More is more for readers’ poll

Goodness people, why didn't you just say so? Running the Best of Las Vegas ballot only once is simply not enough. You want time to ponder the possibilities, think about what it all means, order one more pizza -- just to be sure.

Yep, the boss was right. (Don't you hate when that happens? We kid, of course, in the biggest, most reaching for a cheap laugh way.) He said run more ballots over a longer period of time and we'll get more votes.

So we did and did. The 28th annual Best of Las Vegas ballot ran in the newspaper in three parts, three times each, and online from Jan. 11 through Feb. 2. In all, there were 184 choices to make. We received 15,145 votes, up from 7,982 last year. (Some voted on each of the three sets of ballots, naturally, but there's only so much math we're willing to do.)

By far the largest number of votes came from the Las Vegas Valley. But we did enjoy a little international seasoning, thanks to the Internet, with votes from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Cayman Islands, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain and the United Kingdom, to name a few.

And here are a few shout outs to folks from Schenectady, N.Y.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Orlando, Fla.; Lewiston, Maine; Stamford, Conn.; Philadelphia; Minneapolis; Honolulu; and Wichita, Kan., for taking time out to vote. You come back real soon. Please.

As for the results, there are a couple of upsets in the new readers' poll. The biggest is a squeaker win for Nora's Cuisine and Nora's Wine Bar and Osteria over Olive Garden for Best Italian Restaurant, something that has not happened since 1997 (East Side Mario's for you Best of Las Vegas trivia buffs). Before that, Olive Garden had owned the category since 1988.

A smaller upset, though interesting nonetheless, is the disappearance of the Las Vegas Monorail from the Worst Use of Public Money category. If we're going to squander money we just as well spread it around. Knocking the monorail off that shaky track are plans for a new Las Vegas City Hall, followed by the proposed mob museum.

And while we're darting into the dark side, Criss Angel, if you're reading this, now would be a good time to take a nice, relaxing bath or enjoy a calming cup of herbal tea. R-J readers -- and remember, it's the readers, in case you're planning some type of pyrotechnic, exceedingly dicey revenge type of illusion -- consider you the Entertainer Who Needs a New Act and the star of the Las Vegas Show So Bad It's Good.

Transitioning quickly to the more predictably happy categories, readers still love Andre Agassi (Best Celebrity Resident, Best Local Athlete and Most Generous Las Vegan), Steve Wynn (Best-dressed Las Vegan, Las Vegan You'd Like to Know More About and Most Powerful Las Vegan) and Mayor Oscar Goodman (Best Local Politician, Favorite Male Las Vegan and Most Colorful Character).

Goodman also is the beneficiary of the famous Best of Las Vegas twist, which is winning one category and then turning up in Best of the Worst in the same or similar category. Goodman also "wins" as Las Vegan You're Tired of Hearing About. But at least he's in "hot" company. Paris Hilton is the winner of Best Celebrity Tourist and Worst Celebrity Tourist.

On the other hand, everything's coming up roses for Bette Midler, who gets the readers' vote for Best Singer and the staff nod for Best All-Around Performer.

Moving from people to places and things, it will surprise no one that Bellagio remains a Best of Las Vegas powerhouse, with wins as Best Strip Hotel, Best Attraction (the fountain show and Conservatory and Botanical Gardens), Best Architecture, Best Poker Room, Best Brunch and Best Buffet. Station Casinos as a whole and Red Rock Resort and even the new Aliante in particular, are big winners in categories too numerous to mention here.

But before we close, we must point out the past year was a time of many goodbyes, often because of the falling economy. We tip our hats to the noble efforts of the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, the cast and crew of "Folies Bergere" and the Comedy Stop (we're not feeling so bad about the Tropicana as choice for Hotel Most Deserving of Being Imploded), Cheesecake and Crime bookstore, Epic shoe store, former weathercaster John Fredericks and the late Buffalo Jim Barrier.

And we can't let this moment pass without a special thanks for the memories to Andre's French Restaurant downtown. You were with us from the beginning of Best of Las Vegas, and we join readers in giving you a hearty round of applause at the end. Life continues on the Strip, but for many longtime Las Vegans, it will never be the same downtown.

As a reward for reading this far, it's time to learn the winners of our fabulous -- and wonderful -- prizes. Lori Smith of Las Vegas is the winner of dinner for two at Alex at Wynn Las Vegas; David Snock Jr. of Las Vegas, dinner for two at Rosemary's Restaurant; Brandy Andrews, lunch for two at Vintner Grill; Libby Hoover of Las Vegas, tickets for two to "Love"; Joy Miller of Henderson, tickets for two to Danny Gans; Amy Lindauer of Henderson, gift certificate to Fashion Show mall; and -- drumroll, please -- Glenn Constantino of Las Vegas, a night on the town.

Contact Patricia Morgan at pmorgan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0267.