapel Way • Gambrills • 410-721-3533 • RobertAndrew.com
Best Manicure/Pedicure: Bella Lifestyle Nail Salon & Spa
890 B Bestgate Rd. • Annapolis • 410-573-2989
Best Day Spa: Robert Andrew Salon & Spa
1328 Main Chapel Way • Gambrills • 410-721-3533 • RobertAndrew.com
Best Eyebrows: Morgan Gerard Salon & Spa
101 Annapolis St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1812 • MorganGerard.com
Retail & Shopping
Sophisticated, playful, artistic, sporty; if you have a concept for your home's interior but can't figure out how to make it happen, call the best designer to help get the job done. Karen Renee Interior Design has been giving residential and commercial client's homes lives of their own since 1992.
Best Exquisite Gems: La Belle Cezanne
186 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1996 • LaBelleCezanne.com
Best Fine Jewelry: Zachary’s Jewelers
100 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-266-5555 • ZacharysJewelers.com
Best Artisan Jewelry (Tie):
Blanca Flor • 34 Market Space • Annapolis • 410-268-7666
Lilac Bijoux • 145 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-263-3309 • LilacBijoux.com
Best Women’s Boutique: Paradigm
179 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-626-6030 • ShopParadigm.com
Best Men’s Boutique: Laurance Clothing
232 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-263-1175 • LauranceClothing.com
Best Children’s Boutique: The Giant Peach
17 Annapolis St. • Annapolis • 410-268-8776 • TheGiantPeachOnline.com
Best Denim: Paradigm
179 Main St. • Annapolis • 410-626-6030 • ShopParadigm.com
Best Active/Outdoor Apparel: Eastern Mountain Sports
Update with New Info Coming

Intrigue and beauty; if this is the look you're going after, it's La Belle Cezanne who will help you achieve it, with the best exquisite gems. Sure, diamonds are the stars in their stunning two-level jewelry display room, but you'll also find a variety of color and weight in many of their unique pieces.
Best Unique Gifts: Mary & Blanche
78 Maryland Ave. • Annapolis • 410-280-8891 • MaryandBlanche.com
Best Home Decorating: Karen Renée Interior Design
540 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. #A • Severna Park • 410-647-0435 • KarenReneeInteriors.com
Best Local Green Store: Mixed Greens
48 Randall St. • Annapolis • 410-216-9830
Best Customer Service: Maritime Autowash
2473 Solomons Island Rd. • Edgewater • 410-897-9274
Best of
2009
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