42 • JUNE 2013

BEST PUBBEST BEER SELECTION

BEST PUB FOOD BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

& BEST HAPPY HOURHarp & Dragon

This Main Street establishment took home the most Best of awards in this year’s voting, a testament to its popularity since opening seven years ago. It’s no surprise the Harp is in the process of expanding its space downtown. In addition to winning best neighborhood bar and best pub, the Harp was also voted best happy hour, beer selection and pub food.

Harp & Dragon Pub

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BEST PLACE TO TAKE KIDS

Mohegan Park

ay back in February, we asked readers to pick the Best of Norwich. Through paper ballots and an online form, several hundred people weighed in on everything from the best local bar, to the best Rose City

public official, to your favorite farm stand.

We're excited about our first Best of Norwich reader’s poll, and to share with you some of the things people love most about the Rose of New England.

Here are the results, along with some randomly chosen winner spotlights.

BEST FLORISTMcKenna’s

Flower Shop

BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUEMohegan Sun

BEST FLORISTMcKenna’s

Flower Shop

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44 • JUNE 2013

FOOD

PIZZA Illianos (860) 889-6163257 W Town St, Norwichillianosgrill.net

BURGER Five Guys (860) 889-500015 Salem Turnpike, Norwichfiveguys.com

GRINDER SHOP Vocaturas (860) 887-2220695 Boswell Avenue, Norwichfacebook.com/vocaturasbakery

SANDWICH SHOP Philly’s A Taste of Philadelphia(860) 912-105733 Sherman St, Norwichphillysct.com

STEAK Prime 82 (860) 949-8893181 W Town St, Norwich

CHICKEN WINGS *wings picture on page 62!Chacers Bar and Grill(860) 859-223778 Franklin St., Norwichchacersbarandgrill.com

FRIESFive Guys (860) 889-500015 Salem Turnpike, Norwichfiveguys.com

ITALIAN Illiano’s Grill(860) 889-6163257 W Town St, Norwichillianosgrill.net

MEXICAN Mi Casa (860) 455-4646252 Main Street Norwichfacebook.com/MiCasaMexicanRestaurant

CHINESE King Wah (860) 889-2262276 W Main St # 9, Norwich

THAIGreen Papaya(860) 892-1818783 W Thames St, Norwichgreenpapaya783.com

SUSHIMahzu (860) 889-8288624 W. Main St., Norwichmahzusushinorwichct.com

SEAFOODSeafood Etc (860) 886-9377646 Boswell Ave

FAMILY Olde Tymes (860) 887-6865360 W Main St, Norwicholdetymes.com

ROMANTIC Modesto’s (860) 887-775510 Connecticut 32, North Franklinmodestosrestaurant.org

FAST FOOD Five Guys (860) 889-500015 Salem Turnpike, Norwichfiveguys.com

CASINO RESTAURANT Michael Jordan’s Steak House(860) 862-86001 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasvillemichaeljordansteakhouse.com

BREAKFAST Olde Tymes (860) 887-6865360 W Main St, Norwicholdetymes.com

DINER (TIE)Joys Country Skillet(860) 886-5082 671 W Thames St, Norwich

Charlene’s Diner(860) 376-9465 37 Main St, Jewett City

BAKERY Vocatura’s Bakery (860) 887-2220695 Boswell Avenue, Norwichfacebook.com/vocaturasbakery

PUB FOOD Harp & Dragon Pub(860) 885-0147130 Main St, Norwichmytogo.co/harp_and_dragon

Dessert FAT CAT GRILL AND BAR(860) 886-0054365 W Main St, Norwich

(860) 886-1083105 W Town St.,

Norwichfriendlys.com

BEST ICE CREAM SHOP

Friendly’s

BEST DONUTSDixie

Donuts

It’s pretty normal for the line to be out the door in the morning at Dixie Donuts – and no one seems to mind the wait. Owner Kathy Burkart can be found speeding around behind the counter, grabbing donut, bagel and mu�n orders with unwavering cheerfulness. This place attracts everyone from construction workers to kids to bankers to those regulars you �nd discussing local politics over at the corner table.

(860) 889-8992275 W Town St., Norwich

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COFFEE Dunkin’ Donuts 227 Main St., Norwichdunkindonuts.com

PUB Harp & Dragon Pub(860) 885-0147130 Main St., NorwichHNDpub.com

SPORTS BAR Chacers Bar and Grill(860) 859-223778 Franklin St., Norwichchacersbarandgrill.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Harp & Dragon Pub(860) 885-0147130 Main St., NorwichHNDpub.com

HAPPY HOUR Harp & Dragon Pub(860) 885-0147130 Main St., NorwichHNDpub.com

CASINO BAR/CLUB (TIE) Lansdowne 860.862.BREW (2739)1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasvillelansdownepubmohegansun.com

Vista Lounge 860.862.40091 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville

WINE SELECTIONTowne Liquor (860) 889-463732 Town St., Norwichtowneliquorstore.com

BEER SELECTIONHarp & Dragon Pub(860) 885-0147130 Main St., NorwichHNDpub.com

MIXED DRINKFat Cat Grill and Bar(860) 886-0054365 W Main St., Norwich

DRINK

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46 • JUNE 2013

Rte. 14 Canterbury 860.546.6541

Rte. 6, Brooklyn 860.779.9377

43 Clinton ave., Norwich 860.886.4278

Thank You

For voting us #1 Garden Center For voting us #1 Garden Center For voting us #1 Garden Center and for your continued patronage. and for your continued patronage. and for your continued patronage.

Charles “Chuck” Norris

Attorney Chuck Norris has served as a local elected o�cial since 1999, and was voted Best Public O�cial in our readers poll.

While he may be a respected o�cial in town, and a likable guy, we couldn’t help but giggle when we realized we would be printing out an award for someone named Chuck Norris.

“It’s funny, you should have seen how many campaign signs I went through,” said Norris, laughing. “People were stealing them from yards in broad daylight, while the (property) owners were outside. I kept having to get more signs made. I tried not to take it personally.”

Currently the District 29 probate judge, Norris served on the Norwich school board for 12 years. He’s a local guy, a graduate of Norwich Free Academy and the University of Connecticut. Before attending UCONN Law, Norris even did some time as a Norwich police o�cer.

He is partner at Chinigo, Leone & Maruzo, LLP, our winner for Best Law Firm.

BEST PUBLIC

OFFICIAL

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Bartender Eric Rice (Fat Cat Grill and Bar) 365 W. Main St., Norwich

Radio personalityStu Bryer of 1310 WICH

Family doctor Paul Deutsch, MD(860) 889-696786 New London Tpke, Norwichpauldeutschmd.net

Dentist Jonathan Greene, DDS(860) 889-842765 Sachem St., Norwichgreenedentalgroup.com

Hair salonAntenna (860) 886-6211190 W Town St., Norwichantennasalon.com

BEST HAIRDRESSER

Nail salon Dynasty (860) 204-905822 Town St., Norwichdynastynailsandspa.com

FloristMcKenna’s Flower Shop(860) 887-2479520 Boswell Ave., Norwich mckennasflowershop.com

Dry cleaner D&D Dry Cleaner (860) 889-796665 W Town St., Norwichdddrycleaners.com

Law �rm Chinigo, Leone, & Maruzo (860) 889-8900141 Broadway, Norwichfacebook.com/norwichlaw

Financial institution Dime Bank (860) 859-4300290 Salem Tpke, Norwichdime-bank.com

Our winner for Best Spa, the Norwich Inn o�ers world class pampering right here in Norwich. Owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the inn is a full service spa located on 42 acres. In addition to its past accolades, the spa was recently named one of the “50 Healthiest Eco Spas in America” by the online women’s magazine, Prevention.com. It was the only spa in Connecticut to be named to the list.

(860) 886-2401 607 W Thames St, Norwich thespaatnorwichinn.com

The Spa at Norwich Inn

JD Donner, Antenna

J.D. Donner opened Antenna Salon on West Town Street 21 years ago this month. A graduate of Norwich Free Academy (and Franklin Elementary School) Donner was chosen best hair stylist in our Best of Norwich readers poll. His salon - the o�cial salon of the Miss Connecticut Pageant - took the best hair salon honor.

“It’s so exciting to win,” said Donner, who travels to New York regularly to train at Redken. “Everyday I come into work and give it my best, and it’s not just about styling but about being a good business in town.”

He said the key to success for Antenna is having a crew that is constantly learning new techniques and that works well together.

“It’s very important to have a fun environment to work in,” he said. Donner hopes to join the Redken Business Compass Team, and travel to di�erent salons consulting them on best business practices.

BEST SPA

PEOPLE

SERVICES

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50 • JUNE 2013

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Mohegan Sun (888) 226-77111 Mohegan Blvd, Uncasvillemohegansun.com

LIVE THEATER Spirit of Broadway (860) 886-237824 Chestnut St, Norwichspiritofbroadway.org

NONPROFIT United Community & Family Services 860-376-704047 Town St, Norwichucfs.org

MUSEUM Slater Memorial Museum (860) 887-2506108 Crescent St., Norwich

AUTO MECHANICAustin’s Garage (860) 822-893353 Taftville-Occum Road, Norwichaustinsgarage.com

LOCAL PHARMACYCVS (860) 887-5970372 W Main St., Norwichcvs.com

CATERER Olde Tymes (860) 887-6865360 W Main St., Norwicholdetymes.com

FITNESS CENTER Summit Fitness (860) 887-35912 Wisconsin Ave, Norwichworldgymnorwich.com

YOGA STUDIO Meiklem Kiln Works/Centerspace Wellness Studio (860) 886-856246 Lebanon Road, Bozrahcenterspacewellnessstudio.com

GOLF COURSE Norwich Golf Course (860) 889-6973685 New London Turnpike, Norwichnorwichgolf.com

PLACE TO TAKE KIDS Mohegan Park (860) 823-379820 Park Center Rd., Norwich

BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Dime Bank

BEST LIVE THEATERSpirit of

Broadway

ENTERTAINMENT/PERSONAL

ETC.

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LIQUOR STORE Towne Liquor (860) 889-463732 Town St., Norwichtowneliquorstore.com

CLOTHING TJMaxx (860) 887-8874624 W Main St., Norwichtjmaxx.com

CONSIGNMENT STORE Love Me Two Times (860) 889-353515 Merchants Ave, Taftvillelovemetwotimesconsignment.com

GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY Hart’s Greenhouse and Florist(860) 886-427843 Clinton Ave, Norwichhartsgreenhouseflorist.com

FESTIVALTaste of Italy Howard T. Brown Memorial Park, Chelsea Harbor Dr., Norwich

ART GALLERY Slater Memorial Museum (860) 887-2506108 Crescent St., Norwich

RADIO STATION WCTY 97.7wcty.com

PLACE TO SEE A FILM Digiplex @ Lisbon Landing (860) 376-300062 River Road, Lisbondigiplexdest.com

SUPERMARKET Stop & Shop (860) 887-161142 Town St., Norwichstopandshop.com

BEST FARM STANDMalerba’s Farm

This family-owned dealership has been selling vehicles o� its lot in Norwich for 30 years, and has been in the area for 82. A dealer of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, Falvey’s was founded by brothers Richard and Timothy Falvey. Their sons, Rick Falvey, Jr. and Tim Falvey, Jr. now run day-today operations.

“We have a lot of previous, repeat customers,” said Bob Lusk, the general sales manager. “We try to do business the right way and take care of our customers best we can.”

(800) 559-5667395 W Thames St., Norwichfalveys.com

Falvey’s Motors

BEST AUTO DEALER

FARM STAND Malerba’s Farm(860) 887-2913634 New London Tpke, Norwichfacebook.com/malerbasfarm.norwichct

HOME/FURNITURE STORE Gorin’s Furniture(860) 887-257949 New London Tpke, Norwichgorinsfurniture.com

APPLIANCE STORE Keith’s Appliance (860) 889-2093320 W. Thames St., Norwichkeithsappliances.comSHOPPING

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