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Bellevue Downtown Association announces 2011 Haute Picks

Published 12:45 pm Wednesday, May 25, 2011

FLO Japanese Restaurant was voted best place for sushi for the second year in a row.
FLO Japanese Restaurant was voted best place for sushi for the second year in a row.

The Bellevue Downtown Association announced the winners of the 2011 Haute Picks Awards Tuesday. Haute Picks honor the “people’s choice” for top offerings in downtown Bellevue that help make the community a great place to live, work and play.

Online votes and paper ballots were received February 2 to April 1 in 20 categories as part of the BDA’s ninth annual “best of downtown Bellevue” contest. This year, voters cast a record 2,722 ballots (one ballot per voter).

The “haute” in Haute Picks (the BDA’s pronunciation is “hot”) derives from the French word used to describe something fashionable and of high quality. Winners demonstrate the essence of this word, offering superior customer service, products and experiences.

2011 Haute Picks – The Best of Downtown Bellevue

  • Best Casual Business Meeting Spot

520 Bar & Grill (5th-year winner)

10146 Main St.

520barandgrill.com

Runners-up: Starbucks Coffee Company and The Parlor Collection

  • Best Place for Sushi

FLO Japanese Restaurant (2nd-year winner)

1188 106th Ave. N.E.

florestaurant.com

Runners-up: Blue C Sushi and Sushi Maru

  • Best Cocktail (Drink and Place)

“Manhattan” at LOT No. 3

Bellevue Towers – 460 106th Ave. N.E.

lotno3.com

Runners-up: “La Paloma Por Mi Amante” at Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar

and “Just a Lil Peach” at El Gaucho

  • Best Power Lunch

El Gaucho (2nd-year winner)

450 108th Ave. N.E.

elgaucho.com

Runners-up: Daniel’s Broiler and John Howie Steak

  • Best Coffee House

Starbucks Coffee Company (6th-year winner)

10 Downtown Bellevue Locations

starbucks.com

Runners-up: T’Latte, Top Pot Doughnuts and Tully’s

  • Best Retail Boutique

Derek Andrew

901 104th Ave. N.E.

derekandrew.com

Runners-up: La Ree Boutique and Newport House

  • Best Happy Hour

Pearl Bar & Dining (2nd-year winner)

Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way NE

pearlbellevue.com

Runners-up: 520 Bar & Grill and The Parlor Collection

  • Best Romantic Dinner

Daniel’s Broiler (2nd-year winner)

Bellevue Place – 10500 N.E. 8th St.

schwartzbros.com

Runners-up: Bis On Main and El Gaucho

  • Best Lunch Under $10

MOD Pizza

317 Bellevue Way N.E.

modpizza.com

Runners-up: Chipotle Mexican Grill and Jimmy John’s

  • Best Seafood Restaurant

Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar (5th-year winner)

205 108th Ave. N.E.

seastarrestaurant.com

Runners-up: Blue C Sushi and McCormick & Schmick’s

  • Best Place for a First Date

The Parlor Collection (5th-year winner)

Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way N.E.

parlorcollection.com

Runners-up: Cypress Lounge & Wine Bar and LOT No. 3

  • Best Steakhouse

John Howie Steak (2nd-year winner)

The Bravern – 11111 NE 8th St.

johnhowiesteak.com

Runners-up: Daniel’s Broiler, El Gaucho and Ruth’s Chris Steak House

  • Best Place for a Haircut

Salon Tewl (2nd-year winner)

938 110th Ave. N.E.

salontewl.com

Runners-up: 7 Salon and Gene Juarez Salons & Spas

  • Best Sweet Tooth Fix

Trophy Cupcakes (2nd-year winner)

The Bravern – 700 110th Ave. N.E.

trophycupcakes.com

Runners-up: Cupcake Royale, Oh! Chocolate and Top Pot Doughnuts

  • Best Place for a Mani/Pedi

Gene Juarez Salons & Spas (3rd-year winner)

Bellevue Galleria – 550 106th Avenue NE

genejuarez.com

Runners-up: Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and Salon Bella

  • Best Uniquely Downtown Bellevue Experience

“Snowflake Lane” (5th-year winner)

Bellevue Way N.E. and N.E. 8th Street

bellevuecollection.com

Runners-up: Bellevue Downtown Park and Ice Skating at Bellevue Downtown Park

  • Best Place for a Massage

Massage Center of Bellevue (5th-year winner)

37 103rd Ave. N.E.

massagecenters.com

Runners-up: Herban Therapies Boutique Day Spa and Matheny Chiropractic

  • Best Wine List

Purple Café and Wine Bar (2nd-year winner)

Bellevue Towers – 430 106th Avenue NE

thepurplecafe.com

Runners-up: Daniel’s Broiler and El Gaucho

  • Best Place to See and Be Seen

The Parlor Collection

Lincoln Square – 700 Bellevue Way N.E.

parlorcollection.com

Runners-up: Munchbar and Pearl Bar & Dining

  • Best Workout Spot

Bellevue Club (3rd-year winner)

11200 S.E. 6th St.

bellevueclub.com

Runners-up: David Barton Gym and Elite Fitness