BEST OF
Lake Oswego and West Linn
“Voted Best Realtor® ~ Two Years in a Row”
Yvonne her week. ideal after and discerned the tradeoffs we would be to very wellour followLinn “
Yvonne Blewett
Licensed Broker in the State of Oregon / CPA
Luxury is an experience, not a price point.
By Lake Oswego Review & West Linn Tidings Readers of my
Every moment has been a milestone, from the growth of my business to the cherished friendships forged while helping others buy and sell real estate. I am so grateful for your continued support.
What Yvonne’s clients are saying...
As out-of-state buyers, Yvonne turned out to be the ideal real estate agent for us. She has a deep understanding of the local market. She quickly focused on what we were after and discerned the tradeoffs we would be willing to make in a property purchase. Her fiscal skills are very strong and helpful in any property purchase. She is wellconnected and was able to get definitive answers to our questions quickly. Her attention to detail and her followthrough are both excellent. She is easy to contact, responds rapidly, and is a strong communicator.
“ “ “
Yvonne Blewett makes things happen! She is fierce in her approach and makes her clients her number 1 focus. Yvonne follows through and follows up every time! Thanks to Yvonne we are moving into our forever home this week.
celebrates Lake Oswego and West Linn businesses! ‘BEST OF’
The votes are in.
favorite businesses.
Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings readers cast almost 26,000 votes for their favorite businesses in our ‘Best
of’
contest
How did your favorite do?
Just like last year, when we reintroduced our “Best Of” section for the first time in 20 years, our readers responded above and beyond for the 2025 edition.
Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings readers made more than 11,000 nominations (almost twice as many as 2024) and cast more than 26,000 votes for their favorite businesses.
If you’ve lived in Lake Oswego or West Linn for any length of time, chances are good that you have your own a list of your
We hope our “Best of Lake Oswego & West Linn” will help you add a few more local businesses to your list.
As voted by our readers, you’ll find their local favorites in the following pages. We expect many to be familiar, but we hope you’ll also find a few surprises here. We sure did.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
excuses to get out of the house and discover some amazing local businesses in your own backyard.
As a local business ourselves, we are fierce advocates for shopping locally. And with the winter doldrums in full force, we hope we’ve offered a few more
And even though we have listed winners as gold, silver, bronze and honorable mention, the reality is that all these local businesses are winners and deserve your patronage.
Please help us create a stronger Lake Oswego and West Linn by shopping locally and supporting the businesses that help to make our community special.
J. Brian Monihan
The VOTES are in
How did your favorite do?
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
BEST ART STUDIO GALLERY
■Arts Council of Lake Oswego — Gold
■Lawrence Gallery — Silver
■The Perfect Piece Gallery and Gift Shop — Bronze
BEST FESTIVAL or ANNUAL EVENT
■Wednesdays In Willamette Summer Street Market — Gold
■Festival of the Arts— Silver
■Arts Council of Lake Oswego Gallery Without Walls — Bronze
■Lake Oswego Wine Walk — Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce — Honorable mention
BEST LIVE MUSIC or PERFORMANCE VENUE
■Ale and Cider House — Gold
■Willamette Garage — Silver
■Summer of Music Series at Foothills Park — Bronze
■Lakewood Theatre Company — Bronze
■Driftwood Taphouse Co. — Honorable mention
Best Festival or Annual Event
What are West Linn residents doing on Wednesdays every summer? Heading to the Willamette Summer Street Market. For the second year in a row, the Wednesdays in Willamette Summer Street Market has earned gold for Best Festival/Annual Event. The street market also earned first place for Best Place to Bring Out-OfTowners and Great for the Whole Family. Vendors from last year’s markets include Blind Coffee Roasters, Cascade Winds Creations, the city of West Linn, Fulton Family Farms, Lazy River soap and Girl Scouts of Oregon and Washington.
Other annual local festivals and events that readers love are the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, the Gallery without Walls hosted by the Arts Council of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego Wine Walk. Continued on page 8
TuesdaysandThursdays4 pm to 8pmSaturdays12pmto5 pm Sundays12pmto5:30 pm Open toAll,21yearsandolder
• ThursdayNightDinner from4pmto8pm.(Dinner ReservationsRecommended) DinnerspreparedbyChef Tucker.TrainedinParisatLe CordonBlue.
• Lookingforavenueforyour corporateorprivateevent? Our3,500squarefoot secludedvineyardwelcomes youwithmultipleoptions foreverythingfromintimate gatheringstomulti-dayteam meetings,toafull-service sit-downdinner.Thereare countlessopportunitiesand optionstoutilizeboththe indoorandoutdoorspacesat thevineyard.
COMMUNITY
BEST EVENT CENTER
■IRONLIGHT — Gold
■Twill Cellars — Silver
■Ale & Cider House — Bronze
■Willamette Garage — Honorable mention
■Oswego Hills Winery — Honorable mention
BEST LOCAL CAUSE
■West Linn Food Pantry — Gold
■Hunger Fighters Oregon — Silver
■Lake Oswego Meals on Wheels
— Bronze
■Lake Oswego Village Flower Baskets — Honorable mention Continued on page 10
Best Local Cause
Readers of the West Linn Tidings and Lake Oswego Review honored the West Linn Food Pantry as the community’s best local cause in this year’s “Best of” competition for the second year in a row. The pantry serves residents of West Linn and Lake Oswego, but won’t turn away out-of-towners in need. Over the past several years demand at the pantry has steadily increased. The number of families the pantry served has grown by more than a hundred every year since 2019, when it served 1,045 families in need. In 2024, the pantry served 2,453 families, consisting of 4,597 adults and 2,055 kids. Additionally, the pantry provided holiday boxes to 109 families with holiday food and gifts for 130 kids. The pantry has helped feed the community since 2007.
AtPAWSITIVITYwe’remorethanjustapet store we’re petparentsjustlikeyou.That’s whywepersonallytesteveryproductbefore ithitsourshelves,ensuringit’ssafe,effective, andfreefromtrendsorgimmicks.Weare ateamofpassionateexpertswhotakethe guessworkoutofwhat’sbestforyourpet.
Inadditiontoourcarefullycuratedselection oftrustedpetessentials,weofferself-wash stations,inhomepetsitting,certifieddog training,andprofessionalgroomingtomake caringforyourpeteasierthanever.Whether you’relookingforthebestproductsor hands-onservices,we’reheretohelpyou giveyourpetthebestlifepossible.
Weareproudtoofferfreehomedeliveryfor WestLinn,LakeOswegoandOregoncity.
COMMUNITY
(continued)
BEST LOCAL HERO or COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
■Brianne Whitney, Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego — Gold
■Robin May, World HeARTs Fair Trade — Silver
■Jamie Cochran, First Nurses
— Bronze
■Lynn Brokaw, Lake Oswego Meals on Wheels — Honorable mention
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP
■Community of Faith Church
— Gold
■Our Lady of the Lake Parish
— Silver
■Christ Church Episcopal Parish — Bronze
■River West Church — Honorable mention
■Lake Grove Presbyterian Church — Honorable mention
BEST PLACE TO WORK
■Maxem Health Urgent Care
— Gold
■World HeARTs Fair Trade — Silver
■First Nurses — Bronze
■Mary’s Woods — Honorable mention
■The UPS Store — Honorable mention
BEST PRESCHOOL
■Lily Pond Pre School — Gold
■Pipster Prep Lake Oswego — Silver
■South Shore Preschool — Bronze
Continued on page 12
Best Local Hero or
Community Volunteer
Readers voted Brianne Whitney, owner of Maxem Health Urgent Care in Lake Oswego, as their local hero. Originally from San Francisco, Whitney moved to Oregon to open her clinic in spring of 2022 and has since opened another clinic in Milwaukie and worked to open a third in the Clackamas area.
Whitney described the Lake Oswego community as friendly, accommodating and unique, adding that she “loves it.” She said she appreciates the community members who voted for her, and expressed gratitude towards them.
“I just want to live up to (the title),” Whitney said, adding this mindset extends to her staff as well. She said she wants to help her staff grow, and “move forward with what they want to do for their life.”
Robin May, owner of World HeARTs Fair Trade earned silver in this category and Jamie Cochran with First Nurses primary care clinic in Lake Oswego took bronze. Lynn Brokaw, board member for Lake Oswego Meals on Wheels, is an honorable mention.
Whitney’s Lake Oswego clinic also won reader votes for best place to work, and, for the second year in a row, best medical clinic.
COMMUNITY
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
■Our Lady of the Lake School — Gold
■International Leadership Academy
— Silver
■Park Academy — Bronze
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
■West Linn High School — Gold
■Lake Oswego High School — Silver
■Willamette Primary School — Bronze
■Lakeridge High School — Honorable mention
FOOD & DRINK
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
■The Essence of China — Gold
■Aji Tram — Silver
■Dang’s Thai Kitchen — Bronze
■Adisaya Thai — Bronze
■Hunan Pearl — Honorable mention
BEST BAKERY
■Market of Choice West Linn — Gold
■St. Honoré Boulangerie — Silver
■La Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie — Bronze
■Kyra’s Bake Shop — Honorable mention
■Too Sweet Cakes — Honorable mention
Continued on page 14
Best Bar/Pub
Nineteen33 Taproom, a chic yet cozy pub in West Linn’s Historic Willamette District, was honored as this year’s best bar/pub in West Linn and Lake Oswego. The bar boasts 34 craft beers and ciders from local breweries on tap plus more premium brews offered in a bottle or can. Nineteen33 also offers wow-worthy cocktails like the honey lavender lemon drop and a half dozen other special seasonal libations. Though honored as a bar in these awards, the food at the pub is not to be underestimated. Nineteen33 took home gold for Best Take Out or Food to Go this year, along with silver for Best Hamburger. The pork belly fries and caramelized onion mac and cheese are not to be overlooked either.
FOOD & DRINK (continued)
BEST BAR or PUB
■Nineteen33 — Gold
■Lake View Taphouse — Silver
■Willamette Garage — Bronze
■Duke’s Public House — Bronze
■Driftwood Taphouse Co.— Honorable mention
BEST BEER SELECTION
■Ale & Cider House — Gold
■Lake View Taphouse — Silver
■Hop N Cork — Bronze
■Nineteen33 — Bronze
■Breakside Brewery — Honorable mention
BEST OUTDOOR PATIO
■Willamette Garage — Gold
■Mann’s on the Lake — Silver
■Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace
— Bronze
■Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar — Honorable mention
■Pizzeria sul Lago — Honorable mention
Best Happy Hour
Over 20 years later, Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar continues to be one of the key restaurants that keeps people coming back to downtown Lake Oswego. Readers named the restaurant in Lake View Village the top happy hour spot in the area.
The restaurant offers Pacific Northwest dishes, shuffles its menu based on the season and is open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and dessert. It also has a rooftop patio overlooking Oswego Lake.
“Our guests have become much more aware of the Pacific Northwest’s amazing offerings in local produce from high-caliber farms, diverse seafood offerings and exceptional ranchers. And we continue to keep current with those offerings and with the variety presented by the seasons,” Five Spice LLC CEO Jeff Skeele said in 2023.
Jefe earned the silver award while Holy Taco and Tucci Restaurant received bronze. Drifthouse Taphouse Co. garnered an honorable mention. Continued on page 16
FOOD & DRINK
BEST PLACE FOR A DATE
■Avanti Restaurant & Bar — Gold
■Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar
— Silver
■Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace — Bronze
■Tucci Restaurant — Bronze
■Baird’s on B — Honorable Mention
BEST
TAKE
OUT
or FOOD TO GO
■Nineteen33 — Gold
■Dang’s Thai Kitchen — Silver
■Chuckie Pies — Bronze
■Pizzeria Sul Lago — Bronze
■Adisaya Thai — Honorable mention
BEST BREAKFAST
■West Linn Saloon — Gold
■Babica Hen Café — Silver
■La Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie — Silver
■Lake View Taphouse — Bronze
■Lola’s Cafe Bar — Bronze
BEST CATERING
■Momo Sushi & Grill — Gold
■Elephants Lake Oswego — Silver
■Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace — Bronze
■Taqueria la Marquesa — Honorable mention
BEST COFFEE SHOP
■Willamette Coffee House — Gold
■Morse Coffee Company — Silver
■Ovation Coffee & Tea — Bronze
■St. Honoré Bakery Lake Oswego
— Honorable mention
Continued on page 18
Best Place for a Date
In addition to its gold placement in the Best Italian Restaurant category, Avanti also took home the top honors as the best place for a date. The West Linn restaurant is upscale yet cozy, making it the perfect spot for a romantic night out. The impressive menu offering fresh well-made dinners like smoked pork chops, grilled salmon and herbcrusted mahi mahi will surely wow any date.
Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar, Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace, Tucci Restaurant and Baird’s on B were also honored in the “best place for a date” category.
Best Italian Restaurant
Residents of West Linn and Lake Oswego honored Avanti Restaurant and Bar as this year’s best Italian restaurant. Owners Mark Carruth and Jeannie Schnieder opened the restaurant in West Linn’s Willamette area in 2022 after closing the Tualatin location in 2020. Their aim was to bring great-tasting fresh quality food to the city. They’ve done that with a menu offering Australian lamb rack with goat cheese, potato gratin and grilled broccolini, sauteed prawns and capellini with pine nuts, green onions and chili flakes in a white wine sauce and pan roasted chicken breast served on a bed of truffle risotto with cipollini onions, spinach, demi glace and grilled broccolini. A robust cocktail menu and wine selection complete the dining experience.
FOOD & DRINK
(continued)
BEST DESSERT
■Salt & Straw — Gold
■Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar — Silver
■Kyra’s Bake Shop — Bronze
■Too Sweets Cakes — Honorable mention
■Creperie Le Bon Temps — Honorable mention
BEST FOOD TRUCK
■The Electric Slider Company
— Gold
■The Chop Spot — Silver
■Chop Chop- Willamette Garage — Bronze
■Street Heat Food Cart — Honorable mention
BEST HAMBURGER
■The Electric Slider Company
— Gold
■Nineteen33 — Silver
■Lake View Taphouse — Bronze
■Killer Burger — Bronze
■Duke’s Public House — Honorable mention
BEST HAPPY HOUR
■Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar — Gold
■Jefe | Mexican Restaurant
— Silver
■Holy Taco — Bronze
■Tucci Restaurant — Bronze
■Drifthouse Taphouse Co. — Honorable mention
READERS LOVE:
Willamette Ale & Cider House
Music, craft beer, cider, and tacos? Who could ask for more? West Linn’s Ale & Cider House has been serving great food and drinks to the Willamette community since 2018. Readers awarded the Ale & Cider House gold for Best Live Music or Performance Venue along with Best Event or Meeting Place.
Ale & Cider House is also the home of Queen Orchard hard cider and apple wine, made on the premises from apples grown right in West Linn. While the building may be more than a century old, ACH underwent modern renovations in 2018. ACH continues to be a community hub for music, with a weekly Thursday open mic, vinyl music night and more.
Ale & Cider House’s event venue spans 16,500 square feet and includes its cider hall and beer garden which features multiple bars, stages and a real koi pond. In the pub, event attendees can browse the market and wine store, while inside the cidery they can observe the careful process that created their drinks.
Other recognized local music and performance venues include Willamette Garage, the Summer of Music series at Foothills Park, Lakewood Theatre Company and Driftwood Taphouse. For the Best Event or Meeting Place category, Ironlight took silver and Lakewood Center for the Arts earned bronze. Continued on page 20
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
■Avanti Restaurant & Bar — Gold
■Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace — Silver
■Riccardo’s Ristorante — Bronze
■Pizzeria Sul Lago — Honorable mention
■Tucci Restaurant — Honorable mention
BEST KID FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
■Lil’ Cooperstown Bar & Grill
— Gold
■The Electric Slider Company
— Silver
■Pizzeria sul Lago — Bronze
Continued on page 22
Best Pizza
Two staples of Lake Oswego tied for gold this year in the Best Pizza category: Pizzeria Sur Lago and Deno’s Pizzeria
Located in the Lake View Village development in downtown Lake Oswego, Pizzeria Sur Lago is known for making Napolitan-style pizza with its wood-fired oven including the tried-and-true Margharita pizza as well as more novel offerings like a sweet and spicy kale pizza and the pineapple express. Pizzeria Sur Lago also purchases its ingredients from local growers and updates its menu depending on the season.
Deno’s, meanwhile, has been a favorite of the Lake Grove area since it opened in the 1980s — and it has been locally owned by the Valentine family since 1997. The menu features all of the traditional favorites, along with speciality pies like the Spicy Thai — featuring house-made peanut sauce — and the Pomodoro, a cheeseless pizza featuring olive oil base, sun dried tomato, diced zucchini, artichoke hearts, sliced onion and oregano, topped with tomatoes and basil.
Chuckie Pies and Bellagios Pizza tied for silver in this category, while Oven & Shaker took bronze.
FOOD & DRINK
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
■La Fiesta Mexican Kitchen — Gold
■Holy Taco — Silver
■Jefe | Mexican Restaurant — Bronze
■Casa Pequena Taqueria — Honorable mention
■Taqueria la Marquesa — Honorable mention
BEST PIZZA
■Pizzeria sul Lago — Gold
■Deno’s Pizzeria — Gold
■Chuckie Pies — Silver
■Bellagios Pizza — Silver
■Oven & Shaker — Bronze
BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
■West Linn Saloon — Gold
■La Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie — Silver
■Babica Hen Café — Silver
■Lake View Taphouse — Bronze
BEST SUSHI
■Sushi Kuni & Izakaya West Linn — Gold
■Momo Sushi & Grill — Silver
■Sushi Bomb — Silver
■Bamboo Sushi — Bronze
■Tada Sushi Studio — Honorable mention
BEST STAFF, BARISTA or BARTENDER
■Izzy, Willamette Ale & Cider House
— Gold
■Blake Hughes, Five Spice Seafood + Wine Bar — Silver
■Tierney, Chuckie Pies — Bronze
■Jeff DeLine, Lake View Taphouse — Bronze
Best Breakfast
The West Linn Saloon only began serving breakfast last May, but a few months was all the time needed for the bar to establish itself as the best breakfast spot in West Linn and Lake Oswego. The kitchen serves up warm buttery biscuits that rival what you’d find in the south. Deliciously smooth house-made lemon curd is a fabulous addition to the fluffy pancakes or Belgian waffles. Don’t forget kids are welcome for breakfast and are sure to love the handmade cinnamon rolls with gooey cream cheese frosting. In addition to the incredible food, the old west atmosphere and friendly staff make for a great all around experience.
Lake Oswego’s Babica Hen Cafe, La Provence, Lake View Taphouse and Lola’s Cafe were also honored in the best breakfast competition.
Continued on page 24
NIKKI MEYERINK OF SELECT LENDING SERVICES
VOTED BEST OF LAKE OSWEGO
BY LAKE OSWEGO REVIEW & WEST LINN TIDINGS READERS
I’m incredibly grateful to be recognized as one of the best mortgage lenders in Lake Oswego and West Linn! A huge thank you to this amazing community for your trust and support—it truly means the world to me. Helping individuals and families achieve their homeownership dreams is my passion, and I’m honored to be a part of your journey. I look forward to continuing to serve you with dedication and expertise. Thank you for your votes and for making this such a wonderful place to work and live!
Suzanne B.
As an experienced homebuyer, working with Nikki Meyerink at Select Lending was a game-changer. Nikki had extensive knowledge of the lending market and Select Lending’s current programs helped us get the best rate available.
She was always available to answer our questions and provided valuable insights to help us navigate the process. She was dedicated to keeping us informed and made it all seamless. I would recommend Select Lending to anyone.
Craig A.
Nikki did an outstanding job helping us with our mortgage on the purchase of our new home extremely knowledgeable and skilled with all aspects of the mortgage process, and always kept us updated on any rate fluctuations in the market to make sure we got the best possible loan.
She was wonderful to work with and always helpful. I would very highly recommend Nikki at Select Lending Services to anyone looking for a home loan!!
BEST WINERY or TASTING ROOM
■Tumwater Vineyard — Gold
■Willamette Valley Vineyards Lake Oswego — Silver
■Domaine Serene Wine Lounge Lake Oswego — Bronze
■Oswego Hills Vineyards — Bronze
■Cougar Crest Estate Winery Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
HEALTH & FITNESS
BEST ACCUPUNCTURE
■Maximum Health Clinic LLC — Gold
■Tres Chic Lake Oswego — Silver
■Therapeutic Associates Lake Oswego Physical Therapy — Bronze
BEST AESTHETIC MEDICINE
■Meraki Medical Aesthetics — Gold
■SkinSpirit Lake Oswego — Silver
■West Linn Aesthetics — Bronze
■Lumé Med Spa — Honorable mention
■Quenby’s Aesthetics & Wellness
— Honorable mention Continued on page 26
Best Winery or Tasting Room
On the picturesque hills of Pete’s Mountain, community members can find the elegant and inviting tasting room and great wines of Tumwater Vineyard. The vineyard, which was voted the best winery or tasting room in West Linn and Lake Oswego this year, boasts 45 acres of grape vines, most of which are devoted to pinot noir and chardonnay. The friendly staff of the winery, plus the award-winning wines make for a lovely experience.
Lake Oswego’s Willamette Valley Vineyards, Domaine Serene Wine Lounge, Oswego Hills Vineyard and Cougar Crest Estate Winery were also honored in this year’s competition.
HEALTH & FITNESS (continued)
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
■Maximum Health Clinic LLC — Gold
■MacLeod 9 Chiropractic, Dr. Trevor MacLeod — Silver
■Lake Oswego Chiropractor, Dr. Tony Coats — Silver
■100% Chiropractic Lake Oswego — Bronze
BEST DENTIST
■Charles Branen, DMD, Lake Grove Dental — Gold
■Dr. Fadi Ibsies, Smile Linn Dental — Silver
■Michael Criscione, D.M.D., Criscione Family Dental — Bronze
BEST GYM or FITNESS CLUB
■Pure Barre — Gold
■Trainer’s Club — Silver
■Epic Fitness — Bronze
■PEAK Personal Training, LLC — Bronze
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
■Ricochet Body Solutions, Rachel Climer — Gold
■Cloud Nine Massage — Silver
■Tanya Prado, Trainer’s Club — Bronze
■Ulyana Massage Therapy — Bronze
BEST MEDICAL CLINIC
■Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego — Gold
■First Nurses — Silver
■Legacy Medical Group-Lake Oswego, a department of Legacy
Meridian Park Medical Center — Bronze
Continued on page 28
READERS LOVE:
Maxem Health Urgent Care
Readers picked Maxem Health Urgent Care in Lake Oswego as their favorite place to work. The clinic has over 13 locations across four states, with services ranging from X-rays to treatment for a sore throat. World HeARTs Fair Trade earned silver in this category, with First Nurses garnering bronze. Mary’s Woods and the UPS Store were honorable mentions. Maxem owner Brianne Whitney was voted Local Hero by readers, and the clinic was also readers’ pick for Best Medical Clinic.
Nicoletta’s Table & Marketplace Wins Multiple “Best of” Awards! This recognition celebrates our commitment to authentic Italian cuisine, warm hospitality, and community connection. We are grateful to our loyal customers and dedicated team who make every meal at Nicoletta’s Table special. Join us as we continue to bring the flavors of Italy to your table! Visit us in Lake Oswego or explore our catering and marketplace offerings. Grazie mille! www.nicolettastable.com We are thrilled to announce that Nicoletta’s Table & Marketplace has been recognized in multiple categories in this year’s Best Of awards! Thanks to our incredible community, we earned: Food & Drink: Italian Restaurant - Silver, Best Outdoor Patio – Bronze, Best Place for a Date – Bronze, Caterer – Silver Best of the Year: Business Person of the Year – Shari Newman (Honorable Mention) www.nicolettastable.com We are
We are honored to be able to serve you and look forward to continuing to bring a touch of Italy to your table. Grazie mille!
& FITNESS
BEST ORTHODONTIST
■Delplanche Orthodontics — Gold
■Ainslie Orthodontics, Doug Ainslie, DMD, MS — Silver
■The Dischinger & Sessions Team Orthodontics — Bronze
■Klein Douglas J DDS, Klein Orthodontics — Bronze
■Dr. Kari Borgan, Orthodontic Specialists of Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
■Trainer’s Club — Gold
■Leno Pugh, Mountain Park Racque & Fitness — Silver
■North Lake Physical Therapy — Bronze
Continued on page 30
READERS LOVE: Meraki Medical Aesthetics
Readers loved Meraki Medical Aesthetics, choosing the Lake Oswego business as Best Day Spa. Run by registered nurses Megan Stitch and Nicole Barber, the business offers a range of services including microneedling, laser hair removal, chemical peels and more. The business also won gold for Best Aesthetic Medicine. Renewal Spa & Beauty took silver and Tres Chic Lake Oswego and SkinSpirit Lake Oswego tied for bronze. Rumi Simone was an honorable mention.
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
■Bray & Associates NW LLC, formerly C S Bray Accounting LLC
— Gold
■Delap — Silver
■Hoffman, Stewart & Schmidt, P.C. — Bronze
BEST
AUTO
REPAIR
■Valvoline Instant Oil Change — Gold
■Grimm’s — Silver
■Stuttgart Autotech — Silver
■Dan’s Auto Center — Bronze
■Vic’s Auto Center — Bronze
BEST BANK or CREDIT UNION
■OnPoint Community Credit Union — Gold
■Umpqua Bank — Silver
■Pacific West Bank — Bronze
■Banner Bank — Bronze
BEST BEAUTY ENHANCEMENTS
■Levo Beauty Co. — Gold
■The Lash Lounge — Silver
■Wink Lash — Bronze
Continued on page 32
Best Bank or Credit Union
The entire team at OnPoint Community Credit Union in Lake Oswego was grateful to be honored for the second year as the Best Bank or Credit Union in West Linn & Lake Oswego. You wouldn’t trust your child’s education to an organization based on the other side of the country, so why should you trust your finances? Originally founded as the Portland Teachers Credit Union, the Pacific Northwest community is intrinsic to OnPoint. OnPoint is currently offering low rates for auto loans, home loans and Visa credit cards, including offers with triple travel points and double dining points. Other recognized banks and credit unions were Umpqua Bank, Pacific West Bank and Banner Bank.
BEST CONTRACTOR
■AFFINITY HOME & DESIGN — Gold
■Icon Construction & Development LLC — Silver
■O’Neill Homes — Bronze
■Brian Schmidt Builder LLC — Honorable mention
■MCM Construction Inc — Honorable mention
BEST DAY SPA
■Meraki Medical Aesthetics — Gold
■Renewal Spa & Beauty — Silver
■Tres Chic Lake Oswego — Bronze
■SkinSpirit Lake Oswego — Bronze
■Rumi Simone — Honorable mention
BEST EVENT PLANNING
■EventPlus International — Gold
■Historic Willamette Main Street West Linn — Silver
■Event Team Entertainment — Bronze
■Bridal Bliss — Wedding Planners — Bronze
BEST EVENT or MEETING PLACE
■Ale & Cider House — Gold
■Ironlight — Silver
■Lakewood Center for the Arts — Bronze
BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR
■OnPoint Community Credit Union, CFP Natalie Berning — Gold
■Morgan Stanley, Bradley E. Home
— Silver
■Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Christian Garcia — Bronze
Continued on page 34
Best Tree Service
Whether you need a tree pruned, a stump ground or insects managed, readers loved ArborPro Tree Experts. The tree service has served the Portland Metro area since 1993, with certified arborists and tree risk assessors offering a wide range of services to residential clients, universities, hospitals and more. Morton Tree and Landscape Maintenance earned silver with Monkey Man Tree Service getting bronze.
BEST HAIR SALON
■ Tousled Salon — Gold
■ Tres Chic Lake Oswego — Silver
■ Trent Edward Salon — Bronze
■ Annastasia Salon Lake Oswego — Bronze
■ Sit Still Kid’s Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY
■ 72 Degrees Heating and Air Conditioning — Gold
■ Thomas & Sons Heating & Cooling — Silver
■ Alchemy Plumbing — Bronze
■ Lakeside Heating & Cooling — Bronze Continued on page 36
Best Heating and Air Conditioning Company
For the second straight year, 72 Degrees Heating and Air Conditioning took gold in this category. The family-owned business has eight locations in the Portland area, including Lake Oswego and West Linn, and offers same-day repairs for heating or air conditioning. “We are excited to create a phenomenal experience that will turn any satisfied customer into a raving fan,” reads the mission statement for the company, which was founded in 2003. Thomas & Sons Heating and Cooling took silver in this category while Alchemy Plumbing and Lakeside Heating & Cooling tied for bronze.
SERVICES (continued)
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
■Farmers Insurance, Daniel Brown — Gold
■Allstate Insurance, Robin Byrd — Gold
■Gelfand Insurance — Silver
■State Farm, Don Clarke — Bronze
BEST LANDSCAPER
■Morton Tree and Landscape Maintenance, West Linn, OR
— Gold
■Seagraves Landscape Services — Silver
■Natural Landscape and Irrigation — Bronze
BEST LAW FIRM
■Affordable Estate Planning — Gold
■Buckley Law P.C. — Silver
■Hessel Law Offices — Bronze
■Lawrence Law Firm, PC — Bronze
■Sohler Law — Bronze
BEST LIFE/EXECUTIVE/ BUSINESS COACH
■Coach to Brilliance, Heather Ramsey — Gold
■Leadership Lake Oswego, Christopher Boyer — Silver
■Iron Coaching, Pat Intraversato — Bronze
Best Insurance Agent
Two local insurance agents tied for reader’s top pick: Daniel Brown from Farmers Insurance in Lake Oswego and Robin Byrd from Allstate Insurance in West Linn.
Brown, who has been with Farmers Insurance for 34 years, moved from California to Lake Oswego with his family over three years ago and is also on the board of directors for the Lake Oswego Chamber of commerce. He expressed his appreciation to community members who voted for him.
“It’s been a tremendous community. Very welcoming,” Brown said.
Byrd has been with Allstate Insurance for 18 years, and opened the West Linn location in 2016. She shared gratitude towards the community members that voted for her.
“We’re honored,” Byrd said.
Robin Byrd from Allstate Insurance in West Linn
Daniel Brown from Farmers Insurance in Lake Oswego
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
■Kevin Hanna, Lions Capital Mortgage — Gold
■Krystal Hanna, Lions Capital Mortgage, Inc. — Silver
■Nikki Meyerink, Select Lending Services — Bronze
■John Moran, Simplify Mortgage — Honorable mention
■Grant Eggleston, Directors Mortgage — Honorable mention
BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY
■Lions Capital Mortgage, Inc.
— Gold
■OnPoint Community Credit Union — Silver
■Select Lending Services — Bronze
■Directors Mortgage — Honorable mention
■Simplify Mortgage — Honorable mention
BEST NAIL SALON
■Lace Nails — Gold
■Twin Nails Spa — Silver
■Tres Chic Lake Oswego — Bronze
BEST PET SERVICES
■Pawsitivity — Gold
■Lake Oswego Petsitting — Silver
■Funny Bone Pet Photography
— Bronze
■Lexi Dog Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
■Animal Care Group of Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
Best Youth Sports Club
The well-known youth soccer program Willamette United FC won gold in this category after earning silver in 2024. Based in West Linn, Willamette United aims to “inspire and educate our members to be strong and productive athletes, citizens, and leaders.” The club offers both competitive and recreational soccer programs, along with annual camps and a scholarship program. Taking silver in this category was the Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization, followed by Oregon Premier FC and West Linn Youth Football, TVFL in a tie for bronze.
Best Martial Arts
The Academy of Modern Martial Arts in Lake Oswego remains a top pick for readers for the second year in a row. For over 30 years the martial arts academy has offered a range of classes, including those teaching the fundamentals of fighting, self defense, Tai Chi, athletic conditioning and more.
Continued on page 40
BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY
■Waldman & James Realty Group — Gold
■Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty — Silver
■Opt Real Estate — Bronze
■Amy Emhoff- Gold Properties — Honorable mention
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
■Yvonne Blewett, Cascade Hasson Sothebys International Realty — Gold
■Lisa Hanna, Lisa Hanna Properties — Silver
■Drew Coleman, Opt Real Estate — Bronze
Continued on page 42
Best Real Estate Company
The Lake Oswego-based Waldman & James Realty Group took gold in this category. Led by Pam Waldman and Lara James, the company writes that “Our approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the ever-evolving market, ensuring seamless and confident transitions.” Taking silver in this category was Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, followed by Opt Real Estate with bronze and an honorable mention for Amy Emhoff-Gold Properties.
BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
■The Stafford Retirement Community
— Gold
■Mary’s Woods — Silver
■Tanner Spring Assisted Living & Memory Care — Bronze
■Rose Linn Care Center & Rose Linn Vintage Place — Honorable mention
■The Springs at Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
■Greenridge Estates Assisted Living
— Honorable mention
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
■Travel & Cruise Desk — Gold
■Global Travel Masters — Silver
■AAA Lake Oswego Service Center — Bronze
BEST TREE SERVICE
■ArborPro Tree Experts — Gold
■Morton Tree and Landscape Maintenance, West Linn, OR — Silver
■Monkey Man Tree Service — Bronze
BEST TUTORING
■Forge Education — Gold
■Sylvan Learning of West Linn — Silver
■Kumon Math and Reading Center of LAKE GROVE — Bronze
BEST VETERINARIAN
■Banfield Pet Hospital — Gold
■Oswego Veterinary Hospital — Silver
■Animal Care Group of Lake Oswego
— Bronze
■Compass Veterinary Clinic — Honorable mention
■VCA West Linn Animal Hospital — Honorable mention
Best Real Estate Agent
With her real estate agents often busy, Yvonne Blewett did much of the research herself when purchasing investment properties decades ago. So she thought — why not become an agent herself?
Blewett has since achieved success in the industry, including as part of Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty, and was voted as the top agent in the area.
Blewett said she has a detail-oriented approach and a commitment to communication and finds great reward in telling a buyer their offer has been accepted or a seller that the deal is finalized.
“The Lake Oswego real estate market continues to evolve, and I remain dedicated to guiding my clients with expertise, integrity and an unwavering commitment to their success. Whether buying or selling, I am here to provide an unparalleled experience — because the service defines the true luxury and care you receive, not just the price tag on a home, Blewett said.
Lisa Hanna with Lisa Hanna Properties earned silver and Drew Coleman with Opt Real Estate received bronze in this category.
Continued on page 44
Thank you for naming us as
Thank you to the readers of West Linn Tidings and Lake Oswego Review for naming OnPoint’s Kruse Meadows branch as the Best Bank/ Credit Union within your community. This award demonstrates our commitment to serving you with the financial tools and resources to thrive. Thank you for trusting us and we look forward to working with you.
KRUSE MEADOWS
SHOPPING
BEST BOUTIQUE STORE
■World HeARTs Fair Trade — Gold
■Mapel Boutique — Silver
■pig’ments: a unique boutique
— Bronze
■Grapevine — Honorable mention
BEST CLOTHING or FASHION STORE
■The House of Rose (THOR) — Gold
■Mapel Boutique — Silver
■Adorn — Bronze
■Grapevine — Bronze
■Golden — Honorable mention
■pig’ments: a unique boutique
— Honorable mention
Continued on page 46
Best Clothing or Fashion Store
The House of Rose — which was inspired by owner Tony Iyke’s mother — is readers’ favorite fashion or clothing store in the area.
The store sells suits and jackets for men and women, other clothing, duffle bags, briefcases and accessories and opened in Lake Oswego at 55 S. State Street in 2022 after previously residing in Bridgeport Village and Oregon City.
Iyke told the Review in 2022 that the store can tailor designs and fabrics based on a customer’s vision. “If I put together something, I don’t want to repeat that again,” he said then. “You are the only person who owns that. That’s how I like to shop for myself or dress for myself.”
After The House of Rose, Mapel Boutique received silver while Adorn and Grapevine earned bronze. Golden and pig’ments: a unique boutique received honorable mentions.
SHOPPING
(continued)
BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE
■Consigning Women — Gold
■Oswego Trading Company — Silver
■Re-Runs at Lakewood Center for the Arts — Bronze
■Simply Posh & Posh Jewelers — Bronze
BEST FLORIST
■Morrow’s Flowers — Gold
■Zupan’s Markets, Floral Department — Silver
■R Bloom’s of Lake Oswego — Silver
■New Seasons Market, Floral Department — Bronze
■Lake O. Floral— Bronze
BEST GARDEN STORE or NURSERY
■Bosky Dell Natives — Gold
■Morrow’s Flowers — Silver
■Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Center — Bronze
■Stafford Ridge Nursery — Honorable mention
BEST GIFT STORE
■World HeARTs Fair Trade — Gold
■Lucky Me — Silver
■Wyatt Moon Mercantile — Bronze
■Backyard Bird Shop — Honorable mention
■Glow Gifts — Honorable mention
BEST GROCERY STORE
■Market of Choice West Linn — Gold
■Zupan’s Markets — Silver
■New Seasons Market — Bronze
Continued on page 48
Best Gifl Store
World HeARTs Fair Trade Boutique co-founder Robin May wanted to open a store that brought the treasures discovered while traveling around the world to West Linn.
Fair Trade allows local artisans and craftspeople around the world to be paid for their work bought in the United States. World HeARTs provides a small story sheet with each item offered in the shop, bringing the story of a couple from Ecuador who make balsa crayons, or Sindyanna of Galilee, a female-run organization that sells olive oil and other products while providing employment and education to Arab and Israeli women in a rate model of collaboration and co-existence. In 2024 the boutique expanded their offerings of food and kids clothing from fair trade makers. The boutique also received silver for Best Customer Service of the Year and an honorable mention for Business of the Year.
Other gift store honorees were Lucky Me and Wyatt Moon Mercantile.
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SHOPPING
(continued)
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS STORE
■City Home — Gold
■Wishbone Home & Design — Silver
■KEY Home Furnishings — Bronze
■Globe Lighting — Bronze
BEST JEWELRY STORE
■Young’s Jewelers — Gold
■Dyke Vandenburgh Jewelers — Silver
■Surefire Fine Jewelry — Bronze
■Lake Oswego Jewelers — Honorable mention
■Lindsey Jewelers — Honorable mention
BEST LIQUOR or WINE
STORE
■West Linn Liquor Store
— Gold
■Wizer’s Fine Wines — Silver
■Lake Grove Liquor — Bronze
■Lecker Liquor Lake Oswego — Honorable mention
■Beso Bar & Bottle — Honorable mention
BEST SHOPPING CENTER
■Willamette Marketplace
— 2020 8th Avenue, West Linn — Gold
■Lake View Village — Silver
■Oswego Village — Silver
■Kruse Village — Bronze
Continued on page 50
Best Travel Agency
Travel & Cruise Desk was named the best travel agent/travel agency in the area.
The company helps customers plan the perfect luxury trip and can help clients find the right cruise ship, tour operator, hotel and more.
“We are incredibly honored to be named Travel Agency of the Year (for Lake Oswego and West Linn by the Lake Oswego Review), especially during our 60th year in business. This recognition, along with the Dee Denton Business of the Year award, is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our talented team of certified travel advisors,” owner Jamie Anderson said. “We also owe this success to the generations who came before us, laying the foundation for the legacy we continue today. Their vision inspires us to create meaningful travel experiences that deepen connections and enrich lives, all while remaining deeply committed to our community.”
Global Travel Masters earned silver and AAA Lake Oswego Service Center received bronze in this category.
THINGS TO DO
BEST ADULT CLASSES
■West Linn Adult Community Center — Gold
■Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation — Silver
■Academy of Modern Martial Arts — Bronze
■Trainers Club — Honorable mention
BEST PLACE TO BRING OUT-OFTOWNERS
■Wednesdays In Willamette Summer Street Market — Gold
■Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market — Silver
■George Rogers Park — Bronze
■Cougar Crest Estate Winery — Honorable mention
■Willamette Garages — Honorable mention
BEST COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION or SERVICE CLUB
■Historic Willamette Main Street — West Linn — Gold
■Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce — Silver
■West Linn Lions Club — Bronze
■Hunger Fighters Oregon — Honorable mention
GREAT FOR
THE WHOLE FAMILY
■Wednesdays In Willamette Summer Street Market — Gold
■Summer Concerts — City of Lake Oswego
— Silver
■Lakewood Center for the Arts/Lakewood Theatre Company — Bronze
■Willamette Garages — Honorable mention
BEST HOTEL
■Lakeshore Inn — Gold
■Hilton Garden Inn Portland/Lake Oswego — Silver
■Best Western Lake Oswego/Portland Hotel & Suites — Bronze
Continued on page 52
Best Customer Service
Located in the very heart of Lake Oswego, Lions Capital Mortgage has won Best Customer Service for the second year in a row. Buying and financing a home is one of the biggest decisions someone can make and Lions Capital Mortgage has consistently delivered top-notch, personable customer service since 2023. Based in Lake Oswego, they bring community know-how to buying or refinancing your mortgage loan. Other businesses recognized by readers for customer service were World HeARTs Fair Trade and Levo Beauty Company.
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THINGS TO DO
BEST LOCAL PARK
■Willamette Park — Gold
■Mary S. Young Park — Silver
■George Rogers Park — Bronze
BEST MARTIAL ARTS
■Academy of Modern Martial Arts — Gold
■West Linn Ki Aikido — Silver
■One Taekwondo Academy West Linn — Bronze
■Ketzal Martial Arts — Honorable mention
■The Black Dog Jiu-Jitsu Company — Honorable mention
BEST PLACE TO TAKE A HIKE
■Mary S. Young Park — Gold
■Camassia Nature Preserve West Linn — Silver
■Tryon Cove Park Lake Oswego — Bronze
BEST YOUTH ART ACTIVITIES
■My Little Monet — Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn — Gold
■Youth Music Project — Silver
■iSandbox Factory — Bronze
■LakeStar Art Studio — Honorable mention
■Lakewood Center for the Arts — Honorable mention
BEST YOUTH CLASSES & CAMPS
■Youth Music Project — Gold
■Tutu School Lake Oswego — Silver
■Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation — Bronze
■iSandbox Factory — Honorable mention
■LakeStar Art Studio — Honorable mention
BEST YOUTH SPORTS CLUB
■Willamette United FC — Gold
■Lake Oswego Water Polo Organization (LOWPO) — Silver
■Oregon Premier FC — Bronze
■West Linn Youth Football, TVYFL — Bronze
Continued on page 54
Business Person of the Year
Kevin Hanna has made a name for himself in his hometown of Lake Oswego. The owner of Lions Capital Mortgage was selected as the Business Person of the Year by local readers.
Hanna previously worked for Directors Mortgage before opening his new venture, Lions Capital Mortgage, about a year ago. The company helps clients purchase a mortgage for their homes through a variety of methods.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized as Business of the Year and Business Person of the Year. These awards are a testament to the hard work of our entire team, the trust of our clients, and the amazing community we serve. We’re inspired to continue raising the bar and delivering excellence in all that we do,” Hanna said. After Hanna, Brianne Whitney with Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego won silver and Robin May with World HeARTs Fair Trade earned bronze. Jamie Cochran with First Nurses, Jamie Anderson with Travel & Cruise Desk and Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace owner Shari Newman garnered honorable mentions.
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
■Lions Capital Mortgage, Inc. — Gold
■World HeARTs Fair Trade — Silver
■Levo Beauty Co. — Bronze
■Travel & Cruise Desk — Honorable mention
■Jamie Cochran, First Nurses — Honorable mention
■Willamette United FC — Honorable mention
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
■Lions Capital Mortgage — Gold
■Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego — Silver
■Willamette United FC — Bronze
■World HeARTs Fair Trade — Honorable mention
■First Nurses — Honorable mention
■Travel & Cruise Desk — Honorable mention
BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR
■Kevin Hanna, Lions Capital Mortgage — Gold
■Brianne Whitney, Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego — Silver
■Robin May, World HeARTs Fair Trade — Bronze
■Jamie Cochran, First Nurses — Honorable mention
■Jamie Anderson, Travel & Cruise Desk — Honorable mention
■Shari Newman, owner of Nicoletta’s Table and Marketplace
— Honorable mention
Business of the Year
After opening about a year ago in downtown Lake Oswego, Lions Capital Mortgage has already generated ample positive feeling in the community.
The company, led by Kevin Hanna, was named Business of the Year by local readers.
“At Lions Capital Mortgage, we are committed to providing personalized solutions, exceptional service, and building relationships that go beyond the transaction. Our dedication to our clients and community is at the heart of everything we do, and that’s what truly sets us apart,” Hanna said.
Lions Capital Mortgage offers help with the often complex home-buying and selling process, the purchase of investment properties, second mortgages, reverse mortgages and more. Hanna said the company commits to putting their customers first and the awards affirm that it’s making a difference in customers’ lives.
“Winning these awards is a humbling experience and a reflection of the incredible support we’ve received from our clients, community, and team. We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve, and this recognition inspires us to continue making a positive impact,” Hanna said.
Alongside Lions Capital Mortgage, Maxem Health Urgent Care Lake Oswego earned silver and Willamette United FC received bronze. World HeARTs Fair Trade, First Nurses and Travel & Cruise Desk garnered honorable mentions.
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