Thank you Sonoma Valley Sun readers for your overwhelming response to our 2009 Best of Sonoma Valley awards and congratulations to all of our winners!
Best place to take your dog
Bike Path
Runner-up: Sonoma Dog Park
Best second hand store
Church Mouse
Runner-up: Sisters
Best local store
Sonoma Market
Runner-up: Sign of the bear
Best place to bank
Sonoma Valley Bank
Runner-up: Exchange Bank
Best place to buy wine
Sonoma Market
Runner-up: Wine Exchange
Best tasting room
Jacuzzi
Runner-up: Gundluch Bundschu
Best place to buy plants
Sonoma Mission Gardens
Runner-up: Wedekind’s
Best animal care
Dr. R. Stallings/Arroyo
Runner-up: Altimira & Dr. C. Forsythe (tie)
Best mechanic or auto shop
Pacific Rim
Runner-up: Universal
Best handyman
Mike Vanoni
Runner-up: Jeff Eckard
Best youth coach
Emma Forsythe-Soccer
Runner-up: Sam Honey
Best mail carrier
Butch
Runner-up: Robert Vernon
Best bakery
Fiorini
Runner-up: Basque Boulangerie
Best workout
Parkpoint
Runner-up: Curves
Best yoga
Yoga Community
Runner-up: Birkham
Best beauty salon
Salon Sabrina
Runner-up: Henry L
Best nail salon
Sonoma Catalina’s
Runner-up: Beautiful Nails
Best spa experience
Fairmont S. Mission Inn
Runner-up: MacArthur Place
Best cultural outing
SV Musem of Art
Runner-up: Sonoma Plaza
Best dance place
Little Switzerland
Runner-up: City Party
Best place to meet singles
Steiner’s
Runner-up: Swiss Hotel
Best nightspot
Swiss Hotel
Runner-up: Murphy’s
Best take visitors
The Plaza
Runner-up: Bartholomew Park
Best picnic place
Sonoma Plaza
Runner-up: Bartholomew Park
Best local lodging
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
Runner-up: The Lodge
Best place for kids birthday party
Train Town
Runner-up: Maxwell Fun Center
Best free Wi-Fi
Barking Dog
Runner-up: Sunflower Caffe
Best event for adults
Sonoma Jazz Plus
Runner-up: Film Festival
Best event for families
July 4th Parade
Runner-up: Farmers Market
Best place to pick blackberries
It’s a secret
Runner-up: Maxwell Park
Best place to buy organic
Farmers Market
Runner-up: Whole Foods
Best taco truck
La Bamba
Runner-up: El Gitano
Best place for breakfast
Pearls
Runner-up: Big Three
Best steak
Saddles
Runner-up: Carneros Bistro
Best patio dining
Sunflower Caffe
Runner-up: Della Santina’s
Best Italian food
Della Santina’s
Runner-up: Mama Taninos
Best Mexican food
La Hacienda Taqueria
Runner-up: Amigos Grill & Cantina
Best Thai food
Rin’s
Runner-up: Esaan
Best seafood
Meritage
Runner-up: Rocket Café
Best Chinese food
Amy’s
Runner-up: Shanghai
Best family restaurant
Mary’s Pizza Shack
Runner-up: The Red Grape
Best restaurant wine list
EDK
Runner-up: Sante
Best restaurant overall
Swiss Hotel
Runner-up: Girl & the Fig
Best martini
Saddles
Runner-up: EDK
Best burger
Happy Dog
Runner-up: Breakaway Cafe
Best place for men’s haircut
Tony the Barber
Runner-up: Catalina’s
Best place for pizza
Red Grape
Runner-up: Mary’s Pizza
Best cup of coffee
Barking Dog
Runner-up: Hot Shots
Best sweet tooth satisfaction
Chocolate Cow
Runner-up: Basque Boulangerie
Best happy hour
Maya
Runner-up: Swiss Hotel
Best bartender
Mark/Girl & Fig
Runner-up: Tony/Carneros Bistro
Best local entertainer(s)
Whiskey Theives
Runner-up: PoPo the Clown
Best local radio show
Mornings in Sonoma/Ken Brown
Runner-up: Squire/Suzie Fridell
Best local radio host
Ken Brown
Runner-up: Jeff Gilbert
Best jukebox
Black Bear
Runner-up: Jack London Lodge
Best ice cream
Baskin Robbins
Runner-up: Ben & Jerry’s
