2008 Readers' Choice winners 

Congratulations to this year's winners and finalists! And thank you to all of our readers who voted in this year's poll. Special thanks to Sarah Andrews, who assisted with this project.

Locations Guide: Search the Indy's database for current and previous Best of the Triangle winners

Google Maps: Winners in Wake County | Durham County | Orange & Chatham counties

Categories: Out & About | Wine & Dine | Goods & Services

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Out & About

Best neighborhood bar in Wake County

The Goat Bar 5111 Western Blvd. Raleigh 233-4143 goat-bar.com

Finalists: The Borough, The Raleigh Times Bar

Best neighborhood bar in Durham County

The Federal 914 W. Main St. Durham 680-8611 www.thefederal.net

Finalists: Dain's Place, James Joyce

Best neighborhood bar in Orange/ Chatham County

Orange County Social Club 108 E. Main St. Carrboro 933-0669 www.orangecountysocialclub.com

Finalists: Hell, Milltown

Best bar staff in Wake County

The Borough 317 W. Morgan St., Suite 117 Raleigh 832-8433 www.theboroughraleigh.com

Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, The Raleigh Times Bar

Best bar staff in Durham County

Steel Blue 1426 S. Miami Blvd., Suite A Durham 596-5876 www.clubsteelblue.com

Finalists: The Federal, Tyler's Taproom

Best bar staff in Orange/ Chatham County

Hell (tie) 157 E. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-9666 www.chapelhell.com

Orange County Social Club (tie) 108 E. Main St. Carrboro 933-0669 www.orangecountysocialclub.com

Finalist: Lantern

Best club DJ

DJ Joey (Legends) 330 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 831-8888 www.legends-club.com

Finalists: Son of Sam, DJ Merlin

Best band in Wake County

Chatham County Line www.chathamcountyline.com

Finalists: The Annuals, The Rosebuds

Best band in Durham County

Tooth www.myspace.com/toothrocks

Finalists: Midtown Dickens, Future Kings of Nowhere

Best band in Orange/ Chatham County

The Old Ceremony (tie) www.theoldceremony.com

The Never (tie) www.thenever.org

Best art gallery

Artspace 201 E. Davie St. Raleigh 821-2787 www.artspacenc.org

Finalists: N.C. Museum of Art, Lump Gallery

Best live theater

Raleigh Little Theatre 301 Pogue St. Raleigh 821-3111 www.raleighlittletheatre.org

Finalists: Manbites Dog Theater, PlayMakers Repertory Company

Best theater to see a blockbuster movie

Southpoint 8030 Renaissance Parkway Durham 572-9966 www.streetsatsouthpoint.com

Finalists: North Hills, Mission Valley

Best theater to see an independent film

The Rialto 1620 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 856-8683 www.therialto.com

Finalists: The Carolina Theatre, The Chelsea

Best outdoor music venue

Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek 3801 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh 831-6400 www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/502

Finalists: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, N.C. Museum of Art

Best place to see music before 10 p.m.

The Cave 452 1/2 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-9308 www.caverntavern.com

Finalists: Cat's Cradle, Sadlack's Heroes

Best strip club

Pure Gold www.puregoldclubs.com

Finalists: The Men's Club, Teaser's Palace

Best sports bar

Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com

Finalists: Hi-5, Bailey's Pub

Best dance club

The Office 310 S. West St. Raleigh 828-9994 www.theofficenightclub.com

Finalists: Legends, Steel Blue

Best lesbian bar

Steel Blue 1426 S. Miami Blvd., Suite A Durham 596-5876 www.clubsteelblue.com

Finalist: Legends

Best gay bar

Legends 330 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 831-8888 www.legends-club.com

Finalists: Steel Blue, Flex

Best place to shoot pool

The Green Room 1108 Broad St. Durham 286-2359 www.myspace.com/greenroomshow

Finalists: Tyler's Speakeasy, Bailey's Pub

Best jukebox

Hell 157 E. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-9666 www.chapelhell.com

Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, Orange County Social Club

Best karaoke

Fat Daddy's 6201 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 787-3773

Finalist: Flex

Best place to salsa dance

The Red Room 510 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 835-1322 www.redroomraleigh.com

Finalist: Carmen's Cuban Café

Best place to hear jazz

Yancy's 319 Fayetteville St. Raleigh 821-7171 www.yancysonline.com

Finalists: Amra's, Talullas

Best place to hear hip-hop

Cat's Cradle 300 E. Main St. Carrboro 967-9053 www.catscradle.com

Finalist: Five Star

Best place to hear rock 'n' roll

Cat's Cradle 300 E. Main St. Carrboro 967-9053 www.catscradle.com

Finalists: Local 506, Lincoln Theater

Best place to hear country music

City Limits Saloon 901 Tryon Hill Drive Raleigh 829-3939 www.hellyeahraleigh.com

Best place to hear bluegrass

The Pour House 224 S. Blount St. Raleigh 821-1120 www.the-pour-house.com

Best place to watch televised ACC in Wake County

Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com

Finalists: Hi-5, Ba-Da Wings

Best place to watch televised ACC in Durham County

Satisfaction 905 W. Main St., Suite 37 Durham 682-7397 www.satisfactionrestaurant.com

Finalists: Dain's Place, Carolina Ale House

Best place to watch televised ACC in Orange/ Chatham County

Four Corners 175 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-3809

Finalists: Bailey's Pub, Carolina Brewery, Orange County Social Club

Best place to watch Monday night football

Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com

Finalists: Hi-5, Ba-Da Wings

Best place to watch televised international soccer

Italian Pizzeria III 508 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-4671 italianpizzeria3.com

Finalists: Hibernian, Tir Na Nog

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Wine & Dine

Best new restaurant in Wake County

Café Capistrano 8471 Garvey Drive, Durant Station Raleigh 872-1127 www.cafecapistrano.com

Finalists: Poole's Downtown Diner, The Mint

Best new restaurant in Durham County

Watts Grocery 1116 Broad St. Durham 416-5040 www.wattsgrocery.com

Finalists: Blu Seafood & Bar, Toast

Best new restaurant in Orange/ Chatham County

Southern Rail 201-C E. Main St. Carrboro 967-1967 www.sr-nc.com

Finalists: Crawdaddy's, Chipotle

Best chef in Wake County

Ashley Christensen @ Enoteca Vin & Poole's Downtown Diner 410 Glenwood Ave Suite 350 Raleigh 834-3070 www.enotecavin.com & 426 S. McDowell St. Raleigh 832-4477 www.poolesdowntowndiner.com

Finalists: Jason Smith @ 18 Seaboard, Todd Ohle @ 1705Prime

Best chef in Durham County

Ben Barker @ Magnolia Grill 1002 Ninth St. Durham 286-3609 www.magnoliagrill.net

Finalists: Amy Tornquist @ Watts Grocery, Tim Lyons @ Blu Seafood

Best chef in Orange/ Chatham County

Andrea Reusing @ Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com

Finalists: Damon Lapas @ The Barbecue Joint, Bret Jennings @ Elaine's on Franklin

Best waitstaff in Wake County

The Borough 317 W. Morgan St., Suite 117 Raleigh 832-8433 www.theboroughraleigh.com

Finalists: Angus Barn, J. Betski's

Best waitstaff in Durham County

Watts Grocery (tie) 1116 Broad St. Durham 416-5040 www.wattsgrocery.com

Elmo's Diner (tie) 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 www.elmosdiner.com

Finalists: Blu Seafood & Bar, Magnolia Grill

Best waitstaff in Orange/ Chatham County

Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com

Finalists: Spotted Dog, Elmo's Diner, Top of the Hill, Elaine's on Franklin

Best place to people watch

Weaver Street Market 101 E. Weaver St.Carrboro 929-0010 www.weaverstreetmarket.coop

Finalist: Whole Foods

Best coffee shop

Cup A Joe www.cspot.com & www.joevangogh.com

Finalists: Starbucks, Open Eye Café, The Third Place, Helios

Best outdoor dining in Wake County

Mellow Mushroom 601 W. Peace St. Raleigh 832-3499 www.mellowmushroom.com

Finalists: Whole Foods, Humble Pie

Best outdoor dining in Durham County

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: Foster's Market, Alivia's

Best outdoor dining in Orange/ Chatham County

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: Top of the Hill, Crook's Corner

Best romantic restaurant

Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com

Finalists: The Melting Pot, Five Star, Second Empire

Best business lunch

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: Winston's Grille, Bogart's

Best super cheap meal

Cosmic Cantina 1920 Perry St. Durham 286-1875 & 128 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 960-3955

Finalists: Cook Out!, Snoopy's

Best children's menu

Elmo's Diner 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 & 200 N. Greensboro St., Carr Mill Mall Carrboro 929-2909 www.elmosdiner.com

Finalist: Twisted Fork

Best salad

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: Panera Bread, Sweet Tomatoes, Lilly's Pizza, Green Tango

Best sandwich

Sandwhich 431 W. Franklin St., Suite 16 Chapel Hill 929-2114 www.sandwhich.biz

Finalists: Panera Bread, The Rockford, Sunflowers, Jason's Deli

Best bagel

Bruegger's Bagels www.brueggers.com

Finalists: Whole Foods, Panera Bread, Bagels on the Hill

Best desserts

The Cheesecake Factory 8030 Renaissance Parkway Durham 206-4082 & 4325 Glenwood Ave., Suite 2086 Raleigh 781-0050 www.thecheesecakefactory.com

Finalists: Hayes Barton Café, Francesca's, Mad Hatter's Bakeshop

Best steak

Angus Barn 9401 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 781-2444 www.angusbarn.com

Finalists: Sullivan's Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris Steak House

Best burger in Wake County

Char-Grill www.choppedonion.com/id37.html

Finalists: Five Guys, Mo Joe's

Best burger in Durham County

Dain's Place 754 Ninth St. Durham 416-8800 dainsplace.net

Finalists: Red Robin, Cook Out!, Five Guys

Best burger in Orange/ Chatham County

Tyler's Taproom 102 E. Main St. Carrboro 929-6881 www.tylerstaproom.com

Finalists: Acme Food & Beverage Co., Sutton's Drug Store, Carolina Brewery

Best fries

Five Guys www.fiveguys.com

Finalists: Tyler's Taproom, McDonald's

Best wings

Hooters www.hooters.com

Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, Wild Wing Café

Best hot dog

Snoopy's www.snoopys.com

Finalists: The Dog House, The Roast Grill

Best pizza

Lilly's Pizza Five Points 1813 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 833-0226 www.lillyspizza.com

Finalists: Mellow Mushroom, Amante Gourmet Pizza

Best barbecue

Allen & Son 6203 Millhouse Road Chapel Hill 942-7576 & 5650 US Highway 15 501 N. Pittsboro 542-2294

Finalists: The Q Shack, Smithfield's, Clyde Cooper's

Best sushi

Sushi Blues 301 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 664-8061 www.sushibluescafe.com

Finalists: Waraji, Sushi Thai

Best Vietnamese cuisine

An 2800 Renaissance Park Place, Cary 677-9229 www.ancuisines.com

Finalists: Lime & Basil, Dalat

Best Italian cuisine

411 West 411 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 967-2782 www.411west.com

518 West 518 W. Jones St. Raleigh 829-2518 www.518west.com

Finalists: Casalinga, Bella Monica

Best Caribbean cuisine

Bahama Breeze 3309 Wake Forest Road Raleigh 872-6330 www.bahamabreeze.com

Finalists: Jamaica Jamaica, Blu Seafood & Bar

Best Greek cuisine

Taverna Agora 6101 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 881-8333 www.tavernaagora.com

Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Taverna Nikos & Nikos Taverna, Spartacus

Best French cuisine

Rue Cler 401 E. Chapel Hill St. Durham 682-8844 www.ruecler-durham.com

Finalists: Vin Rouge, Bonne Soiree

Best Chinese cuisine

P.F. Chang's www.pfchangs.com

Finalists: Neo-China, Five Star, Jade Palace

Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Wake County

Dos Taquitos 5629 Creedmoor Road Raleigh 787-3373 & 106 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh 835-3593 www.dostaquitosnc.com

Finalists: El Rodeo, Los Tres Magueyes

Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Durham County

El Rodeo Brightleaf Square 905 W. Main St. Durham 683-2417 & 3404 Westgate Drive Durham 402-9190

Finalists: Torero's, Blue Corn Café

Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Orange/ Chatham County

Fiesta Grill 3307 NC Highway 54 W. Chapel Hill 928-9002 www.fiestagrill.us

Finalists: Carrburritos, Margaret's Cantina

Best Thai cuisine

Sawasdee Thai Restaurant 3601 Capital Blvd., Suite 107 Raleigh 878-0049 sawasdeerestaurant.com

Finalists: Sushi Thai, Thai Café

Best Japanese cuisine

Kanki www.kanki.com

Finalists: Waraji, Akai Hana

Best Indian cuisine

Sitar India Palace 3117-D Shannon Road Durham 490-1326 sitarindiapalace.net

Finalists: Tandoor Indian, Royal India Restaurant, Dale's Indian Cuisine

Best Middle Eastern cuisine

Neomonde 3817 Beryl Road Raleigh 828-1628 & 10235 Chapel Hill Road Morrisville 466-8100 www.neomonde.com

Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Baba Ghannouj

Best seafood

Squid's 1201 N. Fordham Blvd. Chapel Hill 942-8757 www.squidsrestaurant.com

Finalists: 42nd Street Oyster Bar, Kemp's Seafood, Fins Restaurant

Best bakery

Guglhupf Bakery 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 1 Durham 401-2600 www.guglhupf.com

Finalists: Whole Foods, La Farm, Mad Hatter's Bakeshop

Best comfort food

Mama Dip's 408 W. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 942-5837 www.mamadips.com

Finalists: Elmo's Diner, Whole Foods, K & W

Best brunch/ breakfast

Elmo's Diner 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 & Carr Mill Mall 200 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro 929-2909 www.elmosdiner.com

Finalists: Brigs Restaurants, Whole Foods, Humble Pie

Best Irish pub

Tir Na Nog 218 S. Blount St. Raleigh 833-7795 www.tirnanogirishpub.com

Finalists: Hibernian, James Joyce, Napper Tandy's

Best bar food in Wake County

The Raleigh Times Bar 14 E. Hargett St. Raleigh 833-0999 www.raleightimesbar.com

Finalists: The Borough, Hi-5

Best bar food in Durham County

The Federal 914 W. Main St. Durham 680-8611 www.thefederal.net

Finalists: Tyler's Taproom, Dain's Place

Best bar food in Orange/ Chatham County

Milltown 307 E. Main St. Carrboro 968-2460

Finalists: Tyler's Taproom, Fuse

Best margarita

El Rodeo

Finalists: Dos Taquitos, Margaret's Cantina

Best bloody mary

NoFo 2014 Fairview Road Raleigh 821-1240 www.nofo.com

Finalists: East Village, Acme Food & Beverage Co.

Best draft beer selection

Flying Saucer 328 W. Morgan St. Raleigh 821-7468 www.beerknurd.com

Finalists: Tyler's Taproom, Milltown

Best martini

Blue Martini 116 N. West St., Suite 100 Raleigh 899-6464 www.bluemartiniraleigh.com

Finalists: Bogart's, East End

Best meal after 10 p.m.

Blue Martini 116 N. West St., Suite 100 Raleigh 899-6464 www.bluemartiniraleigh.com

Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Cook Out!, The Borough

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Goods & Services

Best CD/ record store

Schoolkids Records 2712 Hillsborough St., Suite 100 Raleigh 821-7766 www.schoolkidsrecords.com

Finalists: CD Alley, Best Buy, Offbeat Music

Best place to buy music gear

Guitar Center 1720 Guess Road, Suite 70 Durham 286-5600 & 3100 Capital Blvd. Raleigh 872-0331 www.guitarcenter.com

Finalists: The Music Loft, Harry's Guitar Shop

Best camera/ video shop

Wolf Camera www.wolfcamera.com

Finalists: Peace Camera, Southeastern Camera

Best local bookstore

Quail Ridge Books 3522 Wade Ave. Raleigh 828-1588 quailridgebooks.booksense.com

Finalists: The Regulator, Nice Price Books

Best comic book store

Chapel Hill Comics 412 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 967-4439 www.chapelhillcomics.com

Finalists: Capitol Comics, Ultimate Comics

Best thrift store

PTA Thrift Shop 103 Jones Ferry Road Carrboro 967-1272 & 103 S Elliott Road Village Plaza Chapel Hill 942-6101 ptathriftshop.com

Finalists: Goodwill Thrift, Father & Son Antiques, Time After Time

Best jewelry store in Wake County

Bailey's 415 Daniels St. Raleigh 829-7337 www.baileysfinejewelry.com

Finalists: Jared's, Jolly's

Best jewelry store in Durham County

Jewelsmith 2200 W. Main St., Suite A-170 Durham 286-2990 www.jewelsmithonline.com

Finalists: Hamilton Hill International Designer Jewelry, Jared's

Best jewelry store in Orange/ Chatham County

Grimball Jewelers 79 S. Elliott Road Chapel Hill 929-2580 www.grimballjewelers.com

Finalists: Goldworks Fine Jewelry, Light Years Jewelry

Best vintage jewelry store

Beggars & Choosers 38 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro 542-5884 www.pittsboroshops.com/bnc.htm

Finalists: Tough Love Boutique, Father & Son Antiques, Joint Venture Estate Jewelers

Best place to buy new furniture

Ecko 2218 Nelson Hwy., Suite A Chapel Hill 493-6311 & 6740 Fleetwood Drive Raleigh 781-0081 www.eckointernational.com

Finalists: Rooms to Go, Havertys, Ambiente

Best place to buy used furniture

Father & Son Antiques 107 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 832-3030 www.swankarama.com

Finalists: Furniture Follies, Shelton's Furniture

Best local place to buy a wedding gift

Belk www.belk.com

Finalist: Nested

Best local hardware store in Wake County

Ace Hardware www.acehardware.com

Finalists: Burke Brothers Hardware, Lowes, Briggs Hardware

Best local hardware store in Durham County

Public Hardware 505 N. Mangum St. Durham 688-4321

Finalists: True Value Hardware, Ace Hardware

Best local hardware store in Orange/ Chatham County

Fitch Lumber 309 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro 942-3153 fitchlumber.com

Finalists: Ace Hardware, Pope's True Value Hardware, Dual Supply Co.

Best garden store

Logan's Trading Co. 707 Semart Drive Raleigh 828-5337 www.logantrd.com

Finalists: Southern States, Stone Brothers

Best bike shop

The Bicycle Chain thebicyclechain.com

Finalists: Flythe Cyclery, The Clean Machine, Performance Bicycle

Best outdoor outfitters

REI www.rei.com

Finalists: Great Outdoor Provision Co., Townsend Bertram & Co.

Best place to buy erotic gifts

Adam & Eve www.adameve.com

Finalists: Cherry Pie, Priscilla's

Best place for kick-ass shoes

DSW www.dsw.com

Finalists: Nordstrom, Vertical Urge, Monkee's, SRI

Best local women's boutique

Tough Love Boutique 3114 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 833-0073 toughloveboutique.com

Finalists: Uniquities, Scout & Molly's

Best men's clothing

Jos A. Bank www.josbank.com

Finalists: Vertical Urge, NV

Best store to buy eyewear

Specs 701 Ninth St. Durham 286-4426 & 8030 Renaissance Parkway, Suite 850 Durham 572-1200

Finalists: Vertical Urge, Eye Care Associates, LensCrafters

Best hair salon in Wake County

DS Parada Color Café 9660 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 151 Raleigh 870-6601 www.dsparada.com

Finalists: Marigold Parlour, Salon Blu

Best hair salon in Durham County

Wavelengths 704 Ninth St. Durham 416-9705 www.wavelengthsalon.biz

Finalists: Funky Monkey, Perfection

Best hair salon in Orange/ Chatham County

Moshi Moshi 416 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 933-1272 www.moshimoshimeanshello.com

Finalists: Mina's Studio, Syd's

Best day spa

Iatria www.iatria.com

Finalists: Skin Sense, Mina's Studio

Best place to get a manicure/ pedicure

Mina's Studio The Galleria Shopping Center 400 S. Elliott Road, Suite K Chapel Hill 968-8548 www.minasstudio.com

Finalists: Iatria, Lee Spa Nails

Best place to get a facial

Iatria www.iatria.com

Finalists: Mina's Studio, Aveda Institute

Best hotel in Wake County

The Umstead Hotel and Spa 100 Woodland Pond Cary 447-4000 www.theumstead.com

Finalists: Embassy Suites, Marriott

Best hotel in Durham County

Washington Duke Inn 3001 Cameron Blvd. Durham 490-0999 www.washingtondukeinn.com

Finalists: Marriott, Hilton

Best hotel in Orange/ Chatham County

The Franklin Hotel 311 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 442-9000 www.franklinhotelnc.com

Finalists: Siena Hotel, The Carolina Inn

Best gym/ health club in Wake County

YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org

Finalists: Peak Fitness, Gold's Gym, Seaboard Fitness & Wellness

Best gym/ health club in Durham County

YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org

Finalists: Peak Fitness, Duke Center for Living

Best gym/ health club in Orange/ Chatham County

Peak Fitness www.peakfitnessclubs.com

Finalists: Carolina Fitness, Millennium Sports Clubs

Best tattoo studio

Blue Flame Tattoo 3015 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 755-3355 www.blueflametattoo.com

Finalists: Phoenix Tattoo, Dogstar Tattoo

Best place to get pierced

Pro-gress Body Piercing 1213 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 833-4559 www.myspace.com/progresspiercing

Finalists: Blue Flame Tattoo, Dogstar Tattoo, Warlocks Tattoo

Best candy selection

A Southern Season University Mall 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill 929-7133 www.southernseason.com

Finalists: Parker and Otis, Fresh Market

Best retail cheese selection

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: A Southern Season, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's

Best retail beer selection

Peace Street Market 804 W. Peace St. Raleigh 834-7070

Finalists: Sam's Quik Shop, Total Wine

Best retail wine selection

Total Wine www.totalwine.com

Finalists: A Southern Season, Seaboard Wine Warehouse, Trader Joe's

Best local wine store with knowledgeable staff

A Southern Season University Mall 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill 929-7133 www.southernseason.com

Finalists: Total Wine, Wine Authorities

Best place to shop for a new vehicle

Leith

Finalists: Fred Anderson, Johnson Lexus, Southern States

Best place to shop for a pre-owned vehicle

CarMax 8520 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 783-9494 & 3809 Capital Blvd. Raleigh 790-9433 www.carmax.com

Finalist: Leith

Best dance studio

Ninth Street Dance 1920 1/2 Perry St. Durham 286-6011 www.ninthstreetdance.com

Finalists: The Ballet School of Chapel Hill, Barriskill Dance Theatre School

Best dry cleaner

Medlin-Davis Cleaners www.medlindavis.com

Finalists: Brothers Cleaners, Hilkers Cleaners, White Star Laundry & Cleaners

Best real estate agency

Fonville Morisey www.fmrealty.com

Finalists: Linda Lee Realty Group, Allen Tate Realtors, Jayme Hicks RE/MAX United

Best medical practice

Raleigh Family Practice 4414 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 502 Raleigh 875-0539 www.rfppa.com

Finalists: Bruce Wilks, Carrboro Family Medicine; Triangle Family Practice

Best dental practice

Dinah Vice, Sunrise Dental www.dinahvice-sunrisedental.com

Finalists: Kennedy Dental Group; Milo Hoffman, Hoffman & Jordan

Best optometrist

Dr. Amanda Steele Eye Care Associates www.eyecareassociatesnc.com

Finalist: Carrboro Family Vision

Best chiropractor

Dr. Chas Gaertner North Carolina Chiropractic 212 W. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-3552 www.ncchiropractic.net

Finalist: Dr. Jennifer Greenfield, Center for Chiropractic & Wellness

Best auto shop

Pinnacle Automotive Service 3101 Spring Forest Road Raleigh 828-3113 www.bimmercare.com

Finalists: Chapel Hill Tire, Tao Auto

Best radio DJ

Bob and the Showgram (G105) 3100 Smoketree Court, Suite 700 Raleigh 878-1500 (main)/ 860-1051 (request/contest) www.bobandtheshowgram.com

Finalists: Foster and the Blade (96 Rock), Salt and Demitri the Greek (96 Rock)

Best radio station

WKNC 88.1 NCSU Campus Box 8607 Raleigh 515-2401 (business)/ 860-0881 (request)/ 515-2400 (request) www.wknc.org

Finalists: WUNC 91.5, Sunny 93.9, 96 Rock

Best local television personality

Greg Fishel, WRAL PO Box 12000 Raleigh, NC 27605 (mail) 2619 Western Blvd., Raleigh (street) 821-8555 www.wral.com/weather

Finalists: David Crabtree, WRAL; Pam Saulsby, WRAL

Best salvage/ reuse business

The Scrap Exchange 548 Foster St. Durham 688-6960 www.scrapexchange.org

Finalists: Habitat for Humanity, Joel Haas Studio, Father & Son Antiques

Best green business

Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Finalists: Larry's Beans, JDavis Architects

Best children's toy store

Tookie's Toys Cameron Village 2028 Cameron St. Raleigh 828-5574 & 6675 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh 841-4955 www.tookiestoys.com

Finalists: Toys R Us, Learning Express, The Play House

Best children's clothing store

The Red Hen 201 Weaver St. Carrboro 942-4420 theredhen.com

Finalists: Moxie Kids, The Children's Place

Best birthday cakes

Edible Art 3801 Hillsborough St., Suite 405 Raleigh 856-0604 www.edibleartbakery.com

Finalists: Mad Hatter's Bakeshop, Once in a Blue Moon Bakery

Best summer camp

YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org

Finalists: Camp Kanata, Arts Together

Best after-school program

A.E. Finley YMCA 9216 Baileywick Road Raleigh 848-9622 www.ymcatriangle.org/A.E._Finley_YMCA.aspx

Finalist: Arts Together

Best school principal

Dave Thaden, East Chapel Hill High 500 Weaver Dairy Road Chapel Hill 969-2482 www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=5

Finalists: Jim Key, Riverside High (Durham); Roy Teel, Broughton High (Raleigh)

Best pet-sitting service

Dogwalk Durham 697-6048 www.dogwalkinc.com

Finalist: Love 'em and Leave 'em Pet Sitting

Best place to board your pet

Camp Canine (tie) 333 James Jackson Ave. Cary 468-8301 www.campcanine.com

Doggie Spa and Day Care (tie) 1101 Dawson Road Chapel Hill 932-4738 www.doggiespa.com

Finalist: Sunny Acres Pet Resort

Best pet specialty store

Phydeaux 103 W. Weaver St. Carrboro 960-3606 phydeauxpets.com

Finalists: PetsMart, Petco, Gourmutt's Bakery, Wag Pet Boutique

Best veterinarian

Oberlin Animal Hospital www.caringfirst.us

Finalists: Triangle Veterinary Hospital, The Animal Hospital of Carrboro, Park Veterinary Hospital, Banfield