Best of Palo Alto 2011 (continued from page 37) Village, Palo Alto; 650-322-9200. calafiapaloalto.com
Chinese Restaurant Chef Chu’s is a longtime local favorite, serving exceptional-quality Chinese food at prices that won’t break the bank. Meat and seafood lovers will rejoice in the selection of specialty dishes such as Peking duck, rack of lamb and clam soup, but vegetarians will find much to enjoy as well, including scrumptious tofu and noodle dishes, and even “vegetarian goose.” 1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos; 650-948-2696. chefchu.com
Coffee House The aroma of rich, strong coffee wafts down Ramona Street, drawing in the caffeine-deprived to Coupa Cafe. Or, it could be the free Wi-Fi, the comfy casual seating, the exquisite chocolates (no need to wait for Valentine’s Day, dear) or the unusual Venezuelan menu that includes their signature arepas, made with thin cornmeal griddle cakes. Everything is served with quiet flair, from the little bowl of chopped fruit with breakfast scrambles to that floral squiggle atop the latte. Just blocks away, Peet’s Coffee & Tea garnered a close second place. Coupa also won in the Solo Dining category. 538 Ramona St., Palo Alto; 650-322-6872. coupacafe.com
Dining With Kids Chef Lawrence Chu has helped Chef Chu’s drum up accolades for Best Chinese Restaurant.
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2010 RUNNER UP
Palo Alto and Mountain View mainstay Hobee’s also scored on the merits of
its morning meals. See the complete listing in the Breakfast category.
Hall of Fame: 2nd Year With its ‘50s-style atmosphere, comfy booths, satisfying food and off-the-chart milkshakes, Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill has established itself in the Best Of Palo Alto Hall of Fame for Dining With Kids. Parents and babysitters across the Peninsula have long frequented the Palo Alto eatery with their young ones in tow. The restaurant’s bee-bop energy is bolstered by a menu that includes homemade oatmeal, dozens of hamburger options, onion rings, vanilla coke and much, much more. And the restaurant is open on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, so kids can return the favor. 566 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-323-3131; and #2A Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto; 650-327-3141. paloaltocreamery.com
French Restaurant Weekly readers once again cast their votes for the popular Bistro Elan, which Andrea Hyde and her husband, chef Ambjorn Lindskog, ran for 16 years on California Avenue in Palo Alto. The pair, though, closed Bistro Elan in July, citing rent and landlord issues. Voters will no doubt be pleased to know that Hyde and Lindskog moved their business only an amble away, earlier this year opening up the smaller Birch Street restaurant on, well, Birch Street. Recently, Weekly food critic Dale Bentson dined at the new eatery and pronounced it spar-
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