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BEST OF TALLAHASSEE
editor’s excelsior! I have to be honest: I didn’t quite believe FSView & Florida Flambeau’s Best of Tallahassee was that special for a long time. I read it cover to cover when I was a freshman, but didn’t think more of it than a couple new spots to try during my four years at FSU. Even when I worked here the previous two years, I remained unconvinced. Nothing more than another assignment to write and another issue to edit. As Editor-in-Chief, my perspective has changed on a lot of things (either that or I finally grew up) (okay not really, but it sounded good). I started noticing different bars, restaurants and establishments proudly tout their wins, going back almost a decade in some cases. Like in Proof Bottling Co. and Bullwinkle’s. Like Pitaria and Atomic Coffee. And for some reason, on the store map in Governor’s Square Mall. I heard the delighted surprise from Madison Social co-owner Matt Thompson when I informed him MadSo won for Best Social Atmosphere (pg. 26) and that we wanted to feature his restaurant (pg. 32). Most of all, we noticed you, the readers. Almost 2,000 votes were cast to determine the results you’re about to read, a new record for the publication. People voted because they wanted their opinion heard and that opinion, at least to us, is important. In simpler terms, Best of Tallahassee matters because Tallahassee told us it matters. I was naïve and wrong. It’s as simple as that. Our idea of Best of Tallahassee is to showcase a wide variety of cultures unique to Tallahassee. We wanted readers to feel they understood Tallahassee’s cultural footprint for the given year, particularly the type of culture unique to and only found in Tallahassee. That’s why we tweaked the process this year to feature Tallahassee more prominently. We limited ourselves to 25 categories that each fall under a larger aspect of Tallahassee’s culture: Food,
Spirits, Establishments. Each category could only be included if it had four local choices, but the category could include more nominations should it be warranted (e.g. Pizza, Bar, Venue). Corporations and chains were virtually excluded. You’ll find no Starbucks or Subways in these pages. These are the places you love that can only be found in Tallahassee. (A quick note: There was some nuance and leniency for certain establishments like Guthrie’s and Gumby’s. Although those establishments can be found elsewhere, they are so ingrained within Tallahassee’s culture that to not include them would be erroneous. I mean, what’s a night out at Bull’s, Proof or The Strip if it doesn’t end at Guthrie’s?) We didn’t exactly agree with all your choices, though. Some places didn’t quite receive their credit we thought. So each editor was given a chance to write about a bar, restaurant or establishment they wanted featured and that you should check out. We also wanted to give you some more in-depth stories about Tallahassee culture (check pg. 4 for more on that). Overall this is a celebration of Tallahassee and its people that create wonderful food, drinks and entertainment for us to enjoy. Thanks. Brendan Bures, Editor-in-Chief
2014 heroes brendan bures as man of steel/editor-in-chief katie dolciato as the dark knight /creative director ondrej pazdirek as the mentor/managing editor of digital k. maxwell greenwood as the speedster/managing editor riley shaaber as private eye/photo editor hillary harlan as The damsel/ cartoonist setareh baig, perry kostidakis & kim hoy as sidekicks/editors carleigh walter & quin lemieux as apprentices/assistant editors Matthew paskert, robert gill & Justin Alley as investigators/photographers addison kane & David walker as task force/staff writers
FSVIEW & FLORIDA FLAMBEAU | MARCH 27, 2014
HELLO
FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS! I’m B.O.T. and I’m here to lead you on an amazing adventure through the Tallahassee Metropolis. Come explore the city’s favorite grub, concoctions and hideouts with me.