Best of Jewish Phoenix

Food & Drink

Best Selection of
Kosher Wines...
A deep selection of primo vino is just the tip of the iceberg at AJ's Fine Foods. Its selection of kosher wines was voted Best of Jewish Phoenix. 602-230-7015.
Runner up: Sportsman's Fine Wines & Spirits

Favorite Place to
Stock Up for Passover...
Mama Manischewitz! Readers agree there's no better place to stock up on Passover necessities like matzo, horseradish and gefilte fish than Segal's. 602-285-1515.

Best Kosher Catering...
From weddings to bar mitzvahs to elegant dinner parties, Simply Scrumptious has emerged as the best purveyor of kosher catering. 480-483-2425.
Runner up: Danziger Kosher Catering

Best Selection of
Dr. Brown's Sodas...
A Valley institution, the venerable Miracle Mile delis were voted best place to find a favorite flavor of Dr. Brown's unusual sodas. Black cherry and cream soda are classics, but
it's more fun to take a walk on the wild side:
Cel-ray, anyone? 602-277-4783.

Favorite Bagels...
Is it the variety? The delightful dough? No matter the reason, readers chose New York Bagels, Bialys 'n Pizza as their favorite place to pick up a dozen. 480-991-3034.
Runner up: Chompie's

Most Delectable
Chopped Liver...
Chopped liver and barbecue? Who woulda thunk? The voters' favorite was Don & Charlie's whose chopped liver is served for free with a well-stocked breadbasket. Of course, you have to order dinner first. 480-990-0900.

Best Kosher Hot Dog...
Where should you go for the best kosher hot dog? How about Costco? We never knew it had such a following, but for virtually all the hot dog-loving voters, Costco's $1.50 Hebrew Nationals including a drink, were deemed the dogs.
602-840-2201.
Runner up: Great Dane's Doghouse

Best Matzo Ball Soup...
Is it a bowl of heaven? Not quite - but it comes close enough for mere mortals - it's a bowl of Kashman's Place matzo ball soup. 480-585-6221.
Honorable mention: "My wife's." N. Motzkin, Phoenix

Best Challah...
Despite some fierce competition, Arizona Bread Company took top egg bread honors with its luscious loaves for the Best of Jewish Phoenix. 480-948-8338.
Runner up: Karsh's

Favorite Salad Bar...
Grab a tray, undo that belt buckle and dig in to the array of fixins at Sweet Tomatoes, named the favorite salad bar. Just don't forget to save room for dessert. 480-705-8774.

Favorite
Deli Platter...
Got a hungry horde to feed? Are sliced meats the only way to satisfy them? New York Bagels, Bialys 'n Pizza was voted the Valley's favorite deli platter. 480-991-3034.
Runner up: Scott's Generations

Best Chinese Food...
Whether your tastes run from traditional (Mu-Shu Chicken) to adventurous (Crispy Lemon Halibut), Flo's - An Experience in Chinese is the reader favorite for Chinese dining. 480-661-8883.
Runner up: Jade Palace

Best Italian Food...
Nina, the proprietor of Tutti Santi, has been serving fine Italian food in the Valley for years, and her recognition for Best of Jewish Phoenix underlines her status as a favorite. 602-216-0336.
Honorable mention: Furio

Best Pizza...
Ah, the power of cheese. With or without anchovies, Streets of New York takes top honors for the best slice of pizza pie. 602-952-0124.
Runner up: NYPD Pizza

Favorite
Sunday Brunch...
Where can you experience top-notch service, white tablecloths, a refined atmosphere and a multi-room buffet of just about everything under the culinary sun? At The Phoenician, of course. Its opulent brunch is worth every dollar.
480-941-8200.

Favorite
Neighborhood Nosh...
Jewish News readers picked Einstein Brothers Bagels as their favorite place to grab a quick bite in the 'hood. 602-216-6275.
Honorable mention: Pugzie's

Best Israeli or Middle Eastern Food...
Hummus, tabouli and pita, oh my! Readers picked Sabuddy as their favorite place to tuck into Israeli or Middle Eastern delicacies. 480-894-8387.

Best Sushi...
Low tables for quiet conversation, authentic decor, a relaxed vibe and personable chefs set the stage for sushi at Ayako of Tokyo - voted Best of Jewish Phoenix. 602-955-7007.
Runner up: Ra

Favorite Place to Splurge on Dinner...
Dedicated carnivores and those in search of decadent dining chose Mastro's Steak House as the favorite place to spend some shekels on a lavish meal. 480-585-9500.

Lifecycle & Lifestyle

Best Synagogue
Oneg Spread...
Whether it's the cookies, the "coffee talk" or the company, Temple Solel was voted the Valley's best house of worship for oneg Shabbat. 480-991-7414.

Friendliest Friday-Night Service...
Everyone is welcomed as friends and strangers come together at Temple Chai for the Valley's friendliest Friday-night services. 602-971-1234.
Honorable mention: Raw Kaballah

Best Place to
Buy a Bar Mitzvah Suit...
Specializing in big and tall, Thaku also tackles the needs of the small, and young boys are bound to find something to wear that's just the right size. 480-947-7070.

Best Place to
Buy a Bat Mitzvah Dress...
Girly-girls and punk rockers agree: it's "selection heaven" at Nordstrom, where the perfect bat mitzvah dress is sure to be found, no matter what her taste. 480-946-4111.
Honorable mention: Blossom

Favorite Wedding DJ...
Can't live without the Macarena? Can't live with it? Ray the DJ, the Best of Jewish Phoenix pick for favorite music maker, will play the songs you like. 480-921-9665.
Runner up: Limelight Music & Entertainment

Most Creative
Wedding Cakes...
When it's time for nuptials and pastry, readers look to Cathy's Rum Cake for creative statements in flour and icing. 480-945-9205.
Honorable mention: Sweet Inspirations

Best Hotel for
Putting Up the Relatives...
Is Cousin Joey's early rising a thorn in your side? Want to make sure Aunt Eleanor is pampered? Just need some time alone? Chaparral Suites Hotel was voted the best place to put up the relatives. 480-949-1414.
Runner up: Marriot Mountain Shadows

Favorite Place for
Afternoon Shopping...
Offering miles of air-conditioned shopping pleasure, Scottsdale Fashion Square was deemed the best place to while away the afternoon (while giving that credit card a workout).
Runner up: Biltmore Fashion Park

Best Men's Shoe Store...
Black or brown? Tassels or no tassels? There's a plethora of choices at Nordstrom and extremely patient salespeople to help you make a wise decision. A caveat - if your feet are different sizes, they will accommodate your needs. 480-946-4111.
Runner up: E & J Designer Shoes

Best Women's
Specialty Fashion...
A specialty store should provide service, selection and merchandise geared to a discerning clientele. Those looking to make a statement chose Chico's as the Valley's best specialty women's clothing. 602-508-8422.
Runner up: Uh Oh

Favorite Place to
Meet for Coffee...
This could have won for people watching just as easily, but the Biltmore Fashion Park Coffee Plantation took honors for best place to meet for coffee. 602-553-0203.
Runner up: Hava Java

Best Place to
Hear New York Banter...
If you miss the delicate sound of New Yawkahs tawking, head down to Scott's Generations for an egg cream and a shmooze - it's the best place to hear NYC banter. 602-277-5662.

Best Place to
Hear Chicago Banter...
Feeling nostalgic for Chi-town? Wanna discuss the Cubbies with someone who knows the score? Head down to Don & Charlie's, readers' choice for best place to hear Chicago banter. 480-990-0900.
Honorable mention: Jewish News

Favorite Spa to
Get Pampered...
With its specialized treatments (hot stones) and a rarefied atmosphere (total indulgence), The Spa at Camelback Inn was voted best place to indulge yourself with a little pampering. 480-596-7040.

Best Place for a Manicure in a Hurry...
Whether you're popping in for a quick "French" or touching up those fills, Tia's Nails was voted the best place to get in and out in a hurry and still look fabulous. 480-998-2225.

Favorite Place for Men's Haircuts...
Don't want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy, snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty, oily, greasy, fleecy, shining, gleaming, steaming, flaxen, waxen, knotted or polka-dotted? The many Valley locations of Great Clips were voted best place for men to get shorn. 623-465-3289.

Favorite Park to Walk the Dog...
Fido, Fifi and Spot will enjoy taking their owners for a brisk walk in Chaparral Park. (And their owners will enjoy it, too.) 480-312-2353.
Runner up: Lookout Mountain

Best Place to
Entertain Kids...
With an actual running train and acres of inviting, green grass, McCormick Railroad Park is the hands-down favorite for the best place to keep the kids entertained. 480-312-2312.
Runner up: As You Wish

Best Place to Feel Like a Native...
The roaring crowd, the crack of the bat, a World Series-winning team... Bank One Ballpark gets the vote for best place to feel like a native Phoenician. 602-462-6000.
Runner up: Durant's
Honorable mention: "Any place you sweat." P. Brutcher, Phoenix

Singles

Best Place to Meet Jewish Singles...
Ask, "Can I buy you a drink?" not "What's your sign?" at Houston's, the best place for Jewish singles to meet and greet. It's also the best place to go in your work clothes - you'll never feel overdressed in a suit. 602-957-9700.

Favorite Happy Hour Spot...
Discounted sushi and drinks, trendy people and a cool milieu for hanging out combine to make Zen 32 the favorite happy hour spot. Catch the Japanimation on the video screen in the back - if you can take your eyes off the other patrons. 602-954-8700.

Best Singles Group for 30-Somethings...
Whether they're hiking, biking, rock climbing, playing volleyball or doing happy hour at the newest nightspots, Arizona Adventurers always have something going on. 480-456-1907.

Best Singles Group for 50-Somethings...
Monthly 'happenings' bring the singles of Happenings together for friendship and support ... and romance. 602-433-1844.

Best Place for a First Date...
The sound of ivories being tickled, the urban vibe, the aroma of fresh bread, the aura of romance. It must be My Florist Caf‚ - readers' choice for the best place to get to know someone on a first date. 602-254-0333.
Honorable mention: Vintage Market

Best Bar for Mingling...
With its soft lighting, expansive patio and buzzing mix of hip young singles, Suede emerges as the best bar in the Valley to practice those opening lines. 480-429-6000.

Best Place to People-Watch...
Where else but Sky Harbor Airport could be the best place to people-watch? Hustling and bustling passengers arrive and depart in a constant, scenic, chaotic flow.
Runner up: Downtown Tempe

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