WITH JUST a few days left in 2006, here are my picks for the Top 5 restaurant openings of the year gone by.

Arcadia Actually not a new restaurant, but a reconfigured one. Arcadia switched from high concept versions of comfort food to a steakhouse with a sybaritic bent. It's now one of San Jose's top fine dining destinations. 301 S. Market St, San Jose. 408.278.4555.

Junnoon Junnoon's great-looking dining room, small but swank bar and delicious contemporary Indian cuisine make it a restaurant worth seeking out on Palo Alto's restaurant-dense University Avenue. 150 University Ave, Palo Alto. 650.329.9644.

Nha Toi Northern-style Vietnamese restaurants in Silicon Valley are a rarity. Nha Toi offers a great introduction into the food of this lesser-known region. 460 E. William St, San Jose. 408.294.2733.

Tanglewood In restaurant-crowded Santana Row, newcomer Tanglewood is a standout. Tanglewood serves well-crafted American food with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. 334 Santana Row, San Jose. 408.244.0464.

Vittoria The inviting, open dining room and glow from the wood-fired oven make the Sicilian-based menu of this handsome Los Gatos newcomer even more appealing. 27 N. Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos. 408.395.6000.

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