By Eric Nusbaum, JTNews Correspondent
The people have spoken. The results are in. Before we get too wrapped up in 2011, let’s pause for one last look back at the things we loved in 2010. The results of our annual Best of Everything Survey might look familiar in some places — Island Crust pizza, anyone? — but they are also even more reflective of our Jewish community than ever before. How is that, you ask? It’s simple: More people filled out the survey than ever before, shattering the record set just last year. But enough introduction and onto the best of Jewish Washington…
Mazel Tov!
Best Place for a Wedding
We’ll kick things off with a wedding celebration. This year the people said, “I do” to the Seattle Sheraton, located right in the heart of downtown. Outdoor suggestions like the Arboretum and Ballard Locks were popular, but this correspondent suggests that anybody considering those venues wait a few months for the weather to clear up.
Best Place for a Bar Mitzvah
Step right up, Congregation Beth Shalom. We’ll be hearing more about you soon.
Best Local Party Band or DJ
Mazel Tov to DJ Nicky B — aka Nick Barrat, a first-time winner.
Best Place to Buy a Wedding/Engagement Ring
Seattle’s most famous Jewish jewelers are at it again. This category goes to Ben Bridge. Although one reader (obviously looking for something more dangerous than a wedding ring) said he’d head over to a BMW dealer: “I’d get a motorcycle instead.”
Best Ketubah Artist
The voters expressed their own creativity with this vote, once again, for Joan Lite Miller, who designs classic and contemporary ketubot, incorporating calligraphy, collage, and exotic papers.
Best Photographer
In an upset pick….just kidding. Perennial winner Dani Weiss Photography is the people’s choice. Go Dani!
Best Videographer
Our winner for videography is Edit 1 Media based in Tacoma, but operating throughout the region. Also a special mention that bears passing along — one person voted for Josh Isaac, not an event videographer, but a filmmaker and mensch who passed away this past year.
Best Florist
If you saw this action flick The Town this year, you know how florists can pack a surprising punch. Anna Brandt, however, reserves her talents for the task at hand, starting with a free consultation and working all the way through the event.
Best Hotel for a Simcha
Why if it isn’t the old Seattle Sheraton again…
Best Extreme Party Space
Our first tie is as extreme as this category: A three-way draw between the Space Needle, Camp Kalsman, and the Georgetown Ballroom. If it were me, I’d do all three: a sunny afternoon at camp followed by dinner at the Needle and dancing until dawn.
Best Caterer
The winner is Nosh Away, in a category that always gets the competitive juices (and competitive appetites) flowing. Speaking of which, I think I’m going to go grab some lunch…
Best Wedding Cake Baker
Nosh Away takes this one, too —with a nod to pastry chef Rumi, who received special mention from a multitude of voters.
DELI-cious
Best Corned Beef Sandwich
Some of our voters in this category reached beyond Seattle with their choices, but if you want that New York flavor, you can find it at I Love New York Deli, with locations in the Pike Place Market and the U-District. Pass the brown mustard!
Best Knish
You done with that corned beef? Make room, but don’t get up. I Love New York Deli takes it — though some readers expressed their longing for the former storefront (and kosher) offerings of Leah’s.
Best Smoked Fish
One reader suggested one location for whitefish and another for lox. But no matter how you smoke it, the winner is Dressel Collins of South Seattle.
Tradition!
Best Rugelach
Unfortunately, my grandmother’s rugelach was not a nominee in this category. But it still may not have beaten Nosh Away, whose pastries left the rest of the field in a proverbial twist.
Best Challah
Once again, Nosh Away wins the day. It turns out that the caterers are beloved for more than sweets. Although I give bonus points for confidence to the person who wrote “my own.”
Best Bagel
In a battle that came down to two kosher titans, Bagel Oasis of Ravenna repeated as champion in a very close match-up over Noah’s at University Village. But a contender has entered the ring. Up-and-comer Eltana, serving their Montreal-style bagels up on Capitol Hill, will be a force in next year’s vote.
Dining Out
Best Burgers
Red Mill burgers are decidedly not kosher — but they are decidedly delicious, as voters chose them by a wide margin. Especially popular was the Veggie Verde burger. I dig their onion rings and taste for playing nothing but the Rolling Stones. Remember to bring cash.
Best Pizza
We have a tie! Defending champion Island Crust Pizza and Seattle icon Pagliacci’s were all-even in this category where the competition is stiff but the crust never is. Keep in mind, however, that Island Crust is the kosher option. Tutta Bella came in a close third.
Best Sunday Brunch
And yet another tie! This one between Portage Bay Café and Salty’s on Alki. In my book, Salty’s wins in the ambiance and view departments, but Portage Bay gets a nod for its organic and locally sourced ingredients.
Best Foodie-Style Restaurant that Knocked Your Socks Off
In a category that does service to the old “two Jews, three opinions” joke, the foodie-style restaurant that knocked the most socks off was Jerry Traunfeld’s Poppy on Capitol Hill. Readers love their veggie options and their Thali (small dishes served on a large tray) concept.
Best New Asian/Fusion
The runaway winner is Bellevue’s red-hot Spiced: Truly Chinese Cuisine. They focus on the Asian, serving up authentic Szechuan recipes — loaded, as you might guess, with spicy red peppers.
Best Romantic Dinner
I used to always wonder why there were always limousines parked on the edge of the Aurora Bridge in Queen Anne. Then I realized, “Oh, that’s a restaurant.” Then I realized that it must be popular — and fancy. Delicious food. Delicious wine. A stunning view. Ladies and gentlemen, Canlis.
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Of course the best kid-friendly restaurant winner is a pizza place. It could also very easily be called the best “dude in his early- to mid-20s” restaurant. The winner here — no tie this time — is Island Crust Pizza in Mercer Island. To the reader who picked Camp Kalsman: Remember that meals are only supposed to be a small part of the camp experience — and not even the best part at that!
Best Sushi
As a Wallingford resident, my heart is with the sushi (and the prices) at Musashi on 45th St. But the people think otherwise; perhaps I ought to get in my car and roll (ahem) over to Lake City to try Toyoda Sushi — a runaway winner.
Best Mobile Food Truck
This category is hard to keep up with. One, the trucks always move around. Two, it seems like a new delicious food truck appears every week. The winner is Marination Mobile, the Korean/Hawaiian truck you might have seen in Belltown, or in Fremont, or in West Seattle, or on Beacon Hill….
Best BBQ
The Pacific Northwest has a wonderful culinary tradition, but other than the propensity for Seattleites to put on shorts and start grilling when it’s 50 degrees in March because the sun’s out, we have no great barbecue tradition. However, if you do want it, look south to Columbia City’s Jones BBQ and SODO’s Pecos Pit.
Best Middle Eastern
Cedars in the U District offers a delicious Indian menu in addition to gyros, hummus and baba ghanoush. Make a reservation — it gets crowded.
Best Indian
Voters went the kosher route in this category, declaring a strong preference for Pabla. The Golden Samosa goes to the two locations, in Issaquah and in Renton.
L’Chaim!
Best Wine List or Wine Bar
The downtown location of Purple is an all-glass cube that looks like a giant fish tank. Except instead of water, JTNews readers apparently prefer to swim in wine. The café and wine bar, which opened in Woodinville a decade ago and also has locations in Kirkland and Bellevue, was a huge hit in this category. Pour me a glass of Cab, please.
Best Local Bartender
What makes a good bartender? Familiarity? Stiff drinks? Theatrics? JTNews readers seemed to find the right combination in Murray Stenson at Zig Zag and Andrew Friedman at Liberty.
Best Cocktail
When the Beatles came to Seattle in 1964 they stayed at the Edgewater Hotel on Pier 67. If I had to guess, I would say at least one of them probably wet his gullet at the hotel bar while staring at the waters of Elliott Bay.
Best Happy Hour
Mona’s in Greenlake is a Mediterranean-style bistro. What better way to celebrate the Mediterranean lifestyle than by spending an afternoon eating and drinking? With drinks starting at $3 and food items for $5, count me in.
Best Place to Meet Friends or Watch a Game
The winner here is Montlake Ale House. With 15 rotating beers on tap, maybe this category could have been “Best Place to Have a Beer.” If you’re into those less traditional sports, you could heed the advice of one voter and head to Camp Kalsman where there will surely be room for spectators at the gaga and capture the flag matches.
Sweet Tooth
Best Bakery
The region’s best pastries are in West Seattle, says you. Head to Bakery Nouveau for delicious treats both sweet and savory, then take a walk along Alki Beach to burn off the calories.
Best Chocolatier
Our readership, whatever its political beliefs, has at least one thing in common with President Obama: a love for Fran’s Chocolates. But of course, Fran’s makes high-end, delectable treats that anybody can enjoy.
Best Ice Cream, Gelato, or Frozen Yogurt
This wasn’t even close. If you’ve seen the lines that form outside of the Molly Moon locations in Wallingford and Capitol Hill, you know the winner. I’ve heard rumors of people who will avoid walking past altogether because the smell of fresh ice cream and waffle cones is too overpowering.
Best Cupcakes
Trophy, with a location just two blocks from Molly Moon (and at U Village and The Bravern in Bellevue) is the winner.
Community Matters
Best Local Jewish Organization
Jewish Family Service, with its deep programming options, counseling, food bank, and so many other services resonates across all parts of the community, and once again takes the prize.
Best Youth Organization
The options for Jewish youth in this town are plentiful. The close race between USY, NFTY, NCSY, and BBYO this year exemplified that all four organizations remain stalwarts. But this year, USY came out on top.
Best Jewish Camp
And here it is. Garnering more votes than every other category, the meanest, toughest, scrappiest competition of ‘em all. In one corner: Camp Solomon Schechter. In the other: Camp Kalsman. The winner, after going eight rounds is…Camp Solomon Schechter.
Best Jewish Web site
It makes sense that the Best Jewish organization would also have the Best Jewish Web site, and that JFSSeattle.org would be our winner. Check it out for anything you need to know about the goings on at Jewish Family Service.
Best Place to Volunteer
JFS is the pick for volunteering, not just because of all the organization’s good work, but because it offers a volunteer so many different ways to help. Be a mentor, tutor an English learner, help prepare holiday baskets, or lend a hand in the food bank.
The reality of the situation
Best Local Food Bank
And speaking of the JFS food bank, it pops up again! Thankfully, Seattle has a great deal of organizations helping feed the hungry, like JFS, Helpline, Hopelink, and Northwest Harvest.
Best Counseling Services
And the winner here, once again, is JFS. Their counseling services were the clear favorite among voters.
Best Vocational/Training Services
JFS takes it again, but not all the way. Seattle Community Colleges rounds out the tie for first place. Each has its advantages, depending, of course, on the specific nature of the training.
Best Free Activity for Kids
Our favorite answer in this category was “being together as a family.” Assuming that, the winning suggestion was a walk around the Seward Park loop. Perfect for a sunny day — and free all days except SeaFair.
Best Source for Local Cheap Stuff to Do
The best source for cheap stuff is, of course, The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Seattle by local Jewish writer and humorist David Volk. It’s only $15, or if you’re really cheap, find the Cheap Bastard’s cheap deal of the day on Facebook. For free.
Religious Reflections
Best Congregation
In this category voter turnout matters more than any other. That’s because most people — rightfully — think highly of their own synagogue communities. This year, Congregation Beth Shalom takes home the prize. Mazel Tov!
Best Jewish Supplemental School
As Maimonides once said, where there is a strong congregation, there is also a strong Jewish religious school. And this, perhaps, is why Congregation Beth Shalom is our winner despite heavy competition from so many others.
Best Adult Education
Once again, Congregation Beth Shalom is number one. With a full slate of classes with titles you’d never expect from your father’s shul, and a teacher who has been recognized nationally for her work, of course readers chose Beth Shalom.
Best Mohel
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen is an artist with a paintbrush — and more importantly for young Jewish boys in Seattle, he’s not bad with a knife, either. The Sephardic Bikur Holim rabbi is also no stranger to this honor; this is yet another notch in his toolbelt.
Best Local Jewish Hero
Beth Huppin is a hero on behalf of the people who say we should value teachers, doctors, and firefighters instead of actors, athletes, and rock stars. She teaches at Seattle Jewish Community School, Congregation Beth Shalom, and based on her votes in this category, she certainly makes an impact. A special shout-out to nominee Lea Hanan, who graciously donated a kidney to her father.
Shop ‘Til You Drop – And the Relaxation After
Best Fitness Club
The voters kept things within the tribe, selecting the Stroum Jewish Community Center as a great place to exercise (and gossip). The lavish Pro Club came in a very close second, though I can relate to the voter who wrote: “Fitness? Are you kidding me?”
Best Spa Experience
After a long day at the gym — or for some of us, a very short day — what could be better than a relaxing spa session? The top spot for spa experiences in this year’s poll goes to Olympus Spa in Lynnwood. But not if you’re a guy. Regardless, it’s a far cry from the shvitz my grandfather used to visit in Jersey.
Best Destination When I’m Shopping for Clothes for Myself
The voters went with a classic in this category, naming Macy’s. But is it Macy’s they love or do they miss the old Bon Marché?
Best Kidswear
Voters this year chose The Gap for their kids’ clothes. Or as I call it, the number one destination for kids who dress better than most adults.
Best Independent Shoes and Accessories
The Shoe Zoo has been in business for more than two decades, outfitting the feet of Seattle’s youth. Located behind University Village, this is the place for everything from miniature wingtips to popular Crocs. But remember, kids only.
Best Independent Toy Shop
Top Ten Toys is not your average toy store: for one, JTNews readers have chosen it (again) as their favorite of the past year. But they also put some thought into the products they offer — no toy guns, and for the sake of parents, no toys that make annoying lights and sounds.
Best Outdoor Shopping
Yes, University Village is the winner for best outdoor shopping — and why wouldn’t it be? It has everything, from Fran’s Chocolates to Noah’s Bagels to Trophy cucakes to the kosher QFC. So why not?
Best Local, Little Independent Shop
Seattle is blessed with many of these gems, and the nominees ranged from clothing boutiques to tiny bookstores. The winner is Cakespy, a new Capitol Hill storefront with a little bit of everything from art and gifts to the newest dessert trends.
Best Judaica
Rumor has it that the folks at Temple B’nai Torah’s Judaica shop can get you anything you need, even if it’s not in stock. Psst. Hey you. Yeah, you! You wanna buy a mezuzzah?
Best Gift Shop
Light your sparklers! Fireworks — with five locations around the Puget Sound region —offers everything from creative Judaica to handcrafted products by local artists and designers.
People of the Book (and Screen)
Best Independent Bookshop
Obviously the move to Capitol Hill hasn’t slowed the folks at Elliott Bay Book Co. down at all. If anything, it’s been a boon as they edged out Third Place Books for the title of Seattle’s favorite.
Best Jewish Book of 2010
Readers voted — and critics would likely agree — that the best Jewish book of 2010 was David Grossman’s To the End of the Land. The Israeli novelist’s story of a family, meted out on an aimless hike through the Galilee, is his most personal yet. Another popular choice was from local rabbi Mark Glickman and his new book Sacred Treasure — The Cairo Genizah.
Best Jewish Author of 2010
For this category, the voters went local, selecting Noah Friedland, a computer scientist whose first novel, A House Divided, tells the story of an ambitious Israeli academic living in the United States who gets drawn back into the politics of his home country when his brother dies.
Best Jewish-themed or Israeli Film of 2010
Ajami tells the story of a Jaffa neighborhood of mixed Jewish, Muslim and Christian population. A collaboration between Christian and Jewish filmmakers, the film was critically acclaimed in Israel.
Best Jewish Actor of 2010
There is no shortage of talented, dramatic Jewish actors. But this year, the people have chosen to go for funny. Grownups star Adam Sandler wins here, although an awkward shrug goes out to the person who nominated Larry David.
Makin’ Friends…and Maybe a Bit More
Best Place to Hang out and Meet Other Fun Jews
JConnect wins here, which makes sense: One of the slogans considered by the UW Hillel young adult organization was “A Great Place to Hang Out and Meet Other Fun Jews.”
Best Place to Meet A Nice Jewish Boy or Girl
And by “meet other fun Jews” they really meant “meet other fun Jews of the opposite sex” (or for those with a different orientation, of the same sex — not that there’s anything wrong with that). Yes, JConnect takes the prize here as well.
Best Online Dating Site
The competition for Jewish dating sites is slim, so no surprise that JDate racked up nearly all the votes. And who could deny the greatness of a dating site that asks right away if you keep kosher?
Best Jewish Pickup Line
My favorites range from the simple (“Nice kippah!”) to the hilariously Jewish (“Is that a bagel in your pocket?”) to the almost uncomfortably direct — though sure to appeal to mothers — (“Hi, I’m a doctor”).
Grab Bag
Best (or Worst) Political Antic of 2010
The winner squeaked in before 2010 ended. Readers praised the effort to prevent bus ads critical of Israel from running on King County Metro lines. In other news, Sarah Palin elicits strong emotions from our readers.
Most Important Political Issue of 2010
Here our readership turned away from specifically Jewish issues toward something more universal (though if you ask some people, not universal enough): Healthcare reform. Also checking in with high vote totals were, of course, the economy. And WikiLeaks? Not even a WikiSqueak.
Best Local Sports Team of 2010
This award goes out to the only Seattle sports team to win a title this year, the Seattle Storm, starring Jewish point guard Sue Bird! The award for best Jewish team name heads over to Rock, and the 613s of Northwest Yeshiva High School.
What’s so Jewish about tea parties or flash mobs? Name the most stunning, amusing, thrilling, or otherwise superlative local news of 2010. And tell us how it relates Jewishly, if you can.
There are two winners in this category. The first relates to the aforementioned 613s of Northwest Yeshiva High School, whose girls’ basketball team, as one reader noted “graciously forfeits a tournament that fell on the Fast of Esther.” The second goes to Beth Huppin, our local Jewish hero, who was honored with the 2010 Covenant Award for Jewish Education.