‘Best of Cape Coral’ winners honored
More than 300 people from nearly 100 companies were honored at Cape Cabaret Wednesday as the Cape Coral Breeze presented its “Best of Cape Coral” reader’s choice awards in categories that ran the gamut from best restaurant to best nachos.
This year’s big winners of the honor determined by readers who vote via in-paper-ballots, included Slate’s Restaurant, which took home six awards, including best restaurant, steak, Sunday brunch, dessert, casual fine dining and jazz club.
“It’s a simple concept. We go with the best ingredients, be consistent and surround ourselves with the best people and everything will take care of itself,” said Allan Cotter, owner of Slate’s. “We’ve hit on something Cape Coral enjoys and we will work hard to continue it.”
Dr. Mel Youngs took home four awards and won best chiropractic for the 17th straight year. For her, winning never gets old.
“We’re so proud. We have a great team that loves Cape Coral and help people. We are humbled and honored and we do a great job taking care of people inside and out,” Youngs said.
Winning has become a yearly tradition for Downtowner Car Wash, which won for best car wash for the 11th straight year and has just opened its fourth location.
“We have a great crew. They are all hard working and the owners treat everyone really well. It makes the day at work enjoyable,” said Teresa Intvold, office manager.
Another four-time winner was Big 10 Tavern, owned by Jason Bhimji, who not only won awards for his tavern, but also the bakery Cannoli Italian Market, which won two more. Not bad for a first time, though being alone he had trouble holding all the hardware for his photo op.
“It’s cool they even do this in this town. It’s great to be acknowledged for doing something great,” Bhimji said. “We give the freshest stuff we can and it shows.”
Merrick’s Seafood and Fish Tale’s Grill combined for four awards, including best seafood. Coral Pratillo, who has worked there since it opened, said she is proud to work in both the commercial seafood market and the restaurant.
“We’ve been open for nearly 20 years and winning this award is absolutely marvelous,” Pratillo said. “I’m very proud to work for them and in a restaurant with homemade soups, sauces and the best seafood.”
Denise Ahlstrom, owner of Karma and Coconuts, took home three awards for best art gallery, arts classes and arts boutique. It’s her fifth straight year winning and she has won every year she has been in business.
“I think it’s amazing. I’m very honored. We are very unique. We have 85 artists who are part of the store so all the inventory is made by local artists and they’re also my teachers,” Ahlstrom said. “We’re here to stay and we’re all about the community.”
Physicians Primary Care also won three awards, as did Tasty Cultures and PC Tech.
The “Best of” event always turns out to be a big deal for those who host it. Joel Notes, owner of the Cape Cabaret which also won two awards, said this was the result of two-plus years of hard work, turning a building in need of an update into a first-rate experience.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. It’s hard work and the awards are great recognition of what we’ve done,” Notes said. “There were 320 people and they went through the lunch line in 20 minutes. Our staff deserves a big round of applause.”
Lady Cakes, which won for best bakery and best cupcakes, contributed 28 dozen cupcakes for the occasion. By the end of lunch, there was little more than a dozen left.
“I so surprised there are so few cupcakes left. I’m sure some will grab an extra one on the way out,” said owner Bess Charles, who has been best bakery four straight years. “We’re happy to be in such an elite group of businesses in Cape Coral.”
The Cape Coral Breeze hosts the awards luncheon annually as a way to give residents an opportunity to recognize businesses they feel go above and beyond.
Ballots are run in the weekend Breeze to be filled out and returned by those who wish to take part.
“We are so happy that the event has grown in both the number of participants and the number of categories,” said Jim Konig, advertising director and general manager. “As strong supporters of the Cape’s business community, it gives us great pleasure to sponsor these “Best of Cape Coral” recognition each year. It not gives us an opportunity to invite the public to recognize those businesses that are very good at what they do, it allow us to say thank you to both longtime and new establishments that have earned a reputation for excellence.”
This year’s ‘Best of” winners are:
n Health & Wellness
Assisted Living Facility: Gulf Coast Village
Chiropractor: Dr. Mel Youngs DC, PA Chiropractic Physicians and Wellness Spa
Dental Office: Reef Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Dermatologist: Cambio Dermatology
Dermatology Center: Florida Skin Care
Family Practitioner: Dr. Tracy Vo
Gym: Planet Fitness
Hearing Aids: Beltone Hearing Care Center
Massage Therapy: Dr. Mel Youngs DC, PA Chiropractic Physicians and Wellness Spa
Children & Pregnancy Chiropractor: Dr. Mel Youngs DC, PA Chiropractic Physicians and Wellness Spa
Optical Center: Williamson Eye Care
Family Practice: Physicians’ Primary Care Of Southwest Florida
Pediatric Care Center: Physicians’ Primary Care Of Southwest Florida
Pediatrician: Physicians’ Primary Care Of Southwest Florida
Physical Therapy: Apex Physical Therapy
Spa: Flawless
Facials: Dr. Mel Youngs DC, PA Chiropractic Physicians and Wellness Spa
Urology Group: Southwest Florida Urological Associates
n Home Improvement & Services
Appliance Store: Good Deals Appliances
Cabinetry: Cabinet Genies
Carpet: PCC Tile
Countertops: Cabinet Genies
Electrician: Conch Electric
Fence and Gates: All Fence
Tile Flooring: Trebing Tile & Carpet
Pressure Washing: All American Pressure Washing
Tile & Grout Cleaning: Trebing Tile & Carpet
Hardware Store(Local): Gavins
Hardware Store(Local): Family Hardware
Heating & A/C Dealer: PDQ Mechanical
Heating & A/C Service: Costa Mechanical & Air Conditioning
Housecleaning: Merry Maids
Interior Design: Lori Manning Designs
Landscaping: Danny Yates Landscape Nursery
Lighting & Lamp Store: TJ’s Lamps & Shades, LLC
Electric Motor & Pump Repair: Pumps Plus McGregor Electric Motors
Hand & Power Tools: Family Hardware
Sprinkler Repair & Yard Maintenance: Royal Property Maintenance
Tree Trimming: K. E. Beal Company
Lawn Mowing: Bearded Man Lawn Care
Lawn & Garden Tools: Family Hardware
Lawn & Garden Tools: Gavin’s
Marble/Granite Dealer: Affordable Marble & Granite
Pest Control: Tony’s Pest Control, Inc.
Plumbing Company: Bergau Plumbing
Pool Cage/Lanai Screening: Tropical Pools Construction
Pool Refinishing: Siesta Pebble
Pool Contractor: Tropical Pools Construction
Drywall/Restoration: RDS Drywall & Restoration
Pool Service Company: Pool Doctor
Roofing Contractor: Nastar Roofing Inc
Soffits & Gutters: No Winner
Upholstery & Drapery: Blinds Plus
Window Treatment: Blinds Plus
Laminate Flooring: PCC Tile
Lanai Privacy: Lanai Escape
n Restaurant, Food & Entertainment
New Restaurant: Gather
Alternative Lifestyle Bar: Cruiser’s
Bagel Shop: Stuff A Bagel
Bakery: Lady Cakes Bakery
Italian Bakery: Cannolli’s
Bar: The Dek
Barbecue: Rib City Grill
Bloody Mary: Corksoakers
Breakfast: House of Omelets
Brewery: Big Blue Brewery
Casual Fine Dining: Slate’s
Chinese Restaurant: Chen’s China Bistro
Cigar Bar: World Famous Cigar Bar
Coffee Roaster: Scooter’s Coffee
Coffee Shop: Perk & Brew
Country Club: Palmetto-Pine Country Club
Country Music Venue: Dixie Roadhouse
Chicago Beef: Chicago Beef and Dog
Italian Beef: Chicago Beef Guy
Cupcakes: LadyCakes Bakery
Cuban Restaurant: El Mambo Cuban Restaurant
Deli: Cannolli’s
Diner: Mel’s Diner
Farmer’s Market: Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Farmer’s Market
German Bakery: BAM German Bakery and More
Golf Course: Palmetto-Pine Country Club
Homemade Ice Cream: Cape Creamery
Irish Pub: The Hop
Wood Fire Kitchen: Taverna Wood Fire Kitchen
Italian Restaurant: Maria’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
Jazz Club: Slate’s
Japanese Restaurant: Kumo Japanese Steakhouse
Margarita: Monarca’s
Mexican Restaurant: Mexico Lindo
Mimosa: Gather
Oysters: Merrick Seafood
Nachos: Big 10 Tavern
Garden Restaurant: La Corte Bistro
Chowder: Fish Tale By Merrick Seafood
Prime Rib: Big 10 Tavern
Polish Restaurant: Tasty Cultures
Restaurant: Slate’s
Seafood Market: Merrick Seafood
Seafood Restaurant: Fish Tale By Merrick Seafood
Sub & Sandwich Shop: City Subs
Sunday Brunch: Slate’s
Waterfront Dining: Fathoms
Arcade(Adult): Vegas Games 3, Inc.
Caberet: Cape Caberet
Ladies Night: Point 57
German Restaurant: Tasty Cultures
Appetizers: Big 10 Tavern
Dessert: Slate’s
Fish and Chips: Pete’s Fish & Chips
Hamburger: Nevermind Bar & Grill
Philly Cheesesteak: Overtime Cape Coral
Ribs: Rib City Grill
Salads: Big 10 Tavern
Popcorn Store: Wild About Popcorn
Homemade Soup: Tasty Cultures
Steak: Slate’s
Sushi: Hana Japanese Steakhouse
Wings: The Dek
Dog Friendly Restaurant: Big Blue Brewery
Happy Hour: Paradise Tiki Bar
Live Music Venue: Ralph’s Place
Live Performance Theatre: Cultural Park Theatre
Outdoor Entertainment: Fathom’s
Tribute Band Venue: Cape Caberet
Nightclub: Dixie Roadhouse
Pizza: Chicago Pizza
Sports Bar: Overtime Cape Coral
Catering: Personal Touch Banquet & Catering
Grocery Store: Publix
Meat Market: Paesano’s Italian Market
Specialty Market: Paesano’s Italian Market
Gelato: French Press
n Retail
Antique Store: Parkway Antiques Corporation
Art Gallery: Karma & Coconuts
Frame Shop: Corporate Art
Aquarium & Fish Store: Discount Pets & Supplies
Gift Boutique: Karma & Coconuts
Bait & Tackle: Venture Out Bait and Tackle
Bicycle Shop: Paradise Bicycles
Cigar Store: World Famous Cigar Bar
Boat Dealer: The Boat House of Cape Coral
Children’s Apparel: Tadpole Apparel & Gifts
Computer Sales: PC Tech
Computer Service: PC Tech
Consignment Shop: Flip Flops Consignment Shop
Florist: Cape Coral Floral Designs
Furniture Store: FOS Furniture
Guns & Ammo: Cape Guns
Hardware: Family Hardware
Intimate Apparel & Accessories Store: Tender Moments
LED Signs & Print Shop: Sign On
Jewelry Store: Travis Jewelry
Mattress Store: FOS Furniture
Pawn Shop: Larry’s Pawn Shop
Pottery and Bamboo Farm: Pottery Express & Bamboo Farm
Thrift Store: Kiwanis Club Thrift Store
n Services
Certified Public Accountant: Andrew Barnette & Associates
Airport Shuttle: Surfside Airport Shuttle
Auto Body Shop: Master Touch Auto Body, Inc
Auto Service & Repair Shop: Ken’s Auto Repair Inc
Barber Shop: Flawless Barbershop
Boat Service Shop: The Boat House of Cape Coral
Boat Repair: The Boat House of Cape Coral
Boat Rental: Cape Coral Boat Rentals
Builder – Commercial: Compass Construction, Inc.
Builder – Home: Carney Quality Construction
Car Wash: Downtowner Car Wash
Computer Repair & Service: PC Tech
Craft & Art Classes: Karma & Coconuts
Crating & Cargo Delivery: Craters & Freighters of SW Florida
Fishing Charters: Venture Out
Daycare: All Superstars Preschool
Dock Builder: Hooker Marine, Inc.
Charter Yachts & Sailing: SWFL Yachts, Inc.
Boat Lift Repair & Canopy: Coastline Boatlift Covers
Boat Upholstery: Cape Coral Custom Upholstery
Doggie Daycare: Best Pets
Drycleaners: Cape Cleaners
Estate Sales: It’s All Good Consignment Boutique
Funeral Home: Fuller Metz Cremation & Funeral Services
Hair Salon: Vogue Hair Studio
Hotel: Dolphin Key Resort
Insurance Agent: Ed Pickett
Nail Salon: Hair FX Studio & Spa
Pet Boarding: Kindness Animal Hospital
Pet Grooming Salon: Touch of Class Pet Grooming
Pet Food Store: Touch of Class Pet Grooming
Pet Sitter: Camber Franklin
Pharmacy: Center Pharmacy
Real Estate Brokerage: Royal Palm Realty
Real Estate Agent: Kevin Cloutier
Real Estate Rental Management Team: Century 21 Birchwood Realty
PreSchool: All Superstars Preschool
Luxury Apartment Community: Coralina Apartments
Service Organization: Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce
Social Club: German American Social Club
Tire Dealer: Tire Kingdom Service Centers
Vacation Rental Agency: Royal Shell Realty
Veterinary Clinic: Kindness Animal Hospital
Doggie Waterpark: Pet Coral Resort & Veterinary
Vocational School: Cape Coral Technical College