Putting Our Best Foot Forward

Something old, something new.

That's what readers gave us when we asked for nominations for favorite Eastside places and activities in a whole range of categories.

Perennial favorites popped up over and over, but this year there were also plenty of new nominees on the scene - a reflection of the booming economy and ever-changing landscape of the Eastside.

Here are some of our readers' top picks:

EATING OUT

Best business lunch: Favorite places to join Eastside wheelers and dealers include Gilbert's on Main, California Pizza Kitchen and Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue. In Kirkland folks head to the casual Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe and the more upscale Yarrow Bay Grill.

Many people recommended Polaris, available only to members and their guests at the Bellevue Club.

Obviously some folks try to keep business expenses down. That's why several suggested Costco (Issaquah and Kirkland) where a hotdog and cold drink cost $1.50 per person.

Best buffet: Top picks are Old County Buffets in Kirkland and Bellevue, Zoopa in Bellevue and Shamiana in Kirkland. Others receiving several nominations: The Eating Factory in Bellevue (Japanese buffet with sushi); the Vegetarian Gourmet Cafe at Bastyr University in Kenmore; Foody Goody Chinese Buffet in Renton; and the Sunday-only buffet brunch at Newport Bay Restaurant in Kirkland.

Best place for a late-night bite: Favorites were Third Floor Fish Cafe in Kirkland and Spazzo in Bellevue. Diehard night folks can join other yawning Eastsiders at: Burgermaster of Bellevue and multiple outlets of Cucina! Cucina!, Denny's, Red Robin and Taco Bell.

Best place for outdoor eating: Topping the al fresco list was the Calcutta Grill, a new restaurant already so beloved you need reservations. It's at The Golf Club at Newcastle. They don't even charge extra for the spectacular view. Other top-vote getters were Gilbert's on Main in Bellevue, the Yarrow Bay Beach Cafe in Kirkland, and a perennial favorite since it opened, The Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville. Also recommended are Cucina! Cucina! and Red Robin - both with multiple locations.

Best kid-friendly restaurant: Most parents already know the big-vote getters - Chuck E. Cheese in Bellevue, plus the multiple locations for McDonald's, Kidd Valley, Red Robin and Cucina! Cucina! The surprise two additions were T.G.I. Friday in Kirkland and Zoopa in Bellevue Square.

Best ethnic dining: Bellevue has become a hotbed of ethnic cooking and is home to three top picks: the King and I Thai Cuisine, Orexi and Andre's Eurasian Bistro. Tying for a top spot was Shamiana in Kirkland; highly recommended was the Golden Goat in Woodinville.

Best barbecue: When Eastsiders want divine barbecue, they head to Dixie's or 3 Pigs in Bellevue, Armadillo in Woodinville or Wildfire Ranch in Issaquah's Gilman Village. Tony Roma's of Bellevue also received a number of votes.

Best hamburgers: The top four by far were Kidd Valley and Red Robin at multiple locations, Burgermaster in Bellevue, and Wibbley's Gourmet Hamburgers in Bellevue.

Best bakery: Hoffman's Bakery in Kirkland always takes the cake in this category. Eastsiders also like the desserts and breads at Sweet Addition in Issaquah, Gilbert's on Main in Bellevue, the Hillcrest Bakery in Bothell and the newest to make the list, Fuji Cake in Bellevue.

Most decadent desserts: Reports from the chocolate and whipped-cream crowd indicate the Eastside isn't lacking high caloric offerings, with favorites Third Floor Fish Cafe in Kirkland, Sweet Addition in Issaquah, Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue and the Claim Jumper in Redmond.

Best cheap eats: Wallet feeling thin? Save money, voted readers, by dining at Crossroads Shopping Center or the Brief Encounter in Bellevue and any Toshi's Teriyaki.

Best elegant dining: Anniversary, birthday or important date? Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue and Third Floor Fish Cafe swept this category, followed by popular Yarrow Bay Grill and Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, Eques and 22 Fountain Court (formerly Azalea's Fountain Court) in Bellevue.

Best pizza: This popular category was topped by the multiple ovens of Pagliacci. Sit-and-dine or take-it-home from runners-up Coyote Creek and Pogacha restaurants, Big Time Pizza and Frankie's Pizza & Pasta in Redmond, California Pizza Kitchen in Bellevue, and Jay Berry's in Issaquah. Pizza Hut garnered a number of votes, too.

Best breakfast: This category drew passionate breakfast eaters who adore Gilbert's on Main in Bellevue, The Original Pancake House in Kirkland, The Maltby Cafe in Maltby, The Brown Bag Cafe in Kirkland and Redmond, Lil' Jon's and Chace's Pancake Corral in Bellevue and the 12th Avenue Cafe in Issaquah.

Best latte: Apparently most Eastsiders get their caffeine fix at Starbucks, the repeat favorite, followed by Tully's, Seattle's Best Coffee, Cool Beans and Stage Right in Issaquah, Jitters in Bellevue and Redmond, Triple J's in Kirkland and Victor's in Redmond.

Best brunch: Sleep late on the weekend and enjoy a leisurely brunch with fellow Eastsiders at Anthony's Homeport in Kirkland, Gilbert's on Main in Bellevue, the Calcutta Grill in Newcastle or the Newport Bay Restaurant in Kirkland.

Best brew pub: Voters loved this category. The Redhook Brewery in Woodinville was the clear favorite, followed by fans of Rock Bottom Brewery in Bellevue, the Kirkland Roaster and Ale House and the Issaquah Brew House.

NIGHT LIFE

Best club for dancing: Places to kick up your heels are few and far between on the Eastside, according to readers. Those who do dance recommend Dynamite, The Shark Club and Waldo's in Kirkland or Misty's in the Bellevue Doubletree Hotel.

Best neighborhood hangout: Rub elbows with the locals in their hangouts - such as the Mustard Seed Tavern in Bellevue and Newport Hills, Roanoake Tavern on Mercer Island, Rose Hill Alehouse & Cafe or the Clyde Hill Tully's.

Best art gallery for browsing: Get a dose of culture, say readers, by wandering through the Issaquah Gallery, the Bellevue Art Museum and the numerous galleries in downtown Kirkland.

Best sports bar: Better than sports radio because you can watch all the games and talk about them from the 8th Street Sports Bar in Bellevue, Lucky 7 Saloon in Kirkland, the Mustard Seed in Bellevue and Newport Hills, or Rock Bottom Brewery in Bellevue.

Best live theater: Issaquah's Village Theatre still draws rave reviews from fans, but close behind were any and all productions at the Kirkland Performance Center.

Best coffeehouse: Locals like to sit and sip java at Starbucks, Tully's, Triple J's in Kirkland, Victor's in Redmond and work the crossroad puzzles in Issaquah's Cool Beans.

STREET LIFE

Best outdoor festival: All roads - and most locals - head to Bellevue the last weekend in July for the Bellevue Art Museum Fair. (That's the new name for the good old Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Fair.) This year's dates are July 28-30. Other popular festivals are Issaquah Salmon Days, Taste of Kirkland, Renton River Days, Bothell's 4th of July celebration and the Heritage Festival at Marymoor Park in Redmond held over the July 4 weekend.

Best public art: Downtown Kirkland's collection of statues topped the list here, particularly "Cow and Coyote." The newest addition to the list came from admirers of the Darigold Dairy building mural in downtown Issaquah.

Best public garden: The Bellevue Botanical Garden has become almost everyone's favorite. The only other nomination from multiple readers was Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Best historical site: The favorite still is the Clise Mansion in Marymoor Park, home of the Marymoor Museum of Eastside History. Other nominees are the collection of old buildings at Bothell Landing, Snoqualmie Falls and the Kelsey Creek Farm buildings in Bellevue's Kelsey Creek Park.

Best window shopping: Bellevue Square, Redmond Town Center and downtown Kirkland led the list. The best off-beat suggestion was Bellevue's Auto Row along 116th Avenue Northeast.

Best family event: Mark your calendars now to take the family to these readers' favorites - the Heritage Festival at Marymoor Park in Redmond over the July 4 weekend, Salmon Days in Issaquah the first weekend of October, the Bothell 4th of July Celebration, and the Christmas ships (bonfires at local parks in December to see decorated boats filled with carolers).

BEST SHOPPING

Best thrift store: The most treasured of these is Value Village with stores in Redmond and Renton. Goodwill in Bellevue, Children's Hospital Thrift Store in Redmond, and the Salvation Army in Kirkland are also popular.

Best antiques: Follow the experts to Gilman Antique Gallery in Issaquah or the Kirkland Antique Mall.

Best garden nursery: Local green thumbs head to Molbak's in Woodinville, Wells-Medina in Medina, the Gray Barn (two locations in Redmond) and Eagle Hardware.

Best bookstore (new): Book lovers and browsers head to Barnes & Noble (several locations), University Bookstore in Bellevue, Borders Books in Redmond, Parkplace Book Co. in Kirkland and Island Books on Mercer Island.

Best bookstore (used): Readers on a budget head to Half Price Books in Bellevue's Crossroads Shopping Center and in downtown Redmond. Other favorites include Duvall Books and Page One Book Exchange in Bellevue.

Best customer service: Nordstrom still leads the pack. Newcomers receiving rave notices include Eddie Bauer in Redmond Town Center, The Gray Barn Nursery in Redmond's Bella Bottega Shopping Center and QFC. Wouldn't you love to know the reason why Redmond Police Department made the list?

GETTING OUTSIDE

Best park for people-watching: The eyes have it for all Kirkland waterfront parks and Marymoor Park, followed by fans of the Downtown Bellevue Park.

Best place for dog-walking: Apparently the best thing about being a dog on the Eastside is Marymoor Park. Several people also recommended the trails on Cougar Mountain and Lake Washington Boulevard in downtown Kirkland.

Best picnic spot: Pack the basket, round up the kids and head to Marymoor Park in Redmond, Lake Sammamish State Park or Houghton Beach Park in Kirkland. New suggestions that surfaced in this year's poll were Grass Lawn Park in Redmond and Meydenbauer Park in Bellevue.

Best kids' playground: Check out the play areas at Grass Lawn, Farrel McWhirter and Marymoor parks in Redmond; Houghton Beach Park and Peter Kirk in Kirkland; and the Downtown Park in Bellevue.

Best place to take out-of-town visitors: By far the most popular show-off-the-Eastside spot is Snoqualmie Falls. This year readers continue to praise the Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville and the Kirkland waterfront. Two spots have risen high in the polls - The Golf Club at Newcastle and the Rosalie Whyel Doll Museum in Bellevue, which displays much more than just dolls.

Most spectacular view: The Golf Club at Newcastle celebrated its first anniversary last month but has already become the in-spot when Eastsiders want a view. On a clear day you can see the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, Renton, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Lake Washington.

Second favorite in this popular category is Snoqualmie Falls. Diehard walkers add that you shouldn't stop at the top. Hike down to the bottom where the view is just as dramatic. The summit of Mount Si was also beloved, along with the Kirkland waterfront and Lid Park (over Interstate 90) on Mercer Island.

Best beach: All downtown Kirkland beaches, Lake Sammamish State Park in King County, Chism Beach Park, Clyde Beach Park and Newcastle Beach in Bellevue, Juanita Beach, Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island, and Gene Coulon Park in Renton.

Best day hike: Mount Si in North Bend, Tiger Mountain State Park and Cougar Mountain near Issaquah, Snoqualmie Falls and Twin Falls State Park in Snoqualmie.

Best bicycling day trip: Sammamish River Trail. Pick it up anywhere along the north and east shore of Lake Washington, from Kenmore to Redmond.

Best urban walk: Kirkland waterfront, Lake Hills Trail and the Mercer Slough in Bellevue.

Best place to spend a rainy day: The answer from many readers was in a library, followed by a bookstore, Bellevue Square and a movie theater.

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Sherry Grindeland's phone message number is 206-515-5633. Her e-mail address is sgrindeland@seattletimes.com