EDITOR’S LETTER

JULY/AUG 2021 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

SCAN TO VISIT US

HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP

WE DID IT

Finally! After the year we’ve had, we deserve every bit of the fun and joy of this “Best Of” issue. Inside we throw the confetti for the local places that our readers told us were their favorites, from independent coffee shop to car wash. I consider both of those year-round essentials. Where would I be without an iced coffee to cool me down or a car wash to rid my car of its pelt of green pollen?

But, of course, there are lots more categories—nearly 175 of them! We included the all-time must-haves, including pizza, margaritas and jeans, of course, but we also looked at the categories with fresh eyes. We critically questioned which ones made sense for the year we had. Remember, we started voting in some of the hardest days of the

Covid-19 pandemic. We didn’t have a vaccine.

We were isolating at home. Our world was different, including how we picked up our groceries to where we got dinner. With that in mind, we include categories that spoke to the time: restaurant pick-up service, outdoor dining and virtual fitness classes, among others. We’re still using these options, even as restrictions are lifted for many of us.

I’ve grown to appreciate some of the new ways of living (my new gardening skills, for example)—and so I’m glad the categories were included and their winners selected.

Those of you have been loyal readers over the years know that we don’t just reveal the winners of the Gold Coast (across the towns from Greenwich to Fairfield, which our publications cover), we also dive deep into each town, specifically. That is to say, this issue also includes the winners of the Best of Stamford. In some ways, I find this section even more fun that the Gold Coast. Yes, I can use the main section to go explore places I might not have experienced otherwise. (For example, the best Italian food in Greenwich? That’s worth a drive.) But with town winners, it’s more personal. I fully cheer for the winners and occasionally ask, “But what about... [insert some personal Stamford place]?” This becomes an exercise for an editor to step aside and listen, really listen, to the readers. And then I can go check these surprise winners out with fresh eyes—or simply return to my own faves.

The one thing we can all agree on is that we owe our local places sincere gratitude and admiration. Through extraordinary circumstances, they carried on, problem solved, made sacrifices and showed up. They helped us. They fed us. They provided goods. They took care of us. All of this despite the risks and worries they faced. The community needed them; it was crystal clear how very much we needed them. So, local businesses, enjoy this issue and your wins. And if your name is not on this year’s list, know that you’re still very much appreciated and admired. We’re family—and we need one another.

Here’s to an amazing summer! Let’s fully enjoy all that our hometown has to offer.