Ah, the best-of’s. Salem Monthly is inviting everyone to vote for their favorites in yet another best-of contest. I would complain about filling this out if it weren’t so damn fun to parse out the winners from the losers. Can I get a worst-of contest?
For the sake of complete transparency, here are mine:
Food:
Best Chinese: Kwan’s
Best Thai: Thai Beer
Best Mexican: What’s that little place on Broadway NE?
Best Indian: India Palace
Best Sushi: Fuji Ricetime
Best steak: La Capitale
Best Burger: Word of Mouth Gardenburger
Best Pizza: Christo’s
Best Bakery: Little Cannoli Bakery
Best Coffeehouse: The Jury is Still out on this one
Best Drive-by Coffee Shot: Salem’s Latte
Best Breakfast: Word of Mouth, no contest
Best Vegetarian: La Capitale, for best take on vegetarian dishes (yes, they have one, but it is always great)
Best donuts: Seriously? Donuts get their own category? What about French Fries? or scallops? or omlettes? Ok, then, E.Z. Orchards when they are fresh.
Best place to buy produce: E.Z. Orchards
Community:
Best yoga studio: Indigo Wellness
Best massage studio: Indigo Wellness
Best local winery: Arcane Vineyards
Best Theatre: Elsinore
Best Movie Theater: Salem Cinema
Best Art Gallery: Hallie Ford Art Museum
Best downtown Shop: Slab Soap
Best tattoo/piercing parlor: Jori Zan’s
Best hairdresser: Ahem, we call them stylists these days. Violet at Bella Vita
Best park: Bush’s Pasture Park
Best picnic spot: Baskett Slough wildlife refuge
Best bookstore: Book Bin
Best kids’ entertainment: A box of packing peanuts
Best nonprofit: Living Tongue Institute
Best eco-friendly business: Minto Brown produce
Best reason to live in Salem: Fruiting trees
Best blog: Pick me pick me!
Best local band: Jury still out.
Best local singer/songwriter: Chance Wiesman
Best customer service: My landlord
Best pet-friendly locale: A chicken-keeper’s coop
Nightlife:
Best nightclub: The Space
Best bar: Venti’s
Best Place for karaoke: Not on your life.
Best place to shoot pool: Not generally something I do.
Best place for a romantic evening: Morton’s Bistro, or the State Hospital lawn
Best brewpub: The RAM
Best college bar: Um… what are these?
Best gay-friendly club: Oh, so all the jerks can go harass good people? There is one, but I’m not telling.
Best singles bar: Wouldn’t know.
Best live music venue: The Space
Best ladies night: My house.
Best late-night hangout: The Space
Best nightclub: Roxxy’s on comedy night
Best neighborhood bar: Word of Mouth at the bar
Best place to sing karaoke: See above.
All right, Salem bloggers, put your handle where your opinions are.
Hmmm. Best Place for Karaoke AND Best place to sign Karaoke? Were the authors of the survey trying to distinguish between the best place for one to sing and the best place for one to be entertained by the off-key, slightly slurred singing of others? Shouldn’t these always be the same? Also, I love how the best kid’s entertainment you could come up with was a box of packing peanuts, Emily. You clearly have no children
Oh, I could come up with better entertainment for kids than that. But until I have them, I wouldn’t venture to guess, and I would never endorse something I haven’t experienced personally
Emily, I’m so impressed. I’ve lived in Salem for 6 years now (but I grew up nearby in Dallas) and it’s taken me almost as long to discover all the good things and awesome places you mention only in this list. And you’ve done it in — how long have you been here? Less than two years and you didn’t even grow up nearby!
I love that you nominated Chance Wiseman! Definitely grew up with the Wisemans and seeing his name made me smile. You must know them, too, since you mentioned Indigo Wellness
I will have to secondly nominate your votes for Basket Slough and SLAB… big fan of both. Great list! At least Salem Monthly voting is somewhat monitored…………………….
Sophie, I am a total searcher. I have been here since December 1, 2008, so… what is that, like 7+ months? Also, I think I like to tell people what they should think is awesome. Must be why I’m a culture reporter… But really, I do appreciate the props. And while I don’t know the Wisemans personally, I can say that Chance provided me with the single most surprising musical experience of my life one night at the Space. That guy needs a band. He so obviously must play his songs, and they are knockouts.
As for Indigo Wellness, I have had one massage there. The LMT kicked the crap out of my carpal tunnel and kneaded away the baseball in my neck.
Everyone should vote in the Salem Monthly poll! I just wanted to make mine public, you know, put my mouth where my heart is.
What is the name of the mexican food place I’d like to try it out ?
We like La Perla the best, in the Reed Opera House. But there is apparently some place on N. Broadway that is great — no idea what it’s name is, as I haven’t been there yet. We had a great cheap date at La Perla last Friday.
Emily, that’s so awesome! I think I become sadly content with the places I frequent and don’t search out new ones until necessity dictates I do so. I stepped foot into LifeSource for the first time in my life within the last 12 months. Yikes. Blogs have helped me find all kinds of restaurants, shops and business that I otherwise wouldn’t have known about, which has been awesome. Salem newspapers help a little, too. I love to try the unfamiliar and new, if I have an idea where to look!
There is one place here in town that I found, on my own and completely by accident, and now I swear by it: Privet European Market on South Commercial. My husband and I were into walking everywhere for a while and happened to walk past and said — what’s this! We love it there, so many new things to try! And sausage!!
Oh man! And I have confused myself. When you mentioned Chance Wiesman, I immediately thought of a musical family I know, the Wisemans… they have a boy named Charlie…. but not Chance.. tooooooo similar. Still, great nomination!