It’s been 20 years since SRQ magazine first hit mailboxes in the (941) and beyond, and the sunshine’s only gotten sweeter since—as evidenced each year with the annual Best of SRQ Local Competition, giving mad props to the bangin’ local businesses that make each season better than the last. With a new record number of reader ballots this year, we celebrate the here and now with a little trip to the way back when, to where it all started, to that weird and wonderful superunknown we remember simply as the ‘90s. Hold on hella tight and stay frosted, this trip ain’t for scrubs.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
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2019 Best of SRQ Local Winners
Best Brunch
Station 400, Platinum Winner
MADE, Gold Winner
Duval’s, Silver Winner
Sun Garden Café, Bronze Winner
Boca Market; Louies Modern, Honorable Mention
Best Sushi
Pacific Rim, Platinum Winner
Jpan, Gold Winner
Tsunami, Silver Winner
Yume, Bronze Winner
Best Barbecue
Nancy’s BBQ, Platinum Winner
Brick’s Smoked Meats, Gold Winner
Aldays’ BBQ, Silver Winner
Pride of the South BBQ, Bronze Winner
Best Cocktails
State Street Eating House + Cocktails, Platinum Winner
Jack Dusty at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, Gold Winner
Veronica’s Fish and Oyster Bar, Silver Winner
Cask Ale and Kitchen; Pangea, Bronze Winners
Best Doughnuts
Five-O Donuts, Platinum Winner
Peachey’s Baking Company, Gold Winner
Of Kors Donuts, Silver Winner
Shipley’s Do-Nuts, Bronze Winner
Best Tacos
Screaming Goat Taqueria, Platinum Winner
El Toro Bravo, Gold Winner
Mi Pueblo, Silver Winner
Wicked Cantina, Bronze Winner
Best New Restaurant
The Overton, Platinum Winner
Pazzo’s Southside, Gold Winner
Gulf Gate Food & Beer, Silver Winner
Napule; Public House Tap & Grill, Bronze Winners
Spice Station, Honorable Mention
Best Breakfast
Station 400, Platinum Winner
Sun Garden Café, Gold Winner
Toasted Mango Café, Silver Winner
Oasis Café, Bronze Winner
Millie’s Cafe, The Serving Spoon, Honorable Mention
Best Peruvian
Selva, Platinum Winner
Darwin’s Evolutionary Cuisine, Gold Winner
Peruvian Grill, Silver Winner
Maemi; Brasa y Pisco, Bronze Winners
Best Ice Cream
Sweetberries Eatery & Frozen Custard, Platinum Winner
Orange Octopus, Gold Winner
Abel’s Ice Cream, Silver Winner
Gelato To Go; Local Chill, Bronze Winners
Best Juice
CROP, Platinum Winner
SaraFresh, Gold Winner
Green Zebra, Silver Winner
Island Organics, Bronze Winner
Best Burger
Patrick’s 1481, Platinum Winner
Smacks Burgers & Shakes, Gold Winner
Gecko’s Grill & Pub; The Overton, Silver Winners
Shakespeare’s Pub, Bronze Winner
Hob Nob Drive-In; Gulf Gate Food & Beer, Honorable Mention
Best Brewery
Calusa Brewery, Platinum Winner
JDubs, Gold Winner
Big Top Brewery, Silver Winner
Motorworks, Bronze Winner
Best Desserts
Yoder’s Restaurant, Platinum Winner
Euphemia Haye, Gold Winner
C’est La Vie; Duval’s, Silver Winners
Pastry Art; Der Dutchman; Of Kors Bakery, Bronze Winners
Best French Fries
Smacks Burgers & Shakes, Platinum Winner
The Overton, Gold Winner
Shore Diner, Silver Winner
Mandeville Beer Garden; Gulf Gate Food & Beer, Bronze Winners
Public House Tap & Grill, Honorable Mention
Best Coffee
PERQ, Platinum Winner
The Overton, Gold Winner
The Clever Cup, Silver Winner
Pastry Art; LeLu Coffee Lounge, Bronze Winners
Best Happy Hour
Boca Sarasota, Platinum Winner
Gecko’s Grill & Pub, Gold Winner
Element; Selva, Silver Winner
Mattison’s; Michael’s On East, Bronze Winners
Best Creative Sandwiches
Main Bar Sandwich Shop, Platinum Winner
Anna’s Deli, Gold Winner
Kurto’s Chimney Cakes; Michelle’s Brown Bag Café, Silver Winners
Duval’s, Bronze Winner
Best Local Catering
Michael’s On East, Platinum Winner
Morton’s Catering, Gold Winner
Zildjian Catering, Silver Winner
Innovative Dining, Bronze Winner
Best Local Italian
Caragiulo’s, Platinum Winner
Napule, Gold Winner
Mediterraneo, Silver Winner
Pazzo Southside, Bronze Winner
Best Romantic Restaurant
Ophelia’s on the Bay, Platinum Winner
Indigenous, Gold Winner
Element; Cafe Bijou, Silver Winner
Michael’s On East; Euphemia Haye, Bronze Winner
Best Food Truck
Polpo Pizza, Platinum Winner
Fire Tacos, Gold Winner
Peachey’s Baking Company, Silver Winner
Smokin Momma Lora’s BBQ; Sarafresh, Bronze Winners
Kuwai Venezuelan Street Food; Mouthhole BBQ, Honorable Mention
Best Boutique
L.Boutique, Platinum Winner
Foxy Lady, Gold Winner
Molly’s, Silver Winner
Lotus Boutique, Bronze Winner
Best Resale Boutique
The Exchange, Platinum Winner
Fifi’s, Gold Winner
Goodwill Manasota, Silver Winner
Laura Jean’s, Bronze Winner
Best Local Salon
Nuovo Salon, Platinum Winner
Cutting Loose Salon, Gold Winner
Marmalade; Yellow Strawberry, Silver Winners
Fresh Salon; Spa Hollywood, Bronze Winners
Best Barber Shop
Modern Gents, Platinum Winner
Burns Court Barbers; American Shave, Gold Winners
The Barber on Central Avenue, Silver Winner
The Barbershop 941, Bronze Winner
Best Spa
Diane Lane Massage & Bodywork, Platinum Winner
The Met, Gold Winner
Flow Massage & Wellness, Silver Winner
Elements; L.Spa, Bronze Winners
Best Yoga Studio
Pineapple Yoga Studio, Platinum Winner
The Yoga Shack, Gold Winner
Hot Yoga 4 You, Silver Winner
Circus Soul; Body Heat, Bronze Winners
Rosemary Court Yoga; Garden of the Heart; Thavma Lakewood Ranch,
Honorable Mention
Best Florist
Beneva Flowers, Platinum Winner
Flowers by Fudgie, Gold Winner
Victoria Blooms, Silver Winner
Bee Ridge Florist, Bronze Winner
Best Jeweler
Diamond Vault, Platinum Winner
Coffrin Diamond Jewelers, Gold Winner
Carats Fine Jewelry & Watches, Silver Winner
McCarver & Moser Jewelers, Bronze Winner
Best Store on St. Armands
Shore, Platinum Winner
Garden Argosy, Gold Winner
The Met, Silver Winner
Foxy Lady, Bronze Winner
Best Store on Siesta Key
Beach Bazaar, Platinum Winner
Gidget’s, Gold Winner
Foxy Lady, Silver Winner
Nutritious You; Marley Vibes; CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, Bronze Winners
Best Gallery
State of the Arts Gallery, Platinum Winner
530 Burns Gallery, Gold Winner
Chasen Gallery; Grace Howl Contemporary Art, Silver Winners
Alfstadt&; Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art, Bronze Winners
Best Performing Arts Group
Florida Studio Theater; Asolo Repertory Theater, Platinum Winners
Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, Gold Winner
Van Wezel, Silver Winner
The Players Centre for Performing Arts, Bronze Winner
Best Musical/Play
The Music Man, Asolo Repertory Theater, Platinum Winner
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Venice Theater; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and
Murder, Florida Studio Theater, Gold Winners
Evita, Asolo Repertory Theater, Silver Winner
Always Patsy Cline, Florida Studio Theater; Marvin Gaye, Westcoast Black Theater;
Ragtime, Asolo Repertory Theater, Bronze Winners
Best Nonprofit
Cat Depot, Platinum Winner
In The Pink, Gold Winner
Vintage Paws Sanctuary, Silver Winner
The Dharma Footprint Project, Bronze Winner
Best Local Charity Event
Wine, Women and Shoes, Platinum Winner
Giving Hunger The Blues, Gold Winner
Selby Orchid Ball, Silver Winner
Party Under the Stars; Designing Daughters Gala, Bronze Winners
Best Animal Nonprofit
Cat Depot, Platinum Winner
Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, Gold Winner
Vintage Paws Sanctuary, Silver Winner
Humane Society of Sarasota County, Bronze Winner
Best Children’s Non Profit
Forty Carrots, Platinum Winner
Children First, Gold Winner
Child Protection Center; Girls Inc., Silver Winners
EasterSeals SWFL; Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Bronze Winners
Best Children’s Attraction
Mote Marine Aquarium, Platinum Winner
Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Gold Winner
The Children’s Garden; Selby Rainforest Garden, Silver Winners
The Ringling Museum; Big Cat Habitat, Bronze Winners
Best Private School
Out-Of-Door Academy, Platinum Winner
St. Martha’s Catholic School, Gold Winner
Bradenton Christian School, Silver Winner
Incarnation Catholic School; Sarasota Christian School, Bronze Winners
Best Local Agency
Studio BCC, Platinum Winner
Grapevine Communications, Gold Winner
Alyssa Gay Consulting, Silver Winner
Eclipse Agency, Bronze Winner
Best Car Dealership
Wilde Automotive Group Honda Dealership, Platinum Winner
Wilde Automotive Group Lexus Dealership, Gold Winner
Sarasota Ford, Silver Winner
Gettel Nissan and Hyundai Dealerships;
Sunset Auto Group’s Chevy and Cadillac Dealerships, Bronze Winner
Best Golf Course
University Park Country Club, Platinum Winner
Laurel Oak Country Club, Gold Winner
The Ritz-Carlton Concession Club, Silver Winner
Lakewood Ranch Country Club, Bronze Winner
Best Local Pediatrician
Dr. Ted Meyer, Platinum Winner
Dr. Robert Weiss, Gold Winner
Dr. Katherine Keeley, Silver Winner
Dr. Howard Fuchs; Dr. Scott Featherman, Bronze Winners
Best Dentists, Top Twelve Platinum Winners:
Dr. Si McAninch; Dr. Stephanie Cole; Drs. Jill Morris and Burr Bakke; Dr. Michael Dorociak; Dr. Thomas Bowles; Dr. Janet Bailey; Dr. David Schroeter; Dr. Ann Mooney; Dr. Thomas Doan; Dr. Douglas Fabiani; Dr. Adam Still; Dr. Jenny White
Best Hotel Staycation
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, Platinum Winner
Art Ovation Hotel, Gold Winner
The Westin Sarasota, Silver Winner
Lido Beach Resort, Bronze Winner
The Hyatt Regency; Zota Beach Resort; Longboat Key Club;
The Sarasota Modern, Honorable Mention
Best Veterinarian
Clark Road Animal Hospital, Platinum Winner
Bee Ridge Veterinary Clinic; Bay Road Animal Hospital, Gold Winners
Dr. Nina’s Animal Hospital, Silver Winner
Sarasota Animal Hospital; Forest Lakes Animal Clinic, Bronze Winners
Best Grocer
Detwiler’s Farm Market, Platinum Winner
Morton’s Gourmet Market, Gold Winner
Best Companies Who Give Back
Pineapple Yoga, Platinum Winner
Publix; Michael Saunders & Company, Gold Winners
Kekering Barberio; Gecko’s Grill & Pub; Detwiler’s Farm Market, Silver Winners
Anna Maria Oyster Bar; Michael’s On East; Cool Today, Bronze Winners
Best Eye Care Practice
Center for Sight, Platinum Winner
Spectacle Gallery, Gold Winner
Eye Associates, Silver Winner
Coastal Eye Institute, Bronze Winner
Best Local Realtors, Top Ten Platinum Winners:
Ryan Skrypkowski; Mike Warm; Carey Beychok; Judy Wright; Brock Doyle; Barry; Bright; Doug Parks; Joey McDonald; Valarie deLieto; Andrew Vac
David Perkowski; Kim Ogilvie, Honorable Mention
Best Architect
Mark Sultana, DSDG Architects, Platinum Winner
Jonathan Parks, Solstice Planning & Architecture, Gold Winner
Clifford M. Scholz, Silver Winner
Javi Suarez of Apex-Studio, Bronze Winner
Guy Peterson; Sweet Sparkman Architects, Honorable Mention
Best Contractor
Voigt Brothers Construction, Platinum Winner
Nautilus Homes, Gold Winner
Josh Wynne Construction; Westin Hills Corp., Silver Winners
Willis A. Smith, Bronze Winner
Best Interior Designer
April White, DSDG Architects, Platinum Winner
Donna McKee & Denice Peoples, Double Vision, Gold Winner
Ana Santa Maria, Apex-Studio, Silver Winner
Chelsea Dunbar, Blu Interiors, Bronze Winner
Best Kitchen Designer
Campbell Kitchen and Bath, Platinum Winner
Metro Cabinets; SRQ Woodworks, Gold Winners
Paradise Kitchens, Silver Winner
Taylor Games Fine Cabinetry; Affinity Kitchens, Bronze Winners
Best Home Builder
John Cannon, Platinum Winner
Nautilus Homes, Gold Winner
Voigt Brothers Construction, Silver Winner
Josh Wynne, Bronze Winner
Neal Communities; Murray Homes; NC Ferguson; Westin Hills, Honorable Mention
Best Lighting
Franklin Lighting, Platinum Winner
Light Up My Life, Gold Winner
Bee Ridge Lighting, Silver Winner
Lyteworks, Bronze Winner
Best Home Furnishings
Matter Brothers, Platinum Winner
Home Resources, Gold Winner
Blu Home; Soft Square, Silver Winners
Sarasota Home Collection; Baer’s Furniture, Bronze Winners
Best CPA Firm
Kerkering Barberio, Platinum Winner
Suplee, Shea, Cramer & Rocklein, Gold Winner
Miles & Thirion, Silver Winner
Cavanaugh & Co.; Natherson & Co, Bronze Winners
Best Legal Team
Berlin Patten Ebling, Platinum Winner
Williams Parker, Gold Winner
Icard Merrill, Silver Winner
Schumaker, Loop and Kendrick, Bronze Winner
Best Financial Advisor
Allegiant Private Advisors, Platinum Winner
David White of Morgan Stanley, Gold Winner
Gregory Nelson of Stifel Nicolaus, Silver Winner
Jakob Hart of Hart Financial; Brent Campbell of Edward Jones; David Molineau,
Bronze Winners
Best Sarasota Elected Official
Sarasota City Commissioner Hagen Brody, Platinum Winner
Sarasota City Commissioner Al Maio, Gold Winner
State Rep. Margaret Good, Silver Winner
Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo;
Sarasota City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Bronze Winners
Best Manatee Elected Official
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore;
Bradenton Mayor Wyane Poston, Platinum Winner
Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, Gold Winner
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