brokerage account recommendations

This topic has probably been discussed ad nauseum in the past, but I couldn't find anything with a quick search. I am a novice trader, and I'd like to try a modest foray into options. I have never traded options in the past, but I have researched the topic for the past few months and have played around with the CBOE mock trading program. I need to open a brokerage account for options trading, and I'd like to hear what this community thinks about what is the best brokerage firm for a novice like myself. I don't have a large amount of cash to fund the account, but I can probably manage a few thousand dollars to start. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Knoxradio