Best singer/songwriter 2013: Sarah White

Sarah White sarah-white.com Runner-up: Travis Elliott A Charlottesville native, Sarah White’s got staying power. She started her career in the late ’90s, released her first studio album in 2000, another in 2006, won “Best Song” in a 2007 contest for “Sweetheart,” which became the title track for an EP she re-released this year before becoming […]

Best hangover menu 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: Blue Moon Diner 513 W. Main St. 980-6666 Sheep lungs and two owl eggs; raw, pickled herring wrapped around pieces of gerkhin and onion; dried bull penis. Those are all hangover “cures” in other parts of the world. […]

Best BBQ 2013: Belmont Bar-B-Que

Belmont Bar-B-Que 816 Hinton Ave. 979-7427 belmontbarbq.com Runner-up: BBQ Exchange 102 Martinsburg Ave., Gordonsville (540) 832-0227 bbqex.com A tradition at the White House since Thomas Jefferson first opened up the South Lawn for entertaining, barbecues are a summertime staple—especially in Virginia. In our area, there’s no better spot to get the Q than Belmont, where […]

Best florist 2013: University Florists

University Florists 1929 Arlington Blvd. 973-1381 universityflorists.com Runner-up: Hedge Fine Blooms 416 W. Main St. 817-9950 hedgefineblooms.com Need a quick fix? Readers head to University Florists for all things bright and blooming when it’s a special occasion (or they’re looking to create one). In second place, Hedge Fine Blooms’ two locations keeps readers peppered in […]

Best architect 2013: VMDO

VMDO 200 E. Market St. 296-5684 vmdo.com Runner-up: Wolf Ackerman 110B Second St. NE #201 296-4848 wolfackerman.com There are 403 steps from the foundation to the top floor of the torch in the Statue of Liberty. That’s the kind of information that’s pertinent to someone interested in architecture. For the average person, what’s more important […]

Best barber 2013: Staples Barber Shop

Staples Barber Shop Barracks Road Shopping Center 296-7354 Runner-up: Chung’s Barber Shop Albemarle Square Shopping Center 973-7578 They say the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is two weeks. But readers know that’s not even a consideration when they step into Staples for a trim. The barbers at the Barracks Road Shopping […]

Best outdoor dining 2013: Blue Mountain Brewery

Blue Mountain Brewery 9519 Critzer Shop Rd. (Afton) (540) 456-8020 bluemountainbrewery.com Runner-up: MAS 501 Monticello Rd. 979-0990 mastapas.com Negative 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit is the coldest temperature ever recorded, taken at the Russian research station in Vostok, Antarctica in 1983. Fortunately, temps at the Nelson County brewery, which you say is the best seat in town, never […]

Best bar 2013: Whiskey Jar

Whiskey Jar 227 W. Main St. 202-1549 thewhiskeyjarcville.com Runner-up: Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar 422 E. Main St. 202-7728 commonwealthskybar.com Omigosh, you guys. I love you. I love you like soooo much. And you know what else? I love Whiskey Jar. I like drinkin’ all the whiskey, and I like the live music, and, like, I […]

Best visual artist 2013: Isabelle Abbot

Isabelle Abbot isabelleabbot.com Runner-up: Kris Bowmaster bowmasterart.com Keen observation. That’s what it takes to win in this category—and Isabelle Abbot knows it. As she says, “It is by moving through the world that we understand its particularities.” Her impressionistic oil paintings zero in on local scenes with slashes of color on canvas or muslin. Kris […]

Best fitness class 2013: Athletic conditioning at ACAC

Athletic conditioning at ACAC 200 Four Seasons Dr. 978-7523 111 Monticello Ave. 984-3800 Albemarle Square Shopping Center 978-3800 1015 Heathercroft Cir., Suite 100 (Crozet) 817-2055 acac.com Runner-up: Zumba at ACAC At ACAC, the athletic conditioning classes led by Chris Collins and Blaise Spinelli are heavily attended—and with good reason. Both instructors deliver a cross-training workout jam-packed […]