Restaurants
Breakfast
With nine locations outside Mountain View, Crepevine is no stranger to the breakfast scene. Crepevine aims to provide the freshest, healthiest ingredients while keeping prices low and making everything from scratch. The restaurant features a wide range of crepe dishes, from savory to sweet, like the “midnight blues” made with blueberries, banana, rum sauce and topped with whipped cream and ice cream.
300 Castro St.; 650-969-6878. crepevine.com
Chinese
Chef Chu’s has been a favorite of Mountain View residents since it was first established by Lawrence Chu in the 1970s. Praised by long-time customers for its hospitality and attention to detail, Chef Chu’s offers both gourmet lunches and traditional Chinese noodles, catering to those just developing their taste buds and the more adventurous. The tangy lemon chicken, made with Chef Chu’s famous lemon sauce, is a boneless chicken breast dipped in batter, deep-fried and glazed with the sauce. Other signature dishes include the South Sea-style stir-fried barbecue pork and the kung pao calamari, representing a wide variety of regional specialties.
1067 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos; 650-948-2696. chefchu.com
Coffee House (Independent)
Built on the values of caffeine, culture and community, Red Rock Coffee strives to be more than just a coffee shop. On the first floor, customers come in for the coffee, loose-leaf teas and classic cappuccino made from a special house blend. The second floor features open mic nights, live music, comedians and a story hour every week. The community part of the equation comes in through Red Rock’s continued support of local programs like AVID, MVLA Scholars, and the Mountain View Library.
201 Castro St.; 650-967-4473. redrockcoffee.org
Fine Dining
La Fontaine may be a new winner, but this French and Italian fusion restaurant has already proved itself to be a hot spot, with readers naming it the best place for fine dining, as well as having the best outdoor dining and as the best place for a business lunch. La Fontaine offers an aura of class and professionalism with a menu that strives for high cuisine. Popular dishes include the Burgundy-braised short ribs and the salmon Wellington, which is salmon stuffed with leeks and rock shrimp that’s wrapped in puff pastry and served over saffron risotto.
186 Castro St.; 650-968-2300. lafontainerestaurant.com
Fusion
Xanh’s sleek design and focus on sophistication gives an indication as to why our readers have once again voted it the best fusion restaurant and the best Vietnamese restaurant. Xanh, pronounced “sun,” offers a buffet-style lunch, special event catering,and a lounge and bar featuring its signature cocktails. Favorite menu items include the shaking beef, the New Zealand rack of lamb, and pho you pho me, a beef broth with filet mignon and rice noodles served with bean sprouts, Thai basil and jalapeno peppers.
110 Castro St.; 650-964-1888. xanhrestaurant.com
Indian
A new winner this year, Park Balluchi labels itself as a fine dining experience with a comfortable and contemporary ambiance offering a full bar, lunch buffet and catering. Using organic and fresh ingredients grown locally, the restaurant offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food in the style of North Indian cuisine and Punjabi traditional village cooking. Specialties include a the Kashmiri roganjosh, a lamb curry from the valley of Jammu and Kashmir, and a garbanzo curry called chana bhatura.
288 Castro St.; 650-960-1000. parkballuchiusa.com
Italian
With a warm and inviting atmosphere, Ristorante Don Giovanni has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since founder and owner John Akkaya opened its doors in 1997. It has since become known as a go-to establishment for meetings, banquets, and parties. Must-try dishes include spaghetti alla Bolognese and tortellini alla Michelangelo — a pasta topped with chicken and veal over a creamy sauce.
235 Castro St.; 650-961-9741. dongiovannis.com
Mediterranean
A family-operated business, Mediterranean Grill House is a new winner of this year’s best Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant categories. At Mediterranean Grill House, the customers are key and their satisfaction is valued above all else by owner Hasan Ibrahim and his two sons. Their wraps, from falafels to shawarma, and kebob plates are the top draw.
650 Castro St.; 650-625-9992. mediterraneangrillhouse.com
Mexican
Long-time winner Fiesta Del Mar Too has been operating for 19 years under the guidance of owners Alexandro and Susan Garcia, with some help from the whole family. Fiesta Del Mar Too is the sister restaurant to the now-closed Fiesta Del Mar and Agave Mexican Bistro, also located in downtown Mountain View. Customers keep coming back for the authentic atmosphere, as well as the marinated rotisserie chicken, special recipe margarita, and the friendly staff.
935 Villa St.; 650-967-3525. fiestadelmar.com
Middle Eastern
Mediterranean Grill House
See Mediterranean Restaurant.
New Restaurant
Located inside Ava’s Downtown Market & Deli, Poke Bar has only been open since November but has caught on quickly with Voice readers. Poke, a traditional Hawaiian appetizer made with raw fish, has already made its mark. With a dedication to providing fresh, high quality and healthy ingredients, Poke Bar offers customers the opportunity to create their own poke bowl by choosing from a variety of bases, flavors, toppings, and proteins, from octopus to tofu, to create a unique dish.
340 Castro St.; 650-967-9728. ilovepokebar.com
Best Patio/Outdoor Dining
La Fontaine
See Fine Dining
Place for a Business Lunch
La Fontaine
See Fine Dining
Seafood
With a seafood menu that spans the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Catch combines fine dining with the laid-back Californian vibe. Pacific Catch is dedicated to serving high quality seafood with recipes and ingredients from throughout the Pacific all while making sure their food is held to a responsible environmental standard. Signature dishes include the “Daily Catch,” served during lunch and dinner, as well as its variety of Hawaiian poke plates.
545 San Antonio Road; 650-941-1810. pacificcatch.com/locations/mountain-view/
Sushi/Japanese
Sushi Tomi prioritizes its a menu full of classic Japanese cuisine and our readers have taken notice by once again voting it the best Japanese restaurant in Mountain View. Customers take advantage of the sushi bar or sample the white tuna don, sliced white tuna on top of sushi rice glazed with a special sauce. For those who don’t like raw seafood, there are also plenty of non-sushi dishes available, including the teriyaki salmon.
635 W Dana St.; 650-968-3227. sushitomi.com/new_english.html
Thai
Started as a small family business in its original San Jose location, Amarin Thai has undergone a transformation into a high-quality restaurant with locations in three other Bay Area cities. Amarin Thai has been our reader’s pick for best Thai restaurant since 1999 and it’s no wonder, with its variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Thai cuisine. House favorites include jumbo prawns with spicy herbs and its sauteed chili seafood made with a combination of zucchini, bell pepper, and basil.
174-176 Castro St.; 650-988-9323. amarinthaicuisine.com
Vegetarian
Owners Robert Liang and Paul Hsueh started Garden Fresh with the intention of participating in the centuries old tradition of Chinese vegan cuisine. Garden Fresh, a Humane Planet certified business, is dedicated to using only the freshest and most organic ingredients available. Favorite dishes among our readers include the kun pao eggplant, a Japanese eggplant bathed in a spicy Szechuan sauce, and hand-rolled veggie wraps called basil moo shu Rolls.
1245 West El Camino Real; 650-254-1688. gardenfresh.us
Vietnamese
Xanh
See Fusion
Food & Drink
Bagels
House of Bagels has been a winner since 2012 for its New York-style bagels and traditional baking process. In business for over 20 years, House of Bagels uses natural, unprocessed ingredients to make the dough every day, before boiling the bagels and topping them off with seeds, cheeses, sugars and more. House of Bagels is open from breakfast through lunch and offers special catering events.
1712 Miramonte Ave.; 650-694-4888. houseofbagelsonline.com
Bakery
Alexander’s Patisserie bills itself as a European pastry shop in the heart of the Silicon Valley. The business is lead by executive chef Dries Delanghe who incorporates seasonal ingredients, his traditional European training, and contemporary techniques into his pastries. Alexander’s Patisserie offers a large selection of house-made sweets including cakes, tarts, cookies, French macarons, chocolates and confections.
209 Castro St.; 650-864-9999. alexanderspatisserie.com
Bar
Although Molly MaGees is a first-time winner, its been serving up drinks since it was first established in 1997. This authentic Irish pub experience gives customers the kind of laid back, homey atmosphere perfect for knocking back drinks and watching soccer or listening to their in-house DJs on weekends. Daily specials include the Jager bomb and the Reyka Bloody Mary. On Whiskey Wednesdays, all whiskeys are half-price.
241 Castro St.; 650-961-0108. mollysmtview.com
BBQ
Armadillo Willy’s offers barbecue flavors with its Texas-inspired, wood-fired meats. The restaurant was founded by John Berward more than 30 years ago to bring a little bit of that legendary Texan barbecue to the heart of the Silicon Valley. Signature dishes include the Texas jalapeno-cheese sausage and their “Texas Trinity BBQ Plate,” a selection of brisket, ribs and sausage sure to please any meat lover.
1031 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos; 650-941-2922. armadillowillys.com
Burgers
If you want old-fashioned, charcoal-grilled burgers, then Clarke’s Charcoal Broiler is the way to go. A Mountain View mainstay for local burger lovers, Clarke’s has been serving up burgers and malts since 1945, weathering some management changes over the years. The Clarkesburger is a favorite menu item to enjoy on the dog-friendly patio or inside watching the game. Those in the mood for a splurge opt for the pork baby back ribs and the side orders like chili fries and beer-battered mushrooms. On the weekends, check out the special breakfast menu featuring pancakes, omelets, and a dish named after Mountain View.
651 West El Camino Real; 650-967-0851. clarkes.com
Burrito
As the one-time Guinness Record Holder for the World’s Largest Burrito, La Costena is known for its super-sized burritos and its bean, rice and salsa fillings. But if burritos aren’t your thing, then try out La Costena’s carne asada, a grilled sirloin steak, or try their pollo en mole, a chicken bathed in mole, the traditional Mexican sauce made with toasted bread, nuts, cinnamon, and a host of other spices. The menudo served on weekends only.
235 East Middlefield Road; 650-967-0507. costena.com
Deli
Dittmer’s Gourmet Meats & Wurst-Haus has been offering an old-fashioned butcher shop and delicatessen experience since it first opened in 1978. Now relocated to Los Altos near the Mountain View border, Dittmer’s still offers sausages, smoked meats, fresh meats and house-made lunch meats. Appreciative customers have come to expect the more than 100 house-made and specialty items offered on a daily basis.
4540 El Camino Real, Los Altos; 650-941-3800. dittmers.com
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
For a touch of Italian charm in your frozen treats, check out long-time reader favorite Gelato Classico. The ice cream shop offers a taste of the romantic European getaway in every bite of their Italian ice cream and sorbets so it’s no wonder customers can often be seen forming a long line outside the shop.
241B Castro St.; 650-969-2900. gelatoclassico.com
Noodles
Once again, Maru Ichi has proven it’s a Mountain View favorite for its affordable prices and richly flavored homemade noodles. Our readers love the miso ramen for its spicy heat and the tender tilapia over a special sauce. Opt for a steaming bowl of of the signature ramen or try the soba and udon noodles served in savory broths with a variety of toppings.
368 Castro St.; 650-564-9931.
Pearl Tea
Tea Era Taiwanese-inspired tea shop, emerged victorious amid a crowded field, with its milk teas, flavored teas and smoothies. Customers can also try their boba in smoothie form with pearls. Patrons also favor the pudding and shaved ice they offer and anyone looking for a light snack can try out the fried calamari, popcorn chicken or Taiwanese sausage bento.
271 Castro St.; 650-969-2899. teaeracafe.com
Pizza
Named after a train that runs from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago, Blue Line Pizza serves up — what else? — deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza. One of the Bay Area branches of San Francisco’s Little Star Pizza expansion, Blue Line is known for the cornmeal crust on its deep-dish pizza and for its New York-style thin-crust pizza. It also offers gluten-free and vegan pizzas, and appetizers like spicy chicken wings, spicy meatballs and oven-roasted Shishito peppers.
146 Castro St.; 650-938-7888. bluelinepizza.com
Produce
The award-winning Mountain View Farmers Market has long been favorite with locals. Open year-round, it’s the third largest of its kind in all of California. The market, which first opened 22 years ago, showcases the good from more than 80 farmers and food purveyors every Sunday near the Caltrain Station in downtown Mountain View. The market isn’t just a great place to find seasonal produce — it has received Congressional recognition for its efforts to provide produce to families in need.
Mountain View Caltrain Station parking lot, 600 W Evelyn Ave.; 800- 806-3276. cafarmersmkts.com/mountain-view-farmers-market
Small Grocery Store
Ava’s Downtown Market & Deli strives to carry a selection of organic and gourmet food from around the Bay Area and around the world. The family-run grocery provides high-quality, locally grown vegetables, grass-fed meats, organic dairy and fresh bread. In addition to its packaged and frozen food products, Ava’s Market offers house-made soups and hot table items every day for lunch. It also houses the popular Poke Bar inside the store.
340 Castro St.; 650-961-5652. avasdowntownmarket.com
Take Out
Poke Bar
See New Restaurant
SERVICES
Auto Body Repair
Bedford Auto Repair has won the title of Best Auto Body Repair thanks to its state-of-the-art collision repair services, focus on providing customer service, quality and “done right the first time” repairs. “I started the business when I was 24. I’d fallen in love with cars in high schools and restored show cars in the ’60s. To take something old and make it look new is an art. I take pride in every car I work on,” says owner Greg Bedford.
2145 Old Middlefield Way; 650-961-4100. bedfordautobody.com
Auto Repair
Readers chose Larry’s Autoworks for Best Auto Repair, reflecting its 41 years of aiming to give customers peace of mind on their vehicle’s reliability. Owners Laurie and Larry Moore say they pride themselves on being able to assist with “all of your auto service and repair needs.” Using top quality parts and the latest diagnostic equipment, Larry’s Autoworks staff attend an average of 40 hours of update training a year to stay on top of the latest technology. Larry’s is “the only shop in Mountain View to give a three-year or 36,000-mile written warranty.”
2526 Leghorn St.; 650-968-5202. autoworks.com
Chiropractor
Movement Chiropractic and Wellness is a new winner this year, offering chiropractic therapy, adjustment, active release techniques and rehabilitation. “My clinical approach is strongly focused on patient care with an emphasis on improving the patient’s mobility and function,” says the owner, Dr. Taylor Griffith. Nutritional and ergonomic advice, physiotherapy and consultation are also available, drawing in customers from various places in California. “My goal is to have patients leave with a greater knowledge of their injuries and the tools to help them prevent further injury. My patients vary from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete,” he said.
694 W. Dana St.; 650-429-8132. mvmtchiropractic.com
Dentist
For the third year in a row, Dental Fabulous and its team, led by owner and principal dentist Dr. Huy Do, has won over the Mountain View community with its long-term commitment to providing cosmetic and preventative treatment. The staff at Dental Fabulous represent a variety of nationalities, creating a friendly environment where customers can speak Spanish or English and feel comfortable. Open Tuesday to Friday, with Saturday appointments also available.
756 California St.; 650-969-6077. dentalfabulous.com
Dry Cleaners
Holiday Cleaners enjoys a reputation as one of the most popular and credible cleaning companies nationally for dry cleaning, providing customers with fast and reliable customer service. It makes cleaning easy, providing pick-up and drop-off services.
1350 Grant Road; 650-965-0281.
Fitness Classes
Open 24 hours a day, for the past 27 years, 24 Hour Fitness has aimed to help people change their lives through fitness. The Showers Drive location won top honors from our readers this year for the variety of fitness classes offered. The gym’s philosophy is to recognize that every client is an individual with specific goals and aims. 24 Hour Fitness’ motto, “We believe there is an athlete in all of us,” guides its mission to be affordable and open to people of all abilities.
550 Showers Dr.; 650-941-2268. 24hourfitness.com
Gym
24 Hour Fitness Super Sport offers an expansive list of amenities that include “just about every feature you could wish for in a gym membership.” Open 24 hours a day to accommodate even the busiest of schedules, the health and fitness center offers members personal training, group exercise classes, cardio and strength training equipment, a sauna and steam room, towel service and an indoor lap pool.
2535 California Ave.; 650-941-2268.24. 24hourfitness.com/Website/Club/814
Hair Salon
Since 2005, Essence Salon has aimed to create happiness through hairstyling, and Voice readers seem to agree. Essence offers a full line of services including hair styling, cutting and coloring. Customers venture from as far as San Francisco to receive personalized hair styles to reflect who they are. “The work is based on modern theories and techniques from around the world,” according to Jennifer Lei, the owner. The stylists have trained in different countries and have extensive in-salon training, and some have expert Toni & Guy and Aveda training.
826 W. Dana St.; 650-988-8822. essencesalon.com
Hotel
For the second year in a row, Hilton Garden Inn has won acclaim as Mountain View’s best hotel. The central location and buffet breakfast makes it a favorite choice among visitors. Offering easy access to all major highways and public transportation, the hotel is conveniently located between downtown Mountain View and Sunnyvale. With complimentary WiFi and a 24-hour business center, it caters to those traveling for business as well as for pleasure.
840 E. El Camino Real; 650-964-1700. hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com
Manicure
For the past decade, Allure Salon has consistently won over our readers, who have named it the best salon in Mountain View. Earning praise from readers for its friendly staff and variety of services available, Allure offers skin, nails, makeup and eyelash services. Located downtown on Castro Street, Allure Salon staffers pride themselves on offering the most cutting-edge products.
888 Villa St.; 650-938-8777. mvalluresalon.com
Massage
Massage Envy offers everything from massage therapy to Murad healthy skin facial sessions. “What makes us stand out is our pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, professional massage therapists and estheticians, and affordable membership prices,” says spa director Kim Gladden. Massage Envy operates under the belief that everyone deserves a customized massage or facial, and makes relaxation and comfort a priority.
1040 Grant Road #110; 650-961-3689. massageenvy.com
Nutrition/Weight Loss
INTENTIO Fitness Coaching is a new winner that came out on top in two categories this year. Anna Hertel, the owner behind this newly formed fitness coaching, is a triathlete herself. Together with five other specialist coaches, INTENTIO aims to make fitness results attainable. “We love to work with busy individuals who care about their health and want to finally see results and learn how to maintain optimal vitality,” the website states. The INTENTIO team members are experts in personal training, strength, power and functional movement. Nutritional advice, massage services and injury recovery are also available.
260 Moffett Blvd.; 650-963-9888. intentio.com
Personal Trainer
INTENTIO Fitness Coaching
See Fitness Coaching
Oil Change
For the third year in a row, the local Jiffy Lube has won as readers’ favorite oil change and automobile service center. Its signature oil change is comprehensive, preventative and performed by trained technicians, who help customers select the right motor oil for their vehicles. The staff prides itself on being friendly and committed to meeting customers needs.
1141 W. El Camino Real; 650-965-2582. jiffylube.com
Pet Care
When Rover or Fluffy appears ill or is behaving strangely, voters — and pet owners — head to Adobe Animal Hospital. The veterinary clinic in Los Altos is open seven days a week and provides pets of all varieties a wide range of quality services. The facility, which has a 24-hour intensive care unit, is equipped with an in-house diagnostic laboratory and endoscope and ultrasound machines, among other essential tools to help your furry friends stay healthy and happy.
4470 El Camino Real, Los Altos, 650-948-9661; adobe-animal.com
Shoe Repair
Customers may thank Model Shoe Repair for its reasonable prices and speedy, high quality service, but owner Sae Kim credits his success to his customers and their loyal support over the years. In addition to footwear repair and care, Model Shoe Repair also repairs purses, belts, suitcases and luggage.
621 W. Dana St.; 650-961-8389.
Yoga
Just like the motto suggests, Yoga Belly is “light on tradition but heavy on workout.” Owners Aaron Goodnow and William Cristobal started the practice in 2010 with studios in Mountain View and San Jose in 2013. In the local community, they became known for a host of wild parties, but soon after, they became known for creating their own studio for non-traditional yogis who simply love exercise. The unique approach offers a safe, enjoyable and positive environment to meditate and workout. Yogis can expect “wicked sequencing, funky playlists and a disco ball.”
455 Castro St.; 650-862-3976. yogabellystudio.com
RETAIL
Bike Shop
Cognition Cyclery is more than just an independently owned bike shop. It boasts top brands, years of experience and bicycle repair and servicing, a level of expertise clearly appreciated by this year’s voters who helped Cognition coast to victory. For a limited time this summer, renowned cycling biomechanics expert Sean Madsen, who has worked with Tour de France winners, will be available by appointment for bike-fitting in Cognition’s fit studio.
903 Castro St.; 650-386-1955. cognitioncyclery.com
Bookstore
Books Inc traces its origins to the Gold Rush, but became Books Inc. as it’s known today in 1946. It is independently owned and is always packed with locals looking for the latest books to read or gifts to buy. Located on a well-trafficked corner of downtown Mountain View, it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with friendly staff that has clearly won the hearts of our readers.
301 Castro St.; 650-428-1234. booksinc.net
Boutique
Voice readers singled out Therapy as the perfect shop to find everything from home decor and knick knacks to gifts and clothing, voting it in as the best boutique in town as well as the best place to find unusual gifts. Readers have said they could spend all day reading the silly greeting cards and gag gifts. According to manager Katherine Lix, the boutique tries to incorporate local vendors, and 75 percent of the store’s jewelry brands are local to California. “We encourage our employees to work with the customers and try to really get to know people. When we say hi, we really mean it. We want to know how you’re doing,” Lix says.
250 Castro St.; 650-691-1196. shopattherapy.com
Florist
Fleur De Lis was readers’ first choice for florist in Mountain View, rewarding its commitment to offering the finest floral arrangements and gifts. The floral services include a huge variety of fresh, everyday arrangements, as well as special event and gift designs. On-time delivery is available even during the busy holiday seasons. Gourmet fruit baskets, greeting cards and candles are also available.
811 Castro St.; 650-968-0220. fdlflowers.com/#cid=glbc
Hardware Store
For the second year in a row Blossom True Value Hardware has been named Mountain View’s best hardware store by Voice readers. Since moving to El Camino Real in 2006, this location has won customers’ praise for its helpful, friendly service, clean and organized displays and extensive selection of products. Offering goods from plants to paint to power tools, and services from key-cutting to blade-sharpening, Blossom True Value Hardware can help with a variety of household needs.
1297 W. El Camino Real; 650-964-7871. ww3.truevalue.com/blossom/
Unusual Gifts
Therapy
See Boutique
FUN STUFF
Happy Hour
Cascal, downtown’s vibrant restaurant, has a pan-Latin menu but is primarily inspired by the flavors and traditions of Spain. With its extensive cocktails, Spanish music and epicurean delights. Don Durante says he opened his restaurant knowing that Mountain View needed a social place where friends could linger. The small-plates menu is tapas-style, which encourages sharing, and the happy hour offers pints of beer for $3.75, champagne by the glass and all specialty cocktails at reduced prices.
400 Castro St.; 650-940-9500. cascalrestaurant.com
Place for a Date
Shoreline Lake, Mountain View’s man-made, 50-acre, saltwater playground is filled by waters from the San Francisco Bay. It makes an ideal place for learning to sail or windsurf, and if you fall in, it’s considerably warmer than the Bay. With picnic baskets available for purchase from the lakeside bistro, and paddle boats and kayaks for rent, our readers think it’s the perfect place to spend some quality time with that special someone.
3160 N Shoreline Blvd.; 650-965-7373. shorelinelake.com
Place for Live Music
Shoreline Amphitheatre opened in 1986, is Mountain View’s go-to venue during the summer concert season, where you’ll see locals hauling lawn chairs to its grassy open seating area. Upcoming events include country star Keith Urban on July 28, the Vans Warped Tour on Aug. 6 and Heart with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick on Aug. 24. When the parking lot is used for festival stages, the total capacity of the venue can reach 30,000. Promoter Bill Graham wanted it to mirror The Grateful Dead’s “steal your face” skull logo which, if you squint at an aerial view of the venue and its distinctive tent-like roof, you can almost see the resemblance.
1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View; 650-965-7474. shorelineamphitheatre.com
Place to Take a Visitor
Shoreline Park, Mountain View’s 750-acre wildlife and recreation area with its beautiful setting by the San Francisco Bay, offers incredible views of the mountains and the Bay. The park officially opened to the public in 1983 and is open from 6 a.m. until 30 minutes after sundown, seven days a week. Activities in the park include golfing, sailing, windsurfing or flying a kite. Running and bike trails are a favorite pastime among locals.
3070 N Shoreline Blvd.; 650- 965-7474. mountainview.gov
