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Best of the Best
Knoxvillian of the Year (Woo-Hoo!)
Madeline Rogero
It was Maddy in a landslide this time. Well, maybe 13.5 percent to 12 percent of the vote isn’t exactly a landslide, but in this race she beat out Bill Haslam, who bested her in the race for mayor last year by a surprisingly narrow margin. You lose the mayoralty, but end up Metro Pulse Knoxvillian of the Year. Some consolation. She’s off in the Costa Rican jungles as you read this, honing her Spanish-language skills and immersing herself in another culture. That sounds just like the big-eyed, versatile Rogero. She’s worked with California pickers, served with distinction on Knox County Commission, and made a positive social and educational impact with Knoxville’s Promise, the local chapter of America’s Promise, where she was executive director. She’s been an underappreciated asset to this community for years, and she almost pulled off a huge upset in the “non-partisan” mayoral election with neither the funding, nor the establishment, nor the potent Republican organization behind her that her opponent enjoyed behind him. Madeline Rogero is just plain cool, and MP “Best of” voters recognized that. Better luck next year, Billy, er, Your Excellency. Former winner Pat Summit came in third.
Best Restaurant
Tomato Head
The city of Knoxville can renovate Market Square and revitalize downtown Knoxville all it wants to, and that’ll be fine with Tomato Head. The 14-year-old restaurant will just keep drawing crowds as it did when Market Square’s pavements were patched and cracked, its moldy awnings were tattered, and the square’s denizens tended to be guys in cardboard hats who spent their evenings accusing pigeons of working for the CIA. A redesigned square with a few more trendy bars, upscale boutiques and galleries, and high-end condos probably won’t hurt Tomato Head any. Tomato Head’s draws haven’t changed much. First, there’s the food, unpredictable takes on Italian and Southwestern dishes, ranging from nonconformist pizzas to whimsical soups to inventive burrito specials. Lately, Tomato Head’s Sunday brunch has become an event of its own. Then, there’s the intimate crypto-Edwardian atmosphere at Number 12 Market Square, the stamped-tin ceilings, hardwood floors, ever-changing art gallery, and automobile-free front patio which foments serendipitous encounters with friends, strangers, and local celebrities. There are lots of other good restaurants in Knoxville; there’s no other Tomato Head in the world. Some tour books make it sound like it’s the best reason to visit this city. Tomato Head also won in the categories of Best Pizza (topping Mellow Mushroom and Barley’s) and Best Lunch (ahead of Sunspot and Panera), and placed or showed in the Sunday Brunch, Salad, and Vegetarian categories.
Runners-up: Puleo’s, Regas
Best of the Best/Band
Robinella and the CCstringband
In the mid-to-late ’90s, a relatively unknown bluegrass band with an angelic lead vocalist performed every Thursday night at Union Jack’s English Pub to crowds that consisted primarily of young college kids more interested in drinking than listening to music. Each week, the crowd (and its smoke) got progressively denser. As the people increased in number, the clack of pool balls and din of voices clamoring over the band escalated. But now, more than five years later with a bit more clout when it comes to venue selection, Robinella and the CCstringband are a major label debut album (with a sophomore release in the can), a line-up shuffle and one pregnancy wiser. And, again, they’ve been named Best of the Best Band in Knoxville—something some of us recognized from the get-go. In addition, this year’s voting also dubbed Robin Ella Contreras as Best Female Vocalist, their eponymous debut as Best Local Music Release and the band as Best Bluegrass Band. Those first two categories hold water, but it’s downright befuddling for them to win the bluegrass category. Robin and the gang are equal parts jazz and bluegrass—and countless other genres—which oughta to make them ineligible for consideration in that or any other category. But, nevertheless, our readers’ fine taste, and deficit in musical expertise, counts them as bluegrass, propelling them to the top spot in our yearly countdown. We wish all the best to Robin and Cruz with the impending birth of their most important collaboration, Cash Contreras.
Runners-up: Copper, Scott Miller
Best of the Best/Local Store
Earth to Old City
Begun in February of 1993 by members of the local West and Trent families, Knoxville’s Earth to Old City no longer has a physical presence in the Old City; its downtown outpost has shifted to nearby Market Square. It’s not even a wholly Knoxvillian enterprise anymore, with additional outlets now in Farragut and Gatlinburg.But never mind any of that; what hasn’t changed is ETOC’s singular selection of crafts and gifts, which is the best you’ll find in Knoxville or any of its hinterlands. Spending a few minutes in any of the three area Earth locations is more fruitful and fun than a month’s worth of browsing in other, more ordinary outlets. Whether you’re looking to please a special someone or outfit a stylish downtown loft, Earth to Old City always offers a pleasantly eclectic alternative to shopworn shopping options. It also took Best Gifts.
Runners-up: Disc Exchange, McScrooge's
April 29, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 18
© 2004 Metro Pulse
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