The Best of Silicon Valley 2012
Best European Cuisine
Best French Restaurant
410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose. Le Papillion is the category killer. Chef Scott Cooper's highly personal, innovative take on French food has made it an essential Silicon Valley restaurant.
La Fondue 14550 Big Basin Way #3, Saratoga
Left Bank 377 Santana Row, San Jose
Best Italian Dining
301 S. First St., San Jose. Original Joe's defines a style and attitude that is more Italian-American than Italian, more Vegas than Venice. And that's the way Metro readers like it.
Il Fornaio 302 S Market St., San Jose; 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto
Aldo's Ristorante & Bar 14109 Winchester Blvd., Los Gatos
Best Moderately Priced Italian
Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizzeria
643 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas; 1445 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose. The first Giorgio's Pizza House opened on Foxworthy way back in 1958 by the D'Ambrosios. After that, the evolution of a family restaurant empire gets complex, branching out into the well-known Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too! places, but throughout it all, the food has remained top-notch at reasonable prices.
Amici's Multiple locations
Mio Vicino 1290 Benton St., Santa Clara
Best Mediterranean
190 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale. Dishdash goes way beyond falafels and hummus to present Middle Eastern food in all its multiethnic glory. Add an urbane setting and an inviting wine list, and you've got a one-of-a-kind restaurant.
Thea 3090 Olsen Dr., San Jose
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos Cin-Cin
Best Greek Restaurant
27 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 1384 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 325 Main St., Los Altos. Opa! was a hit right out of the gate with its low prices, casual setting and satisfying, Greek comfort food. The original Willow Glen location has since added locations in Los Gatos, Los Altos and Walnut Creek.
Dio Deka 210 E. Main St., Los Gatos
Yiassoo 2180 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell
