The Med City Beat is excited to announce the finalists for Rochester's Finest 2016, sponsored by Studio324. The following nominees were chosen during the first round of voting, in which more than 800 people participated.

Voting is now closed. Winners will be announced at a celebration party on Saturday, May 21 at Studio324 in downtown Rochester.

Restaurants & Bars

Overall Restaurant

Chester's, Forager, Terza, ZZest

New Restaurant

Five West, Forager, Half Barrel, Terza

Fine Dining Restaurant

Chester's, Pescara, Terza, Victoria's

Family Restaurant

Broadway Pizza, Canadian Honker, North Mr. Pizza, Whistle Binkies on the Lake

Ethnic Restaurant

Fiesta Mexicana, La Poblana, Mango Thai, Pho Chau

Place for Take-Out

China Star (downtown), Hunan Garden, Nupa (north), Pho Chau

Overall Bar

Doggery, Half Barrel, Loop, Tap House

Bar for Craft Cocktails

300 First, Doggery, Half Barrel, La Vetta

Brewery or Brewpub

Forager, Grand Rounds, Kinney Creek, LTS

Place for Nightlife

Dooley's, Kathy's, Loop, Tap House

Place for a First Date

Cafe Steam, Chester's, Loop, Redwood Room

Place for Couples

300 First, Forager, Redwood Room, Terza

Coffee Shop

Bravo Espresso, Cafe Steam, Dunn Brothers (north), Kutzky Market

Community Favorites

Venue for Live Music

Kathy's, North Star, Redwood Room, Wicked Moose

Entertainment Venue (non-music)

Bowlocity, Canvas and Chardonnay, Goonie's, Rochester Civic Theatre

Wedding Venue

History Center of Olmsted County, Mayowood Stone Barn, Plummer House, Rochester Art Center

Grocery Store

Hy-Vee (Barlow), Hy-Vee (West Circle Drive), People's Food Co-op, Trader Joes

Place for a Haircut

Hair Studio 52, r!ah Hair Studio, Salon Chic, Serenity Couture

Car Repair Shop

Babcock, Rochester Service on 2nd, Tilson's, Virgil's

Specialty Retailer

Dwell Local, Shades of Green, Tangerine, TerraLoco

Clothing Boutique

Hers, Mainstream Boutique, Posh Boutique, Primp

Park or Public Area

Peace Plaza, Quarry Hill, Silver Lake Park, Soldiers Field

Community Event

Down by the Riverside, Farmers Market, Rochesterfest, Thursdays on First & 3rd

Making an Impact

Musical Performer/Group

Incognito, Jeremy Jewell, JT & the Gunslingers, Suite

Bartender/Server

Brad Olson (Terza/La Vetta), Chris Fierst (Half Barrel), Lucy Lampland (Grand Rounds), Mike Erickson (Doggery)

Community Leader

Ardell Brede (Mayor), Jamie Sundsbak (BioAM), Lisa Clarke (Destination Medical Center), Michael Wojcik (City Council)

Volunteer

Danielle Teal, Jen Murillo, Kelly Corbin, Jeff Hansel

Business Person

Hunter and Traci Downs (Area 10 Labs), Joe Powers (Powers Ventures), Nate Nordstrom (BrandHoot), Rob Gregory (Rochester Ford)

Educator

Amy Monson (Mayo High), Jaime Smoody (Willow Creek Middle), Michael Olson (Folwell Elementary), Sandy Nieland (John Marshall High)

Impact Maker in Health Care

Dr. Amit Sood (Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine), Dr. Claudia Lucchinetti (Neurologist at Mayo Clinic), Dr. Fredric Meyer (Neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic), Dr. Victor Montori (Professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine)