Hrecommended: My Best of Ann Arbor Food for 2008

The alphabetical order by venue is intentional. All of these places have more going for them than just the items I've chosen to highlight. That said, most of these are local, owner-operated and almost certainly have less consistency to their execution than the robots at a chain restaurant can deliver. This year has been hard on local food outlets. As always, this is my list. Yours will almost certainly be different.

• Amadeus -- Cheapest Trip to Europe
  
• Blue Tractor -- Best New Restaurant
  
• Cafe Zola -- Best Weekday Lunch Spot
  
• California Pizza Kitchen -- Best Pizza, Entree Salads
• Chia Shiang -- Best Comeback (try the Kung Pao Soybean Skinrolls)
• Corner Brewery -- Most Potential
  
• Dimo's -- Best Burger
• Kozmo Deli -- Best Bi Bim Bap, Best Diner
• Lotus Thai -- Best Thai
• Northside Grill -- Best Breakfast (try the Huron Sampler)
  
• Madras Masala -- Best Indian
  
• Paradise -- Best Asian
  
• Paesano's -- Best Seasonal Menu (try the soups, pasta features)
  
• Queen of Hearts -- Best Cakes and Pastries (sadly they have ceased their walk-in business)
• Red Hawk -- Best Bar Food, Best non-Beer tap (try the hard ciders and root beer), Best Smoke-Free Place to Have a Beer
• Red Hot Lovers -- Best Hotdogs (try a Serious Dog)
• Star Cafe -- Best Middle-Eastern
  
• Totoro -- Best Sushi (tie)
• Uptown Coney -- Best Club Sandwich
  
• Yotsuba -- Best Sushi (tie)
  
• Zingerman's Bakehouse -- Best Bread, Best Bagels
• Zingerman's Roadhouse -- Best Chili (try the Ancho Beef), Best Haute Cuisine, Best Chef (Alex Young)
  

Sadly, no winners for: Best BBQ, Best Home-style Desserts, Best Fish and Chips, Best Tapas, Best Cajun, Best Service, Best Mexican

Gone but not forgotten: Allen and Rumsey Steakhouse, American Spoon Gelato, Brewbakers Ginger Cream Soda, Manali, Mr. Rib, Latdior, Los Tres Amigos, Philly's, Original 60's Sub Shop, Rio Bravo, Zydeco, chef Takashi Yagihashi, chef Mark Pruitt