NEWS2020 Best of Newport County WinnersNewport Daily NewsWelcome to the 25th Annual Best of Newport County Awards. A lot has happened since voting began last fall. Within a few short months, the entire business landscape changed. Months after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, many businesses remain closed -- some permanently -- and as we go to press, it's still not certain when (and if) life will return to some semblance of normality. That might make the timing of this year's awards seem unfortunate. (In fact, we even considered postponing them.) But in the end, we realized that these awards could be a tremendous morale booster for the men and women whose livelihoods have been so affected by COVID-19. In times of crisis, it's always nice to have a reason to celebrate. These announcements are usually accompanied by a grand soiree at Rosecliff. While we could all use a good party right about now, that event is on hold for the time being. In the meantime, I hope you'll join me in raising a glass to all the businesses and professionals that make our community what it is. And if you can afford it and feel so inspired, please buy a gift certificate from them or patronize them once they reopen. Their lives -- and ours depend upon it. By Fred Albert, Newport Life EditorAttraction Cliff Walk Newport's free 3.5-mile pathway straddles ocean views and Gilded Age excess.Band / Musician BarFly This Ocean State band plays raw, vicious and wild rock 'n' roll and white rock.Boat Tour Gansett Cruises Enjoy narrated cruises of Narragansett Bay from May to October aboard a restored lobster boat.Date Night (TIE) Mermaid Masterpieces Best known for their kids' events, Mermaid Masterpieces holds paint parties for adults, too. The Bit Players Live comedy shows improvised on the spot from audience suggestions at the intimate Firehouse Theater.Family Activity Mermaid Masterpieces Entertaining paint parties for kids of all ages.Fundraising Event Three Angels Fund Three Angels' festive and affordable August barbecue raíses funds to fight cancer and help locals dealing with it.Golf Course Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club This private club features a classic links-style course with views of Narragansett Bay.Hotel Gurney's Newport Resort Secluded, but close to everything, Goat Island's waterfront hotel was a favorite with readers.Inn / B&B Francis Malbone House Eighteenth-century charm meets 21st-century amenities in the heart of Newport's waterfront.Land Tour Viking Tours of Newport Viking's trolley tours of Newport's gilded past remain a favorite with residents and tourists.Live Music Venue Newport Blues Cafe Sip, nosh and groove to local and national performers at this venerable venue inside an 1892 bank.Local Instagrammer Julie Rose Beauty (@JulieRoseBeauty) It's always a good hair day for Julie and her 15,000+ followers.Museum Newport Art Museum NAM's permanent collection is augmented by special exhibitions, classes, talks, performances and films.Nightspot Newport Blues Cafe Sip, nosh and groove to local and national performers at this venerable venue inside an 1892 bank.Regatta Candy Store Cup Following in the footsteps of the Newport Bucket Regatta, this three-day superyacht spectacle guarantees great shoreline viewing.Winter Activity Gurney's Ice Rink With the rink's recent move to Goat Island, skaters have a new winter home.Best Kept Secret Quarter Till Organ Recitals For 25 cents, enjoy a summer Sunday mini-recital on St. John's Church's 1894 organ at 45 minutes past the hour ("a quarter till").Appetizers Sardella's A testament to the curative powers of mozzarella and marinara.Bakery Mad Hatter Bakery The pastries are divine, but cakes are where the Mad Hatter shines.Breakfast Atlantic Grille With breakfast combos named after local beaches and five variations on Eggs Benedict, Atlantic Grille makes mornings sunny.Burger Mission Mission's burgers are ground in-house and usually ordered with their bodacious fries.Don’t Overlook The Hot Dogs!Caterer Blackstone Caterers Blackstone has been delighting guests at weddings and special events since 1945.Chowder The Black Pearl Chowder made this Bannister's Wharf institution famous, and readers seem to agree.Coffee Custom House Coffee Rich dark roast or simple decaf, you'll enjoy the flavor infused into every cup.Craft Beer Selection Pour Judgement This Broadway institution offers over 100 beers, including more than 20 on tap.Dessert Clarke Cooke House The star attraction is the Snowball in Hell, a dessert staple since the 1970s.Farm Stand Sweet Berry Farm This farm stand and market offers local and pick-your-own produce on 100 acres of farmland.Lunch Cru Cafe Hip purveyor of all-day breakfasts and fashionable lunchtime fare, tucked in an alley off Bellevue Avenue.Pizza Imbriglio's Pizzeria Napoletana Sardella's sibling institution dishes up gourmet pies the Napoli way.Raw Bar Midtown Oyster Bar Slippery oysters and succulent shellfish to tempt your tastebuds.Sandwich Cru Cafe With so many yummy choices (Italian Stallion, anyone?), it's hard to choose a favorite.Specialty Cocktail Malt Fancy a Wild Child? A Rompfnagle? Malt's cocktails are as fun to read as they are to drink.Specialty Food A Market The name's generic, but the selection isn't, with an emphasis on natural, organic and locally produced foods.Wine List Newport Vineyards Brix restaurant boasts a robust selection of wines to complement the local estate-grown bottles.Best Kept Secret The Roof Deck at The Vanderbilt Sip a cocktail while savoring the sunset views from this rooftop perch overlooking the harbor.Al Fresco Dining Castle Hill Inn From May to October, Castle Hill's lawn is the ultimate place to see and be seen.Casual Dining Brick Alley Pub If a quick sandwich or appetizer is what you're seeking, Brick Alley's menu won't disappoint.Dining Deals Caleb & Broad The best excuse to go out on a Monday night: all entrees are 10 bucks.Fine Dining Bouchard Restaurant Fine dining with a French accent in the heart of Newport.Late-Night Eats Nikolas Pizza Tantalizing toppings on your choice of thick, thin or ultra-thin crusts.Romantic Restaurant Bouchard Restaurant At this Gallic hot spot, the accent is on amour.Takeout Marco's Subs Choose from a wide selection of made-to-order grinders fashioned from fresh-baked bread.Little Compton Restaurant The Barn Restaurant Enjoy a homestyle breakfast with every menu option imaginable in this converted barn in Adamsville.Jamestown Restaurant Simpatico Jamestown This Jamestown institution dishes out delectable fare in a warm, welcoming setting.Middletown Restaurant Ida's Restaurant Yummy Italian fare in a simple, modern setting with amazing specialty cocktails.Newport Restaurant Surf Club Hearty food in a handsome setting that's central to everything.Portsmouth Restaurant Fieldstones Enjoy fresh seafood, delicious burgers, steaks and other specialties in this cozy, family-friendly setting.Tiverton Restaurant Boat House Boat House is beloved for its seafood-centric fare and secluded waterfront perch bordering Mt. Hope Bay.Best Kept Secret Tallulah's Tacos at The Shack Tallulah's Mexican-inspired takeout fare is available seasonally from a shack in Dutch Harbor Boat Yard hugging Jamestown's western shore.Art Gallery The Kings Lens & Friends A community-oriented home for visual and performing arts, as well as the occasional farm-to-table dinner.Bike Shop Ten Speed Spokes Bikes, accessories, apparel and services to assist the Newport bicycling community.Car Dealership Langway Toyota A family-owned dealership offering sales and service in a state-of-the-art facility.Consignment Corner Consignment Offering Newport County shoppers the best quality and selection of upscale secondhand clothing and accessories.Customer Service Matt's Local Pharmacy Unlike the big chains, Matt's specializes in natural, locally sourced products that are environmentally friendly.Footwear Sole Desire Whether you're running an errand or a marathon, this shop has everything to outfit your feet.Jewelry Athalia of Newport Handcrafted jewelry from proprietor Emily Hirsch and other New England artisans.Kids' Apparel The Groovy Gator Classic style with a modern twist for newborns, toddlers, boys and girls.Local Artist Studio Newport Photographic studio specializing in glamour and boudoir shots, as well as conventional portraits.Local Retail Shop Wickford Appliance This Middletown appliance dealer offers sales and servicing of most major brands.Men's Apparel Michael Hayes Discerning males turn to Michael Hayes for contemporary styling from an international roster of designers.New Business Commonwealth Books A browser's delight, featuring new and vintage books, maps and prints inside a c.1750 building on Washington Square.Pet Care Lucky Dog Resort A resort, not a kennel, Lucky Dog offers day care and boarding for discerning dogs and owners.Sportswear / Gear Run Newport The knowledgeable staff offers footwear and apparel for runners, as well as store-hosted runs.Watches / Repairs Saltzman's Watches Third-generation family-run business offering sales and servicing for a wide selection of timepieces.Wine & Spirits Bellevue Wine & Spirits Nothing raises our spirits like, well, spirits. But wine is where this Bellevue Avenue shop really shines.Women's Apparel Groove Newport Fun and fashionable apparel for women and tweens.Best Kept Secret Harvest Newport Farmers Market This nonprofit market specializes in locally sourced produce, sharing a larger percentage of the proceeds with farmers.Barber Shop (TIE) Shannon's Barber Shop This neighborhood favorite is still operating as part of The Barber Shop by RaNew Salon. Eric's Barber Shop Formerly Willy's Barber Shop, this Portsmouth institution was recently rechristened by its longtime proprietor, Willy's son-in-law.Gym/Fitness Club Peak Fitness This Portsmouth gym also offers barre workouts and a ladies-only circuit.Hair Salon Be.You.tiful Salon & Spa Services for the whole family, whether you're seeking a complete makeover or a quick blow out.Nail Salon Be.You.tiful Salon & Spa A full array of manicures and pedicures, followed by your choice of polish or buffing.Personal Trainer BullFrogFit BullFrogFit pairs exercise with lifestyle training to help clients achieve sustainable change.Race/Fitness Event Citizens Bank Pell Bridge Run Whether you walk, run, or both, this 4-mile charity trek is a treat for the soul (and soles).Spa Be.You.tiful Salon & Spa Facial, body and wellness treatments for women and men.Yoga/Pilates Studio Newport Power Yoga Classes for all ages and abilities, from slow-flow restorative sessions to heated power vinyasa.Best Kept Secret Kimberly Eyebrow Shaping Kimberly Nunes is the much-admired eyebrow artist-in-residence at Be.You.tiful Salon & Spa.Architect Herk Works Architect Dan "Herk" Herchenroether combines New England tradition with industrial panache.Carpet / Flooring / Tile Island Carpet One-stop shopping for all your flooring needs. And they install, too!Construction Services Behan Bros. General contracting for commercial and residential projects since 1973.Furniture / Home Decor Ben's Furniture Co. Since 1942, Ben's has offered style, selection and prices to suit most every shopper.Garden Shop Chaves' Gardens Perennials and annuals, trees and shrubbery, hardscape -- they're all part of Chaves' Gardens' offerings.Interior Designer Maloney Interiors Boutique interior design firm offering high-end residential and yacht design.Kitchen Design Apex Kitchens & Baths Apex will work with you to bring your kitchen and bath dreams to life.Landscaping Services Lincoln Landscaping A final round of applause for this company, which recently ceased operations after 20 years.Best Kept Secret Cottage & Garden This Bridge Street shop offers an exquisitely curated collection of vintage and modern treasures for the home.Auto Repair Johnny's Full Service Station No flash -- just fair and personal service from this old-school family operation.Bank/Credit Union BankNewport This community bank has been helping Rhode Islanders achieve their financial goals since 1819.Child Care Facility KinderArt KinderArt offers a nurturing environment emphasizing skill-building, growth and hands-on activities.Florist (TIE) Carlone's Florist This full-service florist has served Aquidneck Island since 1954. The Waters Edge Flowers Providing posies for Newport County weddings and events for nearly half a century.Insurance Agency Carey, Richmond & Viking Carey Richmond & Viking has the experience and resources to ensure the best coverage possible.Law Firm Sayer Regan & Thayer Whatever challenges you're facing, Sayer Regan and Thayer will see you through it with care and decorum.Property Management Patrick's Residential Management Services Patrick's will manage your property, watch it when you're away, and even make repairs.Real Estate Agency Hogan Associates Whether you're a buyer or seller, Hogan has the agents and services to meet your needs.Summer Camp Norman Bird Sanctuary Summer Camp Kids from 3 to 14 can have fun and learn about nature in a 325-acre outdoor classroom.Tax / Financial Service Newport Wealth Management NWM is a fee-only investment advisory firm offering portfolio management, financial planning and other services.Veterinary Clinic Mt. Hope Animal Hospital Caring for cats, dogs and exotic animals with veterinary services and pet care products since 1992.Best Kept Secret The Coggeshall Club A new Middletown business offering child care, coworking and fitness under one roof.Look for the May/June issue of Newport Life, on newsstands now. Features Include: 12 Easy Day Trips Within an Hour of Newport How to Barbecue Like the Pros Forging a Place for Women in Sailing Hunting for Mushrooms New Life for Old Boats and More!