TimesLeader.com

Best of 2009: Dining out

RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE / DECOR

Congratulations to our Winners

Winner: Patsel’s, Routes 6 and 11, Glenburn, 563-2000, www.patsels.com. Pat Atkins, owner of Patsel’s, said that the restaurant offers “consistent good food” and has almost all original staff members, including the executive chef, still on board since the restaurant’s inception 10 years ago. Atkins said that the restaurant is “very eclectic and very colorful.” “If you have a bad mood when you come in, you’re not going to walk out with it.” Other awards: Breakfast/Brunch

Runner Up: State Street Grill, 114 S. State St. Clarks Summit, 585-5590.

ICE CREAM

Winner: Manning Farm Dairy, 420 State St., Clarks Summit, 586-1288, manningfarm.com. Jean Manning said that the Dalton farm started in 1918, and the company began selling ice cream in Clarks Summit in 1964. Jean and her husband, Paul, are the owners of the business, and their three sons help out at the farm. “We never compromise quality,” Jean Manning said. “We always buy the best ingredients, no matter the price or economy … and it starts with the best raw ingredient: milk… It never gets old, it’s great hearing that people love our products.” Other awards: Product Made Locally

Runner Up: Kiki’s Kreamery, 715 N. State Street, Clarks Summit, 585-2988, www.kikiskreamery.com.

DOUGHNUTS

Winner: Dunkin Donuts, 927 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 587-0103. Vinod Ratanpara, Dunkin Donuts’ operating manager, said, “We put some love in the cup. … We take personal care. We all work here as family. We thank the community, and we ask them to keep coming back, and we will serve them the best we can.” Other awards: Cup of Coffee, runner up

Runner Up: Krispy Kreme, 831 Northern Blvd. South Abington Twp., 585-4120.

CUP OF COFFEE

Winner: Starbucks, 1131 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 587-5750. Kevin Snow, general manager, said Starbucks is a “customer environment.” “We know the customers, know their drinks before they walk in the door.” The business has been in the Abingtons for two years, and Snow said that it’s “a big honor” to be voted Best Cup of Coffee for the second time.

Runner Up: Dunkin Donuts, 927 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 587-0103.

BAKERY

Winner: Creative Cakes, 323 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 585-0223, www.creativecakespa.com. Owner Christine Magnotta said that Creative Cakes has been in business for more than 10 years. “We offer unique cakes, all home made, baked on the premises,” said Magnotta. “I love what I do. … Thanks to everybody for voting for me.”

Runner Up: Euro Café, 1121 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 587-2233.

SANDWICH

Winner: Caravia Fresh Foods, 1151 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-6113, www.caraviafreshfoods.com. Ryan Cognetti, general manager, said that the company will have been in the Abingtons for five years this summer and has “great customers,” whom he thanks for their business. Cognetti also said that Caravia Fresh Foods offers homemade, fresh food to go with whole ingredients. Other awards: Catering/Food to Go, winner; Natural Foods, runner up

Runner Up: Cangiano’s, 715 N. State St., Clarks Summit, 586-4896, www.mycangianos.com.

SUB SHOP

Winner: Subway, 860 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 585-7827. Manager Maulik Patel said that Subway has been in the Abingtons for 12 years and that at Subway, everything from bread to meats are fresh. “We offer very good customer service,” said Patel. “We love our customers. Thanks to all the Abington customers.”

Runner Up: Cangiano’s, 715 N. State St., Clarks Summit, 586-4896, www.mycangianos.com.

HAMBURGER

Winner: O’Neil’s Bar and Grill, 1939 Newton Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit, 587-5415. Mike O’Neil and Perry Rose. Other awards: Billiards, winner; Irish Bar, runner up; Place to See a Band, runner up

Runner Up: The Gourmet, 645 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 586-9993.

DINER

Winner: The Summit Diner, 108 S. State St., Clarks Summit, 587-4677. Diner owner for seven years, Steve Seamon said, “We’re no different (than any other restaurant) — nothing special, regular diner food — but we get compliments and it’s good food at cheap prices. We put out a good product. We enjoy what we do.”

Runner Up: The Gourmet, 645 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 586-9993.

PIZZA

Winner: Armetta’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 329 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 586-5492. Owner Lisa Armetta said that the restaurant features two floors and 100 beers with dine-in and take-out specials. In regard to the lettering on the restaurant’s outdoor sign, Armetta said, “Some days we don’t change it, some days we leave it out there. … Everyone provides us with inspiration for it.” Other awards: Wings, winner.

Runner Up: Colarusso’s Café, 100 East Grove St., Clarks Summit, 586-0608. Joseph Colarusso.

CATERING / FOOD TO GO

Winner: Caravia Fresh Foods, 1151 Northern Blvd. Clarks Summit, 586-6113, www.caraviafreshfoods.com.

Runner up: Patti Brown, 862-2849, www.dinner-is-served.net

FORMAL DINING

Winner: Amici, 1300 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, 586-3000. Amici owners, Sean Scanlon, Mark Massetti and Woody Wilson renovated the entire restaurant in 2008 just prior to the restaurant’s 21st anniversary. Scanlon said building renovations included remodeling the entrance hallway, stairwell, main dining room, lounge and small dining room. Two decks were added. The decks connect by a joint patio, which was also added. Scanlon said “It’s like up keeping a house, changes need to be made.” With all that has changed for Amici, so much has also remained the same. Owners Scanlon, Massetti and Wilson met and became friends when they were young teenagers, Scanlon said. When the three decided to open the restaurant in the 1980s, one of the owner’s Italian grandmother suggested using the Italian word “amici,” which mean friends. Other awards: Wine List, winner; Place for Jazz, winner; Italian Restaurant, runner up

Runner Up: Bazil Restaurant, 1101 Northern Blvd., S. Abington Twp., 586-5517, www.allaboutbazil.com

ASIAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Kyoto, 1000 State Street, 587-3236. Owner Vinny Lam said Kyoto has been in business for 12 years, and three months ago the whole restaurant was remodeled. “Thank you for voting for us,” Lam said. Kyoto offers a full bar, a full sushi bar and cooks prepare food in front of customers. Other awards: Seafood, winner; Sushi, runner up

Runner Up: Formosa, 727 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 585-1902, www.formosa1.com

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Bazil Restaurant, 1101 Northern Blvd., S. Abington Township, 586-5517. Bazil is a New York-style Italian restaurant. “From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, old- fashioned Italian is happening,” owner Peter Montana said. The traditional menu was a collaborative effort of Montana, Chef Chris Barcia and others from New York. Other awards: New Restaurant, runner up; Formal Dining, runner up.

Runner Up: Amici, 1300 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, 586-3000.

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Winner: Moe’s Southwest Grill, 929 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 585-6637, www.clarkssummit@gotomoes.com. Scott Searles, owner of Moe’s Southwest Grill, said the restaurant opened in Clarks Summit the week before Christmas and so far “we’re pleased with the turnout, we’re pleased with the response so far.” As the weather becomes warmer, the restaurant will offer patio seating and kids eat free on every Tuesday. Other awards: New Restaurant, winner.

Runner Up: Taco Bell, 100 Sumner Ave, S Abington Twp, 586-5788.

RESTAURANT FOR VEGETARIANS

Winner: Formosa, 727 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 585-1902. For vegetarians or those looking to try something unusual, Formosa in Clarks Summit offers many options. Formosa’s executive owner and chef, Michael Lam, said, “Our vegetarian menu has everything from soups to salads to entrees.” Other awards: Asian restaurant, runner up.

Runner up: Everything Natural, 426 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 586-9684, www.everythingnaturalpa.com.

SEAFOOD

Winner: Kyoto, 1000 State Street, 587-3236.

Runner up: Atlantic Fish and Fabulous Foods, 507 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 586-0999.

SUSHI

Winner: Atami Sushi, 100 Old Lackawanna Trail #13, Clarks Summit, 585-1250. Owner Kin Chen said Atami Sushi opened on April 23, 2008. “We love it here, the people are nice,” said Chen. According to Chen, “everything is fresh” at the restaurant and summit rolls are the popular item right now. “Thanks for supporting us, for the business here,” Chen said.

Runner up: Kyoto, 1000 State Street, 587-3236.

STEAK

Winner: Great Uncle Peter’s, 1582 Newton Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-6858, greatunclepeters.com. Owner Robert Dickert said, “Great Uncle Peter’s has been in business for five years. … Thank you for your support. I know it’s tough times, but we’re happy to accommodate.” Dickert said that the restaurant is “a quaint little place out in the country. We provide something unique.”

Runner Up: Damon’s Grill, 820 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-3737.

WINGS

Winner: Armetta’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 329 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 586-5492.

Runner Up: JJ Bridjes, Northern Blvd., Chinchilla, 586-8833, wwwjjbridjes.com.

RIBS

Winner: Damon’s Grill, 820 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-3737. Ed Bush Jr., said that the restaurant in Clarks Summit opened on May 9, 2005. “We thank our guests, said Bush. When they walk through the door, we feel privileged to serve them. … Those who come in get value for their dollar.” Children eat free on Wednesdays. Other awards: Chain Restaurant, winner; Sports Bar, winner; Steak, runner up.

Runner Up: Bennigan’s, 821 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-1223.

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Winner: Patsel’s, Routes 6 and 11, Glenburn, 563-2000, www.patsels.com.

Runner Up: The Gourmet, 645 Northern Blvd., South Abington Twp., 586-9993.

CHAIN RESTAURANT

Winner: Damon’s Grill, 820 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit, 586-3737.

Runner up: McDonald’s, 104 S. State St., Clarks Summit, 586-2255.

NEW RESTAURANT

Winner: Moe’s Southwest Grill, 929 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, 585-6637, www.clarkssummit@gotomoes.com.

Runner Up: Bazil Restaurant, 1101 Northern Blvd. S. Abington Township, 586-5517.

PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

Winner: Lahey Family Fun Park, 500 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, 586-5699, laheyfunpark.net. The park offers numerous activities for groups of all ages and sizes. Attractions include batting cages, mini golf, bumper boats, go-carts, an arcade and a children’s soft play area. Group and birthday packages are available.

Runner up: State Street Grill.