OK, last October's Best of Detroit issue, aka the MT Stimulus Package, didn't turn things around — the stock market tumbled another 2,000 points before beginning its tentative (cross fingers) rebound; unemployment and foreclosure rates are today far more devastating than six months ago. So with the help of more than 1,000 of you who filled out ballots on paper and online, we've moved up the 2009 Best of Detroit issue, aka MT Stimulus Package II. There's no time to lose. In these pages you'll find our latest survey of the best in metro Detroit from both our readers and our staff: great deals for your dollars and good things that money can't buy; thoughts about food and food for thought; some reflections on today and glances at what the future might hold. Until we can turn this thing around, we'll just have to find ways to get through it together. And that's our best bet. —W. Kim Heron, editor
Public Square - Reader Picks
Our local treasures, from media to politics to architecture, as judged by our readers
Public Square - Staff Picks
Super people, places and things, picked by our team of writers
The Real Deals - Reader Picks
Paper or plastic, our readers pick out the top of the shops
The Real Deals - Staff Picks
Our staff counters with our own favorite places to plunk it down
Nutritional Value - Reader Picks
Our readers pick the best places to snarf, nosh, tipple and dine
Nutritional Value - Staff Picks
From style to fare to special dishes, our staff picks what's best
Night Life - Reader Picks
The music venues and watering holes our readers love the most
Night Life - Staff Picks
From upscale cocktails to rawk 'n' roll, our fave nocturnal haunts
Best of Detroit Map
Our interactive guide to the very best
Simply the best
by Metro Times food staff
Skimming the cream of the crop
Best way to cure the blues
by Metro Times readers
From the sane to the silly, our readers sound off on bringing the good times back
Best Hot News Anchor: Carmen Harlan
by Jim McFarlin
With apologies to Tom Jones, our paean to Carmen
Tops at 20
by Kent Alexander
Showtime Clothing enters its third decade of decking us out
