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Best of Silicon Valley 2004 Arts & Culture Food Goods & Shopping Nightlife People & Personalities Places Sports & Recreation Style & Beauty Editor's Short List Editor's Short List In an area that from a distance resembles a sprawling gray freeway-connected paste, I never cease to be amazed at the discoveries I encounter while trolling the valley's malls, downtowns and industrial back alleys. This list—part executive summary, part personal Rolodex of establishments with whom we've become acquainted or done business—represents some of the intelligence collected while criscrossing this deceptively diverse region. —DP BEST BED LINENS POGGESI ITALIAN HOME STYLE, SANTANA ROW If money's no object, this is the place to go for a wedding gift or a decadent way to reward yourself. BEST BAR DANCING SINCE COYOTE UGLY MISSION ALE HOUSE, SAN JOSE The bartenders there still top our list! BEST BATHROOM STORE VINTAGE BATH, LOS ALTOS If you want your powder room to look like it leapt out of a Victorian novel . . . BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL HOTEL LOS GATOS This hillside hideaway is a neoclassical Mediterranean masterpiece, with spa. BEST CAST COLUMNS AND BALUSTRADES MILLBROOK STONE, SAN JOSE Old World masonry and craftsmanship in an unlikely place. BEST COPY SHOP COPY CLUB, SAN JOSE This owner-operated non-chain operation provides personal service and advanced digital services for color and black and white image processing. BEST FRAMER BONTRAGER FRAMING, SANTA CLARA Where museums and galleries go to frame their shows. BEST CORN FRITTERS E&O TRADING COMPANY, DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE A crispy, crunchy vegetarian side dish with a sweet Asian dipping sauce. BEST DESSERT EVVIA RESTAURANT, PALO ALTO The galaktoboureko here is to die for. Just trust us, OK? BEST FISH DISH EVVIA RESTAURANT, PALO ALTO The whole mesquite-grilled striped bass is such a fine dish, it wins Evvia two mentions on this list. BEST INNOVATIVE CUISINE MANRESA, LOS GATOS Who else besides David Kinch could make scrambled quail egg and maple syrup a signature dish? BEST INSECT-SHAPED SUSHI THE CATERPILLAR AT BLOWFISH SUSHI TO DIE FOR, SANTANA ROW Eel, asparagus tempura and avocado slither seamlessly in this tasty green snake-shaped preparation. BEST MARBLE FABRICATOR BARRAGAN TILE CO. This industrial shop is a refreshing respite from overpriced designer showrooms. BEST MILLION DOLLAR PAINT JOB CALIFORNIA THEATRE, SAN JOSE David Packard Jr. thought the lobby colors were too garish, and put his money where his mouth is. San Jose says thanks! BEST MODERN FURNITURE FOR THE MASSES DESIGN WITHIN REACH, SANTANA ROW Sorry, Ikea. BEST MODERN FURNITURE FOR THE HIGHLY DISCRIMINATING TEMPLE, PALO ALTO Paolo Priete's lifelong dream was to open a contemporary Italian furniture store, and the valley's lucky he did it in Palo Alto. Bravo! BEST NURSERY ALMADEN VALLEY NURSERY A family-run garden center that's generous with advice and well stocked with landscaping supplies, organic fertilizers and plants for water gardens. BEST OPTICIAN OPTICAL ILLUSIONS, SANTANA ROW High-style fashions and sound advice. BEST POTATO PIZZA PIZZA ANTICA, SANTANA ROW I know, it's hard to believe, but this pizza made of heirloom potatoes, carmelized onions and white truffle oil is really amazing. BEST RESTAURANT SUPPLY DONG VINH RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, SAN JOSE Whether you are opening a restaurant or just like to cook, this humongous warehouse stocks everything from commercial fridges and espresso machines to cooking tools, bar mops and containers of every shape and size. BEST TUNA TARTARE ARCADIA RESTAURANT, SAN JOSE Michael Mina's spicy signature tartare laced with garlic, pine nuts, diced Scotch bonnet peppers and quail egg has finally made it to San Jose. BEST WINDOW WASHER JANTECH This owner-operated business is fast, trustworthy and reliable, a standout in the home services business. BEST WINE SHOP JOSEPH GEORGE, SAN JOSE Third-generation wine merchant Bert George has the connections and palate to secure hard-to-find small production and artisan wines. BEST URBAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL MONTGOMERY HOTEL, SAN JOSE Seamlessly weaves 1911 historic architecture with Burberry fabrics and contemporary irony. BEST USED BOOK STORE FRIENDS OF LIBRARY BOOKSTORE AT MARTIN LUTHER KING LIBRARY, SAN JOSE An eclectic collection of well-priced library discards. We hope it reopens soon. BEST VIETNAMESE CLUB CLUB LIDO, SAN JOSE With live performers and a lively dance floor, it's everything an international disco should be.   Send a letter to the editor about this story to letters@metronews.com. [ Silicon Valley | Metroactive Home | Archives ]