What makes the River City stand out? For 25 years, readers have answered that question in Evansville Living’s Best of the City awards. From the top spot for a fried tenderloin to the perfect place to score vintage threads, here are this year’s winners — plus a few shoutouts from editors.
Best Jeweler
Brinker’s Jewelers
Wherever there’s a green box, readers know they’re about to receive something special. And they’ve remained loyal: Brinker’s Jewelers has won top jewelry honors for 13 years running, and numerous years before that. The family jewelers recognize that loyalty: “For more than 50 years, Brinker’s Jewelers has proudly served the Evansville community with knowledge, integrity, quality fine jewelry, and personalized customer service,” says CFO and Chief Marketing Officer Kyle Brinker.
Best Brunch
The Hornet’s Nest Steakhouse
We were on to something when Evansville Living Creative Director Laura Mathis chose a photo of the Hornet’s Nest’s popular take on eggs Benedict — the Nest Benedict — for the cover of the March/April issue. Our choice was prescient: Hornet’s Nest returns this year as Best Brunch. The restaurant puts it plainly on its website: “Brunch is not a meal. Brunch is a competition. And we’re winning.” Located in Scott Township in an old community once called Earle, The Hornet’s Nest serves brunch Saturday and Sunday.
Best Place to Take Visitors or Out-of-Town Guests
New Harmony, Indiana
Readers may have taken the “out-of-town” part a little too far, literally. Although Evansville Living editors intended that the visitor — not the destination — was from elsewhere, the top vote-getter, New Harmony, produced a laugh in our office when results came in: “The best place to take outof- town guests is … out of town!” Despite our new favorite inside joke, we can agree: Between the peaceful Roofless Church and the winding labyrinth, to the quaint Downtown shops and a fascination with fireflies, New Harmony is special. “This town grabs people,” Caper’s Emporium owner Mary Beth Guard told Evansville Living in 2024.
Best Way to Know The Weather’s Getting Bad
Wayne Hart Removes His Jacket
After 33 years as WEHT-TV’s Chief Meteorologist, Wayne Hart knows how to reach his audience: Taking off his suit jacket signals that severe weather is brewing and “you need to tune in,” says Philip R. Hooper, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Indiana Realty. Even the color of his shirt is a clue. “When Wayne knows the weather will be bad, he wears a light blue shirt,” says Brent Zerby, WEHT’s Production Manager. The reason: A white shirt on camera can produce a too-bright glow if the face is light, too. So, Hart got into the habit of wearing cool hues if he anticipates having to doff his jacket. “If viewers notice the light blue shirt, it’s a telltale sign,” Zerby says.
Best Women’s Clothing Boutique
Schön Boutique
“Why dress ordinary. Anyone can wear jeans.” That was a social media post this summer from Schön Boutique, readers’ favorite clothing spot three years running. Owner Kelley Borman opened the shop on Franklin Street in 2014 and moved it to the sunny yellow home at Michigan Street and Wabash Avenue in 2017. Schön shoppers cite the boutique’s personalized service, charming atmosphere, and the idea, as one reviewer posted, that “they don’t carry a million of everything, so there is a great variety of items and you don’t have to worry about seeing yourself all over town.”
Best Local Artist
Monte Skelton
In a hotbed of musical talent, Monte Skelton is one of the brightest stars. He first picked up a saxophone when he joined the fifth-grade band. Today, the multi-instrumentalist is a repeat Best of Evansville honoree, racking up five awards for Best Musician in the last 11 years and landing on 2020’s “Best of Evansville” cover. Skelton is constantly on the go and makes regular stops at Mo’s House in Haynie’s Corner Arts District and Entwined Wine & Cocktail Bar on Main Street — check out his Loops & Rhythms shows there every month.
Best Latin American Restaurant
La Campirana
Making its fourth appearance on this list, La Campirana’s success story is extending beyond the River City: As this issue went to press, the restaurant was named one of only 38 U.S. establishments to receive a Sello M distinction from the Mexican government and the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy that honors restaurants abroad for demonstrating a commitment to traditional flavors, quality, cultural identity, and excellent service. “It’s one of the most meaningful recognitions we could receive as a Mexican restaurant in the United States,” La Campirana cofounder Abraham Brown says.
Best Place to Play Pickleball
Wesselman Park
Not just a passing fad, pickleball has become a way of life for people of all ages whose social schedules are driven by paddles and hollow plastic spheres. Wesselman Park offers a pickleball player’s paradise. With 16 courts and amenities including restrooms and water fountains, the complex is a free spot to enjoy the growing sport with family or friends. Stay out of the kitchen and dink to your heart’s content at this centrally located spot, which opened in 2024 and has since become a big dill for pickleballers of all skill levels.
Place to Celebrate a Special Occasion
The Cork ‘N Cleaver
Old school charm still rules. For special occasions, the Cork ‘N Cleaver — taking its 16th award since 2001 — delivers on a retro steak house vibe, solid grilled entrées, and the famous salad bar complete with house-made croutons, a signature pasta salad, pickled herring, and anchovies. It opened in 1974 and has stood out by presenting its signature dinner menu on a cleaver. (We did find a 1970s-era lunch menu for sale on eBay.) With an early bird menu from 4-5:30 p.m., there’s no reason to wait for a special occasion to visit The Cork.
Best Tattoo Studio
The Secret Garden Tattoo + Cosmetic Studio
At The Secret Garden, owner Rosalie Coston and fellow tattoo artist Hannah Evelyn Jones create masterpieces in “a space that is professional, art forward, inviting, and just truly joyful,” Coston says. Since opening on Main Street in July 2024, “The Secret Garden blows my original dream right out of the water,” she says. Both enjoy tattooing Lady Faces, but while Coston calls Jones “the queen of making it look like a literal painting or piece of fine art, I live for those classic traditional-style faces.” “I love how we push each other as artists and service providers,” Jones adds. Regardless of the design, Coston says, they deliver the same heartfelt message: “Every single person deserves to love their skin.”
Best Game Plan
River City Classic
Better late than never: The city’s two Division I men’s college basketball teams will finally square off in a regular season game on Nov. 7 at Ford Center — University of Evansville’s home court, but a neutral site for this long-awaited matchup. The River City Classic is a wish come true for local hoops fans who hope it’s the first of many contests between the Purple Aces and Screaming Eagles. Not to be outdone, both schools’ women’s basketball teams have penned a four-game contract starting in 2027-28, with host sites trading off. Game on!
Best Pizza
Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery
Walking into Turoni’s cozy interior, you may notice a family birthday party, bar patrons competing over trivia questions, a tableside magic show, or even USI Men’s Basketball Head Coach Stan Gouard recording his latest podcast. No matter the occasion, pizza is at the heart of it, and Turoni’s cracker-thin square slices have drawn hungry patrons since 1963. In fact, this year’s honor gives Turoni’s 18 “Best of Evansville” awards — more than any other restaurant winner. So, take a cue from readers and carve up a Stromboli Pie paired with garlic cheese toast and a house-brewed beer.
Best Place to Discover Local History
Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
It’s easy to visualize the way Evansville has moved history by visiting this 48,000-square-foot facility on the Ohio River. Sections devoted to visual art, local history, and science brim with mixed media sculptures, World War II artifacts, and historical photos of the River City throughout the years. Current exhibits follow Evansville’s founding in 1812 through its manufacturing might. Outdoors, visitors can pretend they’re boarding a train at the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad Station or the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Depot when they walk through a real 1908 steam engine, 1926 club car, and 1900s-era caboose.
Best Restaurant for Patio Dining
Cafe Arazu
Al fresco choices have expanded in recent years, but patios with river views remain scarce, making Cafe Arazu’s perch along Newburgh’s bustling Jennings Street all the more special. Preparing for patio season is a family affair for owner Cathy Webb: Her brother and grandchildren get in on the action by planting the terraced patio. Fresh Mediterranean food and drinks are the main draw, but the outdoor space invites you to stay awhile. “People say it is the way the staff feels at Cafe Arazu that makes them feel welcome and at home,” Webb told Evansville Living in the May/June issue.
Best Fall Festival Booth
Vanderburgh Humane Society, Booth 75
Residents regularly rally around the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and since 2017, that includes at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. Amanda Coburn, director of advancement, says that on Oct. 5-10, VHS will again present six popular vegetarian items: fried green tomatoes, fried green beans, deep-fried macaroni and cheese, and hand-squeezed lemon and “lemorange” shakeups, plus a sampler platter. “It’s our second-largest fundraising event,” Coburn says, adding that Fall Festival proceeds cover a week of payroll for VHS’ animal care staff. “Doing it for this long, it thankfully runs, for the most part, like a well-oiled machine!”
Best Home Decor Shop
Gehlhausen Boutique
While repeat winner Gehlhausen Boutique is known today as a boutique for upscale home decor, gifts, furniture, apparel, and floral design, its origins were decidedly more utilitarian. Gehlhausen’s evolution mirrors the changing American home. It began by selling the products people used to paint their homes, then shifted to helping them decorate them, and today focuses on helping customers live beautifully in them. Owner Vikki Oxley called it a “one-stop shop” when she spoke to Evansville Living in 2023: “You can find something for any occasion, anybody you know, that is in style.”
Best Bartender
Jessica Nuffer, Bokeh Lounge
Hardly just a bartender, Jessica Nuffer also is a co-partner at Bokeh Lounge, but her behind-the-bar friendliness and skills have been known since her days working at long-closed haunts such as Duck Inn, Funky’s, Harpole’s Main Street Exit, and Village Saloon. Nuffer told Evansville Living in 2025 that she still loves the science of mixing a perfect cocktail — “I’m kind of geeky like that,” she explained — and readers know a good time awaits when Nuffer is on duty.
Best High School Sports Rivalry
Reitz & Mater Dei
Rivals on the playing field and neighbors in the community, F.J. Reitz and Mater Dei high schools define the West Side’s allegiances. Their annual football series dates to 1952, and since 1970, the winner has taken home the West Side Nut Club Golden Acorn Trophy. The historic Reitz Bowl, home to both teams, holds more than 10,000 fans, and at the next annual matchup Oct. 16, you’ll see Panthers navy and gray mixed with Wildcat red and gold. On a fall Friday night, it doesn’t get much better than Reitz vs. Mater Dei on the gridiron.
Best Place to Get an Entrée Salad
Bru Burger Bar
After moving into the old Greyhound Bus Station in 2016, this regional burger chain quickly became a Downtown favorite, but not just for sandwiches. The five-time winner gets spicy with the Sriracha Caesar Salad or goes sweet with the Gorgonberry Pecan, mixing Italian blue cheese with cranberries, candied pecans, and bacon, topped with cranberry-poppyseed dressing. Fat-pattied burgers and custom cocktails remain the top draw, but next time you dine in, give the guacamole-and-boiled-egg-topped Buttermilk Cobb Salad a go.
Best Place to Play Trivia
Myriad Brewing Company
Trivia nights have become a trendy way for friends to bond over a fun, competitive activity. Myriad’s taproom in Newburgh is an ideal spot to round up a team and put your collective knowledge to the test — and a few lucky guesses never hurt. Myriad’s trivia nights typically are on Tuesdays, and in addition to a top craft beer selection, there’s often a visiting food truck. Myriad welcomes leashed dogs as well, even though they likely won’t help your trivia squad.
Best Place for a Frozen Treat
Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream
For 76 years, Lloyd’s Ice Cream Shoppes — Lic’s, for short — has stacked its scoops higher in the hearts of area residents. And it’s still the same recipe — made fresh at the restaurant’s Downtown location, one of five locally — that has made this deli an 11-time winner. Its cold confections don’t stop at soft serve and sorbet; the menu also includes cakes, smoothies, milkshakes, floats, turtle pie, and slushies, as well as the hardshell-covered choco creams, licschip frozen sandwiches, and lic’scicle push pops.
Best Running Route
USI-Burdette Trail
Our region is blessed with plenty of attractive pedestrian paths, but this three-mile paved stretch connecting the University of Southern Indiana and Burdette Park is a woodsy jewel. Mostly flat but with enough hills to offer a challenge, the trail is an ideal place to walk, run, bike, hike, and skate. Trailheads near USI’s Liberty Arena and Burdette’s Discovery Lodge make access easy, and although picturesque at any time of year, we love to tackle it when fall foliage is showing off. The trail has received accolades from beyond the River City: In 2008 — four years before its full completion — the U.S. Secretary of the Interior named it a National Recreation Trail.
Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop
Honey Moon Coffee Co.
For many readers, the day starts with a jolt of java from one of this coffee shop’s four locations. A five-time honoree since opening in 2016, it’s become a popular place for meetings, catchups, and study sessions over iced baklava lattes and Salty Dog Cold Brews. Rotating seasonal menus keep things fresh. After a decade in operation, Jessica Parsons, who owns the shop alongside her husband, Zac, told Evansville Living in the January/February issue that the most rewarding part is “the kids who grew up with their parents taking them, and now they’re super fans.”
Best Place to Find a Unique Gift
The Exchange
Located in a World War II munitions plant, today The Exchange is the destination for interior design, gifts, and antiquing. After Ann and Troy Tornatta bought the 90-year-old building in 2022 — she appreciated the “historic strip center vibe” — she started Tickled Pink with Kathryn Nix, selling vintage interior decor and garden supplies. Six more shops have joined — Vintage House 812, Treasures, Rotations, The Happy Coconut Resale, Black Cat Antiques, Karen’s Upscale Resale, and, soon, Mason D’Orsay Antiques — leading shoppers to the perfect present.
Best Massage Therapist
Emily Adams, Ascend Massage & Bodywork
Feeling stressed or busy beyond reason? Press “pause” and unwind under the expert touch of Ascend Massage & Bodywork owner Emily Adams, who one client raved has “hands blessed by God.” Adams helps clients relax and rejuvenate, mixing services with clever names (“Solely Grounded” for a foot massage, “Thermal Reset” for a hot stone treatment) with advanced techniques like lymphatic drainage and Kinetic Chain Release. Here, self-care goes deep, leaving clients refreshed and soothed. Marking 10 years in business in 2026, we think Adams’ “Best of the City” award is the icing on Ascend’s anniversary cake.
Best Place to Swing a Golf Club
Evansville Country Club
The city’s oldest golf course still ranks high. Founded in 1900 as a fishing and dining club, Evansville Country Club began with 101 members, who reorganized under the current name in 1908 and shifted their focus to golf, completing the front nine shortly afterward and the back nine in 1927. Today, the club serves more than 700 members, and its golf course has hosted the championship round of the Men’s City Golf Tournament since 1930, plus annual charity tournaments. A $6.5 million renovation completed in 2023 modernized the course and improved its layout.
Best Local Mural
River Kitty Cat Cafe
Painted just outside the Main Street shop’s front door is a colorful, retro-style testament to what feline adventures await inside. The great selfie spot was created in 2020 through a University of Southern Indiana Endeavor Award grant by 2019 art alumna Jenna Sharp, and the cafe has seen nearly 1,700 cats find homes since the Vanderburgh Humane Society took ownership the prior year. “You can stop in for a coffee or sweet treat and end up leaving with your new best friend,” CEO Kendall Paul says.
Best Caterer
Miller’s Catering
Barbecue is what Miller’s does, and Warren and Dianna Miller have it down to a smoky, tasty science. Meat choices include slow-cooked, Saint Louis-style ribs, smoked salmon, pulled pork, prime beef brisket, smoked chicken breast, and smoked kielbasa. Catering customers also fill up on sides including mac and cheese, brisket baked beans, garlic herb mashed potatoes, and even tacos, burgers, and hot dogs. If you need catering for a 25-person luncheon, a 500-guest extravaganza, or something in between, Miller’s always brings the heat.
Person Who Gets Things Done
Mayor Stephanie Terry
As the first woman and first Black mayor of Evansville, Stephanie Terry has championed neighborhood revitalization through initiatives such as Block by Block and Fight Blight. She’s also been a staunch advocate for public safety, backing salary increases for police officers and firefighters. A graduate of Benjamin Bosse High School and the University of Evansville, Terry has become her hometown’s most public face since her historic 2023 election, and Evansville Living readers are noticing results.
Best Plant or Flower Shop
Emerald Design
Whitney Muncy’s four-year-old Downtown shop is like a Swiss Army knife for fans of flora. Green-thumb shoppers can stock up on polka-dot begonias and silver brake fern. Customers clueless about whether pincushion flowers and thistle go together are guided by an expert florist. Prom-goers and wedding parties can order flower crowns, corsages, and even floral pocket squares. Those wanting to sharpen their skills can take classes on flower pressing and terrarium building. Outside-the-container services include subscriptions for fresh flowers and plants, plus a Propagation Station with fresh cuttings to start your own garden.
Best Restaurant to Order Takeout (TIE)
Pangea Kitchen and Wasabi Evansville
Readers say Pangea and Wasabi’s globally influenced flavors hit just right when you want to dine at home. Pop open a box from Pangea and absorb the sight and scent of a Thai delicacy, a Neapolitan-style pizza seared at 900 degrees in a wood-fired oven, or a deep-dish, Detroit-style pie. Wasabi’s sushi choices range from traditional to tricked out and pair well with a big heap of fried rice in the middle. The best thing about ordering takeout from either spot? It’s a short walk to the fridge to stash your leftovers.
Best Place to Buy Artisan Crafts
Rare Bird Gifts & Goods
Searching for a recycled sari cloth blanket or soapstone bowls? How about a knit beanie and matching hand warmers? If the item is off the beaten path, you’ll likely find it at this shop on Lincoln Avenue near Saint James Boulevard. Michael and Cary Gray and their daughter, Olivia Wright, have spent more than a decade sourcing eclectic items to display in their East Side shop. With the recent addition of Inman Art & Frames, “People seem really happy about being able to make it a one-stop shop,” Michael told Evansville Business this summer.
Hairstylist You Trust Most With Scissors
Racheal Truitt, Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa
It takes a leap of faith to trust the person wielding shears at your head. Good thing Racheal Truitt is a pro. “She’s great at short haircuts, beautifully cut bobs, and intricate highlighting,” says Taylor Croft, Truitt’s coworker at Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa. “Her color placement brings out people’s natural beauty.” Truitt, a Shannon Aleksandr’s stylist since 2009, is known for more than her talent. “Her energy draws people in,” says fellow stylist Eric Croft. “Once you sit in her chair, she’s an amazing listener.” And when clients get up to leave, they feel like themselves — but better.
Best New Hardware
Evansville Thunderbolts
After scoring their first SPHL President’s Cup in April 2025, the Thunderbolts skated into the 2025-26 season with one mission: defending their title. Led by Captain Matt Hobbs, the squad made good on its goal, downing the No. 1-ranked Rivermen of Peoria, Illinois, on May 9 for an unprecedented second straight title. “To win two championships back-to-back … it’s so hard to do. If I could bottle it and sell it, I’d be a millionaire right now,” Head Coach Jeff Bes said during the team’s celebration rally. Thunderbolts emcee Dan Katz applauded the team in an early 2026 story: “The guys compete their hearts out and fight every minute.”
Best Diner or Cafe
Nellie’s Restaurant
Nellie’s is on top for meals enjoyed in a comfortable atmosphere. Since Renee and José Jimenez gave the original Newburgh site a sister on North First Avenue in 2024, its popularity with diners has only grown. The restaurant’s two prior appearances on this list noted its craveable breakfast selections of fluffy pancakes and waffles, savory omelets and skillets, and classic French toast, but there’s a wider menu to be explored. Hand-breaded tenderloins, smothered pork chops, country fried steak, and sandwiches and gyros keep this place packed all day long.
Best Food Truck
The Pizza Revolution
It’s no surprise to see this double-decker bus back for the seventh time. Stephanie and Aaron Peckenpaugh’s Neapolitan pizzas have been a staple at Farm 57 and other regional events for more than a decade. In each pie, locals get a taste of fresh ingredients from a wood-fired oven reaching more than 1,000 degrees and producing 120 pies an hour. Popular slices include the sweet and spicy Buzz Kill’a, gorgonzola and prosciutto-based Fig N’ Pig, and mushroom-laden Fun Guy.
Best Asian Restaurant
Ma T 888 China Bistro
Twenty years after Jane Tang and Lin Ma opened this East Side staple, diners still compliment the friendly atmosphere and the delicious cooking. Eat in or take out a variety of Cantonese and Chinese-fusion dishes, including popular choices like crab rangoon, spicy garlic chicken, lo mein, egg drop soup, and pork spring rolls served on a white tablecloth. Groups can order a Royal Queen or King dinner for 2-5 people. Ma T’s popularity with readers is clear: It’s landed on this list four times.
Best Place to Take Your Dog
Evansville State Hospital Grounds
The 88-acre green space between Lincoln Avenue, Vann Avenue, and the Lloyd Expressway has long been a favorite for dog walking, and even more pups have arrived with the recent addition of widened footpaths and the 2024 opening of KC’s Barkville at Woodmere dog park. Walk up the recently regraded hill to the SWIMGA Display Garden, where dogs on leashes are welcome.
Best Tenderloin Sandwich
Hilltop Inn
Chances are you’ll want a knife and fork for Hilltop Inn’s take on Indiana’s signature pork tenderloin, which is pounded thin, handbreaded, and cooked until it curls over the bun. (Hilltop will bring it to you on white, wheat, or rye bread, if you prefer). The juicy cut comes with onion and pickle; add a slice of cheese or give the grilled version a try. Dine like a true West Sider and get German potato salad on the side and a frosty fishbowl of beer.
Best Place to Hear Live Music
Bokeh Lounge
A repeat winner, Bokeh Lounge welcomes local, regional, and touring performers across genres in an intimate indoor venue and lively outdoor stage that anchors the Haynie’s Corner Arts District. Local drummer Gregg Martin says, “My experience playing music at Bokeh Lounge has always been a fun event. Our group, The BackBeats, have played numerous gigs there and the crowd has always been very receptive of our Beatles tribute sets. The staff is also kind and professional.”
Best Vintage Store
Philthy Vintage
What’s old is new at Phil Ashenbremer’s namesake vintage shop. The 2014 Castle High School graduate combs estate sales, thrift shops, antique stores, and flea markets for top-quality sports jerseys, concert tees, ballcaps, and pins, then resells them at his Franklin Street shop, which quickly became a West Side staple when it opened in 2020. This year, an East Side location joined the fray at Weinbach and Lincoln avenues, perfect for University of Evansville students hoping to score old-school Aces jerseys. The hunt is only part of the fun. Discovering a Central High School cardigan from 1945? Priceless.
Best Place to Birdwatch
Wesselman Woods
You’ll find plenty of flying friends among the city’s old-growth forest — at 310 acres, it’s the largest urban tract in the U.S. “This forest has quietly persisted while generations of people have come and gone,” Wesselman Woods Co-Executive Director and Marketing and Events lead Kristina Arwood told Evansville Living this summer. Bring your binoculars and see if you spot the American kestrel, Mississippi kite, sharpshinned hawk, great horned owl, or, if you’re lucky, a bald eagle. “Eagles are my favorite because they are our national symbol,” Gibson County resident and birdwatcher Charles Kiesel told Evansville Living in 2025.
Best Local Band
Hannah Evelyn & The Handmades
By day, Hannah Evelyn Jones pens intricate permanent designs on blank skin as a tattoo artist at The Secret Garden. By night, she croons with her indie-pop rock band, The Handmades. The 2017 Castle High School graduate also is a natural poet and found that one art form linked her to another. “I was writing poetry, so it went hand in hand that guitar was the vehicle to put poetry to music,” she told Evansville Living in 2024, but like art, it’s just “a piece of the pie of my professional career.”
Write-In Category
Best Business Bank in the Tri-State: First Bank
When Evansville-based Cloud Defensive wanted to scale up in-house manufacturing of its lighting solutions to meet demand, First Bank helped CEO Sean McCauley secure a Small Business Administration loan. “Few banks are as personable, accessible, and genuinely supportive as First Bank,” he said in a testimonial published in a 2023 issue of Evansville Business magazine. Clients of the 133-year-old Illinois-based institution are aided by complimentary downloadable tools like a start-up checklist, strengths-and-weaknesses analysis, and cash flow template. And with First Bank’s new podcast “Insights 2 Impact,” industry experts offer actionable ideas that listeners can put to work right away.
Best Surprise Sweet Treat
Strawberry Lemonade Cake, Piece of Cake
We have a secret: We’ve enjoyed this Piece of Cake specialty during many office celebrations and marveled at its ability to expertly mimic a glass of sweet-and-tart strawberry lemonade. “It’s very light and fresh, recalling summer days,” says Publisher & Editor Kristen K. Tucker, who often requests this cake for her birthday in June. The recipe seems simple enough — two layers of lemon cake topped with fresh strawberries, whipped icing, and a single sugar lemon— but the result tastes like a slice of summer. Not to our surprise, Cate Sisco and Kristi White’s Main Street shop has snagged “Best Birthday Cake Baker” before, and this sweet treat is one of our favorites.
