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Best of Show: 2001 Reader Poll
As the Weekly's Best of Palo Alto competition shows,
if you want to stay in the winner's circle, you've got to stay sharp
by Marc Igler
Palo Altans can be a fickle, demanding lot.
You see it in our treatment of local government. You see it in
the expectations we set for ourselves and others. And you see it
in the results of the Weekly's latest Best of Palo Alto survey.
Sure, we have our longtime favorites -- take-out food, hardware
store, venue for live music -- but as a rule, the same-old, same-old
just doesn't cut it here. In this town, you can't just sit back
and live on your reputation. You've got to stay sharp -- nimble
-- or you'll find yourself out of the running, as many past winners
have discovered, much to their chagrin.
This year, the 16th year the Weekly has held the competition,
we offer up 68 categories that reflect the best of our area. The
selections came from 550 readers who took time to fill out the ballots
over the past few months.
To keep our survey fresh, we've added more than a dozen new categories
and renamed others to stimulate more accurate responses.
We've dropped, for instance, Best Special Occasion Restaurant
and replaced it with a quartet of more detailed categories -- Best
Place for a Celebration, Best Place to take Mom, Best Place to take
Dad, and Best Place to Drop a Wad. We've scuttled Best Car Repair,
Best Bike Shop and Best Pet Supplies. In their place are such categories
as Best Place to take Out-of-Town Visitors, Best Girls Nigh Out,
and Best Places for a first -- and last -- dates.
To those who took part in our voting, we appreciate your thoughts
and opinions. To the winners, we raise our glass. And to those of
you about to read The Best of 2001, we truly hope you find some
new and exciting places to go and things to do.
Epicurean Delights
Bagels
Boiled and baked, or just baked? Our readers seem to change their
minds each year. This year, it was baked. Noah's, with 20 different
bagels, 11 assorted shmears and lots of pastries and lunch specialties,
came in first, eclipsing last year's winner, Izzy's (boiled, then
baked.) Coming in third was the House of Bagels.
Noah's New York Bagels, 278 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 473-0751;
746 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, 326-4794
Bang for Your Buck
For those of you with a taste for frugality when it comes to food,
Weekly diners went with a new pick - Una Mas's Los Altos location,
found to have top value for the dollar. The restaurant's rapidly
expanding, no-lard menu includes rotisserie chicken, grilled steak,
pork and fish, as well as a serviceable but no-frills salsa bar.
Pluto's and Pasta? came in second and third.
Una Mas, 100 State Street, Los Altos, 949-2400
Breakfast
Readers stuck with a longtime favorite here - Hobee's. With its
signature blueberry coffee cake and a wide assortment of egg and
pancake dishes, Hobbees has held the crown for the past decade.
Two other noteable, and well-established favorites, Peninsula Creamery
downtown and Joanie's CafÈ on California Avenue, rounded out the
field.
Hobbees, 4224 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 856-6124; 67 Town and
Country Village, Palo Alto, 327-4111; 2312 Central Expressway, Mountain
View, 968-6050
Burger
A note of sadness in this category. Local burger legend, Kirk's,
again rolled to victory, as it has almost every year since the Weekly
poll began. It will, however, be the last for the 51-year-old California
Avenue institution. Kirk's lost its lease and will be shutting down.
No date has been set, but employees expect closure soon after the
first of the year. An office building will rise from the rubble.
Who will now carry on the tradition of the pineapple burger? Peninsula
Creamery took second; Oasis got the bronze.
Kirk's Steakburger, 361 California Avenue, Palo Alto, 326-6159
Chinese Food
After losing its position last year, Su Hong emerged on top again.
Serving both Mandarin and Szechwan dishes, Su Hong runs two local
restaurants, both of which feature large traditional dining areas
and fast, efficient take-out operations. Its flagship Menlo Park
operation opened in 1977. Last year's winner, Mandarin Gourmet,
slipped to second. Chef Chu's came in third.
Su Hong, 4101 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, 493-4664; 1039 El Camino
Real, Menlo Park, 323-6852
Coffee House
The two titans of local java duked it out again, with the usual
results. Peet's remains the choice in the Palo Alto area. The Northern
California company known for its dark roasts and strong flavors,
opened its first coffee house in Berkeley in 1966. Try one of the
company's new offerings - the Aged Moka Java, New Panama, or any
of its reserve lines. Starbucks came in second, and Palo Alto CafÈ
at Midtown in third.
Peet's Coffee & Tea, 153 Homer Street, Palo Alto, 325-2091; 77
Town and Country Village, Palo Alto, 328-4471; 899 Santa Cruz Avenue,
Menlo Park, 325-8989; 367 State Street, Los Altos, 941-6722
Desserts
Whether you're in the mood for a custard Èclair, a bit of strudel,
or a giant slice of chocolate cake, Prolific Oven sets the local
standard. The downtown bakery and meeting spot sells 25 different
types of cakes (American, French and German), 15 different cookies,
and 14 types each of muffins and pastries. The kitchen also makes
some of the best specialty breads around. Max's Opera CafÈ came
in second. The defunct Just Desserts, which closed its downtown
Palo Alto location last year, came in third.
Prolific Oven, 559 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, 326-8486
Girls Night Out
When local women want to get away, they favor Cajun/Caribbean specialists
Nola's. The restaurant is fun and relaxed, and the waiters are perfectly
happy to just let you sit and talk. The drinks are plentiful - try
the Hurricanes - the outdoor patio is pleasant, and the appetizers
range from the safe - crispy calamari rings to the adventurous -
alligator and crawfish dumplings. Zibibbo and Fanny & Alexander's
finished second and third.
Nola's, 535 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 328-2722
Gourmet Ice Cream Shop
Rick's Rather Rich, a longtime South Palo Alto purveyor of frozen
delights, vaulted into the top spot. Credit has to go to owner Greg
Schwarzmann, who concocts some of the best and most creative ice
cream blends in the western states, all made on site. Next time
you drop by, try a scoop of canteloupe or Kulfi, or just one of
his decadent chocolate, caramel or peanut butter ripples. In rather
tough competition, Double Rainbow nosed out Gelato Classico.
Rick's Rather Rich Ice Cream, 3946 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto,
493-6553
Gourmet Market
For upscale grocery tastes, Draeger's ran away from the field. Its
cheeses, meats, deli, and of course, museum-quality produce have
set a standard matched by no other markets, according to readers.
Its busting Menlo Park store has become so popular that owners are
pushing the city for permission to expand. Andronico's and Whole
Foods came in second and third.
Draeger's Supermarket, 1010 University Avenue, Menlo Park, 688-0677;
342 First Street, Los Altos, 948-4425
Indian Food
The competition in this category is always fierce - for second and
third place. For the seventh year running, Janta was the number
one pick. This cozy restaurant, featuring both indoor and patio
dining, serves many signature dishes, but you can't go wrong with
anything on the menu. Two Mountain View entrants, Amber and Swagat,
filled out the winner's circle.
Janta Indian Cuisine, 369 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, 462-5903
Italian Food
In a category with new contestants seemingly every month, none quite
match longtime local Osteria, according to our tally. Tightly packed,
yet oddly intimate most nights of the week, this restaurant has
managed to distinguish itself through excellent Tuscan-style dinners.
Its experienced kitchen and highly efficient wait staff run in perfect
sync. Il Fornaio and Carpaccio held off the rest of the field for
second and third.
Osteria, 247 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, 328-5700
Martini
Said to have been invented in the unlikely birthplace of Martinez
in the Bay Area, the martini surged to popularity in the Roaring
'20s. Who serves the best one around here? Readers toasted Moe's,
which has evolved from Mackie's Supper Club. The menu is a bit more
casual now, but they still serve a fine martini. Grabbing second
place was CafÈ Fino. Third place went to Zibibbo.
Moe's, 541 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 326-1446
Mexican
The Una Mas at Stanford Shopping Center, now renamed Una Mas Playa
Bar and Grill to reflect its new cocktail selections, ran away from
the field in the south-of-the-border category. The small Bay Area
chain serves healthy, grilled entrees and several surprisingly good
salads. Palo Alto Sol and Andale Taqueria hustled along at second
and third.
Una Mas Playa Bar and Grill, 244 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo
Alto, 323-8226
New Restaurant
New Bamboo, a casual Asian eatery with two locations, has won over
a lot of palates since opening last summer. Chef Yung Le serves
up enormous helpings, all loudly stirred up in woks within plain
view. Great soups and chicken dishes. Second place wound up in a
tie between Al Fresco and Le Poisson Japonais. Third place went
to Trellis.
New Bamboo, 543 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 473-0212; 3130 Alpine
Road, Portola Valley, 851-1718
Night Owl Restaurant
It's late at night. You need a hot meal. You don't want fast food.
Who can argue with Denny's? It's got good breakfast food - served
24-7 - decent burgers and sandwiches, and plenty of big soft booths.
It's a longtime favorite of night owls. Look closely. Many of its
restaurants don't even have locks on the front doors. Second choice:
Peninsula Creamery. Third: tie between Al Fresco and Il Fornaio.
Denny's, 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 493-3082
Organic Food
It's been there for years - smack dab at the corner of University
Avenue and Emerson Street. You couldn't ask for a better location,
and Good Earth has made the most of it for a long time. Everything
on the menu is either organic or raised in the most healthy of ways.
Excellent seafood and vegetarian selections. Late for the Train
and Flea Street CafÈ came in close behind.
Good Earth CafÈ, 185 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 321-9449
Pizza
Like Indian food, pizza has long been a category where the competition
is for the also-rans. Applewood has kept the title for a staggering
11 years. A pioneer in the specialty pizza trend that swept the
country a decade or so ago, Applewood has a broad line of toppings
and 17 signature pizzas, including several vegetarian offerings
(Florentine, Budapest, Athens) and ones for the carnivore (Menlo
Combo). Large parties may even want to try Sweet Dreams, a dessert
pizza with flavored ricotta, raisins, pineapple and coconut. Pizza
Chicago carried second, while Pizza A-Go-Go placed third.
Applewood, 1001 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 324-3486; 227 First
Street, Los Altos, 941-9222
Place for a Carnivore
The meateaters among us have voted Sundance Mine Company as the
leader of the herd for seven straight years. The specialty is Angus
Prime Rib (8 oz or 13 oz cut) and Fletcher Family steaks. The 27-year-old
restaurant, however, also does quite well with seafood, particularly
swordfish and all shellfish. MacArthur Park and Armadillo Willy's
tied for second. Wild Hare came in third.
Sundance Mine Company, 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 321-6798
Hot and Spicy Cuisine
At least a couple times a week, some poor soul loses his voice -
waiters say it's usually a male - at Jing Jing. His eyes water,
and he looks like a wreck for the rest of the meal. That's the way
it is at Jing Jing - Chinese food with a big kick. Even those who
like a lot of spice should beware. For every spicy dish - try the
dry braised shrimp or the braised tofu - make sure you order a tame
one. A one-two punch here can cause revolt in the most durable of
taste buds. The balloting for second ended in a draw between Nola
and Straits Café. Third went to Janta.
Jing Jing, 443 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, 328-6885
First Date
If you're looking to come out strong on a first date, our singles
population was indecisive. In a dead heat for first place were French/Italian
specialist Nouveau Trattoria and Cajon favorite Nola. Both restaurants
offer outdoor and indoor dining, great food and enough privary -
but not too much - to make that first dip in the water comfortable.
Zibibbo and L'Amie Donia took second and third.
Nouveau Trattoria, 541 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, 327-0132; Nola,
535 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 328-2722
Last Date
You need to end it quickly. You don't want to spend much. The food
really doesn't matter. Where else? Readers chose McDonald's, followed
by Burger King. If you want to go out with a little more style,
the suggestions included Il Fornaio, Miyake, Pasta? and Starbucks.
McDonald's, 3128 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 494-7161; 190 Stanford
Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 327-0560
Take Out
When making dinner looms as a simply impossible task, give yourself
a break. Try a little take out. Our readers prefer Su Hong, which
serves up a formidable array of reasonably priced Chinese food from
its two local to-go operations. Both run with precision efficiency.
Whole Foods and Jing Jing also come highly recommended.
Su Hong, 4101 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, 493-3836; 630 Menlo Avenue,
Menlo Park, 322-4631
Place to Buy Produce
Readers have been fickle in choosing the best place for fruits and
vegetables. This year's pick was Sigonia's. The Sigonia brothers
- Joe, Paul, Mel and John - hit the winner's circle three years
after taking over the Stanford Shopping Center location of longtime
produce favorite Monterey Market. The Palo Alto Farmers Market,
last year's winner, dropped to second. Whole Foods ran third.
Sigonia's Farmers Market, 399 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo
Alto, 329-1340
Health Food
Department for department, no local market rivals Whole Foods, which
has owned this category for six years running. Whether you're looking
for organic produce, grains, meats and cheeses, take-out, even baked
goods, you'll find a deep and well-chosen stock. The vitamin and
herb section is particularly impressive. Second place: Country Sun.
Third: Trader Joes.
Whole Foods, 774 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, 326-8676
Place for Kids
Parents have known if for years: It's hard to beat Fresh Choice
if you've got kids, particularly little ones. You'll eat healthy.
With a bit of luck, you're kids will, too. The enormous salad bar
and other buffet selections (soups, pasta, pizza, breads, desserts)
guarantee everyone will find something they like. The restaurant
has amazingly efficient bussing staffs and all the necessary family
friendly accoutrements. Peninsula Creamery wound up in second. Chevy's
took third.
Fresh Choice, 180 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 322-6995;
2540 El Camino Real, Mountain View, 949-4901
Place to Drop a Wad
When money is no object - is this ever really true? - readers prefer
Spago. The Lytton Avenue hot spot - opened by Wolfgang Puck during
the upswing of the Internet frenzy, still packs 'em in with its
Euro-Asian fare, including many established hits and experimental
dishes that come and go. Mediterranean specialists Evvia took second.
Continental stalwart Chantilly came in third.
Spago, 265 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, 833-1000
Place to take Dad
It's obvious that the stereotype holds: Men like meat. Readers say
the best place to take Dad is Sundance Mine Company. Every dinner
at this carnivoric institution is based around either beef or seafood,
although steamed vegetables and potatoes typically come on the side.
Martini "hour" is from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also in
the running were MacArthur Park, and for those harboring a taste
for big game, Wild Hare.
Sundance Mine Company, 921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 321-6798
Place to take Mom
We got strikingly different results when it came to Mom. Her tastes
seem to lean toward the more ethnic and the more casual. Evvia and
Nouveau Trattoria headed the list, followed by Allied Arts Guild
and Mike's CafÈ in a tie for second. The French flavors and techniques
of Bistro Elan arrived in the show position.
Evvia, 420 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, 326-0983; Nouveau Trattoria,
541 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, 327-0132
Power Lunch
Is this term still part of the vernacular? Sounds a bit archaic,
but we figure you know what we mean. If you're looking for good
food in a setting where you can do deals, think big thoughts, haggle
and dicker - and maybe, just maybe - get seen while you're doing
it, Il Fornaio is choice number one, followed by Spago and Evvia.
Il Fornaio, 520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, 853-3888
Best Sandwich
The humble sandwich can be a surprisingly tricky thing to make.
So, who has perfected the process? According to our readers, it's
The Village Cheese House, which has been putting meat, cheese, vegetables
and spices between sliced bread since 1959. Besides lunch fixings,
the store also has one of the largest selections of gourmet foods
in the area. Second place: Togo's. Third: a tie between Max's Opera
CafÈ and JJ&F Market.
The Village Cheese House, 157 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto,
326-9251
Seafood
After struggling in the water for a couple of years, Fish Market
is again king of the sea among readers. The longtime favorite remains
jammed for most meals, testament to its expertise with all things
pulled from the ocean. Its dÈcor - an East Coast mix of old fishing
and waterfront photos, polished brass, and nautical accessories
- will keep you fascinated until your food arrives. Last year's
winner, 3Fish, dropped to second in a tie with Cook's Seafood. Coming
in third was Scott's Seafood Bar and Grill.
Fish Market, 3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 494-9188
Singles Joint for Baby Boomers
The British Banker's Club, Menlo Park's monument to England's Edwardian
past, was a surprise winner in this elusive category, much subject
to the ever-changing whims of singles. At BBC, you can order all
things British - bangers and Shepherd's Pie - but it's the extensive
selection of ales that grab most customers' attention, as well as
all the gaming trophies and other English touches. Blue Chalk CafÈ
and Fanny & Alexander knotted at second. Gordon Biersch wound up
in third.
British Banker's Club, 1090 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 327-8769
Singles Joint for Gen Xer
With its third category win (including First Date and Girls Night
Out), Nola's takes this year's crown for all-around popularity.
Here, the 20s and early-30s crowd registers its preference for the
New Orleans-style restaurant. Great bar, friendly wait staff, great
food. Proving that it's popular with both generations, Blue Chalk
CafÈ again took second. Q CafÈ, came in second and third.
Nola's, 535 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 328-2722
Solo Dining
If you need to get away by yourself, CaffÈ Verona will meet most
of your requirements, readers say. Good sandwiches and salads. Great
coffee and other drinks. You can get in and out quickly or linger
a while. Chances are you'll see someone you know during your stay
at this bustling downtown staple. Pluto's and Una Mas came in second
and third.
Caffe Verona, 236 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto326-9942
Sushi
Fresh from its recent remodel and expansion, Fuki Sushi maintained
its hold among the always-crowded competition in this category.
Jockeying for the top post with its boisterous downtown rival, Miyake,
the more sedate and elegant Fuki Sushi has now captured honors two
years in a row. The restaurant serves everything from traditional
Japanese combos to the most daring sushi. Check out the new sushi
bar. Behind Miyake was relative newcomer Higashi West in third.
Fuki Sushi, 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 494-9383
Thai
Thai restaurants come and go, but Siam Garden isn't going anywhere.
This consistent award-winner continues to please those with a taste
for curries, pad thai, pot rices and soups flavored with lemon grass,
galangal and kaffir. Its side street locale is simple and unpretentious.
Longtime rival Thai City came in second. Siam Royale placed third.
Siam Garden, 1143 Crane Street, Menlo That City came Park, 853-1143
Weekend Brunch
Having already nailed down the breakfast award, Hobees now captures
the prize for the day's next meal. Readers picked this 11-restaurant
chain for best brunch - for the seventh straight year - despite
it having no brunch menu to speak of. Just the same great breakfast
fare. Dinah's Poolside CafÈ, with its extensive buffet, checked
in at second. Joanie's CafÈ on California Avenue ranked third.
Hobbees, 4224 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 856-6124; 67 Town and
Country Village, Palo Alto, 327-4111; 2312 Central Expressway, Mountain
View, 968-6050
Well, that's of Local Note
Local Band
For more than a decade, swingmasters String of Pearls have entertained
locals at just about every venue you can imagine - wedding receptions,
big parties, even concerts in the park. Led by Don and Connie Conway,
the eight-piece band specializes in tunes from the 1930s and 40s.
The Conways, however, always offer a fresh take on big band and
swing. The Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra came in second, followed
by Wendy Walker and Her Fine Band.
Romantic Spot
When it comes to romance, our readers have a decided bent toward
nature. Two of the top three choices reflect the outdoor spirit.
Foothills Park - with its miles of scenic trails, vistas, grassy
areas and campgrounds - topped the list. The intimate Nouveau Trattoria
restaurant came in second before our survey went back to nature
with The Baylands with its salty marshes and wetland trails.
Foothills Park, 3300 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, 329-2423
Place to take Out-of-Town Visitors
Stanford University certainly ranks as one of the country's great
institutions of higher learning. As our poll found, it's also a
strong lure as a tourist attraction. When asked where they would
take out-of-towners, readers said Stanford, in general, was their
top choice, followed by the university's Cantor Center for Visual
Arts and the adjoining Rodin Sculpture Garden.
Place for a Wedding Reception
Gamble Gardens, the 99-year-old mini-estate maintained in beautiful
and loving condition, is choice number one for those tying the knot.
The historic property, deeded to the city in 1981, has a wide array
of formal gardens - a great place for summer or spring nuptials.
Fogerty Winery, with its stunning vistas and scenic surroundings,
came in second. The Garden Court Hotel placed third.
Gamble Gardens, 1431 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, 329-1356
Place for a Special Celebration
Spago took the prize in this general, catch-all category. Its outdoor
pavilion and private dining rooms are ideal for both large and small
parties. Gamble Gardens captured second place while Garden Court
Hotel trailed in third.
Spago, 265 Lytton Avenue, Palo Alto, 833-1000
The Right Stuff
Antique Store
The Antique Emporium, a Palo Alto fixture since 1977, broke through
this year as the winner. A collective of 26 different antique dealers,
the emporium specializes in a wide range of collectibles, particularly
Art Deco jewelry, furniture of many style and vintages, as well
as lighting and glass. Last year's pick, Maria's Antiques in Los
Altos, placed second, while Judith Frost and Co. came in third.
Antique Emporium, 4219 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 494-2868
Art Gallery
The Pacific Art League, which has nurtured the careers of countless
local artists, got some well-deserved recognition this year after
falling out of the winner's circle in recent years. The League,
now in its 80th year, not only exhibits a wide range of art in its
three galleries but holds dozens of classes and lectures. Gallery
House finished second. Photographer's Gallery and Europa tied for
third.
Pacific Art League, 668 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, 321-3891
Dry Cleaner
Did you dribble a little coffee down your tie? Let a meatball slip
off your fork, right into your lap? Our readers say your next shop
should be Delia's Cleaners. With two locations in Palo Alto and
43 more throughout the Bay Area, Delia's specializes in everyday
cleaning as well as tough stains. They also do tailoring at most
locations. Charleston Cleaners and Emerson Laundry rounded out the
winners.
Delia's Cleaners and Drapery Centers, 2790 Middlefield Road,
Palo Alto, 321-9190; 2013 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 323-9190
Florist
Two-and-a-half years after taking over flower favorite Stapleton's
Florist, new owners Michaela Dieffenbach and Steve Wong have earned
top honors. Like its predecessor in the skinny pink building on
Waverley Street, Michaela's Flowers handles everything from big,
ornate wedding arrangements to the sole, perfect rose. Stanford
Florist and University Florist rounded out the field.
Michaela's Flowers, 453 Waverely Street, Palo Alto, 321-5390
Framing Shop
Whether you're framing a square, a trapazoid or a rhombus, chances
are University Art Center has done it before. They've been around
since 1947 and are a perennial winner of our competition. Beside
frames, the store has a great selection of art supplies, gifts and
toys. Runners up this year were The Great Frame Up and Great American
Framing.
University Art Center, 267 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, 328-3500
Furniture Store
National furniture retailer Z Gallerie promises a "Wow!" shopping
experience with each visit. Readers seem to agree, passing over
longtime favorite Flagel's in Menlo Park. Whether a chenile sofa
or a beaded silk lampshade, Z Gallerie features dÈcor for the living
room, bedroom, office, even the kitchen. Coming in third behind
Flagel's was Design and Interiors in Los Altos.
Z Gallerie, 340 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 324-0693
Hair Salon
It's about time Ross McArthur got some recognition. After all, the
Menlo Park salon has been around since Ike was president. After
a snazzy remodel a few years ago, Weekly readers now consider it
the best around. With 26 stylists, the salon serves a clientele
from hip, Gen Yers looking for edge to seniors who just want a good
cut. Services include manicures and waxings. Juut came in second,
followed by Hair International.
Ross McArthur Salon, 859 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, 322-6641
Hardware Store
Year after year, home repair after home repair, Palo Altans seem
to think there's really only one place for their hardware needs:
Palo Alto Hardware. The ACE affiliate on Alma Street maintains its
position through a simple recipe - low prices, a relaxed atmosphere
and plenty of roaming employees who are both friendly and know what
they're talking about. Taking second place was Menlo Park Hardware,
followed by Peninsula Hardware.
Palo Alto Hardware, 875 Alma Street, Palo Alto, 327-7222
Hotel
The Garden Court Hotel, an intimate 62-room hotel in downtown Palo
Alto, again takes top honors in our survey. With rooms starting
at $290 and topping out at $525 a night, the Mediterranean-style
hotel is not cheap, but many visitors will stay no place else. An
added bonus is the presence of Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana restaurant
on the ground level. Close behind were Stanford Park Hotel and The
Sheraton.
Garden Court Hotel, 520 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, 322-9000
Live Music
There are lots of great places to catch live music in the Palo Alto
area - parks, nightclubs, auditoriums, even street corners. Shoreline,
however, gets the nod here. After all, who could argue with the
venue's impressive list of summer concerts - usually 40 or so, attended
by roughly 750,000 people. There's a show for all tastes. Rounding
out the balloting were CafÈ Fino and Stanford Shopping Center.
Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View,
967-3000
Bookstore
Two longtime Palo Alto bookstores - Printer's Ink and Stacey's -
bit the dust in the past year. Local stronghold Kepler's, however,
not only remains standing but again wins its category with room
to spare. Owner Clark Kepler manages to always stay ahead of the
chain competition. If you really want to support a local, check
out Kepler's new online store. Borders finished as the runner's
up. The bookstore on the Stanford campus and the late Printer's
Ink came in third.
Kepler's Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park,
324-4321
Shoe Store
Whether pumps, flats, slippers, sneakers or any other kind of footwear,
no one beats Nordstrom, our readers say. The selections of women's
shoes is the most extensive, but the men's department has come on
strong in recent years. Watch for the summer sales. Footware, Etc.and
newcomer European Shuz notched second and third, respectively.
Nordsrom, 550 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 323-5111
Nursery
If it goes in the garden or just in the ground, Woolworth's has
got it. Not only that, they'll take time to show you how to keep
it alive and thriving. For indoor and outdoor gardeners. Roger Reynolds
Nursery and Ladera Nursery were tabbed as runners-up.
Woolworth's Nursery, 725 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto, 493-5136
Pharmacy
Tiny, jam-packed Maximart Pharmacy a block off California Avenue
beat back the big boys again this year. There are no frills in this
33-year-old simple operation, just polite, knowledgable service.
Maximart is one of the few pharmacies around that still delivers,
and if you need a special order, there's nobody faster. Longs Drugs
and Walgreens filled out the field.
Maximart Pharmacy, 240 Cambridge Avenue, Palo Alto, 327-3922
Photo Developing
Everybody develops photos these days, especially all the retail
heavyweights - Safeway, Walmart, Target - that can price the job
down to where no independent can go. It says something when a one-shop
operation like Phototime keeps the crown for the second year in
a row. Besides prompt, high-quality developing, the shop now offers
a full menu of digital photo services. Costco and Longs ran second
and third, respectively.
Phototime, 138 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 326-7687
Place for a Massage
No doubt, Palo Altans work hard. No doubt, we have lots of sore
muscles, throbbing temples, and work-stressed headaches. Not surprisingly,
lots of businesses want to sooth our hurt. Weekly readers say Watercourse
Way noses out the field in this competitive market. LaBelle Day
Spa and Body Therapy Center captured the silver and bronze.
Watercourse Way, 165 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto, 462-2000
Place for a Workout
Want to buff up those delts, tighten up that gluteus, or just work
off a few of those deep-fried mozzarella poppers? Better get down
to the YMCA on Ross Road, this year's favorite. The facilities -
fitness center, pool, gymnasium, saunas and spa, a multitude of
classes - are unrivaled for the price. Monthly fees range from $21
to $104 for a family, not including modest joining fees. Reach Fitness
Club and 24-Hour Fitness took second and third place.
Palo Alto Family YMCA, 3412 Ross Road, Palo Alto, 856-9622
Place to Buy Tunes
Tower Records captures this category almost every year - including
this one - and with good reason. It's big. It's well-organized.
And you can browse for a long time. The adjoining bookstore, added
a few years ago, has a surprisingly large selection that goes well
beyond what you would expect. Second and third place went to Hear
Music and Borders, respectively.
Tower Records, 630 San Antonio Road, Mountain View, 941-7900
Place to Splurge on Jewels
That well-known purveyor of fine jewelry that landed with such a
splash two years ago at Stanford Shopping Center couldn't hold its
place in this year's competition. Local product Gleim's Jewelers
recaptured the top spot, as readers' choice for rings, necklases
and the like - all of which can be giftwrapped, but not in a little
blue box. Tiffany & Co. came in second, followed by Diamonds of
Palo Alto.
Gleim Jewelers, 322 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 321-1331; 119
Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 325-3533; 350 Main Street,
Los Altos, 949-1122
Shoe Repair
Bring in your shoes - or purses, or suitcases, even car seats. Weekly
readers say there's no better place than Midtown Shoe Repair. The
shop, owned and operated by the Babekian family for 21 years, specializes
in leather repair and cleaning, as well as all makes of shoes. Last
year's winner, Paul's European Cobblery, came in second, with The
Cobbler in third.
Midtown Shoe Repair, 2796 Middlefield, Palo Alto, 329-8171
Stationery Store
Weekly readers apparently aren't taken in by the warehouse stores
when it comes to paper, pens, greeting cards, and the like. This
year's slate of winners, led by University Avenue fixture Congdon
& Crome, a company whose roots reach back to 1904, was followed
by Letter Perfect and Village Stationers.
Congdon & Crome, 270 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 326-1650
Toy Store
Another downtown regular, Palo Alto Sport and Toy, dominated the
field in its category, as is the case every year. The shop, run
by the Hoffacker family since 1930, may not have the selection of
the mega stores, but it's always on top of trends, and you can't
beat the knowledgeable service. Toys R Us came in second, followed
by relative newcomer Cheeky Monkey in Menlo Park.
Palo Alto Sport Shop and Toy World, 526 Waverley Street, Palo
Alto, 328-8555
Travel Agency
Care to track rhinos in Kenya? Sea kayak in New Guinea? Fly fish
in Patagonia? Whether you like the adventurous stuff or just a nice,
luxurious stay in Hawaii, Bungey Travel always seems to be the pick
of locals. The downtown agency has been around since 1931. This
year's runners-up were American Express/Triple A and Awana.
Bungey Travel, 116 University Avenue, Palo Alto, 325-5686
Video Store
Small fries don't stand much of a chance in this category. With
seven locations within Palo Alto striking distance, giant Blockbuster
runs away with the laurels. With a huge selection and prices just
within the competitive range, the Viacom-controlled company is still
the choice of the masses. Midtown Video and Hollywood Video placed
second and third.
Blockbuster Video, 3990 El Camino, Palo Alto, 424-1362; 102 University
Avenue, Palo Alto,328-7582
Women's Boutique
Female readers say Leaf & Petal is hands-down the place to go if
department store offerings aren't your taste. A failed foray onto
University Avenue a few years ago hasn't seemed to have diminished
the popularity of this 22-year-old store. Rounding out the field
were two Menlo Park boutiques, Calla and The Surrey Shop.
Leaf and Petal, 439 California Avenue, Palo Alto, 329-8070
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