THE BEST OF 2006

The recent Winter Olympics welcomed new champion athletes into our psyches. What constitutes a gold medal, though, can oftentimes be subjective. In the figure skating and snowboard half-pipe competitions, for instance, medals were awarded based on the opinions of panels of judges. (Remember the scandal in Salt Lake City?)

Events such as speed skating, downhill skiing, or snowboard-cross, however, were indisputable — whoever had the fastest time was the best. For a readers’ poll, what merits a best-of win is simply the most number of votes, and many of you voiced your opinions. But here again, what really makes any establishment the best is its ability to attract and maintain a clientele. Packed restaurants and hair salons with two-month waits are clearly doing something right. After reading this issue, it will be interesting to see how many of you amend your list of favorites. Whether or not you change dentists or move your children to a different school, it certainly can’t hurt to keep this issue on hand — you might one day find yourself in need of an esteemed wedding planner, romantic restaurant, or luxurious gala venue.

Cheers, to San Diego’s best. — Mia Stefanko