Ultimate New Orleans

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

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