THE END of the year is upon us, so here now are the Top 10 dishes I encountered in 2005. I'll list half the dishes this week and the rest next week. The list is in no particular order.

Sauteed Pea Shoots Dynasty is known for its seafood and dim sum, but it was this simple but delicious plate of garlicky sautéed pea shoots that really left an impression on me. Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, 10123 Wolfe Road, Cupertino.

Lotus Root Salad Vung Tau is a great Vietnamese restaurant with a huge menu, but this dish stands out. Young, tubelike lotus root sections are combined with sweet, fresh shrimp, lean slices of pork and chopped mint in a brilliant, almost electric, tangy fish sauce-based dressing. Vung Tau, 535 E. Santa Clara St, San Jose.

Barbecued Brisket Uncle Frank moved from East Palo Alto to Mountain View this year, and the brisket is as good as ever. Uncle Frank's BBQ Restaurant and Catering, 2135 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View.

Heirloom Tomato Salad Slices of velvety, juicy red and yellow tomatoes are stacked on a coarse-grained Parmesan shortcake. Dabs of pickled red onions, goat cheese sabayon and creamy basil mousseline are served alongside. This is summer on a plate. Le Papillon, 410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose.

Cocido de Res On a rainy day there's nothing else I'd rather eat than this nourishing beef vegetable soup. La Peñita, 601 S. First St, San Jose.