2011 Culinary Awards

Several months ago, we asked you, our readers, to send us your opinions about the best restaurants in Tucson. You voted for your favorites in 34 categories, ranging from American to Thai, as well as specific preferences running the gamut from best view to best wine list. Some of the selections may surprise you; others rank among Tucson’s longtime favorites. We present the Top 5 here in no particular order. Photo by Thomas Veneklasen.

Top 5 Restaurants:
Vivace
The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Jax Kitchen
Harvest Restaurant
Zona 78

Best American
Gold: Jax Kitchen
Silver: Metropolitan Grill
Bronze: Harvest Restaurant

Best Chinese
Gold: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Silver: Golden Dragon
Bronze: Pei Wei

Best Continental
Gold: Anthony’s in the Catalinas
Silver: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Bronze: Arizona Inn

Best French
Gold: Le Rendez-vous
Silver: Ghini’s French Caffé
Bronze: Janos

Best Greek
Gold: My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
Silver: Athen’s on 4th Avenue
Bronze: OPA!

Best Indian
Gold: Saffron Indian Bistro
Silver: Ghandi Cuisine of India
Bronze: Indian Oven Cuisine of India

Best Italian
Gold: Vivace
Silver: Zona 78
Bronze: Tavolino Ristorante Italiano

Best Japanese
Gold: Sakura
Silver: RA Sushi
Bronze: Ginza

Best Mexican
Gold: El Charro Café
Silver: Café Poca Cosa
Bronze: Guadalajara Grill

Best Middle Eastern
Gold: Ali Baba Persian and Mediterranean Restaurant
Silver: Shish Kebab House of Tucson
Bronze: Sinbad’s Restaurant

Best Southwestern
Gold: Old Pueblo Grill
Silver: J Bar and Janos (tie)
Bronze: Café Poca Cosa

Best Thai
Gold: Minas Thai
Silver: China-Thai and Char’s Thai (tie)
Bronze: Vila Thai Cuisine

Best Bistro
Gold: Zona 78
Silver: Bistro 44
Bronze: Jax Kitchen

Best Romantic Dining
Gold: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Silver: Anthony’s in the Catalinas
Bronze: McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse

Best Café
Gold: Cup Café (inside Hotel Congress) and Ghini’s French Caffé (tie)
Silver: Dakota
Bronze: Eclectic Café

Best Coffeehouse
Gold: Savaya Coffee Market
Silver: Starbucks Coffee Co.
Bronze: Raging Sage Coffee Roasters

Best Family Dining
Gold: Zona 78
Silver: Risky Business
Bronze: Metropolitan Grill and Sauce (tie)

Best Grill
Gold: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Silver: Buddy’s Grill and Metropolitan Grill (tie)
Bronze: Old Pueblo Grill and The Grill (tie)

Best Salads
Gold: Choice Greens
Silver: Sauce
Bronze: Sweet Tomatoes

Best Sandwiches
Gold: Beyond Bread
Silver: Baggins Gourmet Sandwiches
Bronze: Bison Witches Bar & Deli

Best Seafood
Gold: Bluefin Seafood Bistro
Silver: Kingfisher Bar & Grill
Bronze: Red Lobster

Best Sinful Desserts
Gold: Wildflower
Silver: Passion for the Love of Pastry
Bronze: Jax Kitchen

Best Steak
Gold: Flemings Prime Steakhouse
Silver: McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse
Bronze: Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Best Sunday Brunch
Gold: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Silver: Canyon Café at Loews Ventana Canyon
Bronze: Arizona Inn

Best Sushi
Gold: RA Sushi
Silver: Sushi Garden
Bronze: Ginza Sushi

Best Vegetarian
Gold: Lovin’ Spoonfuls
Silver: Blue Willow Restaurant, Bakery and Gift Shop
Bronze: Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet

Best Wine List
Gold: McMahon’s Prime Steakhouse
Silver: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Bronze: Anthony’s in the Catalinas

Best Alfresco
Gold: Old Pueblo Grille
Silver: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Bronze: Vivace

Best Dining with a View
Gold: Anthony’s in the Catalinas
Silver: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Bronze: North Modern Italian Eatery

Best Longtime Favorite
Gold: Vivace
Silver: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Bronze: El Charro Café

Best New Restaurant
Gold: The Abbey
Silver: Sir Veza’s Taco Garage
Bronze: May’s Counter

Best Place for Out of Town Guests
Gold: The Grill at Hacienda del Sol
Silver: El Charro Café
Bronze: Café Poca Cosa

Best Breakfast
Gold: The Good Egg
Silver: Ghini’s French Caffé
Bronze: Blue Willow Restaurant, Bakery and Gift Shop