Best Men’s Apparel
Not many specialty clothing stores have enough variety and stock to make an entire wardrobe. Binghams Traditional Clothing, however, has the elegant charm of an old-fashioned cigar lounge and offers quality clothing for every facet of the male lifestyle. This downtown shop devotes separate divisions to business, casual and sporty attire, and carries a list of notably exclusive brands, many of which can’t be found anywhere else in Columbia. Whether they’re off to a wedding or teeing off for the afternoon, local men have been dressing for success at Binghams for 26 years.

827 E. Broadway,
442-6397

Runner-Up: Dillard’s,
2300 Bernadette Drive,
876-8600,
www.dillards.com

Best Caterer
The beauty of a good caterer is they take the stress out of high-pressure events. Hoss’s Market & Rotisserie will spend hours slaving away in the kitchen on your behalf preparing delectable dishes for your next luncheon, meeting or reception. From beef brisket sandwiches to chicken al fredo, Hoss’s has the perfect fare for any event.

1010A Club Village Drive,
815-9711,
www.hosssmarket.com

Runner-Up: Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant,
1903 Business Loop 70 E.,
449-3927,
www.jacksgourmetrestaurant.com

Staff Pick: best Place To Pull It Together
Everyone has at least one room that needs a certain something to make it complete. Problem is, we don’t always know what that certain something is. The creative and helpful folks at Inside Outlet have plenty of ideas and a showroom full of furnishings and accessories that can transform your hodgepodge into house beautiful.

1400 Forum Blvd.,
445-9600

Best Shoe Store
Dryer’s Shoe Store sells comfortable shoes with an outdoorsy, earthy bent. From purpose-driven hiking shoes, athletics, boots and casuals to fashionable little pieces that will just make you look like you favor granola and environmental sustainability, Dryer’s specializes in Euro-comfort shoes, which are known in the business as offering the most therapeutic relief for tired feet. Brands like Earth, Keen and Clarks adorn the walls in this cozy shop just off Broadway.

7 N. Ninth St.,
442-7984

Runner-Up: American Shoe Store,
816 E. Broadway,
442-6811

Best Tea Room
With an abundance of coffeehouses in Columbia, Kayotea dares to be different. And, we think different is just dandy. This Victorian-style tearoom, which is decorated like a warm and inviting living room, is a lovely gathering place for students and locals to put down the latte and engage in a new beverage experience. From Marrakech Mint to Pumpkin Spice, the lengthy tea list includes every delicious flavor you never even knew existed.

912 E. Broadway,
442-8327,
www.kayotea.com

Best Live Music Venue
For almost 27 years, The Blue Note has been the place for great live music in Columbia. Hear everything from jazz to blues, reggae to rock, rap to art forms as yet unnamed. Appreciative audiences have enjoyed the likes of Johnny Cash, REM, Wilco, and Dave Matthews, to name a few — a very few. Want more exercise? Dance in Your Underpants with DJ Shirrelle this month.

17 N. Ninth St.,
874-1944,
www.thebluenote.com

Best Bloody Mary
After a rough Saturday night, that good old gal named Mary can make Sunday morning feel a whole lot better. Boone Tavern has mastered the art of mixing up this tasty concoction and the secret recipe produces a beverage with just the right amount of tang and spice. Go easy, though. A few too many of these and you’ll be right back in bed praying for Mary to help you all over again.

811 E. Walnut St.,
442-5123,
www.boonetavern.com

Best Dry-Cleaning Service
With five locations around Columbia, Tiger Cleaners is always nearby, which is especially good news for those with a penchant for spilling coffee while driving to work. The cleaner with the most team spirit also boasts hard-to-beat prices (rates stand at about $2 for a shirt, $4.70 for pants) and same-day service for clothing received before 8:30 a.m. Otherwise, clothes come back within two days, freshly pressed. Tiger Cleaners also offers leather cleaning, wedding dress preservation, and rug and comforter cleaning.

1608B Chapel Hill Road,
234-2528; and four additional locations

1st Runner-Up: Robinson’s Fine Cleaning,
1729 W. Broadway,
445-6712; and three additional locations

2nd Runner-Up: U.S .Cleaners,
501 Elm St.,
449-9966

Celebrity Pick: Darwin Hindman, Columbia Mayor
Best Place To Ride A Trolley
Right down Broadway … if only we had a trolley.

Best Dentist
There’s no doubt Dr. Kent Willett gives patients a lot to smile about. The Columbia dentist not only makes their mouths look and feel better through general dentistry and oral surgery services, but he also strives to make trips to the dentist a soothing, worry-free experience. Patients find burning candles, coffee and tea, quilts, antique decor, and headphones among other niceties to put them at ease in his practice — which few will say feels like a dentist’s office at all. The calming environment, coupled with Willett’s quality work and caring, relaxed demeanor, causes most patients to find their visits downright enjoyable.

1601 Chapel Hill Road,
445-5300

Runner-Up: Dr. Bryan Foote,
601 W. Nifong Blvd., Suite 4A,
449-2311

Best Female Athlete
Although she was the lady Tigers’ outside hitter, Jessica Vander Kooi certainly followed the inside track to becoming a star women’s volleyball player. The Iowa native started and played in all 120 matches held during her Tiger career and received numerous athletic distinctions, including 2003 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and two-time Big 12 Player of the Week in 2006. For a girl who played only two years of club volleyball in high school, it’s impressive that Vander Kooi ended her Missouri career ranked in the top three all-time in six statistical categories, including kills, points, digs and blocks. In January Vander Kooi began her professional career with the Mayaguez team of the Puerto Rico Superior League.

Runner-Up: Trisa Nickoley,
MU track & field mid-distance runner

Celebrity Pick: Irene Haskins, Columnist,
Columbia Daily Tribune
Best Place To go fishing
Because my love of fishing and ability to haul in the big ones is well-known, people are always asking me, “Where is a good place to go fishing?” Any fisherman worth his weight in worms never discloses his favorite spot, but because of my great admiration for this magazine and its publisher, I am going to break with custom and tell you where to go.

Pack your tackle box and follow these directions: Take Highway 763 north (Rangeline Road) to the stoplight at Prathersville Road just past 63 Diner. Turn right (east). Go toward Oakland Gravel Road. About a quarter of a mile down this road you will see a pond off to your left. This is not it. Keep going to Oakland Gravel Road, then turn south until you come to Route B. Route B morphs into triple-named Paris/Rogers/Worley. Go west to Providence Road, turn left (south) and go until you get to the light on Walnut Street, then turn left on Walnut to 10th Street, where you will turn right and come to a stop in front of the first commercial business. If you have followed these directions correctly, you should be in front of
27 N. 10th St. Read the name.

Holy crappie … you didn’t really think I was going to tell you, didja? Do like I did. Find your own spot.

Readers’ choice: best All-Around Roundabout
The roundabout at the intersection of Creasy Springs and Business Loop 70 turned a dangerous crossroads into the favorite intersection of left-leaning drivers.

Best French Fries
It may be a chain, but there is a reason McDonald’s has served something to the tune of 100 billion worldwide. Columbians love Mickey D’s french fries because when we order them, we know exactly what we’re getting: that signature red carton filled with crispy, golden, salty goodness. The company has the formula down pat, and though they’re neither flavored nor fancy, there’s no denying that the Golden Arches makes fries that are just plain good.

205 Business Loop 70 E.,
443-7785,
www.mcdonalds.com; and four additional locations

Staff Pick: Best Use of Ranch Dressing
Everything, from carrot sticks to french fries, seems to taste better when dipped in ranch dressing. But some foods were practically made to accompany the tangy condiment. Gumby’s Pokey Stix, the perfect cure for a case of late-night munchies, are garlicky, cheesy and yummy all by themselves. Dip them in ranch, and you’ll never want to use the delicious dressing for its actual salad-related purpose again.

1201 E. Broadway,
874-8629,
www.gumbyspizza.com