For the official winners of our 2003 "Best of the Gulfshore" readers' poll, turn to page 66 in this issue. There are 70 different categories on the ballot, from "Best Seafood Restaurant" to "Best Tourist Attraction," and every year, we're flooded with requests to add new categories to the competition.

But to keep the ballot from growing any longer, we have a strict rule: For every category we add, we drop an old one. We also insist that new categories feature lots of competition and involve something the average reader has strong opinions about (which is why, if you are the business owner who keeps lobbying us to include "Best Silk Lampshade Repair," we have once again disappointed you).

Still, every year our editors discover some terrific experiences and offerings that don't fall into those categories but still seem like Gulfshore "bests." So here are our unofficial winners-our editors' picks of the best in Southwest Florida entertainment, style, food, shopping and lifestyle. (With thanks to Marsha Fottler, Alysia Shivers, Tessa Tilden-Smith, Nanci Theoret and Lori Johnston.)

BEST REASON TO GET UP OFF THE COUCH ON A SUNDAY NIGHT: To hear live reggae at The Bridge restaurant on Fort Myers Beach. The music's great and the view sensational. And live blues at Snappers in Naples.

BEST PLACE FOR HOMESICK BRITS: The English Pub in Naples, where everything from the red plush décor and the friendly barmaids to the owner's bangers and mash is as down to earth and welcoming as the real thing.

BEST UNINTENTIONAL TOURIST ATTRACTION: The enormous entry fountain at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club, which has become a favorite spot for souvenir photos and the site of a recent wedding.

BEST FREE DATE WITH YOUR DOG: Take Fido to the dog beach south of Lover's Key, then to "Take Your Dog to the Ballgame" (July 12) to watch the Fort Myers Miracles at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. Then top things off with his free scoop of vanilla at Royal Scoop in Bonita Springs.

BEST PLACE TO ENJOY THE EVERGLADES WITHOUT THE MOSQUITOS:

Clyde Butcher's Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee.

BEST CAT TOYS: Cuban anole lizards.

BEST BUILDING TORN DOWN THIS YEAR: The old carriage house in Naples.

BEST REASON TO BRAVE FORT MYERS BEACH TRAFFIC: To snag some of Sucree Salee French Bakery's fresh-baked breads and amazing pastries.

BEST THEME MENU: The football-shaped bill for fare at Shula's Steakhouse in Naples.

BEST FOUR REASONS TO GET OLDER: 1) Free birthday trip to Key West on the ferry from Fort Myers Beach. 2) Free birthday meal at Iguana Mia. 3) Free birthday ice cream at Royal Scoop in Naples. 4) Free birthday chocolate cake at Romano's Macaroni Grill in Naples.

BEST MUSEUM GIFT SHOP BUY: The plastic opera glasses in red or blue ($2.95) at the Naples Museum of Art. They work, they're cheap and they're chic and modern, too.

BEST WAY TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN ITALY: The home-made gelato at Tintoretto in Naples.

BEST PLACE TO WAIT FOR YOUR RESTAURANT TABLE: The enormous gift shop at Bahama Breeze (Fort Myers) will keep you busy for most of the usual 30-minute-plus wait, as you stock up on Florida vacation souvenirs from sharks'-teeth necklaces to a little palm-tree nightlight.

BEST ARGUMENT FOR GLOBALISM: The over-the-top fusion food at Roy's in Bonita Springs, where the creative concoctions combine the best cuisine elements of Hawaii, Asia, France and the good old U.S.A.

BEST EDIBLE ART: The spare, still-life creations at Origami (Fort Myers and Naples).

BEST-LOOKING BAR: With its dark, contemporary woodwork, the bar at Zoe's is rich, fun and stylish-just like the customers that cluster around it.

BEST REASON TO FALL IN LOVE: The lovely, lacy lingerie at Femmes Je Vous Aime in Naples. It's all French, all seductive and so beautifully constructed that any female heirs from your union will be wearing it as treasured vintage 100 years from now.

BEST PLACE TO ESCAPE FROM SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY: The public ice-skating rink at TECO Arena in Estero.

BEST REASON TO CHEAT ON YOUR DIET: Breakfast at Frascati's in Naples, where the French toast stuffed with bananas and drizzled with chocolate will make you happier than a skimpy little body ever could.

BEST WAY TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL: Camping out at Grocery Place in Collier-Seminole State Park. You can only get there by small boat or canoe, so it's just you, your overnight bag, and the primal Everglades.