Best breakfast if you're feeling relaxed

SAGE'S BRUNCH HOUSE

We have waited at Sage's Brunch House for hours. Literally. To be fair, though, that was on the day of The Evergreen State College graduation. The service is often very good, but there are times when it, too, demands that the customer have a laid-back attitude. And the restaurant doesn't take credit cards, so be prepared. All that said, Sage's is worth it. With amazing sautéed veggies and a mashed-potato cake, the basic breakfast is not so basic, and the samosas and migas take breakfast international. If you haven't tried Sage's, we'd recommend it highly. Just don't go there when you're really hungry. 903 Rogers St., Olympia - Molly Gilmore

Best breakfast if you're in a hurry

DINO'S COFFEE HOUSE

At first glance, Dino's Coffee Co. might appear to be just a great coffee shop. And it is that. But it's also a great breakfast spot with a super-friendly staff and amazingly quick service - particularly by the standards of Olympia, where most of the best breakfast restaurants seem to adhere strictly to a slow-food philosophy. At $10, the veggie scramble is a fitting light breakfast for two. Dino's calls itself "Olympia's worst-kept secret," but we still worry that announcing its greatness in print is going to spoil it. It's not all that big. Oh, and Dino's serves lunch, too. 1822 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia - MG

Best pub crawl turned non-profit

OLYMPIA PUB CRAWL

This event, that just a few years ago in its infancy, brought in $200, then up to hundred times that by 2012. The 2013 event grew to include more than 300 people and 30 businesses and culminated in a rock show, including 2012 Best of Olympia winners Full Moon Radio. And of course, there was beer drinking, lots of beer drinking. The event benefitted Friends Of Mia, and funds for researching childhood cancer. Perhaps what's most exciting is the fact that because of their hard work for such great causes, they became their very own nonprofit. "That growth is a priority," says Molly Sjoboen, event organizer. "It's very overwhelming to think of the growth year after year - the support from the community is just amazing. When businesses and bands reach out to us, it shows that it's not just our dream, it's other's desire to make us grow and that makes a huge difference in our success." - Nikki McCoy

Best reason to drink alcohol

REPEAL PROHIBITION DAY CELEBRATION

A fundraiser for the Olympia Film Society produced by local bartenders, restaurateurs, and theater staff, the party topped itself again this year, says Audrey Henley, executive director of OFS. "If you ever wanted to know what the Capitol Theater could've been like in the 1930s - or a darn good interpretation, Repeal Day is for you. We honor the era with vaudeville acts, music, burlesque and handcrafted pre-prohibition cocktails such as the Gin Daisy or the Boulevardier. We try to put a little dash of something special each party, in 2013 it was lovely aerialists decked out as cigarette girls serving cocktails right at your seat." Mark your calendar for the 2014 Repeal Prohibition Day Celebration, Friday, Dec. 5. - NM

>>> Weekly Volcano readers named Whitney Lee of the 4th Ave Tavern the Best Bartendar in Thurston County. Photo credit: Winter Teems

Best place to giggle while ordering a pie

BACK DOOR BAKERY

The Back Door Bakery. Yeah, the name is giggle-worthy. Go ahead, get 'em out. Feel better? Cool, 'cause it's time to get some really tasty grub of the sweetest and most delicious variety. This bright and cheery bakery offers truly lovely desserts, most notably pies. Buy them whole, by the slice or my favorite, the "cutie" pie. Cutie pies are exactly that; round little morsels of deliciousness about the circumference of a coffee mug. You can't just have one because frankly, that's no fun. I enjoyed mixing and matching; really the perfect sampling technique. I paired my chocolate cream cutie pie with a caramel apple cutie pie - smooth, creamy, flaky crust-perfect cuties indeed. Of course there's cake (the frosting is whipped sweet magic) and cookies (the snicker doodles are outrageously good). Pair your sweets with some hot or cold beverages, enjoy the free Wi-Fi, and let the kiddies lounge in the book and board area (with a mounted TV) and smile. 4444 Lacey Blvd., SE Suite B, Lacey - Kim Thompson

Best 80-year-old meat market

STEWART'S MEAT MARKET

When you find a locally-owned meat market that has remained successful for more than 80 years, you know they must be doing something right. Whether it is raising their own livestock 4 miles from the store, having hormone and antibiotic free meats, or their famous jerky, Stewart's Meat Market has a large following of loyal customers that keep coming back. A typical weekend can bring in more than 500 customers. Stewart's puts a tremendous amount of pride in their customer service and they feel that customer happiness is top priority. Customers can stock up on their favorite cuts of beef - including grass-fed beef - pork, and chicken and know that they are getting fresh, quality meat. While other stores have come and gone through the ages, this family-owned and operated store has clearly remained a favorite through the generations for good reasons. 17821 Washington 507, Yelm - Heather Short

Best new beer

12TH MAN PALE ALE BY DICK'S BREWERY

Yes, I realize that each of my "Best Food and Drink" picks are filled with all drink and no food, but hey, can you hold it against me? We're a town with some serious drinking pride, and we're a region with some serious Seahawks spirit, the perfect combination for Dick's Brewery to release their 12th Man Pale Ale. The ale quickly swept the South Sound with its drinkability, cute can, and of course, that 12th Man strength. "Boy what a ride it's been this year," says Steve Wirtz, general sales director. "The timing of a two-year project coming together couldn't have been better. This was the year of the 12! But it doesn't stop here at the Super Bowl. This is a beer for the fan of all sports, not just the Seahawks. ... The next step is to focus the beer on the fans of the Seattle Sounders and the Mariners. For us at the brewery, the ride has just begun." - NM

Best restaurant - special occasion division

BASILICO RISTORANTE

I like Quality Burrito as much as anyone, but the fact that the readers named it the best restaurant in Olympia says as much about Olympia's culture (and perhaps economy) as it does about QB. When it's time to splurge, I suggest Basilico Ristorante. The Northern Italian menu (with virtually everything available gluten-free) is delicious and different, featuring such highlights as a salad of organic arugula and pear, bison short ribs and handmade pasta with wild boar. The atmosphere is charming and the servers and their Italian accents even more so. The wine list, too, is a standout. Sure, it's a lot pricier than burritos, but it's an awfully economical way to experience a night in Italy. 507 Capitol Way S., Olympia - MG

Best Saturday afternoon tastings

THE WINE LOFT

A visit to The Wine Loft is sure to help you unearth something delicious - and often reasonably priced, too. Wine shops aren't just for those with big budgets. The suggestions start flowing before you even enter; the front door is festooned with fliers detailing some good picks. Inside, the store is crammed with additional choices. The loft's best offering, though, is its Saturday afternoon tastings, offered both inside the shop and in the adjacent courtyard, where tasters meet and mingle in a way that feels a lot like being at a cocktail party. (There are heaters to help keep things comfortable this time of year.) Sad note: It would have been tough to pick a winner in this category if not for the loss of the Olympic Wine Merchant, which closed at the end of 2013. 401 Columbia St. NW, Olympia - MG

Best late-night eats

OLD SCHOOL PIZZA

There's something to be said for a pizza shop located directly across the street from not one, but in the heart of a plethora of downtown bars. But our affection for Old School Pizza goes beyond drunk munchies. The fact is, those big slices come out of the oven warm and so heavily packed with toppings that you'll want to grab an extra paper plate on your way out. And the service is silent and quick, even on nights where you have to deal with the swarm of street kids who think falling down drunk is funny (on certain nights, we'd agree). We suggest the vegan pizza, which comes with roasted eggplant, cashews, red onion, basil and a bit of a kick. But honestly, it's all good. Especially after a good bender at the bar (or bars) across the street. - Michael Swan

LINK: Best of Olympia 2014

LINK: Best of Olympia 2013

LINK: Best of Olympia 2012

LINK: Best of Olympia 2011