SHOPPING
Ethnic market * Cigar shop * Local shoping * Car dealer * Gym
BEST BOUTIQUE (WOMEN)
WINNER
Chewing Gum, 546 41st St., Miami Beach, 305-672-3008
Owner Betty Behar keeps tight quality control at her 23-year-old shop, where she sells a mix of Euro brands along with her own line, Chewy. "I'm a personal shopper," she says. "I can meet you once, know your type and have a dressing room full of clothes waiting for you." Prices: $50-$500.
RUNNER-UP
A Nose for Clothes: (multiple locations, www.anoseforclothes.com)
A one-stop spot for designer jeans, chic belts, colorful tunics, T's and hoodies as well as jewelry and shoes. Labels run the gamut from ABS and Betsey Johnson to Nanette Lepore and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent. The sale racks rock.
BEST BOUTIQUE (MEN)
WINNER
Damiani (multiple locations, www.damiani.com)
No Made in China stamps here. Just the best Italy has to offer, from Brioni to Zegna. ‘‘Customers get quality service here," says Louis Ricart, manager at the Coral Gables store. "We have a tailor on the premises who keeps everyone's measurements on file."
RUNNER-UP
Project LX, 5830 Sunset Dr., South Miami, 305-665-4544, www.shoplx.com
You needn't be a metrosexual to appreciate the finer jeans in life. Get 'em at this trendy boutique, along with graphic T's, stylish gym bags and edgy kicks by de rigueur labels Seven, Ben Sherman, James Perse and Diesel.
BEST MANICURE
WINNER
Peter of London, 11611 N. Kendall Dr., Kendall; 305-274-1166; The Falls, 8745 SW 136th St., 305-971-5785. www.peteroflondon.com
An oasis for digit pampering. They know what women want: up-to-date magazines, unlimited glasses of wine, chocolate and killer calf/hand massages.
RUNNER-UP
Brownes & Co. Apothecary, 841 Lincoln Rd.; 305-538-7544, www.brownesebeauty.com
Nail polishes in every color under the Miami Beach sun (seriously). Sedate but chic. Inhale the incense and listen to your blood pressure drop.
BEST MEDICAL SPA
WINNER
Iluma Center for Health, 18205 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 100, Aventura; 305-792 0007, www.ilumahealth.com
RUNNER-UP
Contour Day Spa (two locations: www.contourdayspa.com)
BEST SPA
WINNER
Doral Resort and Spa, 4400 NW 87th Ave., Doral, 877-77-DORAL, 305-717-6303, www.doralresort.com
Your man can toodle the day away on the famed Blue Monster course while you indulge in lavish Euro treatments - indoors or out. If you book 50 minutes at the spa, you can spend the day there, using the fabulous facilities.
RUNNER-UP
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, 500 Brickell Key Dr., Miami, 305-913-8288, www.mandarinoriental.com
This bayside shrine to tranquility wins awards year after year. It's 15,000 square feet of upscale, luxurious bliss: low lighting, exotic wood, rice paper designs. You may never be the same after the four-hand synchronized massage.
BEST HAIR SALON
WINNER
Peter of London
The services don't stop at your locks.
RUNNER-UP
Danny Mizrachi Day Spa & Salon, 3011 Aventura Blvd., 305-933-3341
Chop to it! This ultra modern space where they call cuts "hair transformations'' and stylists ‘‘artistes," is a rare thing around these parts: Open on Sundays.
BEST WINE SHOP
WINNER
Total Wine & More (multiple locations, www.totalwine.com, 301-795-1000)
America's Wine Superstore, a Maryland-based company, claims to have 8,000 wines, 2,000 spirits and 1,000 beers. That's totally a lotta booze, dudes.
RUNNER-UP
Sunset Corners Fine Wines & Spirits, 8701 Sunset Dr., Miami, 305-271-8492
Tastings, demos, fine varietals and top-shelf hooch. With a stock like this you'll never go on the wagon.
BEST ETHNIC MARKET
WINNER
Kosher Kingdom, 3017 Aventura Blvd., Miami; 305-792-7988
Operating since 1953, this shrine to all things kosher never disappoints, dahlink! A one-stop shop for Jewish table staples like kugel, latkas, whitefish and matzah balls.
RUNNER-UP
Laurenzo's Farmer's Market, 16445 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach, 305-944-5052
BEST CIGAR SHOP
WINNER
Mike's Cigars, 1030 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, 305-866-2277, www.mikescigars.com
"We've got all you need under one roof," says Eleanor Kaye, Mike's receptionist for 11 years, who doesn't smoke. ‘‘Lighters, top cigars, humidors, everything."
RUNNER-UP
El Credito Cigars, 1106 SW Eighth St., Miami, 305-858-4162
BEST LOCAL SHOPPING DESTINATION
WINNER
Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 305-935-1110, www.shopaventuramall.com
Opened in 1983, this mega-complex, anchored by Bloomie's, JCPenney, Macy's and Sears, has restaurants, unique boutiques, even a movie theater. If you can't find what you're looking for here, you may want to shop online.
RUNNER-UP
Dadeland Mall, 7535 North Kendall Dr., Kendall, 305-665-6226, www.simon.com
This 45-year-old shopping center just keeps packing 'em in. Maybe that's why you have to arrive at 6 a.m. to find a parking spot.
BEST PLACE TO BUY A NEW CAR
WINNER
Tamiami/Chrysler Jeep, 8250 SW Eighth St., Miami; 305-266-5500; tamiami.fivestardealers.com
RUNNER-UP
Braman Motors, 2060 Biscayne Blvd. Miami; 305-571-1200, www.bramanmotorsbmw.com
BEST GYM
WINNER
Olympia Gym, 20335 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, 305-932-3500; 5701 Sunset Dr., South Miami, 33143 305-665-7846
RUNNER-UP
LA Fitness (multiple locations, www.lafitness.com)
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