Editor’s note: We’ll be rolling out the Readers’ Choice Awards and other stories in the November/December issue of Seattle magazine over the next month or so. To discover all the Readers’ Choice picks immediately, pick up a copy at Whole Foods, QFC, PCC, Third Place Books, or another favorite retailer. Better yet, get your own subscription!

Admittedly, there’s nothing scientific about the Readers’ Choice picks in this issue of Seattle magazine. We launched the poll in August, pushed it out to our email list, and watched as the votes rolled in. There was no drop-down menu, no statistical weighting, no qualitative analysis. It’s really just a fun way to engage our audience.

That said, it’s still revealing. It’s a snapshot in time of reader opinions and experiences. Taken in that context, it provides valuable insights into the preferences of Seattle magazine readers. I find it fascinating.

I find John Howie fascinating as well. I’ve met John a handful of times over the years, but don’t know him at all. His (mostly) Eastside culinary kingdom captured the top spot in seven — yes, seven! — categories.

Truth be told, the only Howie property I’ve visited is his most recent: Wildwood Spirits Co. in Ballard, within walking distance of my house. I’ve never been to John Howie Steak, Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, or Beardslee Public House. All are on the Eastside, and I’m not an Eastside guy.

The results weren’t even close. While some of that is attributable to what I suspect was a “get out and vote” campaign on Howie’s behalf, there’s no denying his place in the pantheon of Seattle-area restaurateurs.

Howie began cooking out of necessity as a teenager. Otherwise, he and his two younger sisters would have gone hungry. He dropped out of high school and lived on his own at the tender age of 15. He quickly found his passion and purpose in restaurants, eventually rising to head chef at Palisades before launching his own restaurant in the early 2000s.

He never, however, forgot his struggles, and philanthropy remains a driving passion. It’s estimated that his restaurant group has given more than $10 million to hundreds of charitable organizations.

“Those things became a huge part of who we are and what we do,” he says. “People wanted to come to work for me just because of what we did in the community.”

His pandemic pivot was also noteworthy. He created family takeout meals, and his motivation was nothing short of enlightened self-interest. He kept his suppliers in business, his name in the conversation, and met a community need during a time of great uncertainty.

John Howie’s pandemic pivot was also noteworthy. He kept his suppliers in business, his name in the conversation, and met a community need during a time of great uncertainty.

He sold 200 meals the very first day. Lines snaked around the block. Food containers and to-go boxes filled the dining room at his Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar at The Civica Commons in Bellevue.It was, he says, “the right thing to do.”

“I’ve been asked a hundred times to redo that,” he adds, recalling that he did about “64 versions. And I hope I never have to again.”

Howie’s properties, of course, are just a few of the countless favorite spots across the region. We narrowed the categories in Readers’ Choice this year to better reflect what’s important to you. We also offer a fun twist: We asked several staff members to weigh in with their favorite places. The overall result is an entertaining romp through some of the most colorful and interesting places across the region.

I urge you to use this issue as a way to rediscover our beautiful city. As much as anything, let’s support these and other local businesses. The city we all love will be better off for it.