Best former Detroiter: Kwame. “Thank God.”
Ice cream parlor:
“Stone Cold.”
Freebie:
Watching Tiger games from the street outside.
Coveted Job:
“Retired & Rich” “Any”
Future Mich. governor:
“A Republican!” “Not Monica Conyers!”
Radio voice:
[The late] J.P. McCarthy, “I know. I know.”
Dinner companion:
Ernie Harwell. “Can you imagine his stories?”
Detroit souvenir:
Roadside hubcap A brick from Michigan Ave. Fly ball from Comerica Park “A text [message] from Kwame Kilpatrick.”
Local Sports Play-by-play:
Ernie Harwell. “No one will ever equal him.”
Best sommelier:
“The guy at Holiday Market.”
Margarita:
“Don’t drink.”
Magazine selection:
“Barnes & ‘Nibbles’ ”
Colorful character:
(Detroit Councilwoman) Monica Conyers
Best traffic reporter:
“The blonde on in the early a.m.”
Pedicure:
“I can’t give away the best pedicure in Detroit.”
Company to work for:
The government. “Never get pay cuts. No expectations.”
Sporting event:
Grand Prix. “Even though they are stopping.” | Best Freebie: “The dog (that I kept) that walked into my office looking for a home — best client ever!”
Best Place to See a Local Band:
“El Comal hosts the occasional show in the back dining area. Local acts include SSM, Bad Party, and Awesome Color." — Lauren Bruyninga, associate broker, O’Connor Real Estate and Development
Best Place for Cutting-edge Fashion:
“Linda Dresner. No need to travel out of state. She gives the best selection of top fashion right here at home.”
Best Place to Buy Children's Clothing:
“Purple Bear. It offers a great selection of rock ’n’ roll and funky clothing for children.” — Elle Elder, Orchard Lake
Best Choice for a Local Celebrity Dinner Companion:
“Kid Rock. I’d like to ask him how he got from Romeo to where he is now.” — Rino Marra, owner, Figo Salon, Birmingham
Best Tailor for Alterations:
“Walter at Carl Sterr. He’s not just working the clothing, but working the clothing for the body. He pulls off miraculous tailoring in record time.”
Best Men’s Clothing Store:
“Carl Sterr, Hands down. Shopping at Carl Sterr is an experience, a true collaboration with a master of the trade.” — Danny Victor, attorney, Bloomfield Hills
Colorful Character:
“Tyree Guyton, the man who made us consider how we all can co-exist like polka dots and jelly beans.” — Michael Poris, architect, McIntosh Poris Associates, Birmingham
Best Carryout:
“Steve’s Deli. Quality ingredients. Tastes delicious. One dinner can easily feed three; the portions are staggering!”
Best Burger:
“Redcoat Tavern. Their Piedmontese burger with grilled onions, mushrooms, and Swiss is sinfully good.”
Best Gift Shop:
“Pure Detroit. All things Detroit, always good for out-of-town guests or visiting Detroit transplants.” — Michael Poris, architect at McIntosh Poris Associates, Birmingham
Best florist:
“The Parsonage in downtown Clarkston. [The owner] can get anything you want. I can come to her with an idea, and she will just match what I was thinking and make it just beautiful.” — Danny Victor, attorney, Bloomfield Hills
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The flurry of Best of Detroit paper ballots arrived scrawled, flourished, and meticulous — typewritten even — complete with upbeat comments, sniping, unintentionally funny typos, and fervently local loyalties expressed in ink. Readers who cast written and online ballots voted for fondly remembered dead Detroiters and offered quips that reflected the economic times. Here’s a random sampling of 2009’s outpouring of “Bests.”
