In a way, it's commendable that so many readers got angry and complained about the inability to add their own choices in each category - it at least demonstrates that Ottawans don't want to be boxed in by someone else's choices. Fair enough. We had anticipated that this might be the case, and in two past editorials I asked readers to write a short email to letters@ottawaxpress.ca as part of our Rest Of poll, where we could list everything we overlooked. What was perplexing was that many of you who couldn't bother writing in to the Rest Of found time to write angry letters instead. Whatever.                                                                

Thankfully, not everyone took this juvenile approach, but instead gave us some helpful suggestions that we promise to consider for future Best Of Readers polls. Here's this year's Rest Of list:
                                                                           
1. Food/Drink:

Best apps: Empire Grill (47 Clarence)

Best chip wagon: JP's Chip Stand (Merivale at Hunt Club)

Best Indian: Little India Café (66 Wylie)

Best poutine: JP's Chip Stand

Bust pub: The Wellington Gastropub (1325 Wellington)

Best sandwich: European Delicatessen (1541 Merivale)

Best shawarma: Johnny's Pizza (233 Laurier)

Best French: Le Pied de Cochon (248 Montcalm, Hull)

Best vegetarian: So Good (717 Somerset)

2. Arts & Culture:

Best local album/EP of 2006: Panic Sex - Sleeping Pilot

Best local artist: Michael Deforge

Best local filmmaker: Jon Knautz (Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer)

Best local hip-hop/emcee: Patience & DJ Calkuta (two-thirds of Flight Distance w/ Bender)

Best local photographer: Shawn Scallen, Paul Galipeau

Best local rock band/artist: Fiftymen

Best non-generic movie theatre: Centretown Movies

3. Leisure:

Best beauty salon/spa: Salon Oxide (497 Somerset)

Best public beach: Meech Lake

4. Buying Things:

Best flowers: Flowers Talk (1305 Wellington)

Best local bookstore: Leishman Books (Westgate Mall)

Best magazine rack: Mags & Fags (254 Elgin)

5. Local Lore:

Best architectural eyesore: Rideau Street in its entirety

Best local blog: www.piepalace.ca/blog, www.punkottawa.com, mockingmusic.blogspot.com, natcaprock.blogspot.com

Best local dating service: punkottawa.com

Best local website (category not included in this year's survey): iheartmusic.net, punkottawa.com

Best place to get harassed: punkottawa.com

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Best of 2007, Local Camera Store     I want to nominate Galaxy Camera, 525 Bank Street, Ottawa. This is the only locally owned camera shop left in Ottawa. They have an amazing amount of stock, they also have the best prices in town. I was disappointed with last year's results, as the Camera Exchange made the list even though they went bankrupt and closed early 2004. This year locally owned Ginn's Photo also folded and was replaced with Toronto based Vistek. Along with Toronto based Henry's So if we look at Best of Ottawa, I would say Galaxy Camera, even more so now that Robert Mayr has been hired (he was the best sales person Henry's had). Galaxy competes head-to-head with both Henry's and Vistek.
Matt Byrd		September 6th, 2007
A difference of opinion     It's nice to see that some people took the time to actually nominate others in the "Rest of" category instead of just complaining about the lack of choices. It's interesting how many people complained about the choices (or lack thereof) available in the "Best of" poll but declined to list who or what should have been nominated instead. Congratulations to all the winners, and to those in the "Rest of" section, hopefully we'll get the chance to vote for you next year.
Alex Morrison		November 28th, 2006
Insulting     "Thankfully, not everyone took this juvenile approach, " is a little blurb from the Rest of article. I find it interesting that instead of listening to your readers concerns, you call us juvenile . Why? because you don't really want to hear what we said. I didn't realize that having an opinion that did not concur with yours made me juvenile. Thank you for letting me know that. I'll have to remember that whenever I have a opinion that differs from everyone else and then I can just conform because i don't wanna be juvenile. (and just in case the editors didn't get that, yes that was sarcarsm. You know juvenile can be fun sometimes) Oh and about the Rest of listing, that is just a poor attempt to make up for the poor quality Best of poll. Its more of "We were too lazy to list you in the Best of Poll and thus not giving you any chance at all to be represented in ottawa" I'm done now.
Richie Lefebvre		November 24th, 2006

Write your comment! please follow these guidelines

Information requested in blue will remain confidential   [privacy policy] Please indicate your real first and last names.

First name :

Last name :

Your email :

Confirm your email :

Title of your comment (max. 150 characters)   Your comment (max. 2000 characters)  characters remaining       LIMIT PER PERSON : one comment per article per member. Thank you. Your comment will be read by our approval team and, if it is approved, will be posted on the website within 24 hours. It could also be published, along with your name, in the printed version of Xpress magazine and on any of our partner websites. In order to present the highest quality of comments, Xpress reserves the right to refuse certain submissions. Any plagiarism will entail the entire removal of the member’s profile. Xpress is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the members.