Holla!  It’s that time again… Connect Savannah’s Best of Savannah 2008 has just hit the streets (well, sorta…we’re a little late).  Here’s our very own TCCa take and comment on results:

CITY LIFE

Way to go Melaver, Inc.and Abercorn Commons for their victory in two categories, Best Green Company and Best Green Building.  Melaver, Inc. has blazed the trail for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings in Savannah.  Their most impressive undertaking, Abercorn Commons, was the first LEED certified retail center in the U.S.; the nearby McDonald’s restaurant was the first LEED certified McDonald’s in the nation.

Fitz’s Alma Mater Savannah Country Day School takes the cake for Best Private School.  So that’s why you’re so dang smart, Fitzy!

City Hall hangs tough as Savannah’s Best Old Building.  Evidently that facelift of refinished gold leaf has really done the trick.

According to Savannahians, Ardsley Park and Downtown are “where it’s at.”  Baldwin Park gets honorable mention.  And The Landings gets shafted.

POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Congrats to Best City Council Member Tony Thomas and runner-up is Larry Stuber.  And, likewise, a shout out to Best County Commissioner Pete Liakakis and runner-up Helen Stone.  Congressman Jack Kingston rounds out politics as Best Conservative and Best Local Legislator.  Best Local Liberal?  Donna Antonuccci.

Congrats to fellow techies Savannahnow.com and Connectsavannah.com for their Best Local Website and runner-up (respectively).  And to fellow blogger Scott Larson for his 2008 crown of Best Local Blogger.

Best Local Scandal – well, let’s just say it has something to do with chicken wings, City Council and underage drinking (not necessarily in that order).

We love Q105.3 (Best Local Radio Station) too.

ARTS & CULTURE

Now, we all know Savannah has a lot of this.  So we’ll keep this simple: if you see or hear mention of the following, check ‘em out…

Music: DOPE Sandwich (can we say that here?), Eric Culberson, Tim Burke, Ben Tucker, Silver Lining, Liquid Ginger, Whiskey Dick (disquieting) or Nickel Bag of Funk.

Go to Chroma Gallery or the Jepson Center for your visual arts fix.

And always, no matter what, make it to the Savannah Music Festival.  Congrats for a HUGE success this year and for winning Best Cultural Event and Best Festival That Isn’t St. Patrick’s Day!!

FOOD

Yeah, we thought you might be hungry.  Lucky for you there’s a plethora of fine, casual and ethnic dining in town.

My personal favorites (not necessarily the views of TCCa): Elizabeth on 37th (Best Overall Restaurant, Best Wait Staff and Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying), North Beach Grill (Best Tybee Restaurant), Saigon Flavors (Best Vietnamese), Back in the Day Bakery (Best Bakery), Kao (Best Thai), Blowin’ Smoke (honorable mention for Best New Restaurant, Best Ribs and Best BBQ), Ruan Thai (Best Vegetarian Restaurant), and – can you tell I love ethnic food? – Madras Chettinad (runner-up for Best Indian Restaurant).

NIGHTLIFE

And now onto the fun stuff…

Hang Fire pretty much spanked everyone with Best Overall Bar, Best Downtown Bar and Best College Bar.  Bacchus Wine Lounge, the new bar on the block, wins Best New Bar and Best Wine Selection (Bar or Restaurant) – part of the reason TCCa hosted the Savannah International Cocktail Club at this fine establishment.  Pinkie Master’s (where we met Kayne Lanahan and TheMusicFile.com) won Best Neighborhood Bar and No-Frills Bar.  No frills is right.  We love you Pinkie’s!  And Moon River, Savannah’s own brewery, took home Best Beer on Tap.  Yummy.

If you’re a little further out check out:  Robin’s Nest (Westside), Doc’s Bar (Tybee), Spanky’s Pizza Gallery and Saloon (Southside).

RECREATION, HEALTH and BEAUTY

After a healthy dose of nightlife, let’s revive ourselves…

This was a long and heavy category, so apologies if you don’t get a shout out.  We love you all and appreciate what you do to make Savannah happier, healthier and better looking.

For an all-over beauty regime, Best of Savannah recommends Tan Tastic Tanning Salon for some bronzing, Golden Nails on Waters for a mani-pedi (great hot stone leg massage comes with it!), B Street Salon for a ‘do’ and Vanilla Day Spa for your facial and spa needs.  Menfolk, the Barber Pole seems to be the place to go for a quick, no frills trim.

In Savannah, recreation is KING.  So it’s no surprise that our awesome parks were recognized in the “Best of.”  Best Park for Kids: Forsyth.  Best Park for Sports: Daffin (rugby tournament, anyone?).  For something a little more “coastal,” head to Little Tybee by way of kayak or Hogan’s Marina to launch your boat.  Meet Biff and Buffy on the courts at Bacon Park (Best Tennis Courts).  Buy a bike or get yours fixed at Bicycle Link (Best Bike Shop).  And check out the Westin Savannah Harbor for a good round of golf (Best Golf Course).

We couldn’t omit the Savannah Sand Gnats and runner-up Derby Devils for their sports entertainment awesomeness.  Congrats to them both!  Now go see ‘em play!

SHOPPING AND SERVICES

Arguably my favorite category (ok, behind nightlife), Savannah boasts some killer shopping spots.  Among them is our friends at 24e, who won Best Furniture Store and Best Window Display.  We love those guys!

Bleu Belle and J. Parker Ltd. won Best Women’s Clothing and Best Men’s Clothing, respectively.  Civvies (whoop whoop) cranked out the award for Best Vintage/Thrift Store – get your beatnik garb, floral mumu or Members Only jacket here.  Well-heeled?  Then you clearly shop at the Globe Shoe Company (Best Shoe Store).  Locally-owned and operated Brighter Day Natural Foods wins Best Health Food Store.  Best Hotel (one tough category) goes to The Mansion on Forsyth Park.

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Well, that’s all folks.  Congrats to all the winners from the bottom of our TCCa heart.  We truly love you for all that you add to this special, cool, creative place we call home.

For a comprehensive list, complete with the refreshing, witty and wise commentary of the Connect Savannah team, pick up a copy of the Connect or visit the Connect Savannah website at www.connectsavannah.com.

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