Several Local Businesses on the List of Weschester's Best

When it comes to dining out, Rye is a moveable feast of excellent choices that rank with the best Westchester has to offer, from steak to seafood, Asian fusion to vegan, bagels to brunch to catering service.

In fact, Rye does very well indeed with a number of "Bests" of the best choices in various categories –from massage to designer jewelry to facials and beyond in the current edition of Westchester Magazine's "Best of Westchester 2010."

The list is based on selections made by Weschester Magazine editors and critics, as well as tallies of the preferences of the nearly 1500 voters who voted in the magazine's Readers' Choice Ballot.

Here's a look at the Rye "Bests" starting in the "Food and Drink" categories:

In an upset of major gastronomical proportions, Rye's Morgans Fish House was rated the best "Seafood Restaurant" over X20 Xaviars on the Hudson, famed Zagat-rated chef Peter Kelly's riverfront restaurant in Yonkers. But X20 won in the fine dining category, so go figure if not go fish.

Frankie and Johnnie's Steakhouse finished a cut above the likes of Morton's in White Plains, Ruth's Chris in Tarrytown and Willett House in Port Chester. And Water Moon, virtually across the street from F&J on Purchase Street, was in a world of its own when it came to the best Pan-Asian Restaurant.

Andy's Pure Food was tops when it came to "Vegan Food." Hand-Rolled Bagels won hands down in the bagels category and Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook was selected as Westchester's best choice for brunch.

In a surprise selection, La Panetiere, owner Jacques Loupiac's renowned haute French restaurant, one of Westchester's most highly regarded French restaurants for more than 25 years, lost to Lechateau in South Salem, but did win in the new Catering Service category.

R&M Woodrow Jewelers offers, among other pricey baubles, an 18-karat gold cuff timepiece handcrafted by Buccellati for a mere $39,900, which gives an insight into why R&M was rated the top "Designer Jewelry Collection" choice.

In the favorite "Spa Treatments" category, Kathleen Doherty of Rye's Euro Laser was singled out for her "magic" hands-on experience that goes "beyond the standard massage," while Rye's Euro Laser Services won for best facial.

In the shopping category, Rye Brook's Dusty Rose took the honors for best "Lingerie Store" (take that, Victoria's Secret) while Rye Brook's Sportech came home first in the "Sporting Goods Store" listing.

When it comes to kids stuff, Rye Brook reigned as king of the hill with JW Tumbles winning in the best "Gym" and "Party Place" race while All Dressed Up got the fashionista nod in the "Party Clothes" rankings. But Rye's Lester's Clothing Store was deemed the top "Clothes Shop" overall. And E.nopi got high marks for the best "Tutorial Service."

As for the best "New Annual Event," that went to Westchester Pride, which celebrates the gay, lesbian and transgendered community. This year's Pride event will be held at Playland on September 11.

So, Rye has a lot to be proud about when it comes to the "Bests" in Westchester. The Rye mentions in the magazine's most recent issue don't stop there. Rye's Lee Woodruff, author and wife of ABC News reporter Bob Woodruff, who suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was hit buy a roadside bomb while on assignment in Iraq in 2006, is the subject of one of the profiles in the current "Best of Westchester 2010" edition. Visit the magazine's website for more information on this year's "Best of Weschester."