Best dentist 2013: David and Rebecca Swett

David and Rebecca Swett 900 Rio Rd. E, Suite B 979-3940 swettdentistry.com Runner-up: David Dalley 901 Preston Ave. #200 296-8034 The longest tooth ever pulled, belonging to Singapore resident Loo Hui Jing, measured in at 1.26″. There’s never been quite as big an extraction at the Swetts’ practice (Mr. Jing continues to the world record), […]

Best contractor 2013: Advantage Handyman

Advantage Handyman 817-7222 advantagehandy.com Runner-up: Jeff Easter 295-9911 jeffeasterremodeling.com During World War II, Vesta Stoudt, a mother of three naval officers, invented duct tape when she noticed the paper tab used to rip open a box of rifle cartridges was inefficient. It’s this kind of attention to detail and creativity that’s expected when it comes […]

Best taxicab service 2013: Wahooptie

Wahooptie 466-9463 wahooptie.com Runner-up: Yellow Cab 295-4131 cvilletaxi.com According to Urban Dictionary, a “hooptie,” is any vehicle for which the driver must enter through the passenger side; that has three different brand and size tires; that only gets one AM station on the radio… The list goes on. And maybe Wahoopties start out that way, […]

Best Mediterranean 2013: Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar

Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar 416 W. Main St. 975-6796 orzokitchen.com Runner-up: Aromas Cafe Barracks Road Shopping Center 244-2486 aromascafecville.com Mediterranean food is enthusiastic about ingredients de la mer, and why shouldn’t it be? The Mediterranean Sea takes over an area of 965,000 miles—that’s a lot of room for inspiration! Orzo, in the Main Street […]

Best pediatrician 2013: Piedmont Pediatrics

Piedmont Pediatrics 900 Rio E. Ct. 975-7777 piedmontpediatrics.net Runner-up: Paige Perriello 1011 E. Jefferson St. 296-9161 charlottesvillepeds.com It takes 11 years to become a pediatrician, which means that, all together, this year’s winners (five doctors at Piedmont Pediatrics) and runner-up have 66 years of medical experience between them. That’s a lot of expertise looking after […]

Best plumber 2013: Robertson Electric

Robertson Electric 973-4348 robertsonelectric.com Runner-up: Hodges Myers 973-2670 If it’s true that more than 70 percent of the earth’s total population doesn’t use toilet paper, then how in the world are there so many plumbing problems? That’s a question better left unanswered, as far as this category is concerned. Robertson Electric, which began as a […]

Best cleaning service 2013: Merry Maids

Merry Maids 296-6603 merrymaids.com Runner-up: Charlottesville’s Earthly Cleaning 202-0455 cvillesearthlycleaning.com Unless you’re talking about dust bunnies, sometimes bigger really is better: Merry Maids operates 1,351 franchises and was voted No. 1 Residential Cleaning Service in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. The company cleans apartments, too! With less than a year in business, owner Lucille Weakley takes second […]

Best power lunch spot 2013: Bodo’s Bagels

Bodo’s Bagels 505 Preston Ave. 293-5224 1609 University Ave. 293-6021 1418 Emmet St. N 977-9598 bodosbagels.com Runner-up: Hamiltons’ at First & Main 101 W. Main St. 295-6649 hamiltonsrestaurant.com The thing about people in power is that they’re often in a hurry—off to a meeting or to get their shoes shined (we’re guessing). It makes sense, […]