This year, downtown's many restaurants offered Best of Willow Glen voters far more options to choose from, but readers somehow managed to zero in on the best. For locals and visitors alike, the following list is a general dining and entertainment guide that's sure to please.

BEST
Pizza

PIZZA MY HEART

General manager John Rios says there are many aspects that set Pizza My Heart's pizza apart from the rest--and make it a winner in this category for the second year in a row.

"The quality of the ingredients," he says matter-of-factly. "And the dough recipe. The dough recipe is special. It gives the dough a nice, consistent flavor."

Pizza My Heart's dough recipe is something of a trade secret.

"Not too many people know of it," Rios says.

Some of Pizza My Heart's most popular menu items that tend to leave customers drooling include the prima pizza, with tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and parmesan; the pesto pizza; and the chicken deluxe. On Friday nights, customers line up to get slices of these favorites.

In addition to the tasty recipes and fresh produce, Rios says there's one more "ingredient" to Pizza My Heart's success and popularity in the community--friendly service and "the T.L.C. employees bring to the product."

Anyone who doesn't think a smile can make pizza taste better might want to visit Pizza My Heart.

Pizza My Heart, 1309 Lincoln Ave., 408.279.4441.

BEST
Sandwich/Italian food

BERTUCELLI'S LA VILLA DELICATESSEN

Bertucelli's La Villa Deli is two outstanding establishments in one.

Those who love warm, fresh Italian food that tastes like it came straight out of an oven in a small, out-of-the-way, family-owned café in Italy has likely been to Bertucelli's. And if not, they're going to be glad they read this edition of The Best of Willow Glen.

Bertucelli's sells an impressive list of ready-to-go Italian cooking ingredients such as olive oil; tomato, pesto and alfredo sauces; non-perishable Italian pastas; and biscotti and gnocchi; as well as cheeses, wine and fresh loaves of bread.

There's also the bar, where customers can order hot food such as lasagna, homemade ravioli and canneloni that can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio or taken home. Arguably, one of the most popular items on this menu is the panini sandwich. In particular, one sandwich named after one of the owners, Chris Bertucelli, sells at least 20-30 a day--the Chris combo.

So for a true Italian meal, without spending thousands of dollars to fly to Italy, give Bertucelli's a try. After all, four years in a row of offering Willow Glen's "best sandwich" is hard to argue with.

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

BEST
Breakfast

BILL'S CAFÉ

Bill's Café, a family-owned business that has served the Willow Glen community for nearly 30 years, boasts some of the most loyal customers around. The small café--which makes a frequent appearance in The Best of Willow Glen series--serves breakfast seven days a week until 3 p.m.

The café's customers are so loyal, in fact, that they decided to go to bat a number of years ago for the establishment to try and convince the health department to allow the café to welcome their dogs.

"We've always been dog-friendly," owner Bill Rizos says. Customers say because the family had always been kind in welcoming their dogs to sit with them while they enjoy breakfast on the outdoor patio, they pounded the pavement and collected several thousand signatures, and marched them down to the health department. They won the fight.

Rizos says the sight of parents with their strollers and dog owners enjoying some of his famous hot breakfasts while relaxing with their pets on the patio warms his heart every day.

A native of the Greek village of Voliare, Rizos features two Greek dishes on the café's menu--a Greek salad and his famous Greek lemon soup.

The "famous" part is no joke.

"We sell so much of the soup, customers love it. So we keep the pot boiling every day," Rizos says.

The menu also features sandwiches, salads, fish and pasta.

"It's whatever a person wishes," Rizos says.

Rizos runs the café with his daughter Dina, who first started helping out at the family business by doing chores when she was 10.

Bill's Café, 1115 Willow St., 408.294.1125.

BEST
Asian food

TAIWAN RESTAURANT

Taiwan Restaurant isn't known just for serving up great Chinese food. It's also known for its beautiful ambience.

In business for 23 years, this family-owned establishment boasts a beautiful décor that is commented on by many a customer.

"All of the oil paintings were done by my mother. And my father, Jimmy, does all the flower arrangements," says Sophia Niu, the general manager, whose parents own Taiwan. "He has the flowers shipped in weekly from Hawaii."

Niu says she believes the secret to Taiwan Restaurant's success is: "We're a little more upscale than your average, run-of-the-mill, family-owned Chinese restaurant. I think what makes us successful is that we serve the freshest food in innovative ways."

Niu says some of the restaurant's most popular dishes, which she feels are unique, are the honey walnut shrimp, firecracker chicken, pineapple fried rice and the Yu-shiang eggplant over noodles.

Taiwan has also recently expanded to include catering services and a Sunday champagne brunch.

Most of all, Niu says what is great about Taiwan is that it appeals to people of all ages.

"It's a good place for families as well as being great for dates or parties," she says.

Taiwan Restaurant, 1306 Lincoln Ave., 408.289.8800.

BEST
Dessert

(tie)

FLOWER FLOUR/
WILLOW GLEN FROZEN YOGURT COMPANY

The smell of sweets permeates the small Flower Flour patisserie. Painted on the exterior of the building is a hint of what's inside.
Cherub-like children enjoy delectable sweets, too-pretty-to-eat cakes are lined up on shelves, and that's just what's on the walls. Inside, customers find themselves in a kind of English garden where they can muse over what kind of desert they will try this time with their hot drinks.

For something new, the Cinderella cake, made of pumpkin mousse, is recommended; an old favorite is the pear cake. The patisserie carries a variety of French mousses as well.

Owner Mimi Brown offers decadent sweets for both dessert connoisseurs as well as those who simply have a sweet tooth. Along with morsels to taste, Brown also has the perfect drink. Espresso, coffee and teas are some of the drinks she sells along with her sweets.

Since starting her business tucked away on Willow Street in Willow Glen, she has become a local favorite.

Open seven days a week and until late in the evenings to fulfill even the worst sweet cravings, Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt Co. puts smiles on the locals' faces.

Catering to all ages and all taste buds, this yogurt shop has it all--homemade-style ice cream, nonfat frozen yogurt and the house's favorite, frozen custard.

The frozen vanilla custard is served every day and is popular with many customers. On Sundays, the shop has different flavored custard. The establishment boasts of being one of the last places to get the frozen delicacy.

No one is left out of the loop here. This place is sensitive to everyone, including the lactose intolerant and those who can't eat sugary things. Lactose-and sugar-free items can also be enjoyed every day of the week. The little yogurt shop alternates more than 50 flavors so your sweet tooth will never be bored.

Here, customers also get more sweets for the dollar, since the portions are generously scooped. Whether in a cup, a cone or in the form of a milkshake, these desserts have made a splash on the Avenue.

Flower Flour, 896 Willow St., 408.279.0843.

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

BEST
Coffeehouse

(tie)

PEET'S COFFEE & TEA/
WILLOW GLEN COFFEE ROASTING CO.

With several coffeehouses to choose from, Willow Glen residents appear to favor two Lincoln Avenue establishments--Peet's Coffee & Tea and the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Co.

Janice Fishman, the Peet's store manager, says her store's charm is its connection to the people in town. She says the store has hundreds of regulars who make practically daily stops to socialize and gather with friends. It's a place to see and be seen.

"We're definitely a destination store. People come first thing in the morning, they bring their children; we're very family-oriented," Fishman says. "Saturdays and Sundays especially, we get a lot of children and dogs--we even serve them dog biscuits."

Fishman says she is impressed wtih how her staff knows most customers' names. Just recently, she says, when a regular customer named Donna came in for her usual morning cup of coffee, a staff member broke out into song with a rendition of the classic "Oh, Donna."

Fishman says another unique characteristic of the Peet's staff is that they have a passion for coffee knowledge that they are always attempting to share with customers. Also, all the beans are roasted to order so Peet's is always offering its customers the freshest drinks possible. It also holds "Coffee and Tea 101" classes the second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m., and with individual customers upon request.

Chris Carris, who owns and operates WGCRC, says his establishment is much more than just a coffee shop. It is a local artist gallery, a business meeting site, a historical museum with photos from Willow Glen's past, and--a theater?

Yes, WGCRC is currently gearing up to present a live play on the Italian Renaissance. A troupe of speakers and professors will be performing live inside the coffeehouse, to teach people about this unique time in history. Carris says he will work with Willow Glen Elementary School to bring over children for free shows, and there will be a one-night run for local adults as well.

In addition, he says no one knows their beans like employees of the WGCRC.

"We run a full, understanding, capable coffee bar," he says.

WGCRC offers wholesale coffee beans for purchase and delivery, on-site hot and cold coffee drinks, a selection of ice cream dishes, wireless Internet access and live music every Saturday night, 8-10 p.m.

It seems WGCRC has everything but the kitchen sink.

Peet's Coffee, 1140 Lincoln Ave., 408.975.9281.

Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Co., 1383 Lincoln Ave., 408.297.9077.

BEST
Bar/quick lunch/ restaurant for kids

AQUI MEXICAN GRILL

Appearing as the "best of" in three categories this year, it seems there is nothing at Aqui Mexican Grill that people don't like.

First off, there's the food. Aqui offers unique food that cannot be lumped into the category of Mexican alone. Rachel Johnson, a manager at Aqui for 10 years, says it can better be described as Latin cuisine, blending in Cuban and southwest flavors. What also sets Aqui apart from the rest, she says, is how the menu is always changing. In addition to regular, permanent menu items, Aqui always has a one-time only special each day, as well as weekly specials.

"Our chefs are very creative in that way; they come in and put a special together on that day from scratch," Johnson says. "It helps to give our customers a nice variety."

Many customers like Aqui because they don't have to wait long for their food--with counter service, they can order and have their dishes within minutes. A self-serve salsa bar also gives customers the opportunity to customize their plates with just the right amount of "hotness" they prefer.

Aqui's bar is also well known--Johnson says she believes its popularity stems from the fresh fruit used in many of signature drinks, as well as the fact that, like their chefs, head bartender Carlos Tovar is always coming up with special, unique drinks, garnering creative input from other bartenders.

Parents shouldn't shy away from Aqui, either--Johnson says it has always been a family-oriented establishment. The restaurant's spacious layout allows for children to run free, and no one seems to mind. Also, there's no reason why children shouldn't get a variety of delicious menu items as well, she says--in addition to the child's menu, Aqui comes out with frequent specials for the young 'uns as well.

It seems there's no reason not to try Aqui Mexican Grill.

Aqui Mexican Grill, 1145 Lincoln Ave., 408.995.0381.

BEST
Place for a first date

VIN SANTO

Vin Santo has been a local favorite for its Italian food for the past three years. Now, it has expanded into a new category.

Co-owned by Willow Glen residents Susan and Greg Russi, the restaurant combines fine dining with a tantalizing selection of Californian and Italian wines--more than 30 from which to chose.

Greg makes dinners from scratch in the kitchen while his wife seats and serves each customer as if they were part of the family.

A 19th-century Spanish adobe façade, wrought iron and a lion's mouth trickling water aren't the only romantic things about this restaurant. Couples can enjoy a romantic date in the intimate atmosphere inside the building under a warm glow or dine outside under the stars. For those seeking a more private dinner, the restaurant offers a bistro room tucked away.

Vin Santo, 1346 Lincoln Ave., 408.920.2508.

BEST
Mexican food

TAQUERIA TLAQUEPAQUE NO. 1

Stepping inside Taqueria Tlaquepaque (tlah-kay-PAW-kay) is like being transported to Mexico. Festive decorations such as a large Mayan calendar, colorful murals on the walls and red, Spanish tiles on the roof and floors give it a fun, authentic feel.

The taqueria is widely popular for its fresh food--and while many establishments may boast that fact, customers at the taqueria can actually taste it and see it. Pedro Diaz, the assistant manager, says they make their chips hot, right on site, and when they're delivered to a table, customers can still feel and taste their warmth, straight from the oven.

The taqueria's salsa became so popular that the restaurant began selling it by the tub. The green salsa, which is somewhat hotter, is also a customer favorite.

The taqueria serves a variety of well-known Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, chimichangas, tacos, burritos and quesadillas, and recently began serving seafood as well--customers will now find some menu items that contain shrimp and octopus.

Although the taqueria does not have a full bar, its drinks are popular as well. In addition to traditional margaritas, Diaz says the "chavelas" is a frequent request--beer prepared with tequila and lemon.

All in all, Diaz says the friendly staff completes the whole package.

Taqueria Tlaquepaque, 2222 Lincoln Ave., 408.978.3665.