WINNERS: Best of La Jolla 2011


READER FAVORITES

Here are the results of La Jolla Light’s online Readers Poll for the 13th annual Best Of election for favorite local businesses, restaurants and people. You’ll find some of the same names listed as in years past, as well as some new places on the La Jolla scene, and some who took honors in more than one category.

Congratulations to all the winners and the second- and third-place finishers — and thanks to all our readers who took the time to vote.

As you peruse through the list, remember the merchants, restaurateurs, hoteliers and professionals listed here are what make The Jewel a great place to live, work and visit. Please support them by shopping and dining at and frequenting their establishments.

Best Restaurant
  1. George’s at the Cove
  2. The Steakhouse at Azul
  3. NINE-TEN
New Restaurant
  1. Crab Catcher Market Café
  2. Panera Bread
  3. Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Breakfast
  1. Harry’s Coffee Shop
  2. The Cottage
  3. Brockton Villa
Lunch
  1. Aroma Café
  2. George’s at the Cove
  3. Girard Gourmet
Takeout
  1. Burger Lounge
  2. Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ
  3. El Pescador & Girard Gourmet
Brunch
  1. La Valencia Hotel
  2. Beaumont’s
  3. Brockton Villa
Family Restaurant
  1. Beaumont’s
  2. Barbarella’s
  3. The Cottage
Outdoor Restaurant
  1. George’s at the Cove
  2. AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
  3. Brockton Villa
Burger
  1. Burger Lounge
  2. Smashburger
  3. Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ
Dessert
  1. Michele Coulon Bakery
  2. The French Gourmet
  3. Girard Gourmet
Margarita
  1. Alfonso’s
  2. Su Casa
  3. Jose’s Court Room
Pizza
  1. Pizza on Pearl
  2. Extreme Pizza
  3. Carino’s
Sandwich
  1. Girard Gourmet
  2. El Pescador
  3. Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ
Sushi
  1. Sushi on the Rock II
  2. Zenbu
  3. Aloha Sushi
Seafood
  1. El Pescador
  2. Crab Catcher
  3. The Marine Room
Steak
  1. Fleming’s
  2. The Steakhouse at Azul
  3. AR Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
American
  1. Beaumont’s
  2. Harry’s Coffee Shop
  3. Karl Strauss
Chinese
  1. Mandarin House
  2. China Chef
  3. Fugu’s
Mediterranean
  1. Marketplace Grille
  2. Piatti
  3. Marrakesh
French
  1. The French Gourmet
  2. Tapenade
  3. Maitre D
Italian
  1. Piatti Ristorante
  2. La Dolce Vita
  3. Café Milano
Mexican
  1. Alfonso’s
  2. Su Casa
  3. Don Carlos
Thai
  1. Spice & Rice
  2. La Basil Thai
  3. Chedi Thai
Bakery
  1. The French Gourmet
  2. Brick & Bell Café
  3. Girard Gourmet
Café
  1. Brick & Bell Café
  2. The Living Room Café
  3. Come On In Café
Catering
  1. The French Gourmet
  2. Giuseppe
  3. Girard Gourmet
Coffee Shop
  1. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
  2. Pannikin
  3. Brick & Bell Café
Wedding Venue
  • 1. La Valencia Hotel
  • 2. Darlington House
  • 3. Cuvier Club
  • 3. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
  1. Baskin Robbins
  2. Froglander’s
  3. Cold Stone
Pharmacy
  1. Burns Drugs
  2. CVS
  3. Pharmaca
Furniture
  1. Seaside Home
  2. Roche-Bobois
  3. Etceteras
Rugs
  1. San Diego Rugs
  2. Aja
  3. Prospect Rug
Bank
  1. Wells Fargo
  2. Bank of America
  3. Chase
Hotel
  1. La Valencia
  2. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
  3. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Best Men’s Apparel
  1. Ascot Shop
  2. Armani
  3. A Better Deal
Men’s Formal Wear
  1. Ascot Shop
  2. Armani
  3. A Better Deal
Women’s Boutique
  1. Kerut
  2. Sigi’s Boutique
  3. La Donna
Shoes
  1. Euro Comfort
  2. LJ Shoe Gallery
  3. Rangoni
Eyewear/Sunglasses
  1. La Jolla Optique
  2. Dr. Trainer
  3. Optical Shop of Aspen
Jewelry
  1. Bower’s Jewelers
  2. Jewels by the Sea
  3. CJ Charles
Dry Cleaner
  1. Margaret’s
  2. La Jolla Cleaners
  3. Lele’s
Florist
  1. Adelaide’s
  2. Bridget’s Blooms
  3. Bloomers
Grocery
  1. Vons
  2. Jonathan’s
  3. Whole Foods
Housekeeping
  1. Merry Maids
  2. Rene’s of La Jolla
  3. The Maids
Travel Agency
  1. Cadence
  2. Worldview Travel
  3. Chayet Travel
Insurance Agent — Three Way Tie
  • 1. La Jolla Insurance Services
  • 1. Nigel Mallett — Farmers
  • 1. Terry Hudkins — State Farm
Hair Salon
  1. Alessandro
  2. Christina Q
  3. Model Call
Day Spa
  1. SK Sanctuary
  2. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
  3. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Health Club
  1. 24 Hour Fitness
  2. La Jolla Sports Club
  3. Bird Rock Fit
Yoga
  1. La Jolla Yoga Center
  2. Bikram
  3. Prana
Senior Living
  1. Casa de Mañana
  2. Seasons at La Jolla
  3. Chateau La Jolla
Art Gallery
  1. Contemporary Fine Art
  2. Alcala Gallery
  3. Quint Gallery
Dentist
  1. Dr. Alicia Kennedy
  2. Dr. Joseph D’Angelo
  3. Dr. H. Kent Reed AND Dr. Phillip Burgess
Dermatologist
  1. Dr. Scott Boughton
  2. Dr. Howard Milstein
  3. Dr. Susan Stuart
Plastic Surgeon
  1. Dr. Stephen M. Krant
  2. Dr. Robert Singer
  3. Dr. John Smoot
Contractor
  1. Beacham Construction
  2. Dewhurst & Associates
  3. Four by Four
Financial Planner
  1. Scott Kyle — Coastwise Capital Group LLC
  2. Frank Pedace — Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
  3. Avelino Cortina III AND Matt Murphy — JP Morgan Chase
Trainer
  1. Brandie Sharpe & Catherine Cox — Crossfit La Jolla/Sharpe Fitness
  2. Ethan Kopsch — Bird Rock Fit
  3. Josh Liberty — La Jolla Sports Club