March 2009

2 BEST OF THE BEST 2009 FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH

FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH BEST OF THE BEST 2009 3

The Telegraph
49 Natoma St., Suite D,
Folsom, CA 95630
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday - Friday
To place a display ad:
Ca;ll 916-985-2581
To place a classified ad:
Call 916-786-6500.
Deadline Monday at 5 p.m.
The Telegraph is a weekly newspa-
per of general circulation published
every Wednesday by Placer
Community Newspapers, Inc.
Don Chaddock, editor
Matt Long, sports editor
Philip Wood,
pagination/photography
Jennifer King,
administrative assistant
Jessica Armour,
advertising consultant
Amy Oldham,
advertising consultant
Karen Coomes,
advertising consultant
Ted Holcomb,
circulation advisor
Time to acknowledge the area’s best
rom recreation to din-
F ing, Folsom and El
Dorado Hills have it
all, making this area one of
the most desirable places to
live in the country.
This special section, the
Telegraph’s annual Best of
the Best, highlights some
of those who have earned
special recognition by their
customers and residents,
but this list isn’t compre-
hensive.
How can you rate the
best trail or the best bike
path? Can we list the best
community-oriented volun-
teer? We really can’t, but
know that we at the
Telegraph, and I’m sure
many in the community,
appreciate the efforts of the
numerous volunteers who
help make this area func-
tion.
For weeks Jennifer
King, the Telegraph’s
Don
Chaddock
administrative assistant,
gathered and counted
Editor
ballots, resulting in the
list you’ll find at the
back of this section.
The news staff picked a
few of the many winners to
highlight in stories.
We encourage our read-
ers to shop in their commu-
nities and frequent these
fine establishments. A dol-
lar spent here, stays here.
Once it leaves for parts
beyond our region, that
greenback is gone forever.
To all the firefighters,
law enforcement officers
and public servants who
make our lives easier, we
say thank you. You are truly
the Best of the Best in my
book.
Events and organizations
such as the Folsom
Christmas Tree Lighting,
Folsom Live, Folsom Lake
Symphony Orchestra,
Folsom Community
Concert Association,
Clarksville Historical Day,
Cyclebration and plenty of
others, give residents many
choices throughout the
year.
Oak Ridge High
School, Vista del Lago
and Folsom High all had
teams that made it into
the playoffs. I offer all of
them a tip of the ol’
fedora.
This area is rich with
things to do, places to go
and interesting people to
meet. Don’t be shy. Give a
warm welcome to new
businesses, stop in and say
hello to those in long-
established businesses and
try to make the area better
one handshake at a time.
After all, we’re all in this
together.
Don Chaddock is the
editor of the Telegraph.
He may be reached at
donc@goldcountry-
media.com.

All of us at Visconti’s would like to thank Folsom and El Dorado Hills

for voting us Best Italian Food in the Folsom Lake Area once again.
We find that word of mouth and good consistent food is our best
2770 E. Bidwell St., #700 testimonial.
Come in and visit our warm family environment and experience our
Folsom, CA 95630 authentic Italian Homestyle Cooking!
916-983-7222 Hope to see you at our new location in May at 2700 E. Bidwell, Suite 700
in Bel Air Shopping Center next to Ruby Tuesday.
“THE REAL TASTE OF ITALY”
Thank You for voting us LUNCH:

“Best Place to Grab Free Wi-Fi”

Tue-Fri 11am-2pm
DINNER: visconti’s
Tue-Thurs 4:30-9pm
Life’s a grind without our coffee. Fri & Sat 4:30-10pm
Sunday 4-9pm
Family Owned and Operated
Closed Mon 322 E. BIDWELL ST., FOLSOM 983-5181
4 BEST
Beach Hut is
the place to go
for sandwiches
By Matt Long
The Telegraph
f you’re looking for a sand-
I wich in Folsom or El
Dorado Hills, the Beach Hut
Deli is the place to go, at least
according to the voters in the
Telegraph’s Best of the Best
contest.
Topping the Best Sandwich
category, the Beach Hut offers
more than 25 gourmet sand-
wiches with all the fixings on
four varieties of bread.
The Folsom Beach Hut has
been located at 411 Blue
Ravine Road since 2000, but
OF THE BEST 2009 FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH
Steve Brown has only owned
the restaurant since October
2007. He’s thrilled with how his
business is growing and win-
ning the Best of the Best con-
test.
“The feedback in Folsom,
since I bought the franchise,
has been phenomenal,” Brown
said. “Our sales in 2008 were
the best since the franchise
opened. Everybody loves sand-
wiches and everyone loves
Beach Hut. Having the best
sandwich in Folsom is proof of
that. I appreciate the fact that
we won the contest.” PHILIP WOOD/THE TELEGRAPH
Erica Butler makes one of the many sandwiches on Beach Hut Deli's menu that made
See Beach, page 8 them the best voted sandwich maker in Folsom.
FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH BEST OF THE BEST 2009 5

Love and
marriage
Spouses practice law while balancing family, community
Joseph
and Sheri
Hoffman,
of
Hoffman
work with his brother, Bob, on and
By Don Chaddock Hoffman,
The Telegraph the Folsom Rodeo. were
“We did that for a long voted
offman and Hoffman, a time,” he said.

H Folsom-based law firm,

may have been voted
Best Lawyer in the Telegraph’s
Best of the Best contest, but
many in town know of the
dynamic duo as more than a
couple of attorneys.
Joseph and Sheri Hoffman
met in law school and have
two children, Kristen, 9, and
Jake, 7.
“They’re involved in every-
thing,” Joseph said.
He is also known for his
He is also a member of the
Folsom Rotary Club, which is
involved in numerous projects
best
attorney.
They are
based in
Folsom.
in the area. The law firm is
keeping the married couple DON
busy, so much so that they’ve CHADDOCK/
started toning down their com- THE
TELEGRAPH
munity activities to focus more
on their children’s activities.
“We’re involved in schools
and sports,” he said. “I just
finished coaching soccer and
basketball.”
See Attorney, page 10

India House The Best Winery

FINE INDIAN CUISINE for 2009
WINE & BEER BAR

India House would like to

thank our fine patrons in
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surrounding area for voting us winery experience there is.
the “Best Indian Food”. We Friendly, knowledgeable tasting
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invite you and your friends to picnics or events, historic old cellar
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Complimentary and reserve tasting,
Experience”! gift shop and more.
Open daily 10am-5pm.
Folsom Living.com
10% Discount for Seniors
2008 All Stars & State Employees.
Peoples Choice
Folsom Telegraph Help us celebrate with our
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We deliver! www.indiahouse-online.com www.boegerwinery.com
6 BEST OF THE BEST 2009
Restaurant goes ‘old school’
By Don Chaddock
The Telegraph
rom scrubbing dishes
F and pushing brooms in a
restaurant to now owning
one that’s taken the Telegraph’s
Best of the Best award nine
years running, Chef Frank
Visconti says it’s time to shake
things up.
For 16 years, Visconti’s
Italian Restaurant has offered
diners hearty portions at their
East Bidwell Street location
and now the popular eatery is
planning to move down the
road to the Broadstone area.
“Probably the first couple
of weeks in May we’ll make
the move,” he said.
But don’t think the restau-
rant will be shutdown for long
during the transition.
DON CHADDOCK/THE TELEGRAPH
“I’m hoping (to be closed)
Executive chef and owner of Visconti’s Italian Restaurant,
Frank Visconti, whips up a meal in the kitchen of his
only two or three days,” he
Folsom eatery. After 16 years, the restaurant is relocating said. “We have everything
mid-May to the Broadstone Plaza on East Bidwell Street. going now to make it smooth.”
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FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH
Visconti started his career
AT A GLANCE as a dishwasher in a pizzeria
and worked his way up the
The restaurant is located at ladder in the industry, always
322 East Bidwell St. The
new location, slated to open
mid-May, will be at 2700
East Bidwell St., Suite 700,
working in Italian restaurants.
When he was managing a
restaurant, he decided it was
time to take the leap and open
in Folsom. his own place.
That’s when he recruited his
family to help with the
He said the new restaurant
endeavor. His father,
will have more parking and
Carmello, is often seen greet-
will be able to offer seating
ing customers in the dining
options for their customers.
room.
“We’re going to have a full
As executive chef and
bar, which we don’t have
owner of the restaurant, Frank
now,” he said. “We’ll also have
Visconti said he always loved
a front and back patio and a
to cook. He’s a self-taught
banquet room.”
chef who started at an early
Looking around the family-
age.
run restaurant, he said the
“My mom tells me as a kid
move is for the best.
I would always play with pots
“We’ve been here 16 years
and pans,” he said. “Some of
and it’s time to move on,” he
the dishes (offered at
said. “We like Folsom and
Visconti’s) are family recipes
want to stay. That’s why we’re
moving to the Broadstone
See Visconti’s, page 11
Plaza.”
THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN DENTAL HEALTH
JARED W. RUMINSON, DDS
Thank You
El Dorado Hills and
Folsom for voting
us the “The Best
Dentist”
Governor’s Village Center
993 Governor Drive, Suite 104
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
916.941.1515
New Patients & Families Welcome
Patient Financing Available
info@EDHdentist.com • www.EDHdentist.com
FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH BEST OF THE BEST 2009 7

BEST OF THE BEST

Best Grocery Store
Raleys
Voters ride behind
Best Home Furnishings
Home Consignment
Best Jeweler Sharif’s &
Bicycles Plus shop
By Matt Long
Rainbow Bridge (tie) The Telegraph
Best Hospital
lat tires, kinked chains and
Mercy Folsom
Best Senior Housing
Creekside Oaks
F crooked handle bars usual-
ly end up at one local
bicycle repair shop.
Best Breakfast Bicycles Plus has served
Gold Miners Café Folsom residents for 21 years
and has several loyal customers,
Best Italian Visconti’s
according to the staff at the
Best Chinese Fat’s shop.
Best Sushi Taiko Sushi It’s this relationship built
through trust that led to
Best Mexican Bicycles Plus winning the
La Fiesta Taqueria Telegraph’s Best of the Best in
Best Thai Food the Bicycle Repair category.
Chantara Thai Owner John Crews, an El
Dorado Hills resident, offers
Best Indian Food customers everything related to
India House
bicycles. Brad Winter, the busi-
Best Sandwich ness’s general manager, is proud
Beach Hut Deli to have won the contest.
“It’s great to be recognized as
See List, page 9
the top (bike) shop in Folsom,”
Winter said. “We strive to be
knowledgeable and to treat peo-
ple fairly at fair prices.”
The business offers bikes,
bike parts, bike accessories and
anything else do with a bike, as
well as a full service department
and comprehensive bike fitting.
“We offer anything and
everything to do with bikes,”
Winter said. “If we don’t have it
we can get it. Bike fitting is
very important, especially on a
road bike where you’re station-
PHILIP WOOD/THE TELEGRAPH
Bicycle mechanic Justin Boldrini tunes a mountain bike at
ary in a saddle. Our guy who Bicycles Plus, which was voted by readers as the best bicy-
specializes in that has been rec- cle repair shop. The business is located in Folsom.
ognized as one of the top 10
bike fitters in the country.” “I’ve bought three or four place I go (for my biking
bikes here and get all my repairs needs).”
Folsom resident Ron Regalia
has patronized Bicycles Plus for done here,” Regalia said. “The Bicycles Plus is located at
the better part of a decade and service is really good, the loca- 705 Gold Lake Drive in Folsom.
recently brought his bike in for tion is good and the prices are Matt Long may be reached at
a tune-up. good. It’s basically the only mattl@goldcountrymedia.com.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L LY C O N S C I O U S

Joseph Hoffman* Sheri C. Hoffman

Family Law, Estate Planning

and Bankruptcy.
*A certified family law specialist

Thanks for voting us the Thanks for voting us the

“Best Lawyer” “Best Landscape Contractor
and Nursery”
49 Natoma Street, Suite F
Folsom, CA 95630 929 Sutter Street, Folsom
916-985-2753 916-985-3300
8 BEST OF THE BEST 2009 FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH

Beach: Ambiance, food, service make for winning combo

Continued from page 4
In El Dorado Hills, Beach
Hut is located at 3955 Park
Drive and has been there
four years. Owner Don
DeVorss has been running
the deli for just shy of a year.
“It’s awesome to win,”
DeVorss said. “I’m glad peo-
ple enjoy our sandwiches and
our place of business. I real-
ly appreciate it.”
DeVorss said he has a
winning combination of
atmosphere, service and
good food.
“I think people enjoy the
environment here; it’s like a
mini vacation when they
come here because it
reminds people of a place
that would be on the beach in
Hawaii,” he said. “People
also like the portions they that he’s got a very loyal cus- “I lived in Maui for 13 high-definition, which are a
get, and the style of sand- tomer base. At least four years and this place just hit with his customers.
wich is not comparable to days a week he’s delivering reminds me of some of the Rodriguez said it’s not all
anything else.” large orders of sandwiches places there,” Rodriguez about the ambiance. There
Whether in Folsom or El all over Folsom including said. “I also love the TVs are a lot of reasons he like
Dorado Hills, the Beach places such here because the Beach Hut.
Hut’s top-selling sandwich is as Intel, the they’re “They have the best sand-
the Surfin’ Bird, featuring
turkey, avocado, bacon and
hospital, Old
Folsom and
“ It’s like a
vacation when they
mini always show-
ing extreme
wiches ever and they don’t
skimp you on portions,”
cream cheese. All sandwich- the prison. In come here because it sports or Rodriguez added. “My
es include mayonnaise, mus- the evening, reminds people of a ESPN and favorite is the Santa Cruz,
tard, dill pickles, tomatoes, he has regu- I’m a sports which is hot pastrami, avoca-
red onions, lettuce, Greek lars who place ... on a beach nut.” do, bacon and cream cheese.
in Hawaii.
peppers and cheese. Alfalfa
sprouts and Italian dressing
come in for
happy hour. ” He said
the employ-
I also love the Marley
Nachos and … that they
serve beer. They’ve got great
are also available upon People
– Don DeVorss, ees are great.
request. aren’t there “They’ve specials you just can’t beat.”
owner, Beach Hut Deli
Brown classifies all of his just for the got a great Beach Hut Deli is open
of El Dorado Hills
sandwiches as gourmet. sandwiches group of seven days a week in Folsom
“Everything is sliced fresh either. Eddie people here and El Dorado Hills.
in house, all meats and Rodriguez, who said he visits and I just feel relaxed when
cheeses,” Brown said. “We the Beach Hut in Folsom I’m here,” he said. The Telegraph’s Matt Long
have fresh bread every day.” three to four times a week, Brown’s got five flat may be reached at
Brown is proud of the fact loves the atmosphere. screen televisions, all in mattl@goldcountrymedia.com.

Thank You Folsom and El Dorado Hills for

voting us the “Best of the Best” Thrift Store!
Your donations and purchases help support
hospice care at no charge to our community

616 E. Bidwell St.

(Across from 24 Hour Fitness•Folsom) T h a n k Yo u f o r vo t i n g u s
916.984.5853 “BEST SUSHI”
Lunches star ting at $5.95
50% Off Everything
excluding furniture
Expires April 25, Good at all 4 store locations (Folsom, Cameron Park, Placerville, Camino)
D i n n e r fo r 2 S p e c i a l $ 2 5 . 9 5
Folsom • 916-817-8525 • 2700 E. Bidwell St., (Broadstone Shopping Center)
Happy Hour M-F 2-5pm, $2 Off all specialty rolls. Draft beer & small sake $2
FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH BEST OF THE BEST 2009 9

Best Day Spa Hoshalls Best Pharmacy

List Best Salon De La Muse Innovative Compounding

Continued from page 7

Best Hamburger InNOut
Best Indoor Recreation
Folsom Sports Complex
Pharmacy
Best Gift Store
Periwinkle
Thanks for
Best Fitness Center
Best Bakery
Karens Bakery
Best Seafood
California Family Fitness
Best Personal Trainer
Robin Lenzi, California
Best Framing Shop
Aaron Brothers
Best Dry Cleaners
Voting us
Scott’s Seafood Swansons
Best Preschool/Daycare
Brighton Schools
Family Fitness
Best Travel Agency
Great Escape Travel
Best Florist Folsom Florist
Best Flooring Shop
the Best!
Best Martial Arts Best Pet Groomer Petsmart El Dorado Floor & Design
Robinsons TaeKwon Do Best Painting Contractor
Best Pet Supplies Petco
Best Children’s Shop Folsom Painting Co.
Starlight Starbright Best Art Gallery
Hang It Up Best Nursery/
Best Consignment/Thrift Garden Center
Store Snowline Hospice Best Veterinarian Greenheart Nursery
PetVets &
Best Auto Repair Folsom Vet Hospital (tie) Best Landscape Contractor
Folsom Care Care Greenheart Nursery
Best Accountant
Best Pizza Chicago Fire Bob Wellman Best Handyman
James Vermilyea
Best Financial Institution Best Insurance AAA
Wells Fargo Best Barber Barber Jon
Best Financial Planner
Best Real Estate Edward Jones Best Manicure Lilly’s Nails
Company Lyon’s Best place to enjoy a
Best Chiropractor
Best Dentist Dave Benevito glass of wine
Dr. Jared Ruminson Wine Konnection
Best Optometrist
Best Doctor Dr. Slapnick Dr. Robert Hoffman See List, page 11
10 BEST OF THE BEST 2009 FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH

Attorney: Wins ‘best’ title

Continued from page 5 “Right now, family law is at a cross-
The couple splits their practice road. Every news outlet has a story on
between two offices, one on Natoma it. The divorce rate is decreasing
Street in Folsom and the because of the economy,” he said.
other in Sacramento, and “Family law is in
different specialties.
“I’m a certified fami- “ We were getting all flux.”
these calls about
He said many
couples are sticking
ly law specialist,” he
said. “I think I’m the (bankruptcies) and it it out in the mar-
only one still in Folsom. riages for financial
My wife handles estate
was a business reasons.
planning.” decision to offer the His wife’s estate
The shift in the econ- planning is going
service.
omy has opened up a
new service area for the
”
– Joe Hoffman,
well, even
downturn.
with the

“It’s one of the

law firm.
“We started gearing co-owner Hoffman & Hoffman few areas people
up (to handle) bankrupt- are spending on
cies in December and something that isn’t
will be doing our first filings now,” he a necessity,” he said.
said. “We were getting all these calls Hoffman and Hoffman may be
about it when the economy started reached at 985-2753. Their Folsom
turning and it was a business decision office is located at 49 Natoma St.,
to offer the service.” Suite F.
He said the family-law side of the
business has slowed down because of Don Chaddock may be reached at
tough financial times. donc@goldcountrymedia.com.

Thank You for voting

us the Best Thai Cuisine

Live Music Every Friday

Lake View Patio • Full Bar

15% off
Dinner Entrees
please present ad
not valid Friday & Saturday

Banquet Party Room & Catering Available

4361 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills
916.939.0389
Best of the Best Mon.-Thurs. 11am-3pm & 4:30-9:30pm
2 Years Fri.-Sat. until 10pm
FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH BEST OF THE BEST 2009 11

List Best Dessert Karen’s

Visconti’s
Continued from page 9
Bakery
Best Caterer
Hannibals Catering
Continued from page 6
Thank You for voting us
Best Happy Hour Fat’s and some are original
Best Patio Dining
Balcony Bistro
Best Kids Birthday
Party Spot
Best Lawyer
Hoffman & Hoffman
Best Social Group
Mozie’s Adventures
creations.”
He’s been cooking for
26 years and considers
the restaurant “old
school” in service, por-
Best Jeweler
Bounceopolis & Best Park Kemp tions and atmosphere.
Bouncetown (tie) Best Winery Boeger “I’m a big eater,” he
Best Place for free wi-fi said. “I hate going
Best Contractor somewhere to eat and
It’s a Grind Robinson Construction not being full.”
Best Bike Repair Best Orthodontist Tista Visconti, a wait-
Bicycles Plus Dr. Kelleher er in the restaurant,
Best Bodyshop — Compiled by Jennifer offers a handshake to
B&J Bodyshop King, The Telegraph. customers and gives
them a warm welcome.
“Most people can’t
finish their plates,” he
said. “It’s rare.”
Folsom: Frank Visconti said
the restaurant has no
City of Bridges microwaves and he
doesn’t use preservatives
A special section published in his dishes.
by the Telegraph. “It’s all fresh,” he said.
Don Chaddock can
Look for it in the March 25 edition.
be reached at
donc@goldcountry-
media.com.

Come in and experience

M ary and all of
us at Mary’s
Gold Miner Cafe
why we’re the Best!
We of fer on-site repair
would like to thank and custom designs.
all of our loyal As a token of our appreciation, please
customers for
voting us the come in and receive a
“Best Breakfast”.
You are a part of
Free Watch Battery
our family.
Join us to celebrate Replacement
with a complimentary Limit 2 per customer
biscuits and gravy. Offer Expires May 30, 2009

Now Serving
Authentic Greek Dishes
Made by Mary
426 East Bidwell St., Folsom
916-984-4181
marysgoldminercafe.com
Mon-Fri 6am-2pm 916.353.1982
Sat & Sun 6am-3pm
341 Iron Point Road, Suite B • Folsom
12 BEST OF THE BEST 2009 FOLSOM & EL DORADO HILLS TELEGRAPH