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Best of Reader's Choice: Food and Drink

Morning Glory: Staff members at the original Hobee's make up part of the appeal of this local chain, voted tops for 'Best Breakfast.' Peninsula Restaurant First: MacArthur Park 27 University Ave., Palo Alto (650/321-9990) Second: Il Fornaio 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto (650/853-3888) Third: Chef Chu's 1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos (650/948-2696) South County Restaurant First: In-N-Out Burger 641 Leavesley Rd., Gilroy (800/786-1000) Second: Sinaloa Cafe (tie) 19210 Monterey Hwy., Morgan Hill (408/779-9740) Station 55 (tie) 55 Fifth St., Gilroy (408/847-5555) Third: Encore Cafe 207 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill (408/782-2505) Central Silicon Valley Restaurant First: Mio Vicino 1290 Benton St., Santa Clara (408/241-9414) Second: Birk's Restaurant 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara (408/980-6400) Third: Kabul Afghan Cuisine 833 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale (408/245-4350) West Valley Restaurant First: Santa Barbara Grill 10745 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino (408/253-2233) Second: La Fondue 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga (408/867-3332) Third: Los Gatos Brewing Company 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408/395-9929) San Jose Restaurant (outside downtown area) First: Garden City 360 Saratoga Ave., San Jose (408/244-4443) Second: Eight Forty North First 840 N. First St., San Jose (408/282-0840) Third: Le Papillon 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose (408/296-3730) Downtown San Jose Restaurant First: Original Joe's 301 S. First St., San Jose (408/292-7030) Second: Bella Mia 58 S. First St., San Jose (408/280-1993) Third: Stratta Grill & Cafe 71 E. San Fernando St., San Jose (408/293-1121) Vegetarian Restaurant First: White Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant 80 N. Market St., San Jose (408/977-0540) Second: The Good Earth Various locations throughout the valley. Third: Fresh Choice Various locations throughout the valley. Seafood First: Scott's Seafood 185 Park Ave., San Jose (408/971-1700) 2300 E. Bayshore Rd., Palo Alto (650/856-1046) Second: Fish Market Restaurant Various locations throughout the valley. Third: Hawgs Seafood Bar 1700 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408/379-9555) Barbecue First: Armadillo Willy's Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Sam's Bar-B-Que 1110 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose (408/297-9151) Third: Andy's Bar-B-Que 700 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408/378-2838) New Restaurant First: Santa Barbara Grill 10745 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino (408/253-2233) Second: Mimi's Cafe 1200 El Paseo, Saratoga (408/378-0778) Third: Left at Albuquerque (tie) 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell (408/558-1680) Outback Steakhouse (tie) 1887 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell (408/371-5384) Breakfast First: Hobee's Restaurant Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Just Breakfast 2901 Monterey Road, San Jose (408/225-7631) 3590 Homestead Road, Santa Clara (408/247-2753) 17415 S. Monterey Road, Morgan Hill (408/779-7044) Third: International House of Pancakes 644 N. First St., San Jose (408/294-4130) 4200 Great America Pkwy., Santa Clara (408/980-8887) Brunch First: Fairmont Hotel 170 S. Market St., San Jose (408/998-1900) Second: Doubletree Hotel 2050 Gateway Place, San Jose (408/453-4000) Third: Hobee's Restaurant Various locations throughout the valley. Delicatessen First: Erik's Delicafe Various locations throughout the valley. Second: La Villa Delicatessen 1319 Lincoln Ave., San Jose (408/295-7851) Third: Togo's Various locations throughout the valley. Farmers Market First: Downtown San Jose (tie) S. First and San Fernando streets (510/426-5420) Thursdays 10am-2pm, May through Nov. 20 Town & Country Village (tie) Stevens Creek and Winchester blvds., San Jose (510/426-5420) Fridays 10am-2pm all year Second: Los Gatos Los Gatos Town Plaza, Montebello Way and W. Main Street (408/353-4293) Every Sunday from 8 am to noon Third: Willow Glen Willow Glen Elementary School, Lincoln and Minnesota avenues, San Jose. Saturdays 8am-noon, May-Sept. Pie in the Face: Readers selected Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza as the valley's best. Pizza First: Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza 1072 Willow St., San Jose (408/971-7080) 1554 Saratoga Ave., San Jose (408/871-0400) 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408/354-5566) Second: Round Table Pizza Various locations throughout the valley. Third: Pizz'a Chicago 1576 Halford Ave., Santa Clara (408/244-2246) 155 W. San Fernando St., San Jose (408/283-9400) 4115 El Camino Real, Palo Alto (650/424-9400) Wraps First: World Wrapps 201 University Ave., Palo Alto (650/327-9777) Second: Mondeo Pronto 9 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408/395-4935) Third: Rojoz 18562 Prospect Road, Saratoga (408/777-8226) Coffeehouse, Chain First: Starbucks Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Peet's Various locations throughout the valley. Third: 'None' Coffeehouse, Independent Category disqualified due to ballot tampering. Microbrewery First: Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant 33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose (408/294-6785) 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto (650/323-7723) Second: Los Gatos Brewing Company 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408/395-9929) Third: Tied House Brewery 65 N. San Pedro St., San Jose (408/295-2739) 954 Villa St., Mountain View (650/965-2739) Wine Bar First: Stratta Grill & Cafe 71 E. San Fernando St., San Jose (408/293-1121) Second: Big Basin Bistro 14480 Big Basin Way, Saratoga (408/867-1764) Third: Cafe Marcella 368 Village Lane, Los Gatos (408/354-8006) Happy Hour First: Pedro's 1610 E. Capitol Expwy., San Jose (408/223-2910) 3935 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara (408/496-6777) Second: El Torito 2950 Lakeside Dr., Santa Clara (408/727-4426) 477 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas (408/946-8012) 10330 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino (408/255-5747) Third: Chili's Various locations throughout the valley. Winery First: Mirassou Winery 3000 Aborn Road, San Jose (408/274-4000) Second: J. Lohr Winery 1000 Lenzen Ave., San Jose (408/288-5057) Third: Ridge Vineyards 17100 Montebello Road, Cupertino (408/867-3233) Ice Cream Shop First: Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors Ice Cream Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream 115 E. San Carlos St., San Jose (408/275-8827) Third: Lydon's Ice Cream and Yogurt 1345 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose (408/379-6170) Smoothies Category disqualified due to ballot tampering. Candy Store First: See's Candies Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Schurra's Candy Factory Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market St., San Jose (408/998-2504) 848 The Alameda, San Jose (408/289-1562) Third: Godiva Chocolatier 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara (408/247-4115) Sandwich First: Togo's Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Erik's Delicafe Various locations throughout the valley. Third: Le Boulanger Various locations throughout the valley. Bagel First: Noah's New York Bagels Various locations throughout the valley. Second: Posh Bagel 6477 Almaden Expwy., San Jose (408/927-6996) 5391 Prospect Road, San Jose (408/252-4000) 125 W. Main St., Los Gatos(408/395-1386) Third: House of Bagels Various locations throughout the valley. Restaurant Decor Category disqualified due to ballot tampering. Lunch Under $5 First: Taco Bell Various locations throughout the valley. Second: McDonald's Various locations throughout the valley. Third: Togo's Various locations throughout the valley. [ Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]