2010 ABBIES Winners Announced

It's hard to find someone in Arlington that doesn't have a well-formed and highly developed opinion on the best happy hour or dessert in the area. But not many local businesses can boast that they've been chosen as the best from the opinions of nearly 10,000 people, as the winners of the ABBIES can.

The ABBIE award winners were announced today at an Arlington County Board meeting, and the recipients in each of 15 categories were presented with a plaque by county board Chairman Jay Fissette. Arlington Economic Development, which compiles the nominees from individual suggestions and arranges the competition, hopes that the plaques will be hung up in a prominent place inside the businesses

"There's a lot of much-loved restaurants, shops and non-profits, and this is a program that aims to recognize those Arlington favorites," Karen Vasquez of the AED said.

The Arlington Economic Development committee will take out ads in local papers to announce the winners, and will generally support the businesses over the coming year in publicizing them. "We want to encourage people to patronize Arlington businesses and to shop and dine locally," Vasquez explained. 

Many of the winners this year also appeared on the 2009 list, like Whitlow's on Wilson, which hung a banner outside its doors last year boasting its three wins. This year, first-time winners include Liberty Tavern and Northside Social.

Winners in the Clarendon-Courthouse-Rosslyn corridor include Shoefly, for best boutique; Eventide, for best customer service; Clarendon Ballroom, for the best place to dance the night away; Liberty Tavern, for best happy hour; Whitlow's, for best neighborhood bar; and Northside Social, for best new business.

Nominees in the best new business category must have opened within the past 12 months. Alison Christ, general manager of Northside Social, said that the coffee house and wine bar has garnered affection from the community by "having something for everybody, like a home away from home kind of thing."

 "It's really cool, considering that 10,000 people voted, it's a legitimate thing that the community really felt like we deserved it," Christ said. 

See the full list of winners below:

Arlington's Best Boutique: ShoeFly

Arlington's Best Brunch: Carlyle

Arlington's Best Community-Based Nonprofit: AFAC

Arlington's Best Customer Service: Eventide

Arlington's Best Dessert: Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe

Arlington's Best Late Night Spot: Bob and Edith's

Arlington's Best Performing Arts Organization: Signature Theatre                                              

Arlington's Best Place to Care for Your Pet: Ballston Animal Hospital                                       

Arlington's Best Place to Dance the Night Away: Clarendon Ballroom

Arlington's Best Place to Learn Something New: Arlington Public Library

Arlington's Best Happy Hour: Liberty Tavern

Arlington's Best Neighborhood Bar:  Whitlow's on Wilson                                                          

Arlington's Best "Bargain" Restaurant: Lost Dog Café                                                                    

Arlington's Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Lost Dog Café

Arlington's Best New Business: Northside Social