On a more disturbing note, in the category for Best Forsyth County Commissioner, no sitting commissioner received a single vote. There were a few surprises this year. National chain restaurants fell from the top spots in many categories, and competition was fierce for Best Hairstylist, Best Neighborhood Bar,
Best Auto Repair Shop and, as always Best Female and Best Male Bartender. Also, YES! Weekly music writer beat me out for Best Local Journalist by more than a dozen votes.
As is usual, many bands, restaurants and individuals attempted to stuff the ballot box, resulting in a contest that measures more marketing skill and networking prowess than actual excellence. It was more difficult this year, as the internet voting system allowed just one ballot per IP address, but it was still practiced widely. And hey, if the whole thing is just one big popularity contest — and it is — then getting your fans to show up and vote counts for something.
Our favorite self-promoter for 2009 is the band Children of Karma, which has yet to play a gig but still managed a few mentions in nearly every category that even remotely applied.
Here’s your free press, fellas. Now go out and book something with it. As always, the results of the readers’ poll reflects not the opinion of YES! Weekly staff, but of the thousands and thousands of people who read it every week. So if you disagree with the results of our readers’ poll, write us a letter letting us know why. Or, even better, remember to vote next year when we do it all over again. — Brian Clarey
NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Female Bartender First place: Jade Moore; Big Shotz Tavern; Clemmons Second Place: Rachel Martel, Stumble Stilskins, Greensboro
Best Male Bartender First place: Rowe Piper, Vintage 301, Greensboro Second place: Josh Penn; Greene Street, Greensboro
Best New Club/Bar First place: Club Oasis, Winston-Salem Second place: Bar 40, Greensboro
Best Dance Club First place: Inferno, Greensboro Second place: Greene Street, Greensboro Honorable mention: Warehouse 29, Greensboro
Best Club for Hooking Up First place: Greene Street, Greensboro Second place: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro Honorable Mention: Corner Bar, Greensboro
Best Club/Bar to end the night First place: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro Second place: Greene Street, Greensboro
Best Dive Bar First place: The Silver Moon Saloon, Winston-Salem Second place: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro
Best Sports Bar First place: Coopers Ale House, Greensboro Second place: The Box Seat, Sedgefield
Best College Bar First place: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro Second place: Old Towne, Greensboro
Best Neighborhood Bar
First place: The Clubhouse, Greensboro
Second place: NY Pizza, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Fisher’s Grill, Greensboro
Best Place to Shoot Pool
First place: Jake’s Billiards, Greensboro
Second Place: Gate City Billiards, Greensboro
Best Beer Selection
First place: Coopers Ale House, Greensboro
Second place: Foothills Brewery, Winston-Salem
Best Martini
First place: 6 th & Vine, Winston-Salem
Second place: Much, Greensboro; The Mixx, Greensboro
(tie)
Best Movie Theater
First place: The Grande, Greensboro
Second place: The Palladium, High Point
Honorable mention: The Carousel Theater, Greensboro
Best Live Theater Venue
First place: Carolina Theater, Greensboro
Second place: Triad Stage, Greensboro
Honorable mention: The Stevens Center, Winston-Salem
GOODS & SERVICES
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
First place: Target
Second place: Banana Republic
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
First place: The Destination, Greensboro
Second place: Poshh Boutique, High Point
Best Local Children’s Clothing Store
First place: Gap Kids
Second place: Old Navy
Honorable mention: Once Upon A Child
Best Shoe Store
First place: DSW, Greensboro
Second place: SRI, Greensboro
Best Hardware Store
First Place: Lowes Home Imrovement
Second place Home Depot
Honorable mention: Holliday Hardware, Greensboro
Best Place to Buy Vintage/Consignment Clothes
First place: Design Archives, Greensboro
Second place: Goodwill
Honorable mention: Carolina Thrift, Greensboro
Best Place to Buy Furniture
First place: Rooms to Go
Second place: Habitat ReStore, Greensboro
Best Antique Store
First place: Thrill of the Hunt, Greensboro
Second place: Lewis Street Antiques, Greensboro
Kept Secret
First place: Eclectic By Nature, Greensboro
Second place: The Pipe & Pint, Greensboro
Best Frame Shop
First place: HangUps, High Point
Second place: The Artery, Greensboro
Best Jeweler
First place: Schiffmans Jewelers, Greensboro
Second place: Cass Jewelers, Greensboro
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Best Plastic Surgeon
First place: Dr. David C. Best, Perfect Yourself, Greensboro
Second place: Dr. W. Byron Barber II, Barber Center for
Plastic Surgery, Greensboro
Best Chiropractor
First place: Dr Aaron Williams, Williams Chiropractic
Clinic, Greensboro
Second place: Dr. Brad Buxton, Buxton Chiropractic,
Greensboro
Best Yoga Class
First place: Yoga Caf,
Second place: Mind|Body|Fitness Yoga, Greensboro
Best Hairstylist
First place: Kyle Britt, independent, Greensboro
Second place: Lauren Faulkner, Scissorhands Hair Studio,
Kernersville
Best Massage Therapist
First place: Holly Sofley, Bodies Kneaded Massage
Therapy, Greensboro
Second place: James Nagel, Salama Chiropractic Center,
Winston-Salem
Best Hair Salon
First place: Chakras, Greensboro
Second place: Indigo, Greensboro
Best Tanning Salon
First place: Got Sun, Triad
Second place: Tahiti Tan , Greensboro
Best Spa
First place: Chakras, Greensboro
Second place: Balance Day Spa, Greensboro
Best Tattoo Parlor and/or Piercing Studio
First place: Little John’s Tattoo Shop, Greensboro
Second place: Liberty Tattoo, Winston-Salem
Best Book Store
First place: Edward McKay, Triad
Second place: Barnes & Noble, Triad
Best Place to Buy a Pre-owned Car
First Place: Carmax, Triad
Second place: eBay
Honorable mention: Rice Toyota, Greensboro
Best Place to Buy a New car
First place: Rice Toyota, Greensboro
Second place: Crown Honda, Greensboro
Best Auto Repair Shop
First place: Avery Body Shop, Greensboro
Second place: Baker Automotive, Greensboro
Best Gas Station
First place: Sheetz
Second place: Great Stops
Best Home Maintenance/Repair Company
First place: Pikes Home Maintenance, Triad
Second place: RBM Servcies, Triad
Best Bank
First place: Wachovia
Second place: Community One
Best Wireless Service
First place: Verizon
Second place: AT&T
Best Place to Buy Wine
First place: Total Wine & More, Greensboro, High Point
Second place: Wine Warehouse, Greensboro
Best Winston-Salem Grocery Store
First place: Whole Foods Market
Second place: Harris Teeter
Best Greensboro Grocery Store
First place: Harris Teeter
Second place: Earth Fare
Best High Point Grocery Store
First place: Harris Teeter
Second place: Food Lion
Best Farmers Market
First Place: Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
Second place: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
Best Place to Buy Fresh Produce
First place: Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
Second place: Fresh Market, Greensboro
Best Florist
First place: George K Walker Florist, Winston-Salem
Second place: Clemmons Florist, Clemmons
Honorable mention: Plants & Answers, Greensboro
Best Natural Food Store
First place: Deep Roots Market, Greensboro
Second place: Earth Fare, Greensboro
RECREATION
Best Sporting Goods Store
First place: Dicks Sporting Goods, Triad
Second place: Omega Sports, Triad
Best Bicycle Store
First place: Re:Cycles, Greensboro
Second place: Cycles De Oro, Greensboro
Best Free Wi-Fi
First place: The Green Bean, Greensboro
Second place: Panera Bread, Triad
Best Place For Family Fun
First place: Grasshoppers games at NewBridge Bank
Park, Greensboro
Second place: Natural Science Center, Greensboro
Honorable mention: NC Zoo, Asheboro
Best Place to Jog
First place: Country Park, Greensboro
Second place: Guilford Courthouse Military Park,
Greensboro
Best Gym
First place: Rush Fitness, Triad
Second place: YMCA, Triad
Best Golf Course
First place: The Grandover, Greensboro
Second place: Starmount Country Club, Greensboro;
Bryan Park, Greensboro (tie)
Best Tennis Courts
First place: Starmount Country Club, Greensboro
Second place: Sedgefield Country Club
Best Vet/Animal Clinic
First place: Lawndale Animal Hospital, Greensboro
Second place: Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital,
Jamestown
Best Place to Board your Pet
First place: Dog Days, Greensboro
Second place: Best Friends Bed & Biscuit, Greensboro
Best Place to Groom Your Pet
First place: Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital,
Jamestown
Second place: Mount Tabor Boarding & Grooming,
Winston-Salem
Best Hotel
First place: Proximity Hotel, Greensboro
Second place: O Henry Hotel, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Grandover Resort, Greensboro
Best Garden Store
First place: New Garden Nursery, Greensboro
Second place: River Twist - Jamestown
ARTS
Best Author
First place: Orson Scott Card
Second place: Nicholas Sparks
Best Local Visual Artist
First place: Jeff Thrower, photography, Winston-Salem
Second place: Julie McKnight, stained glass, Greensboro
Best Museum
First place: Weatherspoon Art Museum, UNCG
Second place: Greensboro Historical Museum
Best Art Gallery
First place: Lyndon Street Artworks, Greensboro
Second place: SECCA, Winston-Salem
CITY LIFE
Best Reason to Live in the Triad
First place: The people
Second place: Right between the mountains and the
beach
Worst Stoplights
First place: All along Wendover Avenue, Greensboro
Second place: The corner of Holden and High Point roads
Honorable mention: Stratford Avenue and Hanes Mall
Boulevard
Best Place to Get Married
First place: Castle McCulloch, Jamestown
Second place: Kress Terrace, Greensboro
MEDIA
First place: 107.5 WKZL
Second place: 92.3 Rock 92
Best Morning Show
First place: “Two Guys Named Chris”, Rock 92
Second place: “Murphy in the Morning”, 107.5 WKZL
Best DJ
First place: Jeff Wicker, 98.7 Simon
Second place: Angie Ward, 104.1 WQTR
Best Blog
First place: The YES! Weekly Blog, yesweekly.blogspot.
com
Second place: Scott Lefaice, lefaive.wordpress.com
Honorable mention: Triad Media Watch, triadmediawatch.blogspot.com;
Ed Cone, edcone.typepad.
com/wordup
Best Local Journalist
First place: Ryan Snyder, YES! Weekly
Second place: Brian Clarey, YES! Weekly
Best Local Publication
First place: YES! Weekly
Second place: The Rhinoceros Times
Best TV News
First place: Fox 8
Second place: WFMY
Best Male TV Anchor
First place: Cameron Kent, WXII
Second place: Neil McNeil, Fox *
Best Female TV Anchor
First place: Julie Luck, Fox 8
Second place: Wanda Stark WXII
Honorable mention: Cindy Farmer, Fox 8
Best Weather Person
First place: Jenny Stencel, WXII
Second place: Eric Chilton, WFMY
Best Reason to pick up YES! Weekly
First place: Events listing
Second place: Music coverage
MUSIC
Best Live Music Venue, Greensboro
First place: Greene Street
Second place: The Blind Tiger
Best Live Music Venue, Winston-Salem
First place: The Garage
Second place: Werehouse
Best Jukebox
First place: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro
Second place: Fincastle’s
Best Karaoke
First place: Hams, Triad
Second place: The Green Burro,
Greensboro
Best Local Cover Band
First place: The Breakfast Club
Second place: 90 Proof
Best Local Hip-Hop Act
First place: Ed E Ruger
Second place: Urban Sophistictes
Best Performance DJ
First place: DJ Frenzy
Second place: DJ Polo
Best Americana Band
First place: Old Southern Moonshine
Revival
Second place: Old Stone Revue
Best New band
First place: Farewell
Second place: 90 Proof
Best Guitarist
First place: Kevin Carter, Farewell
Second place: Sam Robinson,
Sam Robinson & the
Five-Gallon Groove
Best Percussionist
First place: Chris Phillips, the
Nondenoms
Second place: Joey Barnes,
Daughtry
Best Singer
First place: Jonathon Timber,
Curve the Chaos
Second place: Evan Olson
Best Bassist
First place: Chris Carroll, various
Second place: Jeff Lynn, House of Fools
GOVERNMENT
Best City Council Member, Winston-Salem
First place: Joycelyn Johnson
Second place: Dan Besse
Best City Council Member, Greensboro
First place: Mike Barber
Second place: Zack Matheny
Best Alderman, High Point
First place: Latimer Alexander
Best County Commissioner, Guilford
First place: Billy Yow
Best County Commissioner, Forsyth
First place: N/A
RESTAURANTS
Best of Greensboro
First place: Vintage 301
Second place: Green Valley Grill
Best of Winston-Salem
First place: Foothills Brewery
Second place: 6 th & vine
Honorable mention: Sweet Potatoes
Best of High Point
First place: Liberty Steakhouse
Second place: Nobles
Best Chef
First place: Chef Ben Sullivan, Vintage 301, Greensboro
Second place: Chef Andy Furness, Ganache, Greensboro
Best Asian Food
First place: PF Changs China Bistro, Greensboro
Second place: Phoenix Asian Cuisine, Greensboro
Best Sushi
First place: Sushi Republic, Greensboro
Second place: US Sushi, High Point, Greensboro
Best Italian
First place: Marios Pizza, Greensboro
Second place: Elizabeth’s Pizza, Tria
Best Brunch
First place: Village Tavern, Greensboro, Winston-Salem
Second place: Green Valley Grill, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Lucky 32
Best Bistro
First place: Bistro Sofia, Greensboro
Second place: Print Works Bistro, Greensboro
Best Sandwich
First place: Jimmy John’s, Triad
Second place: First Carolina Deli, Greensboro
Best Sub
First place: Jimmy John’s, Triad
Second place: Ghassan’s, Greensboro
Best Steak
First place: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Greensboro
Second place: Chop House, Triad
Best BBQ
First place: Stameys, Greensboro
Second place: Carter Brothers Barbecue & Ribs,
High Point
Best Pizza
First place: Mario’s Pizza, Greensboro
Second place: Mellow Mushroom, Greensboro,
Winston-Salem
Best Coffee
First place: Krankies, Winston-Salem
Second place: Tate Street Coffee, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Brew Nerds, Winston-Salem
Best Male Server
First place: Robert “Jaybird” Williams, Fincastle’s,
Greensboro
Second place: Andrew Parsons, Gate City Chop
House, Greensboro
Best Female Server
First place: Angie Parham, Hooters, Winston-
Salem
Second place: Mairen Hughes, Fincastle’s/Mellow
Mushroom, Greensboro
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
First place: Fishbones, Greensboro
Second place: Lindley Park Filling Station,
Greensboro
Best Vegetarians Menu
First place: Boba House, Greensboro
Best Place to Feed Entire Family
First place: CiCis Pizza, Triad
Second place: Mellow MushroomHonorable mention:
Brixx Pizza, Greensboro
Best Patio/Courtyard
First place: Green Valley Grill, Greensboro
Second place: Caf Europa, Greensboro
Best Breakfast
First place: Jake’s Diner, Greensboro
Second place: Smith Street Diner
Best Late-Night Eats
First place: Cookout, Triad
Second place: Jake’s Diner, Greensboro; Your
House, Greensboro (tie)
Best Cheap Eats
First place: Cookout, Triad
Second place: Ham’s, Triad
Best Buffets
First place: Golden Corral, Triad
Second place: Taste of Thai, Greensboro
Best Dessert
First place: Ganache, Greensboro
Second place: Cheesecakes by Alex, Greensboro
Best Delivery
First place: Jimmy John’s, Triad
Second place: Pastabilities, Greensboro
Best Lunch
First place: Fincastle’s
Second place: Ghassan’s
Honorable mention: Natty Greene’s, Greensboro;
6th & Vine, Winston-Salem
Best Hot Dog
First place: Yum Yum’s, Greensboro
Second place: Cookout, Triad
Best Hamburger
First place: Cookout, Triad
Best Second place: Fincastle’s, Greensboro
Best French Fries
First place: Cookout, Triad
Second place: Chick-fil-A, Triad
Best Wings
First place: Wild Wing Caf, Winston-Salem
Second place: East Coast Wings, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Cooper’s Ale House, Greensboro
Best Bakery
First place: Ganache Bakery & Caf, Greensboro
Second place: Simple Kneads, Greensboro
Honorable mention: Spring Garden Bakery,
Greensboro
Best Seafood
First place: Bert’s Seafood Grille, Greensboro
Second place: The Black Pearl, Greensboro
Best Romantic Dinner
First place: The Melting Pot, Greensboro
Second place: Vintage 301, Greensboro
Best Wine list
First place: Vintage 301, Greensboro
Second place: 6 th & Vine, Winston-Salem
Jade Moore of Big Shotz Tavern is voted Best Female Bartender in the Triad
Making
your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got; Taking a break
from all your worries sure would help a lot; Wouldn’t you like to get
away? Sometimes you want to go; Where everybody knows your name; and
they’re always glad you came.
Jade
Moore is a flurry of activity, even on a Wednesday night. With one eye
on the door, Moore mixes martinis, pours beer and takes food orders
while helping manage a very busy bar at Big Shotz Tavern in Clemmons.
Moore’s ability to multi-task is just one of the reasons she was voted
Best Female Bartender in the Triad by YES! Weekly readers. Moore admits
she’s obsessed with ensuring each and every person who comes into Big
Shotz feels like a member of her extended family. And with Moore, the
sentiment is sincere. It comes from the heart.
“I’ve worked in
sports bars; I’ve worked in fine dining. I’ve worked in night clubs and
I think I’m the happiest here that I’ve ever been because it is like a
family,” Moore said. “I’m a very social person by nature. That helps a
lot too because I do a lot of the events here.” On Tuesday nights,
Moore hosts Brain Freeze Trivia at Big Shotz. She said acting as master
of ceremonies gives her an outlet for her expressive personality.
“I’m
kind of smart-mouthed and people like that,” Moore said. However,
Moore’s reputation has less to do with her sharp tongue than her
ability to anticipate a customer’s needs.
“When she spots you
coming in the door, typically she meets you at the table before you
ever sit down,” said Steve Schough, a Big Shotz regular. “That’s not
just [me], that’s anybody. She’s just observant about what’s going on
in the dining room; you never have to wait on anything.
“When
you come here, you get a good warm fuzzy feeling so you come back. It’s
like the Cheers bar.” Debbie Schough can hear the famous “Cheers”
television theme running through her mind every time she walks into the
bar at Big Shotz.
“You can go very few places anymore where
people know your name. [Jade] knows our name, she knows what we like to
eat, she’s friendly, she’s attentive,” Schough said. “It feels like
we’re at home.” There’s been very little turnover in Big Shotz’s wait
and bar staff since the establishment opened four years ago, which
could explain why customers rave over the exceptional customer receive
they receive from Moore and her colleagues. Moore gives all credit to
restaurant owners Betty Ashby and John Edwards for instilling a
philosophy that focuses on customer care, while creating a family
environment for employees.
Ashby said the admiration is
mutual. “Jade is unique. She’s a crazy, wild personality and I think
that’s why the guests love her because you never know what you’re going
to get with Jade,” Ashby said. “She makes good drinks but she’s very
entertaining and that’s why they love her.” Ashby said it’s not unusual
to see Moore dancing down the back of the bar and singing to the music
playing over the loudspeakers. Despite her irrepressible playfulness,
Moore literally pours her heart into her job, Ashby said. Other regular
customers didn’t hesitate to say Moore is one of the hardest working
bartenders they’ve ever seen, and definitely the neatest barkeep in the
land. Moore admits she’s a bit compulsive about keeping the bar fully
stocked and in perfect order.
“They all pick on me because I am constantly going behind people and constantly straightening things up,” Moore said.
She attributes her obsession with neatness to her perfectionist nature.
“If
I do something wrong I am torn up for a week. [My colleagues] know I
get stressed out if I screw up,” she said. “But I’d rather prepare for
100 people and have only 10 show up than prepare for 10 and have 100
walk through the door.” Serving drinks and great food from a perfectly
ordered bar represents a fraction of Moore’s range of duties. Like all
bartenders, Jade serves as friend, psychologist and confidante to her
customers, whom she all considers close friends — just one of the
reasons she earned the title Best Female Bartender in the Triad.
“I know everybody’s dirty little secrets. I know where the bodies are buried,” she said.
Jade Moore of Big Shotz Tavern in Clemmons pours a drink.
