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.”
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 |
 Restaurant for general excellence:Local:The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Chain:The Capital Grille, Troy; 248-649-5300, Multi-Location:Andiamo, various locations, Restaurant ambience:Iridescence, Detroit; 313-237-6732, View from a restaurant:Coach Insignia, Detroit; 313-567-2622, Beer selection:The Berkley Front, Berkley; 248-547-3331. Dessert:The Whitney, Detroit; 313-832-5700, Margarita (two-way tie):El Monterrey, Detroit; 313-441-9228, Appetizers:Small Plates, Detroit; 313-963-0497, Place to have dinner before a show:Small Plates, Detroit; 313-963-0497, Sunday brunch:Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills; 248-642-2355, Place for late-night dining:Como’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, Ferndale; 248-548-5005 Service (attentive):The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Locally produced food brand:Better Made Snack Foods, Detroit, Wine list (two-way tie):The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Vinotecca, Royal Oak; 248-544-6256, Martini:Goodnite Gracie Jazz & Martini Bar, Royal Oak, Window seat:Coach Insignia, Detroit; 313-567-2622, Place for a business lunch:The Capital Grille, Troy; 248-649-5300, Gourmet market:Holiday Market, Royal Oak; 248-541-1414, Ice cream parlor:Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak; 888-549-5256, Independent coffeehouse:Bean & Leaf Café, Royal Oak; 248-586-9602, Fish market:Local:Superior Fish Company, Royal Oak; 248-541-5220, superiorfish.com. Chain:Mitchell’s Fish Market, various locations, mitchellsfishmarket.com. Place for nightcaps after a show:The Whitney, Detroit; 313-832-5700, Romantic restaurant:The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Chinese:Mon Jin Lau Nu Asian Cuisine, Troy; 248-689-2332, French:The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Breakfast (two-way tie):The Original Pancake House, various locations; Detroit Breakfast House, Detroit; 313-961-1115, Indian:Priya Indian Cuisine, Troy; Mexican (two-way tie):Xochimilco, Detroit; 313-843-0179. El Barzon, Detroit; 313-894-2070, Italian:Multi-location local:Andiamo, various locations; Single location:Bacco Ristorante, Southfield; 248-356-6600, Chain: Olive Garden, various locations; |  Korean:Shilla Korean and Japanese Cuisine, Clawson; Greek:Pegasus Taverna, Detroit; 313-964-6800. 24-hour restaurant:National Coney Island, various locations, Japanese:Chain:Benihana, various locations, Local (three-way tie):Cherry Blossom, Novi; 248-380-9160, Café Sushi, Troy; 248-280-1831, Mene Sushi, West Bloomfield Township; Middle Eastern:Phoenicia, Birmingham; 248-644-3122, Thai:Sy Thai, Birmingham; 248-258-9830. Vegetarian menu:Inn Season Café, Royal Oak; Steakhouse:Chain:Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Troy; Local (five-way tie):Big Rock Chophouse, Birmingham; Clawson Steakhouse, Clawson; Lelli’s Inn, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4440. Mr. Paul’s Chophouse, Roseville; Rochester Chop House, Rochester; Seafood:Chain:Mitchell’s Fish Market, various locations, Local:Streetside Seafood, Birmingham; Sushi (two-way tie):Noble Fish, Clawson; 248-585-2314, Little Tree Sushi Bar, Royal Oak; 248-586-0994. Soup:Zoup!, various locations, Corner bar:The Corner Bar (at The Townsend Hotel), Michigan winery:Leelanau Cellars, Omena; 231-386-5201, Soul food:Beans & Cornbread, Southfield; Classic Round Pizza:Jet’s Pizza, various locations, Deep-dish Pizza:Buddy’s Pizza, various locations, Burger:Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak; Barbecue ribs:Slows Bar BQ, Detroit; Coney Island:Lafayette Coney Island, Detroit; 313-964-8198. Carryout:Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Township; Deli:Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Township; Microbrewery:Woodward Avenue Brewery, Ferndale; Casino Restaurant:SaltWater (inside the MGM Grand Detroit), |
 Cosmetic counter:Chain (two-way tie):Macy’s, various locations, macys.com, and Mac Cosmetics, various locations, Independent: Todd’s Room, Birmingham; 248-594-0003, Gift-wrapping services:Chain:Macy’s, various locations, macys.com. Independent:Lisa’s Gift Wrappers, Royal Oak; Gift registry:Macy’s, various locations, macys.com. Place to shop for local crafts:Chain:Michael’s, various locations, michaels.com. Independent:Pewabic Pottery, Detroit; 313-822-0954, pewabic.org. Place to buy a wedding ring:Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, West Bloomfield Township; 248-932-7700, and Novi; Place to buy a birthday cake:Holiday Market, Royal Oak; 248-541-1414, Wine store:Holiday Market, Royal Oak; 248-541-1414, Fine spirits shop:The Red Wagon Wine Shoppe, various locations; Jeweler:Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, West Bloomfield Township; 248-932-7700, and Novi; 248-465-2800, Estate Jewelry:Legacy, Birmingham; 248-723-9975, Place to buy produce (three-way tie):Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace, various locations; ninosalvaggio.com. Papa Joe’s, Birmingham; 248-853-6263, and Rochester; 248-723-9400, papajoesmarket.com. Plum Market, Ann Arbor; 734-827-5000, and Bloomfield Township; 248-594-2555, Personalized service:Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Hills; 248-646-6700, leesspecialty.com. Place to buy kids’ clothes:Chain:GapKids, various locations; gap.com. Independent:Bec & Sam’s, Bloomfield Hills; 248-539-0500, becandsams.com. Place to stop for lunch while shopping:Chain:Olga’s Kitchen; various locations, olgaskitchen.com. Independent:Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Township; 248-932-0800; stevesdeli.com. Optical shop:Chain:See, various locations; seeoptical.com. Independent:Roland Optics, Southfield; 248-358-2920, rolandoptics.com. Accessories:Chain:Claire’s, various locations, claires.com. |  Used vinyl/CD store:Record Time, Roseville; New book selection, independent:The Book Beat, Oak Park; Used bookstore:John K. King Used & Rare Books, Detroit; 313-961-0622, Magazine selection:Borders Books & Music, various locations; Place to find a bargain:T.J. Maxx, various locations; Gift shop:Catching Fireflies, Berkley; Nursery/greenhouse:English Gardens, various locations; Place to buy a greeting card:Write Impressions, Royal Oak; Independent hardware store:Frentz & Sons, Royal Oak; Place to buy electronics:Best Buy, various locations; Place to buy sports equipment:Dunham’s, various locations; Detroit-brand car:Domestic Automaker:GM Domestic Automaker Division:Cadillac Detroit-brand Car:Ford Mustang Place to buy toys:Chain:Toys R Us, various locations; toysrus.com. Independent:Adventures in Toys, Birmingham; Place to buy original art: (two-way tie):David Klein Gallery, Birmingham; Hermitage Gallery, Rochester; Downtown district :Birmingham; Resale/consignment:Déjà New Boutique, Southfield; Detroit souvenir:Made in Detroit, available at various retailers; |
 Local newspaper:Detroit Free Press; freep.com. Local TV personality destined for prime time:Jay Towers, Fox 2 News Weekend; Local radio station:WKQI, Channel 95.5; Local TV newscast:Channel 4 WDIV; clickondetroit.com. Local radio news:WWJ 950-AM; wwj.com. Local radio station with the best playlist:93.1 DOUG-FM; 931dougfm.com. Local news Web site:clickondetroit.com. Local newspaper columnist:Mitch Albom; Detroit Free Press; freep.com. Local male TV anchor:Devin Scillian, Channel 4 WDIV; Local female TV anchor:Carmen Harlan, Channel 4 WDIV; Radio voice:Dick Purtan, Oldies 104.3 WOMC; |  Local talk-radio host (tie):Jim Harper, Magic 105.1-FM; Paul W. Smith, 760 WJR-AM; Local sportscaster:Don Shane, Channel 7 WXYZ; Local sports play-by-play:George Blaha, Detroit Pistons; Traffic reporter:Jackie Paige, Fox 2; Local weather forecaster:Jerry Hodak, Channel 7 WXYZ; Local radio DJ (tie):Dick Purtan, Oldies 104.3 WOMC; Jim Harper, Magic 105.1-FM; |
 Coveted job:Mayor of Detroit. Company to work for:Google; google.com. Workplace atmosphere:Google. | City to work in:Birmingham; enjoybirmingham.com. Historically significant building:Fisher Building, Detroit. Contemporary building:Compuware, Detroit. Company with the best perks:Google; google.com. |
 Place for a makeover:Todd’s Room, Birmingham; 248-594- 0003, Divorce lawyer:Jessica Woll, Woll & Woll, P.C., South- field; 248-354-6070, Gym:Chain:Lifetime Fitness, various locations; Independent:Oakland Athletic Club, Birmingham; 248-540-9596, Veterinarian service:DePorre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Hills; 248-646-1669, Dressmaker:Katerina Bocci; Shelby Township; Place for shoe repair:Frank’s Shoe Service, Birmingham; 248-647-3530. Florist (tie):Blossoms, Birmingham; 248-644-4411; blossomsbirmingham.com. Breath of Spring Florist, Bloomfield Hills; 248-851-5335. Tailor/alterations:Ali at The Birmingham Tailor, Birmingham; 248-433-3703. Place for car repair (tie):Collex Collision Experts, Collex Collision, various locations; Autometric Collision, various locations; autometriccollision.com. Limo service:Metro Car; 734-946-5700, Caterer:Forte Belanger, Troy; 248-288-3300, |  Pet Grooming:DePorre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Hills; 248-646-1669, Hair salon:6 Salon, various locations; sixsalon.com. Blowout:6 Salon, various locations; sixsalon.com. Spa:Margot’s European Day Spa, Birmingham; 248-642-3770, Yoga studio:Yoga Shelter, various locations; Makeup artist:Todd Skog, Todd’s Room, Birmingham; 248-594-0003, Massage:Spa Julianna, Plymouth; Dry cleaner (two-way tie):Huntington Cleaners, Huntington Woods; 248-541-6038, Mai-Kai Cleaners, various locations. Manicure (two-way tie):Diva Nail & Spa, Bloomfield Hills; 248-593-8181. Royal Oak Nails, Royal Oak; 248-542-1209. Pedicure:Diva Nail & Spa, Bloomfield Hills; 248-593-8181. Facial:Margot’s European Day Spa, Birmingham; 248-642-3770, |
 Celebrity dinner companion:Kid Rock. Best-dressed woman:Rhonda Walker, Channel 4 WDIV; Political dinner companion:Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Future Michigan governor:L. Brooks Patterson. DJ (not radio):Stacey Pullen. Colorful character:Kwame Kilpatrick. Maitre d’:Jim Lark, The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Chef:John Somerville, The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, | Sports star:Chris Chelios. Best-dressed man (tie):Huel Perkins, Fox 2 News; Geoffrey Fieger; fiegerlaw.com. Publicity hound:Geoffrey Fieger; fiegerlaw.com. Sommelier:Madeline Triffon, Coach Insignia and others; mattprenticerg.com. Bartender (two-WAY tie):Carl, The Lark, West Bloomfield Township; 248-661-4466, Shane, Clarkston Union, Clarkston; 248-620-6100. Former Detroiter:Madonna. Local band (three-way tie):Killer Flamingos; killerflamingos.com. Mega 80s; mega80s.com. Sax Maniacs; cooncreekrecords.com. Personal trainer:Jennifer Gray; bodybyjen.com |
 Concert venue:DTE Music Theatre (Pine Knob); Clarkson; Place to learn to dance:Arthur Murray Dance Studio, various locations; Charity event:NAIAS Charity Preview, Cobo Hall; Place to people-watch:Somerset Collection, Troy. Jukebox:Gusoline Alley, Royal Oak; 248-545-2235. Neighborhood bar:Dick O’Dow’s, Birmingham; 248-642-1135. Bar for business deals:The Capital Grille, Troy; 248-649-5300, Dance club:Boogie Fever Café, Ferndale; 248-541-1600, New bar:BlackFinn Restaurant and Saloon, Male gay bar:Pronto!, Royal Oak; 248-544-7900. Museum:Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit; 313-833-7900, Art Gallery:C-Pop, Detroit; cpop.com. Smoke-free restaurant (two-way tie):Crave Lounge, Dearborn; Town Tavern, Royal Oak; 248-544-7300, Jazz club (two-way tie):Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Detroit; 313-345-6300, Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299, Bowling alley:Lucky Strike Lanes, Novi; 248-374-3420, bowlluckystrike.com. Pool hall:Snookers’ Pool & Pub, various locations; snookerspool.com. Lesbian bar:Como’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, Ferndale; 248-548-5005. Place to hear bands:The Magic Bag, Ferndale; 248-544-3030, Pickup bar:220 Restaurant, Birmingham; 248-645-2150. Rink for pickup hockey:Onyx Rochester Ice Arena; 248-601-6699, Wine bar:Vinotecca, Royal Oak; 248-544-6256, |  Karaoke:Royal Kubo, Clawson; 248-588-2300. Happy Hour (two-way tie):Forté Restaurant, Birmingham; McCormick & Schmick’s, various locations; Pickup Basketball Court:Joe Dumars’ Fieldhouse, various locations; Place to see a first-run movie:The Palladium 12, Birmingham; Outdoor tennis court:The Sports Club, West Bloomfield Township; 248-626-9880, and Novi; 248-735-8850, Special-event venue:The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham; Michigan vacation spot:Traverse City Public golf course:Rackham Golf Course, Huntington Woods; 248-543-4040, Place to see an art film:Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak; 248-263-2111, Annual sporting event:Tigers Opening Day; detroit.tigers.mlb.com. Freebie:Detroit RiverWalk; detroitriverfront.org. Indoor driving range:Carl’s Golfland, various locations; Baseball Diamond:Liberty Park, Sterling Heights; Neon Sign:MotorCity Casino, Detroit; motorcitycasino.com. Casino:MGM Grand Detroit, Detroit; Scenic Drive:Jefferson/Lakeshore (in the Grosse Pointes). Indoor tennis club:Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield; |
 Hotel:The Townsend, Birmingham; Furniture store:Art Van Furniture, various |
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