Gayest and Greatest Continued
Galveston
People • Community • Businesses/Services • Dining • After Dark • Galveston
GALVESTON GAYEST & GREATEST:
Galveston People • Galveston Community • Galveston Businesses/Services • Galveston Dining • Galveston After Dark
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GAYEST & GREATEST SPOTLIGHT
Island man: Vincent J. Tramonte
If there is a Galveston resident who is more thoroughly Galvestonian than Vincent J. Tramonte, we haven’t met him. Tramonte, who runs the family real-estate firm, Joe Tramonte Realty, is a prime example of a genuine BOI (Born on the Island). An O’Connell High School alumnus, he graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin and earned a University of Houston law degree before returning home. Just a few of his Islander credentials: He is a founding member of the Knights of Momus, the leading Mardi Gras krewe. Last year, he was honored as King of Momus. At various times, he has led the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, the Rotary Club, and the local planning commission. He currently serves of the chamber of commerce board and is a member of the University of Texas Medical Branch President’s Cabinet. In short, Tramonte is your Galveston go-to guy. —TB [Photo credit] COURTESY TRAMONTE REALTY
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GAYEST & GREATEST SPOTLIGHT
One Great Thing About the Island
Once you drag yourself away from the beach, the clubs, and the shopping, you realize that Galveston has
quite an artistic scene. This is a prime month to sample the cultural life on the Island with three big art events:
Art in the Park
This open-air market is held on the first Saturday of the month from March through October. October 6 • Sangerfest Park • www.galveston.com.
ArtWalk
Galleries, restaurants, and shops open their doors for this increasingly popular evening event. October 13 • downtown historic district • www.galvestonartscenter.org.
ARToberFEST
Net proceeds from the 10th annual juried show benefit AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas and Galveston Island Humane Society. (Work for sale includes this Ed Konderla table.) October 20–21 • 21st, 23rd, and Postoffice •
www.artoberfest.com. —T.B.
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GAYEST & GREATEST SPOTLIGHT
A Sweet Reason to Cross the Causeway: Speculoos Patisserie & Café
Those who mourn the demise of Phoenix Bakery in Galveston, rejoice. Becky and Frank Kastelz have opened Speculoos Patisserie & Café in that Strand-district spot. Let’s first clear up the obvious question: The eatery is named for a Belgian spice cookie that Becky has long made for friends. Besides, as the website points out, “It is fun to say.” Speculoos (“Speck-u-loose”) is already known on the Island for European-style pastries and chocolates. But breakfast, lunch, and brunch are also on the menu. Check out this latest addition to the culinary scene (216 23rd St., 409/770-9337, www.speculooscafe.com) when you attend the Galveston Island Pride Festival on October 27. —TB
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GALVESTON PEOPLE
Fabulous Fundraiser
Misty Valdez
Runners-up
Mel Kennedy
Johnny Cross
Favorite Politician
Lyda Ann Thomas, Mayor of Galveston
823 Rosenberg • 409/797-3500
www.cityofgalveston.org
Best Eye Doctor
Kevin Katz, O.D.
Texas State Optical • 515 22nd St. • 409/762-8679 • www.tso.com
Best Real Estate Agent (Male)
V.J. Tramonte
Joe Tramonte Realty • 1802 Broadway, Suite 122 • 409/765-9837 •
www.tramonterealty.com
Runners-up
Robert Zahn, Karen Derr & Associates Realty
David Bowers, The House Company
Best Real Estate Agent (Female)
Lyssa Reynolds
Karen Derr & Associates Realty
1401 Postoffice • 409/762-2300
www.karenderr.com
Best Photographer
Susan Henry
2115A Postoffice • 409/762-6454
www.susanhenryphotography.com
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GALVESTON COMMUNITY
Favorite Community Organization
Galveston Historical Foundation
502 20th St. • 409/765-7834
www.galvestonhistory.org
Runners-up
Jesse Tree
AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas
Favorite Benefit Event of the Year
Misty Valdez’s Benefit
for ACCT
Runners-up
Krewe of Banners Party
Mel’s Kids
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GALVESTON BUSINESSES/SERVICES
Best Mortgage Company
Kaye Forester, Mortgage Broker
5017 Denver • 409/740-3700
Best Furniture Store
Star Fine Furniture
3727 Broadway • 409/762-7821 •
www.starfurnituregalveston.com
Runners-up
The Barking Frog
Pier One
Best Garden/Nursery Supplies
Tom’s Thumb Nursery
& Landscaping
2014 45th St. • 409/763-4713 •
www.galveston.com/tomsthumb
Best Auto Dealership
Sand Dollar Autoplex (John Nagy)
820 Broadway • 409/354-3715
www.sanddollarauto.com
Best Place to Buy Books and Music
Hastings Books, Music & Video
2711 61st St. • 409/741-1924 •
www.hastingsentertainment.com
Best Catering Firm
Catering By Benno’s
112 28th St. • 409/762-3666 •
www.bennosofgalveston.com
Best Tattoo Parlor
Island Tattoo & Body Piercing
514 21st St. • 409/621-4728
Best Tanning Salon
Hotties Tanning Salon
4619 Fort Crockett Blvd. •
409/621-4688 •
www.hottiestanningsalon.com
Best Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouse
Lost Bayou Guesthouse
1607 Avenue L • 409/770-0688 •
www.lostbayou.com
Best Hotel
The Tremont House
2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row •
877/999-3223 •
www.thetremonthouse.com
Runners-up
Hotel Galvez
The Commodore on the Beach
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GALVESTON DINING
Best New Restaurant
Café Madrid
2111 Postoffice • 409/765-8272
Runner-up
Speculoos Patisserie & Café
Best Restaurant for People Watching
The Spot
3204 Seawall Blvd. • 409/621-5237 •
www.thespotgalveston.com
Best Restaurant for Elegant Dining
Palms M&M
2401 Church • 409/766-7170 •
www.palmsmm.com
Runners-up
Rudy T & Paco
The Steakhouse at the San Luis
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
The Spot
3204 Seawall Blvd. • 409/621-5237 •
www.thespotgalveston.com
Best Breakfast
Miller’s Landing
1824 Seawall Blvd. • 409/763-8777 •
www.galveston.com/millerslanding
Runners-up
Apache Mexican Cuisine
La Estacion
Best Sunday Brunch
Hotel Galvez
2024 Seawall Blvd. • 409/765-7721 •
www.galveston.com/galvez
Best Lunch
Mosquito Café
628 14th St. • 409/763-1010 •
www.mosquitocafe.com
Runners-up
Speculoos Patisserie & Café
The Press Box
Best Dessert
Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th St. • 409/763-5500 •
www.thesunflowerbakeryandcafe.com
Best Barbecue
Queen’s Barbecue
3428 Avenue S • 409/762-3151
Runner-up
Leon’s World’s Finest In & Out BBQ House
Best Cajun
Benno’s On The Beach
1200 Seawall Blvd. • 409/762-4621 •
www.bennosofgalveston.com
Best Chinese
Happy Buddha
2827 61st St. • 409/744-5774 •
www.galveston.com/happybuddha
Best Greek
Olympia Grill
4908 Seawall Blvd. • 409/766-1222 •
www.olympiagrill.net
Best Hamburger
Fuddrucker’s
111 23rd St. • 409/765-8000 •
www.fuddruckers.com
Runners-up
Charlie’s Burgers
Café Michael Burger
Best Italian
DiBella’s Italian Restaurant
1902 31st St. • 409/763-9036 •
www.galveston.com/dibellas
Runners-up
Mario’s Italian Restaurant
Gino’s Italian Restaurant
Best Japanese
Yamato Japanese Seafood Sushi & Steak House
2104 61st St. • 409/744-2742 •
www.galveston.com/yamato
Best Mexican
The Original Mexican Café
1401 Market • 409/762-6001 •
www.galveston.com/theoriginal
Runners-up
Tortuga Coastal Cantina
Salsas Mexican & Seafood Restaurant
Best Mediterranean
Mediterranean Chef
2402 Strand • 409/765-7700 •
www.galveston.com/mediterraneanchef
Best Pizza
Mario’s Italian Restaurant
628 Seawall Blvd. • 409/763-1693 •
www.galveston.com/marios
Runners-up
Gino’s Italian Restaurant
Mario’s Ristorante on 61st
Best Sushi
Sky Bar/Oyster Bar & Grill
2107 Postoffice • 409/621-4759
www.galveston.com/skybar
Best Vietnamese
Pho 20
3728 Broadway • 409/750-9200 •
www.pho20.com
Best Coffee House
Mod Coffee & Tea House
2126 Postoffice • 409/765-5659 •
www.galveston.com/mod
Runners-up
Starbucks
Java’s 213
Favorite Wine Bar
D’Vine Wine
2301 Strand, Suite 101 • 409/763-8463 • www.dvinewineonthestrand.com
Best Happy Hour
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
3rd Coast Beach Bar
Robert’s LaFitte
Favorite Brand of Beer
Bud Light
www.budlight.com
Runners-up
Blue Moon
Miller Lite
Favorite Brand of Liquor
Skyy Vodka
www.skyyvodka.com
Runners-up
Absolut
Crown Royal
Favorite Brand of Energy Drink
Red Bull Energy Drink
www.redbull.com
Runner-up
Monster Energy
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GALVESTON AFTER DARK
Favorite Gay Bar
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
3rd Coast Beach Bar
Robert’s Lafitte
Pink Dolphin
Best Piano Bar
The Tremont House
2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row •
409/763-0300 •
www.thetremonthouse.com
Best Club for Dancing
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Best Drag Show Bar
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
3rd Coast Beach Bar
Robert’s LaFitte
Pink Dolphin
Best Place to Shoot Pool
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
Slices
Robert’s LaFitte
3rd Coast Beach Bar
Best Palace to See Male Dancers
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runner-up
3rd Coast Beach Bar
Best Bartender (Male)
Lex Shinn
3rd Coast Beach Bar
3102 Seawall Blvd. • 409/765-6911 •
www.3rdcoastbar.com
Runners-up
Chris Alameda, Undercurrent
Daryl “Odie” Kennemer, Undercurrent
Chase Barnes, 3rd Coast Beach Bar
Best Bartender (Female)
Nancy Stokes
Undercurrent
2409 Market • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
Mel Kennedy, Undercurrent
Stacey/Shorty Perrett, Undercurrent
Best DJ
Shawn/Tank
Undercurrent
2409 Market St. • 409/750-8571 •
www.undercurrentgalveston.com
Runners-up
Ross da man, Undercurrent
Mark Patterson, 3rd Coast Beach Bar
Favorite Drag Queen
CC Ryder
Runners-up
Destiny Ryder
Shelby St. John
SoFonda St. John
Serena Skyy
Misty Valdez
People • Community • Businesses/Services • Dining • After Dark • Galveston