| Mountain View Best of 2008 - Friday, August 29, 2008
Best Eating & Drinking 2008
Bagel
House of Bagels
According to its manager, House of Bagels beats out competition because of the unique way they bake their bagels each morning. By using a traditional cooking method — boiling the bagels first, then baking them — House of Bagel's buns are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Even New Yorkers who visit the Mountain View joint agree that House's traditional and gourmet bagels are truly the best.
1712 Miramonte Ave.; Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; 694-4888
Runner up: The Posh Bagel
Bar
Tied House Cafe and Brewery
Operated by the Redwood Coast Brewing Company, the Tied House has offered quality brews and tasty food to Mountain View residents for 20 years. Seasonal brews like Mull-Tied Christmas ale and classics like Alpine Gold are always on tap for thirsty customers.
954 Villa St.; Mon.-Thu. & Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; 965-2739
Runner up: Cascal Restaurant
BBQ
Uncle Frank's BBQ
Known for its hearty servings and special family sauce, Frank's BBQ beats out run-of-the-mill backyard cookouts any day. Though meats are slow-cooked Southern style — some for over 30 hours — Uncle Frank's staff promises to serve up food at a Silicon Valley pace. Everything on the menu, from tender beef brisket to Cajun corn on the cob, is sure to satisfy.
2135 Old Middlefield Way; Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. Noon-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; 964-4476
Runner up: Clarke's Charcoal Broiler
Breakfast/Brunch
Hobee's
Mountain View is familiar with Hobee's well seasoned omelets, hearty oatmeal bar and giant, seasonal coffee cake — which is why residents select the local diner as their favorite breakfast place year after year. The menu runs the gamut from flavorful brunch plates to just-as-delicious lunch options. Hobee's is no neighborhood secret: get there early on weekends to avoid a long wait.
2312 Central Expressway; Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 968-6050
Runner up: Country Gourmet Restaurant
Burger
Clarke's Charcoal Broiler
Clarke's again proves its worthiness as a Mountain View best, offering a huge selection of good old fashioned hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and side dishes. The classic burger place is now online: order for pick up or delivery at www.clarkes.com.
615 W. El Camino Real; Sat.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 967-0851
Runner up: In-N-Out Burger
Burrito
Taqueria La Bamba
For a bursting burrito full of fresh, flavorful, ingredients, Taqueria La Bamba is the No. 1 choice. Service is speedy and the prices right. Spice up carne asada or juicy chicken burritos with La Bamba's great salsa.
2058 Old Middlefield Way; Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-9:45 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; 965-2755
Runner up: La Costena Custom Burritos
Chinese
Chef Chu's
For an authentic family style Chinese dining experience, head to Chef Chu's, a restaurant known around the Peninsula. Chef Lawrence Chu serves up great Mandarin cuisine like succulent shrimp lettuce cups, miso-glazed sea bass, and the best Peking duck in town. Food is available for take-out, and the Chef does catering and holds cooking classes for all his adoring fans.
1067 N San Antonio Rd; Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. Noon-10 p.m.; 948-2696
Runner up: Cafe Yulong
pstyle:smallhead>Coffee House (Independent)
Red Rock Coffee Company
Red Rock Coffee Company is not only a staple for your morning cup of joe, but also a cornerstone for great local arts. A nonprofit company, Red Rock uses its funds to support other charities and nonprofits, and to bring music, poetry, and other performing arts right into its own doors for customers to enjoy. Who needs more reason to caffeinate?
201 Castro Street; Mon.-Thu. 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; 967-4473
Runner up: Dana Street Roasting Company
Deli
Shoreline Grill and Deli
Diners hungry for classic deli sandwiches can grab a table or place an order to go at Shoreline Grill and Deli. Favorite sandwiches include the turkey club, roast beef club, and good old pastrami.
1020 N. Rengstorff Ave; Mon. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tue.-Thu. 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Fri. 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sun. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; 960-1218
Runner up: Dittmer's
Fast Food Restaurant
In-N-Out Burger
Mountain View residents can pride themselves for having the tastiest fast food burgers around. In-N-Out favorites like classic cheeseburgers and double doubles made with fresh lettuce and tomato once again earned top marks among local diners. Would you like that animal style?
53 W. El Camino Real and 1159 N. Rengstorff Ave.; Sun.-Thu. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; (800) 786-1000
Runner up: Clarke's Charcoal Broiler
Fine Dining Restaurant
Chez TJ
Chez TJ has received countless awards for its outstanding food, and rightly so. The eatery serves up quality French and California cuisine to diners in several intimate dining rooms. The downtown Victorian that houses the restaurant is the perfect touch for a four, eight or even 12-course dinner.
938 Villa Street.; Tue.-Thu. 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. First Seating 5:30-6:30 p.m., Second Seating 8-9:30 p.m.; 964-7566
Runner up: Cascal Restaurant
Fusion Restaurant
Xanh Restaurant
Xanh's sexy, modern interior just off bustling Castro Street provides a unique setting for its unique Vietnamese dishes. Meet for drinks at the bar or in the lounge area, then move to the dining room for artfully presented dishes like spring rolls, crab martinis and banana leaf sea bass.
110 Castro St.; Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m-10 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-Midnight; Sat. 5 p.m.-Midnight; Sun. 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; 964-1888
Runner up: Temptations
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
Gelato Classico
To satisfy your sweet tooth, Gelato Classico offers over 30 flavors of ice cream, sorbet, and of course, Italian style gelato. For purists, vanilla, chocolate, coffee and tiramisu are always cold behind the counter. Rotating flavors like honey lavender, creme brulee and fresh ginger will satisfy even the most inquisitive palates.
241-B Castro St.; Sun.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; 969-2900
Runner up: Cold Stone Creamery
Indian Restaurant
Amber India Restaurant
Serving up North Indian, Moghlai, and Tandoori Indian dishes, Amber India will not disappoint. Diners can help themselves to the restaurant's daily lunch buffet, which features 15 to 20 delicacies chosen by the chef. Dinner fare includes traditional dishes like creamy butter chicken, and also plates that are uniquely Amber India.
2290 W. El Camino Real No. 9; Mon.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; 968-7511
Runner up: Shiva's Indian Restaurant
Italian Restaurant
Frankie, Johnny & Luigi Too
For truly authentic "cibo Italiano," Mountain View residents head time and time again to Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too. At such fair prices, their thin crust pizza, osso bucco, and other Italian favorites taste even better.
939 El Camino Real; Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-1a.m.; Sat. 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; 967-5384
Runner up: Ristorante Don Giovanni
Mediterranean
Cafe Baklava
Cafe Baklava's owner Illiano runs one of the only places around where patrons can sample home-style Turkish fare. Diners can enjoy dolma, Greek salads and falafel inside the eatery or outside on its intimate patio. Finish your meal with sweet and sticky Baklava, a surefire authentic Turkish treat.
341 Castro Street; Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. 969-3835
Runner up: Mediterranean Grill
Mexican Restaurant
Fiesta Del Mar
For the 10th year in a row, Fiesta Del Mar has earned the title of Mountain View's best Mexican restaurant. Boasting hundreds of types of tequila, tasty home-made tamales and an array of seafood, the family-run joint makes customers feel like part of the fun with friendly service at the bar and in the dining room.
1005 N. Shoreline Blvd.; Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun.11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; 965-9354
Runner up: Taqueria Los Charros
Middle Eastern Restaurant
Gyros House
For piping hot falafel and creamy humus, head to Gyros House on Castro. The Mediterranean cafe is complete with an indoor dining area and outdoor seating. The no-fuss, pay-at-the-counter system is casual and quick.
212 Castro St.; Sun.-Wed. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 940-9316
Runner up: Zucca Restaurant
New Restaurant
New Saffron
New Saffron Indian restaurant promises royal treatment to its customers. In addition to great traditional Indian staples like crisp potato fritters and palak paneer, New Saffron boasts a lunch and dinner buffet with over 40 dishes. Offerings change daily.
2700 W. El Camino Real; Mon.-Sun. 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; 948-0123
Runner up: Ginseng Korean Barbeque
Noodle Place
Ramen House Ryowa
Mountain View's best noodle house takes its name from its most popular dish: Ryowa noodles. These Japanese style ramen noodles are served with cha siu barbeque pork, seaweed and a boiled egg. The neighborhood joint also recommends its Karaage fried chicken as a tasty starter or in lieu of noodles.
859 Villa St.; Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; 965-8829
Runner up: Maruichi Restaurant
Pearl Tea
Tapioca Express
Tapioca Express' busy storefront is a sure indicator of its popularity. Offering over 150 different menu items, including snack food, teas, coffees, boba milk teas, icees and snow bubbles, Express has enough selection to please even the most picky pearl tea connoisseur.
740 Villa St.; Mon-Thu. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; 965-3093
Runner up: Verde Tea
Pizza
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
For Mountain View's choice for best pizza, diners can once again head over to Amici's on Castro. Serving up simple, thin-crust margherita, low-fat and lactose free Asante, and a plethora of gourmet pies, like the New Haven White Clam pizza, Amici's knows how to please its California customers in New York style.
790 Castro St.; Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; 961-6666
Runner up: Tony and Alba's
Place for a Business Lunch
Cascal Restaurant
Tasty pan-Latin cuisine and a hip, relaxed, Spanish-inspired atmosphere will take the edge off any business meeting — which is why Mountain View picks Cascal as best place for a business lunch. A wide mix of vegetarian and meat tapas like watermelon salad and goat cheese lollipops will get conversations started, and a traditional paella will seal the deal.
400 Castro St.; Mon.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; 940-9500
Runner up: Michael's at Shoreline
Place to Buy Fresh Produce
Mountain View Farmers Market
The farmers market in downtown Mountain View draws crowds from around the Peninsula and South Bay every Sunday for its farm fresh fruits and veggies. In addition to ripe and ready berries, tomatoes, peaches and other produce, shoppers can peruse stalls of colorful flowers, and ready-to-eat fare like Indian naan and other baked goods — all while supporting local business.
Located in the downtown Caltrain parking lot at Hope and Evelyn; Sun. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; (800) 806-3276
Runner up: The Milk Pail
Sandwich
Le Boulanger
For a classic lunch, head to Le Boulanger to sample its huge variety of hot and cold sandwiches, specialty omelet sandwiches, and soups-of-the-day served in sourdough bread bowls. Kids under 7 can pick from pizzas or a special child-friendly meals complete with a drink and cookie. Great for sit-down lunch dates, the cafe's gourmet sandwiches are well worth the wait.
650 Castro St., No. 160; Mon.-Sat. 6 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; 961-1787
Runner up: Erik's Deli Cafe
Seafood Restaurant
The Cantankerous Fish
The Cantankerous Fish has supplied Mountain View with fresh, great tasting, Asian inspired seafood for five years. Offering everything under the sea — from seared Ahi tuna to succulent seared scallops — this eatery is a hit year after year for the best seafood in town.
420 Castro St.; Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.; 966-8124
Runner up: Fiesta Del Mar
Small (Non-Chain) Grocery Store
The Milk Pail
The Milk Pail's open air market style and affordable produce draws a committed local following. The owner offers fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as wide assortment of cheeses and dairy products. The bustling crowds and long lines are well worth the wait.
2585 California St.; Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; 941-2505
Runner up: Nijiya Market
Sushi
Sushi Tomi
For the best sushi at Mountain View's best sushi place, ask for "Omakase." For only $25, the chef will serve up the freshest nigiri sushi in the house, complete with miso soup to start. If you can't get enough, Sushi Tomi's chef is available for hired catering, bringing the art of sushi preparation into your home for you and your guests.
635 W. Dana St.; Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. & 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; 968-3227
Runner up: Sono Sushi
Take Out Restaurant
New Saffron
Also voted best new restaurant, New Saffron offers a wide array of Indian food, available a la carte, buffet style or to go. Enjoy spicy favorites like curry and chicken tikka from home by calling ahead to New Saffron.
2700 W. El Camino Real; Mon.-Sun. 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; 948-0123
Runners up: Garden Fresh, Cafe Yulong, Kirin Restaurant
Thai
Amarin Thai
For seven years in a row, Mountain View has turned to Amarin Thai for the best Thai cuisine around. From favorites like chicken satay and pad-Thai, to their specialty mango chicken and Bar-B-Q dishes with sticky rice, Amarin packs exotic flavors into its lunch and dinner offerings.
174 Castro St.; Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. noon-10 p.m.; 9888-9323
Runner up: King Krum Siam Thai Restaurant
Vegetarian
Garden Fresh
For vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers alike, Garden Fresh presents an inviting menu with mouth-watering and healthy dining options. Served with brown rice, entrees include herbivore-friendly ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and a wide variety of vegetables and soy.
1245 W. El Camino Real; Mon.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; 254-1688
Runner up: Fresh Choice Restaurant
Vietnamese
Xanh
Xanh Vietnamese is more than you average Pho place. Serving up unique Vietnamese fusion foods — and also taking the title of Best Fusion restaurant — Xanh is a romantic, modern restaurant perfect for a dinner date or night out with friends. Specialties include ahi tuna tartar, shaking beef and the yummy Xanh Burn cocktail.
110 Castro St.; Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m-10 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-Midnight; Sat. 5 p.m.-Midnight; Sun. 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; 964-1888
Runner up: Pho Hoa
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