Best of the Gulfshore

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Stonewood (Naples, Fort Myers)

Finalists: Carrabba's Italian Grill (Naples, Bonita Springs); Vergina (Naples)

Handsome bars set within Stonewood's namesake fieldstone-and-wood interiors provide a classy setting for the sophisticated set at cocktail hour.

BEST SPORTS BAR

Spectators (Naples, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers)

Finalists: Stevie Tomatoes Sportspage (Fort Myers and Naples); Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill (Naples)

You need not be a jock or jockette to relax at the bar and take in a wide world of spectator sports and good grub at these fun pubs. TV and Game Boy consoles at most booths, and big screens at the bar, keep patrons super stimulated, and they can pick from a 100-item menu that includes New England clam chowder, turkey tips, quesadillas and a host of other entrees cooked according to recipes from co-owner Al Colarusso's late grandmother, Caroline Colarusso.

BEST CATERER

Matthews & Gardner (Naples)

Finalists: Rosemary Lane Café (Naples); Wynn's (Naples)

Classical French technique meets modern ingredients when Matthews & Gardner is in charge of the festivities.

BEST FISH MARKET

Captain Jerry's Seafood (Naples)

Finalists: The Fresh Market (Naples); Swan River Seafood (Naples)

The landlubbers who now run Captain Jerry's have amply filled that salty shrimper's ten-league sea boots, netting first place in this fishy category for the second year in a row. Catch perennial local favorites like grouper, snapper or stone crab claws, or cast farther out for exotic species like Boston scrod and Chilean salmon.

BEST FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MARKET

Oakes Farms (Naples)

Finalists: The Fresh Market (Naples); Wynn's (Naples)

Don't be fooled by this unassuming market that sits back off Davis Boulevard. Oakes is overflowing inside with vegetables and fruit, even deli meat and seafood. Over the years it has evolved into a one-stop shop, offering organic varieties, spices and herbs, hot sauces and dips. Oakes has more than just the old reliables. Next time reach for an extraordinary purple potato or white asparagus.

BEST WINE SHOP

Bacchus (Naples)

Finalists: Haskell's Wine and Spirits (Naples); The Wine Merchant (Naples)

Bacchus-to-Bacchus wins for one of the grape shops on Fifth Avenue South. Readers reveled in its sound selection, tasteful tastings, perfect prices and artful arrangements.

BEST SPECIALTY FOOD SHOP

The Fresh Market (Naples)

Finalists: Wynn's (Naples); Blue Pepper (Fort Myers)

Though it's based in Greensboro, N.C., the Fresh Market chain has brought something of an international flair to the once very Americano Naples during its five years here. The place hits a high point for fresh, hard-to-find produce, fine wines, Dean and DeLuca-like deli and baked goods, and a host of other gustatory grub.

BEST BAKERY

Publix

Finalists: Mikkelsen's (Naples); Wynn's (Naples)

You know your fresh, mouth-watering delights-doughnuts, apple turnovers, carrot cake, muffins and pies, and breads that beg to be dipped in seasoned olive oil-and you know where to find the largest selection. What can top Publix's aisles of tempting treats? Walking through when a batch of chocolate chip cookies are baking. Talk about heaven.

BEST DELI

Publix

Finalists: The Fresh Market (Naples); Wynn's (Naples)

Publix's deli is much more than just lunchmeat and cheese. Need a quick bite? Try one of its made-to-order subs or salads. Or for something hot and on-the-go, there's chicken tenders and whole rotisserie chickens. The deli even makes its own peanut butter. What more needs to be said.

2 -- BEST OF THE OUTDOORS

BEST PLACE TO VIEW WILDLIFE

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples)

Finalists: Caribbean Gardens (Naples); J.N. "Ding" Darling (Sanibel Island)

At Corkscrew, the scenery alone is amazing-grand stands of old cypress, expanses of marsh, an open wet prairie. But it's the wildlife that provides the entertainment. Alligators sun, raccoons scurry, blue herons balance on narrow branches and woodpeckers furiously peck. It's rare to stroll the more than two-mile winding boardwalk and not cross some animal working away in its natural habitat. And if you take binoculars, you can see even more.

BEST PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN

Fifth Avenue South (Naples)

Finalists: Campiello (Naples); Philharmonic Center for the Arts (Naples)

Pull up a chair at a café or pub to people-watch, or pound the pavement to be watched by people, all along Naples' revitalized route. Parading or perusing, checking out or being checked out, you'll join a fine flock of peacocks and peahens flaunting their fantasies in one of the gaudiest displays south of the Big Apple's Fifth Avenue-though you'll likely see a lot more short pants and blindingly white legs here.

BEST BEACHSIDE BAR

Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club

Finalist: Beach Pierside Grill (Fort Myers Beach)

Drink in nature's daily color show at the Naples Beach Hotel's Sunset Beach Bar. A bar menu offers grilled items to nosh beside the pool or on the shore's sugary sands.

BEST PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS

Beach

Finalists: Caribbean Gardens, the Zoo in Naples; Sun Splash Family Waterpark (Cape Coral)

It's what most folks come here for-and it's free. What could please kids more than splashing along the shore, bodysurfing waves and poking sticks at weird washed-up flotsam?

BEST PARK

Cambier (Naples)

Finalists: Lowdermilk (Naples); Lakes Park (Fort Myers)

Park yourself in this green urban oasis a few blocks south of Fifth Avenue South, but be forewarned: It's no walk in the park. Neapolitans ever on the lookout for good clean fun and self-improvement like its sporting life, which includes tennis, racquetball, basketball, baseball fields, horseshoes, shuffleboard, a stage for big-band events and meeting rooms.

3 -- BEST GOODS AND SERVICES

BEST PLACE TO SERVICE YOUR CAR

Rick Johnson Auto and Tire (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Finalists: Voigt's (Naples) and Germain (Naples)

Fairness and honesty are the hallmarks of Rick Johnson, where certified mechanics utilize state-of-the-art diagnostics and specialize in front-end work, emissions, tune-ups and engine work.

BEST DRY CLEANER

Jerry's (Naples)

Finalists: Pristine (Naples); Fashion Fresh (Naples)

Dry-cleaning is one of the largest industry sectors still recognized as a "mom-and-pop" business, according to the International Fabricare Institute. With two Naples locations, Jerry's holds the keys to success: service and proximity to the customer base.

BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP

Nearly New (Naples)

Finalists: Abused Woman's Shelter (Naples) and The Conservancy of Southwest Florida Upscale Resale (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Bargain hunters know Nearly New specializes in fine-quality living room, dining room, bedroom and patio furniture as well as decorative accessories, silver, china, crystal and jewelry. And it's all for a good cause: Proceeds go to the nonprofit Sunrise Children's Foundation.

BEST FLORIST

Gene's Fifth Avenue Florist (Naples)

Finalists: Flower Lane (Naples); Flower Spot (Naples)

Serving the Naples area since 1974, Gene's is family owned and operated with two locations serving the Naples and Marco Island areas You can find everything there from simple arrangement or plants to $ more showier arrangements like the Mille de Fleurs, featuring ginger, birds of paradise and lilies for $335.

BEST BARBERSHOP

Moorings (Naples)

Finalists: Frank's Barber Shop (Naples); Joe Cool Hair Cuts (Naples); Rice's (Naples)

As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression-and a good haircut can go a long way toward presenting the right image.

BEST HAIR SALON

Robert of Philadelphia (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Finalists: South Beach Hair and Suntanners (Marco Island); Top It Off (Fort Myers)

Robert of Philadelphia Hair Design has built a reputation for excellence since opening its first salon in Naples more than 20 years ago. With four luxury salons, a teaching academy and its own hair-care line, it continues to set the standard for style.

BEST SPA

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Finalists: Danielle Spa for Beauty and Wellness (Bonita Springs); Spa Terre at La Playa Beach and Golf Resort (Naples)

Like everything else it does, the Ritz puts a personal spin on spa services, starting with a concierge who helps guide guests through the 30 treatment rooms, fitness center and mineral pool. Indulge in treatments such as a warm citrus oil wrap, freeze-dried sea water massage bath and Asian stone massage.

BEST NAIL AND PEDICURE SALON

Tie: Danielle Spa for Beauty and Wellness (Bonita Springs) and Robert of Philadelphia (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Finalists: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples; Innovations Salon (Cape Coral)

A manicure or pedicure puts the finishing touch on full-body pampering. With Southwest Florida's mild climate encouraging year-round sandal wearing, can you really afford not to put your best feet forward?

BEST INSHORE/BACKCOUNTRY FISHING GUIDE

Capt. Will Geraghty, Grand Slam Charters (Naples)

Finalist: A 1 Fishing (Naples)

In the charter business since 1996, Naples native Capt. Will Geraghty has been fishing for fun since he was just a lad dropping a hopeful line from the Naples Pier. Whether you want to reel in a redfish, try for tarpon or search for snook, Will knows mangroves, and works the waters between Naples and Marco Island.

BEST OFFSHORE CHARTER BOAT/CAPTAIN

A & B Charter Fishing/Capt. Allen Walburn (Naples)

Finalist: Sea Legs/Capt. Tom Robinson (Naples)

These great grouper grabbers also search for snapper, king mackerel, cobia, permit and barracuda eight to 40 miles offshore during half- and full-day trips. Two fast, comfortable boats, the A & B and the Alabama, lead the way offshore for this 25-year-old Naples operation. "We try to treat every customer as we'd treat our family," Capt. Walburn says.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PLANTS

Driftwood Garden Center (Naples, Estero)

Finalists: Home Depot; Szabo Nursery Garden Center (Naples)

With more than 1,000 varieties of plants in stock, it's easy to see why you selected Driftwood as the best. The service is great, the selection even better, and more importantly the staff is knowledgeable, even about things that aren't in stock.