2012 Best of 225 Awards
BEST FRESH SEAFOOD MARKET
Tony's Seafood (66.9%)
Donaldsonville native Tony Pizzolato has been selling a bounty of seafood in Baton Rouge for more than 50 years, and his massive outlet on Plank Road remains a trusted resource for fresh catfish, crab meat, shrimp and oysters, red fish and tuna steaks, plus boiled crawfish, crabs, plate lunches and party trays. Pizzolato wasn't always known as the city's “seafood guy,” though. The first retail operation he opened in 1959 was a fruit stand. tonyseafood.com
Runners-up: Whole Foods Market (11.7%), LA Boilers (8.4%)
BEST HAIR SALON
Paris Parker / Aveda Salons and Spas (30.8%)
Serving Baton Rouge from four locations, Paris Parker is a local favorite for its skilled stylists and vast array of health and beauty products. A previous Best of 225 winner, Paris Parker is known for its commitment to Aveda's world-renowned salon experience.
parisparker.com
Runners-up: Rigsby Frederick Salon, Spa, and Gallery (16.6%), Avallon Salon and Day Spa (9%), The Gallery Salon and Day Spa (8.7%), Lux Salon and Spa (6.7%)
BEST LOCAL BOUTIQUE FOR ACCESSORIES
Merci Beaucoup (20.5%)
Looking for that perfect handbag or a necklace that really makes a statement? Merci Beaucoup in Towne Center promises the latest fashions for all occasions—including collegiate and Greek pretties, too. mercib.com
Runners-up: Bella Bella (18.1%), Frock Candy (15.4%), Head Over Heels (8.8%), Apricot Lane (7.9%)
BEST LOCAL STORE TO FIND A COCKTAIL DRESS
Bella Bella (17.3%)
It's all about the LBD—little black dress. But where to find the best selection of event and cocktail attire? Whether you're looking for a little game-day glam or getting ready for ball season, stop by one of Bella Bella's three Baton Rouge locations. Bella Bella also carries shoes and accessories. facebook.com/bellabellaboutiques
Runners-up: Chatta Box Boutique 11.6%, Stella Boutique (10.8%), Frock Candy (9.9%), NK Boutique (7.2%)
BEST LOCAL STORE FOR GIFTS
The Royal Standard (47.6%)
Graduation, birthday, bridal and more—this frequent Best of 225 favorite has Baton Rougeans covered. Shop at either of the Royal Standard's two locations to find the perfect gift, then treat yourself with something from their wide selection of unique décor, furniture and fashion. theroyalstandard.com
Runners-up: Red Door Interiors (17.3%), Sanctuary Home & Gifts (7%), Merci Beaucoup (5.6%), Red Onion (5.3%)
BEST NEW RETAIL STORE
Apricot Lane (54.7%)
Specializing in denim, tops and accessories, the new Jefferson Highway location of Apricot Lane offers a wide selection of premium brands. From stylish moms to the college crowd, this new boutique offers hot trends for all. apricotlanebatonrouge.com
Runners-up: Piperfields (18.1%), RussoRoss (15.1%)
BEST PET BOARDING
Petz Plaza (34%)
Leaving Rover can be hard. Petz Plaza makes it easier. Our readers' favorite pet hotel offers spacious, air-conditioned runs, a dog cookie during yappy hour and, of course, privacy for our feline friends. petzplaza.com
Runners-up: Sherwood South Animal Hospital (16.7%), Kleinpeter Veterinary Hospital (15.6%)
BEST PLACE FOR A MANICURE/PEDICURE
Bumble Lane (25.4%)
Readers chose it as their favorite day spa in our 2009 and 2011 surveys, and this year Bumble Lane gets recognized again for treating readers' bodies just right. bumblelane.com
Runners-up: Paris Parker / Aveda Salons and Spas (17.7%), Classy Nails (14.1%), The Gallery Salon and Day Spa (8.1%), Exotic Nails (7.9%)
BEST PLACE FOR A MASSAGE
Bumble Lane (42.8%)
This Towne Center relaxation retreat offers spa parties, specialty massages—including Thai, pre-natal and a “rolling stone” massage— and a menu of unique scrubs and wraps like the “Salt of the Earth” and “Coffee and Creme.” bumblelane.com
Runners-up: Paris Parker / Aveda Salons and Spas (17.7%), Classy Nails (14.1%), The Gallery Salon and Day Spa (8.1%), Exotic Nails (7.9%)
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Yoglates / Yoglates II (36.6%)
Teaching a combination of calisthenics, yoga and pilates, both Yoglates locations seek to improve strength, flexibility and balance. With early morning, lunch and evening classes, there are plenty of opportunities to break a sweat. yoglates2.com
Runners-up: Woman's Center for Wellness (23.8%), Yoga Bliss (20.1%)
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Multimedia
How to master the fish fillet
Step-by-step instructions for filleting fresh fish, which is a particularly useful culinary skill for those of us fortunate enough to live in southeast Louisiana.
Social media style
With our cover story featuring 25 must-follow Twitter accounts in Baton Rouge, and examining the growing social media site's impact on the local community, we wondered what Twitter might look like in the flesh—living, breathing, fashionable flesh. Prices are approximate, and price and availability are subject to change. (Styling: Erin Mehta)
Bad Guys, Good Eats! Pop-Up Dinner at Restaurant IPO
Chef and 225 contributor Jay D. Ducote and Chef Chris Wadsworth hosted the Bad Guys, Good Eats! dinner at Restaurant IPO Wednesday night. The dinner was themed around famous movie villains, pairing cocktails and ales with plates of food resembling famous baddies like The Joker, Lord Voldemort, Hannibal Lector, and many others. The highlights of the night were the three middle courses—a black bean soup laced with blood sausage to signify Lord Voldemort, a brace of coneys on black eyed peas resembling Sauron, and lamb medallions atop a fava bean puree to pay homage to the famous favorite of Hannibal Lector.
Summer Crush
Elizabeth Arkley Hammett, a local nursing student and Fur Ball co-coordinator, and her husband Grey Hammett III, who works in commercial real estate, will take you through our summer guide. And they'll look good while doing it, too. Where noted, their clothes and accessories are available from local retailers.
