Best French Restaurant

Café of the Arts

Finalists: Café L'Europe, C'est La Vie

Café of the Arts' Alain Taulere is uncompromising when it comes to authentic French food, classic preparations and the correct pairings of cuisine and fine wine. The 29-year-old Cafe L'Europe's more wide-ranging Continental menu can still focus brilliantly on the French attitude. And C'est La Vie's downtown sidewalk cafe and bakery has brought the business of eating French pastry and sandwiches to Sarasota.

Best Mexican Restaurant

Mi Pueblo

Finalists: El Adobe, Two Senoritas

Winner for the second consecutive year, Mi Pueblo has patrons shouting olé and asking for more South of the Border specialties. El Abode, with its comfortable interiors and milder menu, has been a favorite on the dining scene for years, and Two Senoritas taps into the young downtown crowd that wants to meet, mingle, snack and clink margarita glasses.

Best Restaurant to Propose

The Summerhouse Restaurant

Finalists: Alley Cat Cafe, Ophelia's on the Bay

Within the relaxed and elegant garden setting of the Summerhouse Restaurant on Siesta Key, thoughts naturally turn to romance, making it a traditional place for question popping. Select a cozy corner table or take a stroll in the lush tropical garden. The Alley Cat Cafe is less formal but has plenty of charm, and Ophelia's offers that stunning waterside deck.

Best Seafood Restaurant

Barnacle Bill's

Finalists: Bonefish Grill, Phillippi Creek Village Oyster Bar

Barnacle Bill's has quickly made a big, big splash with salmon specialties, grilled and fried shellfish and great sides served in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Bonefish Grill is fast becoming a meeting place for the young crowd as well as families who love the variety. And Philippi Creek, with its tropical waterside ambience, offers the kind of seafood experience that appeals to both locals and seasonal visitors.

Best Restaurant to Seal the Deal

Michael's On East

Finalists: Patrick's, Silver Cricket

Honestly, so many contracts are signed on the snowy tabletops at Michael's On East that proprietor Michael Klauber should just hand out Mont Blanc pens at the door. Within the noisy bustle of Patrick's saloon interior, networking and deal making can happen even over a burger and a beer. The Silver Cricket excels in Asian serenity, inviting as much careful consideration of a proposal on the table as it does of the sophisticated food.

Best New Restaurant (Opened in 2001)

Bonefish Grill

Finalists: Mi Pueblo (Venice), The Vernona at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

Under the sign of the skeletal fish on Tamiami Trail is the new place to catch a varied menu of seafood that appeals to all tastes and age ranges. Mi Pueblo expands its Mexican kitchen success to South County, and the Vernona dining room has raised the bar in town for visual elegance, tony comfort, and haute cuisine prepared in the palatial Mediterranean manner.

Best Healthy Restaurant

Sweet Tomatoes

Finalists: Nature's Way, Panera

There's plenty on the Sweet Tomatoes buffet for those who are sophisticated about eating smart. Nature's Way is justly popular with the oats-and-groats crowd. At Panera you can gorge with abandon on specialty bagels and multigrain breads, or you can virtuously order from their healthy salads. But soup in the hollowed-out bread round is a genuine Panera treat, so there goes the diet.

Best Steakhouse

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Finalists: Longhorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse

Sarasota finally got one of Ruth Fertel's celebrated restaurants two years ago. Quietly luxurious with great service, quality food and impressive wines, Ruth's Chris definitely sets the standard for high-class, pricey steakhouses. Longhorn and Outback operate at budget price levels, and their casual, family atmosphere dictate long lines and a happy clientele.

Best Restaurant Wine List

Michael's On East

Finalists: Fred's, The Tasting Room

Michael Klauber is an acknowledged wine connoisseur who travels extensively in search of exemplary vintages and stocks his restaurant and retail wine shop with fabulous finds. Fred's and The Tasting Room are side by side and under the same ownership. What you drink in the chic little bistro you can go next door to purchase for meals at home. So convenient. And the Tasting Room wine experts are accommodating and knowledgeable. Cheers to this trio.

Best Power Breakfast

First Watch

Finalists: The Broken Egg, The Serving Spoon

Must be all that protein in the omelets. People who take their first meal of the day at First Watch, The Broken Egg or The Serving Spoon seem ready to take on the world at lightning speed. Or maybe it's the second cup of coffee. Whichever, real power brokers don't waste a minute, which means they get up early and head for the restaurants where news is happening.