With a little imagination, B'Sghetti's Restaurant could be the Tiger Woods of Taste of Downtown.
B'Sghetti's has captured the Best Overall award each year the downtown Carson City restaurant has been open. That's four years in a row, if anybody's counting.
"I'm so thrilled," said Joanna Kearns, the Italian restaurant's manager for all four years.
Between chrysanthemums, gladiolas, purple-and-gold balloons and a full meal, B'Sghetti's captured the most votes from the 1,000 people taking part Saturday in the downtown taste testing festival involving 16 restaurants.
Don't count B'Sghetti's out yet for next year.
"We try to diversify with something new every year," Kearns said. "We want to keep people surprised. We keep our eyes open for ideas throughout the year."
Taste of Downtown cleared $18,000 for the Advocates to End Domestic Violence. All the money will go to the 51-bed shelter for battered women and children, said Lisa Lee, the Advocates' executive director.
"We had people knee-deep downtown," Lee said. "The streets were bustling."
Along with 1,000 ticket holders, Lee figures another 2,000 people milled around downtown to listen to the nine bands featured at Taste, the most bands yet to play at the fund-raiser now in its seventh year. Fair Warning was voted best band.
Garibaldi's, after an absence from Taste, served up prawns and wontons to claim Best Taste.
Over the years, Taste of Downtown has gone beyond just food. More and more businesses are keeping their doors open, and National Best Sellers won Best Atmosphere. Best Shop went to Tudor's Cottage.
Best New Discovery was Carson City BBQ.
B'Sghetti's presented an elaborate platter for tasters. There was the pesto ravioli fritta and the ouzo tomato coulis. Roasted garlic dip and artichoke spinach dip pleased those who wanted a lighter sampling.
B'Sghetti's also served artichoke and tomato bruschetta, pomodoro tomatoes, Gorgonzola walnut spread and roasted peppers and bruschetta. For dessert, there was a choice of plain cheesecake and apple walnut cheesecake.
"We just feel the better we make it the better the attendance and the more we make for charity," Kearns said. "I really love Taste of Downtown. It's my favorite thing to do."
Taste of Downtown awards
Best Overall: B'Sghetti's, fourth straight year
Best Atmosphere: National Best Sellers
Best Taste: Garibaldi's
Best Shop: Tudor's Cottage
Best Band: Fair Warning
Best New Discovery: Carson City BBQ
