Flowers of Edina’s “Be Happy” arrangement
We asked, you answered: Readers’ 25 favorite people, places and things
Julie Andrews can keep her wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, because we’ve found a few of our favorite things. For the sixth year, Edina Magazine put on a search to find the best destinations our fair city has to offer. Through our online survey, readers responded in droves, telling us everything from the best day care and best barber, to best dessert and best massage therapist. The wait is finally over: We’ve counted your votes, and here is the list of things you just can’t live without.
GOOD EATS
Best Pizza:
Davanni’s Pizza & Hot Hoagies
5124 Gus Young Ln.
952.920.9090
With three crust options—thin, traditional and deep dish—and more than 22 toppings, Davanni’s Pizza & Hot Hoagies can satisfy just about any pizza lover’s desires. An Edina staple for 15 years, their secret to success is quality ingredients, made-fresh-daily crust and a consistently current menu. In the last year they added gorgonzola, roasted red peppers and spinach to their toppings list. Hungry? We recommend the works loaded with sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, mushrooms, onion and extra cheese.
Runner up: Punch Neopolitan Pizza; Third place (tie): California Pizza Kitchen and TJ’s of Edina Restaurant & Pizzeria
Best Breakfast:
Edina Grill
5028 France Ave. S.
952.927.7933
Walleye and a polite wait staff—what more could a Minnesotan want for breakfast? The Edina Grill delivers on both fronts. Their menu is filled with both local (think walleye and shrimp Benedict) and exotic (think Spanish Chorizo and breakfast burritos) flavors and is served in a warm, friendly environment. “Our staff will remember your coffee preference and your birthday,” claims assistant manager Matthew Lipschultz, so it pays to be a regular. Other popular and mouthwatering breakfast options include brie and spinach frittata, shredded pork breakfast burrito and classic oatmeal flapjacks.
Runner up: Original Pancake House; Third place: Perkins
Best Place to go out for Dessert:
The Cheesecake Factory
2715 Southdale Center
952.653.3333
Where’s the best place to satisfy that sweet tooth? The Cheesecake Factory has stolen top honors again this year, thanks to its immense offering of specialty desserts, including some 30-plus flavors of cheesecake all sold by the slice or in full-cake form. Patrons continue to go ga-ga over the original cheesecake recipe, created by founder Evelyn Overton some 60 years ago, but now flock to new favorites like the multi-layered Stefanie’s ultimate red velvet cheesecake and the chocolate coconut cream cheesecake on macaroon crust.
–Runner up: Salut Bar Américain; Third place: Edina Creamery
Best Happy Hour:
Tavern on France
6740 France Ave. S.
952.358.6100
Round up your colleagues and head to Tavern on France for some post-work bonding. During happy hour (3–6 p.m. and 9 p.m.–close M–F), try the delicious cheesy jalapeño chicken nachos, or indulge in a half-price pizza. If you’ve had a stressful day, the perfect remedy is one of the Tavern’s signature cocktails, like the Detox-Tini. Tavern also features a great dinner menu if you’re staying late.
Runner up: McCormick and Schmick’s. Third place: Crave
Best Takeout After Work:
Big Bowl
3669 Galleria
952.928.7888
Stay out of the kitchen tonight; instead, stop by Big Bowl on your way home. The dumplings are a perfect pickup for your dinner table (if they make it that far). After you’re warmed up, get ready for some classic pad thai or a bowl of their homemade curry. Order online for speedy service, and feel free to spice things up to your liking.
Runner up: D’Amico and Sons. Third place: Byerly’s.
Best Coffee:
Caribou Coffee
Various Edina locations
It was a close race, but Twin Cities-based company Caribou Coffee ended up taking home the prize for favorite java. With 11 locations in or within 3 miles of Edina to help you get your caffeine fix, there’s always a Caribou just around the corner. The company also brings out a new coffee blend each season, and every cup promises to be of the finest quality, always made fresh and sourced sustainably.
–Runner up: Starbucks Coffee Company; Third place: Dunn Bros Coffee
HOUSE CALLS
Best Landscaper:
Bachman’s Landscaping
6010 Lyndale Ave., Mpls.
612.861.7646
Whether you’re simply looking for a few flowering plants or shade-lending trees to line your walkway, or you’re in need of a serious yard overhaul, complete with water fixtures and fire pits, Bachman’s is fully prepared to lend a helping hand. The 125-year-old, family-owned company boasts a team of experienced professionals, including personal garden coaches and maintenance experts to help keep your perfectly designed gardens in tip top shape for years to come.
–Runners Up (tie): Exterior Design Studio and Sunnyside Gardens
Best Interior Designer:
Michelle Lohrding of MKat Designs
952.239.9963
For the past five years, Michelle Lohrding of MKat Designs has been turning houses into homes all across Edina and developing a substantial and adoring client base in the process. “I believe when you are passionate about what you are doing, and care about people, you can be really successful,” she explains. Lohrding, whose designs have been featured in Better Homes and Garden’s Remodel Magazine, predicts a move towards bold colors, like yellow and gold, for this summer’s remodels.
Runner up: Gabberts
FIX IT
Best Plumber:
Edina Plumbing
8355 Heather Ave.
952.926.5205
When things start to go awry and you sense leaks and clogs in pipes and drains, you want your problem handed over to a capable team of experts. For many reasons, Edina Plumbing gets your vote for best of the year. Customers routinely praise the company’s quickness to respond to minor (or major) plumbing disasters, as well as how tidy the experts leave your home once all is said and done.
–Runner Up: Joyce Plumbing
Best Auto Repair:
Grandview Tire & Auto
5100 Vernon Ave., 952.929.3115
5415 70th St. W., 952.944.1119
“We try awfully hard to do the right thing for people,” vice president Steve Caspers says about his staff at Grandview Tire & Auto. And really, what more could you ask for? Seven of Grandview’s nine technicians, spread out over their two Grandview Edina locations, are AC certified. And unless you need body work, Grandview can fix just about any car problem, be it a simple tire rotation or more complex engine work. Take advantage of Grandview’s Air Conditioning Service Special this month, and get ready to beat the summer heat.
Runner up: Edina Tire and Auto
Best Dry Cleaner:
Edina Cleaners & Launderers
4500 France Ave. S.
952.927.9991
You can’t trust your fine threads to just anyone. When it comes to speedy turnaround, at home pick-up and drop-off, reliable cleaning and delicate handling of precious garments, Edina Cleaners takes the cake. Even better? In efforts to be more eco-friendly, the company has recently launched green initiatives such as hanger recycling, earth-friendly solvents, re-usable garment bags and Segway scooter clothes delivery.
Runner up: Hallmark Cleaners; Third place: Anderson Cleaners
Best Tailor:
The Tailors of Edina
5031 Vernon Ave. S.
952.920.8785
Whether it’s a garment that needs repairing, ill-sized garb that needs to be taken in (or let out, depending on the amount of “Best Dessert” cheesecake you’ve been enjoying), or simply a pair of pants or a skirt that needs hemming, Edina residents place their confidence in The Tailors of Edina. The company’s team of experts can even tackle specialty items such as formal wear, bridal gowns and leather goods.
Runner up: John’s Tailors; Third place: Tailors on Blake
SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP
Best New Store:
Title Nine
3942 W. 50th St.
612.238.9992
Since opening their doors in mid-January, Title Nine (named after the 1972 legislation that gave federal funds to ensure girls equal opportunity to participate in sports) has brought stylish and functional active wear to clamoring Edina area residents. Catering to the athlete inside us all, the shop runs the gamut when it comes to women’s fitness apparel, boasting an impressive selection of everything from chic yoga garb and hiking wear to patterned swim suits and performance-ready sports bras.
–Runner Up: Fringe; Third place: Hammer Made
Best Florist:
Flowers of Edina
7029 Amundson Ave.
952.944.5770
Maybe it’s the freshest cut, award-winning blooms, or the staff’s attention to customer’s event planning budgets, but whatever the very reason, Flowers of Edina has again taken top honors. Owner Janine Krieter and her skilled team focus on using only the highest quality flowers, picking in-season buds whenever possible, and creating always original arrangements custom made for your occasion.
–Runner Up: Artistic Floral; Third place: Bachman’s
Best Grocery Store:
Lunds
3945 W. 50th St.
952.926.6833
What started as a small grocery store at corner of Lake and Hennepin has grown into a handsome chain of 10 Twin Cities-area stores (still family-owned and operated, of course). Along with offering incredibly fresh perishables and a wide selection of gourmet foods, the nearly 70-year old Edina Lunds store has grown to offer professional catering services and various classes and events hosted by in-store experts.
–Runner up: Byerly’s; Third place: Jerry’s Foods
BEAUTY FILES
Best Hair Salon:
Spalon Montage
3909 W. 49½ St.
952.915.2900
Spalon Montage provides all the standard hair services one would expect from a salon—cuts, dyes, highlights, etc —with beautiful results. But what sets Spalon apart is their luxurious hair treatments like the Brazilian Blowout, which provides smooth and glossy hair for up to 12 weeks. Just imagine the time you’ll save getting ready. They recently launched Elan Sassoon’s new eco-friendly product line Sojourn, and Spalon continues to update their services with products and treatments that have proven the best the hair care industry has to offer.
Runner up: Juut; Third place: Rocco Altobelli
Best Hair Stylist/Barber:
Dick Kramer of Dick’s Sports Barbers
4404 France Ave. S.
952.926.6924
Whether it’s stories you want to hear, or stories you want to tell, Dick Kramer is the man you should seek. As owner of Dick’s Sports Barbers for the last 43 years, Kramer has garnered an incredibly loyal following—from young boys getting their first hair cut to men getting a trim during their lunch break–all of whom flock for his shearing expertise.
Runners up (tie): Charlie Vezina of Charlie’s Haircuts of Distinction and Petra Einaugler of Spalon Montage
Best Massage Therapist:
Tina Capisprant and Angie Stepan (tie) of CorePower Yoga and Spa
7495 France Ave. S.
952.835.9642
When you get a massage from Tina Capisprant or Angie Stepan at CorePower Yoga, you are in very capable hands. Between them, the two have experience in pre- and post-natal health, reflexology, fitness, and Swedish, deep-tissue and hot stone massage. They offer massages inspired by yoga, which means there is a heavy emphasis on breathing, relaxation and the use of calming tools like essential oils, hot stones and Chakra balancing stones. Just hearing the names of the massages they offer—Balance and Bliss, OM Rejuvenation and Earthly Elements—makes the stress melt away. Runner Up: Amber Kaye of Blooma
PERFECT PETS
Best Pet Grooming:
LuLu & Luigi
3699 Joppa Ave., St. Louis Park
952.929.1200
Although slightly outside of the Edina city limits, clearly few local residents could argue that LuLu & Luigi is the ultimate destination when it comes to grooming and pampering your fluffy four-legged friends. The shop is positively packed with “aww”-inducing pet toys, accessories, outfits, treats and much more, while their Grooming Pawlour offers every pet service imaginable, from basic bathing and trimming to aromatherapy shampoos and sore joint treatments.
Runner up: Pet Clips; Third place: Bone Adventure Pet Gear & Grooming
Best Vet:
Westgate Pet Clinic
4345 France Ave. S., Mpls.
612.925.1121
For two years in a row, Westgate Pet Clinic has been voted the best vet in Edina, despite being located in Minneapolis. Now that is saying something. The clinic’s nine veterinarians work tirelessly to make sure Edina cats and dogs receive the best treatment available—and they’re even open on Saturdays. The clinic is always trying to improve client experience. Soon Westgate will start cat only hours, so poor little Mittens isn’t scared to death by the Great Dane in the waiting room.
Runner up: Southdale Pet Hospital; Third place: Edina Pet Hospital
STEPPIN’ OUT
Best Place to Meet Singles:
Tavern on France Restaurant & Bar
6740 France Ave. S.
952.358.6100
If you should be on the lookout to spend time with other local singles, consider ponying up to the bar at the Tavern on France. With a low key yet sophisticated atmosphere, this restaurant is the epitome of the vibe you’d want for your first date. Summertime always seems to bring Minnesotans out of their lairs and into the sunshine, so don’t miss the opportunity to mix and mingle (signature Tavern cocktail in hand, of course) on the restaurant’s local hot spot of a patio.
Runner up: Crave; Third place: Beaujo’s
Best Place to Work Out:
CorePower Yoga and Spa
7495 France Ave. S.
952.835.9642
When it comes to keeping fit, Edina residents turn to the 80-plus classes at CorePower Yoga. Nationally recognized experts lead the classes, ranging from hot yoga and power Vinyasa to yoga sculpt and outdoor Nurture in Nature, in a supremely serene and modern setting. The facility also boasts an onsite spa and chic yoga accessory and clothing boutique. If you’ve yet to be converted, the studio offers one week of free classes to new students, and discounted spa services during that free week.
Runner up: YMCA Southdale; Third place: Life Time Fitness
KIDS’ WORLD
Best Kids Birthday Spot:
Edinborough Park
7700 York Ave. S.
952.833.9540
With a massive indoor play ground that spans almost one acre—including Adventure Peak , one of the largest indoor play structures in the country—it’s no wonder that Edinborough Park is Edina’s favorite spot for a kids’ party. Tots can crawl, climb, slide and bounce all over the play park before settling down to one of Edinborough’s reserved birthday sites for food and cake.
Runner up: Chuck E. Cheese’s; Third place: Pump It Up
Best Daycare:
Kinderberry Hill
3950 70th St. W.
952.925.5881
Kinderberry Hill goes above and beyond when it comes to making daycare a positive experience for you and your little ones. Within a curriculum that emphasizes art, literacy, imagination and self-esteem, Kids get lots of individual attention from a staff of teachers and participate in weekly Spanish, music and fitness programs. And get this, no diaper bag required! Kinderberry provides diapers, bottles, formula and everything else you can think of. Plus, they have a full time chef and nurse on staff.
Runner up: Step by Step Montessori; Third place: Edina Family Center
Best Summer Camp:
Edina Art Center Summer Camps
4701 W. 64th St.
952.903.5780
With the 70-plus art camps to choose from at the Edina Art Center summer camps, it’s no wonder Edina parents love to foster their children’s creative sides. The lively tree-day camps cover subjects such as watercolor painting, clay exploration, drawing basics and abstract painting, and all are created to accommodate specific age groups.
Runner up: YMCA Day Camp Kici Yapi; Third place: Cathedral of the Pines
