Best of Winnipeg 2006
Uptown’s Reader’s Choice Awards
Uptown Staff

Red Lobster? Tim Hortons?

Hey, why not? When is comes to tastes in coffee and seafood, Winnipeggers can be as down-to-earth as the rest of Canada - even if they’re Uptown readers.

That’s what this year’s Best of Winnipeg Uptown readers’ poll tells us - Winnipeggers know what they like and they know their city. For every major chain that wins a category, there’s always mention of a small specialty store that tries harder to de better because it’s local. This is why we love putting the results of this survey together every year. even if it’s simply a snapshot of the city’s best and favourite things, it’s always fun to read and argue about and then sample some of the places and things that are mentioned.

The 2006 Best of Winnipeg survey has been our most successful yet. For the first time, more than 1,000 people reponded, either online at www.uptownmag.com or by mailing in a ballot from the paper.

We’d like to thank all our loyal readers who filled out the survey and entered the contest to win our grand prize of a computer system from Computer Boulevard.

We’d also like to congratulate the lucky winners of our contest. All three names were drawn at random from a total of 1,052 entrants.

Until next year’s poll, enjoy this supplement, and enjoy your city!

- The staff or Uptown

GOOD EATS AND BEVVIES

1. BEST COFFEE SHOP
1) TIM HORTONS: Several Winnipeg locations
2) THE FYXX ESPRESSO BAR: 93 Albert St., 944-0045; 101-310 Broadway Ave., 989-2470; Dakota St., 253-6243; 330 Portage Ave., 944-8555
3) STARBUCKS: Several Winnipeg locations

2. BEST LOCAL BEER
1) FORT GARRY
2) TWO RIVERS: See Fort Garry
3) LABATT

3. BEST BREAKFAST
1) STELLA’S CAFÉ: 1895 Grant Ave., 488-7810; 4166 Osborne St., 453-8642
2) PERKINS: Several Winnipeg locations
3) CHEZ CORA’S: 840 Waverley St., 928-1200

4. BEST FINE DINING
1) 529 WELLINGTON: 529 Wellington Cres., 487-8325
2) HY’S STEAK LOFT: One Lombard Pl., 942-1000
3) THE KEG: 115 Garry St., 942-7619; 2553 Portage Ave., 885-5275

5. BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
1) FORT GARRY HOTEL: 22 Broadway Ave., 942-8251
2) AALTO’S GARDEN CAFÉ: Several Winnipeg locations
3) STELLA’S CAFÉ: 1895 Grant Ave., 488-7810; 4166 Osborne St., 453-8642

6. BEST PATIO
1) BAR ITALIA: 737 Corydon Ave., 452-1929
2) EARLS RESTAURANT: 191 Main St., 989-0103; 2005 Pembina Hwy., 275-1250; 1455 Portage Ave., 975-1845
3) SAFFRON’s: 681 Corydon Ave., 284- 2602

7. BEST SUSHI
1) WASABI: 588 Broadway Ave., 774-4328
2) SUSHI TRAIN: 1610 Ness Ave., 783-0646; 101-1 Forks Market Rd., 943-6300; D-1285 Pembina Hwy., 452-0892
3) MEIJI: 454 River Ave., 284-3996; 10-1875 Pembina Hwy., 453-1120

8. BEST PIZZA
1) GONDOLA: Several Winnipeg locations
2) SANTA LUCIA: Several Winnipeg locations
3) BOSTON PIZZA: Several Winnipeg locations

9. BEST STEAK
1) THE KEG: 115 Garry St., 942-7619; 2553 Portage Ave., 885-5275
2) HY’S STEAK LOFT: One Lombard Pl., 942-1000
3) 529 WELLINGTON: 529 Wellington Cres., 487-8325

10. BEST BURGER
1) VJ’s DRIVE INN: 170 Main St., 943-2655
2) GEORGE’S BURGERS AND SUBS: Several Winnipeg locations
3) DALY BURGER: 619 Corydon Ave., 284-4944

11. BEST SANDWICH
1) SUBWAYL: Several Winnipeg locations
2) STELLA’S CAFÉ : 1895 Grant Ave., 488-7810; 4166 Osborne St., 453-8642
3) TIE: THE FYXX ESPRESSO BAR/WAGON WHEEL LUNCH: The Fyxx: 93 Albert St., 944-0045; 101-310 Broadway Ave., 989-2470; Dakota St., 253-6243/Wagon Wheel Lunch: 305 Hargrave St., 942-6695

12. BEST SEAFOOD
1) RED LOBSTER: 803 Lelia Ave., 338-9361; 1540 Portage Ave., 783-9434; 1890 Pembina Hwy., 275-6638
2) JOEY’S ONLY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT: Several Winnipeg locations
3) ORLANDO'S SEAFOOD GRILL LTD.: 709 Corydon Ave., 477-5899

13. BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
1) MONDRAGÓN BOOKSTORE & COFFEE HOUSE: 91 Albert St., 946-5241
2) DELICIOUS VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT: 1467 Pembina Hwy., 477-1530
3) AFFINITY VEGETARIAN GARDEN RESTAURANT: 208 Edmonton St., 943-0251

14. BEST WINGS
1) SMITTY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE: Several Winnipeg locations
2) CARLOS AND MURPHY’S: 129 Osborne St., 284-3510
3) HOOTERS RESTAURANT: 1624 Ness Ave., 774-9464

15. BEST AFTER-HOURS DINING
1) PAPA GEORGE’S: 93 Osborne St., 452-6044
2) JOHNNY G’S: 177 McDermot Ave., 942-6656
3) PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANT: Several Winnipeg locations

16. BEST DESSERTS
1) BAKED EXPECTATIONS: 161 Osborne St., 452-5176
2) JUST DESSERTS CAFÉ: 150 Provencher., 233-3030
3) DAIRY QUEEN: Several Winnipeg locations

’PEG CULTURE

17. BEST MUSIC VENUE
1) PYRAMID CABARET: 176 Fort St., 957-7777
2) WEST END CULTURAL CENTRE: 586 Ellice Ave., 783-6918
3) MTS CENTRE: 300 Portage Ave, 926-5660

18. Best Movie Theatre
1) FAMOUS PLAYERS SILVER CITY: Polo Park, 774-1001; St. Vital Centre, 256-3901
2) GRANT PARK CINEMAS: 127-1120 Grant Ave., 453-4084
3) GLOBE CINEMA: 3rd floor, Portage Place, 694-5623

19. Best Theatre Venue
1) MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE: 174 Market Ave., 942-6537
2) PANTAGES PLAYHOUSE THEATRE: 180 Market Ave., 989-2880
3) GAS STATION THEATRE: 445 River Ave., 284-9477

20. Best Art Gallery
1) WINNIPEG ART GALLERY: 300 Memorial Blvd., 789-1760
2) PLUG-IN INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART: 286 McDermot Ave., 942-2792
3) GRAFFITI ART PROGRAMMING INC.: 109 Higgins Ave., 667-9960

21. Best Local Book
1) A COMPLICATED KINDNESS BY MIRIAM TOEWS
2) THE TIME IN BETWEEN BY DAVID BERGEN
3) APRIL RAINTREE BY BEATRICE CULLETON

22. Best Local Movie
1) CAPOTE
2) Lucid
3) SHALL WE DANCE

23. Best Dance Company
1) ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET: 380 Graham Ave., 956-2792
2) WINNIPEG’S CONTEMPORARY DANCERS: 204-211 Bannatyne Ave., 452-0229
3) YOUNG LUNGS DANCE EXCHANGE: 204-211 Bannatyne Ave., 452-0229

24. Best Local Theatre Troupe
1) CRUMBS
2) MTC
3) BLACK HOLE THEATRE COMPANY

25. Best Local Band
1) THE WEAKERTHANS
2) INWARD EYE
3) THE WAKING EYES

26. Best Local CD
1) WAKE THE DEAD BY COMEBACK KID
2) Reconstruction Site BY THE WEAKERTHANS
3) TIE — Potemkin City Limits BY PROPAGANDHI & VIDEO SOUND BY THE WAKING EYES

27. Best New Trend
1) TATTOOS
2) MP3 PLAYERS
3) WARM WEATHER

28. Best Gym/Fitness Studio
1) YM/YMCA: Several Winnipeg locations
2) SHAPES: Several Winnipeg locations
3) CURVES: Several Winnipeg locations

29. Best Spa
1) GISELLE’S PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE AND SPAS: Several Winnipeg locations
2) URBAN OASIS MINERAL SPA: 1445 Portage Ave., 783-8131
3) SCALAR SPA: Coming soon

30. Best Jazz/Blues Club
1) WINDSOR HOTEL: 17 Garry St., 942-7528
2) TIMES CHANGE(D) HIGH & LONESOME CLUB: Main Street & St. Mary Avenue., 957-0982
3) OSBORNE VILLAGE FREEHOUSE: 437 Stradbrook Ave., 284-5222

31. Best Dance Club
1) THE EMPIRE CABARET: 436 Main St., 943-3979
2) CLUB DESIRE: 441 Main St., 956-5544
3) TIJUANA YACHT CLUB: 1405 St. Matthews Ave., 474-2582

32. Best Pub
1) KING’S HEAD KNIGHT’S PUB: 120 King St., 957-7710
2) SHANNON’S IRISH PUB: 175 Carlton St., 943-2302
3) THE TOAD IN THE HOLE PUB & EATERY: 112 Osborne St., 284-7201

33. Best Gay/Lesbian/Bi bar
1) CLUB DESIRE: 441 Main St., 956-5544
2) GIO’S CLUB & BAR: 155 Smith St., 786-1236
3) CLUB 200: 190 Garry St., 943-6045

34. Best Pick-Up Bar
1) PALOMINO CLUB: 1133 Portage Ave., 772-0454
2) TIJUANA YACHT CLUB : 1405 St. Matthew’s Ave., 474-2582
3) COYOTES: 1931 Pembina Hwy., 275-2300

35. Best Martini
1) G. MARTINEE BAR: 454 River Ave., 478-1668
2) EARL’S RESTAURANT: 191 Main St., 989-0103; 2005 Pembina Hwy., 275-1250; 1455 Portage Ave., 975-1845
3) MOXIE’S: Several Winnipeg locations

36. Best Sports Bar
1) HOOTERS: 1624 Ness Ave., 774-9464
2) BOSTON PIZZA: Several Winnipeg locations
3) MOVADO SPORTS BAR & GRILL: 600-A St. James St., 783-7800

37. Best Strip Bar
1) THE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB: 216 Notre Dame Ave., 942-6712
2) TEASER’S BURLESQUE CABARET: 611 Archibald St., 237-8901
3) STRIP ’N’ RIP: 1740 Ellice Ave., 775-7131

38. Best Place to Play Pool
1) Triple B’s Billiards Bar/Restaurant & Lounge: 121 Scurfield Blvd., 452-3222
2) Barca Club Cabaret & BillIards: 423 McMillan Ave., 453-2277
3) Flea WhiskEy’s: 601 Erin St., 775-2727

SHOPPING

39. Best Jewelry Store
1) SILVER LOTUS: 11 Osborne St., 452-3648
2) BEN MOSS: Several Winnipeg locations
3) WK CHAN JEWELLERS LTD.: 2nd floor, Polo Park, 786-1388; 2nd floor, Portage Place, 956-1388; St. Vital Centre, 237-1388

40. Best Clothing Store (Men)
1) HARRY ROSEN GENTLEMEN’S APPAREL: Polo Park, 786-2368
2) MOORE’S: Several Winnipeg locations
3) VALUE VILLAGE STORES LTD.: Several Winnipeg locations

41. Best Clothing Store (Women)
1) PARA MIX : 108-100 Osborne St., 453-8626
2) OUT OF THE BLUE: 103-99 Osborne St., 475-9711
3) CAKE CLOTHING: 225 McDermot Ave., 284-4854

42. Best Shoe Store
1) ALDO: St. Vital Centre, 255-2968; Polo Park, 774-2868
2) BROWN’S SHOE SHOPS: 450 Portage Ave., 788-4147
3) PAYLESS SHOE SOURCE: Several Winnipeg locations

43. Best Place to buy jeans
1) WAREHOUSE ONE: Several Winnipeg locations
2) SARGENT BLUE JEANS: 1136 Sargent Ave., 772-8145
3) THE GAP: Polo Park, 775-5330; St. Vital Centre, 254-0001

44. Best Vintage-Clothing Store
1) RAGPICKERS ANTIFASHION EMPORIUM: 216 McDermot Ave., 942-7992
2) VALUE VILLAGE STORES LTD.: Several Winnipeg locations
3) SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORES: Several Winnipeg locations

45. Best Hair Salon
1) VAULT SALON & SPA: 100-52 Albert St., 957-1100
2) SETS: 111 Fort St., 942-7387; 605 Corydon Ave., 474-1818
3) EDWARD CARRIERE: 162 Spence St., 987-6441

46. Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlour
1) SOUL SURVIVORS : 118-B Osborne St., 284-1173
2) ELECTRIC BABYLON TATTOOS AND PIERCING: 1-353 Provencher Blvd., 237-8655
3) PHASE 2: 177 Osborne St., 475-8282

47. Best Lingerie Store
1) LA SENZA: Several Winnipeg locations
2) LA VIE EN ROSE: Polo Park, 788-4120; Portage Place, 956-2582; St. Vital Centre, 257-2439
3) DISCREET BOUTIQUE: 340 Donald St., 947-1307

48. Best Adult Store
1) DISCREET BOUTIQUE: 340 Donald St., 947-1307
2) ADULTS ONLY VIDEO: Several Winnipeg locations
3) LOVE NEST LINGERIE: 172 St. Anne’s Rd., 253-6200; 1341 Main St., 589-4141; Portage Ave. at Westwood Dr.., 837-6475

49. Best Video Store
1) MOVIE VILLAGE: 57 Osborne St., 477-5566
2) BLOCKBUSTER: Several Winnipeg locations
3) ROGERS: Several Winnipeg locations

50. Best CD Store
1) HMV: Several Winnipeg locations
2) MUSIC TRADER: 97 Osborne St., 475-0077; 629 Corydon Ave., 253-6200
3) CD PLUS: Several Winnipeg locations

51. Best Used-CD Store
1) MUSIC TRADER: 97 Osborne St., 475-0077; 629 Corydon Ave., 253-6200
2) INTO THE MUSIC: B-245 McDermot Ave., 287-8279
3) CD PLUS: Several Winnipeg locations

52. Best Bookstore
1) McNALLY ROBINSON BOOKSELLERS: Grant Park, 475-0483; Portage Place, 943-8376
2) CHAPTERS: 1225 St. Mary’s Rd., 256-0777; 695 Empress St., 775-5999
3) MONDRAGON BOOKSTORE AND COFFEE HOUSE: 91 Albert St., 946-5241

53. Best Store for Used Books
1) RED RIVER BOOK SHOP: 92 Arthur St., 943-9788
2) AQUA BOOKS: 89 Princess St., 943-7555
3) BURTON LYSECKI BOOKS: 527 Osborne St., 284-4546

54. Best Antique/Retro Store
1) TIE: RAGPICKERS/HOOPER’S BAZAAR: Ragpickers: 216 McDermot Ave., 942-7992/Hooper’s Bazaar: 217 McDermot Ave., 943-5240
2) ANTIQUES & FUNK: 474 Main St., 943-5240
3) LE ZOMA: 246 McDermot Ave., 946-1881

55. Best Health-Food Store
1) VITA HEALTH NATURAL FOOD STORES OF MANITOBA: Several Winnipeg locations
2) ORGANZA FOODS: 230 Osborne St., 453-6266
3) GNC INC.: Garden City, 338-8326; Polo Park, 779-7923; Kildonan Place, 654-9136

56. Best Car Wash
1) CHAMOIS THE FULL SERVICE CAR WASH: 85 Reenders Dr., 669-9700; 850 Waverley St., 775-9700
2) MIDTOWN CAR WASH: 344 Gertrude Ave., 453-5344
3) BUGGY BATH: 500 Moray St., 837-5737; 1560 Taylor Ave., 489-4718

57. Best Local Hotel
1) FORT GARRY HOTEL: 222 Broadway Ave., 942-8251
2) INN AT THE FORKS: 75 Forks Market Rd., 942-6555
3) FAIRMONT: Two Lombard Pl., 957-1350

58. Best Laundromat
1) SIT & SPIN (formerly JADE’Z): 213 Osborne, 453-9274
2) SUDS CITY LAUNDROMAT AND DELI: 4-562 St. Anne’s Rd., 257-6116
3) BUNTY’S BUBBLE BATH: 228 Isabel, 985-1441; Ellice Avene and Arlington Street, 985-1466

AROUND THE ’PEG

59. BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A WALK
1) THE FORKS
2) ASSINIBOINE PARK
3) CORYDON AVENUE

60. Best Weekend Getaway
1) Gimli, especially the HP Tergesen & Sons store. And don’t forget about the local cuisine. Perogies and pickerel, anyone?
2) Grand Beach
3) Whiteshell Provincial Park

61) BEST PARK
1) ASSINIBOINE PARK
2) ST. VITAL PARK
3) KILDONAN PARK

62. BEST FESTIVAL
1) WINNIPEG FOLK FESTIVAL
2) FRINGE FESTIVAL
3) FOLKLORAMA

63. Best Sports Team
1) Manitoba Moose
2) Winnipeg Goldeyes
3) Winnipeg Blue Bombers

64. BEST LOCAL LANDMARK
1) THE FORKS
2) MANITOBA LEGISLATURE
3) ESPLANADE RIEL

65. Best Local Architecture
1) Esplanade Riel
2) MANITOBA LEGISLATURE
3) MTS CENTRE

66. Best Place for a First Date
1) THE FORKS
2) Movie
3) MY PLACE/APARTMENT/HOUSE/BED/FLOOR/CAR

’PEG PEOPLE

67. Best Local Actor
1) Adam Beach
2) Jason Berzuk
3) Tom Jackson

68. BEST LOCAL ACTRESS
1) ANNA PAQUIN
2) ARWEN SMITH
3) NIA VARDALOS

69. Best Local Musician
1) Big Dave McLean
2) Burton Cummings
3) Greg MacPherson

70. BEST LOCAL TURNTABLIST
1) DJ HUNNICUTT
2) DJ CO-OP
3) MAMA CUTSWORTH

71. Best Local Author
1) MIRIAM TOEWS
2) DAVID BERGEN
3) CAROL SHIELDS

72. BEST LOCAL VISUAL ARTIST
1) WANDA KOOP
2) MEERA SINGH
3) MARCEL DZAMA

73. Most Trustworthy Local Politician
1) SAM KATZ
2) NONE
3) GARY DOER

74. Sexiest Winnipegger (Male)
1) BRYCE WACH
2) HAL ANDERSON
3) CAL BERZULA

75. Sexiest Winnipegger (Female)
1) KRISTA ERICKSON
2) ARWEN SMITH
3) KATE WINIARZ

76. Best Local Radio Station
1) POWER 97
2) FREQ 107
3) UMFM

77. Best Local Radio Personality
1) ACE BURPEE
2) HAL ANDERSON
3) WHEELER

78. BEST LOCAL TV STATION
1) CTV
2) GLOBAL
3) CITY-TV

79. Best Local TV Personality
1) SYLVIA KUZYK
2) Jon Ljungberg
3) Krista Erickson

80. BEST TV EVENING NEWSCAST
1) CTV
2) CBC
3) GLOBAL