Winners: Best of North Coast 2011


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This special section features the Gold, Silver and Bronze place finishers in the popular 2011 “Best Of” contest for various businesses and professional services in Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and Solana Beach.

Congratulations to all those who won honors and were nominated. Not only is this a very competitive field as the North Coastal area boasts many of the top businesses and professionals in San Diego, the country’s economy over the past few years has made it more of a challenge than ever for businesses to thrive.
For these businesses to not only thrive but excel is a testament to the skill, dedication and expertise of their owners and staff.

Thanks, also, to the many readers of the Rancho Santa Fe Review/Del Mar Times/Carmel Valley News and Solana Beach Sun for taking the time to vote and show these businesses that the quality of their services are admired and appreciated.

Businesses are the foundation of the American economy and an integral part of every community. With this special section we salute the businesses and professionals that serve our communities so well!

Best New Restaurant
  1. Smash Burger
  2. Zels Del Mar
  3. Orange Blossom
Best Breakfast
  1. Claires On Cedros
  2. The Original Pancake House
  3. Champagne Bakery
Best Lunch
  1. Del Mar Rendezvous
  2. The Fish Market
  3. Fidel’s Little Mexico
Best Takeout
  1. Leucadia Pizzeria
  2. Sammys Woodfired Pizza
  3. Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Best Brunch
  1. The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
  2. Karl Strauss Brewing Company
  3. Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Best Family Restaurant
  1. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
  2. Souplantation
  3. Fidel’s Little Mexico
Best Outdoor Restaurant
  1. Pacifica Del Mar
  2. The Beach House
  3. Posideon
Best Burger
  1. In & Out
  2. The Counter
  3. Five Guys
Best Dessert
  • 1. Champagne Bakery
  • 2. Nothing Bundt Cakes
  • 3. Cupcake Love
  • 3. Del Mar Swirls
Best Margarita
  1. En Fuego Cantina & Grill
  2. Fidel’s Little Mexico
  3. Chevy’s Fresh Mex
Best Pizza
  1. Leucadia Pizzeria
  2. Pizza Port
  3. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Best Sandwich
  1. Board & Brew
  2. Milton’s
  3. Jersey Mikes
Best Sushi
  1. Nobu
  2. Zenbu
  3. Sushi Station
Best Seafood
  1. The Fish Market
  2. Pacifica Del Mar
  3. Jake’s Del Mar
Best American
  1. Bully’s Del Mar
  2. Pamplemousse Grill
  3. Beach Grass Café
Best Asian Fusion
  1. Del Mar Rendevous
  2. Zip Fusion
  3. East Village Asian Diner
Best Chinese
  1. Del Mar Rendevous
  2. P.F. Chang’s
  3. Double Happiness
Best French
  1. Mille Fleurs
  2. Champagne Bakery
  3. Addison-The Grand Del Mar
Best Italian
  1. Vigilucci’s
  2. Il Fornaio
  3. Trattoria Trulli
Best Mexican
  1. Fidel’s Little Mexico
  2. Tony Jacal
  3. En Fuego Cantina & Grill
Best Thai
  1. Taste of Thai
  2. Spices Thai Café
  3. Bankok Bay Thai
Best Bakery
  1. Champagne Bakery
  2. Village Mill Bread Company
  3. Thyme in the Ranch
Best Café
  1. Pannikin
  2. Champagne
  3. Thyme in the Ranch
  4. Pacifica Breeze Café
Best Coffee
  1. Starbucks
  2. Petes Coffee & Tea
  3. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Best Deli
  1. Milton’s
  2. Harvest Ranch Market
  3. Tip Top Meats
Best Ice Cream/Yogurt
  1. Del Mar Swirls
  2. Golden Spoon
  3. Baskin Robbins
Best Vegetarian
  1. Naked Café
  2. Souplantation
  3. Zinc Café
Best Pharmacy
  1. CVS Pharmacy
  2. Rite Aid
  3. Vons
Best Furniture
  1. Birdcage
  2. Lawrance Furniture
  3. Nettle Creek
Best Flooring
  1. Coles
  2. MJ Flooring
  3. WRITE IN: Metro Flooring
Best Bank
  1. Bank of America
  2. Wells Fargo-RSF
  3. Union Bank
Best Hotel
  1. L’Auberge Del Mar
  2. The Grand Del Mar
  3. Rancho Valencia
Best Men’s Apparel
  1. Jos. A. Bank
  2. Gary’s Studio
  3. Patrick James
Best Women’s Apparel
  1. Ronda’s Closet
  2. Ooh La La
  3. Studio 1220
Best Eye Wear/Sunglasses
  1. Sunglass Hut
  2. Optical Illusion
  3. Vision Boutique
Best Jewelry
  • 1. Highland Jewelers
  • 1. Robere’s Fine Jewelry
  • 2. Diamond Boutique
  • 2. Martin Katz
  • 3. RSF Estate & Fine Jewelers
Best Dry Cleaner
  1. Beasley Cleaners
  2. Margaret’s Cleaners
  3. Surf Cleaners
Best Florist
  1. Del Mar Floral and Gifts
  2. Rancho Santa Fe Flowers Gifts
  3. Flower Hill Florist
Best Market/Grocer
  1. Henry’s Farmers Market
  2. Seaside Market
  3. Jimbo’s Naturally
Best Travel Agency
  1. World Class Vacations
  2. Gayle Gillies Travel
  3. Worldview Travel
Best Hair Salon
  1. Rocco’s Hair Design
  2. Beauty Bundles
  3. V’s Barbershop
Best Day Spa
  • 1. La Costa Resort & Spa
  • 2. L’ Auberge Del Mar
  • 3. Rancho Valencia
  • 3. The Grand Del Mar
Best Health Club
  1. Pacific Athletic Club
  2. Frogs Fitness
  3. Curves
Best Yoga
  1. Haute Yoga
  2. Sculpt Fusion
  3. Yoga Del Mar
Best Senior Living
  1. La Costa Glen
  2. Emeritus
  3. La Vida Del Mar
Best Art Gallery
  1. Del Mar Art Center
  2. Timmons Gallery
  3. Lux Art Institute
Best Lawyer
  1. Myra Chack-Fleischer
  2. Nancy Bickford
  3. Haymes Law Group
Best Dentist
  1. Del Mar Dental
  2. Torrey Hills Dental
  3. Clayton Cooke
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
  1. Dr. Smoot
  2. Changes Plastic Surgery
  3. Del Mar Cosmetic Medical Center
Best Contractor
  1. Weir Brothers Custom Homes
  2. Marrokal Construction
  3. Smith Brothers Construction
Best Financial Planner
  1. Morgan Stanley – David Allen/ Leslie Monteath
  2. Edward Jones – Diane Huckabee
  3. Ranch Investment Group
Best Golf Course
  1. The Grand Del Mar
  2. Lomas Santa Fe Executive Course
  3. RSF Golf Club
Best Kids Sports League
  1. Surf Soccer
  2. Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks
  3. Torrey Pines Pop Warner
Best Dance Studio
  1. Royal Dance Academy
  2. North County Dance Arts
  3. Love to Dance
Best Horse Facility
  1. Del Mar Horse Park
  2. Rancho Riding Club
  3. Clews Horse Ranch
Best Wine Bar
  1. Wine Steals
  2. Dolce Pane & Vino
  3. Crepes & Corks
Best Interior Design
  1. Nettle Creek
  2. Fairbanks Interiors
  3. Beach Bungalow Designs
Best Auto Dealership
  1. Hoehn Auto Group
  2. Bob Baker Auto Group
  3. BMW Encinitas
Best Auto Service
  1. Amato’s Auto Body
  2. Del Mar Car Service
  3. RSF Mobil Station
Best Private School
  • 1. Cathedral
  • 2. San Diego Jewish Academy
  • 2. Santa Fe Christian
  • 3. Horizon Prep
Best Kid’s Store
  1. Geppetto’s
  2. City Kids Beach Kids
  3. Thinker Things
Best Pet Store
  1. Muttropollis
  2. Pet People
  3. Dirty Dogs
Best Insurance
  1. AAA
  2. Rancho Santa Fe Insurance
  3. Statefarm Insurance Jason Smith Solana Beach
Best Window/Window Covering
  1. North County Blinds
  2. Newman Replacement Windows
  3. Sierra Window Concepts
Best Mortgage Broker
  1. Julie Sherlock – Wells Fargo
  2. Gaylord Hansen – Bank of America
  3. Richie Faust – Bank of America