This year, Metro turned 40, though time flies when you’re always on the prowl for what’s new and tasty or culturally relevant. What was then called Best of the Santa Clara Valley began in Metro’s second year and has been a reliable benchmark to the valley’s evolution. As we noted in 2016, Best of the Silicon Valley “is the longest continuously running guide to local discovery in this strategically important part of the world.”
So, once again, we have compiled the annual voting results, listing the best-loved local tastes, sounds, sights, people and places in Silicon Valley.
Over the years, much has changed. What hasn’t? Henry’s Hi-Life. Original Joe’s. Streetlight Records. To name a few.
Each year, readers put their stamp of approval on such names as Orchard City Kitchen, Pruneyard Cinemas, Joe Escobar Diamonds, Moon Zooom and Circle-A Skateboards. Somehow, year after year, these businesses manage to preserve the magic that catalyzes loyalty.
As is fitting in a region that persistently reinvents itself, changes make themselves felt. New restaurants—including downtown San Jose’s Eos & Nyx and Mas Loco Cantina, Gardenia and Breaking Dawn in Los Gatos, Robin in Menlo Park, Valley Goat in Sunnyvale and 7 Stars Bar and Grill in Campbell—step out as new style setters.
Other winners represent sea changes. For instance, we celebrate that Beyond Text in Los Gatos, a truly independent bookseller, notched a win for Best Bookstore—New. And a trio of wins point to the strength of San Jose’s creative community. The 10-year-old organization Local Color San Jose went gold in the Best Nonprofit Organization Category, and both Makers Market and SJ Made were called out for honors in the Shopping section.
Those who dismiss Santa Clara County as a sea of chain stores and suburban blandness just aren’t looking hard enough. There’s much delight to be found in the heart of the valley.
