Owner Bill Patterson and wife Jean (deceased) built The Hilltop in 1984 to look old. It fooled piano player John Michael Bazzell, who's been entertaining restaurant guests since 1986. General manager Chad Davis joined the crew 16 years ago. Photo: Brad Stookey, 2010
For many in Clay County, a trip to The Hilltop is like visiting a favorite relative, albeit a relative who prepares a mean slow-roasted Black Angus prime rib and strawberry shortcake for dessert. The Victorian mansion-like setting has played host to literally thousands of birthday gatherings, anniversary celebrations, wedding receptions, high school prom dinners and more. The house specialty she crab soup is a perennial best-seller.
2030 Wells Rd., Orange Park, 272-5959 • Inducted 2009
For more than a decade, Jacksonville Magazine has partnered with a number of professional organizations in an effort to bring our readers the city's most respected service providers practicing in a variety of professions, including doctors, lawyers, wealth managers and dentists. 
Nearly 2,000 Readers cast a ballot in this year's poll. Here are their selections of over 100 people, places and things we love (or love to hate) in the Bold New City of the South, including hair salon, bar eats, organic foods, dance club, pet stuff and more. 
