Gambit Releases Best Of New Orleans 2011, Surprises Abound

The Gambit just released the results of their annual Best of New Orleans vote, and the results are all over the board. Some of them make perfect sense (Pho Tau Bay winning Best West Bank Restaurant, Best Vietnamese, and Best Banh Mi, Green Goddess winning Best Vegetarian). Others, though, surely make the more level-headed among us ask themselves, "Who the hell is voting on this thing?"

Consider: Best Brunch went to Commander's Palace, a Garden District institution. Okay, maybe. It's a beloved institution and martinis are only $.25. But where's Elizabeth's? Ruby Slipper? When you have visitors in town and you're going out to Sunday brunch after a late Saturday night dancing your tail off with DJ Soul Sister at Mimi's in the Marigny, are you taking them to Commander's? Unlikely.

Some of the highlights, with well-loved bars, eateries and hangouts getting well-earned recognition, include:

· Stein's Market, Martin's Wine Cellar, and Butcher coming in 1, 2 and 3 (respectively) for Best Deli
· Port of Call winning Best Burger, with Yo Mama's coming in 3rd (though expect this category to get shaken up next year with the opening of Company Burger, Cowbell, and Juicy Lucy's)
· Oak Street burger shop, Cowbell, winning Best New Restaurant, though Company Burger would likely have given them tough competition for this one if it had opened a few weeks earlier
· John Besh, Susan Spicer and Donald Link coming in 1, 2 and 3 for Best Chef

All in all the Gambit voters did well. But please - please - would people stop voting Superior Grill the top Mexican restaurant in the city? For realz.

· Best Of New Orleans 2011: Food And Drink [Gambit]
· All Awards Coverage On Eater [-E-]