BEST DOWNTOWN DINING • BEST ITALIAN FOOD Saputo’s

801 E. Monroe, 544-2523 You want atmosphere? Most downtown Springfield restaurants have you covered in the charm department, but it’s Saputo’s that has mastered the art of making its customers feel both at home and uptown. Started by Frank and Florine Saputo in 1948, Saputo’s is a Springfield tradition for both locals and visiting politicians and performers. Saputo’s steady stream of customers, we’re sure, arrive under temptation of a menu full of family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Still in its original location, Saputo’s is also still run by “Springfield’s First Family of Italian Cooking.” Coming in close behind in the best Italian category was Bella Milano, with hefty vote tallies going to Augie’s Front Burner and Caitie Girl’s for best downtown dining. Runner-up, Best Italian: Bella Milano • Runner-up, Best Downtown Dining: Caitie Girl’s, Augie’s Front Burner

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A ROMANTIC DINNER

Bella Milano 4525 Wabash Ave., 547-0011 Table or booth? Booth, of course. Cross your fingers as the hostess leads you toward the dining area. Left, that’s good; now, if you’re lucky...bingo! The hostess has taken another quick left, leading you to the most secluded booth in what readers overwhelmingly say is the best restaurant for a romantic dinner in the city. “Is this all right?” she asks. Is it ever. This is the corner booth, with a wall behind one bench and the tall back of an adjoining booth behind the facing bench, creating a culinary cubicle of sorts – your own little world in which to make goo-goo eyes at each other and slip off shoes. No one will ever know. The lighting is just right, it’s quiet, the service is prompt without being overwhelming. Oh, yes: And they serve Italian food. Runner-up: Ross Isaac

BEST RESTAURANT OFF THE BEATEN PATH BEST BREAKFAST BEST HANGOVER FOOD

Charlie Parker’s 700 North Street, 241-2104 It’s hard to find, but once you get there be prepared to settle in. Though the motto at this year’s best breakfast joint, Charlie Parker’s, is “Eat it & beat it,” it’s gonna take you awhile to make it into the clean plate club. A 16-inch pancake is, in fact, bigger than your head, but fortunately as delicious as it is large. Add some bacon, sausage and hash browns and consider that mild to moderate hangover cured as you drag your bloated belly home for a mid-morning nap or a YouTube viewing of Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” which has featured Charlie Parker’s horseshoe sandwich.