New Orleans Magazine November 2004

In one way only, “ultimate” is like pornography. It is difficult to define, but you know it when you see it. We asked our readers to tell us what they saw as the ultimate in a variety of categories by filling out a self-addressed, postage-paid ballot that was inserted in our August and September issues. In many cases their vision was clear, in some cases less so. In presenting the winners we eliminated those categories in which there was not a significant cluster of votes for any one person or place. In other categories several items had significant clusters. In those we awarded first, second, and even third and fourth places as appropriate. n We sweetened the deal with a drawing for prizes from among the submitted ballots. The winners and their prizes are: G. Calonje, New Orleans, brunch for two at the Sazerac Restaurant. n Diane Ancker and Kenny Broussard, LaPlace, admission to the Earl Turner revue at Harrah’s Casino. n Samantha Keene, New Orleans, a pass to the Audubon Zoo. Here are the Ultimate New Orleans winners, as selected by you, the “ultimate” readers. New Orleanian of the year 1. Anthony Amato 2. Ray Nagin Favorite New Orleans Actor/Actress (local theater) Becky Allen Favorite New Orleans Celebrity in Hollywood 1. Ellen DeGeneres 2. Patricia Clarkson 3. Harry Connick Jr. 4. John Goodman Most Attractive New Orleanian (male) Harry Connick Jr. Favorite New Orleans Musician (living in the city) 1. Aaron Neville 2. Fats Domino Favorite New Orleans Musician (living outside the city) 1. Harry Connick Jr. 2. Pete Fountain 3. Dr. John Favorite Saints Player 1. Deuce McAllister 2. Michael Lewis (tie) 2. Aaron Brooks (tie) Favorite Hornets Player Baron Davis Favorite Local Radio Personality Buddy D. Favorite Local TV Personality Angela Hill New Orleanian I admire the most (male) Anthony Amato New Orleanian I admire the most (female) 1. Angela Hill 2. Lindy Boggs Best News of the Year Streetcars back on Canal Street Worst News of the Year The murder rate in New Orleans Best Book about New Orleans A Confederacy of Dunces Best Grocery Store 1. Whole Foods Market 2. Langenstein's 3. Central Grocery 4. Robert Fresh Market (tie) 4. Dorignac’s Food Center (tie) Best Day Spa 1. Belladonna 2. H2O Best Golf Course 1. English Turn 2. Audubon 3. Eastover (tie) 3. City Park (tie) Best Club for celebrity sightings House of Blues Favorite place to fish Lafitte Favorite Biking/Walking/Running Route 1. Audubon Park 2. Lakefront 3. City Park Best Gym 1. Elmwood Fitness Center 2. Jewish Community Center Favorite Place to buy an Engagement Ring 1. Adler’s 2. Aucoin Hart Favorite place to buy funky furniture Scandinavia Favorite Radio Station 1. WWOZ-FM/90.7 2. WWL-AM/870 3. WKZN-FM/105.3 “The Zone” 4. WWNO-FM/89.9 Best Jazz Club 1. Snug Harbor 2. Palm Court Jazz Café Best Dance Club - Club 360° Favorite place to take out-of-towners 1. French Quarter 2. Pat O’Brien’s Favorite place to play hooky French Quarter Favorite street for a Sunday Drive 1. St. Charles Avenue 2. Lakeshore Drive 3. Lakefront Street with the most potholes Streets in Lakeview Best up-and-coming Neighborhood - Mid-City Best Neighborhood to Raise a Family 1. Lakeview 2. Old Metairie 3. Uptown Favorite Historical Landmark 1. St. Louis Cathedral 2. Jackson Square 3. Cabildo Favorite Museum 1. New Orleans Museum of Art 2. The National D-Day Museum 3. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art Best Local Event (Open to public) 1. French Quarter Festival 2. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 3. Mardi Gras Best Fundraiser Event Audubon Nature Institute “Zoo-To-Do” Best Sound in New Orleans 1. SS Natchez calliope/whistle 2. Foghorns on Mississippi River Worst Sound in New Orleans - 1. Gunfire 2. Rap music Favorite New Orleans song “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?" Best Local TV Commercial 1. WWL-TV’s “Spirit of Louisiana” 2. Frankie and Johnnie’s Furniture Favorite Festival 1. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2. French Quarter Festival Best Carnival parade 1. Bacchus 2. Endymion 3. Muses Best Place to get Mardi Gras Decorations Accent Annex Favorite weekend getaway 1. Mississippi Gulf Coast 2. Beau Rivage Resort Most Likely tourist Trap 1. French Quarter 2. Bourbon Street What did New Orleans do right this year? 1. Canal streetcars 2. Kept Anthony Amato What did New Orleans do wrong this year? Orleans Parish School Board fiasco NEW ORLEANS DINING Best Burger - Port of Call Best Fried Chicken Popeye’s Best Burrito 1. Juan’s Flying Burrito 2. Taco Bell Best Ice Cream 1. Angelo Brocato’s 2. Baskin-Robbins Best snowballs 1. Plum Street Snowballs 2. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz Best place for poor-boys Domilise’s Best place to buy King Cakes 1. Randazzo’s 2. Gambino’s 3. Haydel’s NATIVE CUISINE Best Restaurant for Cajun Food Copeland’s ETHNIC Favorite Middle Eastern Restaurant 1. Mona’s 2. Byblos Favorite Italian Restaurant Vincent’s Favorite Asian Restaurant Five Happiness Favorite Indian Restaurant Nirvana SEAFOOD Favorite Seafood Restaurant 1. Deanie’s 2. Drago’s Best Place to get Raw Oysters Acme Oyster House PIZZA Favorite Pizza Restaurant 1. Reginelli’s 2. The Italian Pie SOUP Best Place for Gumbo Gumbo Shop Best Place for Turtle Soup 1. Commander’s Palace 2. Mandina’s MEAT Best Restaurant for Steaks Ruth’s Chris Steak House COFFEE AND DESSERT Favorite Coffeehouse 1. PJ’s 2. CC’s 3. Café du Monde Best Coffeehouse for food Chateau Coffee Café Best dessert menu Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro DRINKS Best house specialty drink Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Best Local Brew Abita Beer AMBIANCE Best Restaurant for Fine Dining Commander’s Palace Best View From a Restaurant 1. Bella Luna 2. Kabby’s on the River Best place to take the kids Chuck E. Cheese’s Best outdoor dining Court of Two Sisters MISCELLANEOUS Best Bakery 1. Gambino 2. Maurice French Pastries Best French bread Leidenheimer Baking Co. Best Place for a Salad Houston’s Best Gourmet Takeout 1. Whole Foods Market 2. Foodies Kitchen Best place for breakfast or brunch Brennan’s Best Place for late-Night dining Camellia Grill Best BYOB Restaurant Lola’s Best chef Emeril Lagasse Best Restaurant Galatoire’s