Best Food & Drink

New Restaurant

1st Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

2nd Place
Watermark On Main
598 E. Main St., Ventura
643-6800

3rd Place
Spencer Mackenzie’s Fish Co.
806 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-8226

Health Food Store

1st Place
Lassen’s
4071 E. Main St., Ventura
644-6990

2nd Place
Rainbow Bridge
211 E. Matilija St., Ojai
646-4017

3rd Place
The Farmer & the Cook
339 W. El Roblar Drive, Ojai
640-9608

Best green wine — the eco-friendly kind

Casa Barranca
208 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 640-1255

Bill Moses of Casa Barranca is making green wine. Sure, he dabbles in reds and whites, but all of his wine is green, taking drinking responsibly to a whole new level. 

Moses is an eco-friendly oenophile who is serious about pouring a palate-pleasing product while also being good to the land and reducing carbon footprints. Casa Barranca, an elegant estate with a vineyard and winery nestled against the foothills of Ojai, claims to be the only certified organic winery on the Central Coast, with a certified organic vineyard. In order to be awarded such a designation, Moses uses only certified organic grapes that are processed in a certified organic facility without the use of toxic chemicals. The wines are handcrafted in a century-old underground stone winery, and the facility is solar powered. Moses’ wines are good, too, having received 90 points and higher from such prestigious publications as Wine Enthusiast, and winning gold medals in several wine competitions, going head-to-head against “conventionally made” wines and some very big names.
Try the 2006 Bungalow Red, which took gold last year at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. A blend of syrah, mourvèdre and grenache, this wine tastes of berries and spice, and pairs beautifully with whatever is grilling on your

barbecue. My personal favorite, the Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, has a fantastic finish, combining earth and bright wild berries that will make you want another glass.
Stop by the tasting room in downtown Ojai’s arcade, and ask for a glass of green wine!

— Lisa Snider

Gourmet Food Store

1st Place
Paradise Pantry
677 E. Main St., Ventura
641-9440

2nd Place
Lassen’s
4071 E. Main St., Ventura
644-6990

3rd Place
We Olive
294 E. Main St., Ventura
648-6166

Farmers Market

1st Place
Downtown Ventura

2nd Place
Ojai Farmers market

3rd Place
Channel Islands Harbor

Ice Cream Store

1st Place
McConnell’s
3241 E. Main St., Ventura
650-6410

2nd Place
Ojai Ice Cream
210 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
646-6075

3rd Place
Coastal Cone
1583 Spinnaker Drive, # 104, Ventura
658-2837

Bakery

1st Place
Royal Bakery
4726 Telephone Road, Ventura
658-6030

2nd Place
Bread Basket
83 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1337

3rd Place
My Florist
76 S. Oak St., Ventura
653-0003

Best roadside butcher/deli

Red Barn Liquor
11558 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura

Roadside barbecues smoldering in front of liquor stores and markets are hard for me to resist. While my vegetarian friend spouts vociferously about choosing not to eat meat for ethical reasons (while zipping up a swanky pair of designer leather boots), I pull off the side of the road in search of carne and an open flame. The Central Coast phenomenon that is the tri-tip sandwich, a simple preparation of grilled meat, bread and sauce, can be a messy undertaking. The messier the better, I say, as I am always equipped with a rubber band to hold my hair back (a lesson learned the hard way).

The Red Barn Liquor Store, about half-way up the 33 between the 101 and Ojai in Miramonte, offers its own take on the tri-tip sandwich. It has a huge barbecue/smoker blazing out front and a “deli” inside, which isn’t so much a deli as it is a hole-in-the-wall taco stand at the back of the liquor store, past the pork rinds and bottles of Jose Cuervo. There you will find a carnivore’s delight of tri-tip, chicken, lamb and authentic Mexican specialties like pork carnitas, borrego (lamb) and birria (goat). Order by the pound, as a plata with tacos, as a burrito or as a torta, a Mexican sandwich with salsa, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, jalapeno and red onion. Mini chile rellenos, rice, beans, a complete gourmet salsa bar and soup specials, like menudo or pozole, are also offered. Prices are what you would expect: cheap! And the food
is delicioso!

So hit the brakes and grab a tri-tip roast to take home, or settle into a seat overlooking the 33 and enjoy a barbecued chicken torta. Just don’t forget the rubber band for your hair!

— Lisa Snider

Donut Shop

1st Place
Rolling Pin
2153 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
482-8711

2nd Place
KD Village Donuts
3855 Telegraph Road, Ventura
644-6778

3rd Place
Master Donuts
1725 S. Victoria Ave., # A, Ventura
642-8398

Pizza Parlor

1st Place
Topper’s Pizza
3940 E. Main St.
385-4444

2nd Place
Rusty’s Pizza
1413 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura
658-6666

444 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura

3rd Place
Jimmy’s Slice
586 E. Main St., Ventura
648-6133

Coffee House

1st Place
Palermo Coffee & Gelato
321 E. Main St., Ventura
643-3070

2nd Place
Simone’s Coffee & Tea
7818 Telegraph Road, Ventura
659-0860

3rd Place
Full of Beans
1124 S. Seaward Ave., # A, Ventura
648-5645

Restaurant

1st Place
Brooks Restaurant
545 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
652-7070

2nd Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

3rd Place
CafE Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
653-1266

Seafood Restaurant

1st Place
Andria’s Seafood Restaurant
and Market
1449 Spinnaker Drive, Suite A, Ventura
654-0546

2nd Place
Brophy Brothers
1559 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura
639-0865

3rd Place
Eric Ericcson’s
668 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
643-4783

Steakhouse

1st Place
Aloha Steakhouse
364 S. California St., Ventura, 652-1799

2nd Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

3rd Place
Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2009 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
652-1055

Mexican Restaurant

1st Place
Yolanda’s
2753 E. Main St., Ventura
643-2700

86 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
389-9922

1601 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
985-1360

2nd Place
Casa De Soria
1961 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
648-2083

3rd Place
Corrales
795 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-1043

1951 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-6138

Best Italian Restaurant

1st Place
Ferraro’s
2788 E. Main St., Ventura
648-7270

2nd Place
CafE Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
653-1266

3rd Place
Capriccio
298 E. Main St., Ventura
643-7115

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

1st Place
Nature’s Grill
566 E. Main St., Ventura
643-7855

2nd Place
Mary’s Secret Garden
100 S. Fir St., Ventura
641-FOOD

3rd Place
The Farmer & the Cook
339 W. El Roblar Drive, Ojai
640-9608

Diner

1st Place
Busy Bee Cafe
478 E. Main St., Ventura
643-4864

2nd Place
Danny’s Deli
3263 Telegraph Road, Ventura
289-9200

3rd Place
Vagabond Inn
756 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-1390

Thai Restaurant

1st Place
Tipps Thai
512 E. Main St., Ventura
643-3040

2nd Place
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
2887 Johnson Drive, Ventura
642-8879

3rd Place
Cholada Thai Cuisine
387 E. Main St., Ventura
641-3573

Sushi Bar

1st Place
I Love Sushi
5722 Telephone Road, Ventura
639-4009

2nd Place
Sushi Marina
120 S. California St., Ventura
643-5200

3rd Place
Osabi
5795 Walker St., Ventura
642-6200

Chinese Restaurant

1st Place
Golden China
760 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
652-0688

2nd Place
Peking Inn
330 N. Lantana St., #31, Camarillo
987-8188

3rd Place
Mandarin House
4020 E. Main St., Ventura
654-0933

Indian Restaurant

1st Place
Taj CafE
574 E. Main St., Ventura
652-1521

2nd Place
Maharaja
2437 E. Main St., Ventura
641-3644

3rd Place
Café India
1775 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
987-8537

Breakfast Spot

1st Place
Allison’s Country CafE
3429 Telegraph Road, Ventura
644-9072

2nd Place
Eggs ‘N’ Things
4020 E. Main St., Ventura
642-3190

3rd Place
Pete’s Breakfast House
2055 E. Main St., Ventura
648-1130

Outdoor Dining

1st Place
Café Nouveau
1497 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
648-1422

2nd Place
Tutti’s Off Main
34 N. Palm St., Ventura
643-0880

3rd Place
Zoey’s Café
451 E. Main St., Ventura
652-1137

Romantic Restaurant

1st Place
Watermark On Main
598 E. Main St., Ventura
643-6800

2nd Place
CafE Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
653-1266

3rd Place
The Ranch House
500 S. Lomita Ave., Ojai
646-2360

Late Night Dining

1st Place
Jimmy’s Slice
586 E. Main St., Ventura
648-6133

2nd Place
My Florist
76 S. Oak St., Ventura
653-0003

3rd Place
Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
653-1266

Sunday Brunch

1st Place
Joannafina’s Mexican Café
1127 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
652-0360

2nd Place
Café Nouveau
1497 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
648-1422

3rd Place
Capistrano’s
2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard
984-2500

Place to Overeat

1st Place
Yolanda’s
2753 E. Main St., Ventura
643-2700

86 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
389-9922

1601 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
985-1360

2nd Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

3rd Place
Watermark On Main
598 E. Main St., Ventura
643-6800

Place to Eat With Kids

1st Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

2nd Place
Duke’s Griddle ‘n Grill
1124 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
653-0707

3rd Place
Busy Bee cafe
478 E. Main St., Ventura
643-4864

Smoothie

1st Place
Blenders In the Grass
607 E. Main St., Ventura
641-0916

2nd Place
Mary’s Secret Garden
100 S. Fir St., Ventura
641-FOOD

3rd Place
Nature’s Grill
566 E. Main St., Ventura
643-7855

Wait Staff

1st Place
Brooks Restaurant
545 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
652-7070

2nd Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

3rd Place
Mary’s Secret Garden
100 S. Fir St., Ventura
641-FOOD

Business Lunch

1st Place
Fresh & Fabulous
212 W. Fourth St., Oxnard
486-4547

2nd Place
CafE Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
653-1266

3rd Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

Cheap Eats

1st Place
Corrales Mexican Food
795 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-1043

1951 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-6138

2nd Place
Top Hat
299 E. Main St., Ventura
643-9696

3rd Place
Spencer Mackenzie’s Fish Co.
806 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-8226

Hotel Dining

1st Place
C-Street - the Crowne Plaza
450 E. Harbor Blvd., at Crowne Plaza, Ventura
652-5151

2nd Place
Capistrano’s - Embassy Suites
2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard
984-2500

3rd Place
Austen’s - The Pierpont Inn
550 Sanjon Road, Ventura
643-6144

Tamales

1st Place
Joannafina’s Mexican Café
1127 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
652-0360

2nd Place
Corrales Mexican Food
795 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-1043

1951 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-6138

3rd Place
Yolanda’s Mexican Café
2753 E. Main St., Ventura
643-2700

86 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
389-9922

1601 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
985-1360

Tacos

1st Place
Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack
5100 Telegraph Road, Ventura
642-5111

2nd Place
Spencer Mackenzie’s Fish Co.
806 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
643-8226

3rd Place
Casa De Soria
1961 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
648-2083

Place to get Dessert

1st Place
The Bread Basket
83 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1337

2nd Place
Cooke’s Smokehouse
1751 E. Main St., Ventura
652-1446

3rd Place
Mary’s Secret Garden
100 S. Fir St., Ventura
641-FOOD

Caterer

1st Place
Main Course California
1363 Donlon Street, Suite 11, Ventura
658-8900

2nd Place
DJ’s California Catering
2784 Johnson Drive, Ventura
389-5418

3rd Place
Command Performance Catering
5273 Commerce Drive, Unit #6, Moorpark
523-3232

BBQ Restaurant

1st Place
Wood Ranch
1101 E. Daily Drive, Camarillo
482-1202

3449 E. Main St., Ventura
620-4500

2nd Place
Smokey’s House of BBQ
1201 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
985-7125

3rd Place
It’s in the Sauce BBQ
2050 E. Main St., 652-1215

Hamburger

1st Place
Top Hat
299 E. Main St., Ventura
643-9696

2nd Place
Duke’s griddle ‘n grill
1124 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
653-0707

3rd Place
Winchester’s Grill
632 E. Main Street, Ventura
653-7446