BEST MARTINI NAME BEST ASIAN FOOD BEST SUSHI BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE

Osaka 1665 Wabash Ave., 726-8037 Osaka sure does a lot of things right. First things first, let’s start with the cocktails. We are traditionalists. As such, we believe that martinis should contain only gin or vodka, with perhaps a hint of vermouth and an olive garnish. Period. Others, however, feel differently, as evidenced by the outpouring – pun intended – of support for the Osaka-tini, an elixir that breaks every rule, starting with the champagne flute in which it is served. Next, some sushi before we order dinner proper, and Osaka delivers with a fine and varied selection. We suggest a triumvirate of tuna – maguro, hamachi and albacore – plus the Eel Lover roll. With Japanese and Thai dishes both on the menu, why not order both varieties and share? There’s nothing like octopus salad to cool down the fire in Panang curry, served with your choice of chicken, beef, tofu or shrimp. With all this going on, it should be obvious why Osaka is the best place for a first date, when folks are just getting to know each other. From tempura to sushi to fried rice to pad Thai, there is going to be something on the menu you can both enjoy, and sitting around the hibachi while a chef prepares your meal before your eyes is a great way to break the ice and stay entertained. Runners-up martini (tie): Chocolatini at Ross Isaac, Naughty Schoolgirl at JP Kelly’s Runner-up Asian food: Magic Kitchen Runner-up sushi: Hunan Runner-up first date: Washington Park

BEST BUFFET

Golden Corral 1038 Lejune Drive, 585-6830 For the last several years, the Golden Corral has wowed us with its supersized salad bar, grilled sirloin, meat-carving station, delicious spread of meat, Mexican and Chinese food stations, freshly made rolls and breads, and fabulous array of cakes, pies, cobblers, cookies and ice cream. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the restaurant has dazzled voters with its new seared seafood station, which no doubt led the Golden Corral to once again gain the honor of best buffet. Believe us when we say if you haven’t frequented Golden Corral in a while, the seafood station, with grilled shrimps, tilapia and crab cakes, combined with your choice of pasta and sauce, is well worth a visit. Don’t forget about the restaurant’s weekend brunch, with made-to-order omelets, bacon, sausage, French toast, waffles, pastries and more, on Saturdays and Sundays until 11 a.m.

BEST SALAD

Olive Garden 2991 South Veterans Pkwy, 793-0318 With only two salads on the menu, our survey proves that you don’t need a wide variety of salads to be declared the best. Though Olive Garden has long since offered diners its garden salad, with fresh iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and house dressing, it was the recently added grilled chicken salad, with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons and Caesar dressing, that has us going back for more. Yes, Olive Garden continues to offer its allyou-can-eat soup, salad and breadsticks daily until 4 p.m. Unfortunately, the grilled chicken salad is not included in the deal. Nevertheless you will find that it is worth every penny.

BEST COFFEE SHOP

Starbucks 3200 East Clear Lake Avenue, 525-7759 2003 West Monroe St., 793-2193 731 Adlai Stevenson Drive, 753-2978 3412 Freedom Drive, 787-0764 3445 Freedom Drive, 546-5003 700 East Adams St., 789-1530 Their motto: “One person, one cup, one neighborhood at a time.” Their mission: “To inspire and nurture the human spirit.” With drive-through lines well beyond the parking lot at most Starbucks in the a.m., it’s safe to say that the coffee shop has definitely won the hearts of Springfield’s coffee lovers. One might think that they would be satisfied with its wide array of coffees, including a variety of in-store, instant, and whole bean packaged coffee brewed at home. But since winning best coffee last year, the coffee shop has added its new Salted Caramel Mocha Frappucino. Now, we were already huge fans of Starbucks Caramel Frappucino, so we were eager to give the new drink a try. Though skeptical about the salt, it was merely around the rim of the cup, much like a margarita, and did not keep us from enjoying the sweet, chocolaty drink.