The votes are in, and the winners have been selected for OnMilwaukee's Best Dining 2009. The results of this readers' poll, including an editors' pick, are available in this series of articles that run all October long during Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com.
This year, we combined two previously separate categories: "view" and "vibe/atmosphere."
Being a new category, we can hardly say the winner -- Alterra at the Lake -- came as a surprise. But it did because in 2008, Roots was the clear winner in both categories. That makes it curious that Roots didn't nab the combined category.
But, you can't argue with the winner. On a warm, sunny day, there is no better place to be than Alterra at the Lake. But, even when the weather is less inviting, the refurbished pumping station that houses Alterra is alluring, with the sound of friendly chatter, a hissing espresso machine and the scent of coffee everywhere.
Alterra nabbed one-fifth of all the votes in the category and Roots finished second with 13 percent.
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Smyth
Runners-up:
2. Roots
3. Milwaukee Ale House
4. Barnacle Bud's
5. Friday's Front Row Sports Grill
6. Cubanitas
7. Smyth
8. Maxie's Southern Comfort
9. Hotel Metro
10. Bacchus
11. Conejito's
12. Nessun Dorma
13. Mason Street Grill
14. Nanakusa
15. Kegel's Inn
16. Mader's
17. Bavarian Inn
18. Quimera
