The Best of NJ is in South Orange and Maplewood

South Orange and Maplewood are more than a place to live and work. They’re home to restaurants, food purveyors, stores and even a hiking trail that are known and recognized statewide. New Jersey Monthly’s “Best of New Jersey 2011,” hot off the presses, represents voters from around the state who told the magazine what’s best from around the Garden State and why. 

Numerous locals who feed us and keep us dressed, well read, and supplied with toys scored well, snagging nominations and awards. Maplewood’s Words and Milk Money snagged “best” in their categories, while South Orange points proudly to Kitchen a la Mode, Pro Pets, and Robyn Ross as “bests.”

The big winners, of course, are the proud locals who can shop, eat and even hike nearby, at the very best the state has to offer. Congratulate your local merchant on another year of fine food, superb shopping, close to home. Then tell your friends to come shop and dine – the are the perfect occasion.

Cheers and congratulations to the winners!

The following list includes categories and winners or runners-up from South Orange and Maplewood. For the complete list, click here.

BAGELS: Runner-up: Sonny’s Bagels, South Orange

BREADS: Runner-up: Cait & Abby’s, South Orange

BUTCHER: Runner-up: Eden Gourmet, South Orange

CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011 Little One & Co., Maplewood 

COCKTAILS: Runner-up: Above, South Orange; Daddy O, Brant Beach

GOURMET SHOP: Runner-up: Eden Gourmet, South Orange

PIZZA: Runner-up: Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria, Maplewood

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE: Runner-up: Designer Loft West, South Orange

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE/WOMEN'S: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011 Robyn Ross Designs, South Orange

FLORIST: Runner-up: Lotus Petals Floral Design, Maplewood

GIFT SHOP: Runner-up: Perch Home, Maplewood

INDEPENDENT BOOK STORE: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011 Words, Maplewood

JEWELRY: Runner-up: Robyn Ross Designs, South Orange

KITCHENWARE: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011 Ben Salmon’s Kitchen a la Mode, South Orange

TOY STORE: Runners-up: Sparkhouse, South Orange; Scrivener’s Collectibles, Maplewood

PET BOUTIQUE: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011, Pro Pets,

VINTAGE/CONSIGNMENT: Winner, Best of New Jersey, 2011 Milk Money, Maplewood

PILATES: Runner-up: Core Mind & Body, Maplewood

YOGA: Runner-up: Baker Street Yoga, Maplewood

HIKING TRAIL: Runner-up: South Mountain Reservation, Essex County