Bold City Best 2015
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
The Inaugural …<br />
WINNERS<br />
GUIDE<br />
Dive into<br />
‘That <strong>Bold</strong><br />
<strong>City</strong> Party’<br />
Page 4<br />
Seven-category<br />
winner Metro Diner<br />
proudly introduces<br />
the ‘<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Burger’<br />
Page 16<br />
boldcitybest.com<br />
Meet the<br />
<strong>Best</strong> of 134<br />
categories<br />
Page 5
2 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Winners and where to find them:<br />
Things to Do and Places to Be<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Art Gallery: Through the Lens of Lee-Margaret.........................................................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Concert/Event of <strong>2015</strong>: Florida Country Superfest EverBank Field ................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Farmers Market: Riverside Arts Market (RAM) ........................................................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Golf Course: The PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass...........................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Haunted House: Spooktacular at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens .......................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Kid's Entertainment: Town of Orange Park Kids Fest..............................................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Live Music Venue: Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center ...............................6<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Live Theatre: Alhambra Theatre & Dining.....................................................................7<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Charity Event: Fries With That Wine...................................................................7<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Marina: Beach Marine.............................................................................................................8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Movie Theater: Sun-Ray Cinema........................................................................................8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Summer Camp: YMCA of Florida’s First Coast............................................................8<br />
Cuisine and Cocktails<br />
<strong>Best</strong> All You Can Eat: Golden Corral ..........................................................................................8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bang for the Buck Restaurant: Metro Diner.................................................................8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Family Restaurant: Metro Diner.........................................................................................8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Farm to Table / Locally Supplied Restaurant: Kitchen on San Marco..............8<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Outdoor Dining: Black Sheep Restaurant ......................................................................9<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Romantic Restaurant: Restaurant Orsay.......................................................................9<br />
<strong>Best</strong>-kept Secret Restaurant: Jaxon Social ............................................................................9<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Southern Cuisine: The Potter’s House Soul Food Bistro.........................................9<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Special Occasion Restaurant: Restaurant Orsay........................................................9<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bar/Pub: Kickbacks Gastropub/Goozlepipe & Guttyworks...................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Happy Hour: European Street Café...................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Brewery: <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Brewery....................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Sports Bar: The Mudville Grille...........................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Beer Selection: Kickbacks Gastropub/Goozlepipe & Guttyworks......................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Margarita: La Napolera..........................................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Martini: Ocean 60.....................................................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wine List: Restaurant Orsay ...............................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Barbecue: Mojo Barbque.......................................................................................................10<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Burger: Metro Diner.................................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Burrito: Burrito Gallery .........................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Crab Cakes: Barbara Jean’s .................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pancakes: Metro Diner............................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pizza: Moon River Pizza .........................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Salads: Tossgreen Custom Salads & Grill ......................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wings: Dick’s Wings and Grill..............................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Breakfast: Metro Diner...........................................................................................................11<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Brunch: Metro Diner.................................................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Coffee Shop: <strong>Bold</strong> Bean Coffee Roasters ......................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dessert: Biscotti’s.....................................................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Food TrucK: The Happy Grilled Cheese ..........................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Healthy Eating: Native Sun Natural Foods Market ...................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bakery: Cinotti’s Bakery & Deli...........................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Deli: Pinegrove Market & Deli..............................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Sushi: Kazu Japanese Restaurant.....................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Diner: Metro Diner....................................................................................................................12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chinese Restaurant: Blue Bamboo Restaurant and Handcrafted Cocktails .12<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Indian Restaurant: India House ........................................................................................14<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Italian Restaurant: Enza’s Italian Restaurant.............................................................14<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Japanese Restaurant: Kazu Japanese Restaurant....................................................14<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Mexican Restaurant: La Napolera.....................................................................................14<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Seafood Restaurant: Salt Life Food Shack....................................................................14<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Thai Restaurant: Indochine..................................................................................................15<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Chocolatier: Sweet Pete’s.........................................................................................15<br />
<strong>Best</strong> New Restaurant: Trasca & Co. Eatery.............................................................................15<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chef: Sam Efron from Taverna............................................................................................15<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Restaurant Overall: Taverna ...............................................................................................15<br />
Homes and Finance<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Homebuilder: D.R. Horton......................................................................................................18<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Real Estate Broker/Agency: Exit Real Estate Gallery..............................................18<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Real Estate Agent: Anita G. Hiles.......................................................................................18<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bank/Credit Union: Vystar Credit Union........................................................................20<br />
Health and Well-being<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chiropractic Practice: Silver Chiropractic & Wellness............................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Doctor: Adam Dimitrov, MD, FAAFP.................................................................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Cosmetic Surgeon: Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery.......................................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dental Practice: Cypress Point Family Dentistry ......................................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dermatology Practice: First Coast Dermatology.......................................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Eye Care Practice: Atlantic Eye Institute.......................................................................20<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Foot Comfort Specialist: Foot Solutions.........................................................................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hearing Aid Professiona: Clear Ear Hearing Solutions............................................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Medical Spa: Youthful Medical Spa..................................................................................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Orthodontic Practice: Joy Orthodontics........................................................................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Orthopedic Practice: Heekin Clinic....................................................................................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pediatric Practice: All About Kids & Families Medical Center ...........................21<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Veterinary Practice: St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital..................................................22<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Fitness Center/Gym: Orangetheory Fitness..................................................................22<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Yoga Studio: Yoga Den............................................................................................................22<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Weight Loss Center: FirstCoast M.D................................................................................22<br />
Home and Professional Services<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Air Conditioning/Heating Service: Snyder Heating<br />
& Air Conditioning Company ..............................................................................................22<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Auto Repair Shop: RPM Automotive ...............................................................................22<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Carpet Cleaning Company: First Coast Home Pros...................................................23<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Car Wash/Detail Service: Charles and George’s Car Wash ..................................23<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Caterer: Chef’s Garden Catering & Events....................................................................23<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dry Cleaners: Oceanside Cleaners ....................................................................................23<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Flooring Store: About Floors n’ More..............................................................................24<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Florist: Kuhn Flowers...............................................................................................................24<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hair Salon: Gwynne Mims Salon.........................................................................................24<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Landscaping Company: Horizon Landscaping..............................................................24<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Law Firm: Law Offices of John Phillips ..........................................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Lawn Service: Peninsular Pest Control Service, Inc.................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Nail Salon: Bella Diva Hair Nails & Spa............................................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Painting Service: The Painting Craftsmen....................................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pest Control: Peninsular Pest Control Service, Inc...................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pet Groomer - TIE:<br />
Fluffy Cuts.....................................................................................................................................25<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa ......................................................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pet Sitting Service / Boarding: Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa ...................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Photographer: Through the Lens of Lee-Margaret...................................................25<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Plumber: J. Whitehead Plumbing Inc..............................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pool Service and Care: Pinch a Penny..............................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Tattoo Shop: Black Hive Tattoos........................................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wedding Planner: GG Events and Wedding Planning...............................................26<br />
Shops of Jax<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Antique Shop: Eco Relics........................................................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Boutique: Grease Rags Clothing Co. ................................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Children’s Clothes: Once Upon a Child ............................................................................26<br />
<strong>Best</strong> E-Cig/Vapor Store: New Leaf Vapor Co. ........................................................................27<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Furniture Store: Ashley HomeStore..................................................................................27<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Garden Shop/Nursery: Earth Works Landscape and Garden Center...............27<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Grocery Store: Publix..............................................................................................................27<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hardware Store: Ace Hardware.........................................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Health Food Store: Native Sun Natural Foods Market ............................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Jewelry Store: Underwood Jewelers .............................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Liquor Store: Total Wine & More.......................................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Mall / Shopping Center: St. Johns Town Center.........................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pawn Shop: Mayport Gun and Pawn ...............................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Shoe Store: Foot Solutions....................................................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Thrift Shop: Goodwill Thrift Stores..................................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Unique Shop: New Leaf Vapor Co. ....................................................................................28<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Vintage Shop: Eco Relics........................................................................................................28<br />
Autos and More<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Car Dealership: Tom Bush Family of Dealerships........................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Used Car Dealership: Tom Bush Family of Dealerships............................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Boat Dealership: North Florida Yacht Sales..................................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> RV Dealership: Camping World ..........................................................................................29<br />
People, Faces and Places of Jax<br />
<strong>Best</strong> TV Anchor: Tom Wills ............................................................................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Radio Personality/Host: Melissa Ross.............................................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Newspaper Reporter/Columnist: Mark Woods ........................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Celebrity: Shad Khan...................................................................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Visionary of Jacksonville: Shad Khan .............................................................................29<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Person in Public Office: Lenny Curry................................................................................30<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Sports Hero: Tim Tebow............................................................................................30<br />
<strong>Bold</strong>est Person of Jacksonville’s Past: Jake Godbold ........................................................30<br />
<strong>Bold</strong>est Person of Jacksonville’s Present: Shad Khan.........................................................30<br />
<strong>Best</strong> New Business: Orangetheory Fitness..............................................................................30<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Large (100+ employees) - TIE<br />
D.R. Horton....................................................................................................................................30<br />
St. Vincent’s HealthCare .......................................................................................................30<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Medium (25-99 employees): Vast Bridges ..............................30<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Small (less than 25 employees): All About Events................30<br />
About this section<br />
The <strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Winners Guide was produced<br />
by the Times-Union Specialty Publications Department<br />
and Jacksonville.com:<br />
Jacksonville.com Digital Director: Gary T. Mills<br />
Jacksonville.com Digital Designer/UX: Derek Hembd<br />
Managing Editor of Specialty Audience: Joe DeSalvo<br />
Seven-category<br />
winner Metro Diner<br />
proudly introduces<br />
the ‘<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Burger’<br />
Specialty Publications creative copywriter: Jacqueline Persandi<br />
Specialty Publications graphic designer: Beth Blacker<br />
Specialty Publications content assistant: Samantha Arora<br />
Times-Union Media Marketing Manager: Karen Brashear<br />
Times-Union Media Retail Sales Manager: Liz Borten<br />
Times-Union Advertising Operations Coordinator: Dianne Knapp<br />
Times-Union Media Marketing designer: Michael Merriam<br />
The cover photo of the Metro Diner “<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Burger” was taken by<br />
Florida Time-Union staff photographer Will Dickey.<br />
More coverage of the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> winners can be found at boldcitybest.com<br />
Page 16<br />
The Inaugural …<br />
WINNERS<br />
GUIDE<br />
boldcitybest.com<br />
Dive into<br />
‘That <strong>Bold</strong><br />
<strong>City</strong> Party’<br />
Page 4<br />
Meet the<br />
<strong>Best</strong> of 134<br />
categories<br />
Page 5<br />
Apple Watch Winner!<br />
To say thank you to all of those<br />
who voted in the inaugural <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Best</strong> contest, Jacksonville.com and<br />
the Florida Times-Union randomly<br />
selected one lucky voter to receive a<br />
brand-new Apple Watch!<br />
Congratulations to the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Best</strong> Apple Watch Giveaway winner:<br />
Carla Bosurgi of Jacksonville.<br />
Apple is not a participant in or sponsor of<br />
this promotion.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 3<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> city.<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> winners.<br />
Jacksonville hard to beat … no matter the category<br />
Bob.Self@jacksonville.com<br />
Folks in this “<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’’ are not<br />
shy when it comes to sharing<br />
their bold tastes.<br />
Votes were cast in 134 categories<br />
in the inaugural <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong><br />
competition, presented by<br />
Jacksonville.com.<br />
But, before we fast-forward to the<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> winners for <strong>2015</strong>, let’s take a<br />
brief look back at how Jacksonville<br />
became a “<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>.’’<br />
The story begins in the mid-1960s<br />
when rapid urban sprawling sent<br />
many residents away from central<br />
urban areas and out of downtown<br />
Jacksonville. As the city’s tax<br />
base scattered, there was also an<br />
outbreak of corruption among city<br />
officials. This paved the way for a<br />
consolidation of Jacksonville and<br />
Duval County.<br />
On Oct. 1, 1968, a new border<br />
was established at Florida 13<br />
and Julington Creek, making<br />
Jacksonville the largest city by land<br />
mass in the continental United<br />
States. Mayor Hans Tanzler added a<br />
sign at the new Jacksonville boarder<br />
that boasted, “<strong>Bold</strong> New <strong>City</strong> of the<br />
South.”<br />
Today, Jacksonville is still the<br />
largest city by land mass (747 square<br />
miles) and definitely a bolder city<br />
with many things to offer. The<br />
region is continually expanding<br />
with new suburban neighborhoods<br />
and the simultaneous development<br />
of downtown. However, the city still<br />
preserves the small-town charm<br />
that originally made it so popular<br />
with tourists and residents alike.<br />
Jacksonville is a city that knows<br />
how to have a good time. The<br />
First Coast is recognized for a<br />
host of exciting events, including<br />
the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars at<br />
EverBank Field, THE PLAYERS<br />
Championship, the Riverside Arts<br />
Market, and (spoiler alert) Florida<br />
Country Superfest — voted <strong>Bold</strong><br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Concert/Event.<br />
In this inaugural guide, we<br />
have your official <strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Best</strong> winners. These selections<br />
were made by locals for locals and<br />
visitors alike — for things to do and<br />
places to be; cuisine and cocktails;<br />
homes and finance; health and<br />
well-being; homes and professional<br />
services; shopping; auto; and<br />
people, faces and places of Jax.<br />
Along with the comprehensive<br />
listing of your favorites, we’ve<br />
spotlighted our overall highest vote<br />
earner; the winner of the Apple<br />
Watch Giveaway grand prize; and<br />
an exciting bash celebrating all the<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> winners!
4 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Photo provided by 904 Happy Hour<br />
Don’t miss the boldest party of the year. “That <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Party” is your chance to drink, dance and take a dip in the pools on the FanDuelVille Deck at EverBank Field.<br />
The party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.<br />
Make a splash at<br />
‘That <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Party’<br />
Bruce.Lipsky@jacksonville.com<br />
Get your camera phones ready to capture the moment — special guest Jaxson<br />
de Ville will make an appearance at “That <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Party.”<br />
By Jacqueline Persandi<br />
Jacqueline.Persandi@jacksonville.com<br />
Join the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> as they make<br />
a splash at EverBank Field on<br />
Thursday, Oct. 1.<br />
“That <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Party,” presented by<br />
Jacskonville.com and 904 Happy Hour,<br />
is the inaugural celebration for the<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> winners.<br />
Guests 21 and up are invited to<br />
celebrate on the FanDuelVille Deck<br />
(formerly known as the Clevelander<br />
Deck), which features cabana areas<br />
and pools. Dance, drink and mingle<br />
while <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> winners are<br />
recognized on the world’s largest<br />
scoreboards.<br />
The celebration features live music<br />
by some of Jacksonville’s hottest bands,<br />
including The Chris Thomas Band,<br />
The Band Be Easy and Who Rescued<br />
Who. The local ensembles will play<br />
as party-goers enjoy the music, take a<br />
dip in the famous stadium swimming<br />
pools, and sip cocktails on the deck<br />
from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.<br />
“Whether you come from work in a<br />
business suit or wear your swimsuit,<br />
there will be fun for all,” said Anna<br />
Kurzanski, event planning manager at<br />
Times-Union Media.<br />
Single tickets include access to the<br />
event, one complimentary cocktail,<br />
select drink specials, light hors<br />
d’oeuvres, and a swag bag with branded<br />
gifts, coupons and offers from several of<br />
the <strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> winners.<br />
You can even reserve a cabana for<br />
you and your friends and receive 20 allaccess<br />
passes and T-shirts, $150 food<br />
and beverage credit and a personalized<br />
cabana banner at the boldest party of<br />
the year.<br />
Complimentary parking for the<br />
event is available at EverBank Field<br />
in lots M and N. Tickets are $45, and<br />
space is limited. To join the party, visit<br />
boldcityparty.com.
Winners. . .<br />
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 5
6 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Florida Country Superfest is a twoday<br />
country music festival with some<br />
of the hottest artists topping today’s<br />
charts. The festival typically takes<br />
place at EverBank Field in the summer.<br />
Things to Do<br />
and Places to Be<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Art Gallery<br />
Through the Lens of Lee-Margaret<br />
4224 Herschel St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32210<br />
(904) 387-8710<br />
throughthelensoflee-margaret.com<br />
For nearly two decades, Through<br />
the Lens of Lee-Margaret has<br />
attracted a worldwide following of<br />
collectors. The subjects of their award<br />
winning photographs originate from<br />
distant lands to area neighborhoods;<br />
from mountaintops to underwater<br />
adventures stretching over six<br />
continents and the Arctic. Their gallery<br />
offers signed and numbered limited<br />
editions printed on museum quality<br />
photographic paper and matted with<br />
acid-free archival quality materials,<br />
including custom matting and<br />
framing.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Concert/Event of <strong>2015</strong><br />
Florida Country Superfest<br />
EverBank Field<br />
1 Everbank Field Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 633-6100<br />
floridacountrysuperfest.com<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Farmers Market<br />
Riverside Arts Market (RAM)<br />
2623 Herschel St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 389-2449<br />
riversideartsmarket.com<br />
The Riverside Arts Market takes<br />
place rain or shine every Saturday<br />
at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March to<br />
December. It is Jacksonville’s premier<br />
destination for art lovers, treasure<br />
hunters, music fans and foodies.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Golf Course<br />
The PLAYERS Stadium Course at<br />
TPC Sawgrass<br />
110 Championship Way<br />
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082<br />
(904) 273-3235<br />
tpc.com/sawgrass-tee-times<br />
Jacksonville is proud to have the<br />
world headquarters of professional golf<br />
in its backyard; the golf courses of the<br />
TPC offer an unparalleled experience.<br />
TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra boasts<br />
two immaculately maintained<br />
golf courses both designed by the<br />
legendary Pete Dye. Make a tee time<br />
today at the one and only best course<br />
— TPC Sawgrass.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Haunted House<br />
Spooktacular at Jacksonville Zoo<br />
and Gardens<br />
370 Zoo Pkwy.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32218<br />
(904) 757-4463<br />
jacksonvillezoo.org<br />
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has<br />
been hosting its annual Halloween<br />
event, Spooktacular, for 28 years.<br />
A local, family-friendly favorite,<br />
Spooktacular features a variety of<br />
attractions throughout its Lands of<br />
Enchantment including three optional<br />
scare zones: Land of the Zombie, the<br />
Witch’s Castle and the Dragon’s Lair.<br />
Photo provided by the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens<br />
Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a safe and exciting<br />
Halloween adventure for children of all ages.<br />
Photo by Brent Culbertson<br />
David Gray on stage at the Florida Theatre Performing Arts Center, which won<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Live Music Venue.<br />
Spooktacular offers trick-or-treating<br />
for the children, thousands of carved<br />
jack-o’-lanterns, face painting and<br />
more. Visit the event Oct. 16-18, 23-25<br />
and 28-31.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Kid's Entertainment<br />
Town of Orange Park Kids Fest<br />
2042 Park Ave.<br />
Orange Park, FL 32073<br />
(904) 264-2635<br />
opkidsfest.com<br />
Orange Park Kids Fest wins <strong>Best</strong><br />
Kids Entertainment! Thank you for<br />
voting and supporting the Town of<br />
Orange Park. Join the next festival in<br />
June 2016. Event details can be found<br />
at opkidsfest.com.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Live Music Venue<br />
Florida Theatre Performing Arts<br />
Center<br />
128 East Forsyth St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 355-5661<br />
floridatheatre.com<br />
Established in 1927 and managed by<br />
a local nonprofit since 1987, the historic<br />
Florida Theatre is one of the country’s<br />
Top 100 theatre venues according to<br />
attendance reported to the concert<br />
industry magazine Pollstar. However,<br />
Jacksonville residents have known<br />
for years, like Elvis Costello told the<br />
Times-Union this year, that the Florida<br />
Theatre is, “… one of the great halls.<br />
It’s a tremendous hall. The minute you<br />
walk in there you know that something<br />
good’s going to happen.”
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 7<br />
Photo provided by Alhambra Theatre & Dining<br />
A fountain outside the Alhambra Theatre & Dining lights the way as guests<br />
arrive.<br />
Photo provided by Fries With That Wine<br />
Guests enjoy cocktails and McDonald’s favorites while supporting a good cause at<br />
the local charity event Fries With That Wine.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Live Theatre<br />
Alhambra Theatre & Dining<br />
12000 Beach Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
(904) 641-1212<br />
alhambrajax.com<br />
Alhambra Theatre & Dining is the<br />
nation’s longest continually running<br />
professional dinner theatre. The<br />
<strong>2015</strong> schedule includes the musical<br />
Anything Goes in October and<br />
November, and Bruce Allen Schudder’s<br />
Christmas Carole in November and<br />
December.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Charity Event<br />
Fries With That Wine<br />
Ronald McDonald House Charities of<br />
Jacksonville, Inc.<br />
824 Children’s Way<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 807-4663<br />
Fries With That Wine is hosted by<br />
the Red Shoe Crew, Ronald McDonald<br />
House Charities® of Jacksonville’s<br />
young professionals group. This<br />
popular event pairs wine tasting<br />
alongside McDonald’s fast food<br />
favorites, including french fries,<br />
cheeseburgers and more.
8 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Bruce.Lipsky@jacksonville.com<br />
Sun-Ray Cinema, located in Five Points, has been a staple in the Jacksonville<br />
community for generations. This year, the venue won <strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Movie<br />
Theater.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Marina<br />
Beach Marine<br />
2315 Beach Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 249-8200<br />
jaxbeachmarine.com<br />
Beach Marine is different from<br />
other marinas because they are family<br />
owned and operated. Their employees<br />
offer the best customer service in<br />
this industry. It is their vision for<br />
Beach Marine to be your weekend<br />
destination; spend the weekend with<br />
them — they have everything you need<br />
on site. Let them work while you play!<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Movie Theater<br />
Sun-Ray Cinema<br />
1028 Park St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 359-0049<br />
sunraycinema.com<br />
Sun-Ray Cinema is an<br />
independently owned and operated<br />
two screen movie theatre screening<br />
new releases from Hollywood<br />
blockbusters to tiny documentaries,<br />
as well as repertory programming<br />
and special screenings. The theater is<br />
known for friendly service, full beer<br />
and wine list, and house-made food<br />
delivered to your seat.<br />
Photo provided by YMCA<br />
of Florida’s First Coast.<br />
Children tap into their creative side at<br />
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Summer Camp<br />
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast<br />
40 East Adams St, Ste. 210<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 265-1775<br />
firstcoastymca.org<br />
The YMCA of Florida’s First Coast<br />
is all about new experiences, lasting<br />
friendships, forever memories — and<br />
tons of fun! Summer camp at the Y<br />
is an adventure like no other with<br />
swimming, field trips, games, arts<br />
enrichment activities and so much<br />
more.<br />
Cuisine & Cocktails<br />
<strong>Best</strong> All You Can Eat<br />
Golden Corral<br />
Multiple locations<br />
goldencorral.com<br />
Golden Corral’s legendary, endless<br />
buffet features an abundant variety<br />
of delicious familiar favorites and<br />
continuous new menu offerings for<br />
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their<br />
vision remains to be the leader in the<br />
family restaurant segment by making<br />
pleasurable dining affordable for every<br />
guest, at every restaurant, every day.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bang for the Buck<br />
Restaurant<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!" In 2000, the<br />
Davoli family bought the Metro Diner<br />
location on Hendricks Avenue and has<br />
steadily built a loyal following since<br />
then. In 2010, Metro Diner was featured<br />
on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” for<br />
their unique take on diner fare and<br />
daily blackboard specials. Open daily<br />
from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Now in seven<br />
locations; some also open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Family Restaurant<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000, the<br />
Davoli family bought the Metro Diner<br />
location on Hendricks Avenue and has<br />
steadily built a loyal following since<br />
then. In 2010, Metro Diner was featured<br />
on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” for<br />
their unique take on diner fare and<br />
daily blackboard specials. Open daily<br />
from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Now in seven<br />
locations; some also open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Farm to Table / Locally<br />
Supplied Restaurant<br />
Kitchen on San Marco<br />
1402 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 396-2344<br />
kitchenonsanmarco.com<br />
Kitchen on San Marco is a gastropub<br />
that focuses on fresh, locally sourced<br />
and regional cuisine. Imaginative,
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 9<br />
Photo provided by Kitchen on San Marco<br />
Kitchen on San Marco’s delicious<br />
Roasted Bone Marrow is served with<br />
pickled ramp vinaigrette.<br />
upscale cooking techniques are<br />
combined with a casual dining<br />
experience. A wide selection of craft<br />
beers, carefully curated specialty<br />
cocktails, and a friendly wine list can<br />
be paired with bar snacks and larger<br />
main dishes.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Outdoor Dining<br />
Black Sheep Restaurant<br />
1534 Oak St, Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 380-3091<br />
blacksheep5points.com<br />
Black Sheep Restaurant is a modern<br />
American restaurant located in<br />
the historic Five Points district of<br />
Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood.<br />
Their philosophy is to use fresh, local<br />
ingredients to create handcrafted food<br />
and cocktails, and deliver both with<br />
gracious service.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Romantic Restaurant<br />
Restaurant Orsay<br />
3630 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 381-0909<br />
restaurantorsay.com<br />
Jonathan Insetta, Jason Eddy and<br />
Brian Whittington, along with an<br />
outstanding crew, strive to provide<br />
a warm, genuine dining experience<br />
without pretense in a bustling, fun<br />
atmosphere with smiling, attentive<br />
service.<br />
<strong>Best</strong>-kept Secret Restaurant<br />
Jaxon Social<br />
1161 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 595-5660<br />
jaxonsocial.com<br />
Jaxon Social is a Jacksonville Beach<br />
restaurant and bar featuring globally<br />
inspired and locally sourced cuisine<br />
and house-infused cocktails. Come<br />
check out the best kept secret in Jax!<br />
Photo provided by The Potter's House<br />
Soul Food Bistro<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Southern Cuisine<br />
The Potter’s House<br />
Soul Food Bistro<br />
Multiple locations<br />
thesoulfoodbistro.com<br />
Opened in 1998 by The Potter’s<br />
House Christian Fellowship, the<br />
original Westside location of 600 sq.<br />
ft. has grown to a 5, 800 sq. ft. location<br />
in Kingdom Plaza. A second location<br />
off Kernan and Atlantic Blvd. was<br />
opened 2013 providing the best in<br />
Southern cooking in a pleasant, family<br />
atmosphere. Genuine care and concern<br />
for the customers who walk through<br />
their doors and all who grace the<br />
facilities is at the heart of their mission.<br />
Effecting positive change in the hearts<br />
and minds of all customers, as well<br />
as those who work and serve in the<br />
restaurants, is also part of their mission.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Special Occasion<br />
Restaurant<br />
Restaurant Orsay<br />
3630 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 381-0909<br />
restaurantorsay.com<br />
Jonathan Insetta, Jason Eddy and<br />
Brian Whittington, along with an<br />
outstanding crew, strive to provide<br />
a warm, genuine dining experience<br />
without pretense in a bustling, fun<br />
atmosphere with smiling, attentive<br />
service.
10 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bar/Pub<br />
Kickbacks Gastropub/Goozlepipe &<br />
Guttyworks<br />
910 & 914 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 388-9551<br />
kickbacksgastropub.com<br />
Kickbacks Gastropub and<br />
Goozlepipe & Guttyworks serves over<br />
600 different bottled beers and 180<br />
beers on tap, as well as breakfast,<br />
lunch and dinner 20 hours a day, seven<br />
days a week.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Happy Hour<br />
European Street Café<br />
Multiple locations<br />
europeanstreet.com<br />
European Street Cafe’s menu<br />
includes over 150 original and<br />
traditional sandwiches, salads and<br />
soups along with a comprehensive beer<br />
selection. They provide comfort food<br />
and exemplary service in San Marco,<br />
Riverside, Southside and Jacksonville<br />
Beach.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Brewery<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Brewery<br />
2670-7 Rosselle St, Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 379-6551<br />
boldcitybrewery.com<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Brewery wants to thank<br />
Jacksonville for their support. Their<br />
customers are the reason they continue<br />
to grow and prosper. <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Brewery<br />
is proud to call the <strong>Bold</strong> New <strong>City</strong> of the<br />
South their home. Be bold!<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Sports Bar<br />
The Mudville Grille<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 398-4326<br />
themudvillegrill.com<br />
Family owned since 1994, The<br />
Mudville Grille is, “a real grille in a real<br />
neighborhood.” With two locations in<br />
Jacksonville (one off Beach Blvd. and<br />
one on Monument), customers can<br />
enjoy delicious food and great service<br />
close to home. Visit their website for<br />
location specials.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Beer Selection<br />
Kickbacks Gastropub/Goozlepipe &<br />
Guttyworks<br />
910 & 914 King St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 388-9551<br />
kickbacksgastropub.com<br />
Kickbacks Gastropub and<br />
Goozlepipe & Guttyworks serves over<br />
600 different bottled beers and 180<br />
beers on tap, as well as breakfast,<br />
lunch and dinner 20 hours a day, seven<br />
days a week.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Margarita<br />
La Napolera<br />
Multiple locations<br />
La Napolera thanks you for voting<br />
them as <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s <strong>Best</strong> Mexican<br />
Restaurant and <strong>Best</strong> Margarita. They<br />
serve quality, authentic Mexican food<br />
that’s guaranteed to be the best in the<br />
area. Come and taste the best of what<br />
Mexico has to offer.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Martini<br />
Ocean 60<br />
60 Ocean Blvd.<br />
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233<br />
(904) 247-0060<br />
ocean60.com<br />
Established in 2001, Ocean 60<br />
provides a relaxed, elegant experience<br />
with an upscale casual ambiance.<br />
The restaurant would like to say<br />
thank you to all of those wonderful<br />
voters who selected Ocean 60 for<br />
the <strong>Best</strong> Martini category. They are<br />
so thrilled to be acknowledged by<br />
Jacksonville’s wonderful community,<br />
guests and patrons, and appreciate<br />
the support shown to local small<br />
businesses and Ocean 60.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wine List<br />
Restaurant Orsay<br />
3630 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 381-0909<br />
restaurantorsay.com<br />
Jonathan Insetta, Jason Eddy and<br />
Brian Whittington, along with an<br />
outstanding crew, strive to provide<br />
a warm, genuine dining experience<br />
without pretense in a bustling, fun<br />
atmosphere with smiling, attentive<br />
service.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Barbecue<br />
Mojo Barbque<br />
Multiple locations<br />
mojobbq.com
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 11<br />
Mojo Barbque is honored to<br />
have been chosen as winner of <strong>Best</strong><br />
Barbecue in the first ‘<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Best</strong>’ competition. It is especially<br />
meaningful, since the Florida<br />
Times-Union and Jacksonville.com<br />
subscribers voted Mojo into the top<br />
spot. The Jacksonville communities<br />
are wonderful patrons of all the Mojo<br />
locations, starting with the first one 13<br />
years ago. The franchise is grateful to<br />
be part of this community, and proud<br />
to be loved by it.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Burger<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000,<br />
the Davoli family bought the Metro<br />
Diner location on Hendricks Avenue<br />
and has steadily built a loyal following<br />
since then. In 2010, Metro Diner was<br />
featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and<br />
Dives” for their unique take on diner<br />
fare and daily blackboard specials.<br />
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.<br />
Now in seven locations; some also<br />
open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Burrito<br />
Burrito Gallery<br />
21 East Adams St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 598-2922<br />
burritogallery.com<br />
Located in the heart of downtown<br />
Jacksonville, Burrito Gallery is a<br />
delicious and unique restaurant.<br />
Their menu includes burritos, tacos,<br />
quesadillas and fresh salads.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Crab Cakes<br />
Barbara Jean’s<br />
Multiple locations<br />
barbarajeans.com<br />
Barbara Jean’s is a family run, multiunit<br />
restaurant operation that began in<br />
1998 on St. Simons Island, Ga., about<br />
fifty miles north of Jacksonville. They<br />
specialize in both seafood and madefrom-scratch,<br />
home-style cooking.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pancakes<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000,<br />
the Davoli family bought the Metro<br />
Diner location on Hendricks Avenue<br />
and has steadily built a loyal following<br />
since then. In 2010, Metro Diner was<br />
featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and<br />
Dives” for their unique take on diner<br />
fare and daily blackboard specials.<br />
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.<br />
Now in seven locations; some also<br />
open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pizza<br />
Moon River Pizza<br />
1176 Edgewood Ave, Ste. 2<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 389-4442<br />
moonriverpizza.net<br />
Moon River Pizza offers custom and<br />
specialty thin-crust pizza, wine and<br />
beer in a funky, colorful atmosphere.<br />
Moon River is honored that the<br />
community voted them No. 1.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Salads<br />
Tossgreen Custom Salads & Grill<br />
4668 Town Crossing Dr.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
(904) 470-7508<br />
tossgreen.com<br />
Tossgreen Custom Salads and Grill<br />
is the designation for fast and delicious<br />
food that’s healthy. It serves salads,<br />
burritos, burrito bowls, wraps, soups<br />
and fresh juices, all tailor-made for<br />
each customer.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wings<br />
Dick’s Wings and Grill<br />
Multiple locations<br />
dickswingsandgrill.com<br />
Dick’s Wings and Grill wants to<br />
thank you, Jacksonville, for voting<br />
them <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Wings of <strong>2015</strong>.<br />
Dick’s Wings has been “King of Wings”<br />
in the southeast for more than 20 years<br />
with more than 20 locations, including<br />
EverBank Field. Dick’s Wings and<br />
Grill is your neighborhood, family-fun<br />
foodery with everything from duck<br />
wings to hog wings topped with one of<br />
their 365 flavors.<br />
Photo provided by<br />
Tossgreen Custom Salads & Grill<br />
Sunrise Shrimp salad at Tossgreen<br />
Custom Salads & Grill.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Breakfast<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000,<br />
the Davoli family bought the Metro<br />
Diner location on Hendricks Avenue<br />
and has steadily built a loyal following<br />
since then. In 2010, Metro Diner was<br />
featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and<br />
Dives” for their unique take on diner<br />
fare and daily blackboard specials.<br />
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.<br />
Now in seven locations; some also<br />
open for dinner.<br />
Photo provided by Metro Diner<br />
Fried chicken and waffles is Metro Diner’s No. 1-selling dish.
12 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Brunch<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000, the<br />
Davoli family bought the Metro Diner<br />
location on Hendricks Avenue and has<br />
steadily built a loyal following since<br />
then. In 2010, Metro Diner was featured<br />
on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” for<br />
their unique take on diner fare and<br />
daily blackboard specials. Open daily<br />
from 6:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Now in seven<br />
locations; some also open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Coffee Shop<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> Bean Coffee Roasters<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 855-1181<br />
boldbeancoffee.com<br />
Jacksonville based, specialty<br />
coffee roaster with two cafes,<br />
roastery operation and espresso bar.<br />
Single origin, direct trade coffees<br />
and signature blends for retail and<br />
wholesale customers. Coffee shops<br />
located in Riverside, South Jacksonville<br />
Beach and Murray Hill.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dessert<br />
Biscotti’s<br />
3558 St. John’s Ave.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 387-2060<br />
biscottis.net<br />
Photo provided by Biscotti's<br />
Biscotti’s dessert case is filled with<br />
cakes, pies, tarts and their signature<br />
biscotti.<br />
Since 1993 Biscotti’s has been<br />
a favorite eatery in Avondale. The<br />
restaurant is known for its mouthwatering<br />
dessert case filled with<br />
homemade tempting treats and as a<br />
late night spot after a play or concert.<br />
Open for lunch and dinner, Biscotti’s<br />
also caters and is a favorite with<br />
bride’s-to-be for wedding cakes and<br />
receptions. Please check their website<br />
for their new dinner menu and make a<br />
reservation today.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Food Truck<br />
The Happy Grilled Cheese<br />
Follow @HappyGrilledChs on Twitter &<br />
Facebook for location updates<br />
thehappygrilledchees.wix.com/grilledcheese<br />
The Happy Grilled Cheese is a<br />
food truck that offers a full menu<br />
specializing in gourmet grilled<br />
cheeses. The Happy Grilled Cheese<br />
Photo provided by Kazu Japanese Restaurant<br />
Unique flavors and fresh creations helped Kazu Japanese Restaurant take home<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong> Sushi and Japanese Restaurant.<br />
wants to thank Jacksonville for their<br />
<strong>Best</strong> of <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> votes. They value the<br />
community’s continued support over<br />
the past three years, and said, “Love to<br />
love ya’ll, take it cheesy till next time.”<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Healthy Eating<br />
Native Sun Natural Foods Market<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 260-2791<br />
nativesunjax.com<br />
Native Sun is North Florida’s largest<br />
local organic grocery retailer, having<br />
served the community since 1996.<br />
Nationally recognized for leadership in<br />
the natural products industry, Native<br />
Sun provides shoppers with easy<br />
access to a healthy mix of affordable<br />
options for every diet and eating<br />
occasion.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bakery<br />
Cinotti’s Bakery & Deli<br />
1523 Penman Rd.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 246-1728<br />
cinottisbakery.com<br />
Cinotti’s Bakery is filled with<br />
love and family. Now run by the 5th<br />
generation, Cinotti’s Bakery is known<br />
for their amazing cookies, cakes,<br />
pies, pastries, chocolates and more.<br />
Located on Penman Road for the last<br />
25 years, they serve their customers<br />
with the highest quality of products<br />
and service. This hard working family<br />
business seeks to honor God on a<br />
daily basis. Book your child’s next<br />
birthday party at Cinotti’s. Private<br />
room is now open. Open Tuesday<br />
through Saturday at 6 a.m., closed<br />
Sunday and Monday.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Deli<br />
Pinegrove Market & Deli<br />
1511 Pinegrove Ave.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32205<br />
(904) 389-8655<br />
pinegrovemarket.com<br />
Pinegrove is a family deli and the<br />
last standing locally owned butcher<br />
shop in Jacksonville. Open for over 40<br />
years on the Westside, they have been<br />
offering breakfast specialties, a huge<br />
array of lunchtime favorites, juicy,<br />
handmade hamburgers, and even a<br />
Friday and Saturday fish fry that must<br />
be experienced. Pinegrove is also<br />
known for their USDA choice dry-aged<br />
beef and other delicious meats.<br />
Photo provided by<br />
Native Sun Natural Foods Market<br />
Customers enjoy healthy lunch options<br />
at Native Sun Natural Foods Market.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Sushi<br />
Kazu Japanese Restaurant<br />
9965 San Jose Blvd, Ste. 35<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32257<br />
(904) 683-9903<br />
kazujapaneserestaurant.com<br />
Kazu is an elegant, yet comfortable<br />
dining experience, satisfying for those<br />
who are sushi veterans looking for a<br />
way to expand their palettes, as well<br />
as people who are venturing into<br />
Japanese cuisine for the first time.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Diner<br />
Metro Diner<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
metrodiner.com<br />
“Where the Locals Eat!” In 2000,<br />
the Davoli family bought the Metro<br />
Diner location on Hendricks Avenue<br />
and has steadily built a loyal following<br />
since then. In 2010, Metro Diner was<br />
featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and<br />
Dives” for their unique take on diner<br />
fare and daily blackboard specials.<br />
Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.<br />
Now in seven locations; some also<br />
open for dinner.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chinese Restaurant<br />
Blue Bamboo Restaurant and<br />
Handcrafted Cocktails<br />
3820 Southside Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32216<br />
(904) 646-1478<br />
bluebamboojacksonville.com<br />
Celebrating 10 years of continuous<br />
service in Jacksonville, Blue Bamboo<br />
serves classic Chinese eats alongside<br />
Hip Asian favorites such as red curry<br />
shrimp and grits. Hand-crafted<br />
cocktails and an extensive wine<br />
list complete Jacksonville’s casual<br />
Cantonese dining experience.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 13
14 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Indian Restaurant<br />
India House<br />
8661 Baymeadows Rd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32256<br />
(904) 683-5528<br />
jaxindiahouse.com<br />
India House serves Indian cuisine<br />
in a warm, comfortable atmosphere<br />
with an abundance of friendly service<br />
and smiles. Owner and chef Laxman<br />
Sharma said, “I take great pleasure<br />
in serving my customers, many of<br />
whom have become my dear friends. I<br />
consider this restaurant as my personal<br />
banquet table and invite you to share<br />
a meal catered to your taste. I welcome<br />
you with a warm heart.”<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Italian Restaurant<br />
Enza’s Italian Restaurant<br />
10601 San Jose Blvd Ste. 109<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32257<br />
(904) 268-4458<br />
enzas.net<br />
At Enza’s Italian Restaurant<br />
customers enjoy generous portions<br />
of classic Italian comfort food in a<br />
relaxed, contemporary atmosphere.<br />
Photo provided by Blue Bamboo Restaurant and Handcrafted Cocktails<br />
Blue Bamboo delivers mouth-watering dishes using only the finest ingredients.<br />
Come in, sit down, and enjoy an<br />
evening with family and friends. The<br />
restaurant features live music nightly<br />
at 'My Husband’s Bar.'<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Japanese Restaurant<br />
Kazu Japanese Restaurant<br />
9965 San Jose Blvd, #35<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32257<br />
(904) 683-9903<br />
kazujapaneserestaurant.com<br />
Kazu is an elegant, yet comfortable<br />
dining experience, satisfying for those<br />
who are sushi veterans looking for a<br />
way to expand their palettes, as well<br />
as people who are venturing into<br />
Japanese cuisine for the first time.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Mexican Restaurant<br />
La Napolera<br />
Multiple locations<br />
La Napolera thanks you for voting<br />
them as <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s <strong>Best</strong> Mexican<br />
Restaurant and <strong>Best</strong> Margarita. They<br />
serve quality, authentic Mexican food<br />
that’s guaranteed to be the best in the<br />
area. Come and taste the best of what<br />
Mexico has to offer.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Seafood Restaurant<br />
Salt Life Food Shack<br />
1018 3rd Street N.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 372-4456<br />
saltlifefoodshack.com<br />
Eat, Drink and Be Salty<br />
Salt Life Food Shack offers a<br />
carefully crafted eclectic menu to cater<br />
to all tastes and personalities. Open<br />
for lunch and dinner, the restaurant<br />
is the perfect locale for beach goers to<br />
enjoy great dishes, cool drinks and the<br />
opportunity to catch up with family<br />
and friends. Come enjoy Football Fun<br />
Specials every Saturday and Sunday
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 15<br />
featuring the SEC Network, NFL Ticket<br />
and the Big Ten.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Thai Restaurant<br />
Indochine<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 598-5303<br />
indochinejax.com<br />
Indochine serves Thai and<br />
Southeast Asian cuisine with two<br />
locations in Jacksonville, downtown<br />
and San Marco.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Chocolatier<br />
Sweet Pete’s<br />
400 N. Hogan St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 376-7161<br />
sweetpetescandy.com<br />
Sweet Pete’s is a giant candy store in<br />
the heart of downtown. Located in a<br />
historic 23,000 sq. ft. mansion, Sweet<br />
Pete’s makes and sells every kind of<br />
candy imaginable. With interactive<br />
classes, field trips and parties<br />
available, Sweet Pete’s is truly the<br />
sweetest destination on Earth.<br />
Photo provided by Trasca & Co. Eatery<br />
Trasca & Co. serves "hand crafted deliciousness” seven days a week.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> New Restaurant<br />
(open as of 8/1/14)<br />
Trasca & Co. Eatery<br />
155 Tourside Dr, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082<br />
(904) 395-3989<br />
trascaandco.com<br />
Trasca & Co. Eatery is a one-of-akind,<br />
vintage neighborhood eatery,<br />
specializing in hand-crafted Italianinspired<br />
sandwiches, craft beer and<br />
craft coffee.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chef<br />
Sam Efron from Taverna<br />
1986 San Marco Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 398-3005<br />
taverna.restaurant<br />
Authentic<br />
Italian ingredients,<br />
seasonal produce,<br />
and meats from<br />
local purveyors all<br />
coexist beautifully<br />
on Chef Sam Efron’s<br />
menus. Signature<br />
dishes include fresh<br />
house-made pastas<br />
and mozzarella, 14<br />
oz. bistecca, and<br />
hand tossed Neapolitan-style pizzas<br />
from the brick oven. Chef Sam Efron<br />
and the team at Taverna would like to<br />
thank everyone who took the time to<br />
vote, and all of their diners for their<br />
support over the past six years.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Restaurant Overall<br />
Taverna<br />
1986 San Marco Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 398-3005<br />
taverna.restaurant<br />
Authentic Italian ingredients,<br />
seasonal produce, and meats from<br />
LISTINGS continued on page 18
16 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> food.<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> plans.<br />
Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com<br />
Metro Diner co-owner and Master Chef Mark Davoli snaps a photo of his newest creation — the ‘<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Burger.’<br />
Metro Diner’s recipe for success includes<br />
more than just great comfort food<br />
By Jacqueline Persandi<br />
Jacqueline.Persandi@jacksonville.com<br />
Whether it’s the enormous<br />
pancakes, juicy burgers or<br />
famous chicken and waffles,<br />
it’s clear that the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> of the South<br />
loves Metro Diner’s bold flavors.<br />
The iconic restaurant took home an<br />
inaugural-record seven wins in the<br />
Cuisine and Cocktails section of <strong>Bold</strong><br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong>, and is adding a signature<br />
dish to commemorate its achievement.<br />
Many locals have tasted Metro’s<br />
flavorful food, but not everyone knows<br />
the story behind the diner, and even<br />
fewer have heard its exciting plans for<br />
the future.<br />
The San Marco-based eatery, which<br />
began serving patrons in 1932, and<br />
has been owned and operated by the<br />
Davoli family since 2000, was featured<br />
on The Food Network’s “Diners,<br />
Drive-ins and Dives’’ in 2010. Thanks<br />
to overwhelming endorsement of<br />
host Guy Fieri, the Hendricks Avenue<br />
location (which was already popular<br />
with locals) quickly became a tourist<br />
attraction, drawing patrons from<br />
across the country to line up out the<br />
door to try Metro Diner’s unique spin<br />
on comfort food.<br />
Over the past few years, brothers<br />
Mark Davoli and John Davoli Jr.,<br />
along with their father, John Davoli<br />
Sr., grew the restaurant into seven<br />
Get Your Metro Diner Fix:<br />
• San Marco<br />
3302 Hendricks Ave.<br />
Jacksonville<br />
• Mandarin<br />
12807 San Jose Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville<br />
• Southside<br />
9802 Baymeadows Rd.<br />
Jacksonville<br />
• Ortega<br />
4495 Roosevelt Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville<br />
• Jacksonville Beach (A1A)<br />
1534 Third St. N.<br />
Jacksonville Beach<br />
• Orange Park<br />
2034 Kingsley Ave.<br />
Orange Park<br />
• St. Augustine<br />
1000 S. Ponce de Leon<br />
Blvd, St. Augustine
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 17<br />
(Left and right) photos provided by Metro Diner<br />
(Middle) Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com<br />
locations in Northeast Florida. Now,<br />
they are starting their next adventure<br />
— expanding the brand nationwide.<br />
Plans are in the works to open<br />
several stores with partners around<br />
the country, starting with a store in<br />
Gainesville that will open its doors<br />
next month.<br />
“We have 12 stores on board for<br />
next year. How we’re going to do that<br />
is we have partners in different areas,”<br />
said co-owner and Master Chef Mark<br />
Davoli. “How it works is that each one<br />
of these [partners] will open three<br />
stores a year, and we will be adding<br />
one more. That’s how we can have that<br />
kind of growth but still control it the<br />
right way.”<br />
But, the dynamic trio isn’t stopping<br />
there. They have even bigger plans<br />
for the next several years and will<br />
continue to grow at a rapid pace while<br />
keeping up the Metro Diner standards<br />
for great food and exceptional service.<br />
“I think the growth is going to<br />
accelerate as we bring on new, jointventure<br />
partners,” said co-owner<br />
John Davoli Sr. “Our plans are to go<br />
national. You can read into what type<br />
of growth we are going to have — 12<br />
next year, 24 the following year; it<br />
should expand exponentially.”<br />
Although the family plans to develop<br />
the brand quickly, they are committed<br />
to preserving the culture that makes<br />
Metro Diner unique. Their recipe for<br />
success is simple: Make guests feel<br />
appreciated.<br />
For the Davoli family, it comes<br />
easily because they do appreciate their<br />
customers. A simple sit-down with the<br />
owners proves they take time to say<br />
hi to those who recognize them, and<br />
offer hospitality to each patron. They<br />
realize there are a lot of options when<br />
it comes to choosing a restaurant and<br />
feel honored to see the same friendly<br />
faces week after week.<br />
“One thing we’ve always been<br />
Jacqueline.Persandi@jacksonville.com<br />
Metro Diner co-owners John Davoli Jr. (left), John Davoli Sr. (middle) and Mark<br />
Davoli (right).<br />
really good about, especially when<br />
we started, was not rushing into<br />
anything,” said John Davoli Jr. “As long<br />
as everything is going up to Metro<br />
Diner standards and the stores are<br />
opening with the same food quality,<br />
we will keep it going on the same page.<br />
[We] make sure consistency is there.”<br />
John Sr. agreed.<br />
“Numbers are not the important<br />
thing; it’s the ability to open up each<br />
location [and] maintain the high<br />
standards that we have delivered on,’’<br />
he said. “This is why we feel we are<br />
successful in Jacksonville and now in<br />
St. Augustine, because we keep that<br />
consistent quality of operation and<br />
hospitality.”<br />
As part of growing the brand, Metro<br />
Diner will add dinner to all existing<br />
locations by March 2016. Several<br />
locations already serve dinner until 8<br />
p.m. Although the menu is the same,<br />
dinner features appetizers and three<br />
blackboard specials — typically a<br />
steak, pasta dish and seafood special.<br />
Patrons can also enjoy a brand-new<br />
item — the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> Burger.<br />
Metro Diner wins<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong>:<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Bang for the Buck<br />
Restaurant<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Family Restaurant<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Burger<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Breakfast<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Brunch<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Diner<br />
• <strong>Best</strong> Pancakes<br />
Created by Master Chef Mark Davoli,<br />
this mouthwatering burger is layered<br />
with provel cheese, fried jalapenos,<br />
caramelized red onion, hickory<br />
smoked bacon, lettuce and tomato, and<br />
aioli sauce all piled high on a patty,<br />
and topped with a brioche bun.<br />
This massive burger combines the<br />
flavors of the Davoli’s hometown, St.<br />
Louis, with bold city favorites for a<br />
one-of-a-kind experience you can only<br />
get at Metro.<br />
“The inspiration [for the burger]<br />
started with the cheese. It’s a unique<br />
cheese blend [with a] great flavor,’’<br />
Mark Davoli said. “[The patty] is about<br />
80 percent hamburger meat, and 20<br />
percent sausage. The fried jalapenos<br />
are something we’ve used before and<br />
we loved them.’’<br />
If you’re looking to try the best the<br />
bold city has to offer in cuisine, visit<br />
one of Metro Diner’s seven locations<br />
and try one (or two, or three) of their<br />
delectable dishes. As the diner boldly<br />
proclaims, and this year’s <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Best</strong> awards confirm: Metro Diner is<br />
“where the locals eat!”
18 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
LISTINGS continued from page 15<br />
Photo provided by Taverna<br />
Taverna creates modern interpretations of classic recipes both in the kitchen and<br />
behind the bar.<br />
local purveyors all coexist beautifully<br />
on Chef Sam Efron’s menus. Signature<br />
dishes include fresh house-made<br />
pastas and mozzarella, 14 oz.<br />
bistecca, and hand tossed Neapolitanstyle<br />
pizzas from the brick oven.<br />
The beverage selection is equally<br />
refreshing; guests are encouraged to<br />
explore Kiley Wynne Efron’s Wine<br />
Spectator award-winning wine<br />
list, sample a regional craft beer or<br />
indulge in a handcrafted cocktail to<br />
complete their Taverna experience.<br />
With a warm, rustic, yet sophisticated<br />
atmosphere, Taverna is a dining<br />
favorite for residents and visitors alike.<br />
Homes & Finance<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Homebuilder<br />
D.R. Horton<br />
4220 Race Track Rd.<br />
Photo provided by Exit Real Estate Gallery<br />
Exit Real Estate Gallery gathers for a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new<br />
location on Fleming Island. The company now has seven locations in Northeast<br />
Florida.<br />
Photo provided by D.R. Horton<br />
D.R. Horton finds homebuyers the<br />
house that suits their lifestyle.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32259<br />
(904) 421-4601<br />
drhorton.com/nfl<br />
D.R. Horton is America’s number<br />
one homebuilder. The name is<br />
synonymous with affordability and<br />
personalized service. With their<br />
expanded family of Express and<br />
Emerald brands, homebuyers are sure<br />
to find a home that suits your lifestyle<br />
and budget in one of their many<br />
communities throughout Northeast<br />
Florida.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Real Estate Broker/Agency<br />
Exit Real Estate Gallery<br />
11701 San Jose Blvd, Ste. 21<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32223<br />
(904) 260-5300<br />
exitrealestategallery.com<br />
Exit Real Estate Gallery was<br />
established in Northeast Florida over<br />
a decade ago. Since the start they’ve<br />
assisted over 10,000 families and<br />
continue to grow by adding three<br />
new locations to better assist their<br />
growing customer base, bringing their<br />
total number of offices to seven. Their<br />
commitment to excellence and<br />
reputation for innovation have<br />
attracted more than 300 of the most<br />
professional and highly-trained<br />
consultants in the region.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Real Estate Agent<br />
Anita G. Hiles<br />
408 Beach Blvd, Ste. 103<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32250<br />
(714) 809-1911<br />
anitahiles.com<br />
Buyers and sellers turn to Anita<br />
Hiles because she stands ready to meet<br />
every real estate need. She is a leader<br />
in the industry; effective and focused<br />
on her customer’s needs. Some of her<br />
resources include<br />
marketing, support,<br />
loan analysis and<br />
networking. Anita<br />
is a top producer,<br />
enjoys mentoring<br />
new realtors, and<br />
is an Accredited<br />
Luxury Home Specialist. She values<br />
her partnership with Exit Real Estate<br />
LISTINGS continued on page 20
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 19
20 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
LISTINGS continued from page 18<br />
Gallery, which provides an industry<br />
leading experience in cultivating an<br />
environment for long-term success.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Bank/Credit Union<br />
Vystar Credit Union<br />
Multiple locations<br />
vystarcu.org<br />
VyStar Credit Union is the<br />
largest credit union headquartered<br />
in Northeast Florida, and one of the<br />
largest credit unions in the nation.<br />
It serves over 464,000 members<br />
worldwide with 40 locations.<br />
Health &<br />
Well-being<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Chiropractic Practice<br />
Silver Chiropractic & Wellness<br />
1050 Riverside Ave, Ste. B<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 634-0805<br />
drshanesilver.com<br />
Silver Chiropractic & Wellness<br />
offers patients a range of treatment<br />
options, including wellness care and<br />
treatment of personal injuries from<br />
auto accidents, slip and falls, workers’<br />
compensation and sports injuries.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Doctor<br />
Adam Dimitrov, MD, FAAFP<br />
Baptist Primary Care<br />
in Ponte Vedra<br />
520 A1A North, Ste. 101<br />
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL<br />
32082<br />
(904) 273-6900<br />
baptistprimarycare.net<br />
Dr. Dimitrov is<br />
a family physician<br />
with Baptist<br />
Health. He has<br />
been practicing in Ponte Vedra Beach<br />
for the past six years. In addition to<br />
taking care of patients, he serves as<br />
the Associate Medical Director for<br />
his group, working on a number of<br />
projects to improve health care here on<br />
the First Coast. “I feel very fortunate<br />
to be part of such a great organization.<br />
I am also very blessed to have truly<br />
wonderful patients, colleagues and<br />
staff!”<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Cosmetic Surgeon<br />
Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery<br />
209 Ponte Vedra Park Dr.<br />
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082<br />
(904) 273-6200<br />
pvps.com<br />
Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery is the<br />
premier cosmetic and reconstructive<br />
surgery center of Northeast<br />
Florida. Their surgeons specialize<br />
in cosmetic and reconstructive<br />
surgery of the face and body while<br />
their Advanced Registered<br />
Nurse Practitioners and<br />
Medical Aestheticians provide a<br />
variety of non-surgical services<br />
to enhance and maintain your<br />
youthful look.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dental Practice<br />
Cypress Point Family Dentistry<br />
8130 Baymeadows Circle W, Ste. 103<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32256<br />
(904) 448-8688<br />
riosmiles.com<br />
Cypress Point Family Dentistry is a<br />
full service dental practice focused on<br />
providing optimum oral health care in<br />
a clean and comfortable environment.<br />
Getting to know you first makes Cypress<br />
Point Family Dentistry the best.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dermatology Practice<br />
First Coast Dermatology<br />
4479 Baymeadows Rd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32217<br />
(904) 731-8300<br />
firstcoastdermatology.com<br />
The physicians at First Coast<br />
Dermatology are certified by the<br />
American Academy of Dermatology<br />
and the American Board of<br />
Dermatology. They deliver effective<br />
care that patients deserve, whether<br />
it is the diagnosis of a skin condition,<br />
treatment of a medical or surgical skin<br />
problem, or preventive care such as<br />
skin cancer screenings.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Eye Care Practice<br />
Atlantic Eye Institute<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(888) 795-2020<br />
atlanticeyeinstitute.com<br />
Atlantic Eye Institute specializes<br />
in LASIK, Laser Cataract Surgery,<br />
routine and medical eye exams,<br />
glasses and contact lenses. They offer<br />
two locations and emergency care to
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 21<br />
Photo provided by Heekin Clinic<br />
Heekin Clinic patients meet with Dr. R.<br />
David Heekin.<br />
Photo provided by Atlantic Eye Institute<br />
The Atlantic Eye Institute has board certified optometrists and ophthalmologists.<br />
patients 24/7. With over 75 years of<br />
combined experience, you can relax<br />
knowing your eyes are in the hands of<br />
knowledgeable, friendly doctors.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Foot Comfort Specialist<br />
Foot Solutions<br />
4126 3rd Street S.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 247-0460<br />
JaxFootSolutions.com<br />
Foot Solutions is a leading<br />
international retailer specializing in<br />
personalized assessments, stylish<br />
high performance footwear, customfitted,<br />
custom-crafted arch supports<br />
and accessories designed to help<br />
individuals live pain-free comfortably.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hearing Aid Professional<br />
Clear Ear Hearing Solutions<br />
4006 3rd Street S.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 247-4327<br />
clearearjax.com<br />
Clear Ear Hearing Solutions thanks<br />
Jacksonville for voting them No. 1<br />
hearing aid clinic. Clear Ear takes<br />
pride in being locally owned for over<br />
52 years.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Medical Spa<br />
Youthful Medical Spa<br />
150 Professional Dr, Ste 700<br />
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082<br />
(904) 273-6286<br />
youthfulmedicalspa.com<br />
Youthful Medical Spa, founded by<br />
Pamela and Troy Mahan, believes<br />
in providing patients with the latest<br />
cutting edge and state-of-the-art<br />
technology by the best trained<br />
professionals. They are known for<br />
providing customized procedures for<br />
each patient giving them the utmost,<br />
best non-evasive and age defying<br />
procedures at the lowest possible<br />
price point. They also provide top<br />
line skin care products like: Obagi,<br />
Skinceuticals and Clarisonic. Annual<br />
memberships are available providing<br />
the best in year-round skin care to<br />
their patients.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Orthodontic Practice<br />
Joy Orthodontics<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 497-1312<br />
joyorthodontics.com<br />
Every day Joy Orthodontics creates<br />
amazing smiles for patients. Beautiful,<br />
unique smiles that help a person feel<br />
better about his or her appearance<br />
and increases self-confidence. Their<br />
orthodontists, Dr. Mitchell Levine and<br />
Dr. Jessica Crews, and every member<br />
of the team are passionate about their<br />
work.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Orthopedic Practice<br />
Heekin Clinic<br />
2 Shircliff Way Ste. 605<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 328-5979<br />
heekinclinic.com<br />
Heekin Clinic believes that painfree<br />
mobility is key to your health and<br />
happiness. When you can’t do the<br />
things you love, it affects every aspect<br />
of your life. That’s why the new Heekin<br />
Clinic is on a mission to give the people<br />
of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida<br />
the best orthopedic care anywhere,<br />
starting with you.<br />
Photo provided by All About Kids<br />
& Families Medical Center<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pediatric Practice<br />
All About Kids &<br />
Families Medical Center
22 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
12086 Fort Caroline Rd, Ste. 401<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32225<br />
(904) 565-1271<br />
allaboutkidsandfamilies.com<br />
All About Kids & Families Medical<br />
Center wants to thank the community<br />
for voting them <strong>Best</strong> Pediatric Practice<br />
in Jacksonville. The medical center<br />
is excited to celebrate their 10 year<br />
anniversary with their amazing<br />
patients, and plans to continue<br />
their commitment to providing<br />
comprehensive and quality care from<br />
birth through adulthood, 365 days a<br />
year.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Veterinary Practice<br />
St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital<br />
11740-1 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223<br />
(904) 677-4430<br />
stbah.com<br />
St. Bernard’s Animal Hospital<br />
is a local, full-service veterinary<br />
medical facility. The professional<br />
and courteous staff at St. Bernard’s<br />
Animal Hospital said, “It has been a<br />
tremendous pleasure to have made<br />
so many new friends this past year<br />
in Mandarin…fuzzy and otherwise.”<br />
The team is humbled in receiving this<br />
prestigious award by peers, customers<br />
and colleagues and will continue to<br />
work diligently in treating all patients<br />
as part of their extended family.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Fitness Center/Gym<br />
Orangetheory Fitness<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 238-5272<br />
orangetheoryfitness.com<br />
Thank you for making Orangetheory<br />
Fitness the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s <strong>Best</strong><br />
Fitness Center and New Business.<br />
OrangeTheory is committed to<br />
providing the best workout in the<br />
country with a passion for fitness and<br />
health. Keep it Orange, Jacksonville!<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Yoga Studio<br />
Yoga Den<br />
Multiple locations<br />
yoga-den.com<br />
Yoga Den has three locations in<br />
Northeast Florida that hold classes<br />
with certified instructors. Both<br />
beginners and seasoned students enjoy<br />
classes together, and instructors are<br />
committed to creating a space where<br />
everyone feels accepted.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Weight Loss Center<br />
FirstCoast M.D.<br />
9550 Baymeadows Rd, Ste. 9<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32256<br />
(904) 730-5115<br />
firstcoastmd.com<br />
FirstCoast M.D. medical center<br />
in Jacksonville, is a one-of-a-kind<br />
center that specializes in medical<br />
weight loss, urgent care/walk-in<br />
medical and auto accident rehab.<br />
Home &<br />
Professional<br />
Services<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Air Conditioning/Heating<br />
Service<br />
Snyder Heating & Air Conditioning<br />
Company<br />
3401 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216<br />
(904) 647-1975<br />
snyderac.com<br />
Home of SnyderMan “The Coolest Guy You’ll<br />
Ever See”<br />
A mainstay in the air conditioning<br />
industry since 1973, Snyder Heating &<br />
Air Conditioning provides industryleading<br />
air conditioning products<br />
and services to Jacksonville area<br />
homeowners and residents. Thank<br />
you Jacksonville for voting Snyder<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Air Conditioning Service, their<br />
commitment to customers' comfort<br />
will continue far into the future.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Auto Repair Shop<br />
RPM Automotive<br />
Multiple locations<br />
rpmautomotive.com<br />
RPM Automotive leverages the<br />
latest in automotive technology. Each<br />
of their nine facilities is staffed with<br />
highly trained automotive technicians<br />
that service your vehicle to the highest<br />
standards. Using state-of-the-art
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 23<br />
equipment for all makes, models and<br />
years, their team is able to identify the<br />
issue and find a solution that ensures<br />
you are driving a safe and reliable<br />
vehicle.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Carpet Cleaning Company<br />
First Coast Home Pros<br />
8775 Arlington Expressway #101<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32211<br />
(904) 383-7721<br />
firstcoasthomepros.com<br />
First Coast Home Pros has teams of<br />
specialists to clean your home from top<br />
to bottom, inside and out. Customers<br />
enjoy their award winning services by<br />
highly skilled professionals committed<br />
to providing an unsurpassed level of<br />
care. They offer carpet cleaning, grout<br />
cleaning, upholstery cleaning and<br />
more.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Car Wash/Detail Service<br />
Charles and George’s Car Wash<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 384-3331<br />
charlesandgeorgescarwash.com<br />
Charles and George’s Car Wash<br />
thanks you for voting them <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Car Wash and Detail Service.<br />
Family owned and operated since<br />
1980, they have three locations in<br />
Jacksonville including Roosevelt<br />
Boulevard, Park Avenue and Cassat<br />
Avenue.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Caterer<br />
Chef’s Garden Catering & Events<br />
3732 Mente St, Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 399-4449<br />
chefsgardenjacksonville.com<br />
The Chef’s Garden Catering & Events<br />
is an off-premise catering and event<br />
planning company that specializes in<br />
events that are unique to each client<br />
— from simple corporate lunches and<br />
intimate weddings, to corporate galas<br />
for more than 1,000 people.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Dry Cleaners<br />
Oceanside Cleaners<br />
3742 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216<br />
(904) 591-6200<br />
oceansidecleaners.com
24 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Photo provided by Law Offices of John Phillips<br />
The Law Offices of John Phillips believes everyone deserves justice at a fair price.<br />
Photo provided by Peninsular Pest Control Service, Inc.<br />
Peninsular Pest Control services outdoor and indoor pest concerns.<br />
Oceanside Cleaners has 25 years of<br />
experience with retail dry cleaning and<br />
laundry. They offer free pick-up and<br />
delivery with quality service. Services<br />
include: wedding dresses, full-service<br />
tailor shop, households and drapery<br />
cleaning.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Flooring Store<br />
About Floors n’ More<br />
Multiple locations<br />
aboutfloorsnmore.com<br />
About Floors n’ More wants to thank<br />
you for voting and making them the<br />
<strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s <strong>Best</strong> Flooring Store. As<br />
Jacksonville’s premier Floorscapes<br />
Retailer, their stores are held to the<br />
highest standards by Mohawk in terms<br />
of product selection, installation and<br />
service. Stop in to About Floors n’ More<br />
today to see one of their showrooms<br />
that display new lines of wood, carpet,<br />
laminate, tile, vinyl and custom area<br />
rugs.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Florist<br />
Kuhn Flowers<br />
3802 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(800) 458-5846, (904) 398-8601<br />
kuhnflowers.com<br />
Kuhn Flowers has been proudly<br />
serving Jacksonville since 1947. They<br />
are family owned and operated with<br />
locations serving the North Florida<br />
area. They are committed to offering<br />
only the finest floral arrangements<br />
and gifts, backed by service that is<br />
friendly and prompt. Because all of<br />
their customers are important, their<br />
professional staff is dedicated to<br />
making your experience a pleasant<br />
one. That is why they always go the<br />
extra mile to make your floral gift<br />
perfect.<br />
Jacksonville’s best-tressed. Located<br />
in historic Riverside, the community<br />
of devotees can’t get enough of the<br />
boutique salon’s inimitable color<br />
techniques (including balayage),<br />
naturally integrated extensions,<br />
innovative hair cutting and styling<br />
services. The signature of the Gwynne<br />
Mims Salon experience is in the<br />
commitment to building a magnetic,<br />
yet effortless look within each client’s<br />
unique and individual style.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Landscaping Company<br />
Horizon Landscaping<br />
(904) 553-0108<br />
horizonlandscapingjax.com<br />
As a full service landscape company,<br />
no job is too big or too small. Horizon<br />
Landscaping handles everything from<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hair Salon<br />
Gwynne Mims Salon<br />
1620 Margaret St, Ste. 204<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 374 6181<br />
gwynnemimssalon.com<br />
Launching in 2014, Gwynne Mims<br />
Salon has built a cult following among<br />
Photo provided by Gwynne Mims Salon<br />
Professional stylists at Gwynne<br />
Mims Salon offer clients the latest in<br />
hairstyles, haircuts, color and more.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 25<br />
maintenance to design and installation<br />
of all your landscape projects. They<br />
are fully licensed and insured with<br />
degrees in horticulture and landscape<br />
design. With more than 20 years’<br />
experience, Horizon Landscaping offers<br />
professional, high-quality service.<br />
interior and exterior custom painting,<br />
cabinet refinishing, faux painting and<br />
decorative textures, and more.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pest Control<br />
Peninsular Pest Control Service, Inc.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Law Firm<br />
Law Offices of John Phillips<br />
4230 Ortega Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210<br />
(904) 444-4444<br />
knowthelawyer.com<br />
The Law Offices of John Phillips<br />
handles personal injury, wrongful<br />
death, criminal defense and family law<br />
cases with passion, compassion and<br />
personal attention.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Lawn Service<br />
Peninsular Pest Control Service, Inc.<br />
2609 Phyllis St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 389-3491<br />
crittergitter.com<br />
Locally family owned and operated<br />
since 1954, Peninsular Pest Control<br />
provides pest control, termite control,<br />
and lawn and fertilization services<br />
to North Florida homes, businesses<br />
and hospitals. Each year, the “Critter<br />
Gitter” team receives the highest<br />
ratings from various consumer<br />
agencies including the Better Business<br />
Bureau and Angie’s List.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Nail Salon<br />
Bella Diva Hair Nails & Spa<br />
7643 Gate Pkwy, Ste. 102 & 103<br />
Jacksonville FL, 32256<br />
(904) 642-6460<br />
Bella Diva wants to thank<br />
Jacksonville for voting them <strong>Best</strong><br />
Nail Salon! Come visit, you won’t be<br />
disappointed.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Painting Service<br />
The Painting Craftsmen<br />
2609 Phyllis St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 389-3491<br />
crittergitter.com<br />
Locally family owned and operated<br />
since 1954, Peninsular Pest Control<br />
provides pest control, termite control,<br />
and lawn and fertilization services<br />
to North Florida homes, businesses<br />
and hospitals. Each year, the “Critter<br />
Gitter” team receives the highest<br />
ratings from various consumer<br />
agencies including the Better Business<br />
Bureau and Angie’s List.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pet Groomer - TIE<br />
Fluffy Cuts<br />
2185 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 372-7295<br />
fluffycuts.com<br />
Fluffy Cuts is a family owned and<br />
operated local business. The company<br />
prides itself on providing a low stress<br />
environment for your pet.<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa<br />
5140 University Blvd W.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32216<br />
(904) 396-7529<br />
petparadise.com<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa is<br />
committed to providing a safe, clean<br />
and fun environment for your pet. The<br />
resort offers the ultimate pet boarding<br />
experience for your dog or cat. The<br />
attentive staff is passionate about pets<br />
and will go the extra mile to ensure<br />
that your pet has a safe and enjoyable<br />
time.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pet Sitting Service /<br />
Boarding<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa<br />
Photo provided by<br />
Fluffy Cuts<br />
Fluffy Cuts tied for <strong>Best</strong> Pet Groomer<br />
in the inaugural <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong><br />
contest.<br />
and will go the extra mile to ensure<br />
that your pet has a safe and enjoyable<br />
time.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Photographer<br />
Through the Lens of Lee-Margaret<br />
4224 Herschel St, Jacksonville, FL 32210<br />
(904) 387-8710<br />
throughthelensoflee-margaret.com<br />
For nearly two decades, Through<br />
the Lens of Lee-Margaret has<br />
Photo provided by<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa<br />
At Pet Paradise Resort, pets can take<br />
a dip in their signature bone-shaped<br />
pool.<br />
attracted a worldwide following of<br />
collectors. The subjects of their award<br />
winning photographs originate from<br />
distant lands to area neighborhoods;<br />
from mountaintops to underwater<br />
adventures stretching over six<br />
continents and the Arctic. Their<br />
gallery offers signed and numbered<br />
limited editions printed on museum<br />
quality photographic paper and<br />
matted with acid-free archival quality<br />
materials, including custom matting<br />
and framing.<br />
8775 Arlington Expressway, Ste. 103<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32211<br />
(904) 507-5700<br />
paintingcraftsmen.com<br />
At the Painting Craftsmen, their<br />
goal is to be the best painting company<br />
you’ve ever invited to your home. The<br />
Painting Craftsmen consists of highly<br />
skilled professionals committed to the<br />
highest standard of care. They offer<br />
5140 University Blvd W.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32216<br />
(904) 396-7529<br />
petparadise.com<br />
Pet Paradise Resort and Day Spa is<br />
committed to providing a safe, clean<br />
and fun environment for your pet. The<br />
resort offers the ultimate pet boarding<br />
experience for your dog or cat. The<br />
attentive staff is passionate about pets
26 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
team specializing in thorough<br />
service, luxury style plumbing<br />
fixtures, designer grade plumbing<br />
remodel and new construction. “We<br />
really enjoy the plumbing trade,<br />
when performed correctly. It makes<br />
a huge difference in a home or<br />
business,” says Whitehead.<br />
The company offers full service<br />
planning, customized planning<br />
and coordination to help couples plan<br />
their own unique event.<br />
Shops of Jax<br />
Photo provided by J. Whitehead Plumbing Inc.<br />
Jason Whitehead, Clayton Hickox and Bob Baske make up the three man team of<br />
J. Whitehead Plumbing Inc.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Plumber<br />
J. Whitehead Plumbing Inc.<br />
Mandarin<br />
(904) 370-0566<br />
jwhiteheadplumbing.com<br />
J. Whitehead Plumbing, a<br />
local, owner-operated plumbing<br />
company, has maintained 10 years<br />
tenure in Jacksonville, Florida<br />
and surrounding areas. Jason<br />
Whitehead, Clayton Hickox and<br />
Bob Baske make up the three man<br />
Photo provided by Pinch a Penny<br />
Pinch a Penny helps pool owners keep<br />
their water clean and safe all year<br />
long.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pool Service and Care<br />
Pinch a Penny<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
pinchapenny.com<br />
Pinch a Penny has 10 locations in<br />
North Florida offering a variety of<br />
discount swimming pool supplies,<br />
swimming pool chemicals, chlorine<br />
tablets, pool toys, filters, pumps and<br />
so much more. Open Monday through<br />
Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sundays at<br />
11 a.m. Visit today and receive a<br />
complimentary water test and ask for a<br />
monthly pool cleaning estimate.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Tattoo Shop<br />
Black Hive Tattoos<br />
2063 Gilmore St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
blackhivetattoo.com<br />
Since 2008, the most discerning<br />
collectors have been getting the finest<br />
custom only, appointment only tattoos<br />
from Black Hive Tattoo.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Wedding Planner<br />
GG Events and Wedding Planning<br />
(904) 318-4334<br />
ggevents.net<br />
GG Events and Wedding Planning<br />
is a full service wedding and event<br />
planning company creating amazing<br />
events for clients and their families.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Antique Shop<br />
Eco Relics<br />
106 Stockton St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 330-0074<br />
ecorelics.com<br />
Eco Relics is home to more than<br />
100,000 sq. ft. of antiques, architectural<br />
salvage, building supplies and tools<br />
housed in a restored 1927 train depot.<br />
It covers a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse and<br />
is open seven days a week.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Boutique<br />
Grease Rags Clothing Co.<br />
40 West Monroe St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 861-5107<br />
greaseragsclothing.com<br />
Established in 2013 by Justin<br />
Hammack and Cindy Platt, Grease<br />
Rags Clothing Co. is Jacksonville’s<br />
premier destination for retro style<br />
clothing. Originally located in<br />
downtown Jacksonville, the couple<br />
plans to relocate the shop to 1670 San<br />
Marco Blvd in October. All clothing is<br />
new and made in the USA or the UK.<br />
They offer men’s shirts, women’s wear<br />
in sizes 4-26, handbags, shoes, and<br />
even pomade for your hair. This shop<br />
is known for having something for<br />
everyone. Whether edgy is your style<br />
or you prefer a more classic look, make<br />
sure to visit Grease Rags Clothing Co.<br />
and check out their selection. Ask<br />
about their annual Rockabilly Prom<br />
fundraiser gala to support oral cancer<br />
awareness while you’re there.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Children’s Clothes<br />
Once Upon a Child<br />
6000 Lake Gray Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244<br />
(904) 573- 0760<br />
onceuponachildorangepark.com<br />
Once Upon a Child buys and sell<br />
gently used kid's stuff — all seasons,<br />
every day! They pay on the spot for<br />
items accepted. No appointment<br />
necessary.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 27<br />
Photo provided by Ashley HomeStore<br />
The Ashley HomeStore Jacksonville Team is proud to be part of the No.1 furniture<br />
and mattress retailer in America.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> E-Cig/Vapor Store<br />
New Leaf Vapor Co.<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 372-3244<br />
newleafvapor.com<br />
New Leaf Vapor Co. is here to<br />
destroy tobacco. Stop by any one of<br />
their Jacksonville locations to see how<br />
easy switching to vaping can be.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Furniture Store<br />
Ashley HomeStore<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
(904) 880-5860<br />
ashleyhomestore.com<br />
Ashley HomeStore is the No. 1<br />
furniture and mattress retailer in<br />
America with three locally-owned and<br />
operated locations in Jacksonville, and<br />
Photo provided by Earth Works Landscape and<br />
Garden Center<br />
Earth Works has been making beautiful<br />
outdoor spaces come alive for over 20<br />
years.<br />
is the official furniture and mattress<br />
store of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ashley<br />
is also credited with donating over<br />
25,000 beds through Hope to Dream, its<br />
program where proceeds from<br />
all mattress purchases at Ashley<br />
go towards providing free beds to<br />
underserved children.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Garden Shop/Nursery<br />
Earth Works Landscape and<br />
Garden Center<br />
12501 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
(904) 996-0712<br />
earthworksgardencenter.com<br />
Earth Works Landscape and Garden<br />
Center’s friendly and knowledgeable<br />
staff can help with all your exterior<br />
design needs. From in-store design<br />
help, container gardening services<br />
and free seminars, to palms, unique<br />
plants, pond supplies, pottery, organic<br />
supplies and more — they have it all!<br />
Come by and see their beautiful water<br />
gardens, shop their one-of-a-kind<br />
garden showroom and be inspired.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Grocery Store<br />
Publix<br />
Multiple locations, publix.com<br />
This year, Publix celebrated 85 years<br />
of being the premier food retailer the<br />
community knows and loves. They<br />
are the largest and fastest-growing<br />
employee-owned supermarket chain<br />
in the United States.
28 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
Nicole.Szarlan@jacksonville.com<br />
Hall's Nurseries & Ace Hardware on Blanding Blvd. has served Jacksonville since<br />
1949.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Hardware Store<br />
Ace Hardware<br />
Multiple locations<br />
acehardware.com<br />
Each Ace Hardware Store is a familyowned,<br />
local business that offers<br />
personal relationships with customers.<br />
Ace stores have a wide variety of paint,<br />
lawn and garden, tools, local niche<br />
services and virtually anything you’ll<br />
ever need to fix, repair and maintain<br />
your home. Getting help at Ace is like<br />
going to your neighbor.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Health Food Store<br />
Native Sun Natural Foods Market<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 260-2791<br />
nativesunjax.com<br />
Native Sun is North Florida’s largest<br />
local organic grocery retailer, having<br />
served the community since 1996.<br />
Nationally recognized for leadership in<br />
the natural products industry, Native<br />
Sun provides shoppers with easy access<br />
to a healthy mix of affordable options<br />
for every diet and eating occasion.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Jewelry Store<br />
Underwood's Jewelers<br />
2044 San Marco Blvd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 398-9741<br />
underwoodjewelers.com<br />
It is Underwood’s stated goal to be<br />
the best jeweler in the South, not the<br />
biggest. From diamonds to jewelry,<br />
to Rolex watches, to the service their<br />
professionals provide, to the way they<br />
present merchandise; all of this moves<br />
them toward their goal. However, most<br />
important to Underwood’s, is satisfied<br />
customers wearing their jewelry. This<br />
has made them the best, not just this<br />
year but also in the years going back to<br />
1928.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Liquor Store<br />
Total Wine & More<br />
4413 Town Center Pkwy, Ste. 300<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
(904) 998- 1740<br />
totalwine.com<br />
Total Wine & More is the country‘s<br />
largest independent retailer of fine<br />
wine. Most stores carry more than<br />
8,000 different wines from every<br />
wine-producing region in the world,<br />
as well as more than 2,500 beers from<br />
America‘s most popular brands to<br />
hard-to-find microbrews and imports,<br />
and more than 3,000 different spirits in<br />
every style and price range.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Mall / Shopping Center<br />
St. Johns Town Center<br />
4663 River <strong>City</strong> Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246<br />
(904) 998-7156<br />
simon.com/mall/st-johns-town-center<br />
St. Johns Town Center represents<br />
the heart of shopping and dining in<br />
Photo provided by North Florida Yacht Sales<br />
Located on Goodby’s Creek, North Florida Yacht Sales is a full service marina<br />
offering covered dry storage.<br />
Jacksonville. The outdoor lifestyle mall<br />
is home to 150 stores, many exclusive<br />
in the market, including Dillard’s,<br />
Apple, Pottery Barn and Ann Taylor as<br />
well as shops in the palm-lined streets<br />
of the Luxury Collection such as Louis<br />
Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Mayors.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Pawn Shop<br />
Mayport Gun and Pawn<br />
2294 Mayport Rd, Ste. 25<br />
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233<br />
(904) 853-5971<br />
Mayport Gun and Pawn offers a<br />
free Concealed Weapons Class with<br />
purchase of a gun over $400.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Shoe Store<br />
Foot Solutions<br />
4126 3rd Street S.<br />
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250<br />
(904) 247-0460<br />
footsolutions.com/jacksonvillebeach<br />
Foot Solutions is a leading<br />
international retailer specializing in<br />
personalized assessments, stylish<br />
high performance footwear, customfitted,<br />
custom-crafted arch supports<br />
and accessories designed to help<br />
individuals live pain-free comfortably.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Thrift Shop<br />
Goodwill Thrift Stores<br />
Multiple Locations<br />
goodwilljax.org<br />
Goodwill Thrift Stores have been<br />
turning your donated items into jobs<br />
and contributing to a better North<br />
Florida for more than 70 years. With<br />
23 thrift stores and the Ponte Vedra<br />
Bluetique store, customers can<br />
find great bargains, super fashions,<br />
household items and more. Every year<br />
through the generosity of more than<br />
500K donors — Goodwill is able to<br />
provide 52,700 people with job training<br />
and placement services, connecting<br />
more than 11,500 people with jobs. Of<br />
each dollar, 89 cents goes directly to<br />
providing these services.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Unique Shop<br />
New Leaf Vapor Co.<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 372-3244<br />
newleafvapor.com<br />
New Leaf Vapor Co. is here to<br />
destroy tobacco. Stop by any one of<br />
their Jacksonville locations to see how<br />
easy switching to vaping can be.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Vintage Shop<br />
Eco Relics<br />
106 Stockton St, Jacksonville, FL 32204<br />
(904) 330-0074<br />
ecorelics.com<br />
Eco Relics is home to more than<br />
100,000 sq. ft. of antiques, architectural<br />
salvage, building supplies and tools<br />
housed in a restored 1927 train depot.<br />
It covers a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse and<br />
is open seven days a week.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 29<br />
Auto & More<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Car Dealership<br />
Tom Bush Family of Dealerships<br />
9850 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225<br />
6914 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244<br />
(904) 725-0911, (904) 777-2500<br />
tombush.com<br />
The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships<br />
has been selling and servicing<br />
automobiles in Jacksonville since<br />
1970. A family owned and operated<br />
business, the “family” includes<br />
Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, MINI, Used<br />
Cars and a Collision Center on Atlantic<br />
Blvd., as well as BMW, Mazda and used<br />
cars on Blanding Blvd. The Tom Bush<br />
Family of Dealerships invites you to<br />
see why they were voted “<strong>Best</strong> New<br />
Car Dealership” and “<strong>Best</strong> Used Car<br />
Dealership” in the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Used Car Dealership<br />
Tom Bush Family of Dealerships<br />
9850 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225<br />
6914 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244<br />
(904) 725-0911, (904) 777-2500<br />
tombush.com<br />
The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships<br />
has been selling and servicing<br />
automobiles in Jacksonville since<br />
1970. A family owned and operated<br />
business, the “family” includes<br />
Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, MINI, Used<br />
Cars and a Collision Center on Atlantic<br />
Blvd., as well as BMW, Mazda and used<br />
cars on Blanding Blvd. The Tom Bush<br />
Family of Dealerships invites you to<br />
see why they were voted “<strong>Best</strong> New<br />
Car Dealership” and “<strong>Best</strong> Used Car<br />
Dealership” in the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>.<br />
famous guarantee, “If we can’t sell<br />
your boat in 60 days, we’ll buy it.”<br />
<strong>Best</strong> RV Dealership<br />
Camping World<br />
10101 Interstate Center Dr.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32218<br />
Accessories: (855) 277-1218<br />
Dealer: (888) 814-7704<br />
.campingworldofjacksonville.com<br />
Camping World of Jacksonville<br />
is part of America’s Largest RV<br />
Dealership. They sell new and used<br />
RVs, travel trailers, motorhomes and<br />
fifth wheels. With more than 120<br />
dealers nationwide, Camping World<br />
provides RV parts, RV service and RV<br />
accessories. Conveniently located<br />
in Jacksonville off I-95 at Exit 358-B.<br />
Come visit Camping World today!<br />
People, Faces &<br />
Places of Jax<br />
Photo by Renee Parenteau Photography<br />
Melissa Ross is the host of First Coast<br />
Connect on WJCT.<br />
89.9 FM via: Twitter: @MelissainJax,<br />
email: firstcoastconnect@wjct.org or<br />
comment on Facebook at First Coast<br />
Connect.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Newspaper Reporter/<br />
Columnist<br />
Mark Woods<br />
Mark Woods has been the Metro<br />
columnist for the Florida Times-Union<br />
and Jacksonville.com since 2003.<br />
Before that, he was a sports columnist<br />
for the Times-Union.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Celebrity<br />
Shad Khan<br />
Shad Khan is a Pakistani-American<br />
billionaire businessman, and the<br />
owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville<br />
Jaguars. As of May <strong>2015</strong>, Khan’s net<br />
worth was over $4.6 billion. He is<br />
ranked 121 in the Forbes 400 list of<br />
richest Americans and is overall the<br />
360 wealthiest person in the world.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Visionary of Jacksonville<br />
Shad Khan<br />
Shad Khan is a Pakistani-American<br />
billionaire businessman, and the<br />
owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville<br />
Jaguars. As of May <strong>2015</strong>, Khan’s net<br />
worth was over $4.6 billion. He is<br />
ranked 121 in the Forbes 400 list of<br />
richest Americans and is overall the<br />
360 wealthiest person in the world.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Boat Dealership<br />
North Florida Yacht Sales<br />
8940 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257<br />
(904) 733-7502<br />
northfloridayachtsales.com<br />
North Florida Yacht Sales of<br />
Jacksonville is a beautiful waterfront<br />
marina located just off the St. Johns<br />
River on Goodby’s Creek. Founded<br />
in 1994, they are a family owned<br />
dealership specializing in high quality<br />
new and used sport boats, fishing<br />
boats, deck boats, and cruisers from<br />
17 ft. to 50 ft. The company is also<br />
licensed and bonded Yacht Brokers<br />
and home of the largest consignment<br />
center in Northeast Florida with their<br />
Photo provided by Tom Wills<br />
May 12 was declared Tom Wills Day<br />
in Jacksonville in honor of his 40th<br />
anniversary at WJXT.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> TV Anchor<br />
Tom Wills<br />
Tom Wills, News4Jax News Anchor,<br />
just marked his 40th anniversary with<br />
Channel 4 and, no, he has no plans to<br />
retire anytime soon.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Radio Personality/Host<br />
Melissa Ross<br />
Melissa Ross is the host of First Coast<br />
Connect, a one-hour radio call-in<br />
program featuring local newsmakers,<br />
civic and community leaders, arts,<br />
activities and more, along with spot<br />
news features and a weekly roundtable<br />
of local journalists. Listeners are<br />
invited to join the conversation<br />
Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. on
30 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Person in Public Office<br />
Lenny Curry<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Local Sports Hero<br />
Tim Tebow<br />
<strong>City</strong> Hall at St. James<br />
117 W Duval St.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32202<br />
(904) 630-1176<br />
Lenny Curry is<br />
the Mayor of the<br />
<strong>City</strong> of Jacksonville.<br />
Jacksonville native Tim Tebow is an<br />
American football quarterback. He is<br />
currently a free agent who has received<br />
attention for his athletic skills as well<br />
as public displays of religious faith,<br />
both on and off the field.<br />
<strong>Bold</strong>est Person<br />
of Jacksonville’s Past<br />
Jake Godbold<br />
Jake Maurice Godbold is an<br />
American politician of the Democratic<br />
Party. He served as mayor of<br />
Jacksonville from 1978 to 1987.<br />
<strong>Bold</strong>est Person<br />
of Jacksonville’s Present<br />
Shad Khan<br />
Shad Khan is a Pakistani-American<br />
billionaire businessman, and the<br />
owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville<br />
Jaguars. As of May <strong>2015</strong>, Khan’s net<br />
worth was over $4.6 billion. He is<br />
ranked 121 in the Forbes 400 list of<br />
richest Americans and is overall the<br />
360 wealthiest person in the world.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> New Business<br />
(as of Aug. 1, 2014)<br />
Orangetheory Fitness<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 238-5272<br />
orangetheoryfitness.com<br />
Thank you for making Orangetheory<br />
Fitness the <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong>’s <strong>Best</strong><br />
Fitness Center and New Business.<br />
OrangeTheory is committed to<br />
providing the best workout in the<br />
country with a passion for fitness and<br />
health. Keep it Orange, Jacksonville!<br />
Photo provided by D.R. Horton<br />
D.R. Horton tied for <strong>Bold</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Best</strong><br />
Place to Work (Large).<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Large<br />
(100+ employees) - TIE<br />
D.R. Horton<br />
4220 Race Track Rd.<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32259<br />
(904) 421-4601<br />
drhorton.com/nfl<br />
D.R. Horton is America’s number<br />
one homebuilder. The name is<br />
synonymous with affordability and<br />
personalized service. With their<br />
expanded family of Express and<br />
Emerald brands, homebuyers are sure<br />
to find a home that suits your lifestyle<br />
and budget in one of their many<br />
communities throughout Northeast<br />
Florida.<br />
St. Vincent’s HealthCare<br />
Multiple locations<br />
(904) 308-7300<br />
jaxhealth.com<br />
St. Vincent’s HealthCare is a faithbased,<br />
not-for-profit health system that<br />
has served the people of Jacksonville<br />
and the surrounding communities<br />
since 1873. The health system has three<br />
hospitals in the Northeast Florida area<br />
— St. Vincent’s Riverside, St. Vincent’s<br />
Southside (formerly St. Luke’s Hospital)<br />
and St. Vincent’s Clay County.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Medium<br />
(25-99 employees)<br />
Vast Bridges<br />
1000 Kings Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 849-3878<br />
vastbridges.com<br />
Vast Bridges helps businesses<br />
to develop their profitability and<br />
grow by employing a unique model<br />
of innovative marketing and sales<br />
strategies. They are growing rapidly<br />
as their creative and gifted staff<br />
contribute their ambition and<br />
inspiration to a unified goal of success<br />
for their partners.<br />
<strong>Best</strong> Place to Work — Small<br />
(less than 25 employees)<br />
All About Events<br />
4549 St. Augustine Rd, Ste. 1<br />
Jacksonville, FL 32207<br />
(904) 379-6822<br />
allabouteventsjax.com<br />
All About Events is Jacksonville’s<br />
premiere event and party rental<br />
company. They believe that happy<br />
employees make for happy customers<br />
and have built upon that philosophy<br />
with their staff. They hire happy people<br />
who are dedicated to their jobs and<br />
customers.<br />
Photo provided by All About Events<br />
Jeff Crotto, owner of All About Events, spent years in the event industry before<br />
opening his own company.
SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION • 31
32 • SEPTEMBER 27, <strong>2015</strong> THE TIMES-UNION
Change language