Bellagio remains the one to beat!

Welcome to the 25th annual Best of Las Vegas and a fine one it is, if we do say so ourselves.

The magic number is 3,257 reader ballots, an impressive increase of 1,110 ballots from the previous year, but shy of the all-time record of 3,962 set in 1998. Well, it's good to have a goal to shoot for.

We have eagerly anticipated this year, ever since Steve Wynn began building his new hotel-casino on the site of the once classy but never terribly busy Desert Inn. At last, we thought, some competition for his previous triumph, Bellagio. It's about time for some fireworks, a little drama. Please?

But alas. Wynn finds topping himself to be a tall order. That Bellagio is made of some pretty stern stuff -- and Review-Journal readers are equally unyielding in their loyalty.

Take a look at Bellagio's R-J reader wins: Best Strip Hotel, Best Attraction (Fountains of Bellagio), Best Production Show ("O"), Best Show Choreography ("O"), Best Architecture, Best Interior Design, Best Service, Best Poker Room, Best Brunch, Best Place to Go When Price Is No Object, Best Art Gallery and Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Visitors.

Wynn Las Vegas cracks the reader poll in only one category: Best Outdoor Sign. (We give it a break in a few of our staff picks, however.) The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign does better, finishing tops in Best Landmark and Best Visitor Photo Opportunity (three, if you count its facsimiles as Best Souvenir). Ouch.

Wynn himself fares better, receiving reader approval as Best-Dressed Las Vegan, Las Vegan You'd Like to Know More About and Most Powerful Las Vegan.

We do have some new and back-again categories to freshen things up a bit. Baby Gap/Kids Gap takes top honors as Best Children's Clothing Store. Smith's checks out ahead of the competition as Best Grocery Store. The Attic sews up Best Vintage Store. Paymon's Mediterranean Cafe and Lounge lights up the board as Best Hookah Lounge. The Double Down Saloon shuffles in as Best Dive Bar.

It's refreshing to see the First Friday art scene downtown gain acceptance as Best Community Event. And we're happy to extend a hearty welcome aboard to Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee as Best Elvis Impersonator.

But, interestingly, readers seem to have a long memory. After a break of several years, they still choose the Rio as having the Best Cocktail Waitresses. Some things are easier to forget than others, we suppose.

Some things are easier to explain than others, too. Take the fickle nature of the Best of Las Vegas readers' poll. Mayor Oscar Goodman tacks up certificates for Best Local Politician, Favorite Male Las Vegan and Most Colorful Character. He'll be less enthused to receive word of earning Least Effective Public Official and Las Vegan You're Tired of Hearing About.

In many ways, the silver anniversary edition of Best of Las Vegas is much like the others. Celine Dion wins Best Singer, Danny Gans tops Best All-Around Performer. Olive Garden. Taco Bell. Red Lobster.

And then there are those categories that just make so much sense, year after year. Such as Andre Agassi winning Best Celebrity Resident, Best Local Professional Athlete and Most Generous Las Vegan. And restaurateur Andre Rochat winning Best French Restaurant and Most Romantic Restaurant. Or maybe you just like guys named Andre.

But enough sentimentality, we're making ourselves cry. Better to move on to the much-anticipated world of Best of Las Vegas prizes. See if you're among the winners:

Marshall Breland of Las Vegas, two tickets to see "O"; Gilberto Carrera of Las Vegas, two tickets to see Danny Gans; Carole Convey of Las Vegas, dinner for two at Spago; Elia Sifuentes of Las Vegas, dinner for two at Rosemary's Restaurant; Sheila Stetts of Henderson, lunch for two at P.F. Chang's China Bistro; Julie Gans of Henderson, gift certificate to Fashion Show mall; and John Rose of Las Vegas, a full-fledged night on the town.