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Ambiance

OK, so Clark Kent disappeared just one time too many -- and he's got a lot to make up for. Evvia Estiatorio's got the ambiance -- not to mention exquisite food that also earned it a Best Of slot for Mediterranean and Restaurant to Splurge. Let him coax you into a better mood with luscious lamb riblets, oak-fired octopus salad or the specialty moussaka, made with fresh eggplant and ground lamb, topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. The atmosphere oozes Old World charm, from its rustic stone fireplace to its hand-crafted pottery decorations, emanating a warmth that is quintessentially Greek. Savor the moment -- before he disappears again. 420 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-326-0983. www.evvia.net


Burgers

What? You've never had a one-pound burger with horseradish cheddar, dried cranberries, bacon, grilled onions and roasted garlic aioli? Honey. You haven't lived. This is terrible. Look, we'll go to lunch today at The Counter. You can pick your own toppings if you want. I'll even buy you the shake of the month, a birthday-cake shake with rainbow sprinkles on top. You can thank me later. Just don't tell me you've never had sweet potato fries, those wonderfully crispy things you could live on. What? Oh, baby. I'll pick you up at 11:30. 369 California Ave., Palo Alto; 650-321-3900. www.thecounterburger.com


California Cuisine

When a superhero needs to stoke up with a hearty meal, what better dish than St. Michael's Alley's chicken pot pie? Deep-dished and oversized, with the subtle aroma of nutmeg and a touch of Gruyere in the pastry, the signature dish is guaranteed to build strength -- if it doesn't glom the arteries first. Winding down at the end of a busy week, our superhero may want to rendezvous at the new St. Mike's for a cozy interlude -- Weekly readers also chose the restaurant as the best romantic spot to dine. No need to bring the wine: St. Mike's offers more than 100. Meanwhile, another reader favorite for California cuisine was Calafia, in Palo Alto's Town & Country Village. 140 Homer Ave., Palo Alto; 650-326-2530. www.stmikes.com


Chinese Restaurant

The Peninsula has long loved its Cantonese cuisine -- from cashew chicken and mu shu pork to honey-walnut prawns. But these days it's hip to eat Shanghainese, as "Best Of Palo Alto" voters have noted. Serving the irresistible xiao long bao (steamed dumplings) and gloriously dense hand-shaved noodles, Su Hong Eatery does its best dishing up the cuisine du jour. The adventurous may also want to try the braised sea cucumber, braised fish belly and lion's head in clay pot. 4101 El Camino Way, Palo Alto; 650-493-4664. www.suhongeatery.com


Dining With Kids

Simply put, kids and their families love the Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill. Maybe it's the huge burgers and sandwiches, the giant desserts or the fact that you can have "breakfust" any time of the day. Or maybe it's the classic diner decor -- complete with jukebox, counter and coat racks at every booth. At any rate, the milkshakes probably have something to do with it. Choosing from 21 flavors, diners can drink with childlike wonder the creamy deliciousness that's too good to share but too much to finish alone. Slurping is welcomed. 566 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-323-3131; 2A Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-327-3141. www.paloaltocreamery.com


French Restaurant

Planning a warm and charming evening with creative and elegant French food? Weekly readers say Bistro Elan is the best choice, with its sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance and gracious service. The bistro feels welcoming, from its long dining room to the back garden planted with herbs, tomatoes, and fig and lemon trees. And the wine list offers a broad selection of wines from France and the West Coast. 448 S. California Ave., Palo Alto; 650-327-0284. www.bistroelan.com


Fusion Restaurant

Bruce Wayne -- billionaire playboy, industrialist and philanthropist -- looks at you across the table and flashes a small smile. The cocktails have been sublime, the shrimp spring rolls refreshing. It is the perfect evening because you are at Tamarine, where discerning palates go to experience the subtle wonders of Southeast Asian flavors. Suddenly the door opens and a man walks in. He tells the maitre d' he's just seen the Bat Signal flashed onto City Hall. Commissioner Gordon is calling for Batman. You turn back to your dining companion, but strangely ... he is gone. Tamarine, in addition to being voted best fusion restaurant, is in the Hall of Fame in the Vietnamese Restaurant category. 546 University Ave., Palo Alto; 650-325-8500. www.tamarinerestaurant.com


Indian Restaurant

Eating at Janta Indian Cuisine means indulging in decadent entrees and a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. The restaurant offers an array of dishes, including naan breads stuffed with lamb filling, tender tandoori chicken and sizzling samosas with hot sauce. Diners who still have room can tuck in to mango ice cream or rich sponge and syrup pudding. Fans of Indian cuisine can also opt to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other memorable occasions with the restaurant's catering service. Coming in a close second place was Amber India in Mountain View. 369 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto; 650-462-5903. www.jantaindianrestaurant.com


Hall of Fame: Second Year

Dosas -- the delectable Southern Indian crepe pan-fried and filled with spiced mashed potatoes and chutney -- are, in the opinion of this humble author, the perfect food. Luckily, hall-of-fame all-star restaurant Darbar Indian Cuisine has several dosa choices on the menu, along with a plethora of mouth-watering choices from several Indian regions. A lunch buffet gives the option of trying a bit of everything, including dessert. 129 Lytton Ave. Palo Alto; 650-321-6688. www.darbarcuisine.com


International Cuisine

Cuban fare scored first place in this category, with La Bodeguita del Medio the most-favored restaurant by readers. La Bodeguita also won for Best Martini/Cocktails; see the full listing in that category. Meanwhile, Coupa Cafe came in a close second for Best International Cuisine.


Italian Restaurant

Be sure to make reservations at Osteria because diners can't seem to get enough of the scrumptious Italian fare, which tops the charts for the second year in a row after three years in the Best Of Hall of Fame and six consecutive years as No. 1 before that. Set up like a traditional Italian restaurant, the cozy space matches the authentic cuisine, which includes homemade pasta and salad dressing. Diners' favorites include the calamari steak followed by the heavenly hazelnut flan. 247 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; 650-328-5700. www.osteriapaloalto.com


Meal under $20

There's a reason why every day at around noon, throngs of downtown workers and shoppers swarm Pluto's. The celestially themed restaurant tries to be everything to everyone with its pan-cooked veggies, hearty stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy and sandwiches sporting cosmic names. Many visitors forego the home-style cooking altogether and head straight for the salad bar, which blends standard fare with such items as jicama, grilled fennel and California raisins. With most sandwiches and salads priced around $6, Pluto's appeal is truly universal. That's why Weekly readers voted Pluto's as the top restaurant in Palo Alto for both meals under $20 and for salads. 482 University Ave., Palo Alto; 650-853-1556. www.plutosfreshfood.com


Mediterranean Restaurant

It was another banner year for Evvia Estiatorio, which also won in the categories of Ambiance and Restaurant to Splurge. See the full listing under Ambiance.


Mexican Restaurant

Stepping into Palo Alto Sol with its serene sun logo means entering a world of colors and flavors from the Mexican region of Puebla. In addition to a selection of regional cuisine, Palo Alto Sol also offers a wide variety of carefully selected fine tequilas. The art and bright decor also makes the place stand out from the crowd. The fresh food, friendly staff (owners are Puebla natives Hector and Helena Sol) and gorgeous, vivid atmosphere make eating at Palo Alto Sol a fiesta for the senses. 408 California Ave., Palo Alto; 650-328-8840. www.paloaltosol.net


New Restaurant & Organic Eats

Winning Best New Restaurant wasn't enough for Calafia Cafe and its Market A Go Go -- voters also singled it out for its green eats. Google chef Charlie Ayers has scored a hit with Calafia, where the menu "is the soul of diversity," according to Weekly reviewer Sheila Himmel. Eat in-house or take out; either way you get an intriguing mix. Some recent samples: crimson quinoa salad, lamb sausage and eggs, gluten-free Japanese beef curry and gingered mashed yams. The market has a salad bar, party platters and plenty of grab-and-go items. "Organic" is a buzz word, with ambiance as earthy as the menu, but omnivores can eat as well as vegans here. Did we mention that Calafia also won for Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine? Town & Country Village, Palo Alto; 650-322-9200. www.calafiapaloalto.com


Outdoor Dining

Imagine a perfect Palo Alto evening. The warm western sun is setting and stars are beginning to wink. It is an ideal night for outdoor eating, and you know exactly where to go. Empire Tap Room, a downtown Palo Alto mainstay, has once again earned accolades in this year's poll for outside eating. A tranquil back patio with well-spaced heat lamps allows patrons a serene dining experience. The menu includes fish and chips, pizza, salads and pasta. And it isn't called Empire Tap Room for nothing -- the diverse selection of draft beers and palate-friendly wines help make the outdoor dining even more enjoyable. 651 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-321-3030.


Pizza

Fighting the forces of evil takes unstoppable energy, which is why carb-loading superheroes turn to Applewood Pizza, which boasts thick, yeasty crusts and a mild tomato sauce that doesn't get in the way of flavorful toppings. Crowd favorites include the Los Altos (BBQ chicken), vegetarian Florentine, Hawaiian and the meaty Menlo Combo. Amici's East Coast Pizzeria, a newcomer to downtown Menlo Park, placed a close second in this category. 1001 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650-324-3486. www.applewoodpizza.com


Restaurant to Splurge

Apparently, if you splurge at Evvia Estiatorio, you also get great ambiance and Mediterranean food -- readers gave Evvia top honors in those categories as well. See the full write-up under Ambiance.


Romantic Restaurant

St. Michael's Alley also took the prize for Best California Cuisine (see the full listing there) and Best Sunday Brunch.


Seafood Restaurant

Even Aquaman, superhero of the sea, would approve of The Fish Market. Specializing in straight-from-the-ocean freshness, The Fish Market serves a wide variety of seafood, including panko-style fish and chips, steamed shell fish and mesquite-grilled fish. With a retail section in each restaurant, it's hard not to dive right in. 3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-493-8862. www.thefishmarket.com


Solo Dining

Some of the world's most popular superheroes are solo acts. Superman, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk -- none has needed a sidekick to conquer sinister miscreants. And diners with a similar go-it-alone mentality turn to Cafe Borrone in Menlo Park to whet their appetites. The 38-year-old establishment offers an array of beverage and food choices -- frosted mochas, veggie melts, to name two -- and a wealth of outdoor seating. Except when the Incredible Hulk goes to eat. Then seating is limited. 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650-327-0830. www.cafeborrone.com


Sports Bar

Palo Alto has its fair share of watering holes, but no area bar quite reaches the popularity level of The Old Pro, which earned top honors as both best bar and best sports bar in this year's Best Of poll. The Old Pro is a sporting enthusiast's Valhalla -- large, flat-screen TVs flash all breeds of athletic competition in crystal-clear HD. Whether they're watching Frank Gore streaking toward the end zone or Pablo Sandoval smashing a fastball into McCovey Cove, viewers can soak up the excitement over a tasty meal and thirst-quenching pint. And those entertaining friends need not worry -- The Old Pro has a 40-seat bar and two private dining rooms. 541 Ramona St., Palo Alto; 650-326-1446.


Steaks

There is one Palo Alto eatery that long ago set itself apart from competitors in serving a quality steak. Sundance the Steakhouse -- a Palo Alto institution for more than 35 years -- has roped in hungry meat-eaters with its winning ambience and delicious steaks. The menu boasts filet mignon, New York strip loin, slow-roasted prime rib, seafood, cocktails and a wine list with more than 450 choices -- enough scrumptious cuisine to satisfy even the Hulk's monster appetite. And eaters anxious for a more intimate atmosphere can turn to the fireplace lounge. 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-321-6798. www.sundancethesteakhouse.com


Sunday brunch

St. Michael's Alley also was honored in the Best California Cuisine and Most Romantic Restaurant categories. See the full listing under California Cuisine.


Hall of Fame: Third Year

Perennial brunch favorite Hobee's is back in the Hall of Fame. The restaurant also took top honors in the Best Breakfast category; see the listing there.


Sushi/Japanese Restaurant

Mmmmm, Miyake! Low-key sushi spot by day, disco atmosphere by night, Miyake is the readers' choice for best sushi/Japanese food. The prices are reasonable and the place features original creations with local connections such as the Google and Microsoft rolls, and the Chelsea (named for the former first daughter/Stanford grad). Vegetarians have lots of low-cost fish-free options including the divine cat's roll (avocado/cucumber/shitake), piquant ume (plum paste) and the dessert-like kurumi (walnut) roll (although that has been scarce of late). In the evenings, Miyake becomes a hip hangout for college kids, complete with strobe lights and sake bombs. 140 University Ave., Palo Alto; 650-323-9449.


Hall of Fame: Second Year

An impressive sushi selection makes Fuki Sushi, a second-year Hall of Fame honoree, an ideal choice for novices and connoisseurs. The stylish restaurant offers a range of seating, including a social sushi bar, spacious main dining room, and elegant and private tatami rooms, creating atmospheres appropriate for first dates and business meetings. Sushi newcomers might opt to order the "sushi experience," a selection of sashimi, nigiri, maki and appetizers. 4119 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-494-9383. www.fukisushi.com


Thai Restaurant

For some southeast Asian succulence, head downtown to Thaiphoon. Fans rave about the pad thai and the pad see ew among other favorites such as Mongolian beef, sweet and sour chicken and "shaken" beef. After the entrees, stick around for the traditional summer dessert of sweet sticky rice with fresh mango. With elegant indoor dining, a full bar, Thai art on the walls and an outdoor seating patio, diners can enjoy the ambiance and street scene along with the delectable dishes.543 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-323-7700.


Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant

Calafia Cafe and its Market A Go Go also took top honors for Best New Restaurant and Organic Eats. See the full write-up in the Best New Restaurant category.


Vietnamese Restaurant

In this list of superheroes of the local economy, Three Seasons plays enduring hero of the alley. When the restaurant opened in 2002, it brought new life to a space that had seen a number of business misfires come and go. Now its Vietnamese menu touched with California accents brings in the crowds. Yet, in this tucked-in space, it's still peaceful to be able to sit outside and not breathe in traffic fumes from University Avenue. Something new, too: the raw seafood bar. Shazam! 518 Bryant St., Palo Alto; 650-838-0353. www.threeseasonsrestaurant.com


Hall of Fame: Second Year

Tamarine has also been honored by Weekly readers as Best Fusion Restaurant (see full listing in the Fusion category).

— Palo Alto Weekly staff