Best chef 2013: Michael Keaveny at tavola

Michael Keaveny at tavola 826 Hinton Ave. 972-9463 tavolavino.com Runner-up: Angelo Vangelopoulos at Ivy Inn 2244 Old Ivy Rd. 977-1222 ivyinnrestaurant.com Once upon a time, a chef’s hat had 100 pleats to signify that he know how to prepare eggs 100 ways. You won’t see a traditional chef’s hat on winner Michael Keaveny (in fact, […]

Best kebobs 2013: Sticks Kebob Shop

Sticks Kebob Shop 917 Preston Ave. 295-5262 1820 Abbey Rd. 295-5212 stickskebobshop.com Runner-up: Ariana Grill Kabob House 909 W. Main St. 872-9906 arianakabob.com The Turkish words shish kabob literally mean “skewer” and “roast meat.” You can’t get much simpler than that, but, there’s hardly anything simple about readers’ love of kebobs. In fact, it’s so […]

Best Italian 2013: tavola

tavola 826 Hinton Ave. 972-9463 tavolavino.com Runner-up: Bella’s 707 W. Main St. 327-4833 bellas-restaurant.com Here’s a cultural difference our waistlines are thankful for: The average person in Italy eats 51 pounds of pasta each year, whereas the average person in North America eats 15. Of course, these two spots make it very hard to keep […]

Best pizza 2013: Christian’s Pizza

Christian’s Pizza 118 W. Main St. 977-9688 christianspizza.com Runner-up: Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie 3586 Monacan Trail Rd. 245-0000 doctorhoshumblepie.com In a memorable scene from a season three episode of “Breaking Bad,” Bryan Cranston’s character throws a pizza on top of his garage, gets in his car, and drives away. In interviews with Cranston, he explains […]

Best sushi 2013: Ten

Ten 120 E. Main St. 295-6691 ten-sushi.com Runner-up: Now & Zen 202 Second St. NW 971-1177 About 80 percent of the world’s bluefin tuna catch is used for sushi—and we’re not surprised. You’ll find many varieties of it on the menu at Ten. Maguro, Chu Toro, or Oh Toro are just three of the available […]

Best cocktail 2013: Bang!

Bang! 213 Second St. SW 984-2264 bangrestaurant.net Runner-up: Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar 422 E. Main St. 202-7728 commonwealthskybar.com More than 30 cocktails comprise the menu at Bang!, with options like the Secret Garden (Absolut Wild Tea, organic green tea, and fresh rosemary), the Esquire (Makers Mark, Firefly sweet tea vodka, Cointreau, and white cranberry juice), […]

Best Pad Thai 2013: Thai 99

Thai 99 2210 Fontaine Ave. 245-5263 Runner-up: Lime Leaf Thai Rio Hill Shopping Center 245-8884 limeleafsiam.com Here’s a tip: Traditionally in Thai culture, the left hand is not used for eating. Hold your spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left, using the fork only to rake food into the spoon. Of […]

Best restaurant 2013: MAS

MAS 501 Monticello Rd. 979-0990 mastapas.com Runner-up: The Local 824 Hinton Ave. 984-9749 thelocal-cville.com Hashtag nosurprisehere. Tapas spot MAS wins again, just ahead of its Hinton Avenue neighbor, The Local. Both Belmont eateries serve up delectable menus—the former with Spanish-style small plates and a sizable drink menu; the latter with comfort food and, according to […]