The people have spoken, and they've chosen Clarendon's own Northside Social and Liberty Tavern as some the best of the best in the 2012 People's Choice ABBIE Awards. 

Winners were announced Tuesday at the Arlington County Board's recessed meeting for November. Arlington Economic Development received more than 1,100 nominations for businesses in 17 "best of" categories, spokeswoman Cara O'Donnell told the board. More than 5,000 people cast ballots.

Many of the categories were hotly contested, O'Donnell said.

One big winner was the partnership that owns the trio of Clarendon eateries that includes Northside Social, Liberty Tavern and Lyon Hall. Mark Fedorchak, on the partnership's behalf, accepted two awards for Liberty Tavern and the coveted Best Coffee award for Northside Social.

"They got that Facebook thing down, eh?" board member Jay Fisette said, referring to the way businesses were encouraged to promote the contest themselves online.

One other notable winner was Trader Joe's, a newcomer to the Clarendon neighborhood that won the Best New Business award.

"That's so true," Fisette said. "Now we don't have to hear from all of our constituents: When are we going to get a Trader Joe's?"

Arlington County Board Chairwoman Mary Hynes thanked all the winners for helping make Arlington a better place.

The winners of the 2012 People's Choice ABBIE Awards: