BEST
Breakfast

JOHN'S XLNT FOODS

Despite its abbreviated name, this 30-year Willow Glen institution doesn't scrimp on the excellence—especially at breakfast time. And the Kouretas family's "XLNT" breakfasts have made weekend mornings one of the restaurant's busiest times.

Featuring a menu combining traditional American with innovative Mexican and Greek fare, John's has something to please almost any variety of morning muncher. Some of the restaurant's most popular offerings include the crab cakes Benedict, the eggs Benedict with homemade hollandaise sauce, and the Willow Glen Scramble, a hearty concoction bursting with sausage, bacon, onions and potatoes.

The secret to John's success might be the establishment's commitment to using the finest ingredients. Customers will only find fresh vegetables in their omelets and scrambles, and their sausage just might come from a local butcher.

John's XLNT Foods, 1238 Lincoln Ave., 408.279.4441.

BEST
Sandwich
(tie)

BERTUCELLI'S LA VILLA DELICATESSEN

LE BOULANGER

With two nearby delis tempting customers with their wide variety of appetizing sandwiches, voters couldn't choose just one—so Le Boulanger and Bertucelli's La Villa both scored winnings in the Best Sandwich category.

Three-time winner Bertucelli's La Villa has been a Willow Glen institution since 1947, when it was known simply as La Villa. Dave and Patty Bertucelli added their moniker when they acquired the deli more than 15 years ago.

A change in ownership didn't dissuade longtime regulars looking for a sandwich fix. Traditional palettes will appreciate the American favorites such as turkey, tuna and roast beef. More adventurous epicures might want to sample the Chris Combo, which doesn't appear on the menu. If customers want to know the ingredients of the secret sandwich, then they have to try it for themselves—the Bertucellis' lips are sealed.

But if one of the most important ingredients of a sandwich is its bread, then it's no surprise voters also selected an establishment known for catering to carb-lovers. Le Boulanger, which means "the baker" in French, offers plenty of ways to stuff its legendary fresh-baked rolls, breads and focaccia.

Meat-lovers can choose from standard fare like bacon, lettuce and tomato or roast beef, or sample more innovative combinations like chicken and turkey pesto sausage or turkey cranberry. And satisfying a sandwich craving doesn't even require leaving home—Le Boulanger offers an online link to waiter.com.

Bertucelli's La Villa, 1319 Lincoln Ave., 408.295.7851.

Le Boulanger, www.leboulanger.com, 1351 Lincoln Ave., 408.288.7095.

BEST
Pizza

PIZZA MY HEART

Surf's up, pizza dude. Pizza lovers looking for a little taste of Santa Cruz no longer have to brave Highway 17 to get their fix. Between the life-size surfboards and photos of surfers in action mounted to the walls, plus pies with names like "Naked Long Boarder" and "Sea Foam Special," customers might find themselves magically transported "over the hill."

Indecisive people should be forewarned: with all the variety the pizzeria offers, selecting a pizza can be as difficult as choosing which beach to visit in Santa Cruz. With more than 20 different varieties to choose from and a "build your own" option, as well as a choice between New York­style or thicker Sicilian crust, the possibilities are endless.

But one option that is not available is leaving the pizzeria hungry. Piled high with cheese and toppings, individual slices are roughly the size of the average small pizza.

And hey, any establishment personally endorsed by Lex from Survivor has to be good.

Pizza My Heart, www.pizzamyheart.com, 1309 Lincoln Ave., 408.295.7851.

BEST
Asian Food

TAIWAN RESTAURANT

Best of Willow Glen voters love Taiwan. The restaurant has nabbed the Best Asian Food award since the poll's inception in 2001.

The secret to Taiwan's success might be its combination of old favorites and innovative dishes. Patrons will find the usual fried rice, won ton soup and egg rolls, as well as more unusual offerings like the spicy Yu Shiang Eggplant, winter melon soup and Honey Walnut Scallops. The restaurant offers so many different choices, the owners even had to attach an extra page of "forgotten specials" to the menu.

An island off the coast of China, Taiwan is renowned for its seafood. Of course, plenty of fish choices are available on the menu, including filets, shrimp, scallops and squid.

Perhaps the restaurant's motto, boldly displayed on the menu, says it best: "We will not serve anything to our customers that we would not serve to our own family."

Taiwan Restaurant, 1306 Lincoln Ave., 408.289.8800.

BEST
Mexican Food/ Bar/$5 Lunch/ Cocktails

AQUI MEXICAN GRILL

Aqui Mexican Grill is a fun, inexpensive and friendly "Cal-Mex" style restaurant perfect for families, couples and singles alike. There's a hopping bar with fantastic new avocado margaritas and the popular Oliver Rocks drink for the 21-and-over crowd. There's a kids room equipped with cowhide seats and Western-style trimmings, plus an outdoor patio area with a fountain for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle going on inside the restaurant.

The newest editions to the menu are a variety of tortilla roll-ups for a lighter meal, while old-time favorites still include the famous salmon burrito, crab cake salad and enchiladas. "Cal-Mex" food is classified as having influences from California, Mexico, the American Southwest and Asia. Many of the items on the menu include Thai peanut sauce and Thai chicken. For customers on the go, Aqui also offers takeout, phone orders and catering for large groups.

Aqui Mexican Grill, 1145 Lincoln Ave., 408.995.0381.

BEST
Italian Food

VIN SANTO

For the third year in a row, voters picked Vin Santo—co-owned by Willow Glen residents Susan and Greg Russi—as the best place around for Italian culinary delights. The restaurant with fine dining and outdoor-air seating has been open three years. Greg, whose family is from the Tuscany area, serves as the chef, while Susan is busy seating and serving customers.

Susan says nothing they make comes out of a can. Everything is created from scratch, such as the favorite Fettuccine con Funghi e Tartufi, a fresh pasta with shiitake, cremini, chanterelle, portobello and oyster mushrooms, truffle oil, butter and fresh herbs.

There's a wine bar, main dining area and a more private bistro room. Customers can choose from 30 to 40 California and Italian wines by the glass or from 75 wines by the bottle.

Susan can't pick a favorite item on the menu because she says they're all great. More importantly, she says exceptional customer service and little turnover on staff makes the restaurant a regular dining establishment for many customers.

Vin Santo, www.vin-santo.com, 1346 Lincoln Ave., 408.920.2508.

BEST
Coffeehouse

WILLOW GLEN COFFEE ROASTING

The barista bar of Willow Glen Coffee Roasting serves as a focal point and community gathering place for the people of Willow Glen, a spot where everyone knows each other's names. It's like Cheers, minus the alcohol, says owner Chris Carris.

There are the regular customers, drifters and out-of-town visitors. There's Wifi Internet access, newspapers, magazines, fliers about local events and even a library. The coffee shop is known for roasting on-site and frequently offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights—transforming the venue into a nightclub without a cover charge.

Willow Glen Coffee Roasting, www.
coffeewillowglen.com, 1383 Lincoln Ave., 408.297.9077.

BEST
Yogurt/
Ice Cream

WILLOW GLEN FROZEN YOGURT COMPANY

Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt Company only serves the creamiest, richest and best chilly delights, says owner Jeff Mullen. The establishment also won in this category last year.

It's a customer-service and family-oriented business known for flavors like St. Louis Frozen Custard, for Treat Ice Cream, and for nonfat, low-calorie and handmade products. The employees know each dessert's fat, calorie and sugar contents by memory, and there are also choices for people with diabetes.

The small shop on the busy corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street was once a photo-finishing drive-up, but for the past 2 ¹/2 years the location with its outdoor patio has served as the perfect spot for ice cream enthusiasts of all ages to relax in child- and adult-sized blue chairs. With regularly rotating flavors, the store even has a calling list to let patrons know when their favorite flavors are in stock.

Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt Company, 1098 Lincoln Ave., 408.292.5961.