Best of Lake Minnetonka 2011

Photo: Tate Carlson

Sunsets famous bloody Mary, perfect at the best spot for weekend brunch.

Best Weekend Brunch: Sunsets
Runner-up: Pairings Food & Wine Market
Third place: Maynard’s
Got that hollow feeling in your gut that’s begging for brunch? You’d do well to head to Sunsets. Start with a spicy Bloody Mary bedecked with a zippy pickle-pepper-olive skewer. Proceed to the made-to-order egg station, but don’t forget to stop at the waffle bar and pile on some sweet toppings. Get your greens from a lush salad bar, then graduate to lunch-ish fare like fried chicken, beef tips and Creole shrimp. Eat, refill, repeat. 700 E. Lake St., Wayzata; 952.473.5253

 Best Burger: Maynard’s
Runner-up (tie): Golden Nugget Tavern & Grille and Snuffy’s Malt Shop
Quality, quantity and options—all served on a fresh Main Street onion bun! The most popular is the Combo, groaning with mushrooms, bacon and cheese. You can crank up the health factor with the low-carb portabello burger or a turkey patty, but why would you want to? Go ahead and get the waffle fries, too! 685 Excelsior Rd., Excelsior; 952.470.1800

Best Landscaper: Outdoors Excapes
Runner-up: Creekside Landscape
Third place: Otten Bros.
“We stay in touch post-project,” says Outdoor Excapes owner Hans Frees, “and we’ll return to tweak or fix whenever necessary.” This landscaping company thrives on client loyalty and Frees’s exacting eye. With Outdoor Excapes, you’re not just another job to cross off the list—you’re a new partner! 2345 Daniels St., Long Lake; 952.926.6899

Best Secondhand Store: Clothes Mentor
Runner-up: Hope Chest for Breast Cancer
Third place: Goodwill
Want to feel good about recycling and look good in the process? Clothes Mentor carries women’s “better brand” apparel from size 0–26, including maternity wear, shoes, purses, and jewelry. Increasingly popular in these belt-tightening times, owner Chad Olson admits, “We’re one of those companies that don’t want to see the economy improve!” 14200 Wayzata Blvd., Ste. H, Minnetonka; 952.303.6673

Best New Shop: YoYo Donuts & Coffee Bar
Runner-up (tie): Avanti Shoe Boutique and Quetopia
“We’re really intentional about making sure we’re not just a donut shop,” says co-owner Chris Moquist. He and his staff show their community pride with little things like sprinkle donuts in nearby school colors or patriotic VOTE delicacies on Election Day. 5757 Sanibel Dr., Minnetonka; 952.960.1800

Best Hair Salon: Lili
Runner-up: Mask Hair Designs and Day Spa
Third place: Keiki B.
This salon’s tagline is “Lili loves you,” and apparently you love Lili back! Owner William Anderson credits the salon’s popularity to the staff’s specialization and education. Regular training jaunts to New York and Los Angeles keep creativity fresh. You can also count on enticing promotions, luxurious hair care brands and uncommonly attentive service. 5757 Sanibel Dr., Minnetonka; 952.935.5000

Best Pet Lodging: Top Dog Country Club
Runner-up: ADOGO
Third place: Auntie Ruth’s Furry Friends Away from Home
Top Dog Country Club is just that: a veritable country club, and you’ll be jealous when your pooch gets to stay there when you leave town. “It’s all about the dogs—their fun and enjoyment,” says owner Jean Buening, a veteran of Marriott hotel management. The lucky dog guests get 5–6 hours of daily group play on 24,000 sq. ft. of Astroturf, as well as a heated 44-foot in-ground doggie swimming pool. On any given day, there is one staff member for every five to eight dogs. 5120 Vega Ave., New Germany; 952.353.2600

Best Place to Walk the Dog: Luce Line Trail
Runner-up: Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
Third place: Bryant Lake Park Reserve
Treat your pup to a taste of the country living with a stroll down the Luce Line Trail. Starting in Plymouth, walk as far as your pooch’s little legs can handle and we guarantee there will still be miles of path in front of you; the trail stretches 63 miles in total. Rest assured the first 30 miles are limestone—good for both feet and paws. Trailhead near Vicksburg Ln. and 10th Ave. N., Plymouth; 651.259.5841

Best Kids Birthday Party Spot: Pump It Up
Runner-up: Minnetonka Center for the Arts
Third place: Country Club Lanes
Pump It Up has birthday parties down to a bouncy science. Each party gets the VIP treatment with private arenas to let loose and personal party rooms to celebrate in style. After jumping around on the inflatable slides, bounce houses and obstacle courses, refuel with pizza, cake and drinks all arranged by Pump It Up. Bring the kids and the presents; they’ll take care of the rest. 3500 Holly Ln. N., Ste. 65, Plymouth; 763.553.0340

Best Interior Designer: Leslie Nerenberg
Runner-up: Amalia G.
Third place: The Sitting Room
Leslie Nerenberg is affable, energetic and a darn good listener. Her philosophy—“Designing is about who my clients are, not about who I am”—has won her scores of fans. She cultivates one-on-one relationships, keeps her client base small and knows her strengths. For modern, transitional, shabby chic and more, Nerenberg’s the master of your domain. 2821 Danbury Way, Minnetonka; 952.544.4351

Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests: Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge
Runner-up: Maynard’s
Third place: Downtown Excelsior
Looking to impress visiting family, friends and dignitaries? Take them for a drink or a meal at Lord Fletcher’s. Your visitors will soon be scanning the real estate section of the newspaper as they contemplate a move to our beautiful haven! 3746 Sunset Dr., Spring Park; 952.471.8513

Best Farmer’s Market: Excelsior
Runner-up: Minnetonka
Third place: Hopkins
With everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry to gourmet cheese, it’s no surprise that the Excelsior Farmer’s Market is a community favorite year after year. “We try to focus on local, handmade and handcrafted; that’s important to people,” says Deb Hoen, who has managed the market for 17 years. Excelsior’s market runs every Thursday from May through October from 2–6 p.m. They will be setting up shop in a new location this year, but all of your seasonal favorites will still be for sale. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 Cty. Rd. 19, Excelsior

Best Pet Grooming: Shampooch
Runner-up: LuLu & Luigi
Third place: ADOGO
From the adorable name to the online rave reviews, Shampooch has got it going on. They handle every kind of dog grooming you might imagine and some you might not, like doggie nail polish! “We have the best people working here,” says co-owner and three-dog-owner Julie Hiller. 1585 Hwy. 7, Hopkins; 952.746.4777

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