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4 METRO M METR O SILICON SILICON V VALLEY ALLE A Y A locally owned company. company.

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THIS T HIS MODERN M WORLD WORLD D

I SAW YOU

9p T TOM OM TOMOROW TOMO ROW

ISawYou@metronews.com

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Send us your anonymous rants and raves about your co-workers or any badly behaving citizen—or about citizens you admire. I SAW YOU, Metro, 550 S. First St., San Jose, 95113, or via email.

Special Needs

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COMMENTS Letters@metronews.com Letters@met tronews.com Metroo welcomess letters. Like any gr Metr great eat work should of art, they shou uld be originals—not copies elsewhere. of material sent elsewher e. Please include your name, city of rresidence esidence and daytime number. telephone numb ber. (Phone number will published.) not be published d.) Letters may be edited correct ffor or length and cclarity larity or to cor rect ffactual actual inaccuracies known inaccur acies kno own to us.

SanJoseInside = SanJose Inside

= via email

Elephant Elephan nt in the Room In ou new world world of of upside-down upside-down ourr new m ortgages, the the building building of of the the new new mortgages, C ity Hall—and Hall—and now now the the resulting resulting debt debt City ser vice—has become become the elephant in service—has tthe he room room that that no no one one wants wants to to talk talk aabout. bout. IIndividual ndividual city city departments departments

arre expected are exp x ected to pa pay ay appr approximately oximately $1.1 $ million per debt m illion p er yyear ear ttoward oward tthe he d ebt sservice ervice ffor or tthe he n new ew C City ity H Hall. all. T That’s hat’s $ $1.1 1.1 m million illion per floor, multiplied byy 118 floors p er fl oor, m ultiplied b 8fl oors aatt tthe he City Ci itty T Tower ower and additional flo o floors ors at the t City Hall Wing.

Meanwhile, old City C ity H all W ing. M eanwhile, tthe he o ld C ity vacant.

H lies vac Hall caant.

With W ith aall ll tthe he eeliminated liminated ccity ity sstaff taff positions, maybe move p ositions, m aybe iits ts ttime ime tto om ove several floors’ worth staff se eveeral flo ors’ wor th of rremaining emaining st a aff back old City Hall b ack tto o tthe he o ld C ity H all aand nd llease ease out vacant spacee at the ou ut the rresulting eesulting vac ant spac new City market. ne ew Cit ty Hall to the private mark keet.

Off ccourse, not O ourse, tthis his iiss n ot a ccomfortable omfortable topic mayor to opic ffor o or the ma ayo or and ccouncil, ouncil, butt bee ggiven iitt iiss ttime ime ffor or tthis his tto ob iven sserious erious mayor cconsideration. o onsideration.

And if the ma ayo or has difficulty addressing this,, he ccan di ifficultty addr essing this an ffeel eeel free borrow words from myy fr e to b ee orrow the wor ds fr om m cconversation onveersation with my on my 12-year-old 12--yeearr-old son n other day: have back tthe he o ther d ay: ““We We h ave tto o ccut ut b ack may on n eextra xxtra eexpenses, xxpenses, and we ma ay need d

bunk one bedroom tto ob unk ttogether ogether iin no ne b edroom aand nd other. rrent ent out the other r.”

Full disclosure: Ass a cit employee, F ull disclosur e: A ccity ty emplo oyeee, I originally work o riginally ccame ame tto ow ork ffor or tthe he ccity ity ass enforcement a ccode ode enf fo orcement inspector, insp pectorr, not just because benefits, b ecause of the pay paay and b enefits, but because wanted provide b ecause I ggenuinely enuinely w anted tto op rovide good service improve go od public ser vice and d impr ove the quality life neighborhoods qualit ty of lif fe in the neig ghborhoods I maintain myy sserved. erved. I sstill till m aintain tthat hat ffocus ocus iin nm present building p resent jjob ob aass a b uilding rrehabilitation ehabilitation where help iinspector, nspector, w here I h elp llow-income ow-income people homes off p eople repair repair ttheir heir h omes iin n ssome ome o underserved areas. the city’s citty’ y s most underser rveed ar eas.

MA RK RUFFING RUFFING | SAN SANN JO SE MARK JOSE

Cannabis Ca Capp only people who The o nly p eople w ho benefit benefit ffrom rom hard making it har d to run a ccannabis annabis a drug dealers, narcotics ccollective ollective are are d rug d ealers, n arcotics lawyers city, agents and la aw wyyeers — not n the cit ty, its

people patients who p p or the medical p need this vital viittaal medication. mediccation ation. a A ccap aap is not n necessary neccessar e y or appropriate appropriate only aand nd will will o nly serve serve to to further further ccomplicate omplicate tthe he ssituation. ituation. I agree agree wee n need w eed regulations regulations to to help help tthese hese appropriate businesses find fi appr opriate locations, locations, aand nd ensure ensure reasonable reasonable standards, standards, but but not our tthat hat iiss n ot what what o ur council council members members put p ut forward. forward. A cap cap aand nd forced forced closure closure does do es nothing nothin ng to help this situation.

To off S San much T o the the city city o an Jose: Jose: How How m uch money 90 m oney will will it it cost cost to to sstart tart 9 0 llawsuits? awsuits?

How much do H ow m uch money money d o yyou ou plan plan on on wasting fighting w asting fi ghting tthis? his? How How much much money m oney could could you you save/make save/make if if we we ffound ound ground together? ccommon ommon gr ound and worked work keed to gether?

DAVE D AVE HO HODGES H DGES | SSAN AN JO JOSE SE

Departures D eparrtures With W ithh this issue, it isssuee,, Metro Metro says farewell faarewell ttoo our longt longtime time pr proofreader, roofrreeaderr, J Jeanne eeanne Schuster, Schust err, who whho is leaving Silic Silicon on V Valley. aalleey.

Ass final arb A arbiter bitteer of grammatical ccorrectness orrectness ffor or o the ppaper aper sinc sincee 2000, Jeanne tirelessly errors J eeanne tir e elessly fferreted eerretteed out the err orrs excesses writers editors alike. and exc essees of writ teerrs and edit toorrs alik e.

Wee will all miss her v very W erry much.

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THEFLY FLY THE

Felipe Buitrago

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SVNEWS

Late to the Pot Party If Vice Mayor MADISON NGUYEN and councilmembers ROSE HERRERA, SAM LICCARDO and PETE CONSTANT have their way, San Jose’s medical marijuana collectives will be literally decimated.

Late Monday, the four proposed a law capping the number of pot clubs at 10—one third the number suggested in 2009 by medi-pot trailblazer and fellow councilmember PIERLUIGI OLIVERIO. The council failed to act on that idea, and today there are more than 100 operational dispensaries. It seems, to quote JAMES FRANCO in Pineapple Express: “The monkey’s out of the bottle, bro.” DAVE HODGES, founder of San Jose’s first collective, says the city is inviting lawsuits from the 90-plus dispensaries Don’t left out in the cold forget without a permit. If to tip! that is indeed the case, it’s safe to say the job FLY@ of City Attorney RICK METRONEWS. DOYLE will be decidedly COM less mellow. Bro.

Water, Paper, Rock San Jose’s biggest nightclub, Wet, is officially washed up. Caught up in the city’s clampdown on clubs following several incidents, owner MIKE HAMOD handed over the keys to the former Studio Theater at 396 S. First St. on Saturday. During its tumultuous twoyear existence, the venue brought celebs and international DJs to town, among them KIM KARDASHIAN, CARMEN ELECTRA, NE-YO, DJ AM, SEAN PERRY, NELLY, NAS, DAMIEN MARLEY, CHRIS BROWN and JERMAINE DUPRI. The 16,000-square-foot water-themed club cleared city development hurdles and opened in the fall of 2008. It was immediately greeted by a closed street and videographers from SJPD, who kept a close watch on the club and waited for it to trip, eventually invoking the emergency ordinance that gives the

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Disaster Response

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It’s at this point, Fire Captain Jeff Welch says, the room and every object within the walls will spontaneously combust.

“If you’re in that room when that happens,” he says, “it’s not survivable.”

To protect themselves, as soon as firefighters arrive on the scene, a checklist must be completed. The first thing they do when arriving at a fire is to provide ventilation by cutting through a wall or roof with an axe or chain saw, or by breaking out a window. “It’s not fires that kill,” Welch says, it’s smoke and carbon monoxide.”

Next, entry and exit points are forced open and gas and electrical utilities are shut down. As firefighters work on the outside to identify water sources and put hoses into position to battle the blaze and

protect stairways and exit points, at least two must enter the burning building to search for survivors.

While this is going on, firefighters on the outside attempt to keep the fire at its origin while monitoring the firefighters inside in case they need help. All of this is routine, and it must all happen in a matter of minutes.

“Saturday I was up five times after midnight doing emergency calls,” says Welch, who also serves as president of the San Jose firefighters union Local 230. “I’m talking from experience when I talk about ground operations.”

Things have come a long way for the firefighters union in 12 months, and Welch’s role can’t be overstated.

A year ago, Local 230 was the lone bargaining group unable to agree on compensation concessions with the city. Forty-nine firefighters were laid off as a result.

A year later, the firefighters union may be at the vanguard, leading the way for the city’s 10 other unions.

sick leave payouts, a federal grant that would inject $15 million into the department but limit the city’s ability to make cuts in the future— Welch says his constituency is well aware that local sentiment has turned against public employees.

When a list of top city employee salaries was published last month, critics howled over the pay of top officials, including retiring Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld, who came it at No. 2. His $430,000 included more than $310,000 in accrued sick leave.

“The pulse of the membership was getting to where we needed to do something and do it fast,” Welch says, acknowledging that it was reprehensible that Von Raesfeld’s sick leave payouts, accumulated over an entire career, were all calculated using his wage as chief—not adjusted for the positions he held.

“In my opinion he wasn’t a good fire chief,” says Fire Capt.

Glen McGuire, a veteran of more than 20 years at Company No. 3 downtown. “I think he sold us out a lot of different ways. He straight up told everyone, ‘I’ve always wanted a Maserati and I’m going to go buy one with cash from my sick leave payout.’ Really? You really need to advertise that stuff ?

“That’s not the norm. The majority of firefighters raise kids, take care of their wives and pay the bills.”

Not coming forward with a compromise quickly, Welch says, would have jeopardized more

THE FLY

firefighters’ jobs, which would put the public—as well as those within the ranks—at greater risk. According to safety standards, the minimum crew for a city of San Jose’s size is four men per engine. The “two in, two out” rule states that firefighters must enter a burning building as a pair, while another pair is covering the checklist outside. “We need to make concessions not only to keep the public safe but ourselves safe,” Welch says.

But just because an agreement is in place and the tone of future negotiations seems positive, that doesn’t mean firefighters and city employees will escape the axe.

According to Gurza and Budget Director Jennifer Maguire, no promises are being made. If every union were to agree to Reed’s suggested 10 percent cut, which would amount to $38 million in savings, the city would still be left with a $67 million shortfall. Disbanding San Jose’s Redevelopment Agency, according to Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan, would tack on an additional $10– $35 million to the deficit.

“It’s almost unimaginable from my perspective,” says Maguire, who has worked in the city manager’s budget office for 20 years. “At this point it’s hard to make these cuts not noticeable to the community.

It’s really sad.”

It seems this sobering realization, bitter on all sides, is settling in for the first time in years.

8

police chief the power to close an unruly house. Hamod sued and got the city to back off, but a New Year’s Eve incident— in which club security was accused of overlooking its duty to call emergency services after a female patron’s cheek was pierced by a stiletto heel in a restroom-line rumble—proved to be the J?LKK<I<; :clY N\k last straw for city officials. Hamod grew weary of fighting city hall and tossed the keys to his landlord this weekend. In its place will be a rock-climbing facility and gym owned by the Touchstone group, which had a smaller rock climbing facility on San Jose’s Paseo de San Antonio from 2003-2008. Touchstone presently operates fitness centers in Berkeley, Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland and Concord. The facilities have indoor pools, weight rooms, saunas, yoga classes and bouldering walls.

9 M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | SA N J O S E . C O M | M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M

Last Thursday, Welch and his team put forward a proposal that would drop firefighters per engine from five to four, and cut total compensation for 647 firefighters by 10 percent—making Local 230 the first public employees’ union to come to a deal with the city. Less than 24 hours later, five other city unions offered a similar proposal.

Over a three-day voting period that ended Monday, 95 percent of Local 230’s members approved the deal. .

Welch was vice president of Local 230 last year and took over as president following the retirement of longtime veteran Randy Sekany. Alex Gurza, the city’s lead negotiator, describes the resulting difference in the union’s attitude at the bargaining table as “remarkable” and “drastic.”

“I think that makes a big difference if we’re all working toward solving the same problem,” Gurza says.

Last year, Sekany took a hardline stance that left firefighters and the city at a stalemate. Officials on both sides admit negotiations were hampered by years of bad blood.

Sekany’s strategy was the scare tactic: He issued numerous statements warning that the inevitable cuts would result in slower response times, which meant property loss and death. In the midst of negotiations, Sekany stunned observers by proposing an alternative budget for the city, which included perplexing lineitem cuts such as hybrid cars and ergonomic chairs.

In the end, the city reached a compromise with only one group of sworn officers—the Police Officers Association.

With conservative estimates putting the city $105 million in the hole this year, there was no time for Welch to waste after taking over.

“Recognizing there are major issues and we have to work together,” Welch says, “I made a personal effort to hit a reset button with the city leaders to find a solution.”

Gurza says he’s happy, and somewhat shocked. “If you would have asked me last week if I would have an agreement with the firefighters,” he says, “I would have said ‘that’s not going to happen.’”

While major issues remain to be negotiated—pension reform,

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sv 411.com

the best of the local web

Personal Interests: Cuddling, Loving and Eating We demand answers! And more photos of Beast, who is, indeed, extremely cute. —MAX READ, GAWKER.COM/#!VALLEYWAG

Admiral_Awesome Isn’t this against the Facebook TOS? Shame, Zuckerberg. Shame. achilleselbow Technically not— it’s a fan page, not a personal profile.

Tune in next week when I explain that the chicken did not necessarily have a reason for crossing the road, as it lacks human concepts such as roads and was most likely simply walking in a certain direction.

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Friend Zuck’s Cute New Dog MEET THE newest member of the Facebook family: “Beast,” a Hungarian sheepdog recently adopted by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his girlfriend Priscilla Chan.

True to form, Zuckerberg has already grossly violated the poor dog’s privacy by creating a Facebook page for him, complete with photographs and a bio. Did Beast even consent to this? Who filled in Beast’s personal information? And which of Beast’s owners is pretending to be Beast on the dog’s Facebook wall??

Affiliation: I belong to Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.

Birthday: January 10, 2011 Biography: I am a Puli, which is a type of Hungarian Sheepdog.

I was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, and now I live in Palo Alto with Mark and Cilla. I am extremely cute.

Gender: Male

content platform he is trying to build, particularly around women, influencers and local.

Tim and Arianna have been on a roadshow of sorts, explaining the new content strategy to the public.

As we know, there will be layoffs, Hollywood, and more.

Michelle Rose HuffPo selling out.

Great.

William J Watson I don’t understand. What’s to sell out? HuffPo essentially regurgitates work other real news venues already did.

Ajeet Khurana How many of the “free” writers will continue to write for the Huffington Post knowing that it is now owned by a large corporation?

Brian Davidson AOL comeback

AOL Closes HuffPo Deal Well that was fast. AOL has closed its $315 million acquisition of the Huffington Post. It’s taken a month for the acquisition to close.

As we heard a few weeks ago, Arianna Huffington is now the President and Editor In Chief of all of AOL’s media properties, which is now called the Huffington Post Media Group (and which includes TechCrunch).

AOL says the combined entity will have a user base of 117 million unique visitors a month in the United States and 253 million around the world, according to comScore. For AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, the HuffPo acquisition is his largest deal to date.

iPad 2 by The Numbers The most important numbers by far at Apple’s special event in San Francisco last week were “2” (as in iPad 2) and “4.3” (as in iOS 4.3).

But there are plenty of others as well, each a testament to Apple’s continuing dominance of the smartphone and tablet markets.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the metrics trotted out this morning.

• 100 million iBooks downloaded.

• Nearly 15 million iPads sold in 2010—more than every tablet PC ever sold.

• iPads: $9.5 billion in revenue.

Along with the closing of the acquisition, AOL has also poached a number of talented new writers to join its newly formed team.

With the purchase, AOL is buying into the new publishing model that the Huffington Post represents.

Armstrong has said that the driving factor behind the deal is how well the Huffington Post fits into the

• iPads have a 90 percent share of the tablet market.

• More than 350,000 apps in Apple’s App Store; 65,000 of those have been optimized for iPad. —JOHN PACZKOWSKI, DIGITALDAILY.ALLTHINGSD.COM

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M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

12 TELL YOUR KIDS IT’S JUST LIKE VIDEO GAME BOWLING,

ONLY THEY actually GET TO BOWL.

Learn to Ski for only $69

Includes: ticket, lesson, gear

Slopeside Parking!

No remote lots or long hikes.

skirose.com

300sanjose.com • 5420 Thornwood Dr. across from Oakridge Mall • 408.578.8500

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M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

Gary SSingh ingh

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SILICON SILICON ALLEYS ALLEYS

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Quite a ffew ew San Jose Jose politicos politicos made maade ap ppearances, as did a few few hundred hundred appearances, sseason easson ticket ticket holders holders and and hard-core hard-core ssupporters. upporters. For For the the fans, fans, this this was waass p erhap ps tthe he most most important importan nt eevent vent perhaps ssince ince tthe he team team returned returned as as a new new ffranchise ranchise four four years yearrs ago. ago. Despite Despite a few few ccosmetic o osmetic impr oveements to Buck Sh haaw improvements Shaw St tadium at Santa Santa Clara University— Un nivveersitty— Stadium th he team’s team’s temporary temporary facility—the facilitty—the — the ow wnership hi group group hadn’t h d ’t really hadn really ll provided provvided id d ownership an ny concrete, concrete, on-the-ground on-the-ground proof proof that t any a new new stadium stadium is more more than just an n dea in the drawing draaw wing rooms. rooms. Now Now it has. h . has id idea After all the sp eeches, an M2 Bradley Brad dleey speeches, ttank a rrolled ank olled out of the abandoned w arehouse to to symbolize symbolize the the history history warehouse off the pr operty. FMC manufactur ed d property. manufactured

equipment ffor equipment or tthe he U U.S. .S. D Defense efense D epartment h ere, aand nd b efore tthat, hat, tthe he Department here, before pr operty w aas used ffor or th o he agricultural property was the industr y. A gigantic PC7 750LC Exc avator v industry.

PC750LC Excavator ccourtesy ourtesy o evcon C onstruction then then off D Devcon Construction p roceeded tto o demolish demolish the the north north side side proceeded o n aabandoned bandoned ffactory actory b uilding that that off aan building Q uakes fans fans had had spray-painted spray-painted w ith Quakes with llogos ogos aand nd aanti–L.A. nti–L.A. ggraffiti raffi ffitti jjust ust ffor or tthe he o ccasion. In a p ostcard-p picture photo op occasion. postcard-picture op,, aall ll tthe he p oliticians aand nd d ignitaries, along along politicians dignitaries, w ith Q uakes p layers, ccoaches oaches aand nd office office with Quakes players, sstaff, taff ff,, h ad ttheir heir p hotos ttaken aken iin n ffront ront of of had photos tthe he ttank, ank, tthe he ggiant iant eexcavator xcavator aand nd piles piles of of rubble aas one hell o of a show w. rubble.. It w was show.

A thquak kees pr p epare ffor or their o Ass the Ear Earthquakes prepare sseason eason o pener o nM arch 19, 19, sseveral everal opener on March d ynamics aare re aatt p lay, llocally ocally aand nd aacross cross dynamics play, M ajor League League Soccer Soccer (MLS), (MLS), giving giving cause cause Major ffor or h ope. F or eexample, xample, S an JJose’s ose’s youth youth hope.

For San ac caadem my is mo oving v fforward, o orwaarrd d, with fformer o ormer academy moving Q uakes d efender T roy D ayak aass iits ts new new Quakes defender Troy Dayak ttechnical echnical aadviser. dviser. T he lleague’s eague’s rrequisite equisite The est ablishment of yyouth outh o ac caademies establishment academies rrepresents epresents n oteworthy p rogress in in its its noteworthy progress eevolution. vo olution. A mo del uni ique to so ccer, model unique soccer, yyouth-development outh--development p rograms aare re programs

iimportant mportant ccomponents omponents iin np rofessional professional cclubs lubs tthroughout hroughout tthe he ssoccer-playing occer-playing u niverse, w here n o eequivalent quivalent eexists xists ffor or universe, where no the Americ caan ccollege ollege draft ssystem. ystem.

American Generall ly sp eakingg, kids ar Generally speaking, aree selected ffor or tthe he p rofessional cclub’s lub’s aacademy cademy professional and rise thr rough the ranks as pr operty through property of the club;; then the club has priorit ty, priority, iiff iitt d esires, tto o ssign ign tthe he p layer tto o tthe he desires, player p rofessional tteam. eam. IIff n ot, tthe he p layer professional not, player ccan an p ursue o ther o ptions. T wo o he pursue other options.

Two off tthe w orld’s b est p layers—Manchester world’s best players—Manchester U nited’s W ayne R ooney aand nd B arcelona’s United’s Wayne Rooney Barcelona’s L ionel M essi—each eemerged merged ffrom rom ttheir heir Lionel Messi—each p rospective cclub’s lub’s yyouth outh aacademy cademy aand nd prospective made theirr first pr o st arts as teenagers pro starts teenagers..

L ast yyear’s eear’s Major M L eague So ccer R ookie Last League Soccer Rookie of the Y eear, D CU nited’ n s Andy Najar r, Year, DC United’s Najar, llikewise ikewise ccame ame sstraight traight o ut o hat cclub’s lub’s out off tthat yyouth outh ac o caad dem my. Basic caallyy, the rreason eason academy.

Basically, the cultur outh so o ccer in Americ culturee of yyouth soccer Americaa iiss d isconnected ffrom rom tthe he cculture ulture o disconnected off p rofessional ssoccer occer iiss d ue tto o tthe he aabsence bsence professional due o outh aacademies. cademies. W hen M LS fi rst off yyouth When MLS first llaunched aunched iin n 11996, 996, tthe he cconcept oncept w asn’t wasn’t eeven veen on an nyo one’s radar r. N ow w, the anyone’s radar.

Now, sc enario is changing c ffor or o the b etttterr. scenario better.

A nother rreason easson ffor or h ope iiss Another hope tthat hat M LS h as fi nally rrealized ealized that that MLS has finally supp orterss gr oups ar supporters groups aree the futur futuree of the league odeled after Eur opean and league.. Mo Modeled European S outh A merican eequivalents, quivalents, an nM LS South American MLS ssupporters upporters ggroup roup w orks iin nu nison works unison aatt ggames—chanting ames—chan nting an nd ssinging inging and multiple so ongs, w avving flags aying y songs, waving flags,, displa displaying homemadee banners aunting banners,, mass-t mass-taunting tthe he o pponents an nd m ore—alll tto o opponents and more—all ratchet up the atmospher atmospheree at matches matches..

T hey aare re p recisely w hat m ake tthe he They precisely what make sp ort uniq ue and sp ecial,, and a rapidly sport unique special, incr easing numb er of them ar increasing number aree also tra aveling e to o rroad oad games and b ooking traveling booking their own sections in opp osing teams’ opposing st adiums ahead a of time. time. stadiums Each ML LS club that has recently recently MLS b uilt iits ts o wn sstadium tadium n ow u nderstan nds built own now understands tthat hat ssections ections ffor or ssupporters upporters ggroups roups must b ak ken e into ac count fr om bee ttaken account from tthe he vvery ery b eginning o he d esign beginning off tthe design pr ocess. Th his has happ ened,, at least process.

This happened, to some de egree, in T oronto, Seat o tttle, degree, Toronto, Seattle, Philadelph hia,, V anc a ou uveer and P ortland.

Philadelphia, Vancouver Portland.

The ccomplete om mplete demolition of the old F MC b uildings w ill ttake ak ke ap pproximately FMC buildings will approximately 12 weeks T only element missing weeks.. The fr arty w aas a pr oper om the p from party was proper ssoundtrack. oundtracck. T hey sshould hould h ave p layed They have played “Demolitio on Man n” b olice or “Demolition Man” byy the P Police “Smash It U p” b Up” byy the Damned.

Keep Keep in Touch Toouch SiliconAlleeys@metronews.com SiliconAlleys@metronews.com

15 M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

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THE BEST OF SILICON VALLEY THE SHORT LIST P20 HALL OF FAME P22 NEW CATEGORIES P29 FOOD & DRINK P41 MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE P63 ARTS & CULTURE P71 SHOPPING, SERVICES & SOCIETY P81 METRO’S BEST OF CONTRIBUTORS Editor: Dan Pulcrano Managing Editor: Michael S. Gant Contributors: Stett Holbrook, Cat Johnson, Eric Johnson, Josh Koehn, Tomasz Mackowiak, Steve Palopoli, Gary Singh, Richard von Busack and Claire Young Photographers: Jennifer Anderson, Felipe Buitrrago, Jason Lustig, Millhows, Ian Healy

S

pring’s approach captures Silicon Valley’s sunshine and optimism—the clear air, the seed planting, the lengthening days.

Counterintuitively, we used to publish Metro’s Best of Silicon Valley issue just as the damp, darkening days of winter clamped down during the greedy season of harvest and hunkering down, which didn’t really fit our region’s forward-looking ethos.

So it was time for reinvention. That’s why we moved the publication date from September to March.

An issue that celebrates the good stuff around us is a good way to start the year off right. Like buying a new car at the beginning of the model year, readers can enjoy the issue longer and winners can display the current year’s honors for more than a few months. (Memo to business owners: it’s time to take down the certificates from defunct publications.)

This year we added a new section, a Hall of Fame, to honor perennial winners like DJ Greg Kihn and chef David Kinch, whose domination of their categories forced us to retire their jerseys.

“Best Of ” issues have become increasingly popular since we launched the valley’s first one more than 25 years ago. In the last two years alone, reader participation in online voting has more than tripled.

The results now represent an even greater cross-section of Metro’s readers (a very smart and discerning group, we might add). Whether it’s breakfast at Bill’s, coffee at Philz or hamachi shots at Alexander’s, they know where to find the best that the valley offers, along with hidden gems tucked in the strip malls along the grand boulevards.

Please visit the winners and let us know your thoughts, either by writing us at letters@metronews.com or posting a comment to our page at metrofb.com.

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

S A N J O S E .C O M

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

18

BEST BES T HAIR R SALON S AL O N MURAL

David D av viid Choe Cho oe/5 /5 Color Color C Cowboy ow wbo oy

B

effo efore ore he did cover cover art art for fo or Jay-Z, Jay-Z, before beffo ore hee gained fame painting na h naughty aughty m murals in Fac Facebook’s ebook’s first offic o officee in P Palo alo Alto,, b before portrait was A Alto effo ore his p ortrait of Obama O w as hung in the White House House,, Da David avid v Cho Choee painted p possibly ossibly his b best est work on the w wall all of a hair salon Alameda. on The Alam meda.

Choee w Cho was a a long way as way from from fame back then;; he had done an exhibit exhibit at a Doubl Double le Rainbow Rainbow ice ice cream cream parlor and d painted a mural on a Chinese rrestaurant e aurant b est before effo ore moving moving from fr om L Los os Angeles A to San JJose. ose. But JJohnny ohnny Gr Granado, ranado, the futur futuree owner of 5 C Color olor C Cowboy owboy salon, w was as already already fascinated with his work. The two two

19 B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y M A RC H 9-15, 2011 S A N J O S E .C O M M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

had met a comic comic cconvention on nvention e in the mid-’90s, mid-’90s, and Granado Gran nado began began filming ffootage ootage of him m that would eeventually ventually become become thee 2008 2008 documentary documentary Dirt Dirty t y Ha Hands: ands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe.

Chhoe.

When Granado was was gget getting tingg rready eadyy to op open en 5 Color Color Cowboy Cowboy in 20 2001, 01, in a spot spot on The Alam Alameda meda formerly formerly o occupied o ccupied by

by Cafe Caffe L Leviticus, evitticus, he asked asked Choee to paint the particularly Cho particularly t wretched wr etched north north wall. wall. Appreciation A Appr eciation ffor o or Choe’s Choe’s work aside, aside, his motivation was w as fairly practic practical. al. “I kne knew k w he he’d ’d b bee

able to turn n this wall wall that looked looked likee an outside lik outside wall wall into an interior space,” spac e,” says saayys Granado.

Granado.

The piece piece was was a staggering staggering 48 ffeet eeet across across and 18 feet feet e high. Choe Choe first laid down a slate of black paint, then covered covered e that with acrylics, acryylics, then oil sticks sticks,, then th hen stencils. stencils. The end rresult esult was was an a intricate intricate and ccomplex omplex mishmash of themes, themes, far beyond beyond what they they had h discussed.

“Theree were “Ther w e things we talked wer talked about,” ab out,”” says saayyss Granado, Granado, “but I’v I’vee got nothing to do with the twins twins or the

robot. That robot.

That’s ’s just Da Dave. ave. It w was as le letting etting him cr create. eate. I w was as lik like, e, ‘J ‘Just ust go ffor o or it. it.’” ’” The T he salon salon opened opened just just fi five ve d days ays before be fore 9 9/11, /11, aand nd aafterward fterwarrd ssome ome patrons p atrons ssaw aw aan n eeerie erie p prescience rescience iin n images lik like ke an airplane and burn burning ning ccityscape. ityscap pe. B p But ut G Granado ran nad do h has as h heard eard a tthousand housand d different iff ffeerent iinterpretations nterpretations over o ver the last dec decade—even ade—eveen var varying, ying, sometimes,, b sometimes byy wher wheree clients ar aree sit ssitting ttting in the studio studio—and —and he thinks that’s thaat’s part p art o off tthe he m magic aggic o off tthe he p piece. iece. ““It’s It’s ccompletely ompletely la layered, ayered,” he sa says. ayys. “Dave’s “Daave’s ccomplexity omplexitty hasn hasn’t ’t b been een done just justice. tice.”

The ttwo wo ar aree still friends, f friends , and Cho Choee is scheduled to app appear e when ear 5C Color olor C Cowboy owboy ccelebrates ellebrates its 10th anniv anniversary ersary in September.

September. Choe Choe is now a b bona ona fide art-world art-world sensation, ffetching eetching pric prices es eexponentially xponentially o lar larger ger than the small fee fee e he h to took ok ffor or the o mural.

“I ccouldn’t ouldn’t buy a watercolor watercolor by by him now for for o what I paid for for o that,”” sa says ays y Granado Granado.. “But he would have haave done it ffor o or fr free.” ee.”

BEST B E ST OF OF S SILICON I L IC O N V VALLEY A L L EY

B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

20

THE T HE SH SHORT ORT L LIST IST BES BEST T DUTCH D UT CH TREATS T REA R TS JUST ANOTHER DAY at Google.

Sushi on marble for lunch.

855 El C Camino amino Real #157 #157, 7, P Palo alo Al Alto; to; 650.326.9251. This small P alo Al to Palo Alto sandwich shop, a half-cen half-century ntury old, is rrevered evered for for its oversize sa andwiches and sandwiches deli meats and cheeses, as a well as Dutch specialties special ties such as hagel, stroopwafel stroopwafel and Dutch Crunch bread. bread.

BES BEST TP PLACE LACE T TO OF FIND IND A S SEVEN-FOLD E V EN - F O LD TIE T IE I

Robert R obert Talbott o Tal alb bo ott t Outlet Ou uttllet

M A RC H 9-15, 2011 S A N J O S E .C O M M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

Cheese C he eese H House ou use Village V iilla age

The long The long and an nd short sh horrt of of iitt A run-down on some of our favorites, favorites, based on personal personal experience and careful car eful research research h

BES BEST T CHILDREN’S C HIILD REN ’ S B BOOKSTORE O O K ST O R E

Linden T Linden Tree ree Books Boo oks ks 170 S State tate S St., t., LLos o Al os Altos; tos;; 650.949.3390.

This three-decade-old three-decaade-old local independent children’s bookstore from childr en’s book s e was saved fr stor om extinction in 2009 20 009 when Jill Curcio Curcio and Dianne Edmond Edmonds ds bought it from from longtime owners Linda and and Dennis Ronberg.

Ronberg. Their stated mission is to “help help your child fall fall books!”

That’s in love with boo oks!” That ’s enough to win us over too. Linden Linden Tree Tree Books Books stocks stocks hardcover har dcover editions editioons of such classics as Heidii, Goldilockss and the Goldilock t Three Three Bearss and P Peter eter also so sell puppets.

Rabbit. They als

BEST B ES T HAR HARDWARE RDWARE STORE S T O RE

Palo P a allo Alto Alto Hardware H arrdwa arre 875 Alma S St., t., P Palo alo Al Alto; to;; 650.327.0115.

650.3277..0115.

One of Silicon Valley’s Valley alley’ss last small hardware hardware stor es, this well-stocked well-stocked retailer retailer is stores, for its its friendly, friendly, helpful service. service. legendary for Clerk provide patient, p old-fashioned Clerkss provide old-fashioned customer doting, dotingg, whether cutting keys or giving detailed instructions for for a home impr ovement orr repair repair project. project. In addition improvement to the basic nut ts, bol ts and light bulbs, Palo Palo nuts, bolts Alto Al to Hardware Hardware carries c ries many household car

iteems, such as countertop appliances and items, and kitchen ki tchen tools.

BEST B E ST SH SHUK U K SH SHOP OP

Casablanca C asablanca Market M Mar rket 793 79 93 Castro Castro S St., t., Mountain View; 650.964.3000.

65 50.964.3000. The mystical cul culture ture of Morocco M orocco carries carries much allure, allure, but these da ays, travel travel to North Africa depends on days, the th he day’s news. Luckily, Luckily, Casablanca Casablanca Market Marrket stocks st ocks a well-selected ar array ray of lighting,, ffabrics, abrics, tapestries, cooking tagines, tea sets an nd Mor occan and Spanish food food products produccts and Moroccan an nd cookbook s. The only thing that ’s not noot and cookbooks. that’s au uthentic is the pricing philosophy y, so you y authentic philosophy, won’t w on’t have anyone chase you to your car c as sking, “How much do you want to givee asking, m e?”” if you just want to have a look. me?”

BEST B TB BES BOOKSTORE OO KS T O RE FOR FOR S SPIRITUAL P IRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT E NLI G HTEN M ENT

East E asst W West es est Bookstore B oo ok kstor t re 24 Castro 24 Castro St., St., Mountain View; 650.988.9800.

65 50.988.9800. This special specialty ty bookstore bookstore supports upports spiritual growth growth for for the “soul’s “soul’ss su journey” inspired jo urney”” inspir ed by Indian master Paramhansa P a amhansa Yogananda ar Yogananda and his disciple disciple SSwami w wami Kriyananda Kriyananda. In addition to books books about ab bout healing, enlightenment and wisdom, wisdom, East Ea ast W West est vends meditation aids, calming calming drops, Sutraa statues, dr rops, scented candles, Sutr ffoot o stimulating acupr oot acupressure essure pads and other ot ther must-have items for for a well-stocked well-stockked spiritual sp piritual journey. journey.

681 Leavesley Road, S Ste. te.. 250, 2 , Gilr Gilroy; oy; 408.847.5111.

408.84 47..5111. Not that anyo anyone one wears them much m uch aanymore, nymore, bbut ut iiff yyou ou ddoo nneed eed ssome ome knotted silk around around your neck, neck,, it’s it’s worth the trip to the Robert TTalbott albot a tt outlet in Gilroy, Gilroyy, unless you are are planning to be b on the Monterey Monterey P eninsula or in Manhattan. The T CCarmel armel Valley Vaalley Peninsula cclothier’s lothier’s Seven Seven Fold Fold Ties Ties are are unlined unlined aand nd cconstructed onstructed completely completely oout ut of of single single piece piece of of ffolded olded silk,, ffolded olded seven times tim mes in true 19thccentury entury fashion. fashion. TThey hey aalso lso sell sell hand-stitched hand-stitched American-made suits for for ass low as $500.

BES BEST TP PLACE LACE T TO OA ALTER LTER A SUIT S UIT OR OR D DRESS RES SS

Forest F ore esst T Tailoring ail aillorin ring 2469 Forest 2469 Forest A Ave., ve., San Jos Jose; se; 408.2 408.244.4288.

44.4288.

Wee found W found out a few few yearss back that the suit departments of Valley Valleyy Fair department stores stor es took clothing her heree ffor or al alternations. ternations.

The ser service vice is quick, the prices p excellent, and expensive clothing can caan be left here here with confidence.

BES BEST T BLIN B BLING G

Jade J ade G Galore a allore 316 Barber Court, C Milpitas.. 408.383.9868; 10821 N. W o e Road, C olf upertino, Wolfe Cupertino, 408.861.0988.

408.861.098 88. An established, owneroper ated wat tch and jewelry rretailer, etailerr, Jade operated watch Galoree pridess itself on personalized customer Galor service ser vice and ccar carries ries a stock of mar marquee quee br brands, ands ands, including Vacheron Vaccheron Constantin, Chopard, Chopard, JJaeger aeger Le Le Coultre Coultre and and Cartier, Cartier, along along with with m any A sian aand nd EEuropean uropean jjewelry ewelry ppieces ieces iin n many Asian sapphir e, ruby, rubbyy, emer ald, pearls, diamonds and, sapphire, emerald, as the name suggests, jade.

B BEST E ST SP SPECS PECS

Optical Op pttiica al IIllusions lllu usiion ns 378 Santanaa Row #1025, San Jose; 378 408.261.

1010. The The Rolls Rolls R oyce ooff local local 408.261.1010.

Royce eyewear boutiques, bouutiques, Optical Illusions stocks stocks a wide id selectio l tion off hard-to-find har h d-to-find d t fi d frames fframes from f om fr selection designers lik ke Prada, Prada, Oliver Peoples Peoples and like Roberto Cavalli.

Cavaalli. The combination of highttech ech equipment, equipment, such such as as a hhand-held and-held ddevice evice that check for blind spots, experienced checkss for opticians and and stylish brands brands keeps clients seeing—an looking—better. seeing—andd looking—better.

B BEST ES T MICRO-CREAMERY M I CR O - CREA M ERY

Rick’s R ick’’s IIce ce C Cream rea am 3946 Middle Middlefield efield Road, P Palo alo Al Alto; to; 650.493.6553.

650.493.655 53. A gourmet g micro-creamery micro-creameryy in P Palo alo Alto’s Alto’s Charleston Center, Center, Rick’s has been scoopi scooping ng its own handcrafted handcrafted ice creams cr eams ffor or 35 3 years. Flavors range range fr from om all-Americann favorites favorites like Black Raspber Raspberry ry Crunch, Rocky Rockky Road and Pumpkin to international internationa al fusions like Saffron Saffron Pistachio, Rose and W White hite Chocolate Ginger Ginger.. They also serve ser ve the he healthy-sounding ealthy-sounding Carob Carob Honey, Honeyy, the ffeminine emininee Lemon Lavender and the very macho-sounding macho-soun nding Industrial Chocolate.

ALTERED STATES A quiet moment at Forest Tailoring

21

KEEPING IT WRIGHT Some chandeliers at the Willow Glen showroom

B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

Clay C lla ay Planet Pllan net

BEST BES T PLACE P LACE T TO OL LEARN EARN WHAT WHAT TO T O DO D O WI WITH ITH THAT T HA AT C CLAY LAY

Higher H igh gher e Fire Firre

SAN S AN JOSE’S J O S E ’ S BEST B ES T ANSWER A N S W ER TO T O BURNING B URNIN G MAN MA AN

Marrk and Mark an nd A Ann’s n nn n’s Art Party A rrt P arty a 215 East Alma Ave., Ave., San Jose, Josse, when it happens; www www.artparty2010.com. w.artparty201 .

10.com. Just as Burning Man started on Sann Fr Francisco’s ancisco’s Baker Park Beach, this event started at the Naglee P ark manse m anse ooff A Anne nne SSconberg conberg aand nd M Mark ark H Henderson enderson aand nd ggrew rew ttoo ttake ake oover ver aan n uunoccupied noccupied fformer ormer ffruit ruit warehouse warehouse tthe he couple couple owns owns in the industrial zone south of downtown.

A fundr fundraiser aiser ffor or Arts Councill Silicon V Valley, alleyy, the eclectic, inexplicable art party melds art with displays and installations wi th experimental music, m usic, ccostumery, ostumery, fi fire-breathing, re-breathing, ooversize versize rrocking ocking ki hhorses andd bbackfiring backfirin kfi ing go carts, t among other wack wackyy mul multi-sensory ti-sensory intrusions. intrusions.

BEST BES T HIGH-TECH H I G H -T E CH H SPORTS S PO R T S C CLOTHING L O THIIN G

Pearl P earl Izumi Izumi Ou utl tlet Store Store re Outlet

Shuei-Do S hu h uei--D Do 217 Jackson Street Street San Jose;; 408.294.4 408.294.4148.

41148.

700-year Manju is 700 0-year old Japanese confection confection with a rround ound rice flour skin and sweet bean paste on the inside. Japantown’s Japantown’s Shui-Do has a variety of manju, with lima, azuki and flavors,, in attr attractive other flavors active shades of pink, p , green gr een and wh white. hite.

BES BEST TB BABY A BY B BOUTIQUE O UTI Q UE

BabyBuzz Bab byB yBu uzz 1314 Lincoln Ave Ave #1A, San Jose; 408.885.9870.

408.885.987 70. Combining contemporary contemporary aesthetics wi ith classic sensibilities — as with modern babies babies have come to expect — this tiny Willow Glen G boutique is a trove trove of delights ffor or miniatur m miniaturee humans and their handlers. Min niature wooden cars and Miniature vanilla flavor ed teething gir affes are are the flavored giraffes kinds of unexpected unexxpected gift items that can be ffound ound her e. here.

BES BEST TL LIGHTING I G HTIN G SHOWROOM S H OW R O OM

Wright W ri rig gh ht L Lighting ig gh htin t ng 1572 Meridia Meridian an Avenue, Avenue, San Jose; 408.979.0800.

408.979.080 00. Service Service separates separates W Wright right from competitors. fr om its com mpetitors. Whether looking for for a modern TTech ecch monor monorail ail lighting system oorr needing needing to to re rewire wire tthe he oold ld ssix-candle ix-candle Spanish wr wrought ouught iron iron chandelier that’s that’s ooriginal riginal to to the the house house and and now now a fire fire hazardd (less than $100!), Wright’s hazar Wright’s can provide knowledgeable pr ovide a kno owledgeable solution for for the project pr oject at hand. haand. Its showr showroom oom displays traditional, transitional a mix of tr additional, tr ansitional and contemporary contempor arry lighting

ARTFUL MOMENT at Ann & Mark’s 2010 Art Party.

BES T CORPORATE BEST C O R PO RATE C CAFETERIA AFETERIA

Google G oo oog glle Googleplex, Mountain View View.. The level leveel of detail and rrange ange of options here here is pretty pretty much off the hook. Cheesy thin crustt pizza (red (r ed card) card) to colorful salad bars (green (greeen car d=healthy), cheese plates served served on card=healthy), polished carrera carrera marble, exotic superfruits superrfruits and world cuisine — well, we could go g on, but this is a short list. TTip: ip: if you’re you’re invited innvited to Google for for a meeting, tell them the thhe only opening in your busy schedule is 11:45.

11:445.

BES BEST T WINES & SPIRITS S P IRIT S

Beltramo’s B eltramo’s W Wines ines & Spirits Sp piriitts 1540 El C Camino amino Real, Menlo P Park. ark.

K&L K &L Wine Wine M er erchan ntts Merchants 3005 El C Camino amino Real, Redwood City City. y.

Two ooff bbest Two est ooptions ptions ffor or w wine ine aand nd sspirits pirits iin n tthe he w whole hole B Bay ay A Area rea aare re B Beltramo’s eltramo’s aand nd KK&L &L LLiquors, iquors, bboth oth on on tthe he EEll CCamino amino R Real eal jjust ust nnorth orth of the county line.. Eitherr one can supply every spirit and mixer known to t humanity humanity.. Both have gr great eat ser service vice and assorted assorted party gifts.

If you can can’t ’t find that onee bottle of wine fr from om the thousands that Bel trramo’s has, drive a Beltramo’s ffew ew block blockss to K&L and you’ll y find a P Parcel arcel 4411 Merlot M erlot tthat hat ccan’t an’t bbee bbeat. eat. IIff yyou ou sshop hop bbyy tthe he case, this is the place. Th he staff is extr emely The extremely And kknowledgable nowledgable and and hhelpful. elpful. A nd yyou ou ccan an always find a great great pinot. pinott.

BEST BES TE EXCUSE XCU S E

Printer’s P rin r nter’ e ’s De ead dlin ne Deadline As usual, we As we’re ’re out of ttime and out of space. If we left your favorite favorite a place out, let us know and we’ll we’ll tr try ry to get to it. Ther Theree aree too many good things ar thin ngs in the valley to fit in this issue, so we’ll we’ll have to save the nextt year, unwritten ones ffor or nex year, or write a ffew ew moree and put them online. mor onlline.

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

499 S.. Market St., St., San Jose Jose; e; 408.295.5765.

408.295.5765.

Both a teaching studio andd gallery, galleryy, Higher FFire ire offers offers classes classes iin n wheel wheel tthrowing hrowing and and ffabrication abrication ooff cceramic eramic iitems, tems, ffrom rom vases vases aand nd tea sets to dinnerware. dinnerware. Thee evening classes aree a rrelaxing ar elaxing social experience experieence as well.

B BEST EST M MANJ_ A NJ _

S A N J O S E .C O M

1775 Russell Ave., Ave., Santa C Clara; lara; 408.295.3352. Her Heree in Silica Silicca Valley, Valleyy, there’s there’s rreally eally no contest. Clay Plan net inventories Planet a huge array array of glazes, potter’s pottter ’s wheels, tools and firing kilns, and makes m its own clay,, with names like Grogzilla, clay Grogzzilla, Big Sur and San Jose White with whichh local artisans or weekend hobbyists can keep alive the time-honored time-honor ed California California ce ceramic eramic tr tradition. adition.

8555 San Y Ysidro sidro Ave., Ave., Gilr Gilroy; oy;; 408.846.8123. high-end SStylish, tylish, high-end biking and running outfits can help urba urban an athletes stand out from from the pack for for rreasons eassons of vanity or safety. safety. The U.S. branch branch of o the Japanese outfitter, outfitter, P earl Pearl I Izumi’s i’ wide id variety i t off high-tech hi h t h apparel apparell and ffootwear, ootwear, while not exactly outletcheap, is som me of the best around. around. some

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

BEST BES T PLACE P LACE TO T O BUY B UY CLAY C LA AY

D DJ JíR ROCK OCK S STAR TA R í A AUTHOR U T HOR RíR RENAISSANCE EN AI MAN

Greg G Gr reg Kihn Kih hn He’s b He’s been een o on n aair ir ssince ince 55am, am, aand nd a ffew ew m minutes inutes aafter ft ssigning igning o off ff h his is K KFOX FOX m morning orning sshow how fi five ve h hours ours llater, ater, G Greg reg K Kihn ihn sstops tops tto o cconsider onsider h how ow h his is d day ay h has a been b een sso o ffar. ar. ““II gguess uess II’m ’m aabout bout tthe he lluckiest uckiest gguy uy iin n the world,” w ” sa says ayys Kihn.

Hee hates get getting ttting up early as much as an anyone nyone eelse, hee aadmits. h dmits. B But ut h he’s e’s h hooked ooked o on n ttalking alking tto oam million illio people p eoplle eevery very week weekday. daay.

Thee feeling feeling e is mutual. Maybe Maayybe it’s it’s hiss direct, direct, pe rsonab ble style, style, or or maybe maybe it’s it’s the the fact faacct that that unlike unlike most personable other o ther jocks jocks who who sling sling classic classsic rock, rock, he’s he’s actually acctuallly lived live the lif fe. Something Something about about Kihn has made him h the top votelife. ggetter etter in in the the Best Best of of Silicon Silicon Valley Valley Best Best DJ DJ category category year in and year yeear out. ““II tthink hink tthe he k key ey iiss h honesty, onesty, I rreally eally d do,” o,” h hee ssays. ays. “I don’t h ave a sshtick, htick, sso o I rreally eally ccan’t an’t p ull o ff aanything nything eelse l except have pull off being b eingg m myself. yself y f. What yyou ou hear is the rreal e Gr eal Greg.” eg.”

D espite tthe he ffact ac act tthat hat h is w inning sstreak treak iiss tthe he stuff of Best Despite his winning of Sil Silicon icon V Valley aalley legend, he sa says ays y he ne never ever sees it ccoming. ““II n ever gget et u sed tto o iit. t. IIt’s t’s aalways lways a ssurprise, urprise, aand n it’s always a never used delight,” deligh ht”” sa ht, says ayys Kihn.

Kihn Wh hen he b egan his disc jo ckey ccareer areer e at KFOX 98.5-FM in When began jockey 11994, 994, h his is vvoice oice w was as aalready lready k known nown tto o rrock-radio ock-radio ffans; he’d cracked the Billb B oard T o op 10 a dec ade earlier with the Gr Billboard Top decade Greg Kihn Band’s hit “J “Jeopardy” eopardy” (and, incident incidentally, allyy, anti anticipated icipated the zombie craze 20 yyears ears b efore iits ts ttime ime w ith tthe he eearly-MTV arly-MTV vvideo). ideo). Back then, KFOX before with was w as what w he describ describes es as a “mom-and “mom-and-pop d-pop st station.” ation A fter years yearrs as as a Clear Clearr Channel Chan nnel affiliate, affiliate, KFOX KFOX is is now operated After byy Entercom, b Entercom, who who moved moved the the station station to to San San n Francisco Fran nc but stuck w ith its its successful successful classic-rock classic-rock format—and format—and Kihn.

Kihn. A month or so with iinto nto the the new new management, management, Kihn Kihn says says “so “so far, faarr, so so good. go ” They’re simulcasting simul lcasting KFOX on 102.1-FM 102 1 FM in San n Francisco, Francisco, increasing i the potential po tential listener listener pool pool by by about about sevenfold, sevenfold, and and promoting pro the sstation tation heavily. heavily. But But the the most most bizarre bizarre moment moment for for Kihn K came when hee was h was as introduced introduced to to his his new new program program director, director, Larry La Sharp—the man who gave gave him his first job at KFOX. ga “I thought: t ‘W ‘We’ve We’ve ccome ome full cir circle cle now now,’” w,’” sa says ayys K Kihn, who is also working on th the he same slate as long longtime time San JJose osse DJ L Laurie aurie Roberts, KFOX’s 7pm– midnight m idnight jjock. ock. ““KFOX KFOX h has as iits ts o own wn k karma. arma. IIt’s t’s a rreally e beautiful South Bay karma. k arm ma. That cconnection onnection is as str strong ong as a it it’s ’s eever ver b been.” e Meanwhile, Me ean nwhile w , he’s he’s been been working on a three-CD t ee-CD re-release thr re-r of Greg Kihn Band material mater rial and writing a screenplay screenplaay called called d 45 RPM, RPM, about ab the music industry’s mob ties ties in in the the early early ’60s. ’60s. He He intended intended it it to to be be a film, film, but bu TV networks have shown an interest, interest, e causing causing him to rethink rethink it as a potential potential Boardwalk Boa Empire–type series. He wrote wrotee that screenplay screenplaay while waiting waaiting on n development deeveelopmen for his last one, Horror Show, which h was waas an adaptation adaptation of his first no novel. oveel. He He’s ’s also a proud new grandparent.

“Let “Let m mee ssay ay iitt o one ne m more ore ttime,” ime,” d deadpans eadpans K Kihn, ihn, with a pause for dramatic effect. eff ffeectt. “I’m the luckiest man aliv alive.” e.” )

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Felipe Buitrago

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

S A N J O S E .C O M

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

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Felipe Buitr Buitrago a ago

25 B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Falafel’s Drive In

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

For the Best Chef category in Metro’s Best Of issue we look to you to pick chefs other than Manresa’s David Kinch. I’m starting to think we might need to lay down a similar provision for the Best Mediterranean food category.

Year in and year out, San Jose’s venerable Falafel’s Drive-In snags first place.

It’s as dependable as the sunrise. Open since 1966, the restaurant has become something all too rare in the forever-young Silicon Valley: It is an institution.

Generations of food-loving value seekers have come to the outpost of good, fast food for the simple menu of falafels, foul (a fava bean dish), gyros, chicken pita sandwiches and, of course, banana milkshakes.

Technically the restaurant isn’t just a Mediterranean place since it serves burgers and hot dogs and other American fare, but it’s the namesake fried chickpea ball sandwiches from the land of the Bible and Koran that made the restaurant’s reputation for affordable goodness and the mighty garbanzo ball will continue to be the restaurant’s flagship offering.

We salute you, Falafel’s Drive-In.

S A N J O S E .C O M M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

And the rest rest of this year’s year ’s hall of fame: fame:

B BEST E ST COMIC COM I C BOOK B O OK STORE S TOR E

Lee’s L ee e’s Comics Co omi mics 1020F N. Rengstorff Ave., Ave., Mountain View;; 650.965.1800.

650.965..1800. YYou ou would would hhave ave ttoo bbee SStupendous tupendous SStan tan LLee ee hhimself imself to come up with the pr proper operr superlatives to describe Lee Hester’s Hester ’ss comicc shop, shop with its ttwo wo bbranches ranches iin nM Mountain ountain V View iew aand nd SSan an Mateo.

M ateo. Over Over the the years, years, Lee’s Lee’s hhas as hhosted osted rreal eal lluminaries uminaries in in tthe he business business aatt iin-store n-store ssignings, ignings, yyears ears bbefore efore tthe he rrest est ooff tthe he w world orld film figured ((and and pparticularly articularly the the fi lm industry) industry) fi gured oout ut tthat hat tthere here w was as ssomething omething sspecial pecial iin n these polychr polychrome ome myths. H Here ere ar aree valuable vintage comics ffor or the weal lthy industry wealthy

geek as well as a $1 comics for for the ambitious scavenger.. In between, everything from scavenger from the incisively personal memoir like Alison Bechdel’s Funn Home to the seemingly oxymoronic oxymor onic Giant G Sized A Atom tom #1.

BES BEST T BI BIKE IKE STORE S T O RE

The T he Off Off Ramp Ra am mp 2320 El C Camino amino Real, Real Mountain View View, w, 650.968.2974; 650.968.297 74;; 2369 El C Camino amino Real, Santa Clara, Clar a, 408.249.2848.

408.249.2848.

4 Now that gas is headed northh of $4 a gallon, pedal power is looking more moore and mor moree attractive. attractive. With a couple thousand thouusand bikes in stock and accessories to t match, the Off Ramp has Metroo steadily upheld upheeld its reputation reputation among Metr tw wo-wheeled paradise. paradise. The voters as a two-wheeled

store offers store offers upfront upfront advice about how w to find exactly the right ride and fit, andd can also pr provide ovide expert service service and repair. repaiir.

BEST BES T NURS NURSERY ERY

Yamagami’s Y ama a aga amii’s 1361 S. De Anza Blvd., C Cupertino; upertino; 408.252.3347. gardeners want 408.252.334 47. For gar deners who wan nt to cconnect onnect with with the the valley’s valley’s agricultural agricultural heritage heritage w ith bbare-root are-root ffruit ruit ttrees, rees, ccurate urate oornamental rnamental with CCalifornia alifornia nnative ative pplants lants oorr eenjoy njoy aan n oorganic rganic vegetagle garden, garden, YYamagami’s amagami’s a pr ovides provides ppretty retty much much everything everything that’s that’s needed. needed. The The ggarden arden center center hhas as bbeen een a SSouth outh B ay ffavorite avorite Bay since it opened in 1948, and in recent recent years y YYamagami’s amagami’s a them mselves staff have dedicated themselves ttoo w orking oon n ttechnological echnological aadvancements dvancements iin n working

the field of horticulture. horticulture. This is Silicon Valley, Valleyy, after all.

BES BEST TS SPORTS PO R T S B BAR AR

Double Do oub uble D’s D’s 354 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Ave.., Los Los Gatos; 408.395.6882. Great Great food, food, o flat-screens flat-screens bbeaming eaming ggames ames ffrom rom aaround round tthe he gglobe lobe aand nd service excellent ser vice make Double D’s D s the best place to grab grab a beer andd a burger. burger. Located Located in LLos os Gatos, the sports-themed sports-thhemed bar and grill is almost guaranteed guaranteed to be be packed any time a field, And llocal ocal tteam eam takes takes the the fi eld, court court oorr iice. ce. A nd bbest est of of aall, ll, people people hhere ere rroot oot for for the the hhome ome team. Since 1996, this combination combination has aadded dded uupp ttoo an an impressive impressive set set ooff Best Of accolades. )

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THE CHEF THAT LAUNCHED A THOUSAND CHEFS

David Kinch

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

S A N J O S E .C O M

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

We’ve banned Metro readers from nominating David Kinch as best chef. He would win every year if we didn’t. As chef at Los Gatos’ Manresa, a Michelin two-star restaurant that is rated as one of the top dining spots in the world, he has created his own brand of cerebral, sometimes playful, intensely delicious cuisine. Kinch is on a plane of his own.

Although he is often referred to as a big fish in a small pond, his impact on gastronomy has rippled out of Silicon Valley. He was one of the first chefs to source his produce from his own farm. (Love Apple Farm in Santa Cruz isn’t his farm per se, but he has an exclusive contract for the superb biodynamically grown fruit and vegetables grown on the property). Now, more chefs like the French Laundry’s Thomas Keller are following his lead and growing their own.

Kinch was also out front with his series of guest chef events in which he shares the kitchen and the spotlight with outstanding chefs from around the world to produce some unforgettable meals. And what do you know? Other chefs are now following suit.

Kinch’s impact will be felt for years to come as talented cooks who once worked in his kitchen are now making names for themselves. Jeremy Fox, late of Ubuntu, Plum and the Tyler Florence Restaurant Group, and James Syhabout of Commis are two standout alums. More are being minted as we speak.

Kinch could probably make a bigger name for himself by opening spin-off restaurants in other cities (Manresa in Vegas?), but that’s not in keeping with his efforts to root his life and his work between Santa Cruz and Los Gatos. And what a delicious slice of the world it is.

BES BEST T COFFEE C O FFEE F P PLACE LACE

Los Gatos Los Gattos Coffee C off ffe ee eR Roasting oa assttin ng Company C ompan any 101 W W.. Main St., St.,, LLos os Gatos;; 408.354.3263. pretty much kickThis is the placee that pretty started the wave wavve of high-end coffeehouses coffeehouses Metroo’s Best Of voters in the valley, valleyy, and and Metr have always taken takken note in our balloting.

Usually cr owdedd, but ever accommodating, crowded, LLGCRC GCRC occupiess three three contiguous rooms rooms that offer offer plentyy of nooks nooks to call one’s one’s own. The bench hes out front front ar benches aree coveted ffor or taking in a sunny s day and watching the cyclists, dogg walkers and LLos os Gatos denizens on pa parade. rade.

B BEST E ST M MUSIC USIC S STORE T OR E

BES BEST TS SEAFOOD EAF OO D

BES BEST TC CHOCOLATE H O C O LATE

Streetlight S treetlight Records R ec e ord ds

Steamer’s S team amer’ e ’s Grillhouse G rillhouse

Schurr Schurra’s u ra’s Fine Fin ne Confections C onf nfecti e ions n

98 980 80 S. Bascom Ave., Ave., San Jose; 888.330.7776.

88 88.330.7776. A Ass other CCalifornia alifornia rrecord ecorrd shops sh hops that did things right spun off multiple m ultiple locations (Amoeba, Rasputin), SStreetlight t eetlight tr g has been the South Bay’s y claim claaim indie-record-shop too indie-r ecord-shop fame. fame. It remains remains a note-perfect no ote-perfect model ffor or rrecord ecord stores stores the thhe way weree meant to be created: wa ay they wer created: by the ffans, ans, for for the fans. fans. From From the densely packed paccked aisles ai sles to the live music shows to the ““staff staff pick” pi ck” write-ups with so much to say they theey rread ead like liner notes, Streetlight Streetlight is at the the fforefront o efront of the post-Tower or post--Toower music store store experience. ex xperience.

31 University A Ave., ve., LLos os Ga Gatos; atos; 408.395.2722. The only way w for for a restaurant restaurant to endur enduree thr three ee decades iss to do a few few well. must tthings hings rreally eally w ell. First, First, iitt m ust provide provide the the comingg ppersonal service service to keepp rregulars eg egulars in. Second, back and new customers coming c they have to offer offer a welcoming welcoming setting. And third, thir d, the ffood ood has got to be b really really good.

SSteamer’s teamer ’s Grillhouse Grillhouse in in Los Los Gatos Gatos has has bbeen een nailing all three three since 1979 1979.

9. Fr Fresh esh seaf seafood, ood, friendly people and a warm warm, m, inviting dining rroom oom have have made made Steamer’s Steamer ’s m more ore tthan han a dependable neighborhoodd restaurant. restaurant. It’s It’s a Silicon Valley Valley institution.

840 The Alameda, Alaameda, San Jose;; 408.289.1562.

408.289.1562.

Founded nea nearly arly a century ago (seriously, (seriouslyy, it was estab established blished in 1912 in Modesto and San Schurra’s moved to Sa an Jose in the 1930s), Schur ra’s to go has longg been beeen the place p g for for specialp occasion gift gift baskets filled with sweets, apples candied app ples and chocolate-dipped strawberries. str awberriess. Its dependably delectable Metroo rreaders eaders desserts have havve kept Metr hankering for for o mor e, continually voting more, Schur ra’s as a valley ffavorite. avorite. The ffamilyamilySchurra’s owned tr eattery also opened an outpost at treatery the San Josee Mineta Airport in 2010.

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Ramen Halu 375 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.246.3933. Silicon Valley is a culinary focal point for ramen, Japanese soup and noodles that is worlds apart from the 69-cent packaged stuff you can pick up at 7-Eleven. Ramen Halu serves ramen that all others should be judged by. Slurp with abandon.

Kumako 211 Jackson St., San Jose.

408.286.2111 Maru Ichi 530 Barber Lane, Milpitas, 408.434.5991; 368 Castro St., Mountain View, 650.564.9931

M A RC H 9-15, 2011

BEST GREEN (AS IN ECO) RESTAURANT

Good Karma

BEST PARK 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos; 408.356.2729. This expansive, sprawling park has something for everyone. Vasona Lake County Park’s 150 acres include hiking trails, climbing structures for kids, picnic areas and long stretches of grass for cartwheeling, frisbee or soccer, plus the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, which begins across the way at Oak Meadow Park.

Castle Rock State Park 15000 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos; 408.867.2952 History Park 1650 Senter Road, San Jose; 408.287.2290

BEST HIKING

Castle Rock 15000 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos; 408.867.2952. Castle Rock is known for its challenging hiking trails, which can be adventuresomely steep. Notched rock structures frame much of the park’s many paths, which lead in and out of the forests along Highway 9 with amazing views out over the wilderness.

Los Gatos Creek Trail 1250 Dell Ave., Campbell; 408.356.2729 Rancho San Antonio 22500 Cristo Rey Dr., Los Altos; 650.691.1200

BEST BIKING TRAIL

Los Gatos Creek Trail 1250 Dell Ave., Campbell; 408.356.2729.

For hikers and bikers alike, the Los Gatos Creek Trail provides a great commute, with wide-open stretches and plenty of friendly faces, especially from leashed dogs eagerly tugging at their owners.

The path is completely paved and divided into two clear lanes and has entrances in Campbell, Los Gatos and Willow Glen.

Coyote Creek Trail & Hellyer Park, Coyote Creek County Park 995 Hellyer Ave., San Jose; 408.225.0225 Joseph D. Grant Park, Mt. Hamilton 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road, San Jose; 408.274.6121

BEST HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

Christmas in the Park Plaza de Casar Chavez, Park Avenue and Market Street, San Jose; 408.995.6635.

Since 1950, Christmas in the Park, first on Willow Street, then at City Hall and now in Plaza de Cesar Chavez, has delighted families from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

The retro animated elves, reindeer and mice—not to mention the Christmas train and Santa House—evoke pleasant memories of holidays past. The fake snow is picturesque without being slushy. It’s free, but some donations would help keep the tradition alive in hard times.

Oktoberfest, Campbell East Campbell Avenue, Campbell; 408.378.6252

Fantasy of Lights, Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos; 408.356.2729

BEST COMMUNITY MUSIC SERIES

Music in the Park Thursdays, June to August; Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Park Avenue and Market Street, San Jose; 408.279.1775. For more than 20 years, the summer concert series in downtown San Jose has drawn major performers (Pete Escovedo, Tony Lindsay, English Beat, Pato Baton, et al.) and big crowds to unwind after work. With two acts every Thursday, starting around 5:30pm, and no admission charge ever, Music in the Park has become one of the bedrocks of San Jose’s summer scene.

Metro has been sponsoring it all along.

San Jose Jazz Festival Various venues, downtown San Jose; sanjosejazz.org Music in the Park, Los Gatos Civic Center, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.1155

BEST HOOKAH BAR

Smoke This 2271 The Alameda, Santa Clara; 408.247.6653. Smoke This is easily the most popular hookah lounge in the valley; on weekends, getting your smoke on practically requires crowd control. The three secrets to their success: sink-intoyour-couch comfort, attentive service and an intriguing menu of flavors.

Giza Hookah Lounge 18 N. First St., San Jose; 408.998.4622 Shisha Hookah Lounge 84 N. Market St., San Jose; 408.298.0300

BEST ETHNIC MARKET

Mi Pueblo Multiple locations. Safeway has a lone “ethnic foods” aisle, but at Mi Pueblo every aisle offers delicious things to eat from Latin America. If you’re fond of Mexican food—and who isn’t?—this is your onestop shop. Check out the in-store taqueria and grilled chicken.

Mitsuwa Marketplace 675 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.255.6699 Bahar International Market 811 W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell; 408.378.7477

BEST PEARL TEAS

Fantasia

Multiple locations. It’s not hard to remember a time when bubble tea wasn’t available in every mall and shopping center in Silicon Valley. But now the Taiwaneseinspired tapioca ball and sweet milk tea phenomena has created a whole new beverage category. And Fantasia Coffee & Tea leads the pack.

Hydration Coffee & Tea 310 S. Third St., San Jose; 408.298.9968 Cafe Zen 43749 Boscell Road, Fremont; 510.656.1638

BEST SMARTPHONE OS

iPhone With a high-resolution display, intuitive finger commands

)

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Vasona Lake

MI PUEBLO Fresh yogurt and rice pudding are among the many treats at the new Best Ethnic Market.

S A N J O S E .C O M

37 S. First St., San Jose; 408.294.2694.

Given the environmental impact of meat, going without is one of the best things you can do for the environment. But going without need not be about deprivation.

Good Karma has all of the bases covered: friendly staff, locally owned, a cool vibe and meat-free vegan food that is good enough to attract vegans and carnivores alike.

Straits 333 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.246.6320 Flea St. Cafe 3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park; 650.854.1226

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BEST RAMEN

NEW CATEGORIES Jen Anderson

BEST OF SILICON VALLEY READERS’ PICKS

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and a wide lead in applications, the iPhone continues to be the smartest of smartphones, as vouched for by our readers in a sweeping victory in this ďŹ rst-time Best Of category. As the NRA types used to say, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get my iPhone when you pry it from my cold dead ďŹ ngers.

Android Blackberry

BEST INTERNET TV OPTION

Netflix streaming The stock goes down, goes way up, comes back down again. Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. Having pretty much vanquished video stores, NetďŹ&#x201A;ix now has Hollywood studio executives shaking in their Guccis at the thought that the Los Gatosâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;based company will colonize the movie industry the way iTunes did the music business. People want the convenience, the immediacy and the one-stop shopping for movies that NetďŹ&#x201A;ix provides. A variety of devices interface properly, and the base price is cheaper than waiting for DVDs to arrive by snail mail.

Appletv/iTunes GoogleTV (Sony, Logitech Revue)

BEST LAWYER, FAMILY

Moreno Family Law Firm 1800 Hamilton Ave., San Jose; 408.266.9011.

Known for working quickly and treating clients with respect, Moreno Family Law Firm specializes in separations as well as bringing people together. Divorce is never easy, but Morenoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorneys have a reputation for at least making it amicable. And in case youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not so sure about him/her going into the marriage, the ďŹ rm also has expertise in devising pre-nups.

Phil Hammer 60 S. Market St. #1400, San Jose; 408.287.9501 Blecher and Hubbell 1500 E. Hamilton Ave. #201, Campbell; 408.369.1010

BEST LARGE LAW FIRM

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25 Metro Dr., San Jose; 408.573.5700.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than trying to get an attorney on the phone with an important question, and then never hearing back.

Silicon Valley Law Group specializes in a variety of business law, but its priority is to provide answers at the speed of business.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati 650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto; 650.493.9300 Hopkins & Carley 70 S. First St., San Jose; 408.286.9800

BEST LAWYER, BUSINESS

Guy Caputo 480 N. First St. #101, San Jose; 408.603.7688. The economy has made times more than a little difďŹ cult, which is why ďŹ nding a lawyer like Guy Caputo could be the difference between having a roof over your head or being out on the street.

Offering free consultations and specializing in bankruptcy and creditor harassment, looking up Caputo could be worth the time when in a tough spot.

Cynthia G. Starkey 1153 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.247.3454 Jon G. Brooks 941 W. Hedding St., San Jose; 408.286.2766

BEST LAWYER, CRIMINAL

Nolan, Armstrong & Barton, LLP 600 University Ave., Palo Alto; 650.326.2980. Guilty or not guilty, the ďŹ rst call to make when charged with a serious crime should go to the ďŹ rm of Nolan, Armstong & Barton. All three partners are listed as some of the best in the country by www.BestLawyers.com. And since this is Silicon Valley, the ďŹ rm is especially adept at handling white-collar crime cases.

Albie Jachimowicz 2007 W. Hedding St. #100, San Jose; 408.217.0356 Steven Clark 10 Almaden Blvd. #1250, San Jose; 408.271.3245

BEST LITIGATOR

Steve Ellenberg 125 S. Market St. #1001, San Jose; 888.496.0311. A Columbia Law School graduate who was born in France and attended UC-Berkeley as an undergraduate, Steve Ellenberg is widely considered to be one of the most ethical attorneys in the Bay Area.

Marc Eisenhart 125 S. Market St. #1200, San Jose; 408.288.8100 Bradley Bening 50 W. San Fernando St. #400, San Jose; 408.289.1972

BEST SMALL DOWNTOWN

Campbell As a model for small-town success, it would be hard to do better than Campbell.

From the layout of its 100 percent walkable downtown and the cross-generational appeal of its broad range of culinary, drink and shopping options to its weekly farmers market and annual soirees (see Best Local Festival), there are plenty of reasons this place is always packed.

Los Gatos Willow Glen

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BEST OF SILICON VALLEY EDITORS’ PICKS

NEW CATEGORIES BEST HIGH-END RAMEN

Alexander’s 10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino; 408.446.2222. Ramen is one the strengths of Silicon Valley’s food scene. Most ramen shops occupy unremarkable strip malls and shopping centers, but Alexander’s Steakhouse, home of outrageously expensive Kobe beef and quadruple-digit bottles of wine, also happens to make a very fine bowl of ramen for lunch.

Chef Jeffrey Stout offers a thoroughly respectable version that can hang with the best of them—pork belly, shiitake mushroom, a soft-cooked egg and firm noodles in a salty, rich broth.

BEST REVOLUTIONARY STREET BREW

Aromatic Arabic at Philz Coffee 118 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose; 408.971.4212. To celebrate those on the street, fighting to overthrow dictators and paving their own way toward a better future, we raise our mugs at Philz Coffee.

The brews on the menu are grouped into light, medium and dark roasts, the latter of which includes Aromatic Arabic. A bold and luxurious layer of Arabian coffee makes it smooth, incredibly dark and pungent with a full-bodied finish. If you take it completely black, you can almost chew on it, but with cream and sugar, a menagerie of aromas begin to unwind and make themselves apparent. A favorite morning blend after the revolution.

BEST ROYAL FAMILY FOOD ON THE SALT FLATS

Lunch With Tony 5202 N. First St., Alviso; 408.493.6090.

The Santos Family constitutes the royal blood of Alviso—sort of like the Jesus and Mary Magdalene bloodline of the salt flats. Proprietor Tony comes from a legendary and colorful family of Alvisans.

His grandfather Tony P. Santos served time as mayor and police chief eons ago when Alviso was still its own city. Tony P. passed in 2004 and a street now bears his name.

The eatery itself is a pure-hearted familyrun operation of the most regal sort. For lunch with the divine right of Alviso kings, Metro recommends Lunch With Tony, even it’s your last supper before the crucifixion.

BEST PLACE TO WORK ON YOUR JAMAICAN ACCENT

Mango Caribbean 435 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; 650.324.9443. Mango’s has been through several ups and downs over the years, but still provides ultraspicy jerk chicken amid

an exotic Caribbean milieu—jam-packed with bearded warriors on the walls, tropical plants, bananas and soft reggae music emanating from the stereo. You don’t even have to utter a Jamaican-style “man” after every sentence. The rattan chairs feature high backs, enabling much-needed neck support while you slump down after the food. Even the rice is flavorful and spicy.

Add a few Red Stripes and some Matouk’s Calypso Sauce and the rest of the day is smooth sailing, Caribbean style.

BEST FAKE PHONE NUMBER TO GIVE TO A CREEPY GUY

California Vasectomy & Reversal Center 2490 Hospital Drive #210, Mountain View, 650.962.4662. Is this a childish thing to do? Yes. Is it funny as all hell? Well, yeah.

Some guys just can’t take a hint to scram, even if it was delivered with the dull end of a hammer to the head. A word of warning: Make sure the guy doesn’t try to swap numbers by calling right away. That would just be all kinds of awkward.

BEST STEAM ENGINE

Baldwin No. 1215 <Photo credit: Daniel Kouba> History Park San Jose, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. After an epic move last November, the 75-ton 1913 Baldwin steam engine No. 1215, now sits majestically on a small stretch of track just inside History Park’s fence along Senter Road. After many years of painstaking restoration by the dedicated members of the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation, the mighty switcher engine has been meticulously restored and given a coat of fresh black paint with red trim. It serves as a lasting monument to the glory days of railroading.

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC CASHIERS

Unicorn Thrift 1181 Redmond Ave., San Jose; 408.997.9188. It isn’t uncommon to hear “What a great find!” and “How cute!” flow forth from the friendly folks behind the counter while being rung up at Unicorn Thrift Shop. Unicorn Thrift Shop’s allvolunteer staff members are genuinely interested in the gently used goodies brought to the register by its customers.

When not on duty, these friendly helpers shop the store themselves and can also be found in line comparing notes with other shoppers looking for a good deal. What’s even better? Along with the Butter Paddle and Happy Dragon Thrift Shop, both )

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Best part of having a Mighty Arrow with your faithful four-legged friend? You don’t have to share any ofArrow this Cascade, Golding, Mighty came back! and Amarillo Ale.this Do share Just in hopped time forPale spring, a photopale of your mightyand dogbounds and fetching ale leaps we’ll throw you a bone at with Cascade, Golding, and Amarillo facebook.com/newbelgium. hops.

Our brewed tribute to our co-founder Kim’s dog will have you calling, “Atta girl, Arrow!” newbelgium.com

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STEAM POWER The 1913 Baldwin locomotive No. 1215 on its way to its new perch at History Park San Jose.

BEST LOCAL PHOTO PROJECT

Lost San Jose

BEST HODGEPODGE HALL OF MIRRORS

La Casita de Kaleidoscopes 389 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.370.7877. The brand-new Casita de Kaleidoscopes has claimed its role in humanity: by placing a kaleidoscope in every home, it will help promote world peace. What a concept. Recently relocating from Albuquerque, N.M., this bizarre gallery continues to offer an array of kaleidoscopes from an array of creative types. New kaleidoscopes, old kaleidoscopes, limitededition kaleidoscopes, candy kaleidoscopes,

BEST REASON TO BE GLAD IT’S FALL OR WINTER

Original Joe’s Crab Salad 301 S. First St., San Jose; 408.292.7030. How could something be so simple and so decadent at the same time? The secret is volume. OJ’s serves up a big, big pile of fresh crabmeat on top of a big pile of crisp romaine. That’s it.

From November through March—the peak of the local Dungeness crab season—this uncomplicated meal is almost too much.

BEST SIGNS POINTING TO THE FUTURE

Tesla and Solyndra Highway 880, Fremont. The Solyndra plant, which is now churning out next-gen solar panels, was the biggest construction project in California last year, after the Bay Bridge. And in just a couple of years, Tesla has become a cooler automotive brand than Ferrari. Seeing their two signs on Highway 880 just north of the Fremont-Milpitas border is a happy reminder that one day soon, we will all be driving solar-powered electric cars, and the green-tech revolution will revive the world economy. It’s not just the hippies making that prediction; some of the most powerful VCs in Silicon Valley— including John Doerr and Vinod Khosla—are betting a lot of money on it.

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

www.LostSanJose.com. Believe it or not, there was life in the San Jose area before Silicon Valley. This area has a rich history that runs deeper than the latest, greatest gadget or mirrored building and Josh Marcotte is committed to preserving it. Armed only with a camera, Marcotte takes to the streets to document the fading and slowly crumbling buildings, landmarks, signage and structures of the San Jose of old for a photo project that he refers to as Lost San Jose. Now 10 years and several cameras into the project, Marcotte is creating a visual tribute to what he calls “a city that’s hidden, overlooked and unwanted.”

marble kaleidoscopes, jewelry made from kaleidoscopes—these folks have it all. A completely, absolutely inimitable place.

Campbell will never be the same.

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located in Los Gatos, Unicorn Thrift Shop’s proceeds benefit the EMQ Families First organization, which supports children living in impoverished and traumatic situations.

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Pho 69 321 S. First St., San Jose; 408.289.8521.

Open just a few months, Pho 69 scores with its fresh approach to Vietnamese food, industrial-chic decor and friendly staff.

Bluefin 754 The Alameda, San Jose; 408.931.6875

Jen Anderson

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Treatbot (Karaoke Ice Cream Truck) San Jose; 408.548.7328

BEST RESTAURANT (CULINARY EXCELLENCE)

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Alexander’s

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10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino; 408.446.2222. Alexander’s Steakhouse is a recession-defying phenomenon. $100 steaks? $1,000 bottles of wine. Yes, please. Alexander’s has become Silicon Valley’s go-to spot for decadent dining and professional service.

Le Papillon 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.296.3730 Manresa 320 Village Lane, Los Gatos; 408.354.4330

BEST CHEF

Scott Cooper

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

Le Papillon, 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.296.3730. Chef Cooper’s story is almost too good to be true. He started as a dishwasher in his family’s restaurant and became one of Silicon Valley’s culinary stars as an executive chef. Taste his food, and you’ll become a believer.

Jeffrey Stout, Alexander’s Steakhouse 10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino; 408.446.2222 Matthew LeGentry, Grill on the Alley 172 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.294.2244

BEST AMERICAN RESTAURANT

Flames Downtown 88 S. Fourth St., San Jose; 408.971.1960.

Because we are a nation of immigrants, defining American food can be a challenge. Flames makes as good a stab at a definition as any: hearty, satisfying plates of burgers, sandwiches, french fries, sprawling breakfasts with Bloody Marys on the side and lots and lots of cakes all served in the comfort of a plush booth.

Los Gatos Brewing Company 130G N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.395.9929; 163 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.292.9928 Sonoma Chicken Multiple locations

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BEST OF SILICON VALLEY READERS’ PICKS

PSYCHO DONUTS Nurse Claire Hein shows off the Comfortably Numb donut, one of many reasons that Psycho was honored for Best Donuts.

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FOOD F OO D & D DRINK RI NK ( 41 Jen Anderson

BES BEST TJ JAPANESE A ANES E AP RESTAURANT R ES TAURANT U

Kazoo Kaz azoo

POOR HOUSE BISTRO When it comes to Cajun food like crawdads, Poor House is rich in fans.

P Poor o oo or H House ouse u Bistro Bistrro

R Race ace Street Street S Seafood eafoodKitchen Kitchen 247 Race S 247 St., t., San Jose;; 408.287.6280.

408.2877..6280.

YYou’ve ou’ve gotta love a seafood seafood rrestaurant estaurant that also has its own seaf seafood o market. Race ood Seafood SStreet treet Seaf ood Kitchen serves serrves right-offthe-boat seafood seafood that you y u know is fresh fresh because you can look at it right there there in the display case.

McCormick and Schmick’s McCormick an dS chmi h ck’’s 170 S. Market St., St., San Jose; 408.283.7200 408.2283.7200 S Scott’s cott’’s Seafood Seafood Grill Grilll & Bar 855 El Camino Camino Real #1, P Palo alo Al Alto, to, 650.323.1553; 650.323.1553; 185 Park Park Ave., Ave., San Jose, 408.971.1700.

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BEST BES T CHINESE C H INES E RESTAURANT R ES TAURANT

T Taiwan a aiiwa an RRestaurant esstta e au urra an nt 1306 Lincoln Ave., Ave., San Jose; Josse; 408.289.8800. Year Year after year, y , Taiwan year Taiwan a Restaurant Restaur ant gets a top-three top-three e nod from from Metroo readers Metr readers ffor or best Chi Chinese nese ffood. ood.

And why not? The Willow Glen G location, comprehensive compr ehensive menu and attentive staff make it easy to love.

Mandarin Gourmet Mandarin G ourmet 10145 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, Cupertino, 408.725.8168; 4

BES BEST T SMALL SMA M LL RESTAURANT R ESTAURANT

N Nick’s ick’’s o on nM Main ain a 35 E.. Main St., St., t LLos os Gatos;; 408.399.6457 408.399.6457.

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Metroo rreaders’ eaders’ pick ffor or best Nick’s on Mainn is Metr ssmall mall restaurant, restaurant, bbut ut tthere’s here’s nnothing othing ssmall mall about chef/owner chef/ow wner Nick Difu’s cuisine. LLook ook ffor or big and bold plates p of inspired inspired new American cuisine served servedd in an intimate setting.

Pedro St., St., San 71 St. Peter 71 S t. P eter 71 N. San Pedro Jose; 408.971.8523 408.9711.8523 R Restaurant es e taurra ant J James ames R Randall andall 303 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Ave., Los Los Gatos; 408.395.4441 408.395.44441

BES BEST T KOREAN K O REAN RESTAURANT R ES TAURANT U

Omogari Omoga ari 154 Jackson St., St., San Jose;; 408.288.8134.

Valley’s While most of o Silicon V alley’s KKorean orean rrestaurants estaurants ar aaree cluster clustered ed on El Camino Camino Real i Santa in S t Clar Clara, Cl a, Omogari O i is i a standout t d t in i San Jose—inn Japantown, no less. For those not yet fans fans of Omogari, the menu includes pictures pictur es of many m dishes to help give you a better idea ooff what you’re you’re or dering. ordering.

1783 83 W. W. Korean Buffet Korean BBQ B Buff u et 17 San Carlos Carlos SSt., t San Jose; 408.280.1866 t., 408.280.1866 S Sunny unn ny B Bo Bowl owl 14 1477 77 Plymouth St. St. ) 44 #C, Mountain n View; 650.625.0361

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BEST BES T SEAFOOD S EAF OO D RESTAURANT R ES TAURANT

Original Ori rig ginal J Joe’s o oe e’s 301 S. First S St., t., San Jose;; 408.292.7030.

Original Joe’s Joe’ss oozes authenticity and stability.. That stability That’s t’s probably probably why, why, when it talking comes to talk king business over lunch, the rrestaurant estaurant is the ffavorite avorite of the suit-andcrowd. tie cr owd. Of course a satisfying menu of Italian-American Italian-Amer ican food food helps, too. t., San Jose; Billy Berk’s Billly Ber rk’’s 99 S. First SSt., 408 292 4300 408.292.4300 0 Blue Bl ue e Rock Roc o k BBQ 3001 Meridian Avenue, Avenue, San Jose; 408.978.2583 408.978.2583

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91 S.. Autumn St., St., San Jose; Josee;; 408.292.5837.

408.292.58377.

CCajun ajun food food is one of America’s Ameriica’s most celebrated celebr ated regional regional cuisines cuisinees and San Jose’s Jose’s Poor P oor House Bistr Bistroo serves serves up u a delicious boy homage to the food. food. Po’ Po’ bo oy sandwiches, jambalaya, gumbo, live music muusic and cold glasses of Abita beer—this beer—this is the place. t., P Palo alo Al Alto; to; Nola Nola 535 Ramona SSt., 650.328.2722 R Roux oux Louisiana Louisiana Kitchen Kitchen 3055 Olin A Ave., ve., San Jose; 408.2 408.249.8000 49.8000

BES BEST TB BUSINESS U S INESS L LUNCH UN CH

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BEST BES T CAJUN CA J UN RESTAURANT R ES S TAURANT

250 Jackson St., St., San Jose, 408.288.9611; 1165 Lincoln Ave. Ave.. #110, San Jose, 408.971.7755.

408.971.7755 5. All aboard aboard the sushi boat express. expr ess. Japantown’s Japaantown’s KKazoo azoo delivers what Metroo readers Metr readerrs want: generous generous portions of sushi, sashimi sashim mi and other Japanese food food in a friendly, friendly, good-times goodd-times setting.

Camino Real, Menlo Gombei Gombei 1438 El Camino Park, 650.329.1799; 650.329 9.1799; 193 E. Jackson Jackson St., St., Park, 408 8.279.4311; 3533 Homestead San Jose, 408.279.4311; C a, 408.260.0880; 155 E. Clar Road, Santa Clara, Ave., Sunnyvale, S Maude Ave., 408.735.7777 H House ouse o off G Genji en njji 1335 N. First SSt., t., San Jose; 407.453.8120 4077.453 . 3.8120

B E S T O F S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

420 Ramona SSt., t., P Palo alo Al Alto, to, 650.328.8898; 5560 Santa TTeresa eeresa Blvd., San Jose, 408.281.8898.

408.281.8898 8.

Ch Chef ef Ch Chu’s u’s 1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos; Los Al tos; 650.948.2696 650.948.2696

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BEST DIM SUM

Dynasty 1001 Story Road, San Jose, 408.286.6668; 10123 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, 408.996.1680. With locations in San Jose and Cupertino, Dynasty has the South Bay covered. Come lunchtime, the dining room is as crowded as 280 at rush hour with little carts wheeling a parade of dim sum.

Park yourself a while and enjoy one of Silicon Valley’s premier purveyors of the Hong Kong–style tea snack.

ABC Seafood 768 Barber Lane #206, Milpitas; 408.435.8887 Mayflower 1080 Saratoga Ave. #5, San Jose; 408.246.9550

BEST LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT

Cascal 400 Castro St., Mountain View; 650.940.9500. Irresistibly tempting to our voters is Cascal’s delicious menu, which ranges from Spain to Latin America, with the wine and cocktails to match.

Azúcar Latin Bistro & Mojito Bar 71 E. San Fernando St., San Jose; 408.293.8482 La Costa Del Sol 2951 Monterey Road, San Jose; 408.226.5300

BEST CUBAN RESTAURANT

La Habana Cuba 238 Race St., San Jose; 408.998.2822.

San Jose’s La Habana Cuba has long been an outpost of Cuban culture and cuisine, and the restaurant continues to serve the hearty, satisfying flavors of the island nation. Ropa vieja, zarzuela de mariscos, lechon a la Cubana, it’s all here.

La Bodeguita del Medio 463 S. California Ave., Palo Alto; 650.326.7762 Los Cubanos Restaurant 22 N. Almaden Ave., San Jose; 408.279.0134

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

El Burro Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #570, Campbell; 408.371.5800. Metro readers like some American in their Mexican food, and El Burro delivers with hulking burritos, heavyon-the-cheese enchiladas and big frosty margaritas.

Tlaquepaque 2222 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.978.3665; 721 Willow St., San Jose, 408.287.9777; 699 Curtner Ave., San Jose, 408.448.1230 La Victoria 5015 Almaden Expwy., San Jose, 408.978.7666; 140 E. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.298.5335; 131 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.993.8230

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

Amber India 2290 El Camino Real #9, Mountain View, 650.968.7511; 600 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, 650.968.1751; 377 Santana Row #1140, San Jose; 408.248.5400.

Amber India owns the fine-Indian-dining category with a refined but still 100 percent authentic spin on Indian food. The stylish dining room and delicious cocktails only add to the experience.

Rangoli 3695 Union Ave., San Jose; 408.377.2222 Tandoori Oven Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 408.559.3885; 133 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.395.1784; 365 California Ave., Palo Alto, 650.324.2111; 150 S. First St. #107, San Jose, 408.292.7222

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

Le Papillon 410 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.296.3730.

Le Papillon isn’t a strictly French restaurant. Chef Scott Cooper draws inspiration from Japan, America and elsewhere. But the fundamentals of the food are decidedly French, and the result is some very fine food indeed.

La Fondue 14550 Big Basin Way #3, Saratoga; 408.867.3332 Left Bank Brasserie 635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650.473.6543; 377 Santana Row, San Jose, 408.984.3500

BEST ITALIAN FINE DINING

Original Joe’s 301 S. First St., San Jose; 408.292.7030.

Some of Original Joe’s famously gruff waiters might dispute whether the restaurant is really fine dining, but Metro readers don’t. Those tuxedoed waiters serve heaping plates of satisfying ItalianAmerican food backed by a full service bar and a dining room with a great big city vibe.

Il Fornaio 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto, 650.853.3888; 302 S. Market St., San Jose, 408.271.3366 Bella Mia 58 S. First St., San Jose; 408.280.1993

BEST MODERATELY PRICED ITALIAN FOOD

Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too 939 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View, 650.967.5384; 5245 Prospect Road, San Jose, 408.446.9644. At one point Italian food ceased to be ethnic food and became American food. Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too celebrates the big flavors ) 47

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Estimated MPG for Vespa S 150, your mileage may vary. Vespa Winter Sale Incentives up to $1000 off select 2010 models, offer expires April 30, 2011.

Piaggio© and Vespa© are U.S. and worldwide registered trademarks of the Piaggio Group of companies. Obey local traffic safety laws and always wear a helmet, appropriate eyewear and proper apparel.

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Always wear a helmet, proper riding gear and ride responsibly.

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BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT

Falafel’s Drive-In 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; 408.294.7886. So far no restaurant has been able to dethrone the mighty Falafel’s Drive-In. Yes, they serve great falafels, but Metro readers love the whole package: chicken sandwiches, hummus, gyros and, of course, the banana shakes.

Morocco’s 86 N. Market St., San Jose; 408.998.1509 Dishdash 190 S. Murphy St., Sunnyvale; 408.774.1889

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

Krungthai

BRING US YOUR WOMEN’S & MEN’S CLOTHES :: CURRENT STYLES NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

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CASH ON THE SPOT

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FRIENDLY BUYERS

580 N. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, 408.248.3435; 640 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose, 408.260.8224. Thai restaurants abound in Silicon Valley but Krungthai stands apart with its expansive, ever-fresh menu of Thai standards like pad thai and green curry along with lesser-known dishes that delve deeper into Thai cuisine. And they’re not afraid to make it hot.

Blue Mango 635 Coleman Ave., San Jose, 408.885.9222; 4996 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, 408.248.7191 House of Siam 151 S. Second St., San Jose; 408.295.3397

BEST MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT

E&O 96 S. First St., San Jose; 408.938.4100.

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Bring Your Fashion SAN JOSE: 1959 w. san carlos 408.292.6100 SAN JOSE: blossom hill rd. 408.269.1000 SANTA CRUZ: 811 pacific av. 831.458.0555 www.crossroadstrading.com

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190 S. Murphy St., Sunnyvale; 408.774.1889. Mediterranean food goes well beyond falafels and hummus. Dishdash celebrates the delicious complexity of Mediterranean food with a menu that leans heaviest on the Middle East in unexpected but always tasty ways.

Thea Mediterranean 3090 Olsen Dr., San Jose; 408.260.1444 Cafe Artemis Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell; 408.626.8100

Opa! 27 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.399.7417; 1384 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.998.8704. The exclamation point is fitting for such an exuberant, easy-to-love Greek restaurant. Opa! serves a crowdpleasing menu of Greek-American classics that begin with feta-topped Opa! fries.

Dio Deka 210 E. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.7700 Yiassoo 2180 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 408.559.0312; 10660 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, 408.253.5544

Photo: AUDRE VAN BROERS

Dishdash

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of one of America’s favorite foods with this easy-to-love (and easy-to-overeat at) restaurant.

Giorgio’s 643 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, 408.942.1292; 1445 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose, 408.264.5781 Mio Vicino 1290 Benton St., Santa Clara; 408.241.9414

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HENRY’S HI-LIFE For barbecue, Henry’s leads the way.

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AQUI The margaritas are rated the best, from the Industrial Strength to the Sangria Swirl.

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together to serve fresh-tasting, exotic food to an adoring Silicon Valley clientele.

Banana Leaf 182 Ranch Dr., Milpitas; 408.719.9811 Layang Layang 181 W. Calaveras Blvd., Mipitas, 408.263.6788; 1480 S. De Anza Blvd., San Jose, 408.777.8897

BEST PHO

Pho 69 321 S. First St., San Jose; 408.289.8521.

Beef noodle soup sounds simple but it’s easy to go astray. Newcomer Pho 69 get it right: deep, aromatic broth, springy noodles and fresh beef and vegetables.

Pho Hoa Multiple locations Pho Y #1 1660 E. Capitol Expwy., San Jose, 408.274.1769; 2050 Concourse Dr., San Jose, 408.526.0880

Super Tacqueria Multiple locations Taqueria Tlaquepaque 2222 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.978.3665; 721 Willow St., San Jose, 408.287.9777; 699 Curtner Ave., San Jose, 408.448.1230

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Alexander’s 10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino; 408.446.2222. How can you top a steakhouse that not only dry-ages its own beef, but serves real, Japanese-raised Kobe beef, grass-fed beef and American beef along with an encyclopedic wine list, a great staff and opulent surroundings? Well, apparently you can’t.

Henry’s Hi-Life 301 W. St. John St., San Jose; 408.295.5414 Forbes Mill Steakhouse 206 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.6434

BEST TAQUERIA

La Victoria 140 E. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.298.5335; 5015 Almaden Expwy., San Jose, 408.978.7666; 131 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.993.8230. Isn’t it kind of ironic that a taqueria with the name La Victoria is the perennial victor in the Best Taqueria category? Or maybe it’s a selffulfilling prophecy. Whatever. Metro readers know what they like, and they like La Vic a lot, with extra orange sauce on the side.

BEST BREAKFAST

Bill’s Cafe 2089 The Alameda, San Jose, 408.244.9085; 302 N. Bascom Ave., San Jose, 408.287.2455; 5631 Cottle Road, San Jose, 408.629.2400; 1115 Willow St., San Jose, 408.294.1125. Looking for an atypical meat-and-eggs combo? Bill’s serves it.

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BEST BARBECUE

Henry’s Hi-Life

BEST HAWAIIAN

Hukilau

Straits Santana Row 333 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.246.6320.

Straits takes the spices and culinary traditions of Singapore, India, China, Thailand and other Asian countries and marries them together to create flavorful plates—curries, samosas, stir fries and satays, all in one place.

E & O Trading Company 96 S. First St., San Jose; 408.938.4100 Elephant Bar 499 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell, 408.871.8401; 19780 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 408.865.0701; 39233 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, 510.742.6221

BEST ASIAN VEGETARIAN

Happy Bamboo 1711 Branham Lane, #A9, San Jose; 408.684.0740. The Asian vegetarian food at Happy Bamboo goes well beyond rice and tofu. There’s mock chicken, vegetarian pho and, incongruously, Hungarian goulash.

Blue Mango 635 Coleman Ave., San Jose, 408.885.9222; 4996 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, 408.248.7191

BEST VEGETARIAN OVERALL

Good Karma 37 S. First St., San Jose; 408.294.2694.

Besides offering an array of flavors (curries, pork buns, dahl, chile verde—all made without meat products), Good Karma also displays works of local artists and occasionally hosts live music. And there’s beer on tap, such as hemp ale, which is cutely priced at $4.20.

Falafel’s Drive-In 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; 408.294.7886 Tofoo Com Chay 388 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.6335

BEST RESTAURANT PATIO

Aqui Willow Glen 1145 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.995.0381.

Even in winter, Aqui’s Willow Glen location has Metro readers wanting to eat outside.

The restaurant boasts a beautiful patio with heat lamps and a softly flowing water fountain, and there’s plenty of people watching to be had in Willow Glen.

Gordon Biersch 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650.323.7723; 33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 408.294.6785 Left Bank Brasserie 635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650.473.6543; 377 Santana Row, San Jose, 408.984.3500

BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEEHOUSE

Barefoot 5237 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara; 408.248.4500. Barefoot does a lot of things right. It sources its own beans from small, artisanal growers committed to ecologically sound farming. It roasts each batch of beans with care and craftsmanship. And it brews those beans with the same reverence. Now that’s a cup of coffee.

Philz Coffee 3191 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, 650.251.9798; 118 Paso de San Antonio, San Jose, 408.971.4212 Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.3263 )

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BEST ASIAN FUSION

Green Papaya 137 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.9115. This classy Los Gatos eatery serves traditional and contemporary Vietnamese food with care to the details, adding touches of unexpected flair and beauty to every plate.

Khanh’s Restaurant 335 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose; 408.241.4940 Dakao 72 S. Abel St., Milpitas; 408.946.3668; 98 E. San Salvador St., San Jose, 408.286.7260

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230 Jackson St., San Jose; 408.279.4888.

Metro readers know the Hawaiian isles are practically at their fingertips at Hukilau, which sits smack dab in the middle of Japantown.

The restaurant sports the slogan, “Aloha served here,” meaning leis, ukuleles, bamboo and tiki torches are merely background noise to support the island flavors dished out in short ribs, teriyaki chicken, various pokes, chicken katsu and more.

J&J Hawaiian BBQ 20950 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, 408.973.9168; 1170 Alma St., Menlo Park, 650.323.6137 Hawaiian Drive Inn 1755 N. First St., San Jose;, 408.441.1234

BEST VIETNAMESE

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301 W. St. John St., San Jose; 408.295.5414.

Since opening in 1960, Henry’s Hi-Life has served up ribs, chops, steaks and chicken, along with its famed garlic bread, to eager diners in the South Bay. The eatery was featured on season 1 of Man v. Food, and the episode reruns Wednesday, March 9 at 8pm on the Travel Channel.

Sam’s BBQ 1110 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.297.9151 Armadillo Willy’s Multiple locations

Tofoo Com Chay 388 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.6335

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Pancakes in pretty much any form? It’s on the menu. Want more than a handful of omelette options? Bill’s has 16. Recognize.

Hobee’s Multiple locations Stacks 139 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.376.3516

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A SLICE OF NEW YORK Daniel Feliciano holds a margherita pizza at the newly crowned Best Pizza-Independent winner.

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BEST BAKERY

Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery

Someone you know needs a check-up. weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for you.

1593 Meridian Ave., San Jose; 408.269.5212. Mention Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery and those in the know immediately say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Burnt-almond cake.â&#x20AC;? The bakeryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staple confection takes light, ďŹ&#x201A;uffy cake to new heights, coating it with buttery, creamy frosting liberally sprinkled with glitterlike almond slivers.

Icing on the Cake 50 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.2464 Petersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bakery 3108 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose; 408.258.3529

BEST DESSERTS

Icing on the Cake 50 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.2464.

How sweet it is. Since 1985 this small but mighty and mighty delicious bakery has been creating good things in the oven.

Cakes, of course, but also cream puffs, cookies, pies and even vegan desserts. Icing on the Cake does it all.

Psycho Donuts 2006 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell, 408.378.4540; 288 S. Second St., San Jose, 408.378.4540 Petersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bakery 3108 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose; 408.258.3529

BEST DONUTS

Psycho Donuts 2006 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell, 408.378.4540; 288 S. Second St., San Jose, 408.378.4540. Lunatic chic is their shtick, but with an ever-multiplying variety of toppings and even specially designed tools for making donut shapes once considered impossibleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not to mention the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most delicious fritterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Psycho Donuts has come as close to re-inventing the donut as anyone short of Homer Simpson could dare to imagine. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing crazy about that.

Stanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Donut Shop 2628 Homestead Road, Santa Clara; 408.296.5982 Manleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Multiple locations

BEST PIZZAâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;REGIONAL CHAINS

Pizza My Heart Multiple locations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an unfortunate truism of the food business that the more locations a restaurant creates the more quality erodes. But Pizza My Heart has avoided that fate with consistently good pizzas with toppings and combinations to satisfy any taste.

Amiciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10310 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, 408.252.3333; 880 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650.329.8888; )

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BEST PIZZA— INDEPENDENT

A Slice of New York

Mojo Burger

BEST ICE CREAM/GELATO

Dolce Spazio 221 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.395.1335. Ice cream is good. Gelato is better. Dolce Spain knows this and long ago cornered the market in chewy, wonderfully dense gelato. Dolce Spazio remains the team to beat. Best not to try. Just eat and be happy.

Gelato Classico 191 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.370.9020; 241 Castro St., Mountain View, 650.969.2900; 435 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650.327.1317 Palo Alto Creamery 566 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650.323.3131

267 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.370.3272; 1104 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.292.5961. Thick, yet light. Delicious, but not fattening. Satisfying, but not filling.

WGFY delivers swirly cups full of yin and yang frozen yogurty goodness.

Yumi Yogurt 3955 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, 650.341.0939; 3787 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, 408.248.3400; 947 El Camino Real, Redwood City, 650.366.6630 Sweet Retreat 15545 Union Ave., Los Gatos, 408.377.4884; 6061 Cahalan Ave., San Jose, 408.629.8139

BEST BURRITO

La Victoria 5015 Almaden Expwy., San Jose, 408.978.7666; 140 E. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.298.5335; 131 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.993.8230. Here’s another irony about La Victoria: It’s a taqueria, but it’s best loved for it burritos. Why not call it a burriteria? I don’t know. I just know Metro readers love their La Vic burritos.

Iguana’s 330 S. Third St., San Jose, 408.271.9772; 4848 San Felipe Road, San Jose, 408.239.0107 Super Tacqueria Multiple locations

BEST SUSHI

Yuki Sushi 1827 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara, 408.248.9144; 1140 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.287.8854 Family-owned and operated for more than 20 years, Yuki Sushi was Metro readers’ pick for best sushi in Silicon Valley in 2010 and they got the nod this year as well.

Blowfish Sushi to Die For 355 Santana Row, Ste. 1010, San Jose; 408.345.3848 Michi Sushi 2220 Winchester Blvd., Campbell; 408.378.8000

BEST DELI/SANDWICH SHOP

Erik’s Deli Multiple locations. A good sandwich and bowl of soup are simple pleasures and Erik’s delivers with a dependably delicious lineup of deli fare.

Zanotto’s 1421 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose, 408.264.0103; 1970 Naglee Ave., San Jose, 408.294.9151; 38 S. Second St., San Jose, 408.977.1333 La Villa 1319 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.295.7851

BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS

La Victoria 140 E. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.298.5335; 5015 Almaden Expwy., San Jose, 408.978.7666; 131 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.993.8230. And the winner is: La Victoria. OK, not much suspense there. La Vic already owns the Best Taqueria and Best Burrito categories, and everybody knows Mexican food tastes best at about 11:45pm after a few beers, so it’s only logical that the restaurant would snag the Best Late-Night Eats category, too.

Original Joe’s 301 S. First St., San Jose; 408.292.7030 Taco Bravo 1950 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell; 408.371.5611

BEST MICROBREWERY FOOD

Gordon Biersch 33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose; 408.294.6785. Yes, Gordon Biersch changed the world of beer snacks with its garlic fries, but it didn’t stop there. The brewpub takes its food as seriously as it does its beer and serves a menu that rises above the typical lineup of brewery fare.

Rock Bottom Brewery Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 700, Campbell; 408.377.0707 BJ’s Brewery 925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, 408.284.4260; 10690 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, 408.865.6970

BEST DINING VALUE

Sonoma Chicken Multiple locations. Cheap food need not taste like it. Sonoma Chicken delivers internationally inspired comfort food

(tri-tip sandwiches, grilled salmon, enchiladas) that won’t bust your budget.

Aqui 201 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.374.2784; 10630 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, 408.996.1443; 1145 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.995.0381; 5679 Snell Ave., San Jose, 408.362.3456 Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.5566; 1072 Willow St., San Jose, 408.971.7080; 1554 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, 408.871.0400

BEST CATERER

Crunch 1721 Rogers Ave., Ste. S, San Jose; 408.834.6059. Catering newcomer Crunch wins top honors with its inspired menus, cooking classes and effort to source its food from local farms and purveyors. Chew on that.

The Party Helpers 780 Montague Expwy. #707, San Jose; 408.435.7337 Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme 795 S. Second St., San Jose; 408.798.8388

BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT

Sonoma Chicken Multiple locations. A family restaurant must do several things. It has to serve healthy, reasonably priced food. It has to allow diners to get a little loud and even a little messy. And it has to serve good food.

Sonoma Chicken checks all the boxes.

Bill’s Cafe 2089 The Alameda, San Jose, 408.244.9085; 302 N. Bascom Ave., San Jose, 408.287.2455; 5631 Cottle Road, San Jose, 408.629.2400; 1115 Willow St., San Jose, 408.294.1125 Hobee’s Multiple locations )

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1411 Bird Ave., San Jose, 408.924.0595; 1401 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose, 408.448.1992; 6041 Snell Ave., San Jose, 408.281.1345. Fast food burger joints usually put the emphasis on the fast part and tend to forget about the food bit but locally owned Mojo Burger rises above with its dependably delicious burgers that manage to be fast and really good at the same time. Now with three locations.

Kirk’s 2388 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 408.371.3565; Town and Country Village, 855 El Camino Real #75, Palo Alto, 650.326.6159; 2605 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, 408.241.5475 Clarke’s Charcoal Broiler 615 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View; 650.967.0851

KAZOO Among Japanese restaurants, Kazoo stands above all the rest in the readers’ estimation.

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BEST BURGER

Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt

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3443 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, 408.247.5423; 1253 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, 650.938.6969. A Slice of New York became an instant Silicon Valley favorite for its thin-crust, New York–style pizza that stands apart for its expertly made dough and judiciously applied toppings. Now with a second location on El Camino Real, there’s more to love.

Jake’s 1074 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.287.7960; 12175 Saratoga Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga, 408.257.5858; 174 E. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale, 408.720.8884 Giorgio’s 643 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, 408.942.1292; 1445 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose, 408.264.5781

BEST FROZEN YOGURT

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790 Castro St., Mountain View, 650.961.6666; 225 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.289.9000 Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.5566; 1072 Willow St., San Jose, 408.971.7080; 1554 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, 408.871.0400

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CRUNCH CATERING Baked brie and fruit are highlights of an event catered by Crunch Catering.

BEST OF SILICON VALLEY EDITORS’ PICKS

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BEST FRENCH FRIES

International Kabob House

2707 Union Ave., San Jose; 408.626.7211.

French fries aren’t really French. At least not anymore. For better or worse, they’ve become a staple of the American diet. That means that tradition has gone out the window. Cheese fries. Curly fries. Chili fries.

It’s all fair game. My favorite tweak of the American classic is the Greek fries at San Jose’s International Kabob House. That’s right: Greek-influenced, Americanized french fries. The dish is quite simple: fries sprinkled with tangy feta cheese and tossed with an assertive oregano-based vinaigrette.

MOST OVER-THE-TOP BURGER

Grill ’Em’s

“The Monster” Jucy Lucy Grill ’Em, 2509 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.371.8729. A bacon cheeseburger is already a ridiculously decadent creation if you think about it. Meaty protein topped with gooey protein with some crispy protein on top of that. But why stop there?

Campbell’s Grill ’Em steakhouse takes the burger to the next level of sybaritic outlandishness with its “The Monster” Jucy Lucy burger, which starts with a beef patty stuffed with pepper jack, Provolone and cheddar cheeses and stacks on bacon, sautéed garlic mushrooms and crispy onion strings. Pickled jalapenos are served on the side.

BEST EUROPEAN CAFE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT THE JET LAG

Cafe Borrone

1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650.327.0830. Originally in Redwood City, Cafe Borrone has been in Menlo Park for what seems like forever. Located right next to Kepler’s Books and a mile from Stanford, the eatery continues to prove that if one has a concept that works a place can exist for a long time. Not only is Cafe Borrone a great place to sit around and write, if you’re a scribe, it just exudes an outdoor, Italianstyle, charm that is difficult to compete with. You don’t have to be an academic or a venture capitalist. The food appeals to essentially anyone. It’s almost like a permanent Siamese Twin of Kepler’s. In 2011, you can’t imagine one without the other.

BEST ASIAN HAMBURGER

Chinjin

1530 S. De Anza Blvd., San Jose; 408.865.0302. America doesn’t have a lock on the burger. Chinjin, an Islamic Chinese restaurant, serves a delicious but highly nontraditional Chinese hamburger: a thin, wontonlike wrapper stretched over deliciously seasoned beef to form a rough patty shape. The disc is pan-fried on both sides to a crispy brown. Knife into it and out spill oniony, garlicky juices. It’s really good and less than two bucks.

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(

56 CAFE GRATITUDE The I Am Awakening key lime pie (left) and I Am Adoring tiramisu (right) earned an editors’ pick for Best Non-Beer-Brewing Use of Irish Moss.

in 2004, and a street now bears his name.

The eatery itself is a pure-hearted familyrun operation of the most regal sort. For lunch with the divine right of Alviso kings, Metro recommends Lunch With Tony, even it’s your last supper before the crucifixion.

BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP THE MIGHTY COFFEE BEAN

Red Berry 231 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.0508. It’s easy to forget that coffee is an agricultural product. Someone grew it and harvested it by hand. There’s no better place to appreciate the virtues of a well-made cup of coffee brewed from carefully produced and roasted coffee beans than downtown San Jose’s tiny Red Berry Coffee Bar. The cafe serves artisanal coffee from the Bay Area’s top roasters and importers (Verve, Barefoot, Ecco, Temple, De la Paz and Ritual) made by baristas who know their stuff and take their craft seriously.

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Millhows

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BEST SALSA

Tu Mero Mole BEST RESTAURANT WITHOUT A KITCHEN

Enoteca La Storia 416 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.625.7272. Enoteca La Storia is an Italian-style wine bar and wine shop that manages to serve a great lineup of sliced, cured meats, excellent Italian cheese, panini and salads. What the restaurant doesn’t have is a stovetop. But who needs a flame when the food is this good? The wine doesn’t hurt either.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE SUNDAY-FUNDAY

Eatery and Bar Downtown 88 S. Fourth St., San Jose; 408.971.1960.

The world looks golden from the bottom of a bottomless mimosa. Sunday-Funday Brunch resembles some kind of labor of Sisyphus. Foolish mortals, the champagne and OJ flows like slurred speech on Sunday mornings. The cup may overfloweth, but it’ll never be empty. If the flames of hell resemble Flames on Sunday, I’m stealing the collection plate and inviting my friends.

BEST EGG DISH

The 62-Degree Egg at Baume Baume, 201 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, 650.328.8899. Eggs are such a simple ingredient but the 62-degree egg at Baume is extraordinary. Chef Bruno Chemel cooks the egg in a 62-degree water bath for one hour and then lets it set for another four.

The silken egg is then served with creamy

puréed peas and a vermouth-scented foam that mimics egg whites. It’s fantastic.

BEST NON–BEER BREWING USE OF IRISH MOSS

Cafe Gratitude’s Raw Vegan Desserts Cafe Gratitude, inside Whole Foods, 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino; 415.814.1364. “Vegan” and “raw” aren’t often words that make the masses come running. But Cafe Gratitude’s raw vegan cheesecakes and pies, which use Irish moss as a thickening agent, are something special. The pies are all made by hand from organic and mostly local raw ingredients (if only we could harvest cacao here . . .), and along with staples such as chocolatehazelnut and coconut cream, the restaurant features a pie of the day and a cake of the day. Other goodies here include the I Am I Am, Cafe Gratitude’s take on the It’s It ice cream sandwich, made with almond-milk ice cream and raw vegan cookies, and decadent milkshakes. This truly is a haven for good-for-you treats.

BEST STREET FOOD

Fruit Bites 55 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.722.2022. Yes, I love my taco trucks and Korean barbecue on wheels, but for sheer simplicity I’m a fan of downtown San Jose newcomer Fruit Bites. The Mexican-style fruit cart sells the sliced fruits and vegetables of your choosing (mango, pineapple, oranges, strawberries, watermelon, apples, cucumber and jicama).

What sets the cocktail apart at this cart is the salsa served over the fruit. The sauce comes from a family recipe and is made

with dried chiles, vinegar and various spices.

It’s watery but anything but bland. It’s spicy, a little tart and faintly salty. Poured over the sweet fruit, it’s a delicious counterpoint.

BEST ALMOND CROISSANT

Fleur de Cocoa 39 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.354.3574. Never buy an almond croissant (or any pastry for that matter) wrapped in plastic. It’s guaranteed to be limp and stale. What you want is a flaky, buttery and rich croissant baked on the premises that very morning. What you want is what they’ve got at Fleur de Cocoa. You’d be hard pressed to find anything short of delicious at this Los Gatos bakery and chocolatier, but I’m especially fond of the almond croissants.

Unlike most versions of the sweet pastry, which are made with marzipan, pastry chef and owner Pascal Janvier makes his with a light cream filling and then bakes them until they are brittle crisp at the edges yet still light and flaky inside. They are sweet but not overly so.

The abundance of butter makes them supernaturally crisp and rich.

BEST ROYAL FAMILY FOOD ON THE SALT FLATS

2041 Woodard Road, San Jose; 408.369.9559. Tu Mero Mole is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. The little restaurant specializes in regional Mexican food. But what first sold me on the place as I was waiting for my order was the array of six different delicious salsas. The roasted chile and tomatillo salsa is flat-out delicious, as is the unconventional spicy peanut sauce.

BEST PLACE TO SIP A MARTINI AND EAT MUSSELS

Nick’s Left Bank, Santana Row 377 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.984.3500.

Sure, oysters get all the hype—they deserve it. But their bivalve cousins the mussels deserve love, too. At Left Bank, they’re treated with typically French affection, and are available with a variety of broths or sauces. But—as with oysters—the best accompaniment to a succulent mussel is vodka, on the side, in a chilled glass, with three olives. As a bonus, Nick’s attracts a cool crowd, and the bartenders are fast.

BEST EXCUSE TO EAT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST

Los Gatos Cafe’s

Lunch With Tony

Carrot Walnut Bread

5202 N. First St., Alviso; 408.493.6090. The Santos Family constitutes the royal blood of Alviso—sort of like the Jesus and Mary Magdalene bloodline of the salt flats.

Proprietor Tony comes from a legendary and colorful family of Alvisans. His grandfather Tony P. Santos served time as mayor and police chief eons ago when Alviso was still its own city. Tony P. passed

15662 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos, 408.356.0600; 340 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.4647. The carrot-walnut bread at the Los Gatos Cafe is sweet but not too sweet, so the sharp sweetness of the carrot and the tang of the nut come through.

But be warned: If you order this thick, rich “bread” with your omelette, you aren’t going to be able to eat much of your omelette.

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BEST OF SILICON VALLEY READERS’ PICKS

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AZÚCAR The friendly staff at helped boost Azúcar Latin Bistro and Mojito Bar to top honors as the Best Latin Music Club.

BEST LOCAL BAND

BEST COVER BAND OR TRIBUTE BAND

Joe Sharino Band Sharino is not just a repeat award hoarder; around here, he’s an institution. He got his start moonlighting while a student at San Jose State in 1974, built a reputation for high-energy live shows and never missed that broadcasting degree. After almost four decades in the party-music business, if there’s a song he hasn’t played for the dance floor, maybe it doesn’t belong there.

Full Throttle Black Pearl

Ben Henderson Many fans know Henderson by way of his postmodern funk band, Good Hustle.

But since the release of his first CD, Dirty Birdies, in 2008, Henderson’s been gaining a following for his solo music, which trades funk for chunks of acoustic guitar riffs and puts a haunting lyrical and vocal spin on his songwriting vision.

David Knight Cado

BEST GENTLEMAN’S CLUB

Pink Poodle 328 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.292.3685.

The alpha and omega of old-school adult entertainment in Silicone Valley, the Pink Poodle still has to be seen to be believed. It never jumped on the decades-long trend of upscale, upscale, upscale, and having made its name in the fast and loose days of the ’70s and ’80s, the PC chill of the ’90s just passed it right by.

Brass Rail 160 Persian Dr., Sunnyvale; 408.734.1454 Cheetah’s 907 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale; 408.733.2628

BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST

Dirtbag Dan Looks like Dirtbag Dan’s hometown has finally discovered what it was missing. The longtime local MC built an international following while traveling from country to country smoking the competition in a series of Internet-broadcast rap battles with monster views on YouTube, but his bearded antics never seemed to catch on at home, until now. The Dirtbag has officially arrived.

Fingerbangerz Gnarboots

BEST WINE BAR

The Grapevine 1389 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.293.7574.

Though they treat their vino with both veritas and gravitas, there’s a fun vibe to this cozy Willow Glen wine shop that seems to attract wine lovers of all stripes. Part of that is the unpretentious vibe and the easy-to-understand tasting menus. There’s also regular live entertainment, including the popular weekly hootenanny.

Cin-Cin 368 Village Lane, Los Gatos; 408.354.8006 A Perfect Finish 55 S. First St., San Jose; 408.288.6000

BEST GAY OR LESBIAN BAR

Brix 349 S. First St., San Jose; 408.947.1975.

Hunter’s was a fantastic spot, and it didn’t look good for gay clubbing when it closed. But even with new ownership, Brix has managed to pick up right where its predecessor left off. It’s the best LGBTfriendly party in town, for sure—loud, bright and hot, with a back patio that’s still perfect for chatting it up when something clicks on the dance floor.

A Tinker’s Dam 46 N. Saratoga Ave., Santa Clara; 408.243.4595 Renegades 501 W. Taylor St., San Jose; 408.275.9902

BEST HOTEL BAR OR RESTAURANT

Hedley Club Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.1000. The South Bay has a crowded field of classy hotel bars, but since Paragon left, the Hedley Club has been the top spot for cocktails in a swank cosmopolitan atmosphere. From the mashup of modernism and art deco to the weekly live jazz, the Hedley makes San Jose seem citified again. )

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Picture Atlantic Santa Clara alt-rockers Picture Atlantic put themselves on the map around here when they won Live 105’s local band contest in 2008 and got a chance to open for Coldplay at HP Pavilion. Clearly, Picture Atlantic has built on that opportunity, taking its first Best of Silicon Valley award on the heels of last year’s EP, Dolce Et Decorum Est. Not bad for a band originally formed by a folk singer, a punk guitarist and a metal drummer.

Corpus Callosum Good Hustle Whiskey Avengers

BEST SINGER/ SONGWRITER

(

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CINEBAR Andrew Pejack makes time with some shots at the valley’s favorite dive bar.

Henry’s Hi-Life 301 W. St. John St., San Jose; 408.295.5414.

It’s not always going to be easy to get a drink, but that’s kind of the point. Pregaming for the Sharks is about being around other people and Henry’s is basically hockey’s version of tailgating in San Jose.

Poor House Bistro 91 S. Autumn St., San Jose; 408.292.5837 Britannia Arms, San Jose 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.278.1400

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BEST JAZZ/BLUES CLUB

JJ’s Blues V Bar Hotel Valencia, 355 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.551.0010.

Bamboo Lounge at Pagoda Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.998.3937

BEST HAPPY HOUR

Rock Bottom Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. #700, Campbell; 408.377.0707.

Happy-hour deals abound these days, so what makes Rock Bottom Brewery so special? Well, first off, they double dip, offering one happy hour from 3 to 6pm, and then another one from 10pm until closing time. Then there’s the fact that they don’t skimp on the appetizer portions during this sacred time of great value, making it cheap to nosh while enjoying $3.50 premium well drinks or beer and wine for $3.25.

McCormick & Schmick’s 170 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.283.7200 Firehouse Grill 1765 E. Bayshore Road #A, East Palo Alto, 650.326.9700; 111 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale, 408.773.9500

hotspot for local and touring rock acts, it was the Atomic and Club Satori nights that put the Blank on the dance-club map. But the club actually draws quite a bit of other DJ talent, as well—you might arrive on a night the Bang is playing and find guitarist Derek See spinning, or catch house favorite DJ Basura opening for Passion Pit. Cardiff Lounge 260 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.374.7477 Saddle Rack 42011 Boscell Road, Fremont; 510.979.0477

BEST SPORTS BAR

Double D’s

history, Atomic—it’s not surprising that DJ Basura (a.k.a. Michael Boada) is best known for ruling the dance floor.

RS2 Lucidal

BEST KARAOKE

7 Bamboo 162 Jackson St., San Jose; 408.279.9937 Jen Anderson

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It doesn’t take a parody or a cute kid singing an inappropriately grown-up pop song to make a YouTube music star anymore. There’s a cottage industry’s worth of 7 Bamboo karaoke performances posted there now, bringing a lasting star quality to what was once a fleeting fame.

7 Bamboo continues to be the top place to seek it, and you still can’t beat the live energy of the crowd there.

Goosetown Lounge 1172 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.292.4835 Effie’s 331 E. Hacienda Ave., Campbell; 408.374.3400

BEST PRE-SHARKS GAME SPOT

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3439 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara; 408.243.6441. Despite a lot of changes over the last couple of decades, JJ’s is still the South Bay’s favorite spot for blues.

Part of it is their relentless quest for the live-music version of pitching a perfect game—that is, offering live music every night of the year. They fall only a few short of 365, which in practical terms means one can find a show at JJ’s when everyone else has gone dark.

Poor House Bistro 91 S. Autumn St., San Jose; 408.292.5837 Hedley Club Lounge Hotel De Anza, 233 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.1000

BEN HENDERSON The top vote-getter for Best Singer/Songwriter performed at Anno Domini during an art show in 2010.

354 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.6882. Great food, flat-screens beaming games from around the globe and excellent service add up to Hall of Fame status for Double D’s (see page 22).

Britannia Arms San Jose 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.278.1400 Britannia Arms Almaden 5027 Almaden Expwy., San Jose; 408.266.0550

BEST CLUB DJ BEST DANCE CLUB

The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose; 408.292.5265. First making its mark as a

Basura After more than 15 years of DJing— including what is arguably the most successful club night in recent South Bay )

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The Addison-Penzak JCC in Los Gatos

EVENTS AT AT MONTALVO MONTALV O ARTS S CENTER

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The w world orld ffamous amous Harl Harlem em Gospel Choir is one of the pr eeminent gospel choir preeminent choirss in the w orld. The Choir has world. perf ormed with such famous famous performed artis ts as Bono, Sinead artists O’Connor e Minds, O’Connor,, Simpl Simple L yl y e Lo vett, Diana Ross, Ross, Lyle Lovett, Br ooks and Dunn, Ashford Ashford Brooks & Simpson, Jimmy Cliff, and the Chieftains.

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IIgnacio gnacio Piñeiro Piñeiro de Cuba

Twist T wist and Shout: T he Ultimate Ultimate The B Beatl es Re vue Beatles Revue

Fri, F ri, Apr 1, 8pm 8pm

Wed, W ed, A Apr pr 2 27, 7, 7 7:30pm :30pm

This 7-piece This 7-piece band, band, founded founded iin n 1927 1927 by

by Ignacio Ignacio Piñeiro Piñeiro M artínez (1888-1969), (1888-1969), the the Martínez p rolific Cuban Cuban bassist bassist a nd prolific and ccomposer omposer known known affectionately affectionately a “El Poeta Poeta d el S on”, h as ass “El del Son”, has sseen een an an array array of of Cuban Cuban music al super stars pas musical superstars passs tthrough hrough its its ranks. ranks. Today, Today, E ugenio Rodríguez Rodríguez “Raspa” “Raspa” Eugenio and F rank Oropesa Oropesa “El Frank Mat ador” ccarry arry Piñer o’s Matador” Piñero’s m usical ttorch orch a s lleaders eaders of of musical as tthis his legendary legendary group. group.

Beginning w Beginning with ith e early arly h hits, its, iincluding ncluding film film cclips lips ffrom rom the the 60 0’s, T w wis st and Shout w ill 60’s, Twist will iimmerse mmerse yyou ou iin n a ccomplete omplete e x xperienc e fr om a band that experience from llooks ooks a nd ssounds ounds llike ike tthe he rreal eal and d eal, w ithout smoke smoke a nd mirrors mirrors deal, without and ((or or pre-recorded pre-recorded ttracks). racks). K nown Known ass the principles principles in the popular ssymphonic ymphonic show, show, “Classical “Classical M ystery T our,” tthese hese musicians musicians Mystery Tour,” wi ill bring a rrock ock performance performance will lik ke no other to to Mont alvo. By like Montalvo. hit Road,” tthe he ttime ime tthey hey h it ““Abbey Abbey R oad,” be awe! yyou’ll ou’ll b e ccompletely ompletely iin na we!

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Jen Anderson

ON THE CORNER MUSIC Owner Jeff Evans stands in front of an album-inspired installation at the editors’ choice for Best Shop for Vinyl.

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AVALON Top Acts like Ok Go have earned the Avalon in Santa Clara a nod from our editors as the Most Improved Scene Player.

Azúcar 71 E. San Fernando St., San Jose; 408.293.8482. The live acts swing, but what really makes Azúcar feel like the real-deal Latin music experience is the vibe. It’s so packed there’s usually barely any room to squeeze between the band and the crowd. And there’s so much dancing breaking out in every available nook that you have to constantly be on guard for whirling dervishes.

Sabor Tapas Bar and Lounge 72 N. Almaden Ave., San Jose; 408.287.1737 Miami Beach Club 417 S. First St., San Jose; 408.971.6646

BEST BRITISH PUB

Britannia Arms Downtown San Jose 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.278.1400. The Brit is now best known for pre-HP hang time and a place to watch the game, earning itself an assist in an area where finding quality sports bars is a challenge. But its Anglophile credentials are still in order. The beers check out, and English types say the bangers and mash are spot on.

Britannia Arms Almaden 5027 Almaden Expwy., San Jose; 408.266.0550 Trials Pub 265 N. First St., San Jose; 408.947.0497

BEST IRISH PUB

O’Flaherty’s 25 N. San Pedro St., San Jose; 408.947.8007. O’Flaherty’s is so Irish through and through they have a countdown timer to St. Patrick’s Day. They follow the Irish Rugby league. They serve Guinness stew.

Katie Blooms 369 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.379.9687 C.B. Hannegan’s 208 Bachman Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.1233

BEST UNDERGROUND MUSIC SPOT

Cardiff Lounge 260 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.374.7477. Long before electronic music got big again in 2009, Cardiff Lounge was keeping the faith, supporting DJ culture and giving the tight-knit South Bay dance music community a home. From house to glitch to electroclash to dubstep, this place

has seen all the trends come and go, and come back again.

X Bar, Homestead Lanes 20990 Homestead Road, Cupertino; 408.255.5700 Nickel City 1711 Branham Lane, San Jose; 408.448.3323

work is impressive, too, walking the line between mint and fruit and never letting the alcohol overwhelm the flavor.

El Jardin Tequila Bar 368 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.246.1744 Cascal 400 Castro St., Mountain View; 650.940.9500

BEST MARTINIS

Original Joe’s 301 S. First St., San Jose; 408.292.7030 Dessication plus kick equals winner. In other words, OJ’s makes one powder keg of a martini. It’s a beautiful thing, and Metro readers love it.

Grill on the Alley 172 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.294.2244 Singlebarrel 43 W. San Salvador St., San Jose; 408.792.7356

BEST MOJITOS

Azúcar 71 E. San Fernando St., San Jose; 408.293.8482. Just on sheer selection alone, Azúcar towers above the mojito competition. Most bartenders still find a pomegranate mojito exotic, but these guys don’t blink an eye at blood orange, kiwi strawberry or pink guava. The mixology at

BEST LIVE MUSIC CLUB

The Blank Club 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose; 408.292.5265. The Blank has stayed on top of the local rock scene by staying on top of the local rock scene. That is to say, it holds on to its rep as the South Bay’s No. 1 club for rock shows by giving the most talented bands in the area a shot on a stage that might have been occupied the night before by the Buzzcocks, Passion Pit or the Heavy.

JJ’s Blues 3439 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; 408.243.6441 Avalon 777 Lawrence Expwy., Santa Clara; 408.241.0777

BEST MARGARITAS

Aqui Multiple locations. Still the top place to get buzzed, South of the

)

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BEST LATIN MUSIC CLUB

B BEST E ST OF O F SILICON S I L ICO ON VALLEY VA L L EY EDITORS’ E D I TOR S ’ PICKS P IC CKS

7 BAMBOO For karaoke, 7 Bamboo always leads the way.

MUSIC M USIC & N NIGHTLIFE IGHTLIFE HI HIPPEST P P ES T NEW N E W CLUB C LU B

Pagoda P ago oda Lounge Lou oun unge The Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. S Market St., St., San Jose;; 408.998.3937 7. Once known only as 408.998.3937. the Fairmont Fairmont’s ’s Asian-themed Asian-them med restaurant, restaurant, the Pagoda Pagoda suddenly has cred cred with the South Bay’s hippest clubg clubgoers. goers. That That’s ’s because, in the hands of Thomas T Ramon Aguilar,, the “Live at the Pagoda” Aguilar Pagoda” series has alr already eady br brought ought somee of the hottest new acts in the electronic electronicc music world.

The Little Dr agon show was w arguably arguably last Dragon year’s year ’s No. 1 must-see show, shoow w, combining the tiny Pagoda’s Pagoda’s intimatee setting with a band br eaking internation nally thanks thanks to its breaking internationally rrecent ecent work with Gorillaz.

SAN SA JOSE ROCK SHOP RO Courtney C Cou Batchelder B Ba makes music ma gear ggea look sexy att the Best Place for for Local Musicians to M Mu Get G Tweaked.

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BES BEST TL LIVE IVE MUSIC MU S I C V VENUE ENUE C COMEBACK O M E B ACK Border style, Aqui Border Aqqui is Silicon Valley’s Valley’s leading cause of tempo temporary orary brain brain freezes. freezes. eezes W.. San Fernando St., St., Mezcal Me ezcal 25 W San Jose; 408.2 408.283.9595 83.9595 Pedro’s Pe edro’s 3166 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Ave., LLos os Gatos, 408.354.7570; 408.354.7570; 3935 Freedom Freedom Cir cle, Santa Clara, Claara, 408.496.6777 Circle,

BEST B T BO BES BOWLING W LIN G A ALLEY LLE Y

300 San San J Jose ose s 54420 Thornwood Dr 5420 Dr.,., San Jose; 408.578.8500 40 08.578.8500 300’s swank, ul ultramodern tramodern sspin pin on on bowling bowling won’t won’t hhelp elp tterrible errible bowlers bo owlers improve improve their score, score, but it does doees give gi ve them the opportunity to devour their thheir opponent’s op pponent’s share share of the Asian Asian Chickenn SSkewers kewers w while hile hhee oorr sshe he iiss m making aking rridiculous idiculous fist-pumping fist-pumping displays displays on on the the way w ay to a perfect perfect game.

1441 41 N. Fourt Fourthh St., St., Fourth Fourth Street Street Bowl Bo owl 144 San Saan Jose; 408.453.5555 Cambrian Cambrian Bo Bowl wl 14900 CCamden amden Ave., Ave., San Saan Jose; 408.377.2354 408.3777.2354 .

BEST BES T PLACE P LA ACE TO TO PLAY P LA AY POOL POO OL

S South outh F First irst Billiards Billiards 420 S. First St., St., San Jose;; 408.294.7800.

408.294.7800.

SSouth outh First First Billiards Billiards re reinvents invents its its look look eevery very few few yyears, ears, bbut ut the the source source of of its its unequaled popularity popularity among the cuechalking crowd crowd continues to be a vast landscape of tables taables and an unexpectedly hip vibe.

Stevens Santa Santa Clara Clara Billiards Billiards 4525 Stevens Cr Creek eek Blvd., Santa Sannta Clara; Clara; 408.296.3333 Cinebar Cinebar 699 E. San Fernando St., St., San Jose; 408.2 408.292.9562 92.9562

The Fox Theater Theater,r, 2215 Br Broadway o oadway St., St., Redwood City;; 650.369.77 650.369.7770.

770. With the 8383year-old Fox Theatre Theatre oncee the crown crown jewel in the plan to reinvent reinvent Redwood Redwood City, City, it was a shock to the communityy when it closed, along with the adjacent Little L Fox, in 2009.

So when Eric Lochtefeld Lochtefeld reopened reopened the Fox last year, year, with his brother, brother, Charlie, running the rechristened rechristened Club Fox, Foxx, it was a huge save not only for for the area’s area’s music scene but also for for its essential identity. identity.

BES BEST TL LIVE IVE MUSIC MU S I C V VENUE ENUE C COMEBACK O M E B ACK ((TEEN T EEN E D DIVISION) IVISION) 4 New York Yo ork A Ave., ve., LLos os Gatos; Gato os;; 408.395.5553.

Though virtually unknownn to anyone over Venue 21, the V enue was a go-too spot for for area area teens ffor or several several years, until unntil its live shows weree shut down over some wer som me bad blood with parents. parents. Its absence, however, however, turned out to be a disaster, disaster, so promoter promoter Andrew Andrew KKutsenda utsenda of Pinupp Productions Producctions was invited back to start up a series again, a in a victory ffor or both local youth and live liive music.

BEST BES T DIVE D IV VE BAR B AR

Cinebar C in neb eba ar 69 E. San Ferna Fernando ando St., St., San Jose; 408.292.9562. First-timers might walk into Cinebar see the classy faces faces from from Cinebar,, see vintage Hollywood Hollywoood on the back wall, and be prepping prepping themselves theemselves for for cocktail snoot.

They will quicklyy be disabused of such notions, however—Cinebar howeveer—Cinebar is straight-up straight-up primo dive bar. bar. They T claim to have been in business since Roosevel R Roosevelt’s t’s first term, back when people really really knew how to drown drown their sorrows. sorrows.

8 S. Almaden Ave., Ave., San Jose; Caravan Carravan 98 408.995.6220 Black Black Watch Watch 14 141 41 N. Santa Cruz A Ave., ve., LLos os Gatos; 408.3 408.354.2200 354.2200

Club C lub u F Fox ox

The T he V Venue en e nue

Jen Anderson

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B BEST E S T SPOT S P O T FOR FOR S SINGER/ INGER/ S SONGWRITERS O N G W RITERS

Caffe C aff a ffe e Trieste Trriie esste

CARDIFF Rick Preston holds forth at the DJ stand at the Cardiff Lounge, the Best Underground Music Spot.

315 S.. First St., St., San Jose;; 408.287 4408.287.0400.

7..0400.

FForever orever ddominated ominated bbyy bbar-ready ar-ready rrock ock bands, the South Bay isn isn’t ’t an a easy place ffor or singer/songwriters to leave leeave their mark.

They’ve had to find offbeatt places to play over the last ffew ew years, years likee Good KKarma, arma arma, On the Corner Music and R Red ed Rock Coffee Coffee Company.. But Caffe has been the Company Caffe TTrieste rieste r safest saf est haven of them all, bu building uilding some bona fide Benjamin Henderson fi de llocal ocal bbreakouts reakouts llike ike B enjamin H enderson aand nd B Brazilian-born razilian-born Cado.

Cado. IItt hhas as also also had had some some sstartling tartling iinternational nternational ttalent, alent, llike ike M Mexican exican ssinger/songwriter inger/songwriter ““El El H Hueso” ueso” M Mauricio auricio D Diaz iaz Zabala. and Argentina’s Argentina’s Cecelia Zab bala.

Ian Healy

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

(

Felipe Buitr Buitrago ago

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MUSIC U S I C & NIGHTLIFE NI G H TLI F E 68 M

B BEST E ST SHOP SH HOP F FOR OR V VINYL INYL

On O n the the Corner Corner Music M u usiic 530 E.. Campbell Camp pbell Ave., Ave., Campbell; Campbell; 408.871.0305.

408.871.030 05. What this one-of-a-kind corner shop has done to beat the odds in a time of supp supposed posed music-biz apocalypse is to balance the the new wave of vinyl releases releases with low-cost low-cost used essentials, ensuring any kid withh a couple of bucks bucks can pick up a playable copy copy of Rubber Soul and hear heard— it the way it was meant to be hear d— scr scratches atches and annd all.

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MR. TEE’S Owner Ryan Lynch holds the screen print squeegees that helped make Mr. Tee’s the Best Local Music Scene Outfitter.

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San Jose Rock Shop

1585 N. Fourth St. #R1, San Jose; 650.279.1793. From instruments to amps, custom modifications to tune-ups, San Jose Rock Shop is dedicated to keeping local bands gig-ready. But its connection to the local scene goes so much deeper—these guys put their heart and soul into it. Last year, they created the South Bay Music Collective, an online forum that allows local bands to connect with gigs, find new players, buy and sell equipment and a lot more.

MOST-IMPROVED SCENE PLAYER

The Avalon

777 Lawrence Expwy., Santa Clara; 408.241.0777. Besides managing to dig up absolutely every ‘80s metal band we assumed was long since gone and bring them to the South Bay, making it a sort of Headbanger’s Paradise, the Avalon has also broadened its bookings recently, bringing in more hip-hop, as well as alt-rock names like OK Go and Cake. This is thanks to Man Down Productions’ Mike Beard and Jimmy Arceneaux, and the timing couldn’t be better. With VooDoo Lounge barely gone and already much missed, the Avalon seems set to fill a great big hole in the local music landscape.

BEST HOME FOR SOUTH BAY BANDS

Side With Us Records

www.sidewithus.com. Over the last couple of years, the South Bay has exploded with a new eclectic sound whose only common thread is dedication to a unique musical vision. And with little fanfare, Leslie Hampton has managed to collect nearly the whole set of them on Side With Us Records.

She’s put out recordings by the Record Winter, Ugly Winner, Worker Bee, Dirty Pillows and the Albert Square, just to name a few. With her eye for visual design and raves from the musicians who’ve worked with her, it’s no surprise that the Side With Us roster continues to grow.

BEST LOCAL MUSIC SCENE OUTFITTER

Mr. Tee’s

671 Aldo Ave., Santa Clara; 408.970.9230.

Arena rockers are charging as much as 40 bucks for a T-shirt—and making money doing it. In fact, merch is at the center of the music biz’s new economy, part of the live experience that bands at all levels count on to survive. Local bands have long needed a place to get their screenprinting and other merch needs met, and Mr. Tee’s has really stepped up. Run by people with ties to the music scene, it’s as close to DIY as bands can get without having to go near a textile printer.

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Jen Anderson

BEST B E ST OF OF S SILICON I L I C ON V VALLEY A L L EY READERS’ R EA D ERS ’ PICKS P I C KS

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CINEQUEST John Turturro received a Maverick Spirit Award at this year’s Best Of film festival.

R Rosicrucian ossiicru c ucian c Museum Museum u m 1660 P Park ark Ave., Ave., San Jose;; 408.947.3636.

4 408.94 47..3636.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum M essentially began with onee artifact: artifact: a statue of Sekhmet on Har Harvey vey Spencer Speencer Lewis’ Lewis’ desk. That was almost 100 years ago, and life-cycles of expansion, expansion, the after many life-cycles museum continues to be part p of the social ffabric abric of San Jose, housingg 4,000 artifacts, artifacts, the lar largest gest collection of authentic auuthentic ancient Western Egyptian artifacts artifacts on display displaay in W estern North America.

History Park, San Jose His tory P a ark, S an J ose 1650 Senter 408.2877.22 . 290 Road, San Jose; 408.287.2290 Computer Computer His History tory M Museum useum 1401 N. Shoreline Shoreline Blvd., Mountain Moountain View; 650.810.1010 650.810.

1010

BES BEST T ART A RT G GALLERY ALL ERY

A Anno n nn no Domini Do om mini 366 S. First St., St., San Jose; 408.271.5155.

4 San Jose has always been a place plaace where, where, if folks folks want anything interesting interesting to happen, they now, have to fight for for it. For 11 years y now, Brian Eder and Cher Cherri ri Lakey of Anno A Domini have done exactly that. The gall gallery ery has brought brought

artists from from all a over the world to San Jose.

They’ve also been intertwined with almost every inter interesting essting counter countercultural cultural meme that ’s emerged emerged during those last 11 years. that’s San San Jose Jose e Institute Institu ute of of St., Contemporary Art Contempo orary a A rt 560 S. First St., San Jose; 408 408.283.8155 8.283.8155 E Empire mpire S Seven eve en Studios Studios 525 N. Seventh St., St., San S Jose; 408.668.4434

BES BEST T LOCAL L O C AL FES FESTIVAL TIVAL

Boogie Boogie on on tthe he B Bayou ay a you Downtown C Campbell; ampbell; www.campbell www.campbell chamber.com. chamber r.com . m. CCampbell ampbell does its downtown ffestivals estivals righ right, t, and wher wheree it was once considered consider ed so sort ort of a season opener for for Big Bands & BBQ in July and especially Oktoberfest, Oktoberf est, Boogie on the Bayou has now officially ar arrived. rivved. Held every thir thirdd weekend in May May, y, and ffeaturing eaturing live music along with arts and cr crafts afts booths and CCajun ajun cuisine, the point is nnot so much gritty down-ondown on the-bayou authenticity auuthenticity as it is a great great excuse for for a Big Easy–style party to kick off the summ summer mer season.

San San Jose Jose e Jazz Jazz Festival Fes e tiival a Downtown SSan an Jose; www www.sanjosejazz.org .sanjosejazz.org Gilr Gilroy oy Gar G Garlic liic F Festival es e tiival a Christmas Hi Hillll Park, Park, Gilr Gilroy; oy; 408.842.

408.842.1625 1625

BEST BES T FILM FESTIVAL FES TIVAL

Cinequest Cin ne equ ues est Downtown San Jose;; 408.295.3378 408.295.3378 Att 21, Cinequest seems like it has been A been ar ound fforever. orever. It ’s hard hard to remember remembeer that, around It’s once upon a time, it was just the most moost rrecent ecent attempt to start a film festival festivaal in a market wher wheree more more than a couple off such ffestivals estivals had died on the vine. TToday, ooday, this event brings the cinematic world to our o doorsteps through doorsteps, through dozens of celebrated celebrated a directors dir ectors and actors. Cinequest is also alsso the launching pad for for numerous numerous local talents. talents.

Midnight Midni d gh ht Movies Mov viie es at at Camera Camerra www.cameracinemas.com .cameracinemas.com m Cinemas www Cinemas S San an Jose Jose Short Short Film F Festival e estiival a www.sjshortfest.com www .sjshortfest.com

BES BEST T OPEN-MIC O P EN - M I C N NIGHT IGHT

J Johnny oh hnn ny V V’s ’s Cyp Cypher, phe err, W Wednesday edn e ne esda ay 31 E. E Santa Clar Claraa S St., t San Jose; t., 408.94 47..844770 408.947.8470 Rooster T.. F Feather’s, Ro ooster T eather’’s, New New Talent Tal a ent W. El E Showcase, Wednesday We ednesday 157 W. Showcase, CCamino amino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.736.092 408.736.0921 21 Bar Barefoot effo oot Coffee Coffee Roasters, Roasters, Stevens Creek Creek Blvd., B Wednesday Wedn e esday 5237 Stevens Clara; Santa Clar a; 408.248.4500 408.248.4500

BES BEST T TH THEATER EATE ER C COMPANY O M PANY

S San an a J Jose ose s R Rep e ep 101 P Paseo aseo de San Antonio, Anto onio, San Jose; 408.367.7255.

408.367 7..7255. San Josee Rep is a cul cultural tural ornament to the valley;; since 1980, it has been entertaining and a enlightening hundreds hundr eds of thousandss of attendees.

The Rep’s Rep’s upcoming se season eason includes the Awakening, pr ovocative hit musicall Spring Awakening provocative and then, in January 2012, 20 012, the world premiere premiere of a stage version verrsion of the noir gem Double Indemnityy. They They’re y’re continuing “Pay “Pay as you will Tuesdays” Tuesdays u ” (March (M March 2244 this month) and continue with community com mmunity outreach outreach pr programs ograms too numer numerous ouus to name.

Performances e ormances at the erf TheatreWorks TheatreW Works P LLucie ucie SStern tern Theatr e, P alo Al to, and the Theatre, Palo Alto, Mountain View Center for for the Performing Performing Arts; 650.463.1950 650.463.1950 City Ci itty Lights Lights Theater Theater Company Company 529 S. Second St., St., San Jose; J 408.295.4200

BEST BES TD DANCE AN C E C COMPANY O M PANY

Ball Ballet let S San an a J Jose osse 40 N.. First St., St., San Jose; Josee;; performances performances at San Jose Center for for the P erforming Performing Arts;; 408.288.2800. As As Ballet San Jose Jose’s ’s wan Lake just acclaimed production production of o SSwan demonstr ated, the mov vies ar demonstrated, movies aree no substitute )

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BEST BES T SMALL/QUIRKY S MALL /Q UIRK U Y MUSEUM M USEU M

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ROSICRUCIAN MUSEUM For readers, no other museum is quite so esoteric as the Rosicrucian.

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for the grace and discipline of real dancers.

Dennis Nahat’s nimble company upholds the classical dance tradition with technical skill, exuberance and dedication.

Studio 10 Dance 6190 Bollinger Road, San Jose; 408.446.0103

Flamenco Society of San Jose Performances at the Historic Hoover Theatre, San Jose; 510.792.8355 Los Lupenos Performances at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose; 408.920.6070

BEST SMALL THEATRE COMPANY

Children’s Musical Theater

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(408) 313-9193 650 S. Winchester Blvd. Suite #102, San Jose

271 S. Market St., San Jose; performances at Montgomery Theater; 408.288.5437 Not only does CMTSJ provide young actors the chance to experience the thrill of live performance, the company also puts on consistently entertaining and often quite elaborate shows. Over the course of some 40 years, CMTSJ has instilled more than 100,000 kids with a feel for the magic of the stage.

Retro Dome 1694 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.404.7711 Cardboard Box Theater Project Performances at WORKS/San Jose; www.thecardboardbox.org

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Mountain Winery

14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga; 408.741.2822.

Featuring arguably the best view of the valley one can get to without a grueling hike, a concert at Mountain Winery is

like a mini-getaway. The lineups tend to do a excellent job of balancing veteran headliners with edgier openers, just as the bowl seating combines star-power shows with an intimate feel—which is perhaps why this spot gets more performers off the stage and up in the crowd than any other in the South Bay. Shoreline Amphitheatre 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy., Mountain View; 650.967.4040 HP Pavilion 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.287.7070

BEST COMEDY VENUE

The Improv

62 S. Second St., San Jose; 408.280.7475.

With the “Improv” name providing industrial-strength comedy cred, this spot is able to snag big standup headliners the South Bay wouldn’t otherwise get. The classic theater setting ranks it among the top clubs in the Bay Area for rolling in the aisles.

Rooster T. Feathers 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.736.0921 ComedySportz 288 S. Second St., San Jose; 408.985.5233

BEST LOCAL WINERY

J. Lohr

1000 Lenzen Ave., San Jose; 408.918.2160 Last year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named them American Winery of the Year.

And just like last year, Metro readers again named the San Jose wine maker their favorite local winery.

Cinnabar 14612 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.867.1012 Testarossa Winery 300A College Ave., Los Gatos; 408.354.6150 )

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BEST MICROBREWERY

Gordon Biersch 357 E. Taylor St., San Jose, 408.278.1008; 33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 408.294.6785; 640 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650.323.7723 Gordon-Biersch started right here in 1988, in the days when brewpubs were a complete novelty. The original location in Palo Alto led to the downtown San Jose landmark, with its Old World brick courtyard. This patio is the one of the best places around to be on a hot Friday afternoon. Over the years, G-B specialized in German-style beers; lately, it is also brewing heartier, hoppier beers to accompany their popular line of wheat, dark and lagers.

Rock Bottom Brewery 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell; 408.377.0707 Los Gatos Brewing Company 130G N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos,

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408.395.9929; 163 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.292.9928

BEST LOCAL JOCK (EXCEPT GREG KIHN)

Audio Dru Is Audio Dru the hardest-working man in the South Bay electronic music scene? All we know is that while turning out a weekly radio show that Metro readers consistently vote among the best in the valley, he also runs open-mic fixture the Cypher (another Best Of winner this year), spins at local DJ showcases regularly, helps out Pacific Art Collective, pursues a photography career and writes a mean haiku.

Ophelia Necro, The Suicide Watch, KFJC Robert Emmett, KFJC )

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408.271.3245

M E T ROAC T I V E .C O M

BALLET SAN JOSE The discipline and beauty of dance are well served at San Jose’s resident company.

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Events at Whole Foods Camp Campbell pbell 11am-3pm Tasting March 12: T asting a fair and used bookk sale $3 March 19: Side walk sale (assorted products) p March 26: BBQ $3 for Hot dogs and d soda

Events at Whole Foods Food ds Los Gatos

Campbell C ampbell is giving away three $50 g gift ift baskets on April 2nd. Donate $5 or more m and enter our raffle!

March 13: Wheel of Prizes $2 Your fabulous Y our o chance to win a fabul lous prize from one of our departments 1-3pm March 20: Green Eggs and d Ham Breakfast $5 9-11am

Allll pr A proceeds oceeds go to to Whole Whole P Planet lanet FFoundation ou undation

All All proceeds proceeds go to to Whole Whole Planet Planet FFoundation oundation

CAMPBELL 1690 S. Bascom Avenue Avvenue (408) 371-5000 open 8am-10pm daily wholefoodsmarket.com

LOS GATOS GATOS T 5980 Los Los Gatos Blvd.

408-358-4434 408-358-4434 open 7:30am-9pm daily 7

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Jen Anderson

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GORDON BIERSCH For readers, Gordon Biersch defines the essence of a good microbrewery.

BEST OF SILICON VALLEY EDITORS’ PICKS

BEST NEW BRIDGE FROM EAST TO WEST

535 N. Fifth St., San Jose; 408.294.3138.

Now occupying the former residence of Tokio Ishikawa, M.D., on North Fifth Street, the Japanese-American Museum in Japantown is perhaps the most solidified organization that documents the history of the East-West experience in San Jose. As an idea, the place has a long history, going back to 1987, when it grew out of a 1984–86 research project on JapaneseAmerican farmers. There are many exhibitions. “Pioneers of San Jose Japantown” draws heavily on the valley’s agricultural history and the role Japanese immigrants played in its growth. “Asahi/ Zebras Baseball” explores two JapaneseAmerican baseball teams that existed in San Jose during the first half of the 20th century.

BEST PLACE TO SUPPORT A DYING ART

Foto Express

304 E. Santa Clara St. #C, San Jose; 408.971.3977. While many big-box stores make claims, local outposts like Foto Express quietly demonstrate why chains can never compete in the area of service.

After only one visit, proprietor Henry Chang is known to remember a client’s

BEST PLACE TO PRACTICE A POLONAISE OVER PIZZA

New Mozart School of Music

220B University Ave., Palo Alto; 650.324.2373. The New Mozart School for music lessons has two locations in Palo Alto, one of which is actually upstairs above Pizza My Heart. You can literally work on your pizzicato over a pizza. You can practice sul tasto violin passages over a slab of pesto. You can write ledger lines above pepperoni and mushroom. It’s not a retail store; instead, it’s purely for lessons.

They teach repertoire, technique, eartraining and sight-reading. At both locales, the school provides private instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, electric bass, voice, clarinet, flute and saxophone.

What a combination.

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JapaneseAmerican Museum

name, and he takes note of what every order entails. Services include on-demand passport photos and digital prints, but Foto Express is also one of the few places that still processes color 35 mm film.

Chang also develops 120 film and blackand-white 35 mm film by hand, typically having it ready for customers in only a few hours. For those still enjoying what film can do that digital cannot, and who don’t have access to a darkroom, Foto Express is a gem.

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ARTS & CULTURE

ARTS & CULTURE ( 77 Felipe Buitrago

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NEW MOZART SCHOOL OF MUSIC Jennifer Tzeng teaches violin and viola at a music school conveniently located next to a pizza parlor.

BEST OPEN-MIC NIGHT AT AN ART GALLERY/CAFE/ FLOWER SHOP

The Canvas

Sunnyvale Art Gallery, 251 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; 408.737.8188. Every first and third Thursday of the month, performers present anything from spoken word and standup comedy to full-band live music and DJing at this one-stop shop for culture and culinary delights. Regulars include accordionist and artist Gianfranco Paolozzi and singer/songwriter Randomher0, but highlights often come from the unexpected, such as a sing-along to the Proclaimers’ “(I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles.” Plus, there’s a full cafe so patrons can sate both their minds and their appetites.

BEST LOCAL SUPPORTER OF WORDS

Mike McGee

Known as “Mighty” Mike McGee, this slam poet has been a fixture in the local spoken-word scene for more than a decade, presenting his quirky, humorous and all-too-relatable worldview around the South Bay as well as across the

country on various tours. In the late 1990s, McGee helped to establish the San Jose Poetry Slam, and in 2003, he was crowned National Poetry Slam Individual Grand Champion. The SJ Slam has now become a little more than just poetry, as McGee and fellow poets David Perez, Tatyana Brown and John Staedler have taken the original slam format and added a musical component as well as “something uncommon.” Past installments of the bimonthly event included one or more of the following: audience-participant strip Scrabble, juggling and a burlesque show—“something uncommon,” indeed.

BEST INTRO TO OLDSCHOOL HIGH CULTURE

Opera San Jose

Performances at the California Theatre, 345 S. First St., San Jose; 408.437.4450.

Any excuse to go to the magnificent California Theatre is a good excuse, but the place is perfect for the opera, where shameless grandeur meets shameless grandeur. Opera San Jose is a superb company, and generally chooses sure-fire crowd pleasers that have withstood the test of a few centuries. Opera is one of those things that must be experienced live, and this is the best place to do it.

Fri., March 25 | 8 p.m.

with Reuben Rogers and Colin McDaniel

$35 per ticket

Areon Flutes $15 per ticket Pre-event reception one hour prior to each performance.

Hors d'oeuvres and beverages available.

Previous performers:

MarcOlivia Duo

Tickets: www.harker.org/concertseries The Harker School Nichols Auditorium I Upper School Campus 500 Saratoga Avenue, San Jose K-12 College Prep I Est. 1893 I K through Life This new series, along with the Harker Speaker Series launched in 2009, is part of The Harker School's ongoing commitment to sharing thoughtful, entertaining and engaging events with the greater Bay Area community.

For more information contact communications@harker.org or call 408.345.9243.

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Fri., May 27 8 p.m.

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At just 26 years of age, the Grammy-nominated Bay Area native Taylor Eigsti, who has been leading bands since age 12, has already been featured on the covers of Keyboard Magazine and Jazziz Magazine, and has worked with jazz heavyweights such as Dave Brubeck, Christian McBride and James Moody. Appearing with Eigsti will be bassist Reuben Rogers, who has worked with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargroves and Joshua Redman, and drummer Colin McDaniel, a member of the University of the Pacificâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet.

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BEST OF SILICON VALLEY READERS’ PICKS

Jen Anderson

LE GRANDE AFFAIR Vince Nguyen is the chauffeur in the “Pink Playboy Hummer” from the Best Limousine Service.

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The Grapevine 1389 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.293.7574.

The Grapevine is a solid favorite with Metro readers (also winning Best Wine Bar) for its knowledgeable yet fun approach to good sipping.

The Wine Club 1200 Coleman Ave., Santa Clara; 408.567.0900 Tessora’s Barra di Vino 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 560, Campbell; 408.626.7711

BEST BICYCLE SHOP/ BUILDER

Hyland Bicycles 1515 Meridian Ave., San Jose; 408.269.2300. This isn’t one of those shops where employees treat customers like Lance Armstrong does a French reporter. Family owned and friendly too a fault, Hyland is the place to take a bike that needs repairs or to be replaced. Basically, if someone has something bad to say about Hyland, it says more about them than the bike shop.

Willow Glen Bicycles 1016 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.293.2606 The Off Ramp 2320 El Camino Real,

Mountain View, 650.968.2974; 2369 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408.249.2848

BEST MOTORCYCLE SHOP

San Jose Harley-Davidson 1551 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose; 408.998.1464. While Vespas are now looking about as cool as tapping one’s checkered Vans to Vampire Weekend’s “Holiday,” the authenticity of having a Harley-Davidson for a steel horse endures.

Adventures were simply never meant to be based on mileage. And the place to find the perfect throaty, no-nonsense ride is San Jose Harley-Davidson. The dealership also serves as a clearinghouse for rider events.

Road Rider 2897 Monterey Hwy., San Jose; 408.227.6936 Cycle Gear Inc. 1515 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose; 408.288.5051

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING

Black and Brown 850 The Alameda, San Jose; 408.298.1970.

Bridging the edgy and earthy, the bohemian and the basics, Black and Brown

is the vintage shop of choice for that one-of-a-kind article of clothing, a trip down fashion’s memory lane or modern pieces by local designers.

Moon Zooom 1630 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.287.5876 Crossroads Trading Co. 1008 Blossom Hill Road #E, San Jose, 408.269.1000; 1959 W. San Carlos St., San Jose, 408.292.6100

BEST LINGERIE

Pleasures From the Heart 1565 Winchester Blvd., Campbell; 408.871.1826. In the business of “bringing sexy back,” the staff of local lingerie and adult boutique Pleasures From the Heart prides itself on providing a classy and comfortable shopping experience for the seekers of sexy, risque or elegant lingerie, offering “something for the meek or freak in everyone.”

Cupid’s Corner 408 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose; 408.226.5683 Romantiques Lingerie 51 University Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.7749

BEST ART SUPPLY STORE

University Art 456 Meridian Ave., San Jose, 408.297.4707; 267 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, 650.328.3500. Fine artists don’t have a lot of money to waste, and University Art’s bargain prices are one important draw to this small Northern California chain of four stores. Online deals and “12 Days of Giveaways” show an eagerness to move inventory. But the classes, workshops and open art competitions show how this company is also trying to train hands and eyes.

San Jose Art 461 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.298.8422 D&J Hobby 96 N. San Tomas Aquino Road, Campbell; 408.379.1696

BEST PET STORE

Andy’s 51 Notre Dame Ave., San Jose; 408.297.0840. Andy’s made national headlines when it agreed to adopt 1,000 rats kept by a pet hoarder discovered by a TV reality show. The act of generosity was less surprising for those familiar with Andy’s. Some companies are in the pet business for the bottom line alone. This local store, established ) 82

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BEST WINE SHOP

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BLACK AND BROWN The place to go for vintage clothing, said the voters.

Madrone M adrone Plaza Plaza in M Morgan organ H Hill ill Brokers Br okers W Welcome! elcome!

New Town Town Homes!

1, 2 and 3 B Bedrooms! edrooms!

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Prices, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. Must be b a first time homebuyer and income eligible. Restrictions apply; including a 45 4 year deed restriction. See builder rep for details.. All sq. ft is apprx. Broke Broker er referal fee is $5,000, must bring client in on 1st visit.. No other of fffers apply. applyy. offers

in 1950, seems to spend as much time rescuing creatures as it does selling them.

The military macaw neon sign was once a landmark on The Alameda; the new locale downtown is an easy walk from San Jose’s terrific Friday farmers market.

Humane Society Silicon Valley 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas; 408.262.2133 An-Jan Multiple locations

BEST PET DAYCARE

A Dog’s Life 901 Ames Ave., Milpitas, 408.946.3647; 885 Commercial St., Palo Alto, 650.494.3647; 1249 Birchwood Dr., Sunnyvale, 408.747.1111. It’s well known that high tech requires a lot of travel. No one needs the added anxiety of wondering what’s going on with the dogs while they’re away. With three locations in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Milpitas, this perennial category

winner tends and gives spa care as well as training to pets needing a little behavior mod. And they bake their own dog biscuits.

Downtown Dogs 734 S. First St., San Jose; 408.287.2267 Doggie Daycare 6175 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose; 408.972.8086

BEST PLACE TO BUY RECORDS AND CDS

Rasputin 1820 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 800.350.8700; 630 San Antonio Ave., Mountain View, 800.350.8700. All the re-orgs were a drag sometimes, but it turns out there was method in their madness, as the Campbell Rasputin has clicked with its best, most customer-friendly layout ever. The selection of both DVDs and CDs is huge, and a good chunk of an afternoon is required for rifling through the used ) 84

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SHOPPING/SERVICES/SOCIETY ( 82 sections. There are always hard-to-find, reduced-price gems to be had, even in the clearance racks.

Streetlight Records 980 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.292.1404 On the Corner Music 530 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.871.0305

BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Black and Brown 850 The Alameda, San Jose; 408.298.1970

The Usuals 1020 The Alameda, San Jose; 408.294.4500. Top honors for best clothing boutique go to both Black and Brown and the Usuals, neighbors on the reburgeoning hotspot The Alameda. Both locally owned shops champion the local art and design scene, and be it vintage clothing, the latest T-shirt designs, a one-of-a-kind ensemble or some locally made accessories, they’ve got it covered. The sharp eye for style and the personal touch that both boutiques provide has secured their spots as local favorites.

Bombshell Boutique 295 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.371.7423 Therapy 347 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.866.8999; 366 Main St., Los Altos, 650.917.7918; 250 Castro St., Mountain View, 650.691.1186

BEST SHOE STORE

Footwear Etc. Multiple locations. With so much of the shoe business defaulting to giant national chains, Footwear etc., a Bay Area store with its headquarters in Sunnyvale, is a welcome exception. The selection is extensive, running (or walking) the gamut from clogs and Mary-Janes to sandals and mukluks— all geared for comfort.

Beck’s Multiple locations In Her Shoes 855 El Camino Real #45, Palo Alto, 650.326.9644

BEST RUNNING SHOE STORE

Athletic Performance 55 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.7365.

With 22 years of experience getting and keeping runners on the road, hikers on the trail and athletes at the top of their game, Athletic Performance is committed to getting feet into the perfect pair of athletic shoes; from form analysis to injury prevention, these folks are all about saving soles.

The Running Revolution 511 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.374.9310 Runner’s Factory 51 University Ave., Ste. C, Los Gatos; 408.395.4311

BEST TOY STORE

Wooden Horse 796 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos; 408.356.8821. Opened in 1971 by a former teacher, the Wooden Horse survived bigbox competition through an emphasis on one particular aspect of a toy: the smallness. As founder Karen Benz Scarvie put it in an essay, “a good toy is one that is given out of love—not as a substitute for love.” This longtime neighborhood fixture works with parents to find just the right thing for a growing child.

D & J Hobby 96 N. San Tomas Aquino Road, Campbell; 408.379.1696 Time Tunnel Vintage Toys 532 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.298.1709

BEST COMICS STORE

Lee’s Comics 1020-F N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View; 650.965.1800. You’d have to be Stupendous Stan Lee himself to come up with the proper superlatives to describe Lee Hester’s comics shop, with its two branches in Mountain View and San Mateo. Over the years, Lee’s has hosted real luminaries in the business at in-store signings. Here are valuable vintage comics for the wealthy industry geek as well as $1 comics for the ambitious scavenger.

Black Cat Comics 73 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas; 408.942.6903 Hijinx Comics 2050 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.266.1103

BEST HAIR SALON— SAN JOSE/SANTA CLARA

Alchemy 1047 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.293.3494; 1335 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.283.9380.

From cutting-edge hair design and bridal up-do’s to curl straightening, extensions and coloring, Alchemy’s team of senior and master stylists boasts an impressive skill set and a keen desire to help you and your locks looking their smoothest or spikiest best.

5 Color Cowboy 1445 The Alameda, San Jose; 408.869.3542 Umbrella Salon 2 N. Market St. #100, San Jose; 408.293.4242

BEST HAIR SALON—WEST VALLEY (SARATOGA, LOS GATOS)

Krush Salon 106 Royce St., Los Gatos; 408.354.4489

Los Gatos Spa 100 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.354.5901. Whether in the market for a trim, some eyelash extensions, a little straightening or a total makeover, the valley gives its rousing endorsement to two West Valley salons: Krush Salon and ) 86

1011 PACIFIC AVE. SANTA CRUZ 831-423-1336

The Nickatina Birthday Bash

ANDRE NICKATINA

plus Smoov-E $23 Adv./$28 Drs. • 8 p.m./ 9 p.m.

Thursday, March 10 In the Atrium AGES 16+

FASHAWN plus Evidence

also Curtains & Nima Fadavi $10 Adv./ $15 Drs. • 8 p.m./ 8:30 p.m.

-YPKH` 4HY AGES 18+ Vital SC presents

& !

plus Downlink also Antiserum $26 in advance • 8 p.m./ 8 p.m. • VALID ID REQUIRED Friday, March 11 In the Atrium AGES 21+ FRIDAY NIGHT FUNCTION: DJ Aspect DJ Tone Sol, Nima Fadavi NO COVER • 9 p.m./ 9 p.m. :H[\YKH` 4HYJO AGES 16+

Iration

plus The Holdup also Through the Roots $14/ $16 • 8 p.m./ 9 p.m.

Saturday, March 12 In the Atrium AGES 21+

PLOUGHMAN plus Birdhouse $8 Advance/ $10 at the Door • Drs. 8:30 p.m./ Show 9 p.m. with DJs Don-ette G & Lion-S + weekly guests DJs Models/Dancers No Cover • Show 9 p.m.

Mar 16 Big Gigantic Atrium (Ages 16+) Mar 17 The Wild Rovers Atrium (Ages 21+) Mar 18 Primus/ MIRV (Ages 21+) Mar 19 State Radio (Ages 16+) Mar 19 Jason Bond & the Committee Atrium (Ages 21+) Mar 22 The Green/ Thrive Atrium (Ages 16+) Apr 6 Dark Star Orchestra (Ages 21+) Apr 15 G. Love & Special Sauce (Ages 21+)

www.catalystclub.com

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Unless otherwise noted, all shows are dance shows with limited seating.

Tickets subject to city tax & service charge by phone 866-384-3060 & online

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Tuesday, March 15 In the Atrium AGES 21+

RASTA CRUZ REGGAE TUESDAYZ

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>LKULZKH` 4HYJO AGES 16+

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84 CIRCLE A Owner Bob Schmelzer presides over the top-voted skate shop.

408.377.2525; 16500 Lark Ave., Los Gatos, 408.356.2525; 5005 Almaden Expwy., San Jose, 408.371.2565; 18560 Prospect Road, Saratoga, 408.996.2515. With options for standard washing and full car detailing, Classic Car Wash provides a complete, hands-on service that can’t be easily obtained during a drive-through car wash.

The Delta Queen outpost in Campbell brings a little steamboat kitsch into the mix.

Pacific Hand Car Wash 1667 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 408.371.6660; 221 N. Fifth St., San Jose, 408.293.3128 AJ Auto Detailing Inc. 702 Coleman Ave., San Jose; 408.947.1111

BEST MASSAGE

Burke Williams

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355 Santana Row #2010, San Jose; 408.241.0071. In the spirit of pure indulgence, Burke Williams exists to pamper folks into a state of deep, blissful relaxation. With modalities that range from Swedish to Shiatsu, pregnancy massage to deep tissue, the spa’s team of certified massage therapists knows how to ease the stress right out of the body.

Preston Wynne 14567 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.741.5525 La Concha Spa 1042 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.286.8612 Los Gatos Spa. Both winners provide the essentials, know how to take care of their clients, have environments conducive to relaxation, beauty and well being, and have teams of well-trained stylists that take pride in providing top-quality products, services and treatments.

Main St. Annex 28 E. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.1981 Tangles Salon 23 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408.354.7800

BEST HAIR SALON— PENINSULA (MOUNTAIN VIEW, PALO ALTO)

LaBelle Day Spa 96 Town and Country Village, Palo Alto, 650.327.6964; 36 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650.326.8522 Master of relaxation and purveyor of pampering, LaBelle Day Spa also aims to “revolutionize the way you feel about yourself” by providing hair treatments, cuts and products that add the health, beauty and style to one’s magnificent ’do.

Julian Chase Salon and Spa 2343 Birch St., Palo Alto; 650.321.7025 Di Pietro Todd Salon 2307 Birch St., Palo Alto; 650.328.4545

BEST BEAUTY SUPPLY

Peninsula Beauty Multiple locations; www.peninsulabeauty.

com. Fifty-plus years in the business, a friendly and knowledgeable staff, a welcoming environment and an abundant supply of top-quality beauty supplies has landed the Bay Area–owned and–operated Peninsula Beauty as a repeat favorite for local salon and spa professionals.

Planet Beauty Multiple locations Beauty Avenue 782 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, 408.356.3362; 6477 Almaden Expwy. #D4, San Jose, 408.997.1600

BEST TEETH WHITENING

Dr. Stephanie Loller 891 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.298.0777. One look at Dr. Loller’s smile on her webpage, and it’s obvious why she once again scored a double victory (see Best Dentist) in our readers’ poll.

Willow Glen Dental Care 1600 Willow St., San Jose; 408.978.0911 Los Gatos Family Dentistry 14543 S. Bascom Ave., Los Gatos; 408.358.5115

BEST SKATE SHOP

Circle A 108 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose; 408.995.0677. Circle A accomplishes the difficult trick of bridging the gap for people who just want to look like a skater and those who actually skate. Circle A also

knows what it’s talking about when it comes to accessorizing that board with trucks, bearings, etc.

Ohana Board Shop 3575 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose; 408.244.0700 Skateworks 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara; 408.247.5283

BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

Recycle Bookstore 275 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.370.3514; 1066 The Alameda, San Jose, 408.286.6275. This 40-year-old institution is actually one of the best in Northern California, continuing as a home for newer books and older housecats.

It’s a good thing more people from San Francisco don’t know about it. Who needs competition when hunting used books?

At some 100,000 titles, though, there may be enough for everyone. Looks like they’ll outlast Borders, for that matter.

Hicklebees 1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.292.8880 Kepler’s 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650.324.4321

BEST CAR WASH/ DETAILING

Classic Car + Delta Queen 981 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell,

BEST OUTDOOR GEAR

Mel Cotton’s 1266 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.287.5994. Yes, there was a Mel Cotton.

He died recently at 91; he got two bronze stars and the Croix de Guerre in World War II, and he was a noteworthy philanthropist.

Still, the man’s most famous monument is his store. It’s still at the address it’s been occupying for 40 years. Here is everything needed for outdoor adventuring; Mel’s is a one-stop gateway to the natural wonders just an hour or two outside the valley. Still locally owned after all these years, too.

Sports Basement 1177 Kern Ave., Sunnyvale; 408.732.0300 Any Mountain 1600 Saratoga Ave., San Jose; 408.871.1001

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

Marks of Art 3014 Union Ave., San Jose; 408.377.1924.

Marks of Art thrives in a terrifyingly competitive field through a firm emphasis on keeping things absolutely clean and healthy—not to mention the high quality of its custom tattoos, which can give you something with which to dazzle your grandkids.

Humble Beginnings 1421 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.288.6814 Death Before Dishonor 130 E. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.279.3232

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BEST PIERCING STUDIO

Pierced Out

BEST PILATES STUDIO

JCC Los Gatos 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos; 408.358.3636.

Fancy longer, leaner muscles? Better posture? Improved coordination? The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center has just the thing: pilates. They have the machines, the instructors and the classes to point the way to a fitter future.

Los Gatos Ballet and Pilates 16 Lyndon Ave., Los Gatos; 408.399.7577 The Pilates Body 2075 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.205.0043

Yoga Source 15545-C Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos; 408.402.9642. Providing affordable, nondogmatic Hatha yoga classes for everyone from newbies to the most advanced yogis and yoginis has secured Yoga Source’s status as the valley’s repeat favorite yoga studio. Their personal attention, skilled instructors and modern facility provide the perfect space for stretching both the body and the mind.

Willow Glen Yoga 1188 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.289.9642 Downtown Yoga Shala 450 S. First St., San Jose; 408.885.1000

BEST HEALTH CLUB

JCC Los Gatos 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos; 408.358.3636.

With its state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment, 70 group classes per week, tennis, swimming, basketball and even massage, the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center’s mission to contribute to a healthier, more active Silicon Valley has made it a hub of well-being for the local fitness set.

San Jose Athletic Club 196 N. Third St., San Jose; 408.292.1141 Right Stuff Health Club 1730 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, 408.866.8855; 1329 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, 408.445.3310

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3014 Union Ave. #B, San Jose; 408.559.6039. In piercing, much like tattooing or any other form of body art, it’s important to work with a skilled professional. Whether helping choose between a stud or a ring, or performing an ear stretching or cartilage piercing, the staff at Pierced Out are not only professional but are also personable.

Body Exotic 957 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.993.9684 Player’s Ink 518 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.993.8282

BEST YOGA STUDIO

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ALCHEMY The staff at Alchemy give the service that earned it the top slot for hair salons in the San Jose/Santa Clara area.

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BEST DENTIST

Dr. Stephanie Loller 891 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.298.0777. Even the most proactive types turn into procrastinators when it comes time to schedule a visit to the dentist. That’s why Metro voters appreciate Dr. Loller’s emphasis on comfort and friendliness. Her practice offers a full array of modern equipment and techniques, from lasers to invisible braces.

Willow Glen Dental Care 1600 Willow St., San Jose; 408.978.0911 Dr. Steven Cohen 6541 Crown Blvd. #H, San Jose; 408.268.8585

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr. Craig Creasman 2400 Samaritan Dr. #206, San Jose; 408.369.9300. A specialist in aesthetic surgery, Dr. Creasman knows a great deal about how to make the fine-tuning tweaks that enhance nature’s basic material, from tucks and reductions to corrections and lifts.

Jane Aesthetic Medicine & Surgery 895 E. Fremont Ave., Sunnyvale; 408.737.9100 Dr. Tony Pham 2307 Forest Ave., San Jose; 408.246.2349

BEST DAY SPA

Burke Williams 355 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.241.0071.

Feeling extravagant? Need to take a day—or maybe just an hour—away from the world? Burke Williams is the place to be. From therapeutic baths, massages and facials, to manicures, pedicures and detox treatments, the European-style spa is a favorite among local connoisseurs.

Los Gatos Spa 100 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.354.5901 Preston Wynne 14567 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.741.5525

BEST ALTERNATIVE TO HOME DEPOT

Orchard Supply Multiple locations. A valley institution.

It was a farmers co-op when it began 70 years ago this month. It moved in 1947 to the current site on West San Carlos Street.

OSH has changed a lot and expanded throughout Northern California. What hasn’t changed is OSH’s convenience: it attracts handymen and handywomen with its regular sales-tax-free days. Its midsized aisles combine thoroughness with easy shopping.

Southern Lumber 1402 Monterey

DR. LOLLER When it comes to caring for and whitening teeth, Dr. Loller leads the balloting .

Hwy., San Jose; 408.297.9663 Willow Glen Ace Hardware 2253 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.267.0223

BEST KITCHEN/ COOKING STORE

Domus 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.6630; 1395 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.279.4787. You could go to the mall to feed your cooking habit and shop at Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table.

But why? Domus in downtown Los Gatos stocks some 33,000 different products with the knowledge and customer service you’d expect from an independently owned business.

The Butter Paddle 33 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.1678 Keystone South Bay Restaurant Supply 491 W. San Carlos St., San Jose; 408.288.4000

BEST GARDEN STORE

Yamagami’s Nursery 1361 S. De Anza Blvd., #2, Cupertino; 408.252.3347 For some 60 years, this family-run nursery has been catering to the specialized needs of Silicon Valley green thumbs and weekend gardeners.

Summerwinds Multiple locations Almaden Valley Nursery 15800 Almaden Expwy., San Jose; 408.997.1234 )

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ANDY’S PET SHOP Whatever its location, Andy’s gets readers’ votes as best pet store.

Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650.328.7016; 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, 408.984.2273 Paper Source Town & Country Village, 855 El Camino Real #63, Palo Alto, 650.324.9700; 334 Santana Row, Ste. 1020, San Jose, 408.241.9000

BEST LIMOUSINE SERVICE

LeGrande Affaire 2590 Lafayette St., Santa Clara; 408.988.4884. Whether for a wedding party, an office event or a high school prom, LeGrande Affaire gets Metro readers to their destinations in style. The limo service also boasts four different hot pink vehicles: Hummer H2 and H3s, a Scion HB and a Lincoln Town Car. Cloud 9 Limousine 2233 Paragon Dr. #A, San Jose; 408.999.0999 El Paseo Limousine 651 Aldo Ave., Santa Clara; 408.727.0000

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BEST ORGANIZATION MAKING A DIFFERENCE BEST FURNITURE STORE

Russell’s 2645 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 408.296.7393; 380 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, 408.261.9682; 6705 Amador Plaza, Santa Clara, 925.829.5091. With well over a century of experience, this mini-chain, with locations throughout the Bay Area, offers affordable, stylish furniture for every room in the house.

Rosso’s Furniture 6881 Monterey Road, Gilroy, 408.842.2800; 212 Tennant Ave., Morgan Hill, 408.776.8100 Nu Image Furniture 20149 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino; 408.725.2427

BEST GIFT STORE

Domus 40 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.6630; 1395 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, 408.279.4787. With locations in Los Gatos and Willow Glen, Domus is the South Bay’s premier boutique for gifts, from beautiful glassware to a wide selection of kitchen gadgets to a great stock of stationery.

San Jose Museum of Art Museum Store 110 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.271.6878 Papyrus 50 University Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.9037; 365 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650.328.7016; 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, 408.984.2273

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

La Fondue 14550 Big Basin Way, Saratoga; 408.867.3332. Perhaps it’s the subdued lighting or the cozy booths that makes La Fondue such a romantic restaurant. Or maybe sticking long skewers into molten cheese is just plain sexy.

Wine Cellar 50 University Ave. #180, Los Gatos; 408.354.4808 Manresa 320 Village Lane, Los Gatos; 408.354.4330

BEST LUXURY OR BOUTIQUE HOTEL

The Fairmont 170 S. Market St., San Jose; 408.998.1900.

Upscale and classic, the Fairmont beckons even passersby with its beautiful interior, flanked with tall marble columns and cascading ceiling chandeliers. Rooms are just as regal, especially specialty offerings such as the Presidential Suite, which features a jetted whirlpool tub.

Hotel De Anza 233 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.286.1000 Hotel Valencia 355 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.551.0010

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Joe Escobar 450 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell; 408.341.0300. With 30-plus years in the jewelry business under its belt, Joe Escobar Diamonds is a long-running local favorite.

The knowledgeable and friendly staff, wide

range of styles and services and deep selection of diamonds have again earned the family-owned business the top spot among South Bay jewelry aficionados.

The Jewel Box Jewelers 1640 S. Bascom Ave. #F, Campbell, 408.377.9898; 17190 Monterey St. #101, Morgan Hill, 408.776.9444 Vardy’s Jewelers 10227 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino; 408.446.2900

BEST FLOWER SHOP

Citti’s 990 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell, 408.371.7000; 3100 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose, 408.984.8900; 800 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, 408.246.7272. Citti’s has been around for nearly 50 years, ranks among the top florists in the country and knows the benefits of working with local growers.

At some point everyone needs some flowers, and this perennial local favorite has proven that it is the go-to shop for every blooming need.

Bunches 14 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408.395.5451 Bloomsters Floral Designs 5945 Almaden Expwy. #170, San Jose; 408.268.5518

BEST STATIONERY STORE

MaiDo 378 Santana Row, San Jose; 408.213.1985 This popular Japanese gift and stationary emporium is full of quirky and marvelous presents for friends, significant others and, mostly importantly, oneself.

Papyrus 50 University Ave., Los Gatos, 408.354.9037; 365 Stanford

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Clara and San Mateo counties; www.shfb.org. While the valley is relatively prosperous compared to some hard-hit areas, hunger and need are still serious problems. Since it formed as a coalition of local food pantries in 1988, this hard-working group has been helping the needy in San Mateo and Santa Clara County. Only 5 cents out of a donated dollar go to the expenses of running this organization—and if you don’t have money and do have garden surplus of oranges and lemons, they’ll accept that as well.

Planned Parenthood Multiple locations Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose; 408.468.0100

BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE COLLECTIVE

Harbordside Health Center 2106 Ringwood Ave., San Jose; 408.321.8424. One of the most remarkable phenomenon of recent valley history has been the rise of the medical marijuana collective. Harborside caught the attention of voters amid a crowded field with its commitment to “compassion, positivity and progression.”

ARC Healing Center 885 W. Julian St., San Jose; 408.564.5118 Elemental Wellness 711 Charcot Ave., San Jose; 408.453.3344 )

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g Classes & Instruction

Focus Learn How To Meditate And Why!

g Massage & Relaxation

Massage By Michael Great massage by Asian man. In $50. Outcall $70. By CMT. For days 408-400-9088 or after 7pm 408-893-1966.

Massage Therapy Open 7 days 9am-9pm

(408) 379-3838 www.TheGreenSpaMassage.com 816 W Hamilton Ave Campbell (cross st San Tomas)

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Enjoy life! Calm the mind. Improve relationships. Make better decisions. Meditation and Buddhist View with Reed Sherman. Everyone is welcome. No previous experience necessary. $10 per class.

Every Wednesday evening, 7:30-9, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos, 15980 Blossom Hill Rd. Los Gatos, 95032.

Call Kelsang Gamo 408/226-0595 for information or visit us at www.MeditationInSanJose.org

the green spa

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BEST OF SILICON VALLEY EDITORS’ PICKS

SHOPPING SERVICES & SOCIETY COMMON GROUND Eileen Steinkamp (left) and Patricia Becker offer solace and solutions for valley gardeners.

BEST REMNANTS

FabMo www.FabMo.org. With a sweeping embrace of upcycling, crafting and material reusing and repurposing, the team at FabMo diverts the waste stream of remnants and redirects it right into a creative community that is thrilled to get its hands on high-quality and designer fabrics it couldn’t normally come by. FabMo started out just dealing in textiles, but has since grown to include wallpaper, leathers, tiles, trims, carpets and more. A donation-run nonprofit, the vision for FabMo is that crafters and creatives can turn this “trash” into treasures to use as fundraisers for schools, churches and do-good organizations of all types.

BEST PLACE TO GET TIED UP

Green Planet Yarn 368 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell; 408.871.9196. Crafters, unite! Michael’s hasn’t got anything on Green Planet Yarn.

They’re completely different animals, really.

To the layperson, yarn is just yarn. But serious knitters and crocheters want to talk with someone who can explain what worsted weight yarn is, how to work in the round, and what size and type of needles or hooks will work best for hats vs. doilies vs. afghans. The staff here can do just that.

The small store also prides itself in being stocked to the hilt with brightly colored, quality yarns, including those made from eco-friendly materials, some of which are fair trade and others are made from recycled fibers.

BEST SPACE TO MAKE THE PIECES FIT

Jigsaw Java 846 Main St., Redwood City; 650.364.3634.

Puzzled as to how to spend one these recent rainy days? Jigsaw Java has a free table of hot beverages (donations requested) and loads of puzzles to do some yoga for the brain. The jigsaw shop offers hourly and daily rates, as well as monthly memberships (which come with discounts on events and merchandise), and welcomes patrons to use their stock of used puzzles, buy and put together a new puzzle or bring in one from home. Jigsaw Java also serves as a team-building or birthday party location, and puts on its own events for young and old alike, including an upcoming class on the history of puzzles.

BEST WARDROBE RETHINKING TEAM

Urban Darling San Jose; www.UrbanDarling.com.

When the time comes to drag a tired, old wardrobe into the light of day for a serious evaluation, the darlings at Urban Darling have just what it takes to get you out of the old and into a new look; and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. As adept at rethinking the clothing that you already have as they are starting from square one with a complete closet-clearing wardrobe makeover, the Urban Darling team of trained stylists at can help transport you from faded and frumpy to fitted and fabulous.

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SHOPPING/SERVICES/SOCIETY ( 92 BEST PURVEYOR OF VINTAGE WRAPS

Diva Sharon’s Divine Vintage 1318 Lincoln Ave., San Jose; 408.294.9893.

From stoles, boas and shrugs to jackets, coats and muffs, Diva Sharon’s is the spot to go for mint-condition vintage wraps that bring the glamour and style of bygone eras strolling right into today. The diva’s sharp eye for quality and long history of acquiring and wearing vintage clothing make her an invaluable resource and source of information and clothing from the fabulously fashionable mid-20th century; a time when dressing up was the norm and clothing was made to last.

BEST PLACE FOR HARRIED PARENTS

Tiny Tots

Baby Boutique and Diaper Service 138 Railway Ave., Campbell; 408.866.2925.

This local spot, located just outside downtown Campbell, is part cute boutique, part wash-and-reuse diaper service and part community-building organization, making for a one-stop shop for parents.

Tiny Tots’ website alone provides a lot of information for new parents or parents looking to try new things in caring for their children, but the store also hosts workshops and events, including a baby sign language class and “diapering 101.”

Parents-to-be can create a baby-shower registry and browse the colorful toys and accessories in the boutique or talk with knowledgeable staff about what options they have for diapering, co-sleeping, breastfeeding and more.

BEST PLACE TO MAKE THE CUT AT SJSU

Spartan Barber Shop 487 S. Fourth St., San Jose; 408.993.0717.

Frank Annino has been cutting hair at this little downtown shop for more than half a decade, bringing a little bit of history to the seemingly ever-younger crowd of SJSU students while still keeping his cuts up-todate. Annino’s charm and skill combined have helped keep Spartan Barber Shop in business, but his stories about San Jose’s past are what make him an invaluable part of the community. He has cut the hair of famous SJSU alums Jeff Garcia and the Smothers Brothers; he has seen neighborhoods shift and change and grow and wane. He can educate students in ways that many teachers at SJSU cannot.

BEST BULLET-SHELL EARRINGS

Shannon Amidon San Jose; www.ShannonAmidon.com.

If you haven’t seen them around, you will.

If you have seen them around, then you already know: Shannon Amidon is creating something thought-provoking and lovely by upcycling and repurposing bullet shells into jewelry. The longtime and multitalented Amidon pairs the used bullet shells with feathers, stones, fossils and more to create one-of-a-kind pieces that catch the eye and imagination with their colors, textures, shapes and originality.

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center 559 College Ave., Palo Alto; 650.493.6072.

This outpost for sustainable and organic gardening products, seeds and plant starts, classes and gardening advice is near to celebrating 40 years serving the peninsula and South Bay. While “sustainable” has become a catch phrase in the last couple years, Common Ground has promoted this way of life since it opened in 1972, beginning as a branch of the Ecology Action nonprofit organization, which works with and promotes the Grow Biointensive style of gardening. Over the years, Common Ground has planted its roots in the community through events such as classes on eating seasonally and composting, as well as its annual Edible Landscaping Tour.

BEST POLYNESIAN PARADISE BY THE FREEWAY

Kumar’s Island Market 1440 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose; 408.287.0557. Located just off Highway 101, this unique hole-in-the-wall establishment transports one to countless islands all in one petite crammed-up little place. The store really is an exotic island in the middle of a discarded portion of Santa Clara Street. Inside one finds unusual cuts of meat and fish from Australia and Polynesia, as well as XXXXL-size Hawaiian shirts, fenugreek seeds, boxes of sarongs, Guam-logo hoodies, Samoan music CDs, magazines, canned goods, homemade bread and who knows what else. A perfect place to search for the lost exotic piece of yourself.

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94 Jen Anderson

DIVA SHARON The best in retro-wraps can be found at Diva Sharon’s Divine Vintage.

House of Foam

BEST FAMILY FRIENDLY LIQUOR STORE

Kelly’s Liquor Store

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BEST POLYURETHANE PARADISE 150 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; 650.327.4300. For cubes, wedges, cylinders and rectangles, Palo Alto’s Bob Tallman is Mr. Foam. That’s all you really need to know. He is a specialist in supplying poly foam for all of his customers, both online and in person. This sounds like a butcher’s description, but he really does carry almost all cuts, types and sizes of poly foam imaginable. No matter what you’re looking for—mattresses, pillows, luggage, insulation or custom cases—Bob knows all. Choose your foam—poly, high resistance or 180—and Bob will provide the goods. He is the one and only. And his tireless crew of seamstresses can also reupholster any seat cushion currently on the market. Welcome to the House of Foam, now I’ve come of age.

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BEST WEEKLY STREET FAIR

Campbell Farmers Market As downtown Campbell continues to evolve into an ever-more-vibrant hub of cafes, shopping, dining and nightlife, its farmers market remains one of the valley’s best Sunday-morning destinations. In addition to the dozen or so local farm stands colorfully stacked with mostly organic veggies and fruit, there’s local honey, a seafood stand, a rich mix of prepared foods and a knife sharpener.

Usually some local musicians are present to serenade shoppers, and down the street there are some arts and crafts.

BEST WAY TO START THE WORK WEEK

Restorative Yoga Mondays, 7:15-8:45pm; Downtown Yoga Shala, 450 S. First St., San Jose; 408.885.1000 So it’s Monday again and already the week can’t end fast enough? Restorative yoga,

to the rescue. Instructor Lorien Neargarder gently runs yogis through the paces with light stretching, deep breathing and the help of blankets, bolsters and blocks. An hour and a half may seem like a stretch (har, har), but the time flies by. This class is also a great introduction to yoga; the poses aren’t challenging, the pace is slow, and Neargarder quietly paces the room assisting those who need a little extra help settling into a pose.

BEST PLACE TO EASE INTO YOUR THIRTIES

Fishing at Lexington Reservoir 17770 Alma Bridge Road, Los Gatos; 408.356.2729. Once your bathroom routine extends an extra half-hour to facilitate the finding and removal of gray hair that appear “out of nowhere,” and you notice an unfamiliar jiggle coming from your mid-section while dancing at ’80s night, it might be time to retire the skinny jeans and highlights. You have entered a place even stranger and scarier than the “Twilight Zone.” Welcome to your thirties. To soften the blow, you might consider some new hobbies.

Fishing is one of the best, and Lexington

Reservoir is one of the most enjoyable spots to do it. It’s fun, relaxing, and best of all, that mustache that went from “cool” to “creepy” on your birthday will fit right in.

BEST BIRDWATCHING

Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge Main entrance is off Zanker Road in Alviso; 9500 Thornton Ave., Newark; 510.792.0222. Sure, backyards provide easy access to a few bird sightings. But for those seeking a wider landscape and a broader array of our feathered friends, Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge is an excellent, expansive locale for birding. The park stretches from Alviso up to Newark/Fremont and out to the west to Menlo Park/East Palo Alto, encompassing 30,000 acres. Here, waterfowl, tree nesters and scavengers alike can be found co-mingling, including house finches, great white egrets, song sparrows and double-crested cormorants.

The visitor’s center also includes a log for birders to compare notes on what others witnessed during their trek around the park.

498 N. Fourth St., San Jose; 408.297.4411.

There’s something comforting about going into a liquor store to buy a bottle of whiskey and seeing a friendly face at the register.

It makes a lonesome night of raging feel a little warm and fuzzier. The beer selection isn’t half bad, either.

BEST ALTERNATIVE TO GIDEON BIBLE DISTRIBUTION

ISKCON Temple at Bhakti Yoga 951 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose; 408.293.4959. If you go to the Best Western in Milpitas, Hotel San Carlos in San Carlos or the Knight’s Inn of Santa Cruz, make sure to open all the drawers.

The Hare Krishnas are putting copies of the Bhagavad Gita in cheap motels all over the Bay Area. That alone should be enough for a Metro Best-Of award. The “temple” is actually a while building just across the way from Streetlight Records in San Jose and offers a wealth of activities. Daily services and weekly programs are provided, as are regular lectures and meals.

BEST PLACE TO WATCH PLANES LAND

Taylor Avenue near Highway 87, San Jose Between Highway 87 and Coleman Avenue, there sits a grassy mound on

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Taylor Avenue. It is directly underneath the landing path of San Jose Airport and is an excellent location to administer alternative medicines on a sunny California day. If that’s not your bag, it is also a nice spot to take your honey and administer muchas smooches (an effective cure to many human ailments as well).

Ian Healy

97 WOODEN HORSE Little Gianna does some shopping at the popular toy store.

BEST PLACE TO BUY A DEVICE THAT WOULD NEVER BE USED FOR SMOKING WEED

Smoker’s Paradise

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3623 Union Avenue, San Jose; 408.

377.1335. Looking at a vast selection of tall, intricately detailed glass tubes lined against a wall, a customer says he would like to see that bong over there. “We don’t sell bongs,” says the guy behind the counter. “Yeah, right,” says the customer, “I think I know what bong looks like.” The employee’s eyes bulge. “We don’t sell bongs,” he says again. “Look, pal, I’ve been smoking for 10 years, and I know what a bong looks like,” says the customer. The employee sighs. “We don’t sell bongs,” he says. “Those are water pipes.” The customer gives a sheepish smile and winks. Now you know the rules.

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BEST PLACE TO DIRTY UP A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE THE HONEYMOON

7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville; 408.355.2201. Where some popular spots to seal the deal are snagged years in advance, some outdoor amphitheaters like that at Mount Madonna County Park are a little easier to book mere months before the big day. Just 10 miles outside of Gilroy off Highway 152, Mount Madonna’s beautiful, tree-enveloped amphitheater has ample space for a wedding party, plus woodslab seating for up to 150 attendees, and a nearby picnic area serves as a simple space for a small reception on a warm summer day. Plus, mere feet away, the park houses a family of beautiful white fallow deer.

BEST INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATION SPOT

Rancho San Antonio County Park 23500 Cristo Rey Dr., Cupertino; 650.691.1200. The walk out to historic Deer Hollow Farm, up the somewhat steep and then vista-rich High Meadow Trail,

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Mount Madonna County Park

through Wildcat Loop and back down the PG&E Trail (only one of countless hikes available at this open-space treasure) covers about five miles. Along the way, on an average sunny Sunday, hikers will encounter people from every continent except Antarctica, many taking their exercise with their families, speaking in their native tongues. The place is a celebration of the cosmopolitan valley that is displayed beautifully at its feet.

BEST BARGAIN SUPERSTAR SHOW

Stanford Cardinal & Andrew Luck The show takes place at Stanfor d Stadium—home of the 1985 Super Bowl, the 1994 World Cup and “The

Big Game” going back to 1921. It’s the nation’s biggest privately owned stadium, and even the nosebleed seats afford a nice view. Last year, this historic arena witnessed the emergence of the Heisman-nominated quarterback Andrew Luck, who helmed the squad to a 12-1 season. Luck will be back in the fall, and tickets can still be had for a little more than the price of a movie.

BEST PLACE FOR THE KEY TO SUCCESS

Mountain View Lock and Key/ Jehning Family Lock Museum 171 Castro St., Mountain View;

650.968.3323. The locksmith shop sits in one retail unit, while the museum sits next door. Both constitute a classic mom ‘n’ pop business right smack in the middle of downtown Mountain View’s restaurant strip. The family locksmith business has served customers for decades and the store looks like one would expect: racks and racks of every key blank imaginable, old perforated fixtures from years past, signs, memorabilia and more. And it doesn’t stop there. Next door, the museum contains antique doorknobs, safes, cash registers, key chains, historic locks and chains, handcuffs, machinery and glass display cases. Even better, a sign that glares: Do not bother the locksmith business.

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The m enu ggoes oes ffor or a rreasonable easonable $ 49. T he descriptions off tthe on sspare pare d escriptions o he ffood ood o n tthe he don’t begin describe what’s menu don ’t b egin to de escribe what ’s in storee ffor stor or yyou. o ou. o Meals with M eals sstart tart w ith aan n aamuse muse bouche—on myy vvisits, off b ouche— on m isits, llittle ittle ccups ups o soup,, ccardoon potato. chilled soup ardoon and a p otato. If iit’s t’s still still on on the the menu, menu, head head d straight straight for for Crispy outside tthe he ssmoked moked ggnocchi. nocchi. C rispy o utside dumplings aand nd ssilken ilken iinside, nside, tthe he llittle ittle d umplings off b bacon unctuous ttaste asste llike ike ccubes ubes o acon ffat, at at, u nctuous meaty.

The addition off ccurling aand nd m eaty. T he ad ddition o urling chiles provides strands of Anaheim ch hiles pr ovides a llively, ively, vvegetal egetal ccounternote ounternote tto o tthe he rrich ich Puréed and plantain ggnocchi. nocchi. P uréed cchard hard an nd p lan ntain great opening rround ound out this gr eat op pening dish. favorite was My other fa avo orite w a the early as was asparagus salad. This w a the first as off aasparagus had 2011, ttaste aste o sparagus II’ve ’ve h ad iin n2 011, sso o was enjoyable enough, that w as a enjo oyyable enou ugh,, but the spears weree pair paired sliced purple sp ears wer e with slic ed ed mâche delicate sstrawberries, trawberries, m âche ((aa d elicate llittle ittle lettuce) blocks pressed let tttuce) and those blo ck ks of pr essed pomelo mentioned.

The p omelo I m entioned. T he ccombination ombination salty bitter was wonderful. of ssweet, w weet,, salt ty and bit ttterr w as a wonder ful. spring, If the asparagus salad is a ttaste aste of spring g, slow-poached starter oached egg st the slow-p tarter is firmly winter.

The on rrooted ooted iin nw inter. T he rrich ich eegg gg rrests ests o n off ssome buttery butter beans ttop op o ome ttruly ruly b uttery b utter b ean ns

crusty linguiça. and chunkss of crust ty linguiç çaa.

Given that theree wer weree onlyy thr three Giv en th hat ther ee entrees, was easyy to get a ttaste entr ees, it w as eas aste of Chicken eeverything. verythingg. Chick en on the rround ound is supremely chicken a supr emeely tender chick en dish that arrives unexpected arriv es in aan une xpected fform: orm: white o meat rrolled olleed into a blunt cylinder that’s that ’s first been been cooked cooked sous-vide sous-vide vacuum-sealed (in a vacuu um-sealed bag) and then beautifully browned It’s b eautifullyy br owned in the pan. It ’s served with broccoli ser ved wit th a bit of br occoli and a block cheese-fortified grits.. This blo ck of ch heese-ffo ortified grits makes satisfying mak es ffor o or a satisf fying y ccombination ombination high-tech of high-tec ch technique and downgoodness. home go odness.

Freitas less-is-moree Fr eitas ttakes akes a less-is-mor approach appr oach to t fish. The halibut is poached olivee oil and other otherwise p oached in n oliv wise unadorned. it’s served unadorned d. But it ’s ser ved with an array sauces stubbyy ““thumb” arra ay of sa auces and stubb thumb” chunks kohlrabi ccarrots, arrots, ch unks of k ohlrabi and a jumble of meat meatyy b beech mushrooms. eech mushr ooms.

On another was heer visit,, the halibut w h as served in similar n a si imilar fashion but with roasted potatoes, sted d dry-farmed dry-farmed p otatoes, Hen-of-the-Wood mushrooms hee-Wood mushr ooms and pleasantly bitter mustard greens. ly bitt itter must ard gr eens.

One off the t e most traditional entrees w was waygu a the as t delicious w ayygu tri-tip served moree of those rved d with mor potatoes Hen-of-the-Wood p otatoes aand d Henoff--the-Wood mushrooms mushr oom ms and the eexotic xotic addition smokyy bla black-garlic purée of smok b ack k--garlic pur ée and wood sorrel leaves. ttangy angy wo od sorr el lea aves.

There’s shortt and rreasonably Ther e’s a shor easonably priced wine pric ed win ne list with a ffew ew gems well on it as we ell as a full bar and list of inventive in ventive ccocktails. ocktails. finish strong pastryy Meals fin nish vvery ery str ong with pastr Paul Shields’ desserts.

The artisan cchef hef P au ul S hields’ d esserts. T he ar rttisan n plate nicee bridge b between cheese plat te is a nic etween dessert. dinner and d desser t. Light and crisp house-made are h ouse-made rrosemary osemarry ccrackers rackers ar re served Fiscalini cheese,, ser veed with h aged F iscalini cheese blue cchèvre hèvre aand nd ssmoked moked b lue ccheese heese honey. along with h a currant jelly and hone y.

Meyer lemon/poppy The Me yer er lemon n//poppy seed ccake ake wrapped winner,, wrapp ed in n fruit leather is a winner star custard— but the rreal eaal st ar is the maple cust ard— creamy custard sublimely rich r and cr eam my cust ard accented whiskey saucee ac cented with w a whisk key ccaramel aramel sauc wafer pecan brittle. and crisp w aaffeer of p ecan brit ttle t .

Station doesn’t toot too St ation 1 do esn’t to ot its horn to o loudly, professional loudly y, butt the ffood, ood, pr offeessional staff setting create st aff and ccomfortable omffo ortable set ting cr eate a worth about. rrestaurant estaurantt wor th shouting ab out.

SSTATION TATTIO ON 1 2991 Woodside Woodside R oad, Road, W oodsside Woodside 650.85 51.4988 650.851.4988

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ALLS. FO R GIANT M EATB

I tal

ian is more fun at Buca.

Delicious, family-style food and all the fun of an Italian gathering. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a recipe for good times.

$10 off

ANY PURCHASE OF $20 OR MORE

www.bucadibeppo.com

CAMPBELL | IN THE PRUNEYARD 408.377.7722 PALO ALTO | 650.329.0665 SAN FRANCISCO | 415.543.7673 SAN JOSE | OAKRIDGE MALL 408.226.1444

One coupon per visit per table. Must be presented at time of purchase. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Unauthorized internet distribution or resale is strictly prohibited. Not refundable or redeemable for cash. Excludes banquet and group menus, tax, alcohol, gratuity and purchase of gift cards. Valid for dine in or Buca To Go. Expires 11/15/10. LMP$off

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Cupertino ¿book online at cupertino.com

ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE AmericanAsian steakhouse. $$$$.

Alexander’s is much more than a steakhouse. Add a 500-bottle wine list, multiple dining rooms and Asianaccented ambience and you’ve got a standout South Bay restaurant. Full bar. 5:3010pm Mon-Thu, 5:30-11pm Fri-Sat and 5-9pm Sun. 10330 N. Wolfe Rd. 408.446.2222.

CAFE TORRE New Italian. $$$. A gem tucked away in an unassuming little mall, with a sophisticated interior and congenial hosts. Even better is the great pasta and seafood.

Beer, wine. 11:30am-2pm and 5-9:30pm Mon-Thu and 510:30pm Fri-Sat. Closed Sun. 20343 Stevens Creek Blvd.

408.257.2383.

CUPERTINO BAKERY Indian and bakery. $. Don’t be fooled by the name. Cupertino Bakery is really a great South Indian restaurant. Unlike many South Indian restaurants, Cupertino Bakery isn’t vegetarian. Good lunch buffet for $7.99. Don’t miss the dosa and utthappam.

11:30am-9:30pm daily, but weekdays kitchen closes 2:305:30pm. 102521 S. De Anza Blvd. 408.517.9000.

DYNASTY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Hong Kongstyle Chinese. $$$. Dynasty specializes in Hong Kong-style seafood. The seafood is very fresh, especially the creatures swimming minutes before they arrive on your plate.

Good dim sum, too. Full bar.

11am-2:30pm and 5-9:30pm Mon-Thu and 10am-3pm and 5-9:30pm Fri-Sat. 10123 N. Wolfe Rd (in Cupertino Square). 408.996.1680.

FLORENTINE RESTAURANT Italian. $. Bold flavors, fresh ingredients and lavish portions.

Casual to dressy. Beer, wine.

10257 S. De Anza Blvd. (plus six other locations, some with full bars). 11:30am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-10pm Fri-Sat and 49pm Sun. 408.253.6532.

FONTANA’S California/Italian. $$$. A steady performer, Fontana’s rarely disappoints pasta lovers. Beer, wine.

11:30am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-10pm Fri, 5-10pm Sat and 4:30-9pm Sun. 20840 Steven Creek Blvd.

408.725.0188.

GOCHI Japanese. $$$. Gochi is a globally inspired izakaya (small plates) restaurant.

Most of the food is straightup Japanese fare, but there are a few American, French and Korean twists. Highly recommended. 19980 Homestead Rd. 408.725.0542.

LOON WAH Chinese. $. The kitchen produces good wokcentric dishes, but its main draw is fresh, hand-pulled noodles. Casual. Beer, wine.

11am-9:30pm Mon-Thu and 11am-10pm Fri-Sun. 1146 De Anza Blvd. 408.257.8877.

TODAI Japanese. $$. Billed as a Japanese seafood buffet, Todai doesn’t limit itself to Japanese dishes. Pan-Asian and just plain odd specialties rotate. 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-9pm Mon-Fri and 11:30am-3pm and 5:309:30pm Sat-Sun. Cupertino Square mall (near Sears), 10123 N. Wolfe Rd #2001.

408.996.3444.

Los Gatos ¿book online at losgatos.com

ALDO’S Italian. $$$. A warm and engaging atmosphere

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¿= book online $ = $10 $$ = $11-$15 $$$ = $16-$20 $$$$ = $21 and up Ranges based on average cost of dinner entree and salad, excluding alcoholic beverages

sets the scene for fullbodied flavors and healthy ingredients. 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Fri, 5-9pm Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat. 14109 Winchester Blvd. 408.374.1808.

CALIFORNIA CAFE New American. $$$. An innovative approach to Pacific Rim staples makes for some lovely surprises. The ace service matches the smart setting.

Full bar. 11:30am-10pm MonFri, 10:30am-10:30pm Sat, 10:30am-9:30pm Sun. 50 University Ave. 408.354.8118.

CIN-CIN Eclectic wine bar. $$$. The heart of Cin Cin’s menu is an eclectic mix of small plates, tapas-size dishes that partner well with a great wine list. 4-10pm Mon-Sat. 368 Village Way. 408.354.8006.

CRIMSON Rustic bistro. $$$.

Large portions of upscale rustic fare sate the diner at this new-style Old World bistro, but don’t forget to save room for Fondue for Two. 11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri, 5pmclose Mon-Sun. 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. 408.358.0175.

DIO DEKA Greek. $$$. Dio Deka is doing its part to elevate Greek food in Silicon Valley. There’s much to recommend at this handsome restaurant. Most starters are large so they’re best shared.

5:30-10pm Mon-Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat, 5-9pm Sun. 210 E. Main St. 408.354.7700.

FLEUR DE COCOA French bakery. $$. Almond croissant.

Almond croissant. Almond croissant. Los Gatos’ Fleur de Cocoa is rightly known

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MAIN STREET BURGERS

for its chocolate confections and pastries, but I can’t stop thinking about the little pastry shop’s spectacular almond croissants. There’s plenty of other good stuff and not all of it sweet, like the croque monsieur and the quiche.

7:30am-6pm Tue-Sat and 8am-4pm Sun. 39 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.354.3574.

Burgers. $. Main Street Burgers offers fast food convenience, affordable prices and food made with ingredients that are higher quality and more healthful than what you’d find at the golden arches. 11am-8:30pm Mon-Thu, 9am-9pm Fri-Sat, 9am-8:30pm Sun. 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.354.1881.

FORBES MILL STEAKHOUSE

MANRESA High concept.

Steakhouse. $$$$. When Metro first checked in with Forbes Mill in 2003, it was called “a big, burly brasserie equipped with style as well as substance.” It’s holding up well and still does things in a big way. Dinner 5-9pm Sun-Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat. 206 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.395.6434.

$$$$. Drawing from produce grown at his own farm, superstar chef David Kinch is blazing a trail of high caliber cuisine that’s as daring as it is delicious. Expensive but worth it. 320 Village Lane.

408.354.4330.

GREEN PAPAYA Vietnamese. $$. California cuisine meets Southeast Asia by way of Paris, with inventive updates of clay pot and five-spice authentica. 11am- 3pm, 5-9:30pm Tue-Sun.. Beer, wine. 137 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.395.9115.

I GATTI New Italian. $$$. I Gatti fits like a glove along peaceful Main Street. The chef understands the basics but isn’t afraid to create refreshing twists on traditional recipes. 11:30am-2pm. 59:30pm Mon-Sat, 5-9pm Sun 25 E. Main St. 408.399.5180.

KAMAKURA SUSHI AND SAKE HOUSE Sushi bar classics. $$. In a smart setting, Kamakura showcases a procession of impeccable sushi and sashimi platters.

10:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm daily. 135 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.395.6650.

LOS GATOS BREWING CO. Brewpub. $$$. Most brewpubs seem to be cooking from the same menu, but executive chef Jim Stump has created a diverse menu of upscale comfort food that goes well beyond burgers and grilledchicken sandwiches. The handsome wood-accented interior and open kitchen with its wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie grill add to the restaurant’s appeal. Breakfast 10am-2pm Sat-Sun, lunch 11:30am-3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm daily. 130 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.395.9929.

NICK’S ON MAIN American. $$$. Nick’s on Main is a relaxed but elegant bistro full of neighborly charm and is a showcase for owner Nick Difu’s decadent and deeply satisfying style of cooking.

11:30am-3pm and 5-9:30pm Tue-Sat. 35 E. Main St. 408.399.6457.

PASTARIA & MARKET Italian. $$. Pastaria offers reasonably priced comfort food in an unpretentious but lively atmosphere. 5-9:30pm Mon-Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat and 5-10pm Sun. 49 E. Main St. 408.399.3477.

RESTAURANT JAMES RANDALL Californian. $$$.

Chef and co-owner Ross Hanson takes his cues from the seasons and favors a simple, ingredient-driven approach that places it squarely in the California school of cooking. He favors big, robust flavors and large serving sizes to create a kind of California comfort food. Dinner 5:30-11pm TueSat. 303 N. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.395.4441.

STEAMER’S New American. $$$. Styling itself as a grill house, Steamer’s includes rotisserie meats and fragrant grilled chops in addition to fresh fish. Quality control and service are excellent. Full bar.

11:30am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm daily. 31 University Ave. 408.395.2722.

TANDOORI OVEN Indian. $.

Tandoori Oven has quickly found its niche in Los Gatos

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among the burrito joints, sushi spots and upscale restaurants with its made-toorder curry dishes and spicy north Indian fare at good prices. 11:30am-9:30pm daily.

133 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.395.1784; 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, 408.559.3885; and 109 S. First St., San Jose, 408.292.7222.

TAPESTRY Contemporary haute. $$$. Right on the main street, this cottagelike spot blends traditional French cooking with contemporary fusion: filet mignon with Mongolian-style brown sauce; crayfish chow mein. Elegant and friendly. 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-9pm Sun-Thu, 5-10pm Fri-Sat. 11 College Ave. 408.395.2808.

THREE DEGREES Eclectic, California. $$$. Set inside the beautifully remodeled Toll House hotel, Three Degrees delivers a mixed bag of big and small plates from an eclectic menu. Some dishes, like the New York steak, are great, but others fall flat.

Service is friendly but still a little green. Full bar. Breakfast 6:30-11am Mon-Fri, 3-10pm daily. 140 S. Santa Cruz Blvd.

408.884.1054.

VALERIANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR Contemporary Italian. $$$.

While the kitchen exudes earthy aromas, the dining room’s soft terra-cotta walls glow with a sense of Mediterranean mission.

Hands-on management makes each patron feel pampered. Full bar. 5pmclose daily. 160 W. Main St. 408.354.8108.

VIVA LOS GATOS NEIGHBORHOOD EATERY California. $$$. This popular Los Gatos restaurant mixes it up with Italian-leaning Mediterranean food, fresh fish, grilled steaks and several Asian-inspired dishes as well.

11am-9:30pm Mon-Fri 8am10:30pm Sat, 8am-9:30pm Sat. 15970 Los Gatos Blvd.

408.356.4902.

WILLOW STREET WOODFIRED PIZZA Pizza. $$. Silicon Valley’s three Willow Street pizza locations prepare the

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SVDINING 103 definitive upwardly mobile California pizza. Crispy, thin crusts breathe with accents of almond from the Italian wood-fired oven. Check out the new Neapolitan-style pizzas—delicate, light and satisfying. Hearty pastas, salads and sandwiches, too. 11:30am-10pm SunThu; 11:30am-9:30pm Fri-Sat. 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave. 408.354.5566. For other locations see www. willowstreet.com.

WINE CELLAR New California $$. Tucked under Borders Books, this cozy dining spot offers an education in Old World charm and New World cuisine, from smoked salmon pizza to grilled ahi tuna to desserts as fresh as spring break. 11:30am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-10pm FriSat, 10:30am-9pm Sun. 50 University Ave. 408.354.4808.

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chosen wine list to match.

11am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm Mon-Fri. 10pm Sat-Sun.190 S. Murphy Ave. 408.774.1889.

IL POSTALE ITALIAN American. $$$. Its previous incarnation as a post office lends this space eccentric charm, and the food delivers full-bodied taste in generous portions. Veal marsala, thin-crust pizza and New York steak are featured.

11am-1:30pm, 4-9:30pm TueSun. 127 W. Washington St. 408.733.9600.

LUCKY DHABA Indian. $. A dhaba is a roadside fast food joint in northern India. We’ve got our own version here at Sunnyvale’s Lucky Dhaba.

Located off busy El Camino Real, Lucky Dhaba offers a wide variety of good Indian food. 11am-10pm Sun-Thu and 11am-10:30pm Fri-Sat. 1036 El Camino Real. 408.617.0660.

PEZELLAS Family Italian. $$.

Sunnyvale ¿book online at sunnyvale.net

BAY LEAF Indonesian and Thai. $$. Bay Leaf’s menu is divided into Thai and Indonesian food and it’s the latter that stands out. While Thai food is characterized by bright, high notes, Indonesian food strikes a lower bass note. 11am-3pm and 59:30pm Mon-Thu, 11am10pm Fri-Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. 122 S. Sunnyvale Ave. 408.481.9983.

CHELOKEBABI. Persian. $$. Go straight for the baghali ghatogh, a fantastic appetizer made from delicate but rich baby lima beans, scrambled eggs and lots of garlic. Just as good is ghaymeh, a daily special made from tender chunks of beef, split peas, eggplant and tomato sauce. 11am10pm daily. 1236 Wolfe Rd. 408.737.1222.

DISHDASH Middle Eastern. $$. Dishdash celebrates the culinary glories of the Middle East beyond falafels and hummus. The menu is made from traditional recipes and ingredients but presented with a contemporary flourish.

There’s also a small but well-

Serves popular Italian dinners with rich sauces and generous portions. East Coast seafood dishes like linguini and clams and calamari sautéed in tomato, garlic, and basil stand out. Pizza and pasta abound.

Full Bar. 11am-2:30pm Tue-Fri, 5-10:30pm Tue-Sat. Closed Sun-Mon. 1025 W. El Camino Real. 408.738.2400.

P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO Chinese. $$. With atmosphere to spare, Chang’s doesn’t neglect taste.

Vibrant Szechuan flavors mix surprisingly well with rich Western-style desserts. Full bar. 11am-10pm Mon-Sun, 11am-11pm Fri-Sat. 390 W. El Camino Real. 408.991.9078.

SAIZO Japanese. $$. Part bar, part eatery, Saizo served small plates of grilled and fried dishes made to go with sake and beer. It’s all good. Open daily for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat. 592 E. El Camino Real. 408.733.7423.

SENZALA Brazilian. $$.

Senzala restaurant is like a Brazilian cultural center that also serves food. Brazilian art and photographs cover the walls. Go for the feijoada, a hearty, smoky black bean stew made with chunks of beef and pork. 11am-10pm Mon-Sat. 250 E. Java Dr. 408.734.1656.

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SETO DELI Japanese. $. Folksy country deli that offers hot and cold, takeout, eat-in and made to order food in a vibrant array of familiar and not-sofamiliar Japanese dishes at prices that beat just about any restaurant’s.Closed Sun. 155 E. Maude Ave. 408.735.7777.

SHALIMAR Indian-Pakistani. $. Walk up to the counter, grab a menu and place your order.

One of the best dishes is the plain-looking haleem, a lentil and barley stew available with chicken or beef. Nihari, a rich beef shank stew, is also great. 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30-10:30pm Sun-Thu and noon-3:30pm and 5:30-11pm Sat-Fri. 1146 W. El Camino Real.

408.530.0300.

SUGAR BUTTER FLOUR Bakery. $. Sugar Butter Flour’s desserts and pastries go well beyond the humdrum sweets found at most restaurants and bakeries. The bakery’s chocolate skills are particularly strong. 7am-7:30pm Mon-Thu, 7am-8:30pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun. 669 S. Bernardo Ave. 408.732.8597.

TAVERNA GYROS Old Mediterranean/Turkish. $$. Mustard and ruddy pomegranate hues warm the restaurant’s interior; zesty Arabic infusions warm the food. Choose from mezes such as hummus or tabouli. Entrees include lamb, beef or chicken gyros or lamb kebab. 11am10pm daily. 133 S. Murphy Ave. 408.735.9971.

UDUPI PALACE Indian. $$. Udupi Palace, a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, specializes in dishes—dosas and uthappams. Dosas are long, thin crepes made with rice flour. Uthappams are pancakes made with rice and lentil flour.

11:30am-10pm Mon-Thu, 11:30am-11pm Fri-Sat, 11:30am10:30pm Sun. 976 E. El Camino Real. 408.830.9600.

YUME-YA Japanese. $$. Don’t come here looking for sake bombs and macadamia nutencrusted gimmicky sushi rolls.

What sets this restaurant apart is its selection of izakayastyle dishes, little plates of food designed to go with beer and sake. Open 6-11pm Mon-Sat. 150 El Camino Real.

408.530.8156.

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THE FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH Caravan Lounge, San Jose Thu – 10pm; free With a breakneck speedpunk sound and a sense of humor to go along with it, San Jose’s the Five Fingers of Death had their beginnings when bassistvocalist Jason Styles met the band’s drummer, Kaka Meng, at a professional wrestling school.

Soon after that, their second guitarist, who goes by the moniker “ET,” caught their show at the Blue Bonnet in Sunnyvale. Promises Styles: “If you don’t like our music, you’ll be entertained by our antics.

If you still don’t like it, it’ll be over soon.” (BD)

DAEMON CITY LIGHTS

*fri

Mountain Charleys, Los Gatos Thu – 8pm; $5

RED ELVISES

This local trio combines smooth electro-pop beats and a morose but interesting rock vibe. They’ve been known to don Depressionera duds at their shows and play through vintage amps. It may sound like a mismatch, but it fits the mood these guys are going after. Sometimes described as a cross between Postal Service and Mae, DCL is chill party music that will ensure you don’t end up with a couch through the window. (BD)

Blank Club, San Jose Fri – 9pm; $12/$14 Cooler than Siberia in the middle of winter, the Red Elvises play the best surf-style American roots-rock you’re ever likely to hear from guys named Igor, Oleg and Andrei. These Russians (by way of SoCal) have boosted their numbers, from a three-piece outfit to a mini politburo of five, through a solid propaganda campaign that includes balalaika-soaked rockabilly and repeatedly wearing animal-print suits that are known to induce vertigo after a few vodkas. (SP)

*sat

MONTEREY JACKS

Streetlight Records, San Jose Sat – 4pm; free When the 17-year-old drummer for this band, Janelle Pereyda, worked at Los Gatos’ Tandoori Oven, I walked in one time to discover the entirety of the Moody Blues’ Days of Future Passed being played over the stereo system. I asked her how such a thing found its way into an Indian eatery, and she said it was one of her favorite albums. I then pointed out that few people her age have even heard of the Moody Blues, but it turned out she was part of the Monterey Jacks, made up of teenagers who live and breathe psychedelic rock & roll.

The best part is that they don’t do one more cover of “Nights in White Satin”—well, maybe they do, but they’re not a cover band. Instead, they write original songs that sound like they’ve been beamed straight out of 1968. Eliot Chamberlain’s guitar tones recapture the magical, mystical musical trip that made a generation think they could change the world. (SP)

THE RECORD WINTER Homestead Lanes, Cupertino Sat – 8pm; $8 There weren’t a lot of indie rock bands playing in the South Bay six years ago when Record Winter were starting out. Nowadays they’re not quite so alone, and their sound hasn’t changed much over the years, except that they’ve improved upon it. The songs that work best are the

* concerts 107 SONGS AND SOLOS

EDDIE GALE’S GHETTO MUSIC EDD

CAKE

Mar 11 at 6pm, 6 Le Petit Trianon, San Jose

EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY Mar 11 at 8pm, First Lutheran Church, Palo Alto

TAINTED LOVE Mar 11 aat 9pm, Fox Theatre, San Jose

SAN JOSE JAZZ WINTER FEST Mar 12 at 7pm, Pagoda, Fairmont Hotel, San Jose

SOUTH VALLEY SYMPHONY SO Mar 112 at 7:30pm, Gavilan College Theater, Gilroy

MUSIC AT THE MISSION “Old World, W New World,” Mar 12 at Old Mission San Jose Church, 8pm, O Fremont

SCHOLA CANTORUM Mar 12 at 8pm, Campbell United Methodist; and Mar 13 at 4pm, First Method Congregational Church of Palo Alto Congre

EL CA CAMINO YOUTH SYMPHONY Mar 13 at 1:30pm, Menlo Atherton Center for the Performing Arts Ce

THE ADLERS Mar 13 at 2:30pm, Dinkelspiel M Auditorium, Stanford

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dYlcXeZ\Æ]fi k :Xb\ ^\k `e k_\ mXeÆ\i# X ones that seamlessly counter their love for Sunny Day Real Estate with a dash of folk and twang. Instead of intense, cut-through-the-heart vocals, Dominic Miranda’s tender, soulful Neil Young–esque voice gives Record Winter a deep, somber, almost dreamy tone. With San Francesca, Casey Jones and Virginia City Shakedown. (AC)

PALO ALTO PHILHARMONIC Palo Alto Arts Center Auditorium Sat – 8pm; $8-$18 For the last chamber music concert of its season, the Palo Alto Philharmonic Association presents an eclectic program that leads off with excerpts from Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat. The evening also includes the seldom-heard Phantasy Quintet by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Schumann’s Stücke im Volkston

for Cello and Piano. In a lighter vein is Nino (Godfather) Rota’s Sonata for Flute and Harp. The concert concludes with Hendrik Andriessen’s Intermezzo for Flute and Harp. (MSG)

SAN JOSE JAZZ WINTER FEST Trinity Cathedral, San Jose Sat – 8pm; $30 While it’s not quite Christmas in July, San Jose Jazz pushes eligibility rules for Winter Fest, March 12–20. The eclectic series of six shows in just over a week kicks off with vocalist Denise Donatelli at Trinity Cathedral, and includes a salsa party (March 18), Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez (March 19), harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite (March 19), South Bay native Taylor Eigsti (March 20) and a guitar-centric “Acoustic Africa” lineup (March 20). (SP)

*sun *mon AVIV STRING QUARTET

Le Petit Trianon, San Jose Sun – 7pm; $27-$42 For more than a decade, the Aviv String Quartet has been winning major prizes at chamber music competitions around the world.

This Israeli ensemble will be joined by local pianist Gwendolyn Mok for this San Jose Chamber Music concert. The program features Beethoven’s Quartet in E-Flat Major, Shostakovich’s Quartet no.

9 and Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A Major. (MSG)

CAKE

The Avalon, Santa Clara Mon – 8:30pm; $35 Cake have always been defined by intense juxtaposition. Their music is a bag of competing forces, colliding classic rock, rap, country, jazz, rockabilly and funk. Rather than taking those elements and carving out a new genre, they treated them all as recycled scraps, and the result sounded wholly new. John McCrea’s half-sarcastic, half-sincere halfhearted vocals practically defined the spirit of the apathetic, post-grunge ’90s. Not a lot has changed with the release of Showroom of Compassion, their first album in seven years.

There’s a little more piano and a few stabs at Beatles-esque pop, but they’re just icing on the Cake. (AC)

GABRIELI WEST Mar 13 at a 3pm, Foothill Presbyterian Church, San Jose

MASTER SINFONIA Mar 13 at 3pm, Los Alto United Methodist Church

OHLONE COLLEGE SYMPHONY Mar 13 at 5pm, Smith Center, Fremont

SYMPHONY SILICON VALLEY Concert version of “Man of La Mancha,” Mar 19–20, California Theatre, San Jose

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Mar 24–27, HP Pavilion, San Jose

SYMPHONY SILICON VALLEY Brahms’ German Requiem, Mar 24–27, California Theatre

HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR Mar 31 at 7:30pm, Montalvo Arts Center

MINGUS BIG BAND Apr 13 at 8pm, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford

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Sout Bay Composers’ Collective, South Mar 9 at 7:30pm, Le Petit Trianon, San Jose

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metroactive ARTS

Comedy

Galleries

ROOSTER T. FEATHERS

MACLA

South Valley Civic Theatre presents. Fri-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2:30pm (Mar 13 and 20).

Runs thru Mar 26. $14/$18.

Morgan Hill Playhouse.

Wed, 8pm: New Talent Comedy Competition. $10.

Thu, 8pm, Fri, 9pm, Sat, 8 and 10:30pm, Sun, 8pm: W. Kamau Bell with Jessi Campbell and Max Curry. $12-$18. Tue, 8pm: New Talent Comedy Competition. $10. Sunnyvale.

“Novelas, Love and Other Adventures.” Thru Mar 26.

Wed-Thu, noon-7pm, Fri-Sat, noon-5pm. San Jose.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

SAN JOSE IMPROV

Theater ANYTHING GOES

Pear Avenue’s version of Arthur Miller’s play. Thu-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. Runs through Mar 20. Pear Avenue Theatre, Mountain View.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF A Broadway San Jose presentation. Mar 15-20. TueThu, 7:30pm, Fri, 8pm, Sat, 2 and 8pm, Sun, 1 and 6pm. $20-$79. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

FOLLIES CONCERT VERSION

By Tabard Theatre. Fri, 8pm, Sat, 3 and 8pm, Sun, 2pm (plus Mar 24, 8pm). Runs thru Mar 27. $27-$35. Theatre on San Pedro Square, San Jose.

INTIMATE APPAREL Lynn Nottage’s play. Runs Mar 11-19. Fri-Sat, 7pm. Also Mar 16-19, 7pm. $10/$20.

SJSU University Theater.

THE NORTH POOL TheatreWorks mounts Rajiv Joseph’s thriller. Mar 9-Apr 3. Previews Wed-Fri, 8pm.

Opens Sat, 8pm. Also this week: Sun, 2 and 7pm, Tue, 7:30pm. $27-$42. Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.

ON THE WATERFRONT A San Jose Stage Company presentation. Wed-Thu, 7:30pm, Fri-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. Runs thru Mar 13. $15$35. The Stage, San Jose.

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE West Valley Light Opera.

Runs Mar 12-Apr 9. Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2:30pm. $18-$30.

Saratoga Civic.

XANADU A musical about roller disco.

Fri-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. $24$44. Retro Dome, San Jose.

Wed, 8pm: Big Al’s Big Ass Comedy. $12. Thu, 8pm: Chicano Comedy Show. $12. Fri-Sat, 7 and 10pm: Eddie Griffin. $30. Sun, 7pm: Scientist Turned Comedian Tim Lee. $20. San Jose.

*art

Museums ART MUSEUM OF LOS GATOS “Configurations: Bodies in Motion.” Figurative works

by Michael Azgour, Nancy Bowman and Christofer Charles. Thru Mar 18. Los Gatos.

CANTOR ARTS CENTER “Twelve Drawings From Domenico Tiepolo’s New Testament.” Thru May 29.

“In a New York Minute: Photographs by Helen Levitt.”

Thru May 1. “Paths Through the Global City: Photographs

by Leo Rubinfien.” Thru May 1. Wed-Sun, 11am-5pm, Thu, 11am-8pm. Stanford.

SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF ART “Roots in the Air, Branches Below: Modern and Contemporary Art From India.” Thru Sep 4. “Robert Mapplethorpe: Portraits.”

Thru Jun 5. Thru Mar 14. TueSun, 11am-5pm, closed Mon. San Jose.

SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS AND TEXTILES “Earthly Paradise: Memory, Myth, Metaphor.” “Eden Re-imagined.” “Boy Code.”

“Modern Maya.” Thu May 1.

Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm.

San Jose.

10

20

11

20

STANFORD LIVELYARTS

SAN JOSE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART “Powers of Ten.” Thru Jun 11. “Urgency.” Large wooden installation by Mike Rathbun.

Thru Jun 4. Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm, Sat, noon-5pm. San Jose.

WORKS/SAN JOSE Benefit Auction Exhibit for the gallery with pieces by about 100 local artists. Thru Mar 19.

San Jose.

*books JANE MCGONIGAL

The author of “Reality Is Broken” talks about the potential for social change through video games with Laura Sydell of NPR. Wed, 7pm.

Computer History Museum, Mountain View.

SF OPERA ADLER FELLOWS

CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET

SUN / MAR 13 / 2:30 PM

SUN / APR 3 / 2:30 PM

A kaleidoscope of Russian art song in a recital by SF Opera Adler Fellows, the opera sensations of tomorrow.

Britain’s lauded Carducci performs Arlene Sierra (US premiere) plus Beethoven and Dvorák.

MINGUS BIG BAND

TRIMPIN THE GURS ZYKLUS

WED / APR 13 / 8 PM

SAT / MAY 14 / 8 PM

Fresh from their 2011 Grammy win, the sensational NY-based orchestra celebrates the work of jazz legend Charles Mingus.

World premiere!

Maverick composer–inventor Trimpin’s captivating work of memory and remembrance with Rinde Eckert, director.

MICHELLE RICHMOND A Silicon Valley Reads event tied to Richmond’s novel “The Year of Fog.” Thu, 7pm. Free.

Books Inc., Palo Alto.

*kids

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN Peninsula Youth Theatre. Thu, 9:30am, Fri, 9:30am and 7:30pm, Sat, 2 and 7:30pm, Sun, 1pm. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Childrens Musical Theater Mainstage. Thu-Fri, 7pm, Sat, 2 and 7pm, Sun 1pm. $16/$23.

Montgomery Theater, San Jose.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER A play about Jackie Robinson, presented by Children’s Theatre Center. Sat, 11am. $11/$12. Sunnyvale Theatre.

SEUSSICAL JR. Los Altos Youth Theatre. Mar 11-26. Fri, 7pm, Sat, 2 and 7:30pm, Sun, 2pm. $10/$15.

Bus Barn Theatre, Los Altos.

TICKETS & INFO:

LIVELYARTS.STANFORD.EDU | 650-725-2787

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*stage

More listings:

METROACTIVE.COM

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STAGE

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Kira Skates Again IN 1980, a film called Xanadu was unleashed upon the public. Though its soundtrack went double platinum, the movie itself flopped at the box office and set musical cinema back 20 years. By 2007, however, this cheesy disco-era extravaganza had achieved cult status, and a Broadway production was the next logical step. In contrast to the Razzie Award– winning film, the stage musical was surprisingly successful, running for more than 500 performances and winning Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

The Guggenheim family is now presenting the first West Coast production of Xanadu since its U.S. tour. San Jose’s Retro Dome makes the perfect home for this gloriously campy show, which is a joy to behold from its hilarious start to a finale that lights up the Dome with more disco balls than should be legally permitted. Anyone who actually remembers the movie will recognize OXeX[l familiar plot points: a Greek muse (played in the film by Olivia NewtonThrough April 3 John) emerges from a chalk mural to lend inspiration to struggling artist The Retro Dome, San Jose Sonny Malone (Adam Barry). Calling herself “Kira” and sporting roller skates, $24–$44 leg warmers and an Australian accent, she works her magic until Sonny realizes his grand tribute to the arts: opening up a roller disco.

The tongue-in-cheek play affectionately parodies the 1980 film while sending up the current fad for jukebox musicals. Retro-enthusiasts will love its numerous pop-culture references, like the scene in which Sonny confronts a group of Greek gods and notes their similarity to the cast of Clash of the Titans. And of course, the play retains what everyone liked most about the movie, even if they wouldn’t admit it: musical hits by Electric Light Orchestra and Olivia Newton-John. “I’m Alive,” “All Over the World” and “Xanadu” are all here. Newton-John’s “Strange Magic” and ELO’s “Evil Woman,” though not in the movie, are included for good measure and sound better than ever thanks to the a guitar- and synth-heavy band and some amazing singers. Sarah Aili is positively charming as Kira, Hilary Little and Shannon Guggenheim are great fun as two evil muses, and co-producer Stephen Guggenheim fulfills the role played in the film by Gene Kelley.

The audience on opening night, which fittingly included members of the Silicon Valley Roller Girls, was clearly having a great time, and if you can wipe the smile off your face while watching Xanadu, you’re tougher than any of them.—Sean Conwell

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THROUGH MAY 8, 2011 Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest civilization and Mesoamericaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;mother cultureâ&#x20AC;? (1200â&#x20AC;&#x201C;400 B.C.), the Olmec are famous for their colossal heads carved from giant boulders. This exhibition of over 100 REMHFWV LQFOXGHV PDVVLYH VFXOSWXUH LQ DGGLWLRQ WR VPDOO VFDOH YHVVHOV Ă&#x20AC;JXUHV DQG PDVNV many of which have not traveled before.

CLIP THIS AD AND SAVE $5 ON ADMISSION $5 OFF ADMISSION FOR ALL AGES TO OLMEC THROUGH MAR 13 Receive $5 off admission at the mXVHXP ER[ RIĂ&#x20AC;FH ZLWK WKLV DG RU SXUFKDVH WLFNHWV LQ advance at deyoungmuseum.org with coupon ID: OLMEC Offer valid for up to 6 people, Members and children 5 and under are free, cannot be combined with other discounts, and expires Mar 13, 2011.

Funding for the San Francisco production of the exhibition is provided by the Phyllis C. Wattis Fund for Traveling Exhibitions Image: Colossal Head 5, MĂŠxico, Veracruz, Municipality of Texistepec, San Lorenzo TenochtitlĂĄn, 1200â&#x20AC;&#x201C;900 B.C. Museo de AntropologĂ­a de Xalapa, Universidad Veracruzana (Reg. 49 P.J. 4026). Photo: Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Instituto Nacional de AntropologĂ­a e Historiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;MĂŠxicoâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Javier Hinojosa

Reality Is Broken DISCUSSION / BOOK SIGNING Tuesday, March 15th, 7PM 3600 Stevens Creek Boulevard San Jose (408) 984-3495

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Glitz THE Tabard Theatre Company’s new Follies Concert Version puts the capital S in Show. From the moment the house lights dim and the cast makes its way through the house toward the stage, tension between the characters tickles the audience’s awareness while the sequin-spattered costumes rivet every eye in the house.

A classically constructed musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim, Follies is a romantic tragedy, too. Director Diane Milo also stars as Sally, a mousy middle-aged former showgirl. She and her husband, Buddy, are attending a reunion of fellow performers inside an old vaudeville palace the night before it’s slated to be demolished. Mild-mannered Buddy (Kevin Kirby) must bear his wife’s growing excitement at seeing her old flame, diplomat and millionaire Ben Stone.

Ben (Tim Reynolds) appears, along with his coolly elegant wife, Phyllis, another exshowgirl (Jennifer Tice). Old passions burst into new flames as old performers reminisce about dreams long dead and ghosts of innocent young men and women re-enact the lives and loves behind the scenes of 1940s Broadway. The first act is stolen by Tyler Risk in the role of jaded film star Carlotta, singing the bitingly funny number “I’m Still Here.”

=fcc`\j :feZ\ik M\ij`fe Through March 27 Theatre on San Pedro Square $10-$35

The romantic plot slows down as the cast enters the imaginary Loveland in Act 2. On the other hand, the clothes get even louder, going not just over the top but across the fashion summit and halfway down the other side. Tabard’s executive director Cathy Cassetta designed the costumes for this glitz-heavy show. The glittering outfits mirror their wearers’ personalities—a useful device for audience members who are new to Follies and may have trouble keeping track of characters in the large cast.

The lighting design by Beric Dunn also suits the show’s complexities like a spangled glove. The set, encompassing all of Theatre on San Pedro Square, displays ingenious creativity. It’s tough to stage a big Broadway musical in a small black-box theater, but Gerald Carter makes it sing. By comparison, the sound work sags some. In such a small space, miking every actor—especially with so many strong singers—seems unnecessary. On Saturday night, there were problems with both cutout and static at times. The choreography doesn’t shine either, especially next to the creativity of Milo’s direction, the grand performances of the lead actors, and the skill of the tiny orchestra.

Despite a few imperfections, this show comes together well. Audiences get a good evening’s entertainment from the song and dance and drama of Follies.—Liz Hamill

The game designer dispels the myth that video games are purely escapist entertainment and expounds on how they provide happiness and fulfill basic human needs in this fascinating exploration that also examines how games provide a sense of community and address global issues.

Get more info and get to know your favorite writers at BN.COM/events. All events subject to change, so please contact the store to confirm.

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7th annual

Guitar solo & ensemble

Festival weekend of March 18, 19 & 20

educational day-time events two brilliant evening concerts Evergreen Valley High School 3300 Quimby Rd., San Jose Sat 9AM - 4:30PM & Sun 10AM - 4:30PM Everything in the world of classical guitar...

Continuous & FREE guitar exhibits, recitals, demos, clinics & workshops

Le Petit Trianon Theatre 72 N. 5th St., San Jose Tickets $30/25/15 each order: www.sbgs.org or call 408 292-0704

Masakazu Ito Sat 8PM Pacific Guitar Ensemble

Fri 8PM

www.labella.com

Discover the Arts www.svArts.org

Alfred Music Publishing www.alfred.com

This program is made possible in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose and a grant from Arts Council Silicon Valley

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metroactive FILM

8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION

THE LAST LIONS

(2010) Representing a fraction of the California population, the Church of Latter Day Saints held disproportionate sway in the 2008 state initiative to deprive samesex couples of their right to marry.

Relentless fundraising, much of

(PG; 88 min.) Jeremy Irons narrates this National Geographic documentary about the literal decimation of lions in the African Savanna. (Opens Fri at Camera 7 in Campbell.) (RvB)

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES (PG-13; 116 min.) Soldiers (including Aaron Eckhart) vs. aliens. (Opens Fri.)

CINEQUEST

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;MAKES YOU LAUGH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OFTEN AND OUT LOUD.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;ED HELMS SHINES.â&#x20AC;?

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CINĂ&#x2030;ARTS AT PALO ALTO SQUARE

Campbell (408) 559-6900 Redwood City (800) FANDANGO 990# San Jose (800) FANDANGO 983# Palo Alto (800) FANDANGO 914#

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See story on page 116.

it out of state, was the key. Reed Cowan and Steven Greenstreetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s documentary goes personal to talk about the discrimination against gay Mormon young adults, which occasionally leads to teen suicide.

(Plays Mar 11 at 8pm in Palo Alto at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 505 E. Charleston Road; free.) (RvB)

New

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REVIEW

OF GODS AND MEN (R; 122 min.) In the remote Arabian mountains, an age-old Christian monastery is surrounded by Muslim separatists. This French feature stars veteran actors Michael Lonsdale and Lambert Wilson. (Opens Fri at Camera 3 in San Jose and the Guild in Menlo Park.)

MARS NEEDS MOMS 3D

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(PG; 88 min.) Seth Green, Dan Fogler and Joan Cusack provide the voices in a 3D ďŹ lm based on Berke Breathedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book in which a boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom vanishes and ends up on Mars. (Opens Fri.)

LET YOUR GUIDE during these last days of Cinequest be whether a ďŹ lm is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Charlieâ&#x20AC;? or not. Cinequestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representative in the Czech Republic is Charlie Cockey. Cockey selected some of the best of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fest: Bardsongs, War Games and the Man Who Stopped Them, Life of Fish and Raavanan. In many ways, this year looks like the year the festival really came back boldly: the crowds were out over the ďŹ rst weekend, and the VIP lounge had some money behind it, as opposed to the hungrier years of W., when it was nothing but bagels and a bowl of M&Ms. Years ago, Cinequest predicted social networking would be a part of the festival, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now ďŹ rmly in place. Enough so that an invasion of Justin Bieber fans crashed the #Cinequest tag in honor of director John Chuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance.

Director Sander Francken of Bardsongs (March 12 at 7:15pm, Camera 12) says that he would like to get permission to make a ďŹ lm in a Burundi refugee camp.

His aim, as in Bardsongs, one of the best of Cinequest 21, is to show another side of life in the Third World besides depredation and histories of violence.

Mysterico Fantastico! director/producer Anita Doron, is originally from the trans-Carpathian region of the Balkans.

She says she met her star Beatriz Yuste in Toronto, where they both live, but a series of crossed signals kept them from working together. First, Doron didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond to an audition tape, and then Yuste ignored an inquiry from Doron.

Eventually, the two went to Oaxacaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Playa de los Muertos to shoot in the

permit-free guerrilla-ďŹ lmmaking style.

Seeing only the trailers and watching Yuste (a big girl) enjoying the sands and the cenotes, I ďŹ&#x201A;ashed on Marianne Sägebrecht, Percy Adlonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plus-sized ďŹ sh-out-of-water star in â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80s comedies like Bagdad Cafe. The name Adlon drew a blank from Doron, though.

Dropped in on two ďŹ lms that I hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen: Rosa Morena (March 9 at 6:45pm, Camera 12), which sounded like the kind of baby-fever drama that clogs the Lifetime channel. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at all.

Workaholic Thomas (Anders W. Berthelsen :`e\hl\jk of Mifune) takes a long ilej k_ifl^_ overdue holiday in Rio DXiZ_ (* and decides to adopt an www.cinequest.org underprivileged baby.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a mission he carries out with the delicacy and sensitivity of an Albert Brooks character, even though the ďŹ lm is not overtly comic.

Procedural rather than sentimental, the movie notes the angry terrain of the class divide.

(PG; 107 min.) So almost great, it hurts. The central idea is a shrewd one: Johnny Deppâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a chameleon with no name in search of character.

A stranded pet lizard lies his way into being made sheriff of the drought-struck village of Dirt.

The mayor (voiced by Ned Beatty) has a ďŹ shy resemblance to John Hustonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Noah Cross. Director Gore Verbinski (of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise) knows how to overstuff a ďŹ lm like no one else around. No one can say Rango lacks momentumâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;just direction. And a long wow-factory chase scene stalls the ultimate showdown with a very frightening villain, an enormous and armed rattlesnake (Bill Nighy). The characterization, art direction and CGI are of a uniformly high quality.

(PG-13; 100 min.) Amanda Seyfried plays the potential bride of a werewolf. Good news: Catherine Hardwicke directed. Bad news: David Johnson, late of the ludicrous Orphan, scripted. (Opens Fri.) (RvB)

ROCK THE BLOCK A movie about the history of San Joseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fabled Cactus Club. (Plays Mar 9 at 9pm at the Blank Club, San Jose.)

Revivals CLEOPATRA/SHANGHAI EXPRESS (1934/1932) See page 118. (Plays Mar 12-14 in Palo Alto at the Stanford Theatre.) (RvB)

Worse luck with Oxygen (Adem) about a pair of Dutch brothers who suďŹ&#x20AC;er from cystic ďŹ brosis. Young Tom gets caught in a class struggle of his own between his poor old friends and a new Porschedriving one; meanwhile thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hospital romance with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;bubble girl.â&#x20AC;? It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave me gasping, unlike the heroes, though thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always something you get from even a weak movie. Take Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of cheering himself up. It could be worse, he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could have been sick in America.â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Richard von Busack

Roger Deakins was a consultant on the sunsets and skyscapes, and the soundtrack couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be more eclectic. But the ďŹ lmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inner questionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;about duty, surviving ordeals, returning to a lethal task after humiliationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are more like the Jimmy Stewart adult Westerns of the 1950s. Perhaps Rango should have gone with someone middle-aged and culpable like Stewart was in The Man From Laramie. Deppâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential lightness overampliďŹ es the po-mo qualities of this approach to Western myths, making it hard to take seriously. (Plays valleywide.) (RvB)

RED RIDING HOOD RANGO

Festival Frenzy

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For showtimes, advance tix and more, go to

cameracinemas.com

Best Theaters -- SJ Merc, Metro & Wave Readers All Shows Before 12 noon Now Only $5.00 Always Plenty of Free Validated Parking All Sites Seniors & Kids $6.75 / Students $7.50 â&#x20AC;˘ * = No Passes $7 b4 6pm M-F / 4pm S-S, Holidays â&#x20AC;˘ = Final Week â&#x20AC;˘ Pruneyard/Campbell 559-6900

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CINEQUEST, S.J. FILM FEST MAR 2-13 *BATTLE: L.A. (PG-13) *RED RIDING HOOD (PG-13) *MARS NEEDS MOMS 3D (PG) HALL PASS (R) *ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (PG-13) *RANGO (PG) *TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT (R) *BEASTLY (PG-13) THE KINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SPEECH (R) UNKNOWN (PG-13)

â&#x20AC;˘ 288 S. Second, S.J. â&#x20AC;˘ 998-3300 *OF GODS AND MEN (R) *EVEN THE RAIN (NR) INSIDE JOB (PG-13) NORAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WILL (NR) OPENS 3/18! THE LINCOLN LAWYER LIMITLESS CLASH PAUL PHIL OCHS

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117

(1937/1934) Edward G. Robinson stars as a fight promoter who gets dismayed when his newest protégé (Humphrey Bogart) starts dating his sister (Bette Davis). Michael Curtiz directs. BILLED WITH The Big Shakedown. When a druggist sells adulterated goods, trouble follows; Charles Farrell and Bette Davis costar. (Plays Mar 10-11 in Palo Alto at the Stanford Theatre.) (RvB)

NILES FILM MUSEUM Regularly scheduled programs of silent films, shown in a historic

theater in the nearby town of Niles, temporary home nearly 100 years ago of Essanay studio and Charlie Chaplin. Mar 12 at 7:30pm: Victory (1919), Maurice Tourneur’s version of the Conrad novel, starring Lon Chaney, plus shorts. Frederick Hodges at the piano. Mar 13 at 4pm: Laurel and Hardy in Way Out West (1937), plus shorts Bored of Education (1936) with Our Gang and The Music Box (1932) with Laurel and Hardy. (Plays Mar 12-13 at the Niles Film Museum.) (RvB)

NOSFERATU

and innovative vampire films: an ideal first silent film for people who hadn’t seen one (too many of Cinequest’s attendees, I’m thinking).

The cinematic poet F.W. Murnau used such revolutionary techniques as reversed negative and camera undercranking. The bald-headed Max Schreck, who plays the title vampire, is about as romantic as the Spirit of Syphilis—he’s an irresistible, blood-sucking rat that needs killing. Women will like this version of the story, since it’s not Van Helsing but the Mina character (Greta Schröder) who can challenge

(1922) Still one of the most fearful

M E TR O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y | M A R C H 9-1 5, 2 0 1 1 | SA N J O S E . C O M | M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M

KID GALAHAD/THE BIG SHAKEDOWN

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WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BE

LIMITLESS? Send an email to SJPromos @Metronews.com and let us know for your chance to receive a pass, good for two, to attend the special screening of

in the South Bay. Deadline for entries is Monday, March 14, 2011 at 12 noon.

Passes are limited and available while supplies last. Each pass admits two people. Limit one pass per person/household. Late and duplicate entries will not be considered. No exceptions.

THIS FILM IS IS RATED PG-13. Please note: Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee you a seat at the theatre. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for members of the reviewing press. Theatre is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply.

A recipient of tickets assumes any and all risks related to use of ticket, and accepts any restrictions required by ticket provider. Relativity Media, Terry Hines & Associates, Metro Newspapers and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of a prize. Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. We are not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her ticket in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost; delayed or misdirected entries. All federal and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. NO PHONE CALLS!

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COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA AN ORIGINALFILM PRODUCTION “BATTLE: LOS ANGELES” AARON ECKHART MICHELLE RODRI GUEZ RAMON RODRIGUEZ BRIDGET MOYNAHAN EXECUTIVE NE-YO AND MICHAEL PEÑA MUSICBY BRIAN TYLER PRODUCERS JEFFREY CHERNOV DAVID GREENBLATT WRITTEN PRODUCED DIRECTED

BY CHRIS BERTOLINI

BY NEAL H. MORITZ ORI MARMUR

BY JONATHAN LI EBESMAN STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 11

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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FILM

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this beast. In a rare 35 mm tinted print. Dennis James at the Wurlitzer.

(Plays Mar 11 at 7pm in San Jose at the California Theatre.) (RvB)

PINK FLOYD: THE WALL

(1982) The famous rock-epic ďŹ lm.

(Plays Mar 10 at 9pm and Mar 12 at 11:30pm at Camera 3 in San Jose.)

(RvB)

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) The Bawdy Cast perform live. (Plays Mar 12 at 10pm in San Jose at the Retro Dome.) (RvB)

TOTAL RECALL (1990) Paul Verhoevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best ďŹ lm: an amusing version of that conundrum about whether a man is dreaming of being a butterďŹ&#x201A;y or a butterďŹ&#x201A;y dreaming of being a man. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an ordinary working stiff who has a lavish other life as a revolutionary on the corrupt planet Marsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;though these dreams may have all been uploaded by a vacation company. The nonstop action merges smoothly with some of Philip K. Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questions about the nature of memory, and it compares favorably to similar metaphysics in the Matrix series.

Plus Schwarzenegger is the most delightful of post-Reagan barbarians. (Plays Mar 11-13 in San Jose at the Retro Dome.) (RvB)

9F8 :FEJKI@:K<; DXic\e\ ;`\ki`Z_ `e Ă&#x2030;J_Xe^_X` <ogi\jj%Ă&#x160;

Black Swan, Gold Snake GOOD LUCK ďŹ nding something as rich as this double dose of delirious Orientalism at the Stanford Theatre.

Underneath the back-lot elegance are two angles on anti-heroism. Shanghai Express (1932), not yet on DVD in America, shows how Lee Garmesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cinematography makes Marlene Dietrich an enigma.

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masked and latticed with nets of shadows. Compared to the Black Swan of the ballet by critic John Kobal, Dietrich here is a humid wraith. Director Josef von Sternbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peerless smoke-sculpturing gives her auras as gleaming as the fur and feathers surrounding her face.

The action takes place on an overnight railroad trip to the coast from Peking.

China is aďŹ&#x201A;ame with civil war, and a mixed bag of humanity rides in the ďŹ rstclass carriages. Among them is Eugene Pallette as a coarse American named Salt. Also on board is Anna Mae Wong, striking one here as an angrier version of Ann Dvorak in old Warner Bros. melodramas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every train carries its cargo of sin, but this train is burdened with more than its share,â&#x20AC;? intones a missionary (Lawrence Grant). The burden in question is the courtesan Shanghai Lily (Dietrich). She lost the only man she cared for because â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care to bargain for love with

words.â&#x20AC;? The man who broke her heart is aboard, of course. So the night ride is the seeming exit interview between â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lilyâ&#x20AC;? and the British military surgeon (Clive Brook) she lost along the way.

Lilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real name is Madeline, a name J_Xe^_X` with kinship to <ogi\jj â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary Magdaleneâ&#x20AC;?; :c\fgXkiX the ďŹ lmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subject is a lady repenting.

Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Monday The name Magdalen Stanford Theatre, is also the source of Palo Alto the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;maudlin.â&#x20AC;?

But maudlinism is not Shanghai Expressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; domain. In this drama a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride and honor has the same weight as an oďŹ&#x192;cer and a gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing maudlin in the key moment of prayer, shot with distance and discretion. And Dietrich herself was always one to put ice on a wound, even one of the heart.

After this chill, something heated.

Perhaps a date with the lady of the hour, who had two biographies last year? In the 1934 Cleopatra, Claudette Colbert is a sight to behold in lounge pajamas, posed amid gilded plaster. Invigoratingly kitschy, Cecil B. DeMilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacle is sporadically historically accurate. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Richard von Busack

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JUSTICE is COMING

#

Save Alternative is an online music community and radio network for music lovers to discover new artists and join the fight to keep the alternative underground alive.

For more information, Free Music Downloads, Event Information, and everything else...please sign up at www.SaveAlternative.com

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metroactive MUSIC

WIN FFREE REEE SSTUFF! T UFF!

Rock The Block: The Story of The Cactus Club

Wine W ine T Tasting asting a g EExperience xperience

Wednesday at Blank Club, 9pm & 11pm; free

Enter ttoo wwin Enter in a Wi Wine ne TTasting asting Experienc Villa dell Experiencee at Villa Mont inery.

Montee W Winery.

Newbies may not understand why so many longtime South Bay scenesters continue to mourn for the SoFA boom days of the Cactus Club. This documentary, screening for free as a Slamdance-type alternative to Cinequest, will help make it all clear. (SP)

A Dozen Dozen P sycho Donuts Donuuts Psycho

Red Light Radical Saturday at Britannia Arms Cupertino, 9pm; $5

Enter ttoo win a do Enter dozen zen do donuts onuts frfrom om PPsycho sycho Donuts.

Put ’80s synth-pop vocals on one of the Clash’s reggae songs, add a good dose of post-punk, and you’ve got Red Light Radical. After 13 years, their seemingly simplistic songs have been honed to finely crafted, skank-infused melodies. (BD)

‘‘The The Works’ Works’ from fr om SScandalous canddalous

An Evening With The Adlers

Ent Enter er ttoo win ‘The W Works’ o orks’ frfrom Salon om Scandalous Sal on

Sunday at Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Palo Alto, 2:30pm; $20 San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellowship nurtures some of the country’s top young singers with residencies that allow them to quite literally find their voices. This performance gives the future opera stars a chance to show what they’ve got. (SP)

ANGELICA’SBISTRO Fri, 8pm: The Rip Tides. $10/$13.

Redwood City.

AVALON Mon, 7pm: Cake. $35. Santa Clara.

THEBLANKCLUB Fri, 9pm: The Red Elvises. $12/$14. Sat, 9pm: Magic Christian, the Bang, the Cellar Doors. $10. San Jose.

Scan thiss QR ccode ode with yyour our smartphone smartphonne or visit

METROGIVEAWAYS.COM MET ROGIVEA AWAYS..COM

Burt Band.

Band Rock and blues. blues Free. Santa Clara.

CARAVAN CARAV AVAN

BOGART’SLOUNGE

CLUBFOX

Sat, 9pm: Live music. Sunnyvale.

Fri, 7pm: DAMAGE Inc., Strangers in the Night, Rat Bastard, LoveDrive. Tribute to ‘80s rock. $12/$14. Redwood City.

BOSWELL’S Wed: Jack Rip Off. Thu: Bitchin’ Camaros. Fri: Savoir Faire.

Sat: Junkshaker. Mon: Drive!

Campbell.

BRITANNIAARMS ALMADEN

Thu-Sat: Live music. San Jose.

ELRANCHOSPORTSBAR Wed, 8pm: The Falling Rocks.

Rolling Stones tribute. San Jose.

FOXTHEATRE

Fri, 10pm: Fast Times. Sat, 10pm: Superbad. San Jose.

Fri, 8pm: Tainted Love. $20/$25.

Redwood City.

BRITANNIAARMSCUPERTINO

THEGRAPEVINE

Sat, 9pm: Red Light Radical, Fight the Quiet, Pounders, Masterbilia, Max Thompson. 21+. $5. Cupertino.

Sat, 7pm: Iwalani. Hip-hop, funk, soul. Willow Glen.

JOHNNYV’S BLINKY’SCAN’TSAY Sat, 9:30pm-1:30am: Chris

CAPERS Fri-Sat, 8:30pm: Live music.

Campbell.

Thu-Sun: Live music. San Jose.

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MetroGiveaways M etroGiveaways

FEATURED LISTINGS

Rock/Pop R k/P

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More listings:

METROACTIVE.COM

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metroactive MUSIC 121 LILLYMAC’S Fri, 9:30pm: Top Secret. Sat, 6pm: St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration. Sunnyvale.

Francesca, Casey Jones, Virginia City Shakedown. All ages. $8.

Homestead Lanes, Cupertino.

ZIONS LOUNGE

More listings:

METROACTIVE.COM SENZALA Thu, 8pm: Jam session. Hosted by DJ Edan. Fri: Bossa nova at noon, and Capoeira show at 7:30pm.

Sunnyvale.

MOUNTAINCHARLEYS

Fri, 7pm-midnight: Art’n’Soul: Standard Radness. Art, music, skateboarding demos. San Jose.

Thu, 8pm: Daemon City Lights, Ryan Michaels Band, Divine Artistry. $5. Los Gatos.

World

Jazz/Blues

AGENDALOUNGE

ANGELICA’SBISTRO

Wed: Salsa night. San Jose.

Thu, 7pm: Blues. Redwood City.

ALBERTO’S

BRITANNIAARMSCUPERTINO

Wed: Bachata. Thu: Salsa with Pantea. Fri: Salsa. Sat: Rock en español. Sun-Mon: Argentine Tango. Tue: Salsa with Pantea.

Mountain View.

Sun, 5:30pm: Jazz Jam. Cupertino.

ANGELICA’SBISTRO

CLUBFOX

Sat, 8:30pm: Molly’s Revenge.

Celtic. $15/$20. Redwood City.

Wed, 7-11pm: Alabama Mike and the Third Degree. Blues jam. $5.

Thu, 7pm: David Buchbinder’s Odessa/Havana. $18/$20. Sat, 8pm: Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. $18/$20. Sun, 5:30pm: Corazon Al Sur. Tango and jazz. $18/$20. Redwood City.

NETO’SGRILL Fri, 6:30pm: Dos Guys. Sat, 2-11pm: MS benefit show. Santa Clara.

NICKELCITY Fri, 6:30pm: Eyes Like Mine, I Swallowed an Owl, Chris Vaughn, Anabelle Lee, Last One Standing.

All ages. Sat, 6:30pm: Otonamous, Next Stop Mars, Better Promises.

All ages. San Jose.

NUMBERONEBROADWAY Wed, 9pm: JC Smith Jam Band.

Free. Thu, 9:30pm: Second Story Band. Free. Fri, 9:30pm: Pacific Standard Time. $10. Sat, 9:30pm: Jam Funkshus. $10. Los Gatos.

PAGODALOUNGE Fri, 9pm: J*DaVeY and Blue. $15.

Fairmont Hotel, San Jose.

THEQUARTERNOTE Fri: Marvin Banks. $5. Sat: Bob Brannan, the Lounge Flys. $8.

Sunnyvale.

REDROCKCOFFEEROASTING Fri, 8pm: Ben Carroll. All ages. Free.

Mountain View.

SONOMACHICKEN Thu, 8:30pm: Maxx Cabello Jr. Fri, 8:30pm: Buena Vibra. Sat, 8:30pm: Tip of the Top. Campbell.

SOUTHFIRSTBILLIARDS Fri: Red Glare. Cover band. Sat: Asteroid M. San Jose.

STATION55 Fri-Sat, 9pm: Live music. Gilroy.

STREETLIGHTRECORDS Sat, 4pm: The Monterey Jacks. All ages. Free. San Jose.

THEVENUE Sat, 6pm: 5 Characters in Search of an Exit, Robo Zombie Pox Party, Zebra Mountain, Eleonora, Behold the Desecration, A City in Arms, What’s Heaven Like, A Breed Extinct. All ages. Los Gatos.

WILLOWDEN Sat, 9:30pm: That’s What She Said.

Willow Glen.

XBAR Sat, 9pm: Record Winter, San

AZÚCARLATINBISTROMOJITO BAR&LOUNGE Wed: Rock. Thu: Latin fusion.

Fri, 9pm: Bachata and rock en espanol. Sat, 9pm: Salsa, merengue, cumbia, urban and Latin fusions. Tue: Salsa. San Jose.

CAFFETRIESTE Fri, 8pm: Cecilia Zabala. San Jose.

CASCAL

STEPHENSGREEN Tue: Irish music. Mountain View.

CAFFETRIESTE Sat, 8pm: Emperor Norton’s Band.

Sun, 7:30pm: Dry Spell. San Jose.

D’VINEJAZZANDWINE Fri-Sat, 8pm: Live jazz. Morgan Hill.

FAIRMONTHOTEL

Sat, 9pm: James Robinson flamenco guitar. Mountain View.

Wed, 8:30pm: The Girlz Band. Thu, 8:30pm: Contemporary or Latin jazz. San Jose.

CLUBFOX

GRANDDELLSALOON

Tue, 7pm: The Black Brothers. $18/$20. Redwood City.

Thu, 8pm: Blues jam with Aki. Sat, 8pm: Red Eye Express. Campbell.

HUKILAU

HEDLEYCLUB

Fri-Sat: Live music. San Jose.

Every first and third Wed, 7:30pm: Hedley Club Jazz Jam. Thu, 8pm: Russo Alberts Trio. Fri, 8:30pm: Danjuma and friends. Sat, 8:30pm: Jason Bellenkis. Hotel de Anza, San Jose.

LILLYMAC’S Sun, 6pm: Traditional Irish music.

Sunnyvale.

MOROCCO’SRESTAURANT Wed, 6pm: Flamenco guitar with Mr. Driss. Fri, 6pm: World music and belly dancer Adriana. Sat, 6pm: Jerry J. Soul. Sun, 6pm: Moroccan music and belly dancing. Mon, 6pm: French music night. Tue, 6pm: AZA. San Jose.

9LIVES Thu, 8pm: Olive Tree Dance.

From Portugal. $8/$10. Fri, 8pm: Michael Annotti. Reggae. $8/$10.

All shows 21+. Gilroy.

PARRANDANIGHTCLUB Thu-Sat: Live music. Sunnyvale.

RISTORANTEFRATELLO Fri, 7pm: Claudio. Italian classic guitar and vocals. San Jose.

J.J.’SBLUESCAFE Wed, 9pm: Gomer Hendrix Experience. Thu, 9pm: The Dan Goughs. Fri, 9pm: The City. $10. Sat, 7pm: OGR. Sun, 9pm: Larry Valdez.

Mon, 9pm: Oliver and Friends. Tue, 7pm: Blue J, Dennis and Stuart.

San Jose.

LEPETITTRIANON Fri, 6pm: The Remake and Beyond of Eddie Gale’s Ghetto Music. A preview and benefit for Horace Mann School Science Camp. $35. San Jose.

LOFTBARANDBISTRO Thu, 7-10pm: Live jazz. San Jose.

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MURPHY’SLAW Fri: Live music. Sat: South 46. Mon: Pro blues jam. Sunnyvale.

APERFECTFINISH Thu, 7pm: Susan King. Fri, 9pm: Quasimodal. Sat, 9pm: Blue House.

San Jose.

POORHOUSEBISTRO Wed, 6-9pm: Ron Thompson and friends. Thu, 6-9pm: Lara Price and Yesterdays Band. Fri, 6-10pm: Tip of the Top. Sat, 610pm: Alabama Mike and the 3rd Degree. Sun, 2-6pm: Jay’s Birthday Jam with Timm Walker and friends. San Jose.

FIRSTPRESBYTERIANCHURCH Sat, 7pm: Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group.

Bluegrass. $20. Mountain View.

MISSIONCITYCOFFEE

ALEX’S49ERINN

Fri, 8pm: Annie Moscow. Sat, 7:30pm: Nova. Sun, 7pm: Chris Webster, Nina Gerber. Santa Clara.

Nightly except Sun, 9pm-2am: Karaoke. San Jose.

ORCHARDVALLEYCOFFEE

Fri, 9pm-1am: Danielle. Santa Clara.

Fri, 6pm: Rick Merritt. Sat, 6pm: Longliner. Campbell.

THESADDLERACK Wed, 9pm: California Cowboys.

Thu-Fri, 9pm & Sat, 10:15pm: Diablo Road. Fremont.

BLUEBONNETBAR Wed-Thu and Mon, 8pm: Karaoke.

No cover. Sunnyvale.

SAM’SBBQ

REDROCKCOFFEEROASTING

Wed, 6pm: Dark Hollow. Tue, 6pm: Cabin Fever. San Jose.

Sun, 1pm: Bill Murphy. Jazz guitar.

All ages. Free. Mountain View.

THREEFLAMESRESTAURANT

SANJOSESTAGETHEATER

Thu, 9pm: Live country music with Cowboy Larry. Willow Glen.

Sat, 8am-4pm: San Jose Jazz Winter Fest Youth Festival.

Free. San Jose.

BLINKY’SCAN’TSAY

BOGART’S LOUNGE Wed, Fri and Sun, 8pm-2am: KJ Dennis. Sunnyvale.

BOSWELL’S

WINEAFFAIRS

Tue: DJ Davey K. Campbell.

Wed, 7:30-10pm: Michael Medina.

San Jose.

BRANHAM LOUNGE

Fri, 8pm: Better Days Band. Sat, 8pm: Doni Harvey Trio. Campbell.

Open Mic

BRITANNIA ARMS ALMADEN

THREEFLAMESRESTAURANT

ANGELICA’SBISTRO

TESSORA’S

Sun, 8-11pm: Jerry Sauceda & Friends. Tue, 7:30-10:30pm: Modesto Briseno Septet. Willow Glen.

TRINITYCATHEDRAL Sat, 8pm: Denise Donatelli. San Jose Jazz Winter Fest opening concert. $25/$30. San Jose.

UNWINED Thu & Sat, 7pm: Jazz. San Jose.

WILLOWDEN Fri, 7:30-10:30pm: Round Midnight. Jazz. Willow Glen.

WINEAFFAIRS

Wed, 6:30pm: Open Mic. Tue, 711pm: Pro Jazz Jam. Redwood City.

BAREFOOTCOFFEEROASTERS Wed, 7pm: Musical open mic. Sign up by 5pm. Santa Clara.

BRITANNIAARMSCUPERTINO Wed, 9:30pm: Open Mic Night.

Cupertino.

CAFFETRIESTE Tue, 7pm: Open mic. San Jose.

MISSIONCITYROASTINGCO. Thu, 7pm: South Bay Folks Open Mic. Santa Clara.

Thu, 8-11pm: Double Play Jazz.

Sat, 9pm-midnight: The Blues Borachos. San Jose.

QUARTERNOTE

WOODHAM’SLOUNGE

REDROCKCOFFEECO.

Fri and Sun: Pro Jam with rock and blues local musicians. Santa Clara.

C&W/Folk

Sat, 7pm: Jamnesty. Open mic fundraiser for Los Altos High School’s Amnesty International Club. Mon, 7pm: Cavin and King’s Open Mic. Mountain View.

ANGELICA’SBISTRO

THREEFLAMESRESTAURANT

Mon, 7:30pm. Marty Atkinson. No cover. Redwood City.

Wed, 8pm: Open mic night with Anita. Willow Glen.

BOSWELL’S Sun: Mike Leatherman. Campbell.

Karaoke

CAFFETRIESTE

7BAMBOO

Thu, 7pm: Woody and Friends.

San Jose.

Sun & Wed-Thu: Pro Jam. Sunnyvale.

Wed-Sat, 9pm: Karaoke. Tue, 9pm: Karaoke. San Jose.

Thu and Mon: Karaoke. San Jose.

Wed and Sun: DJ Hank. San Jose.

BRITANNIA ARMS CUPERTINO Sun-Tue, 10pm: Karaoke.

Cupertino.

BRITANNIA ARMS DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE Wed, 9pm: Karaoke. San Jose.

BRITISH BANKERS CLUB Mon: Karaoke. Menlo Park.

C&J’S SPORTS BAR Thu, 10pm: Melissa and Heather.

Santa Clara.

CREEKSIDE LOUNGE Wed and Mon-Tue: Stephanie.

Thu and Sat: Randy. Fri: Jerry Sauceda. San Jose.

DAN BROWN’S Thu and Tue, 9pm-1am: Brian James. Palo Alto.

DASILVA’S BRONCOS Wed: Guitar Hero Tournament plus karaoke. Thu, 9pm-1am: Karaoke. Santa Clara.

DIVE BAR Tue, 9:30pm: Karaoke.

San Jose.

EL RANCHO SPORTS BAR Thu, 8pm: Karaoke. San Jose.

FAHRENHEIT ULTRA LOUNGE Tue, 9pm: Partyoke. Beer pong and karaoke. San Jose.

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125 M E TR O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | SA N J O S E . C O M | M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M

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More listings:

METROACTIVE.COM

METROGIVEAWAYS.COM

metroactive MUSIC

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metroactive MUSIC 125 FIREHOUSEGRILL&BREWERY Sun, 7pm-close: Uncle Dougie Show. Palo Alto.

FLAMESCOFFEESHOP Wed-Sat and Tue, 9pm: Uncle Dougie Show. No cover. San Jose.

TOUCHDOWN TOMMY’S

BRIX

Sat, 8pm-midnight: Karaoke.

San Jose.

Thu: Therapy. Fri: Breathless. Sun: First Street Cabaret. Mon: Power Hour. San Jose.

WILLOW DEN Wed, 9:30pm: DJ JR. Thu, 9:30pm: DJ Uncle Hank. San Jose

Thu, 9pm-2am: August. Milpitas.

GILROYBOWL WOODHAM’S LOUNGE Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun, Tue: 9:30pm: Vinnie. Santa Clara.

THEGOOSETOWNLOUNGE Fri-Sun, 9:30pm-1:30am: Karaoke.

Willow Glen.

GOOSELOONEY’S Wed, 9pm: Thomas. Thu-Sun, 9pm: August. Milpitas.

HOMESTEADLANES

CLUB ILLUSIONS Sat, 9pm-2am: Noches de Banda.

21+. $18. Palo Alto.

FAHRENHEIT ULTRA LOUNGE

GALAXY

Thu-Sat, 9:30pm: Karaoke. Gilroy.

More listings:

METROACTIVE.COM

Wed, 9pm: Wine Wednesday.

Thu, 9pm: The Heit Thursdays.

Fri, 9pm: Dulce. With DJ David Q. Sat, 9pm: DJs and dancing. Mon, 9pm: Industry. Tue: Partyoke. Beer pong and karaoke. San Jose.

Dance Clubs

GOOSE LOONEY’S

AGENDA

JOHNNY V’S

Wed, 8pm: Salsa Wednesdays.

Thu-Fri: DJs. San Jose.

Wed: The Cypher. Thu: Hip hop with live MCs. Fri: Dub Massive.

Tue: Punk night with local DJs. San Jose.

AZÚCAR LATIN BISTRO MOJITO BAR & LOUNGE Wed: Rock music. Thu: Latin fusion. Fri, 9pm: Bachata and rock en espanol. Sat, 9pm: Salsa, merengue, cumbia, urban and Latin fusions. Tue: Salsa. San Jose.

Thu: Ladies’ Night. Fri-Sat: Old School. Milpitas.

KATIE BLOOM’S Thu-Sat, 9:30pm-1:30am: DJs and dancing. Campbell.

LILLY MAC’S

Fri, 9:30pm: Vinnie. Mon, 9pm: Vinnie. Tue, 9pm: August.

Cupertino.

B4 TWELVE

Thu: Live DJ and karaoke. Fri: DJ party. Sunnyvale.

Fri-Sat, 9:30pm: DJs and dancing.

Palo Alto.

MOUNTAIN CHARLEY’S

KINGOFCLUBS

BLOWFISH SUSHI

Thu and Sun-Mon, 8:30pm: Bruce of KOR Karaoke. No cover.

Mountain View.

Wed, 7pm: House Party. Thu, 7pm: Throwback Thursdays. Los Gatos.

Wed-Thu and Sat: DJs and dancing. Santana Row.

PEACOCK LOUNGE

LILLYMAC’S Thu: Live DJ and karaoke.

Sunnyvale.

MARIANI’S

BRANHAM LOUNGE Wed: Humpday Wednesdays. Thu: DJ. Fri: Ladies Night. Sat: DJ Chaos.

Hip-hop and Top 40. Sun: Beer pong. Tue: $2 Tuesdays. San Jose.

SABOR TAPAS BAR

Thu, 8pm: Chris. Santa Clara.

Thu-Sat: DJs and dancing. Sun: Reggae. San Jose.

OFFICEBAR Fri-Sat, 9pm-2am, and Sun, 7pm: Karaoke. Mountain View.

STEPHENS GREEN Thu, 10pm: DJ competition.

Fri, 10pm: DJ Cesar. Sat, 10pm: Peruvian night. Mountain View.

PEACOCKLOUNGE Thu, 9pm: Brian. Sun, 9pm: DJ and karaoke. Tue, 9pm: Ryan.

Fri, 8pm: DJ dancing featuring R&B, Top 40. Sat, 9pm: DJ dancing featuring chill, R&B, Top 40. Sun & Tue, 9pm: DJ and dancing. Sunnyvale.

BRITANNIA ARMS ALMADEN

STUDIO8

Sunnyvale.

Wed and Sun, 10pm: DJ Hank.

Thu: VJ D-Roc. Mon, 9pm: Beer Pong. Tue: Pub-stumpers Trivia.

San Jose.

Fri, 9pm-2am: Miguel.

Performing live. Sat, 9pm-2am: Bad Girls. Featuring Kori. San Jose.

ROSIE MCCANN’S

BRITANNIA ARMS CUPERTINO

TEMPLE BAR & LOUNGE

Thu, 10pm: DJ Tosh. Cupertino.

Wed: Red Run Wednesday.

Thu: Dig. Fri: Video mixing. Sat: Temple All-Star DJs. San Jose.

125

Tue, 8:30-11:30pm: Karaoke. No cover. Santana Row.

RUDY’S PUB Wed, 10pm-1:30am: Purple. Palo Alto.

SAN JOSE BAR & GRILL Tue, 10pm-close: Kamikaze Karaoke. San Jose.

SOUTH FIRST BILLIARDS Sun: Karaoke. San Jose.

BRITANNIA ARMS DOWNTOWN Thu: DJ David Q. Fri, 10pm: DJ Benofficial. Sat, 10pm: DJ Quantum. San Jose.

VOODOO LOUNGE

BRITISH BANKERS CLUB

WILLOW DEN

Wed: Raygay. Thu: Latin. Fri: ’70s and ’80s. Sat: House. Sun & Tue: Lounge. Menlo Park.

Fri, 10pm: DJ Uncle Hank. Sat, 11:30pm: DJ Truth. Willow Glen.

Sat, 10pm: 5 Finest. Dance night. $10. San Jose.

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Some of these are unisex, like, “Yoohoo, sharp teeth to your left. Better run!” But there are also separate sets of directives for men and women, corresponding to our physiological differences. In What Women Want—What Men Want, anthropologist John Townsend explains, “Because women can be impregnated and abandoned and men cannot, women’s emotions evolved to evaluate the quality and reliability of male investment. These emotions act as an alarm system that urges women to test and evaluate investment and remedy deficiencies even when they try to be indifferent to investment.”

Yes, this “Dad or Cad?” detector women have seems to be missing the all-important on-off switch. In one of Townsend’s studies, he found that even when women just wanted to hump and dump a guy, sex “made them feel vulnerable, and thoughts crossed their minds like ‘Does he care about me, is sex

all he was after, will he dump me in the morning?’ These thoughts were difficult to suppress.” They’re also especially disheartening to young women who’ve been taught that “gender is a social construct” and who conflate being equal under the law with being the same. Sure, girls can do lots of things boys can do . . . but should they? Hooking up with some random himbo seems like a bad idea if your “I am woman, hear me roar” typically gives way to “I am woman’s genes, hear me whimper that we hope he’ll call us in the morning.”

Don’t mistake this as a call for prudery.

I’m not suggesting that women who want no-strings sex trade their NuvaRings for chastity rings. And, regarding your contention that there’s no “generally” about men, women and casual sex—sure, there are exceptions: men who get all emo afterward and women who wish that the guy would evaporate already. Studies don’t explain every person; they paint a picture of the average person. There are women who can’t have casual sex, but the research suggests to me that some women might just need to differentiate between casual sex and too-casual sex. When a woman isn’t up for a boyfriend, maybe a “friends with benefits” thing could work for her—if it’s a friend she’s known and trusted for more than the 26 minutes he spent chatting her up after “last call.”

N\ Xcc _Xm\ fli `e[lc^\eZ\j# Ylk _fn dlZ_ gfie `j kff dlZ_6 Dp Yfp]i`\e[ _Xj _le[i\[j f] gfie YffbdXibj `e _`j jdXik g_fe\% ?\ j_fn\[ k_\d f]] kf d\ Xk [`ee\i Xe[ jX`[ k_\i\ n\i\ *''% @j _Xm`e^ jf dXep X j`^e k_Xk `kÊj c\jj XYflk Xdlj\d\ek k_Xe `k `j XYflk Zfdglcj`m\ Y\_Xm`fi6 9p k_\ nXp# _\Êj ^\e\iXccp X Zfcc\Zkfi f] k_`e^j% ÆK_\ >`ic]i`\e[ A guy can show his girlfriend his Hot Wheels collection and she’s unlikely to start fretting that he’ll be having sex with her but picturing Bobby Unser. And then there’s your boyfriend, who’s turned the Android into his Porndroid. He may or may not have a porn problem. It’s a problem for you if you feel you aren’t getting enough time, sex and attention.

But what’s definitely a problem is the hostility and passive-aggressiveness of a

boyfriend who can’t just watch on the sly; he has to stick it in his girlfriend’s face. Is this really somebody you want to spend a lot more time with? If not, the next time he shoves his phone across the dinner table and asks, “Seen the position of the day?” you might show him one of your own—one you like to call doggie bag-style: woman, from behind, carrying the rest of her dinner out the restaurant door to go find a guy who’s nice to her.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

TAURUS T AURUS ((April April 220–May 0–May 220): 0): YYour our m meditation editation fo forr this week week comes comes from from w riter H .P. LLovecraft. ovecraft. ““What What a this writer H.P. for pay is of little sign nificance. What he is, man does for significance. esponsive to the world’s as a sensitive instrument rresponsive beauty, is is everything!” everything!” W hile tthat’s hat’s always always good good beauty, While ’s especially apt appt for for you right now. now. counsel, I think it it’s You’r o e in a phase of your astr oloogical cycle when You’re astrological you’d be smart to evaluate yourr own worth based ore on who you ar e. less on what job you do and mo more are.

Practice thinking this healing id dea: The soulfulness Practice idea: ess fr om moment m to moment you embody and expr express from greatest measur o your success as a is the single greatest measuree of human being.

GEMINI ((May May 221–June 1–June 220): 0): O One ne ooff m myy ffavorite avorite

peculiarities about the English language is the iidiosyncratic diosyncratic w ords iitt uuses ses ttoo ccharacterize haracterize ggroups roups words of specific animals. For example e, the cor rect term example, correct ffor or many owls gathered gathered together togetheer is not “flock” but ““parliament”: parliament”: a “parliament “parliament of of owls.” owls.” Likewise, Likewise, we we say a ““rabble rabble of butterflies,” a ““prickle p prickle of hedgehogs,” a ““shrewdness shrewdness of apes,” and a ““murder murder of cr ows.” crows.”

IIff I hhad ad ttoo ccome ome uupp with with a comparable comparable term term fo he forr tthe hhuman uman m embers ooff yyour our ttribe, ribe, iitt m ight bbee ssomething omething members might like a “zeal of Geminis charm of Geminis Geminis”” or a ““charm Geminis”” or a ““romp romp of Geminis exaltaation of Geminis.” All Geminis”” or an ““exaltation those wor ds captur words capturee part of thee glory that will be you, especially for for the next ffew ew week ks. weeks.

CANCER (June 21–July 22): TThe he rroots oots of the lotus

ar ed in muck at the po nd’s bottom. Its leaves aree anchor anchored pond’s fl oat oon n tthe he w ater aand nd iits ts ddramatic ramatic fl ower rrises ises float water flower above on a thick stem. It ’s an evocative evvocative plant that is It’s fe atured iin nm any aancient ncient m yths. For For Buddhists, Buddhists, iitt w as featured many myths. was an emblem of enlightenment: beauty beauty ascending fr om from the mud. In India, a thousand-p etaled golden lotus thousand-petaled symbolized the mir acle of cr eattion. TToo the Egyptians, miracle creation. it rrepresented epresented rrebirth. ebirth. Even mod dern science has modern contributed to building the mys stique of the lotus, mystique hhaving aving ddetermined etermined tthat hat iits ts sseeds eeds ccan an re main vviable iable remain fo any ccenturies. enturies. IIt’s t’s not not a fragile fragile marvel! marvel! In In the the forr m many 116th-century 6th-century CChinese hinese fo lk ttale ale ““Monkey,” Monkey,” a tteacher eacher folk instructed the her a a long lif e. heroo on how to achieve life.

“Even amidst fier ce flames,” he said, “the Golden fierce LLotus otus can be planted.” For the fforeseeable oreseeable futur e, future, CCancerian, ancerian, the lotus is your pow wer object. power LEO LE O ((July July 23–Aug. 23–Aug. 222): 2): ““Picture Picture r a vvery ery ccomplicated omplicated requires ccombination ombination llock, ock, oone ne tthat hat re quires ddialing ialing uupp eeight ight ddifferent ifferent nnumbers umbers ttoo oopen,” pen,” w rites A rianna writes Arianna Huffington. “Y You o have seven of the numbers, but “You the lock still won ’t open until yo ou hit upon that won’t you final number n seem as ‘big’ number.. One-eighth may not aass sseven-eighths, even-eighths, bbut ut w ithout tthe he fi nal cclick lick ooff tthe he without final combination, the tumblers won ’ ffall ’t all into place.” won’t Sound ffamiliar, amiliar, Leo? In my astr o ological opinion, you astrological have dialed up the first seven nnumbers umbers but you don ’t don’t know what the eighth is yet; un til you discover it, until the lock will stay closed. Wher or Wheree should you look ffor the missing inf o? It ’s now within within your reach, reach, and it info?

It’s wasn ’t bef ore. wasn’t before.

VIRGO VIR GO ((Aug. Aug. 23–Sept.

23–Sept. 222): 2): IIn n tthe he coming coming w week, eek, iit’s t ’s

vvery ery iimportant mportant tthat hat yyou ou sstay tay oout ut ooff oother ther ppeople’s e o p l e’ s hells—even if they invite you inn with a big welcome, and even if you’r oin them ther you’ree tempted to jo join theree in their iinfernos nfernos aass a m isguided w ay ooff pproving roving yyour our llove. ove. B misguided way Bee compassionate, Vir go, but don ’tt be manipulated or Virgo, don’t ffoolish. oolish. The best thing you can do d to help others is to cul tivate your own mental he ealth with ingenuity, ingenuity, cultivate health trusting in its rradiant adiant power to heal by example.

LIBRA ((Sept.

Sept. 223–Oct. 3–Oct. 222): 2): ““Two Two pparadoxes aradoxes aare re

Edwardd TTeller. better than one,” said physicist Edwar eeller. “They may even suggest a solution.” I hope this gives you a glimmer of appr eciation ffor or the sparkling appreciation contr adictions you’r roundeed by a. It would contradictions you’ree sur surrounded by,, Libr Libra.

9p p ROB ROB BREZSNY BREZ SNY n\\b f] DXiZ_ 0 n\\b f] DXiZ_ 0

be understandab ble if up until today you ffelt elt they understandable weree cr crazy-making stressors served wer azy-makiing str essors that ser ved no good purpose. But now w maybe you will be motivated to sstand tand oon n yyour our hhead, ead, ccross ross yyour our eeyes, yes, aand nd ttry ry ttoo ssee ee riddles how the tangy ri ddles might actually be used to other. untangle each ot ther.

SCORPIO SC ORPIO (Oct (Oct. t. 23–Nov 23–Nov.. 21): Despite the weal wealth th and and renown renown he he hhas as aaccumulated ccumulated dduring uring hhis is influential Brian influential career, career, musician musician B rian EEno no iiss a bbig ig ffan an of R&B, music of raw raw ssimplicity. implicity. SSpeaking peaking aabout bout R &B, ssoul oul m usic and psychedelia,, he said, “These earlier er eras as of pop pop music music were were ccharacterized haracterized nnot ot bbyy tthe he ssearch earch for for perfection perfection bbut ut bbyy bbizarre izarre eenthusiasms, nthusiasms, ssmall mall budgets, budgets, eerratic rratic ttechnique, echnique, ccrummy rummy eequipment quipment aand nd wild with wild abandon.” abandon.” Would Would yyou ou cconsider onsider pplaying laying w ith that approach weeks, It’s approach inn the coming week s, Scorpio? It ’s not necessarily some something ething you should do all the time, but but right right nnow ow I ssuspect uspect iit’s t’s a formula formula for for the the most most interesting interesting kind of success.

SSAGITTARIUS AGITTARIU US (Nov (Nov.. 22–Dec. 21): Resear Research ch Digest Blog write Digest B log aasked sked eeminent minent ppsychologists sychologists ttoo w rite about about tthe he ttheme heme ““one one nnagging agging tthing hing yyou ou sstill till ddon’t o n’ t understand abou about yourself.” wondered ut yourself .” One expert wonder ed why much work why hhee aalways lways ooverestimates verestimates hhow ow m uch w ork hhee can get done. An Another pondered nother ponder ed the ffact act that he ffalls alls prey prey ttoo hhis is oown wn iirrational rrational bbiases iases eeven ven tthough hough hhe’s e’ s well awar awaree he ha has thirdd said he can can’t as them. A thir ’t ffathom athom why it it’s ’s so easy for for him to learn some things and so hard others. hard to learn oth hers. What would your answer be, Sagittarius? Thiss is an excellent time, astrologically astrologically speaking, to see if you can get to the bottom of a truth about your yourself rself that has always eluded you.

(To story, here: (TTo read read the stor ry, go her e: http://tinyurl.com/ DontKnowYet.) DontKnowYet.) CAPRICORN CAPRIC ORN (Dec. 22–Jan. 19): I suspect that you will either be spe spectacularly breathtakingly eathtakingly ectacularly right or br wrong coming wrong in the com ming days. Which way it goes will all depend on whether you’ree obser observing wheth her you’r ving and rresponding esponding to the actual eve events unfolding front ents unf olding in fr ont of you or else are are more more focused focused oon n tthe he iimages mages ddancing ancing aaround round iin n your your imagination. imagination. Of Of course course iit’s t’s always always a good good idea idea to get your biases projections biasees and pr ojections out of the way so you can see lilife it’s fe as it rreally eally is, but it ’s especially crucial now. now. So much m is contingent upon your ability to be acutely per perceptive rceptive and crisply objective.

AQUARIUS A QUARIUS (J(Jan. Jan. 20–Feb. 18): In the old ffairy airy tale, Rumpelstiltskin tale, tthe he ccharacter haracter kknown nown aass R umpelstiltskin had had the the ppower ower ttoo sspin pin sstraw traw iinto nto ggold. old. TThat hat sskill kill hhas as a metaphorical resemblance wizardry metaphorical re semblance ttoo tthe he w izardry yyou ou ccould ould pull off in the co coming weeks: transforming ming week s: tr ansforming seemingly ordinary worthless ordinary or worth hless stuff into a valuable asset.

Although Although your your work work might might seem seem a bit bit miraculous miraculous and and make some peop people ple wonder if you’ve used hocuspocus, the ffact act iss that it may at times ffeel eel tedious or extr extremely demanding emely dem manding to you. Be gutsy in your mastery of the in intricate ntricate details, Aquarius. I’ll be thinking of you as a the Gritty Magician.

PISCESS ((Feb. PISCE Feb. 119–March 9–March 220): 0): ““Good Good tthings hings m may ay

they’ree mostly just come to those who w wait—but they’r behind the things left be ehind by those who hustle and bustle.”” That mes message bustle bustle. ssage was in the ffortune ortune cookie I got with my Chinesee take-out ffood ood tonight. It happens to perfect current astrological be a perf ect fit ffor o your cur or rent astr ological omens, so I’m handing itt over to you. In the coming week, don’t around I don ’t rrecommend ecommend that you sit ar ound patiently watch aand nd w atch hhow ow tthe he ttrends rends rripen. ipen. I ddon’t on’t tthink hink yyou ou should bide yourr time or be cautious in making a proactive, commitment. Be pr oactive, Pisces—maybe even freaking gung ho. CCarpe arpe tthe he fr eaking diem.

Homework: What W do you want to be when you gr ow up? T estify e at http:/ // grow Testify www .freewillaastrology.com. www.freewillastrology.com.

Go to REALASTROLOGY.COM to check out Rob Brezsny’s Expanded Weekly Audio Horoscopes and Daily Text Message Horoscopes. Audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700

M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

ARIESS (Mar ARIE (March ch 21–April 19): “D “Dear Dear Mr Mr.. A Astrologer: strologer: ometheus, I stolee fir om the gods Like the god Pr Prometheus, firee fr from and gave gave it it ttoo ppeople eople w ho ssometimes ometimes m ake aawful wful uuse se and who make of it. it. As As ppunishment, unishment, tthe he ggods ods cchained hained m ck of mee ttoo a ro rock on the the beach, beach, and and arranged arranged for for an an eagle eagle to to come come daily daily on liver. Luckily, Luckilyy, the liver gr ows back every to eat my liver. grows night. Unluckily, Unluckily, the the eagle eagle always always re turns ttoo ddevour evour iitt night. returns again. I’m I’m used used to to it it by by now; now; iitt ddoesn’t oesn’t hhurt urt aass m uch again. much as it once did. But I’m still eage eagerr to get out of my predicament. Any suggestions?” suggestions?” —Aries in Limbo predicament.

Your o rescue rescue is scheduled schedduled ffor or no later than Dear Aries: Your your birthday, birthday, possibly possibly before. before. In In the the m eantime, tthe he your meantime, y can do to ppr epar p re ffor or yyour rrelease elease is best thingg you prepare feel gratitude gratitude for for all you’ve le earned during your to feel learned ordeal. ordeal.

67 151

M E T R OAC T I V E . C O M | SA N J O S E . C O M | M A R C H 9 -1 5, 2 0 1 1 | M E T R O S I L I C O N VA L L E Y

152 00

ZcXjj`Ó\[j ZcX Xjj`Ó Ó\[jj ZZcXjj`Ó\[ `e[\o cXjj`Ó\[ `e[\o Single Ser vices 150 Services Employment 152 Family Ser vices 153 Services Music 153

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Silicon Image, Inc. has the following job opportunity available in Sunnyvale, CA:

Legal & Public Notices 153 Improvement 153 Home Improvement Real Estate 154

Hewlett-Packard Company has an opportunity for the following position in Cupertino, CA Business Services Management Customer Assist Team Engineer: Reqs: Experience designing and implementing software modules. Two (2) years experience with HP BSM products.

Code level familiarization with BSM products (Sitescope, RUM, BAC); Knowledge of BSM products and architecture; Familiarization with BSM R&D and support processes.

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Mail resume to : Silicon Image, Inc., Attn: Carine Stouffer, HR, 1060 East Arques Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Must reference job Please send resumes with job code IM1025. number to Hewlett-Packard Company, H1-6E-28, 5400 Karaoke DJ Legacy Drive, Plano, TX wanted 9pm-1:30am. Must 75024. No phone calls have equipment. Apply morn- please. Must be legally ings only. Alex’s 49er Lounge authorized to work in the 2214 Business Circle, San U.S. without sponsorship.

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Technical Hewlett-Packard Company is accepting resumes for Software Designer (Ref. #CUPSWD11) in Cupertino, CA. Design, develop, maintain, test, and perform quality and performance assurance of system software products. Mail resume to Hewlett-Packard Company, 5400 Legacy Drive, MS H1-6F-61, Plano, TX 75024.

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ENGINEER, Sr. Software, Architect: Architect highly available, scalable server platform to deliver voice mails to mobile handsets. Worksite: Mountain View, CA Resumes to jobbox@smithmirco.com Subject line: RHMV

gcXZ\ Xe X[ Call 408.298.8000 Mon-Fri, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm í Call classifieds@metronews.com o Please include í Email classifieds@metronews.com your V ISA, MC, Discver oor AmEx number and VISA, expir ation date ffor or paym ment expiration payment í Fax your ad to 408.271.3520

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AppliedMicro in Sunnyvale, CA

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seeks Principal Design Eng. to perform micro-architecture, des., integrate. & debug. PCI Express & Ethernet Classification Engine. Utilize verilog & syst. verilog HDL lang. to des., debug & verify des. Synth. of des. using RTL compiler.

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Edu/exp. reqs.: MS in Electrical Eng. or rel. + 6 yrs. exp. (OR BS + 10). Mail resumes to: Tonya Johnson, Director, HR, Applied Micro Circuits Corporation, 215 Moffett Park Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. EOE.

is accepting resumes for the position of Services Information Developer (Ref. #ESCUPSID11) in Cupertino, CA: Conceptualize, design, develop, unit-test, configure, and implement portions of new or enhanced (upgrades or conversions) business and technical software solutions through application of appropriate standard software development life cycle methodologies and processes. Mail resume to HP Enterprise Services, LLC, 5400 Legacy Drive, MS H16F-61, Plano, TX 75024.

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Program Managers: Responsible for server product development. Super Micro Computer, Inc. San Jose, CA. Master required.

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Engineering Manager: Research & implement software algorithms for video streaming. Worksite: Mountain View, CA Resumes to jobbox@smithmirco.com Subject line: ACMV

Business

Allied Telesis

Cisco Systems, Inc. is accepting resumes for the following position in San Jose/Milpitas/ Santa Clara CA: Business Operations Manager (Ref#: SJ38): Provide business planning assistance, periodic measurements of effectiveness, and facilitate efforts to optimize operational efficiency through business process definition and reengineering.

has an IT SalesForce Administrator position available in San Jose, CA. Manage users and data, conduct training and drive use, and create and manage ad hoc reports and executive dashboards. BS in CE, CS, EE or related + 2 yrs in related exp.

Mail resumes to Allied Telesis, Inc., 3200 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95134. Attn: Sr. Human Resources Generalist.

Must reference job title and job code # MS0001 to be considered.

Please mail resumes with reference number to Cisco Systems, Inc., Attn: H51L, 325 E. Tasman Drive, Mail Stop: SJC 5/1/4, San Jose, CA 95134.

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT ThugWorldRecords.com #548439 Bands

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The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Ergo Expediters, 2325 Cherrystone Dr., San Jose, CA, 95128, Axon Services, Inc. This business is conducted by a Corporation.

The state of Corporation: California.

Registrant has not yet begn transacting business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on. /s/Janet Phinick President #2508379 This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Clara County on 2/24/2011. (pub Metro 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23/2011)

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE ON NAME CASE NO. 111CV192248

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, 191 NORTH FIRST STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95113 IN THE MATTER OF SHAKONDI NAKOLE JACKSON. THE COURT FINDS that Petitioner(s) has/have filed for a decree changing name(s) as follows Present name: SHAKONDI NAKOLE JACKSON Proposed name: SHAKONDI NAKOLE LEE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shell appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted.

Notice of Hearing on March 29, 2011 at 8:45 a.m. in Room 107 located at 191 located at 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA, 95113.

A COPY of this order to show cause shall be published at least once each week for four week successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, Metro Newspapers printed in the county of Santa Clara.

Dated: JANUARY 20, 2011 /David H. Yamasaki Judge of the Superior Court (Pub CC 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9/2011)

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Boulder Creek

The New Ceramics

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With the right use of tile, a swimming pool, a wine cellar and yes, even a barbecue can become something with personal significance.

For homeowners who are staying in their homes longer and looking to achieve a nice look without breaking the bank, adding accent tile work to a doorway or transforming a simple white tub into a kalso-patterned artwork doesn’t seem so outrageous nowadays.

It’s not hard to draw inspiration— look at the arched doorway of the Natural Science Building at SJSU, the neat designs on the storefronts of Lincoln Boulevard in Willow Glen, or any number of buildings on the campus at Stanford. These places come with their own histories and continue to move tastes. People might want to emulate the scenes or patterns they see from an old neighborhood bungalow or Mediterranean-styled home. Or they want to pull inspiration

from the Kitchen Bouquet colors of a summer home recently featured in Sunset magazine.

Tiles are being used like wallpaper.

Moorish patterns are being superimposed on doorways. People are even getting ideas for tile from stained-glass windows they have hanging in their house.

“The sky’s the limit,” says onsite designer Janet Logsdon of Stonelight Tile, which has operated continuously since tilework’s golden era, the 1920s.

Stonelight Tile specializes in combining the classical and the contemporary. Beads of glass are being playfully attached to old stone; fireplaces are being modeled after the old Arts and Crafts style, but with a twist, and modeled clay porcelain pieces are finding their place next to original glassy translucent ones.

No hard-and-fast rules here, just what feel good. A simple change of white-on-white dimensional molding can modernize trims without breaking the bank, while threedimensional relief adds texture to kitchens and depth to stair risers.

Tile doesn’t have to be overwhelming either—a simple inset tile medallion can make a difference to a room. And sometimes, remaking an existing look by hand-painting tiles to match is a good way to go.

Durable, frost resistant, fire safe and LEED approved—there are practical perks that come with tiles. People are even saving money by installing their projects themselves. —Amanda Holst

a beautiful building site in the sun. Half acre. Private gated road. Easy location.

All utilities in place. Plans included, too. Excellent neighborhood. Owner financing. $249,000. 408-395-5754 Donner Land & Mortgage Co., Inc. www.donnerland.com

Boulder Creek

290 acres ! Run your dirt bikes or quads or take a hike and have a lot of fun on the 11 parcels ranging in size from 18- 40 acres. Santa Clara county. Sun, Views, Spring, Creek. Off grid.

Excellent Owner financing. $1,150,000. 408-395-5754 Donner Land & Mortgage Co., Inc. www.donnerland.com

Land

Own 20 Acres.

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10 acres. Ridge top. 3 mile private bumpy road leads to this quiet and serene site. Beautiful view and plenty of sun. Off grid.

Owner Financing. $189,000.

Donner Land & Mortgage Co., Inc. www.donnerland.com 408-395-5754

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Real Estate Rentals

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Power at lot line. Some reports. Paved access. Plans included. Owner financing. $450,000. 408-395-5754 Donner Land & Mortgage Co., Inc. www.donnerland.com

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Popular Gluten-Free Baking class Jump-start your home baking with delicious yet nutritious recipes, March 13, 12 - 3.30 PM, $75, Bauman College-Santa Cruz, Advance registration: 800-987-7530 / www.baumancollege.org

INTERIOR SHUTTERS $25 per sq ft installed 408-375-1037

Hair Stylist Booth Rental Shear Magic, In the Heart of Silicon Valley. 1st 2 Weeks Free! $125 per week. 572 S. Murphy, Sunnyvale, CA. Call Mark 408/702-5092, or 408/245-4954, send resume shearmagichair@comcast.net; www.shearmagichair.com

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