If we are going to be ignoring features, let's go with the two options built in to the OS: TextEdit and Notes. Take your pick which one better supports your workflow.
Since they released Notes with 10.8, its pretty much replaced Notational Velocity for me. Search isn't quite as fast but syncing via iCloud is awesome. Now with AirDrop its super nice, being able to quickly send a note to someone else and have it show up in the 'normal' notes format (trying to read it in a text message is goofy).
I know its just outside of the scope of notes, but if there was some level of collaboration, Apple could seriously cut down on the number of couples arguing in supermarkets (and Ikea)