This year's Best of Orlando issue was written, edited, tallied, combined and compiled with the blood, sweat and tears of Marcus Griggs, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara, Seth Kubersky, Bao Le-Huu, Billy Manes, Dave Plotkin, Eleanor Roy, Justin Strout, Erin Sullivan, Aimee Vitek, Katie Westfall and Jessica Bryce Young. Rob Bartlett of bartlettimage.com was our lead photographer for this issue, and our cover model is the wonderful Jose Melendez, better known as the Diamond Exchange's Mr. Gold Orlando. Thanks to all of our readers who submitted more than 6,000 (!) ballots in this year's Readers Poll, making it our most popular Best of Orlando Readers Poll yet. We couldn't have done it without you.
BOO 2012:
Gracing the cover of Orlando Weekly's 2012 Best of Orlando issue is no sweat, when you're Jose Melendez. Better known as Orlando's Mr. Gold, Melendez is the...
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
This year's Best of Orlando issue was written, edited, tallied, combined and compiled with the blood, sweat and tears of Marcus Griggs, Holly V. Kapherr, Faiyaz Kara...
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best adult entertainment store
1st Fairvilla Megastore, 1740 N. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-425-6005; 7631
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Nameplates! Doorknockers! Gucci bamboo hoops! Cuban links, herringbones, dookie ropes! Medallions! Dog tags! Caps and grills! On strictly utilitarian...
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best Caribbean
1st Bahama Breeze, multiple locations, bahamabreeze.com
2nd Mama Millie's, 12273 University Blvd., 407-382-3570, mamamillies.com
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best attention-grabber beverage
Beet & green apple juice from Café 118
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best Club DJ
1ST Baby Lac, @djbabylac
2ND Lemy Currey, facebook.com/lemycurrey
3rd Jimmy Joslin, facebook.com/JimmyJoslin
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
If you're afraid of heights, stay away: Aptly named after its striking 180-degree view of downtown Orlando, this chic sanctuary sits at the top of Amway Center's...
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best Arts Event/Festival
1st The Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival, orlandofringe.org
2nd Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, wpsaf.org
3rd Nude Nite Art Exposé, nudenite.com
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best public art that doubles as a weapon
"Symphony," 1989, by Paul Marco
Mennello Museum of American Art
900 East Princeton Street
407-246-4278
mennellomuseum.com
If you've ever thought of an "ice knife" as the perfect murder weapon (it melts! No finger
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
Best billiards hall
1st Sportstown Billiards, 2414 E. Robinson St., 407-894-6258, sportstownbilliards.com
2nd Cue-Phoria Billiards and Café, 2050 Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 321-972-1867, cuephoria.com
3rd Trick Shots Billiards, multiple locations
7/18/2012
BOO 2012:
First word we received about this Gaelic jumble of a sport was when Orlando Hurling Club hosted their Clash of the Ash tournament last September.
7/18/2012
