A celebration was held July 31, 2023 at the Mandell JCC in West Hartford, announcing the 2023 Best of West Hartford winners in more than 50 categories.

By Ronni Newton

The crowd gathered, mingled and networked with area business owners and representatives, as the the winners of the 9th annual Best of West Hartford were celebrated.

The event was held in the Chase Family Gallery as well as outdoors on the patio of the Mandell JCC in West Hartford. Winners who were in attendance were personally recognized and posed for photos at the event.

Thousands of votes were cast, and there were more than 150 finalists who vied for the title of “Best of West Hartford” in each category, event organizer Tom Hickey of 2020Media said.

This year’s winners are:

• Best Outdoor Dining – DORO Marketplace
• Best Bakery – Elmwood Pastry Shop
• Best Breakfast Restaurant – Sally & Bob’s
• Best Tea – Cafe Sofia
• Best Coffee – J.Rene Coffee Roasters
• Best Brunch – Pond House
• Best Family Restaurant – Effie’s Place Family Restaurant
• Best Fine Dining – Treva
• Best Grocery Store – Big Y
• Best Ice Cream – A.C. Petersen Farms
• Best Pizza – Harry’s Bishops Corner
• Best Business Lunch – Restaurant Bricco
• Best Power Lunch – Zohara
• Best Wine Shop – Wise Old Dog
• Best Burger Restaurant – Max Burger
• Best Ethnic Restaurant – Zohara
• Best Food Truck – GastroPark
• Best Preschool/Daycare – Mandell JCC Beatrice Fox Auerbach Early Childhood Center
• Best Camp – Camp KO
• Best Eyewear – Harvey and Lewis
• Best Specialty Retail – Jerry’s Artarama
• Best Fine Jewelry – Lux Bond & Green
• Favorite Nonprofit – Friends of Feeney
• Best Sports Retail – Fleet Feet
• Best Men’s Clothing – Bard’s Clothing
• Best Women’s Clothing – BK&Co.
• Best Home Decor – Good Cause Gifts
• Best Exercise/Fitness – Mandell JCC
• Best Hair Salon – Salons by JC
• Best Barber Shop – Bristle & Blade
• Best Spa – Float Forty-One
• Best Yoga – West Hartford Yoga
• Best Home Healthcare – Juniper Home Care
• Best Assisted Living – The McAuley
• Best Happy Hour – Barcelona
• Best Late Night Spot – World of Beer
• Best Home Improvement Contractor – Bartlett Brainard
• Best Physician – Dr. Fromson
• Best Pet Services – Uberdog
• Best Veterinarian – CT Veterinary Center
• Best Dentist – Blue Back Dental
• Best Lawn/Landscaping Contractor – Jeff Hodges Landscape Contractor
• Best Real Estate Company/Commercial – Udolf
• Best Real Estate Company/Residential – Berkshire Hathaway
• Best Real Estate Agent/Commercial – Robert Udolf
• Best Real Estate Agent/Residential – Robin Gebrian
• Best Wealth Management/Financial Planning Firm – Robert Laraia
• Best Physical Therapist – Connecticut Physical Therapy Specialists
• Best Bank/Financial Institution – PeoplesBank
• Best Garden/Florist – Moscarillo’s Garden Shoppe
• Best Walk-In Medical Clinic – Hartford HealthCare GoHealth
• Best Law Firm – Goff Law Group
• Best Event Venue – Mandell JCC
• Best Performing Arts – Playhouse on Park
• Best West Hartford Cheerleader/Individual – Chris Conway
• Best West Hartford Cheerleader/Business – Sheehan Hilborn Breen
• Best “[WRITE IN]” – The Children’s Museum

The complete list of winners and runners up can be found beginning on page 44 of the most recent issue of West Hartford Magazine.

A live auction of the artistic dogs that were part of the WeHa Dog Walk was unable to take place during the Best of West Hartford celebration, and has been extended until Aug. 15, 2023. For more details, or to bid on a dog, click here.

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