The Best of Silicon Valley 2018

March 28, 2018 by Metro Staff

Photo by Greg Ramar

OVERALL

Best New Restaurant

Flights
368 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Luna Mexican Grill
1495 The Alameda, San Jose
Enoteca La Storia
Multiple Locations

Best Restaurant (Culinary Excellence)

Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Alexander's Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Adega
1614 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose

Best Chef

Andrew Welch, The Basin
14572 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Jeffrey Stout, Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Jim Stump
The Table and Forthright Oyster Bar

Best Dining Value

Harry's Hofbrau
390 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
Angelou's Mexican Grill
21 N Second St, San Jose
Adamsons French Dip
806 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale

Best Family Restaurant

Aqui
Multiple locations
Bill's Cafe
Multiple locations
Blue Line Pizza
Multiple locations

Best Romantic Restaurant

La Fondue
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
71 Saint Peter
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose
Alexander's Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Photo by John Dyke

POKE TO THE PEOPLE
Who would've thought when the first Poki Bowl opened up on Almaden Expressway in 2015 that it would set off an explosion of fish in Silicon Valley? Well, here it is less than three years later and there are now more than 40 poke restaurants scattered throughout the South Bay. For Cali-style poke, the OG Poki Bowl still does a good job, but try Go Fish Poke Bar for the chilled yam noodles (aka shirataki noodles) base that goes great with raw fish. If one's looking for a more traditional, Hawaiian-style poke try Santo Market in Japantown and Aloha Fresh in Cupertino. The latter has a black rice base that's terrific.

Best Restaurant Patio

Andale
21 S Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Jack Rose Libation House
18840 Los Gatos-Saratoga Rd, Los Gato
Aqui Willow Glen
1145 Lincoln Ave, San Jose

Best Late-Night Eats

4th St. Pizza Co.
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose
Original Joe's
301 S First St, San Jose
A Slice of New York
3443 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose

Best French Restaurant

La Fondue
14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Black Sheep Brasserie
1202 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Baumé
201 California Ave, Palo Alto

Best German Restaurant

Naschmarkt Restaurant
384 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Teske's Germania
255 N First St, San Jose
Ludwig's German Table
261 N Second St, San Jose

Best Latin Restaurant

Cascal
400 Castro St, Mountain View
Pampas
529 Alma St, Palo Alto
Isabella's Restaurant
700 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose

Best Cuban/Caribbean Restaurant

Habana Cuba
238 Race St, San Jose
Back A Yard
80 N Market St, San Jose
La Bodeguita del Medio
463 California Ave, Palo Alto

Best Cajun Restaurant

Poor House Bistro
91 S Autumn St, San Jose
The Boiling Crab
71 Curtner Ave, San Jose
1631 E Capitol Expy, San Jose
The Bywater
532 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos

Best Italian Restaurant

A Bellagio
    33 S Central Ave, Campbell
Aldo's Ristorante & Bar
    14109 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizza
    1445 Foxworthy Ave, San Jose
643 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas

Photo by John Dyke

Best Mediterranean/Greek Restaurant

Agape Grill
845 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale
Dio Deka
210 E Main St, Los Gatos
Dishdash
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant

Dishdash
190 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale
Arya Global Cuisine
19930 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Faz
Multiple locations

Best Steakhouse

Alexander's Steakhouse
19379 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Dry Creek Grill
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose

Best Barbecue

Smoking Pig BBQ
Multiple locations
Andy's Bar-B-Que
2367 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Henry's Hi-Life
301 W St John St, San Jose

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Amaravathi Pure Veg
673 Grape Ave, Sunnyvale
Good Karma
37 S 1st St, San Jose
Veggie Grill
Multiple locations

Best Hawaiian

Banana Crepe
248 Jackson St, San Jose
Hukilau
230 Jackson St, San Jose
Hawaiian Barbecue
6233 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose

Best Ramen

Orenchi
3450 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Kumako
211 Jackson St, San Jose
Maru Ichi
368 Castro St, Mountain View

Best Pho

House of Pho
Multiple locations
Dac Phuc
198 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
Pho Wagon
1712 Meridian Ave, San Jose

Photo by John Dyke

QUEING UP
The NorCal barbecue scene is pretty mediocre overall, but the South Bay has stepped up its game in spades as of late. Within the last few years TAOB (The Art Of BBQ) Pit Stop, QBB (Quality Bourbons & BBQ) and Mesquite & Oak have opened their doors and really taken Q to a new level. And let's not forget that The Smoking Pig has continued to hold it down, opening up a second location in Fremont. TAOB is fronted by pitmaster Art Munoz, whose years of catering and competition have led him to open his own restaurant that serves Flintstone-like ribs and killer tri-tip, while QBB's CIA-trained executive pitmaster, Ryan Pang, has dozens of awards in competition barbecue—and one can taste the results. Mesquite & Oak might have the best beef brisket in the South Bay, and they're a great option for a Sunday brunch.

Best Poke Restaurant

Downtown Poki
96 E San Salvador St, San Jose
Poki Bowl
4750 Almaden Expy, San Jose
Poke House
1698 Hostetter Rd, San Jose

Best Pearl Teas

Black Pearl
Multiple locations
Gong Cha
Multiple locations
Fantasia Coffee & Tea
378 Santana Row, San Jose

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

Anh Hong
1818 Tully Rd, San Jose
233 W Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas
Hanna
133 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Vung Tau
535 E Santa Clara St, San Jose

Best Korean Restaurant

Bibimbowl
415 N Mary Ave, Suite 107, Sunnyvale
Burnt Rice
The Plant, 121 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Gooyi Gooyi
2331 El Camino Real, Santa Clara

Best Thai Restaurant

Amarin Thai
Multiple locations
Krungthai
642 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Blue Mango
635 Coleman Ave, San Jose

Best Seafood Restaurant

Fish Market
3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
3775 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
1007 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose
The Bay Fish and Chips
826 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale
Scott's Seafood
185 Park Ave, San Jose

Best Sushi

Yuki Sushi
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
1140 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Mizu Sushi
1035 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
Cha Cha Sushi
547 W Capitol Expy, San Jose

Best Burger

Brown Chicken Brown Cow
397 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Arcadia
100 W San Carlos St, San Jose
Main Street Burgers
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose

Photo by Avi Salem

COLD AND ROLLED
The rolled ice cream dessert phenomenon originates on the streets of Thailand. This fully customizable treat can include such wild ingredients as breakfast cereal, cookies and even fresh fruit. Those who like things "just so" will love the variety of flavors and toppings to choose from. Icicles in downtown Willow Glen is the premier spot, but newly opened Ice Cubed in Almaden is showing great promise. There's even a newly opened place, Icey Poki, which combines two of the items on our list: poke and ice cream.

Best Pizza - Independent

212 New York Pizza
19998 Homestead Rd, Cupertino
Bibo's NY Pizza
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose
4th St. Pizza Co.
150 E Santa Clara St, San Jose

Best Pizza - Regional

Blue Line Pizza
Multiple Locations
A Slice of New York
Multiple Locations
Bibo's NY Pizza
1431 Bird Ave, San Jose

Best Deli/Sandwich Shop

Antipasto's
3454 McKee Rd, San Jose
La Villa
1319 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Erik's DeliCafé
Multiple locations

Best Microbrewery Food

Rock Bottom
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Campbell Brewing Co.
200 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Firehouse Grill & Brewery
111 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale

Best Desserts

Icing on the Cake
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
Alexander's Patisserie
Multiple locations
Frost Cupcake Factory
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell

Best Doughnuts

Stan's Donut Shop
2628 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara
Psycho Donuts
Multiple locations
Manley's Donut Shop
Multiple locations

Best Ice Cream/Gelato

Dolce Spazio Gelato
221 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Sweet Retreat
846 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose
Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto

Best Frozen Yogurt

Willow Glen Creamery
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Yumi Yogurt
3787 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara
Frozo's Frozen Yogurt
1000 Lafayette St, Santa Clara

Photo by John Dyke

RAMEN RULES
A ramen craving back in the day usually meant a schlep over to the west side, as Orenchi and Santouka were the only real options. Now, regardless of which side of town diners are in, there's a legit ramen spot nearby. In the north side, there's Kokoro; in the East Side, there's Pot Belly Ramen; in the South, there's Jinya, and in downtown, Ramen Taka is the spot. If diners are looking for something a little different, try Maruten Ramen in Japantown with its chicken-centric menu and clean, light but tasty broth.

Best Food Truck

Grilled Cheese Bandits
@CheeseBandits
Sam's Chowdermobile
@chowdermobile
Tacomania
@tacomaniainc

Best Caterer

A Catered Affair
1680 Martin Ave, Santa Clara
Purple Onion
1167 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Sam's Bar-B-Que
1110 S Bascom Ave, San Jose

Best Tea Room

Lisa's Tea Treasures
167 Main St, Los Altos
Fairmont Lobby Lounge
170 S Market St, San Jose
Teatime
1003 El Camino Real, Redwood City

Best Ethnic Market

International Gourmet Foods
The Plant, 2052 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Mitsuwa Marketplace
675 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
Santo Market
245 E Taylor St, San Jose

Best Microbrewery

Rock Bottom
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Rabbit's Foot Meadery
1246 Birchwood Dr, Sunnyvale
Santa Clara Valley Brewing
101 E Alma Ave, San Jose

PENINSULA

Best Business Lunch

MacArthur Park
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
Il Fornaio
520 Cowper St, Palo Alto
Opa!
325 Main St, Los Altos

Best American Restaurant

Los Altos Grill
233 Third St, Los Altos
MacArthur Park
27 University Ave, Palo Alto
Saint Michael's Alley
140 Homer Ave, Palo Alto

Best Chinese Restaurant

Garden Fresh Chinese Vegan Cuisine
460 Ramona St, Palo Alto
Chef Chu's
1067 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos
Hunan Home's Express
530 Showers Dr, Mountain View

Best Japanese Restaurant

Jin Sho
454 California Ave, Palo Alto
Higuma
540 El Camino Real, Redwood City
Gombei
1438 El Camino Real, Menlo Park

Best Mexican Restaurant

La Fiesta
240 Villa St, Mountain View
Fiesta Del Mar Too
735 Villa St, Mountain View
Joya
339 University Ave, Palo Alto

Best Indian Restaurant

Darbar
129 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
Janta
369 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
Passage to India
1991 W El Camino Real Mountain View

Best Thai Restaurant

Krungthai
590 Showers Dr, Mountain View
Amarin Thai
174 Castro St, Mountain View
Shana Thai
311 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View

Best Taqueria

Taqueria La Espuela
854 W Dana St, Mountain View
Los Altos Taqueria
2105 Old Middlefield Way E, Mountain View
Taqueria El Grullense
3636 El Camino Real, Palo Alto

Best Breakfast

Joanie's Cafe
405 California Ave, Palo Alto
Palo Alto Creamery
566 Emerson St, Palo Alto
Stacks
314 El Camino Real, Redwood City

Best Independent Coffeehouse

Clocktower Coffee Roasting Co.
205 E Middlefield Rd, Mountain View
Connoisseur Coffee Co.
2801 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City
Cafe Zoe
1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park

Best Bakery

The Prolific Oven
550 Waverley St, Palo Alto
Satura Cakes
200 Main St, Los Altos
Palo Alto Baking Co.
381 California Ave, Palo Alto

Best Burrito

Sancho's Taqueria
2723 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto
491 Lytton Ave, Palo Alto
3205 Oak Knoll Dr, Redwood City
Rincon Sabroso
122 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View
Taqueria La Bamba
580 N Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View

WEST VALLEY

Best Business Lunch

Nick's Next Door
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
Steamer's Grillhouse
31 University Ave, Los Gatos
Aqui
201 E Campbell Ave, Campbell

Best American Restaurant

Orchard City Kitchen
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Nick's Next Door
11 College Ave, Los Gatos
Forbes Mill Steakhouse
206 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos

Best Chinese Restaurant

Blue Sky
2028 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Tsing Tao
104 San Tomas Aquino Rd, Campbell
Tie
Yeung Shing
14107 S Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos
Shangri-La
784 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos

Best Japanese Restaurant

Sushi Confidential
247 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Kyoto Palace
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Kamakura
135 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos

A TOAST TO AVOCADO TOAST
OK, this is a weird one, but it's true. Entire restaurants are now built upon the practice of schmearing a bit of avocado on some toasted bread. The Source's version of avocado toast is pretty popular and comes served on levain bread, and Vitamina in SoFA has gives its offering a Mexican lemony cilantro twist. Philz, another favorite, has a tasty za'atar spread topped with sliced, hard-boiled eggs. iJava Café's version is pretty spectacular, as it's capped off with a perfectly fried egg, cilantro and red onions.

Best Mexican Restaurant

El Burro
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Casa Lupe
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell

Best Indian Restaurant

Royal Taj
1350 Camden Ave, Campbell
The Mynt
5210 Prospect Rd, San Jose

Best Thai Restaurant

Thai Orchid
866 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Thai Spice
337 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Mint Leaf Cuisine
14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga

Best Taqueria

Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Adelita's
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
Jalisco
525 E Campbell Ave, Campbell

Best Breakfast

Los Gatos Cafe
340 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
15662 Los Gatos Blvd, Los Gatos
Stacks
139 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Hash House
851 W Hamilton Ave, Campbell

Best Independent Coffeehouse

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Co.
101 W Main St, Los Gatos
Great Bear Coffee
19 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Orchard Valley Coffee
349 E Campbell Ave, Campbell

Best Bakery

Icing on the Cake
50 W Main St, Los Gatos
Manresa Bread
276 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
Frosting Cupcake Factory
199 E Campbell Ave, Campbell

Best Burrito

Andale
6 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos
El Burro
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
Adelita's
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose

CENTRAL VALLEY

Best Business Lunch

Birk's
3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara
Faultline Brewing Co
1235 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale
Faz
181 E Tasman Dr, San Jose
1108 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale

Photo by John Dyke

GET WOKE WITH COFFEE 3.0
There was a time that every diner in America had essentially one kind of coffee. Then Starbucks and Peet's saved the day. But that was then. Now even McDonald's can serve up a cappuccino. New age coffee shops are taking care and precision with every step of the brewing process—from checking the pH of the water to grinding the beans just moments before brewing—and almost everyone claims to have the best method for producing the perfect cup. Voyager Craft Coffee, which started out as a mobile coffee bar and expanded to a brick-and-mortar shop got, famous with their Valencia coffee that includes coconut and orange blossom water. Chromatic Coffee specializes in taking their signature cold brew and doing inventive things like creating Fruity Pebbles latte and soda-coffee drinks. At Vero's Coffee Bar, the Mexican mocha is the thing to get—a with its symphony of coffee, cinnamon and Mexican chocolate that keeps patrons coming back. Academic Coffee has helped to transform a once dicey corner with its clean design and excellent food and java options. And we can't forget the trio of Bellano, B2 and SoPo, who make a cold brew so delicious that there's no need for cream or sugar.

Best American Restaurant

St. John's Bar & Grill
510 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale
Parcel 104
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara
Park Place
10030 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino

Best Chinese Restaurant

China Stix
2110 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Hong Fu
20588 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant
1135 Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale

Best Japanese Restaurant

Yuki Sushi
1827 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara
Gombei
193 S Jackson St, San Jose
Izaka-Ya
1335 N First St, San Jose

Best Mexican Restaurant

La Paloma
2280 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Casa Lupe
2169 Winchester Blvd, Campbell
Pedro's
3935 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara

Best Indian Restaurant

Kabab and Curry's
1498 Isabella St, Santa Clara
Bombay Garden
3701 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Peacock Indian Cuisine
2798 El Camino Real, Santa Clara

Best Thai Restaurant

Jasmine Fine Thai
1211 Franklin Mall, Santa Clara
Thai Chili Cuisine
1550 Halford Ave, Santa Clara
The Old Siam
1111 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale

Best Taqueria

Chavez Supermarket
666 N Fair Oaks Ave, Sunnyvale
Ruby's Taqueria
821 Borregas Ave, Sunnyvale
Taqueria La Veracruzana
1510 Jackson St, Santa Clara

Best Breakfast

Hobee's
21267 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
800 W. Ahwanee Ave, Sunnyvale
Sara's Kitchen
1595 Franklin St, Santa Clara
Old Ironsides Cafe
4655 Old Ironsides Dr #150, Santa Clara

Best Independent Coffeehouse

Coffee Society
21265 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino
Bitter + Sweet
20560 Town Center Lane, Cupertino
Roasted Coffee Bean
19110 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino

Best Bakery

La Patisserie
19758 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
Sugar Butter Flour
669 S Bernardo Ave, Sunnyvale
Nothing Bundt Cakes
939 El Camino Real, Sunnyvale

Best Burrito

Viva Taqueria
444 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara
Ruby's
821 Borregas Ave, Sunnyvale
Aqui
10630 S De Anza Blvd, Cupertino

SAN JOSE / SOUTH VALLEY

Best Business Lunch

Grill on the Alley
172 S Market St, San Jose
Original Joe's
301 S First St, San Jose
Il Fornaio
302 S Market St, San Jose

TAPAS TO THE RESCUE
What started out in Spain as (usually) free small, simple plates that were meant to be shared by patrons to help soak up the excess alcohol has sprouted into a whole new generation of restaurants that serve high-end cuisine that is most certainly not free. OCK (Orchard City Kitchen) might be the most popular example of this with its lobster dumplings, Korean fried chicken and tater tot poutine-ish rounding out a well-balanced meal. Flights, which recently opened a second location, puts a creative spin on their small plates by giving patrons three versions of the same dish—such as chicken and waffles. Their bacon and beer flight is also not to be missed. Relative newcomer Braise is turning heads in downtown Willow Glen with their amazing cocktail and small plates menu that's highlighted with their 20-day dry-aged New York strip served with uni butter, as well as their oddly delightful PB&J bone marrow sandwich—try it and become a believer.

Best American Restaurant

Dry Creek Grill
1580 Hamilton Ave, San Jose
Farmers Union
151 W Santa Clara St, San Jose
The Table
1110 Willow St, San Jose

Best Chinese Restaurant

Mandarin Gourmet
5560 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose
Taiwan Restaurant
1306 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Golden Buddha
2768 Aborn Rd, San Jose

Best Japanese Restaurant

House of Genji
1335 N First St, San Jose
Gombei
193 Jackson St, San Jose
Kenzo Sushi
5465 Snell Ave, San Jose

Best Mexican Restaurant

Zona Rosa
1411 The Alameda, San Jose
Casa Vicky
792 E Julian St, San Jose
Mezcal
25 W San Fernando St, San Jose

Best Indian Restaurant

Amber India
377 Santana Row, San Jose
Tandoori Oven
150 S First St, San Jose
Rangoli India Restaurant
3695 Union Ave, San Jose

Best Thai Restaurant

Krungthai
642 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose
580 N Winchester Blvd
Blue Mango
635 Coleman Ave, San Jose
Thai Orchid
2591 N First St, San Jose

Best Taqueria

Adelita's
1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose
55 N Bascom Ave, San Jose
Taqueria Tlaquepaque
2222 Lincoln Ave, San Jose
Iguana's
330 S Third St, San Jose

Best Breakfast

Bill's Cafe
Multiple locations
Scrambl'z
5055 Almaden Expy, San Jose
The Breakfast Club at Midtown
1432 W San Carlos St, San Jose

Best Independent Coffeehouse

Chromatic #DTSJ
17 N Second St, San Jose
B2 Coffee
87 N San Pedro St, San Jose
Roy's
197 Jackson St, San Jose

Best Bakery

Dick's Bakery
1593 Meridian Ave, San Jose
Peter's Bakery
3108 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose
Greenlee's
1081 The Alameda, San Jose

Best Burrito

Iguana's
Multiple locations
La Victoria
Multiple locations
Super Taqueria
Multiple locations

FREMONT / MILPITAS

Best Business Lunch

Zahir's Bistro
579 S Main St, Milpitas
Sen Dai Sushi
224 N Abel St, Milpitas
Brandon's Restaurant
1820 Barber Lane, Milpitas

Best American Restaurant

Country Way
5325 Mowry Ave, Fremont
Jack's Brewing Co.
39176 Argonaut Way, Fremont
Mil's Diner
36 S Abbott Ave, Milpitas

Best Chinese Restaurant

Shanghai Family Cuisine
1470 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
South Legend Sichuan Cuisine
1720 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
Nutrition House
496 Barber Lane, Milpitas

Best Japanese Restaurant

Satomi Sushi
3655 Thornton Ave, Fremont
Mioki Sushi
3924 Decoto Rd, Fremont
Sen Dai Sushi
224 N Abel St, Milpitas

Best Mexican Restaurant

La Pi—ata
39136 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont
La Milpa
107 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
Casa Azteca
20 N Abel St, Milpitas

FARM-TO-TABLE—LITERALLY
The term farm-to-table typically means a restaurant that serves only in-season produce that's grown locally and acquired directly from the producer(s). But some Silicon Valley restaurants have taken this concept to a whole new level, such as the Mount Hamilton Grandview restaurant that opened up their Grandview farms literally just a few steps from the restaurant itself. They even raise their own herd of black Angus cattle at the farm and dry-age the beef in the restaurant. That steak is so fresh that diners probably heard it mooing as they drove up. Morsey's Farmhouse in Los Altos also takes fresh meat to a new level with their privately owned heard of over 400 water buffaloes that they serve in their restaurant. They also serve water buffalo milk—which has twice the fat content of regular cow's milk—as make decadent cheese, gelato and frozen yogurt.

Best Indian Restaurant

Chaat Bhavan
5355 Mowry Ave, Fremont
Shalimar Restaurant
Walnut Ave, Fremont
Peacock Indian Cuisine
39447 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

Best Thai Restaurant

Banana Leaf Restaurant
182 Ranch Drive, Milpitas
Sala Thai
3241 Walnut Ave, Fremont
44800 S Grimmer Blvd, Fremont
Banh Thai Restaurant
39060 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

Best Taqueria

Los Dos Gallos
Taqueria 50 Whitney Place, Fremont
El Mex-Cal Taqueria
34169 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
Taqueria Las Vegas
1417 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas

Best Breakfast

Country Way
5325 Mowry Ave, Fremont
Minerva's
37463 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
Mil's Diner
36 S Abbott Ave, Milpitas

Best Independent Coffeehouse

Fremont Coffee Roasting
151 Washington Blvd, Fremont
Community Coffee
1000 S Park Victoria Dr, Milpitas
Suju's Coffee
3602 Thornton Ave, Fremont
4949 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont

Best Bakery

Sogo Bakery
37600 Filbert St, Newark
Cakes to Cakes
Fremont
Amia Bakery
39095 Fremont Hub, Fremont

Best Burrito

Los Cabos
3283 Walnut Ave, Fremont
Super Taco Taqueria
40798 Fremont Blvd, Fremont
El Taco de Oro
5220 N First St, Alviso, San Jose