Presenting the Eighth Annual
MetroBravo Awards
Part I
The ballots are counted and the results are in for the 2007 MetroBravo! Awards and, as usual, there are some surprises, repeat winners and some new faces garnering your favor as the best in the region. We thank you for voting, and we marvel at your creativity in choosing this year’s bumper crop of winners.
Following are the winners for several categories — restaurants, auto, people and places, media personalities, political leaders (including for the first time your picks for who will win the big races for governor and president), professional services, banks, realtors, buildings, sports figures (look for a big surprise in this category), music, books, golf courses, hotels — big new winner here — among other categories. Next month, we publish the winners in retail, home life, health care, tech life and other areas of reader interest. Study this issue, save it for future reference and get ready for more winners in August.
Be sure to congratulate the winners in person Thursday evening, Sept. 27, at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary at the first annual MetroBravo! gala. There will be music, food, personalities and a reserved area for corporate tables. You winners, be sure to call Katie Poole (919-831-0999) to reserve your booth or table.
-Bernie Reeves
THE BEST OF THE BEST
by Dan Reeves
with Vanessa Finnie and Mary Constangy
FOOD AND DRINK
RESTAURANT
Standing Ovation
Vivace, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
NEW RESTAURANT
Standing Ovation
South, Raleigh
MetroBravo
An, Cary
Honorable Mention
18 Seaboard, Raleigh
18 Seaboard
Southern dining in an upscale atmosphere has found a happy home at Chef Jason Smith’s 18 Seaboard. Perfect for a special occasion or simply a pleasant dinner any night of the week, Smith’s menu is down home and dazzling to the palate. Dine outside, at the bar or in the sleek, sophisticated dining room. 18 Seaboard is an American restaurant, with a heart that is all Carolina.
ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
Standing Ovation
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Fearrington House Restaurant, Pittsboro
Honorable Mention
Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
RESTAURANT FOR TAKE-OUT
Standing Ovation
Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Pharaoh’s American Grill, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Neomonde Baking Company, Raleigh
RESTAURANT FOR POWER LUNCH
Standing Ovation
Glenwood Grill, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Winston’s Grille, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
115 Midtowne, Raleigh
RESTAURANT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Standing Ovation
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
COASTAL RESTAURANT
Standing Ovation
Blue Moon Bistro, Beaufort
MetroBravo
Jerry’s Food, Wine & Spirits, Wilmington
Honorable Mention
Jerry’s Food, Wine and Spirits
Metro readers who head for Wrightsville Beach each summer seek out the fine coastal dining at Jerry’s Food, Wine and Spirits. Executive Chef Jason Godwin and Sous-Chef Steven Powell have teamed up to create a menu that keeps Jerry’s hopping. Offering dishes from lobster tail to scallops to Chateaubriand, Jerry’s is a winner.
Beaufort Grocery Co., Beaufort
OUTDOOR DINING
Standing Ovation
Mellow Mushroom, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Vivace, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Winston’s Grille, Raleigh
DELI
Standing Ovation
Village Deli, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Jason’s Deli, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
McAlister’s Deli, Triangle-wide
COFFEEHOUSE
Standing Ovation
Starbucks, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Third Place Coffeehouse, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Caribou Coffee, Triangle-wide
SPORTS BAR
Standing Ovation
Carolina Ale House, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Fox and Hound Pub & Grille, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Hi5, Raleigh
Carolina Ale House
Few things taste better than ice-cold ale during the hot Carolina summers. Whether you prefer a pilsner or wheat beer, Hefeweizen or cider, when it comes to variety and originality, Metro readers voted Carolina Ale House as one of the best locations for beer lovers in the Triangle. This restaurant and sports bar has seven different locations with five in the Triangle area, offering classic American cuisine including sandwiches, burgers, salads and pastas. But no meal here would be complete without a selection from the extensive “beer lineup” from Carolina Ale House, offering more than 30 different draft beers including their own signature Ale House Summer Ale. And don’t forget the selection of NC brands and over 40 different types of bottled beer.
PLACE WITH BEST COCKTAIL MENU
Standing Ovation
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Vivace, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Blue Martini Bar and Lounge, Raleigh
Bogart’s American Grill, Raleigh
CATERER
Standing Ovation
LadyFingers Caterers, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Catering Company of Chapel Hill,
Chapel Hill
Honorable Mention
Catering Works, Raleigh
LadyFingers
LadyFingers wins again! We can’t honestly say we are surprised — for over 20 years Kathie Walton and her staff of professionals have been providing the absolute best in cuisine, service and quality to the Triangle. Stop by the storefront kitchen at the newly refurbished High Park Shopping Center for a quart of LadyFingers famous chicken salad or to plan your daughter’s wedding reception. Either will be prepared perfectly.
CHEF
Standing Ovation
Ashley Christiansen, Enoteca Vin, Raleigh
MetroBravo
John Toler, Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Graham Fox, The Fearrington House Restaurant, Pittsboro
Jason Smith, 18 Seaboard, Raleigh
WAITSTAFF
Standing Ovation
Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
FRENCH CUISINE
Standing Ovation
Saint-Jacques French Cuisine, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Bonne Soirée, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Vin Rouge, Durham
ITALIAN CUISINE
Standing Ovation
Vivace, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Casa Carbone Ristorante, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bella Monica, Raleigh
Casa Carbone Ristorante
Casa Carbone Ristorante is a hot spot for authentic Italian cuisine, perhaps because the owners are Italain. John and Jean Carbone partnered with their daughter Maria and her husband Michael House to create an authentic menu. Since opening in 1984, the restaurant has lured diners with classic Italian, vegetarian and fresh fish specials. Despite the arrival of dozens of new restaurants in the Triangle area, this traditional, family-run restaurant won your vote in the 2007 MetroBravo! balloting.
MEXICAN CUISINE
Standing Ovation
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Jibarra Modern Mexican Tequila Lounge, Raleigh
CHINESE CUISINE
Standing Ovation
PF Chang’s China Bistro, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Neo-China Restaurant, Triangle-wide
TAPAS/SMALL PLATES
Standing Ovation
The Red Room Tapas Lounge, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Humble Pie, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Zely & Ritz Tapas Restaurant and Wine Bar, Raleigh
SUSHI
Standing Ovation
Waraji Japanese Restaurant, Raleigh
Sushi Blues Café, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Sushi-Thai, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Mura Japanese Restaurant, Raleigh
APPETIZERS
Standing Ovation
Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Raleigh Times Bar, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Lantern, Chapel Hill
BARBECUE/RIBS
Standing Ovation
Red Hot & Blue, Cary and Raleigh
MetroBravo
Smithfield’s Chicken ’n Bar-B-Q, Triangle-wide and Wilmington
Honorable Mention
The Q Shack, Raleigh
HOT DOG
Standing Ovation
Snoopy’s Hot Dogs, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Pharaoh’s American Grill, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Roast Grill, Raleigh
HAMBURGER
Standing Ovation
Char-Grill, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Pharaoh’s American Grill, Raleigh
Char-Grill
For as long as most of us can remember, we’ve been drawn to the intoxicating aroma that surrounds Raleigh’s definitive “burger joint.” Slide your order down the shoot and watch the young staff, paper hats on all, prepare the best made-to-order burgers in town. Now with three locations in the area, Char-Grill, famous for its delicious char-broiled burgers, crispy fries and thick as a brick shakes, takes you back to simpler times.
FRENCH FRIES
Standing Ovation
McDonald’s, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits,
Triangle-wide
BISCUITS
Standing Ovation
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits,
Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Biscuitville, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, Chapel Hill
PIZZA
Standing Ovation
Capital Creations Gourmet Pizza, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Lilly’s Pizza, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Mellow Mushroom, Triangle-wide
STEAKS
Standing Ovation
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Ruth’s Chris, Cary
SEAFOOD
Standing Ovation
42nd Street Oyster Bar, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Squid’s, Chapel Hill
Honorable Mention
Fins Restaurant, Raleigh
OYSTERS
Standing Ovation
42nd Street Oyster Bar, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Nelson’s Restaurant, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Sunny Side Oyster Bar, Williamston
DESSERT
Standing Ovation
Hayes Barton Dessertery & Café, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Hereghty Heavenly Delicious, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Francesca’s Dessert Caffe, Durham
BRUNCH
Standing Ovation
NOFO Café, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Enoteca Vin Restaurant and Wine Bar, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Acme Food & Beverage Co., Carrboro
SMOOTHIES
Standing Ovation
Planet Smoothie, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Foster’s Market, Chapel Hill and Durham
EGGS BENEDICT
Standing Ovation
NOFO Café, Raleigh and Wilmington
Enoteca Vin Restaurant and Wine Bar, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Brigs Restaurants, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Courtney’s Restaurant, Raleigh
FRIED CHICKEN
Standing Ovation
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits,
Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Smithfield’s Chicken ’n Bar-B-Q, Triangle-wide and Wilmington
MARGARITA
Standing Ovation
Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant, Raleigh
MetroBravo
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Mellow Mushroom, Raleigh
MARTINI
Standing Ovation
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Blue Martini Bar and Lounge, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bogart’s American Grill, Raleigh
BLOODY MARY
Standing Ovation
NOFO Café, Raleigh and Wilmington
MetroBravo
Winston’s Grille, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Enoteca Vin Restaurant and Wine Bar, Raleigh
COSMOPOLITAN
Standing Ovation
Blue Martini Bar and Lounge, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bogart’s American Grill, Raleigh
BEER
Standing Ovation
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Carolina Ale House, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Village Draft House, Raleigh
WINE
Standing Ovation
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Grape, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Bloomsbury Bistro, Raleigh
NC VINEYARD/WINERY
Standing Ovation
Chatham Hill Winery, Morrisville
MetroBravo
Duplin Winery, Rose Hill
Honorable Mention
Biltmore Estate, Asheville
FAVORITE BRAND OF:
BOTTLED WATER
Standing Ovation
Dasani
MetroBravo
Le Bleu
Honorable Mention
Fiji
BEER
Standing Ovation
Miller Light
MetroBravo
Corona
Honorable Mention
Blue Moon
VODKA
Standing Ovation
Grey Goose
MetroBravo
Absolut
Honorable Mention
Stoli
BOURBON/WHISKEY
Standing Ovation
Jack Daniel’s
MetroBravo
Maker’s Mark
Honorable Mention
Crown Royal
GIN
Standing Ovation
Bombay Sapphire
MetroBravo
Tanqueray
Honorable Mention
Beefeater
SCOTCH
Standing Ovation
Dewar’s
MetroBravo
The Macallan
Honorable Mention
The Famous Grouse
RUM
Standing Ovation
Bacardi
MetroBravo
Captain Morgan
Honorable Mention
Mount Gay
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE CO.
Standing Ovation
York Simpson Underwood, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Allen Tate Realtors, Triangle-wide
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CO.
Standing Ovation
York Properties, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Coldwell Banker Commercial, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Empire Properties, Raleigh
COASTAL REAL ESTATE CO.
Standing Ovation
Intracoastal Realty Corporation, Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Southport, Surf City and Topsail Beach
MetroBravo
Al Williams Properties, Atlantic Beach
Honorable Mention
Cannon & Gruber Realtors, Atlantic Beach
BANK
Standing Ovation
Wachovia, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
BB&T, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
First Citizens Bank, Triangle-wide
Bank of America, Triangle-wide
BANK FOR A LOAN
Standing Ovation
Wachovia, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
BB&T, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Bank of America, Triangle-wide
INSURANCE COMPANY
Standing Ovation
State Farm Insurance, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Nationwide, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
USAA, Triangle-wide
EVENT PLANNING FIRM
Standing Ovation
Celebrations: Raphael Lopez-Barrantes,
Durham
MetroBravo
Black Dog Event Company, Raleigh & Charlotte
Honorable Mention
A Southern Soiree, Raleigh
Celebrations: Raphael Lopez-Barrantes
Celebrations emphasizes “enhancing events through the arts and design,” by creating elaborate, highly theatrical settings for the numerous galas and balls managed by the long-time Durham-based company. Founded by Raphael Lopez-Barrantes, Celebrations prides itself on combining the culinary, performing and visual arts with an array of color, sound, movement, fragrance and taste. Lopez-Barrantes has a background in theater production and is currently on faculty in the Theater Studies Department at Duke University. The unique creations of the 2007 Standing Ovation winner for the Best Event Planning Firm in the Triangle have been displayed throughout the area, including the Jubilee Gala and the Monet Gala at the NC Museum of Art, the First Anniversary Gala for the Michael Jordan Institute for Families and the SAS 25th Anniversary Celebration.
MORTGAGE FIRM
Standing Ovation
Countrywide Financial, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Capital Bank, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Great Southern Mortgage Corporation, Raleigh
Wells Fargo, Triangle-wide
BROKERAGE FIRM
Standing Ovation
Edward Jones Investments, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Scott & Stringfellow, Inc., Cary, Raleigh & Wilmington
Honorable Mention
Wachovia Securities, Triangle-wide
ACCOUNTING FIRM
Standing Ovation
CD Anderson, P.A., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Cherry Bekaert & Holland, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Hughes Pittman & Gupton, L.L.P., Raleigh
Lynch & Howard, P.A., Raleigh
GENERAL LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Poyner & Spruill, L.L.P., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Ragsdale Liggett P.L.L.C., Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Manning Fulton & Skinner, P.A., Raleigh
& Wilmington
REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Ragsdale Liggett P.L.L.C., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Manning Fulton & Skinner, P.A., Raleigh
& Wilmington
Honorable Mention
Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell
& Jernigan, L.L.P., Raleigh
DIVORCE LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Wyrick Robbins, Yates & Ponton, L.L.P., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Tharrington Smith, L.L.P., Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Hedspeth Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Raleigh
CORPORATE LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor, P.A., Raleigh
& Wilmington
MetroBravo
Poyner & Spruill, L.L.P., Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Hunton & Williams, L.L.P., Raleigh
CRIMINAL LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Cheshire Parker Schneider Bryan & Vitale, L.L.P., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Tharrington Smith, L.L.P., Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell
& Jernigan, L.L.P., Raleigh
TAX LAW FIRM
Standing Ovation
Bailey & Dixon, L.L.P., Raleigh
MetroBravo
Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor, P.A.,
Raleigh & Wilmington
Honorable Mention
Lynch & Eatman, L.L.P., Raleigh
PEOPLE AND PLACES
REGIONAL TV PERSONALITY
Standing Ovation
David Crabtree, WRAL-TV5
MetroBravo
Steve Daniels, WTVD
Honorable Mention
Pam Saulsby, WRAL-TV5
NATIONAL TV PERSONALITY
Standing Ovation
Charlie Gibson, ABC World News
MetroBravo
Katie Couric, CBS Evening News
Honorable Mention
Matt Lauer, NBC Today Show
Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News
RADIO PERSONALITY
Standing Ovation
Bob and the Showgram, WDCG-FM
MetroBravo
Bill & Sherri, Mix 101.5 WRAL-FM
Honorable Mention
Rush Limbaugh
Jack Boston, Star FM 102.9
WEATHER PERSONALITY
Standing Ovation
Greg Fischel, WRAL-TV5
MetroBravo
Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL-TV5
Honorable Mention
Joanne Feldman, ABC11 Eyewitness News
TRAFFIC PERSONALITY
Standing Ovation
Mark Roberts, WRAL-TV5
MetroBravo
Steve Forgy, WTVD
Honorable Mention
Beverly Pigford, WNCN
COLLEGE COACH
Standing Ovation
Roy Williams, UNC Men’s Basketball
MetroBravo
Sidney Lowe, NCSU Men’s Basketball
Honorable Mention
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University Men’s Basketball
Sidney Lowe
As point guard for the Wolfpack’s 1983 NCAA Championship team heralded for its Cinderella run under legendary head coach Jim Valvano, Sidney Lowe cut his teeth under one of the best. Now, after showing Pack fans his skills as a head coach, he is honored as one of the best coaches by our readers. Going down in history as victor over all three Big Four Tobacco Road teams (UNC, Duke and Wake Forest) within his first season — we love Lowe for bringing the Wolfpack to great heights and for sporting the red blazer in honor of his mentor, the late great Jim Valvano.
LOCAL AUTHOR
Standing Ovation
Nicholas Sparks
MetroBravo
Kaye Gibbons
Honorable Mention
David Sedaris
Lee Smith
LOCAL ARTIST
Standing Ovation
Kyle Highsmith
MetroBravo
Jason Craighead
Honorable Mention
Bob Rankin
Eric McRay
LOCAL POLITICIAN
Standing Ovation
Beverly Perdue, Lieutenant Governor of NC
MetroBravo
John Edwards, 2008 Presidential Candidate
Honorable Mention
Charles Meeker, Mayor of Raleigh
CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT ’08
Barack Obama (D) – 27%
John Edwards (D) – 16%
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) – 14%
Rudolph W. Giuliani (R) – 12%
John McCain (R) – 8%
Willard Mitt Romney (R) – 8%
Bill Richardson (D) – 6%
Fred Thompson (R) – 4%
Undecided – 3%
Other* – 2%
*Mike Bloomberg, Newt Gingrich, Ralph Nader
CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR ’08
Beverly Purdue (D) – 60%
Richard Moore (D) – 16%
Fred Smith (R) – 9%
Bob Orr (R) – 7%
Roy Cooper (D) – 5%
Other* – 3%
*Bill Graham (R), Cherie Berry (R), Ferrell Blount (R) , Elaine Marshall (D)
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAMS
Standing Ovation
UNC Tar Heels
MetroBravo
NC State Wolfpack
Honorable Mention
Duke Blue Devils
Carolina Hurricanes
Durham Bulls
Talk about coming a long way. In the 1980s, the Durham Bulls were 1-A and played in the old Durham Athletic Park to a small but dedicated cadre of baseball fans. Things changed when owner Miles Wolf stuck it to the Raleigh City Council when they tried to field a 2-A team in his territory. That’s why Raleigh’s team is in Zebulon, exactly 35 miles from the Bulls’ home plate. Jim Goodmon of Capitol Broadcasting later bought the Bulls, and the franchise qualified for Triple-A status by building a state-of-the-art ball park. Today, the Bulls are one of the most successful minor league teams in the US and Metro readers support them all the way.
PUBLIC MUSEUM
Standing Ovation
NC Museum of Art, Raleigh
MetroBravo
NC Museum of Life and Science, Durham
Honorable Mention
NC Museum of History, Raleigh
HISTORIC SITE
Standing Ovation
Tryon Palace, New Bern
MetroBravo
Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Honorable Mention
NC Capitol Building, Raleigh
CHARITY EVENT
Standing Ovation
The Big Bad Ball, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Mannequin Ball, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Junior League of Raleigh, A Shopping SPREE!, Raleigh
CULTURAL EVENT
Standing Ovation
“Monet in Normandy” Exhibit,
NC Museum of Art, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Artsplosure, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
First Fridays at NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
DANCE CLUB
Standing Ovation
Mosquito, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Hi5, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Longbranch Entertainment Complex,
Raleigh
DANCE STUDIO
Standing Ovation
Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Premier School of Dance, Cary
CLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC
Standing Ovation
Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill
MetroBravo
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Pour House, Raleigh
GOLF COURSE
Standing Ovation
Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst
MetroBravo
Prestonwood Country Club, Cary
Honorable Mention
Falls Village Golf Club, Durham
Carolina Country Club, Raleigh
MOVIE THEATER
Standing Ovation
Rialto Theatre, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Regal North Hills Stadium 14, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Crossroads 20, Cary
PLACE TO HEAR JAZZ
Standing Ovation
Yancey’s Juke Joint, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill
Honorable Mention
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Raleigh
PLACE TO HEAR ROCK
Standing Ovation
Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill
MetroBravo
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Pour House, Raleigh
SPORTING EVENT
Standing Ovation
The Durham Bulls, Durham
MetroBravo
Carolina Hurricanes, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball
LOCAL BAND
Standing Ovation
The Proclivities
MetroBravo
The Dune Dogs
Honorable Mention
Bill Leslie & Lorica
LOCAL MUSICIAN
Standing Ovation
Chris Boerner
MetroBravo
Matt Douglas
Honorable Mention
Bill Leslie
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
THEATER BUILDING
Standing Ovation
Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh
MetroBravo
The Carolina Theatre, Durham
Honorable Mention
Memorial Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
Standing Ovation
American Tobacco Building, Durham
MetroBravo
RBC Center, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Coldwell Banker Building, Raleigh
CAMPUS BUILDING
Standing Ovation
Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham
MetroBravo
Old East Dorm, UNC, Chapel Hill
Honorable Mention
Memorial Hall, UNC, Chapel Hill
CORPORATE BUILDING
Standing Ovation
Coldwell Banker Building, Raleigh
MetroBravo
SAS Campus, Cary
Honorable Mention
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, Durham
OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE
Standing Ovation
Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park, Cary
MetroBravo
Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
NC Museum of Art Outdoor Amphitheatre, Raleigh
MEDIA
FICTION BOOK
Standing Ovation
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
MetroBravo
My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult
Honorable Mention
The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
NON-FICTION BOOK
Standing Ovation
The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls
MetroBravo
Wisdom and Eloquence, Robert Littlejohn
Honorable Mention
America Alone, Mark Steyn
ONLINE NEWS
Standing Ovation
WRAL.com
MetroBravo
CNN.com
Honorable Mention
MSNBC.com
ONLINE WEATHER
Standing Ovation
weather.com
MetroBravo
WRAL.com
Honorable Mention
wunderground.com
ONLINE SPORTS
Standing Ovation
ESPN.com
MetroBravo
WRAL.com
Honorable Mention
SI.com
AUTOMOTIVE
CAR DEALERSHIP
Standing Ovation
Johnson Lexus of Raleigh, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Leith BMW, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Crown Volvo, Chapel Hill
SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE
Standing Ovation
Range Rover
MetroBravo
BMW X5
Honorable Mention
Lexus RX
SPORTS CAR
Standing Ovation
Porsche
MetroBravo
BMW
Honorable Mention
Jaguar
SEDAN
Standing Ovation
Lexus
MetroBravo
BMW
Honorable Mention
Mercedes
LUXURY CAR
Standing Ovation
Lexus
MetroBravo
Mercedes
Honorable Mention
BMW
HYBRID CAR
Standing Ovation
Toyota Prius
MetroBravo
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honorable Mention
Lexus GS
DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE
Standing Ovation
Johnson Lexus of Raleigh, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Fred Anderson Toyota, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Crown Honda of Southpoint, Durham
RESORT/TRAVEL/HOTEL
AIRLINE
Standing Ovation
American Airlines
MetroBravo
Southwest Airlines
Honorable Mention
Delta Airlines
CAR RENTAL FIRM
Standing Ovation
Hertz Rent-A-Car, Triangle-wide
MetroBravo
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Triangle-wide
Honorable Mention
Avis Rent-A-Car, Triangle-wide
LIMOUSINE/CAR SERVICE
Standing Ovation
White Horse Transportation, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Capital Style Luxury Transportation, Cary
Honorable Mention
Top of the Line Limousine & Transportation, Louisburg
CITY HOTEL
Standing Ovation
The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary
MetroBravo
The Franklin Hotel, Chapel Hill
Honorable Mention
The Siena Hotel, Chapel Hill
COASTAL HOTEL
Standing Ovation
Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, Wrightsville Beach
MetroBravo
Blockade Runner, Wrightsville Beach
Honorable Mention
The Sanderling Resort & Spa, Duck
HOTEL FOR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS
Standing Ovation
The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary
MetroBravo
Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill
HOTEL FOR MEETINGS/CONVENTIONS
Standing Ovation
Hilton North Raleigh, Raleigh
MetroBravo
Embassy Suites Hotel Raleigh – Crabtree, Raleigh
Honorable Mention
Sheraton Imperial, Durham
NC BEACH RESORT
Standing Ovation
Bald Head Island
MetroBravo
Figure Eight Island
Honorable Mention
The Ocean Club, Salter Path
NC MOUNTAIN RESORT
Standing Ovation
Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, Asheville
MetroBravo
Chetola Mountain Resort, Blowing Rock
Honorable Mention
Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
GOLF RESORT
Standing Ovation
Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst
MetroBravo
Bald Head Island, Southport
Honorable Mention
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island
RESORT SPA
Standing Ovation
Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst
MetroBravo
Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, Asheville
Honorable Mention
Westglow Resort & Spa, Blowing Rock
The Ocean Club, Salter Path