It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. The panel of local notables we assembled to help choose this year's Best of the Gulfshore are constantly out and about in Southwest Florida, making it their business to know which martini place has a smooth hand with the vermouth, which Mexican food will make transplanted Southwesterners smile and what establishment has the most stylish nightly crowd. Their expertise and enthusiasm created a stellar list, which includes some perennial winners (a toast to you, Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton) and some novel delights, including shops that bring a new level of luxe to our retail landscape. Enjoy!

DINING

Best Wine List

The Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton (Naples)

Finalists: Ridgway Bar & Grill (Naples); Zoë's (Naples)

Although it's a myth that the Gulfshore has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the country, we would bet that we have more knowledgeable wine enthusiasts per square mile than even the grape-heaviest region of California. These connoisseurs have declared-and we second their assertion-that the wine list at the courtly Grill Room is the one by which all others should be judged. An owner's loving touch-and depth of wine expertise-are evident in Ridgway's 600-plus-bottle wine list and the 1,500 or so choice vintages that make up Zoë's offerings.

Best Martini

Diva Martini Bar (Naples)

Finalists: Blu (Fort Myers and Naples); Chops (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Dig the secret identity: the respectable Mangrove Café becomes dance-happy Diva Martini Bar after dark. But never fear-the signature chilled libation keeps up the café's excellent reputation. Couture cocktails also match the top-notch cuisine at Blu and Chops.

Best Seafood

Tropical Reef (Naples)

Finalists: Real Seafood Co. (Naples); Red's Fresh Seafood House and Tavern (Bokeelia)

Colorful presentations and a deft touch with spices keep the buzz swirling around Tropical Reef; we hope rumors of an expansion are on target. "No frozen fish" is the rallying cry that has diners from all over the Gulfshore packing Red's in Bokeelia, while fresh catches and stellar service are onboard at the Real Seafood Co.

Best Mexican

La Casita (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Cilantro Tamales (Bonita Springs and Naples); Meson Ole (Naples)

Mi casita, su casita-you'll always feel at home in the bright, busy La Casita, where you'll find a novel spin on comfort food with its authentic regional Mexican cuisine. Cilantro Tamales also offers comfort food just like Mom didn't used to make. The nominally Spanish Meson Ole sneaks a few Mexican favorites onto its menu while also pouring the best margarita this side of Tijuana.

Best French

Cote d'Azur (Naples)

Finalists: French Deli (Naples);

Le Lafayette (Naples)

It's nearer the Cocohatchee River than the Riviera, but one taste of Cote d'Azur's Gallic specialties and you'll be whisked to the heart of France. Also bearing the French flag proudly to the Gulfshore: the young owners of Old Naples' intimate Le Lafayette and the friendly folks at the bustling French Deli.

Best Italian

L'Amore (North Fort Myers)

Finalists: Bella Rosa (Fort Myers);

Sale e Pepe (Marco Island)

Like a big pizza pie? That's L'Amore, but veal, pasta and other favorites also shine at the atmospheric North Fort Myers restaurant. Romantic elegance characterizes Bella Rosa, and over-the-top entrées and appetizers earn a four-star rating at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort's Sale e Pepe.

Best Sushi

Blu (Fort Myers and Naples)

Finalists: Origami (Fort Myers and Naples); Sushi-Thai (Naples)

Come for the people-watching and stay for the food at both locations of ultra-fresh, ultra-hip Blu. Origami has a long history of turning formerly staid Midwesterners into lifelong sashimi freaks, and beautifully presented fresh fish is a standout at Sushi-Thai.

Best Thai

Sushi-Thai (Naples)

Finalists: Em-On's (Naples);

Siam Hut Thai (Cape Coral)

If a new love interest has you tongue-tied, make a date at Sushi-Thai, where the intriguing Eastern décor is guaranteed to spark conversation-at least until your oohing and ahhing over the delicately flavored curry makes talk impossible. While never sacrificing flavor for spice, they'll make it as hot as you want it at Naples' reliable Em-On's. Diners head to the Cape from all over the Gulfshore to enjoy Siam Hut Thai's subtle mastery of basic Thai ingredients.

Best Other Ethnic

Roy's (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Finalists: Bha Bha (Naples); P.F. Chang's (Naples); World Bakery (Naples)

If Roy's were a musical, it would be South Pacific: a long-running crowd favorite whose fusion-influenced Pacific Rim cuisine is guaranteed to please. Light Persian fare, sophisticated Chinese-American entrées and yearn-for-the-homeland Cuban specialties can be found at Bha Bha, P.F. Chang's and World Bakery, respectively.

Best Pizza

Peppino's (Naples)

Finalists: Aurelio's is Pizza (Naples); Salvatore's (Fort Myers)

What goes into the perfect pie? Peppino's isn't divulging any secrets, so you'll just have to pull a chair up to the eatery's red-checked tablecloths and enjoy one of its authentic New York pizzas. No imitators have yet produced the special, smoky sauce that made Aurelio's famous, and the doughboys at family-friendly Salvatore's throw an unrivaled crust.

Best Burger

Ridgway Bar & Grill (Naples)

Finalists: Bonita Beach Grill (Bonita Springs); Waterfront Restaurant

(St. James City)

You name the time and we'll meet you at the place: Third Street South's Ridgway Bar & Grill, for a 10-ounce, pure-beef bistro burger. Beachgoers and boaters alike are welcome at the casual, laid-back Bonita Beach Grill, near Barefoot Beach, and Pine Island's aptly named Waterfront Restaurant.

Best Steak House

Chops (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Finalists: Andre's (Naples); Preston's (Naples)

Our panel of judges had no beef with naming trendy Chops the best in this category, thanks to its quality cuts and a menu that ventures beyond the usual. A cult following has developed around Andre's sizzling sliced steaks, and loyal diners find a classic steakhouse experience at Preston's.

Best Breakfast

Chrissy's Wildside Café (Naples)

Finalists: Caffé dell'Amore (Naples); First Watch (Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Naples)

Good morning, sunshine. Even if the warm staff at Chrissy's Wildside Café can't make you smile, we dare you to hold that frown while you bite into one of Chrissy's sumptuous crêpes. Shell-seekers at Naples' Lowdermilk Park can fortify themselves with coffee and croissants from Caffé dell'Amore across the street, and everything tastes better with a side of fried potatoes at First Watch's several locations.

Best Brunch

Tie: Ritz-Carlton (Naples); Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort (Naples)

Finalists: McGregor Café (Fort Myers); Naples Grande Resort & Club (Naples)

Golf or Gulf? It makes no difference. Either of the Ritz-Carlton's two area properties is the place for a relaxing brunch. And if the former Registry Resort's quick change into Naples Grande Resort & Club has left you rattled, collect your nerves with a mimosa at the resort's revamped Sunday brunch at Aura, its lobby restaurant. Those hungering for a hometown vibe with home fries will find that oversized omelets and other breakfast standards are served until 11:30 on weekends at the bucolic roadside McGregor Café.

Best Desserts

Ritz-Carlton (Naples)

Finalists: Café Lurcat (Naples); The

Melting Pot (Fort Myers and Naples)

Even if there's no room at the inn at this always-popular beach resort, you'll need to save space for a delectable, meal-ending creation when you dine in one of the hotel's restaurants or ballrooms. One's melted, the other melts in your mouth, but The Melting Pot's rich chocolate fondue and Café Lurcat's tiny hot doughnuts are both deliciously above the norm.

Best Waterfront

Tie: Baleen at LaPlaya (Naples); Rumrunners (Cape Coral)

Finalists: Matanzas Inn (Fort Myers Beach); Turtle Club (Naples)

LaPlaya's flagship restaurant offers luxe Gulf views, while canal-cruisers find a smart-casual atmosphere at Rumrunners. A slower pace of life interrupts the usual Fort Myers Beach revelry at the historic Matanzas Inn on Estero Bay, while you'll want to get there early for a coveted Gulfside seat at Naples' Turtle Club.

Best Romantic Meal

Veranda (Fort Myers)

Finalists: The Banyan Room at Sanibel Harbour (Fort Myers); The Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton (Naples)

Although the gracious Veranda has been voted Best Romantic Meal many times, never have we had such compelling evidence as panelist Jim McLaughlin's revelation that he married the lovely Marty Ambrose there. Marty and Jim, here's to you crazy kids. If you're looking for a place where your innermost confessions can be whispered with impunity, try the wood-paneled elegance of Sanibel Harbour's Banyan Room or the exclusive atmosphere of the Ritz-Carlton's Grill Room.

Best Business Lunch

USS Nemo (Naples)

Finalists: Bistro 41 (Fort Myers); University Grill (Fort Myers)

No first mates here: The fusion-inspired seafood of USS Nemo attracts only captains of industry. In Fort Myers, power goes out to lunch at Bistro 41 and the University Grill; fortify yourself with fine American cuisine at either place if you've got a big deal in the works.

Best-Kept Secret

Tarpon Lodge (Pine Island)

Finalists: The Banyan Room at Sanibel Harbour (Fort Myers); The Fish House (Bonita Springs)

Do you promise not to tell? Yeah, that's what we said to our panel. Suckers! Our nod goes to Pine Island's clubby Tarpon Lodge, where presidents, potentates and regular guys will all feel welcome. A discreet, Old World ethos also prevails at Sanibel Harbour's Banyan Room. For a completely different kind of good time, try 50-cent oysters on Sunday at the lively, canal-front Fish House, but please save some for our panel. That one was a true sacrifice.

Best After-Work Drink

Crü (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Campiello (Naples);

Fleming's (Naples)

Working for a living or just working it, you'll want to join the after-five crowd at Bell Tower's happening Crü, where the spirits are as pure as the whole-foods menu. A stylish crowd gathers in the courtyard at Third Street South's Campiello, and the opportunity to try rare and sublime wines by the glass makes Fleming's a must for those Gulfshore commitment-phobes who aren't ready to be wed to a whole bottle.

Best Outdoor Bar

Gumbo Limbo at the Ritz-Carlton (Naples)

Finalists: Brick Bar (Fort Myers); Charley's Cabana Bar at Sanibel Harbour (Fort Myers); Sunset Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples)

It's no mirage: There really is an upscale tropical bar amid the mangroves on your way to the beach from the Ritz, Gumbo Limbo, a favorite gathering place for visitors and residents alike. There's water, water everywhere, and well-stocked bars for drinks at the harborfront Charley's Cabana Bar and the Gulf-front Sunset Bar; both are excellent places to watch the sun's nightly show. If city life is more your style, head for downtown Fort Myer's hip Brick Bar, where you'll find a young professional crowd living it up.

Best New Restaurant

Nektar (Naples)

Finalists: Café Cibo (Fort Myers);

Wylds Café (Bonita Springs)

Have our Southwest Florida palates grown increasingly sophisticated or is a new crop of ambitious chefs satisfying a taste that was already here? It's a question best mulled over while you sip Nektar's signature, vodka-based cocktail and enjoy the restaurant's tantalizing Mediterranean cuisine. Mediterranean flair is also on display at Fort Myers' cozy Café Cibo, while the tapas at gourmet café Wylds go down nicely with an international selection of brews.

FOOD AND WINE

Best Caterer

Wynn's (Naples)

Finalist: Jamie & Jacob (Bonita Springs)

Smart Gulfshore hostesses don't get chained to the kitchen during a party-they call in the pros. Classic hors d'oeuvres done right and decades of solid service are what you get from Wynn's, while pleasing presentations and gourmet riffs give Jamie & Jacob's fare an added touch.

Best Wine Shop

Tony's Off Third (Naples)

Finalists: Bacchus (Naples);

Naples Tomato (Naples)

Pretend it's your own personal vineyard: At Tony's Off Third, the pastry treats and gourmet lunches share space with a remarkable wine selection. Newcomer Naples Tomato offers a fresh and thoughtful wine collection at its north Naples restaurant, and spectacular vintages are a specialty at über-hot Bacchus of Naples.

Best Spirits

Total Wine (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Gulf Points Liquors (Fort Myers); Haskell's Wine & Spirits (Naples)

We've all heard of picky eaters, but what about picky drinkers? Yep, they're out there, and if you think they're coming to visit you, get yourself to the giant Total Wine warehouse in Fort Myers, where you'll find solid spirits among the eponymous grape. Scarce scotches and elusive gins are also all in a day's work for the staffs of Fort Myers' Gulf Points Liquors and Naples' Haskell's Wine & Spirits.

Best Gourmet Grocer

The Fresh Market (Fort Myers and Naples)

Finalists: Blue Pepper (Fort Myers); EVOO (Naples)

Too much time spent with the Food Network? We understand, and so does The Fresh Market, where the shelves full of hard-to-find ingredients are a foodie's dream, as are its just-picked produce and prime meats. The cult of pure foods and fun times is alive at Fort Myers' Blue Pepper and Naples newcomer EVOO, named for good and good-for-you extra virgin olive oil.

Best Bakery

Tie: Mason's (Fort Myers);

Mikkelsen's (Naples)

Finalist: Tony's Off Third (Naples)

Feel the love: The daily bread is a family affair at both downtown Fort Myers' Mason's and Naples' Mikkelsen's, now in an expanded location. Snackable pastries and creamy cakes fuel Third Street South's window shoppers at Tony's Off Third.

SHOPPING

Best New Shop

Tiffany & Co. (Naples)

Finalists: Devonia Antiques for Dining (Naples); Eva at Studio 15 (Fort Myers)

Call us easily pleased. Just the sight of one of those iconic blue Tiffany's boxes is enough to get our hearts pounding, never mind the intricate and well-made baubles that might be inside. Time travel made easy: some of Devonia's unusual fine china pieces have centuries of past history behind them, and Eva at Studio 15's up-to-the-minute designs keep stylish women moving fashion forward.

Best Window Shopping

Old Naples

Finalists: The Promenade at Bonita

Bay (Bonita Springs); Village at Venetian Bay (Naples)

Naples' dozens of art galleries attract scores of interested onlookers, but it's high art of a different kind that draws browsers to the shops and boutiques of Old Naples' Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South to admire glittery jewels, fashionable ensembles and more. Conspicuous consumption-or visible yearning-is made good for you at The Promenade at Bonita Bay and the waterfront Village at Venetian Bay, as the flowing layout of each makes walking past dozens of boutiques a breeze.

SERVICES

Best Florist

Ruth Messmer (Cape Coral and Fort Myers)

Finalists: Fifty50 (Naples); Twigs (Naples)

Need to say it with flowers? Whether the sentiment is "I love you," "I'm sorry," or "Thank you for attending our event," Ruth Messmer Florist has been creating classic arrangements for the Gulfshore for more than 40 years. A little bit edgy and a whole lot breathtaking, the works of Naples' Fifty50 and Twigs are guaranteed to get noticed.

Best Salon

Tie: Red (Fort Myers); Robert of Philadelphia (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Finalist: Top It Off (Fort Myers)

The lady in red is easy to spot; but to ID the lady who just came out of Red, a Fort Myers salon and spa, look for the one with the happy glow and subtly shimmering highlights. There is a real Robert of Philadelphia, and his clients know that the stylist hires only the best for his Gulfshore salon empire, insisting his staff stay up on the latest hair dos and don'ts. If you want to feel like a queen-or king-for a day, head to Top It Off, where some of the Gulfshore's best-known coifs are cultivated.

Best Spa

Tie: EuroSpa (Naples); Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa (Fort Myers)

Finalists: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort (Naples); Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples)

Sometimes you've got unlimited time for pampering and sometimes you need to put your soothing on the fast track; either way, relaxation is within reach with the sophisticated, innovative beauty treatments of EuroSpa or the over-the-top indulgences of Sanibel Harbour's spacious resort spa. Visions of afar are made easy with the Balinese treatments of LaPlaya's spa, while the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club spa's citrusy facials and Old Florida atmosphere ground you firmly in the Gulfshore.

Best Place for a Green Thumb

Garden District (Naples)

Finalists: Driftwood (Estero and Naples); Scrivner's (Fort Myers)

The true hobbyist knows there is no pastime that can't benefit from the purchase of cute accessories, but this is especially true of gardening. Have we got the place for you: Naples' Garden District is serious about both its botanicals and its fetching and upscale statuary. Stump the expert? It's not likely at Driftwood or Scrivner's, where plant gurus have been fielding gardeners' questions for decades.

Best Place to Work Out

NCH Wellness Center (Naples)

Finalists: Curves (Bonita Springs,

Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Naples);

Omni (Fort Myers)

They're serious about this "get-healthy-and-live-right" thing-why else would the powers-that-be at NCH Healthcare System pour so many resources into their state-of-the-art north Naples Wellness Center, soon to be complemented by an equally impressive one near the Naples Community Hospital campus? You can go at your own pace at low-key Curves or boost barbells with the big boys and fit girls at Fort Myers' see-and-be-seen Omni.

ATTRACTIONS

Best Place to Take Kids

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (Naples)

Finalists: Imaginarium (Fort Myers); Naples Pier (Naples)

Sure, a trip to the zoo is fun, but in the words of Bill Cosby, if they're not careful, your kids might learn something before they're done. This is especially true at the nonprofit Naples Zoo, where educational and research programs have turned the once-small animal attraction into a zoological gem. A schedule of high-profile, interactive exhibits makes Fort Myers' Imaginarium exciting every time you visit, and kids never tire of the fishing, sand-combing and concessions at the Naples Pier and its surrounding beach.

Best Place to Take Visitors

Any beach at sunset

Finalists: Edison & Ford Winter Estates (Fort Myers); Old Naples

You can't compete with Mother Nature, so no matter what stops you've pulled out for your visitors-scoring scarce tickets or impossible reservations-they're still likely to be most awed by the colorful nightly show over the Gulf. (Just nod when they say they've seen the sunset's fabled green flash.) Already one of the country's best-loved historic attractions, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is attracting even more visitors with its revamped gardens and preservation efforts, and visitors who want to see our equivalent of the world's most exclusive shopping districts will want to stop at Naples' Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South.

Best Nature Attraction

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Sanibel)

Finalists: Anywhere in the Everglades; Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples)

We applaud the way the federally managed J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge has provided a habitat for Sanibel's native birds and mammals and preserved a rare sense of wilderness. Mainly, though, we just get excited when we see raccoons and alligators on the attraction's self-guided drive. Collier County is the western entrance to the mighty Everglades, home to elusive big cats and even scarcer blossoms. Also in Collier, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary offers the world's largest stand of bald cypress and the chance to see nesting wood storks from a well-maintained boardwalk.

Best Local Performing

Arts Group

Tie: Florida Repertory Theatre (Fort Myers); Naples Philharmonic Orchestra (Naples)

Finalists: Naples Players (Naples); SWFL Symphony Youth Orchestra

(Fort Myers)

Culture? We've got culture. The professional Florida Repertory Theatre wows audiences with a mix of popular offerings and more challenging works, and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra attracts pros of international caliber. Those performing for the love of it-and winning audiences' hearts-include the Sugden Theatre's Naples Players and the budding virtuosos of the SWFL Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Best Local Entertainer

Tie: Heather Brooks Band (Fort Myers); Kat Epple (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Cahlua & Cream (Naples); Powerhouse (Naples)

Sisters doing it for themselves: Heather Brooks is a sassy singer-songwriter, Kat Epple an Emmy-award-winning composer and flautist, but both strong, smart women deserve the accolade Best. Baby boomers regularly get their groove on to event favorites Cahlua & Cream and Powerhouse.

Best Team to Root For

Miracle (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Everblades (Estero);

FGCU Eagles (Estero)

The real Miracle would be if the baseball team of the same name were at the top of their minor-league division, but the team's many fans don't care, not when going to the games at the Twins' stadium is so much fun. Playing for keeps: hockey's fierce Everblades and FGCU's numerous sports teams, which recently had their excellence recognized with a move into NCAA's Division I.

Best Sports Tournament

ACE Classic (Naples)

Finalists: City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers); Shark Shootout (Naples)

The guys on the green have given us 20 years of pleasure, playing for charity at the annual ACE Classic; the PGA-sanctioned event finds a new Southwest Florida home next season. Golf gets fierce at Greg Norman's popular Shark Shootout, and elbows fly at the nationally recognized City of Palms teen basketball tourney.

SOCIAL SCENE

Best Black-tie Event

Hospital Ball (Naples)

Finalists: Heart Ball (Fort Myers and Naples); President's Gala (Estero)

We love surprises, so imagine our delight when one of the area's oldest black-tie events, the Hospital Ball, mixed it up by donating this year's proceeds to Hurricane Wilma recovery, garnering cheers from the attending crowd. Cardiac causes take a glamorous spin at the region's two Heart Balls, and FGCU's costumed, opulent President's Gala has

quickly become one of our top-grossing balls.

Best Festival

Tie: Edison Festival of Light

(Fort Myers); Naples Winter Wine Festival (Naples)

Finalist: River & Blues Festival

(Fort Myers)

"Let there be light," said Mr. Edison, and every year we celebrate this adopted son's achievement with a weeklong festival, culminating in a spectacular parade. The record-breaking auctions at the Naples Winter Wine Festival are made even more impressive when you hear the stories of the once-struggling children's charities that have received tens of millions of dollars from the festival's foundation. Practice your blues rhymes at the River & Blues Festival, a waterfront benefit for the region's Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Best Local Personality

William Merwin

Finalists: Bill Barnett; Porter Goss

Don't believe in the Power of One? Then consider the way the smart and affable (and did we say good-looking?) William Merwin has united an entire region around his growing Florida Gulf Coast University in his seven years here. Ace poker player and all-around-nice-guy Bill Barnett has the go-ahead for a run at a third term as Naples' mayor, and although Porter Goss has a national profile now, we treasure him for the difference he made in preserving his beloved Sanibel and Captiva. Come home when you can, Mr. Goss.

Best Place to See

Beautiful People

EnVie (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Blu and Crü (Fort Myers and Naples); Café Lurcat (Naples)

Ready for your close-up? A genetically blessed crowd congregates at EnVie, the trendiest of downtown Fort Myers' night spots. You'll find an equally photogenic group at Blu and Crü; these rhyming hot spots are said to be favorite haunts of ballplayers here for spring training. And where could Emeril Lagasse be seen when he was in Naples? Adding luster to the already picturesque Café Lurcat.

Best Thing That Could

Happen Here

A year without hurricanes

Finalists: Affordable housing; courteous and cautious drivers

It isn't the putting up and taking down of shutters that we mind so much as the psychological wear and tear that happens when a 5,000-ton gorilla churns in the Gulf. Let this be the year of no hurricanes, and in the meantime, let's be kind to one another: working together to find solutions for the region's shortage of affordable housing and taking it easy on our roadways. Go in peace.

OUR PANEL

Members of Gulfshore Life's staff and a selection of well-connected Southwest Floridians met to nominate, discuss and vote on this year's Best of the Gulfshore. Judges recused themselves from voting on any categories in which they had a conflict of interest. Meet the minds behind the list:

The director of Fort Myers' Edison Festival of Light, Brandee Bryant has made it a mission to identify the Gulfshore's great restaurants and nightspots since moving here two years ago.

Food and shopping writer Marsha Fottler has written extensively about both in the pages of Gulfshore Life. Gulfshore Life publisher Lynne Groth is the force behind the magazine's special publications, sponsored events and more. Longtime Neapolitan Sukie Honeycutt is a wine expert and one of the owners of Cuisine Management, a company with several area restaurants. Tracy Jones covers charities, parties and everything Southwest Florida as a senior editor of Gulfshore Life. Retired news anchor Jim McLaughlin is a professional photographer and a Pine Island resident. Canterbury School counselor Debra Merwin is involved in numerous charitable organizations all over the Gulfshore. Disc jockey Drew Steele is on the air-and at on-site promotions throughout the Gulfshore-for popular music station B103.9 FM.