BEST NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED IN LAST 12 MONTHS)
McCormick & Schmick's
SouthPark Mall - 4335 Barclay Downs Drive, 704-442-5522; Uptown - 200 South Tryon Street, 704-377-0201.
BEST SPECIAL OCCASION RESTAURANT
The Melting Pot
901 South Kings Drive. 704-334-4400; 230 East WT Harris Boulevard. 704-548-2432.
BEST LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT
Athens Restaurant
101 East Independence Boulevard. 704-375-3597.
BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST
The Capital Grille
201 North Tryon Street. 704-348-1400.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A BOTTLE OF WINE
Total Wine & More
1600 East Woodlawn Road. 704-295-9290; 10052 East Independence Boulevard. 704-849-2022.
BEST SOUTHERN COUNTRY/SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT
Mert's Heart & Soul
214 North College Street. 704-342-4222.
BEST GOURMET/SPECIALTY FOOD STORE
Dean & Deluca
Various locations.
BEST PLACE TO FIND EXOTIC SPICES
The Home Economist
5410 East Independence Boulevard. 704-536-4663; 2707 South Boulevard. 704-522-8123.
BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Earth Fare
12235 North Community House Road. 704-926-1201.
BEST BARBEQUE
Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q
Various locations.
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
Dilworth Coffee House
1235-B East Boulevard. 704-358-8003.
BEST TAKEOUT OR SIDEWALK STAND
Victor Werany, The Chili Man
4th & Tryon Streets.
BEST PIZZA
Brixx
Various locations.
BEST DELI
McAlister's Deli
Various locations.
BEST DINER
The Penguin
1921 Commonwealth Avenue. 704-375-6959.
BEST ETHNIC RESTAURANT
Red Bowl Cafe
3528 Mount Holly-Huntersville Road. 704-391-7181.
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Sullivan's Steakhouse
1928 South Boulevard. 704-335-8228.
BEST SUSHI
Sushi 101
1730 East Woodlawn Road. 704-672-0990.
BEST DESSERTS
The Cheesecake Factory
SouthPark Mall. 704-770-0076.
BEST HAMBURGER
The Penguin
1921 Commonwealth Avenue. 704-375-6959.
BEST HOT DOG
Matt's Chicago Dog
425 South Tryon Street. 704-333-3650.
BEST ICE CREAM
Marble Slab Creamery
Various locations.
BEST WINGS
Wing Stop
7627 Pineville-Matthews Road. 704-540-8311.