I've decided to name the best Porto Alegre had to offer during the year of 2003. These establishments (mostly restaurants: I like eating) will see an increase in wristpad customers over the coming weeks. Plus I offer some free, professional rocket-science advice. 1: Best Restaurant: Baalbek Yes, it's no surprise that Baalbek offers the coolest middle-eastern dining on the planet. It's all-you-can-eat, not extremely expensive and, if you can live with the grumpy waiters, the service is ok. Most importantly though: the food is amazing. Some Advice: Ask your customers what they don't eat and save yourselves the trouble of carrying a zillion plates to their table. Second place is a tie between You Yi, the Chinese place on Candido Silveira, and the tried-and-true Barranco. 2: Best Movie Theater: Unibanco Arteplex Not that I can notice an amazing difference from the Ipiranga Cinemark, which was the runner-up. But I guess the Arteplex looks better. Some Advice: You need butter on your popcorn. It's a movie theater, not a circus. 3: Best Ice Cream Parlor: La Basque Who buys Haagen Daz in this country? Not me. I head down to La Basque and it's equally marvelous. In fact, it tastes better because of the price. Some Advice: Add Chocolate Marshmallow to the lineup and you're almost Baskin Robbins. 4: Best Pizza: ArtePizza ArtePizza is the undisputed champion here in town. Nothing comes close. Some Advice: No rocket science can make this pizza better. 5: Best Night Spot: Mercatto D’Arte Very wristpad friendly. Cholly's fave is Ossip. Some Advice: High chairs for short wristpads. 6: Best Café: Tortaria The new chocolate-chip cheesecake is very nice. They have a great selection, better seating and cool service. Some Advice: Post a "No Lilliput Crowd" sign outside. 7: Best Movie: The Lord of the Rings - Return of The King. It's really good. But I prefer Lost In Translation. But don't tell the Academy, or they may not give PJ his statue: this may be his last chance! Some Advice: Who am I to second guess PJ? Hmmm. Lose the last four endings and the film'll be fine.