Readers rule in Las Vegas balloting

     There's always a surprise lurking somewhere in the depths of the Best of Las Vegas.
      Sure, there are the usual suspects Review-Journal readers turn to in the annual poll. For instance, the newest hotel typically comes up a big winner and 1998 was no exception. Congratulations, Bellagio.
      And then there are the old reliable restaurant chains that may score low on the chichi scale, but score high with readers on the family budget scale. Hats off to Pizza Hut and Olive Garden.
      But nothing is as sweet as the Best of Las Vegas voters' surprise. In this, the 18th year of the poll, Bob Stupak finally caught a break from R-J readers.
      No one has received more criticism, taken more abuse or stubbed a toe more often than Stupak. The casino chief who thought up Vegas World and the Stratosphere Tower has been the Community's Biggest Embarrassment, the City's Biggest Blowhard, Most Annoying Las Vegan and Worst Dressed Las Vegan in previous reader polls dating back to 1989. Even in 1995 when he was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident, Stupak was slammed by Best of Las Vegas voters. That's a tough crowd.
      His hotels have been lambasted, too, in categories too numerous to mention dating all the way back to 1987. Suffice to say some readers found Vegas World and the Stratosphere less than architecturally pleasing. (Although some grudging respect has been paid the Stratosphere as Best Place to View the City and Best Photo Opportunity.)
      This year, in a new category, Stupak won Most Unappreciated Las Vegan. How about that? Maybe people were feeling a little guilty about 1995. Maybe they've finally taken in the view from atop the Stratosphere. Maybe they believe in redemption. In any event, enjoy the moment, Bob, if we may be so familiar.
      Taking a break for the nitty-gritty numbers -- now would be a good time to hit the kitchen for a snack -- the vote total was 1,034. For those few of you keeping track, that's down, way down from the previous year's tally of 3,962. However, viewing the glass as half-full, we did not experience the usual barrage of ballot-stuffing campaigns that can distort the figures. And, of course, there is no scientific validity to this poll. Just file it under fun.
      Once again, a variety of celebrities agreed to share their opinions with Best of Las Vegas on subjects as diverse as fashion and Chinese restaurants. Publisher's Picks return as well, pondering such categories as Best Legislator and Best Place to Take a Client to Lunch.
      Back to highlights from our poll covering 208 categories. Bellagio opened strong with Best of Las Vegas voters, picking up kudos for Best Architecture, Best Art Gallery, Best Hotel Shop (Tiffany and Co.), Best Lobby, Best Pool, Best Poker Room, Best Place to Go When Price is No Object, Best Public Art, Best Showroom and Best Strip Hotel.
      It stands to reason the man most associated with the Bellagio, Mirage Resorts Inc. Chairman Steve Wynn, also attracted readers' attention. He usually does. He is back after a two-year hiatus as Favorite Male Las Vegan. He also picked up wins as Las Vegan You'd Like to Know More About, Most Stylish Las Vegan and Best Philanthropist.
      Once again, mixed messages were sent to Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones. On the one hand, she was reader's Favorite Female Las Vegan. On the other, she was considered the Least Effective Public Official. Maybe this is a good time to leave City Hall.
      Elsewhere in the poll, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant came in as Best New Restaurant for 1998; Jazzed Cafe & Vinoteca was revealed the Best Undiscovered Restaurant; and Krispy Kreme "pastried" the competition with its killer glazed doughnuts.
      The Rio's singing impressionist, Danny Gans, cleaned up as Best All-Around Las Vegas Performer, Best Comedian and Best Singer.
      Local governments gleaned opposite results from an architectural standpoint. Clark County Government Center won Best Nonhotel Architecture, while Las Vegas City Hall finished as Ugliest Building. However, R-J readers -- and potential real-life voters -- chose the Clark County Commission and the Las Vegas City Council first and second respectively as Least Effective Public Agency.
      The Worst Problem Facing Las Vegas? There has long been a logjam in this category and it is spelled T-R-A-F-F-I-C. Readers are quite cranky on this subject. In fact, if they didn't have Mount Charleston as their Best Nevada Getaway, who knows what they'd do?
      We do know what Best of Las Vegas voter Eric Schmelz will soon be doing. He's the winner of our night on the town for two for taking the considerable amount of time necessary to fill out the ballot.