CONTENTS INTERIM GM COLLEEN BRADY 928.556.2279 EDITOR NANCY WIECHEC 928.913.8668 PHOTOGRAPHY BENJI SHANAHAN NANCY WIECHEC MACKENZIE CHASE GABRIEL GRANILLO ADVERTISING DIRECTOR COLLEEN BRADY ART DIRECTOR KEITH HICKEY SALES MANAGER ZACHARY MEIER SALES CONTRIBUTORS AMANDA LEONHARD LYDIA SMITH GRAPHIC ARTISTS CALLIOPE LUEDEKER LAURIE WINN
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Dining and Drinks 10 Diner favorite captures Best Brunch, Lunch and Waitstaff: Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery 12 Good eats and a place to linger made your way: Your Pie 14 A hidden gem in Hilltop Shops: Delhi Palace Cuisine of India 16 Two bests for legacy eatery with 60 years: La Fonda Mexican Restaurant 20 Prime steakhouse with tradition to boot: Horsemen Lodge 22 All good, all vegan, all affordable: Red Curry Vegan Kitchen 24 Dining and Drinks winners list
Services 26 30 34 36 40
Chef and caterer: ‘Simple has details’: Simply Delicious Longtime kennel catches two top honors: Kingsmark Kennels Clean matters: Voters choose dealer for best car wash: Findlay Honda Top spa offers array of treatments, stellar customer service: Flagstaff Face & Body Spa Services winners list
Shopping 42 46 50 52
Refuge for the geek in all of us: Bookmans Entertainment Exchange Enduring boutique with mountain-chic style: Sage Brush Trading Co. Awash in handmade soap and other gifts: P.J. Chilcottage Shopping winners list
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Venue lures patrons with location and diverse acts: Pepsi Amphitheater Historic spot keeps on dancing: Museum Club Library stacks full of history, resources: Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library Force of nature: Artist portrays animals with awareness: Kayley Quick Your Favorites winners list
Thank you for voting OneAZ Credit Union “Best of Flag”!
Why choose a credit union? Glad you asked. Let’s face it. Big banks are everywhere, so it’s easy to think that they’re the best option for you. Why not put your money and your trust in an organization that offers personalized service, competitive rates and a community focus? OneAZ Credit Union has been serving the Flagstaff area since the early 1970’s. Visit one of our Flagstaff branch locations today! H o m e | Au to | Pe r s o n a l | Bu s i n e s s
OneAZcu.com/Flagstaff | Insured by NCUA.
Equal Housing Lender. NMLS 607456. For membership eligibility, visit OneAZcu.com/membership.
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10 YEARS OF THANK YOU! FOR BEST OF FLAGSTAFF
We are a non-narcotic, integrated medical rehabilitation-based clinic in Northern Arizona, offering a variety of pain-relieving options to assist patients in achieving optimum health. •SottoPelle® Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy •Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy •Chiropractic & Osteopathic Manipulations •Allergy Testing & Immuno therapy •Trigger Point & Joint Injections •SupartzFX™ •Kinesio Taping® •Graston Technique® •Cervical and Lumbar Traction •Custom Orthotics •Soft Tissue Therapies •IV Vitamin Therapy We carry CBD products, Biofreeze, Sombra, dietary supplements, Tens units and support braces
Timothy Munderloh
D.C., D.I.B.C.N., F.I.A.C.N Board Cer Chiropractic Neurologist
1501 S. Yale St. #250 • Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928.556.0707 • azintegratedmedical.com
FOR VOTING US BEST OF FLAG! Check out why we’re #1 and voted Best Mortgage Company in Flagstaff year after year!*
(928) 779-9500 1600 W. University Ave., Ste. 112, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 NMLS:156052 primelendingflagstaff.com
*#1 Purchase Lender in Flagstaff MSA by volume and units as listed by Marketrac® for Jan-Dec 2017. Best of Flag, voted by the readers of the Arizona Daily Sun, 2015-2018. All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. Mortgage financing provided by PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. Equal Housing Lender. © 2018 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS: 13649) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is licensed by: AZ Dept. of Financial Institutions - mortgage banker lic no. BK 0907334.
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Best of Flagstaff 2018
sauerkraut and creamy Russian dressing. Another sizzling sammie classic, the Brandy Melt heats Swiss over smoked turkey, stacking green chilies and thinly sliced green apples on a grilled baguette spread with pesto mayonnaise. Still, Brandy’s gained its status with breakfast. On weekends, breakfast is served all day, and on weekdays, there is a generous hour from 11 a.m. to noon where diners can order either meal. Which begs the question: What makes the perfect brunch? “Our options are sweet or savory, breakfast or lunch or a mix of the two,” said Jamie. Under the Exceptional Eggs category, 10 Eggs Benedict choices run the gamut from Neptune with crab and Muenster cheese to Charles with avocado and artichoke hearts. Of course, the standard on a fresh English muffin is available or the Brandy on a bagel.
Like its diners, Brandy’s staff is also long-standing. “We focus on culture,” said Jamie. “We are team-oriented with low drama and no gossip.” Staff is motivated to go above and beyond. If someone stays late or comes in to cover another’s shift a “Wow Card” can be filled out and posted with managerial approval. This cheers staff on, and a monthly drawing keeps it rewarding. It ’s no myster y why the shop is full, even on a Monday. The same diners voted Brandy’s the Triple Crown of awards for Best Brunch, Best Lunch and Best Waitstaff. It is also a fitting testament that Brandy’s celebrated 25 years of business in September. “This is a magical anniversary,” said Jamie. Brandy’s is going in the right direction, and these are the stamps of approval, agreed Kelsey. Jamie and Kelsey Drayton
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Thank you Arizona Daily Sun readers for voting Wells Fargo ‘Best Bank’* This distinction inspires us to work even harder for you and for the good of the community. We strive to do our best today, in the future, and every day in-between. We’re proud to be a part of the community. wellsfargo.com
* Readers’ poll, Arizona Daily Sun, October 2018 © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. IHA-23884
ducer dedicated to humane cattle management and meat raised on vegetarian diets without antibiotics or hormones. In addition to sourcing quality meat, Horsemen steaks are carefully aged 45 days or more and prepared to order. Among its specials, the lodge invites date night with its Dinner for Two. “Fit for any cowboy and cowgirl,” it includes a giant 42-ounce porterhouse steak to share, plus two premium sides, house-made cornbread, unlimited passes at the soup and salad bar, and dessert—all for $87. The cornbread is baked daily in-house and made with local honey, smoked serrano and red bell peppers, and roasted corn. It’s served with real butter, as are the steaks and potatoes. What would a steakhouse be without prime rib among its fare? Horsemen Lodge has that favorite covered with its World Famous Applewood Smoked Prime Rib
Dinner. Available most Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 4 p.m., you’ll want to get there early for this special as it tends to sell out. Horsemen Lodge operates to provide quality food at a reasonable price with excellent service, said Alvin. But the establishment, located off Highway 89 just south of Silver Saddle Road, also gives patrons a taste of Flagstaff history and tradition. Cowboy hats, ropes, branding irons and historic photographs as well as various taxidermy hang on the walls. Atop the salad and soup bar, a trophy mountain lion appears in stride. On many weekends, cowgirls on horseback greet customers in Horsemen’s expansive parking lot. The atmosphere is classic Western, warm and nostalgic. “We want to make sure that Flagstaff history is here,” said Alvin. “This restaurant was built by locals and was always meant to attract family.”
THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF FOR VOTING OUR CHICKEN WINGS BEST OF FLAGSTAFF 2018
Pizza by the Slice • Salads Wings • Breadsticks • Beer & Wine DINE IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY
BEST JAPANESE FOOD
BEST SUSHI
BEST SEAFOOD
THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF!
6 E. Route 66 • 928.774.6100 karmaflagstaff.com
101 S. Beaver St. • 779-2691 • 1800 S. Milton Rd • 779-0024 Best of Flagstaff 2018
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T H A N K Y O U F L A G S TA F F
VOTED BEST HOTEL SERVICES FOR 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS 9 2 8 . 7 7 9 . 7 9 0 0 | 2 5 1 5 E A S T B U T L E R AV E
V I S I T F L A G S T A F F. L I T T L E A M E R I C A . C O M
VOTED BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY OF 2018 THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF
928.526.5309 www.FlagstaffRealEstate.com
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THANK YOU FLAGSTAFF For voting us Best Home, Kitchen & Bath Remodeler Locally owned by Andy & Laura Leigh Mathis. ROC # 303301
928-707-0315 kitchentuneup.com 1 DAY WOOD RESTORATION REFACING & REDOORING NEW CABINETS + DESIGN ACCESSORIES AND MORE
Dining & Drinks
Leona Barth
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the owner said. “Of course we welcome and love getting new clients to our spa, but we value loyalty and want our clients to know how much they mean to us. We have loyalty programs and promotions for the clients who have gotten us to where we are today.” Getting a wax, massage, or facial can often be anxiety-inducing to any newcomer because of the personal nature of spa treatments. Comical are some reviews of spa horror stories including being doused head-to-toe in glitter during a massage. Flagstaff Face & Body Spa reviewers, however, note the calm atmosphere, the knowledgeable staff, and the level of comfort they have experienced. “I feel ver y comfortable both in the spa and with all the staff. Some of the procedures
are not the most pleasant experiences, but I feel in good hands with the aestheticians and nurses,” wrote Kate, who has been going to the spa for a year. “I always have a good experience, plus I love the environment and design when walking in. It has such a relaxing and quiet atmosphere,” wrote Debbie, a customer since 2010. “The atmosphere was clean, welcoming, and calming. Reception was helpful and attentive. The HydraFacial exceeded my expectations. I have sensitive skin, so I was a little worried it might be irritating, but it was not,” chimed in a newer client. Barth cited the HydraFacial as her personal favorite treatment. “It is a deep clean for your pores and leaves the skin glowing, adding hydration that lasts,” she said. “We have a great many
THANK YOU for voting Woodlands Village Apartments Flagstaff’s BEST Apartment Community two years in a row! We love our residents!! #vwlife
THE BEST Bookstore 1. Bookmans
2. Bright Side Bookshop 3. Barnes & Noble
was going to be successful. But it was never about money,” Oldfather has said. “I just wanted a cool place for me to hang out.” 40 years later, that philosophy is still the driving force behind Bookmans garnering it numerous awards across the state. This year, our readers again voted its northern Arizona location as the Best Bookstore in the Best of Flag contest. When talking about what makes Bookmans a unique haven, marketing coordinator Caity Evans mirrors Oldfather’s dictum. “We just try to be engaged with the community and offer a place for people to come and
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more diversity – more authors of color, Native American authors. We’re also working on our LGBT collection.” The library is indeed for everyone; its continual modifications are designed with visitors in mind. “ We’re a community hub,” Cesare said. “We’re where people come to interact, either with other people or resources.” Although the downtown and Fourth Street libraries are located less than four miles from each other, they serve their own communities. The east branch, for example, has a prevalent after-school crowd. Consequently, safety will play a significant role in the renovations. The new design will improve the line of sight throughout the building, so the staff can keep watch and
....for your support of original fine art in Flagstaff. Our artists are truly grateful for your patronage.
17 N. San Francisco St. 928-773-0958 flagstaffartistsgallery.com open 9:30 - 7:00. Sun.: 9:30 - 6:00 calligraphy by gallery artist Mui Joo Wee
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has even more to come. In November 2017, the main library upgraded its scanners and automatic book sorter. It also replaced carpeting throughout the building and added a new steel sign and fireplace screens featuring works from local artists. All the while, it remained open to the public. Now it is the east branch’s turn. After winning a $24,100 Library Services and Technology Act grant, the Fourth Street team has begun creating new “intentional spaces.” Brosseau says these areas are designed to make the library more reflective of the people who are using it through new reading spaces, décor and materials. “We’re moving things around, we have murals going in,” Brosseau said. “We’ll be adding to the collection to add
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impressive feat. But cardholders are not the only ones with access to the resources the library can provide. Other Coconino County residents and visitors have always been welcome. Last year, in fact, the libraries throughout the county had over one million total visits. The library is a storehouse of essential information and local connections. “People come ask us for everything, and we don’t do it all, but we are happy to help them find what they need,” said Mark Cesare, the library’s interim director. Each visitor br ings unique requests, such as access to ever-increasing materials and the internet, or to participate in programs tailored to their needs as well as their wants. The choices already seem endless, but the library
THE LIBRARY THRIVES BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.
Thank You for voting the library as Best Public Agency. flagstaffpubliclibrary.org
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