2007 Winners
INTRODUCING OUR FIFTH ANNUAL BEST OF HARFORD READER'S POLL 2007
If you live in Harford County, you know there are some wonderful treasures to be found. From the perfect place to pause for a moment in a busy day and just breathe, to that little shop that sells just the right gift for a girlfriend, Harford has it all. And each year, we ask you to tell us where the best of everything can be found in our annual BEST OF Harford edition.
This year we've gotten great suggestions for places to find fabulous food, perfect pampering, beautiful blossoms and more. Readers sent in their votes and an independent team from outside the county tallied them. Now, we get to share them with you! Take a peek inside and see what you think. Agree or disagree, we think you'll find some interesting new options in this year’s BEST OF lists!
HEALTH & BEAUTY(top)
General Dentistry
Lifetime Dental Care -
Dr. Kathryn Venbrugge
Tie: Dr. Stephen Cockey
Dr. David Mergerian
Health Club:
Bel Air Athletic Club
Arena Club
Beyond Fit Training Studio
Physician:
Smaldore Family Practice Associates
Dr. Gillian Adams
Dr. Alfred Sparks
Salon/Spa:
Tie: Color Lounge Salon & Spa
Studio 221
Jordan Thomas Salon
Bella Amici Salon
Veterinarian:
Hickory Veterinary Hospital
Festival Bel Air Veterinary Clinic
Tie: Dr. Richard Cook
Churchville Veterinary
Clinic
Bel Air Veterinary Hospital
It can be scary when your pets get sick. They can’t tell you what’s wrong, and you want the best care you can get. Don’t worry – when your furry and fluffy family needs medical attention, go to Hickory Vet! Our readers tell us the caring staff and outstanding facilities and service will ensure that your pets will get the care and attention they deserve!
GOODS & SERVICES(top)
Antiques:
Memory Makers Too
Spenceola Antique Mall
Bel Air Antiques Etc.
Art Gallery:
The Picture Show
Tie: Fast Frame of Bel Air
Gallery Roca Fine Arts & Accessories
Auto Repair Shop:
Jones Junction
Unique Auto Body
Autowerkes
Catering:
Carried Away Gourmet
Richlin Ballroom
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Computer/Electronics:
Computer Renaissance
The Computer Market Place
Dry Cleaner:
Tie: Harford Cleaners
Sunny Cleaners
South Cleaners
Kroh’s Cleaners
Eyewear:
Parris-Castoro Optical
Eyedentity LLC
Linder Opticians Inc.
Florist:
Richardson’s Flowers & Gifts
Jonathan’s Weddings & Flowers
Bel Air Florist
Hardware:
Courtland Hearth & Hardware
Kefauver Lumber Company
Hickory Hardware & Supply
In today’s world of big-box megastores and warehouse suppliers so big you need a map to find your way, it’s nice to go someplace local. Someplace where people know what your house is like, where personal service – whether it’s for a pane of glass or a gas stove – is the rule, not the exception. That place is local favorite Courtland Hearth & Hardware, where service is always in style!
Home Improvement Contractor:
Lynch Construction Inc.
American Design & Build
Van Deusen Construction Co.
Jewelry:
Saxon’s Diamond Centers
Johnston Brothers Jewelers
Talles Jewelers
Lawn Service:
Hillside Lawn Service
Tie: Carnie’s Lawn Care
Ivy Hill Nursery Company Old Line Landscaping
Liquor Store:
Wine World Beer and Spirits
Ronnie’s Beverage Warehouse
Decker’s Wine & Spirits
New Car Dealership:
Jones Junction
Thompson Automotive
Boyle Buick
Used Car Dealership:
Jones Junction
Autowerkes
Boyle Buick
Car dealers get a bad reputation, and that’s a shame. Because the ones that do it right really earn customer loyalty. Take Jones Junction, which won in all of our automotive categories – by providing an amazing selection, convenient hours and great prices and service. They’ve easily earned the well deserved loyalty of Harford readers, and this year’s Best Of awards, too!
FOOD & DRINK(top)
Bakery:
Bel Air Bakery
Klein’s Family Markets
Brunch:
Grille & Pub at Mountain Branch
Open Door Café
Enotria Restaurant & Grill
Cheap Eats:
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
Double T Diner
La Tolteca
Classic Restaurant:
Josef’s Country Inn
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Scotto’s Cafe
Coffee Bar:
Coffee, Coffee
Tie: Shamrock Coffee Company
McShane’s
Crab Cakes:
Box Hill Pizzeria & Carryout
Crackpot Restaurant
Main Street Tower
Marylanders love their crab cakes, but it’s rare that they can agree on which one is the best. Unless they’re in Harford County, that is! Each year, our readers vote overwhelmingly for one special place where the crab cakes rule – Box Hill Pizzaria. With five years of winning results, this may just be the best crab cake in the state, let alone the county!
Deli:
Savona Fine Italian Foods and Wine
Little NY The Lost Deli
Savory Deli & Market
Ethnic Restaurant:
La Tolteca
Giovanni’s Restaurant
The Olive Tree
Family Dining:
Main Street Tower
Freddie’s
Cheeburger Cheeburger
Ice Cream/Dessert:
Broom’s Bloom Dairy
Bomboy’s Home Made
Ice Cream
Italian:
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Scotto’s Café
Basta Pasta
Italian food may be the most popular choice for dining out in America. From fancy to family style, Italian restaurants are always crowded, and everyone has a particular favorite. If you’re going to have Italian in Harford County, though, it has to be Giovanni’s Restaurant. Every year our readers tell us it’s the best in the county, hands down. If you haven’t tried them, you don’t know what you’re missing!
New Restaurant:
Bonefish Grill
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
Seafood:
Bonefish Grill
Crackpot Restaurant
Seafood Stop
Steamed Crabs:
Seafood Stop
Crackpot Restaurant
Wet Willy’s Crab Deck
Vegetarian:
La Tolteca
Cactus Willies’ Bel Air
Open Door Café
GOING OUT(top)
If you’re looking for a place to go for Happy Hour, to watch the game or check out some live music, there’s only one place to go – Looney’s Pub. Looney’s is the place for entertainment in Harford County, with a huge bar, multiple TV screens and live music for every taste. So whether it’s game day or date night, check out Looney’s to see what’s hot!
Live Music:
Looney’s Pub
Main Street Tower
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Sports Bar/Pub:
Looney’s Pub
The Green Turtle Sports Bar
& Grille
MaGerk’s Pub & Grill
Happy Hour:
Looney’s Pub
Main Street Tower
Sean Bolan’s Irish Pub
Martini:
Bonefish Grill
Main Street Tower
Looney’s Pub
Place for a Date:
Main Street Tower
Tie: Looney’s Pub
Grille & Pub at Mountain
Branch
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Live Theater:
Harford Community College
Phoenix Festival Theatre
CHILDREN(top)
Day Care:
Celebree Learning Centers
KinderCare Learning Centers
Goddard School
Party Place:
Chuck E. Cheese’s
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Bel Air Athletic Club
Pediatrician:
Tie: Bright Oaks
Pediatric Center
Box Hill Pediatrics
Laurel Pediatric and Teen Medical Center
Private School:
The John Carroll School
Harford Day School
St. Margaret’s School
RECREATION (top)
Swim Club:
Bel Air Athletic Club
The Arena Club
Rock Spring Swim Club
Park Picnic:
Rocks State Park
Annie’s Playground
Millard J. Tydings Memorial Park
Place to Run/Bike:
Ma & Pa Trail
Rocks State Park
B&O Trail
Marina/Boat Club:
Tie: Havre de Grace Marina
Tidewater Marina
Otter Creek Marina
Indoor Activity:
The Arena Club
Bel Air Athletic Club
Tie: Magic Night at Main Street Tower
Regal Cinema
Place for Reception/Event:
Swan Harbor Farm
Liriodendron
Richlin Ballroom
A ceremony under a spreading tree, with the Chesapeake Bay sparkling in the background. Cocktails in a fabulous mansion, with a veranda overlooking a sloping emerald lawn. Dinner in the tent, with lights twinkling off the water in the distance. This is what a reception at Swan Harbor can look like, and it’s the reason our readers say Swan Harbor is the county’s best reception site.
MISCELLANEOUs(top)
Reason to Live in Harford County:
Friendly people
Tie: Farm Country
Location/Convenience
Hometown Feel
Tourist Attraction:
Ripken Stadium
Havre de Grace
Rocks State Park
Thing We Forgot to Ask:
Flesh Tattoo Co.
Some others our voters wanted you to know about:
Barber -
Joppa Family Hair Care Ctr.
Boutique -
Pink Silhouette
Children’s Shop -
Levy Lay
Magician -
Kevin Kirtley
Golf Course -
Mountain Branch
Garden Shop -
The Mill of Bel Air
Cycling Class -
Beyond Fit Training Studio
Ad Agency -
A Bright Idea
Motorcycle Shop - Pete’s Cycle Co. Inc.
Physical Therapy -
Spine and Sports Rehabilitation
Orthodontist -
Dr. Scott Nawy
Trainer -
Suz Letschin
Quick Lunch -
Laurrapin Grille
Pottery -
Amazing Glaze
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