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 BEST AFTER
WORK: STEAMER’S GRILLHOUSE
31 University Ave., Los Gatos
(408) 395-2722
www.steamers-restaurant.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Steamer’s bar, smack-dab in the middle of the
restaurant, is a sexy, stylish slab of curved wood. It serves as an after-work
haven for Silicon Valley sophisticates, who like to nosh on Steamer’s famed
starters, including oysters on the half-shell, shrimp spring rolls, Dungeness
crab cakes and, of course, Ahi tuna tartare. Wave readers talk up the cocktails,
mixed with lots of knowledge… and a little love. Aw.
House Specialty: Steamer’s also sports a fantastic wine list.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to thank the readers of The Wave Magazine
for voting us best after work place!” –Paul Matulich, Co-owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: The first steam-powered device, a spinning toy, was
invented by Heron of Alexandria in the first century A.D.
Honors Award: Katie Bloom’s Irish Pub, 369 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
(408) 379-9687 www.katieblooms.com
 BEST ATMOSPHERE
& BEST NEW NIGHTCLUB & BEST LOUNGE: FAHRENHEIT ULTRA
LOUNGE RESTAURANT
99 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
(408) 998-9998
www.fahrenheitultralounge.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: What, you may ask, is an Ultra Lounge? Originally,
the term referred to a genre of super-cool space age music; in recent years, it’s
been adopted by groovy low-lit lounges to define their chic, relaxed vibe. Wave
readers must feel Fahrenheit has turned up the heat on the concept, because they
have awarded this Downtown hot spot an unprecedented three Readers’ Choice
Awards. Why so many votes? During the work week, diners at Fahrenheit can sample
the small-plate menu while ambient music provides the soundtrack. Then, on evenings
and weekends, the volume goes up several notches, the ceiling begins to light
up and suddenly Fahrenheit more closely resembles an upscale Studio 54. The mod
décor features low, cushioned benches perfect for tired dancers, and the
cocktails couldn’t be more chill. Try the lemongrass martini. Or two.
House Specialty: Despite being the heavyweight champion of Downtown nightlife,
Fahrenheit is also open for lunch.
Acceptance Speech: “I am very happy about this news. As a San Jose
native, I felt the need for a nice, upscale venue, so I’m glad to see The
Wave Magazine’s readers are happy with what we’ve provided them. We’ll
continue to do what we do and hope people come by to experience the food, also.”
–Chris Fenton, Co-owner.
Bet You Didn’t Know: The United States and Jamaica are the only countries
that have not yet converted to Celsius thermometers.
Honors Award: in all three categories: Buddha Lounge, 251 Castro
St., Mountain View (650) 965-7665
www.buddhanightclub.com
 BEST
BARTENDER: NICOLE JACOB
Cardiff Lounge: 260 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
(408) 374-7477
V-Bar: 355 Santana Row, San Jose
(408) 551-0010
Why She Won: What separates good bartenders from truly great
bartenders is hard to define. We know it has a lot to do with the strength of
the pour, their spunky “drink up!” attitude, how well they make a
margarita and how quickly they do it. In that respect, Nicole is a quadruple threat.
Splitting time at The Cardiff Lounge and Hotel Valencia’s V-Bar, Nicole
is also studying for a degree in business.
Drink Specialty: Strawberry cosmo. Made with strawberry vodka, triple sec,
fresh lime, cranberry and a plash of orange. “It gives it a little tropical
taste.”
Acceptance Speech: “I’m so happy to receive this award. This
is totally unexpected and I’d like to thank Jimmy who hired me at Cardiff.
And Sammy who had confidence in me to begin with. I love my job and I love the
people who come in.”
Bet You Didn’t Know: A standard manhattan has 130 calories. A margarita
has about 170. Twenty-five shots of tequila equals 1675 calories.
Honors Award: Graham Kimura at Fahrenheit, 99 E. San Fernando St., San
Jose (408) 998-9998
 BEST BEER
SELECTION & BEST OUTDOOR PATIO: MISSION ALE HOUSE
97 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
(408) 292-4058
www.missionalehouse.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: First of all, we love any place that has a sign
that says “Beware of the man who does not drink.” Second, we love
any place that has nearly 30 beers on tap. Third, we love any place that lets
you drink outside. Fourth, we love any place that lets you drink outside and has
a food menu. We could go on, but apparently you are already clued in to the Mission’s
non-stop party. It’s hard to believe a 300-capacity bar could retain a cozy,
local atmosphere, but Mission Ale House pulls it off. This is the place to hang
after Music in the Park. See you there.
House Specialty: Friday features a super-sized Happy Hour, from 3-10pm
with $1.95 food specials.
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you all who voted for Mission Ale House!
Not only do we have a great selection of beer, we also have a terrific selection
of spirits, including our own house infusions. We not only infuse vodkas, but
on occasion, when I can find the freshest organic fruits, you may also find some
infused tequila, as well as rum!” –Dennis Rich, General Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: Every beer served at Mission Ale House is served
in a chilled 16-ounce glass… except for The Two-Pound Sinner, which comes
in a giant 32-ounce tumbler.
Best Beer Selection Honors Award: BJ’s Brewery, 925 Blossom
Hill Rd., San Jose (408) 284-4260; 10690 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino (408) 865-6970
www.bjsbrewhouse.com
Best Outdoor Patio Honors Award: The Grill on the Alley, 172
S. Market St., San Jose (408) 294-2244 www.thegrill.com
 BEST COMEDY
CLUB: IMPROV COMEDY CLUB
62 S. Second St., San Jose
(408) 280-7475
www.improv.com/sanjose.html
Bet You Didn’t Know: So, this priest walks into a bar… and
says, “Good Lord, this is the best comedy club I’ve ever seen!”
Clearly, this is what you were thinking when you voted for the Improv, upon whose
elegant boards have tread such stars as Kevin Pollak, Bobby Slayton and Carlos
Mencia. Housed in the historic Jose Theatre, the Improv keeps the guffaws flying
in a seriously spiffy environment. Sorry, we just wanted to say “guffaws.”
House Specialty: The Improv’s dinner menu features a spicy number
called “Chicken Tequila Pasta” that is no laughing matter.
Acceptance Speech: “We want to thank all our loyal customers for
giving us this award for the second year in a row. And we want to invite you down
to check out our Wednesday improv night where we have local comedians, people
who might even be living next door to you – I know that’s a scary
thought – performing on our stage.” –Jim Smith, Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: The Jose Theatre, a designated Historic Landmark,
was built in 1904 .
Honors Award: Rooster T. Feathers, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale (408)
736-0921 www.roostertfeathers.com
 BEST COUNTRY
BAR: THE SADDLE RACK
42011 Boscell Rd., Fremont
(510) 979-0477
www.thesaddlerack.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Readers love the Saddle Rack so much that they
continue to make it a winner, even though it moved long ago from the San Jose
street named after it. It’s worth the drive to Fremont, you tell us, for
the loud bands, line dances and all-around yee-haw ambience, which draws up-and-coming
musicians like Miranda Lambert, Trace Adkins and Amy Dalley. Dance lessons for
both line and couples dancing fuel a hoppin’ singles scene, too.
House Specialty: Watching some drunken cowboy get thrown off a mechanical
bull.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d just like to take this opportunity
to thank our customers for the last 28 and a half years of supporting us. They
are the ones who have made us. We have a great establishment and run it well,
but it’s the customers that keep us going.” –Andy Buchanan,
Co-Owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: The first cowboy hat was made by John Stetson
– as a joke. On a hunting trip, he fashioned an oversized hat out of fur
felt and wore it as a goof, but gradually became fond of its protection from the
weather.
Honors Award: Rodeo Club, 640 Coleman Ave., San Jose (408) 920-0145
 BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
BAR: BRANHAM LOUNGE
1116 Branham Lane, San Jose
(408) 265-5525
Bet You Didn’t Know: Could it be… the comfortable leather seats?
Tony Bennett on the jukebox? The bartender who compulsively karaokes Neil Diamond’s
“America”? The heel-kickin’ live bluegrass and Irish music sessions?
The Bud bottles right next to microbrews? The fact that you can almost always
score a booth? Whichever, Branham Lounge is clearly adored by Wave readers, who
more than once wrote in a series of exclamation marks on the ballot to emphasize
their choice.
House Specialty: The cozy, kitschy fireplace, always lit, even in the dead
of summer.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to thank our patrons who continually
support The Branham Lounge… I’d also like to thank my employees for
their hard work and dedication, especially my bar manager, Renee Wheeler. We look
forward to seeing you, our customer, on a regular basis!” –Patrick
Corini, Owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: Karaoke is a Japanese compound of “kara,”
from “karappo,” meaning empty, and “oke,” the abbreviation
of “okesutura,” or orchestra.
Honors Award: The Hut, 3200 The Alameda, Santa Clara (408) 296-6024
 BEST GAY
CLUB: SPLASH!
65 Post St., San Jose
(408) 993-0861
Bet You Didn’t Know: For years, 65 Post St. was Waves Smokehouse,
which turned into a club at night with a few gay events. With its transformation
into Splash!, San Jose got its own – and only – Downtown gay nightclub.
Two dance floors, with two different DJs, shake up the scene at Splash!, except
for Tuesdays nights – when karaoke takes the stage; Wednesdays, it’s
Happy Hour all night; Thursdays feature house and hip-hop; Friday night is “Furia,”
a Latin music night; and Saturday is “Together,” house and hip-hop.
House Specialty: Georgie’s Fresh Grill restaurant just opened below
Splash! It serves Mexican food Monday thru Friday from 11am to 10pm.
Acceptance Speech: “Having opened less than a year ago, we were a
bit surprised by this award. We want to thank all the people who voted for us
and our regular patrons who have been loyal to Splash Bar & Grill in 2005.
These regulars have been the people who keep us busy every night of the week.
We would also like to thank our very dedicated staff who have also been essential
to our success.” –Alex Gomez, Owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: The fish-out-of-water movie Splash, which starred
Daryl Hannah as a mermaid, turned 20 last year.
Honors Award: King of Clubs, 893 Leong Dr., Mountain View (650) 968-6366
 BEST HAPPY
HOUR: DAVE & BUSTER’S
940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas
(408) 957-9215
www.daveandbusters.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: The combination of videogames and alcohol, while
one person’s dream, could be the next person’s nightmare. In this
case, however, “dream” outvoted “nightmare” three-to-one.
Readers love D&B’s Happy Hour, which features half-price cocktails,
Monday thru Friday, starting at 4:30pm and running ’til 7pm. You can watch
the games, play a round of shuffleboard or billiards, or snack on some buffalo
wings, grilled chicken quesadillas or crispy potato skins. And then go shoot some
aliens.
House Specialty: Wave vice president Bill Hargreaves can regularly be found
freestyle rapping at Dave & Buster’s karaoke night.
Acceptance Speech: “Dave & Buster’s would like to thank
the readers for their patronage at our Happy Hour. We love having you and hope
you’ll keep coming for the good food and entertainment.” –Brett
Campbell, General Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: Dave & Buster’s began in the 1970s,
when two neighboring business owners decided to combine their restaurant and video
arcade into one great concept.
Honors Award: The Grill in the Alley, 172 S. Market St., San Jose (408)
294-2244 www.thegrill.com
 BEST HOTEL
BAR: THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY
The Fairmont, 170 S. Market St., San Jose
(408) 294-2244
www.thegrill.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: A little bit of New York in San Jose, the Grill
dishes out big-shouldered food: steaks, chops, seafood and pasta. And the bar
has the bang to go along with them. Martinis are king here – 75 varieties
of them, all hand-stirred. In fact, the martinis are so popular that the Grill
throws martini nights September thru June, with drinks discounted from 5-8pm.
During summer, the patio, with its custom-made palm heaters and cityscape views,
is a big draw.
House Specialty: The Grill serves American Kobe beef, a grade noticeably
better than USDA Prime cut.
Acceptance Speech: “Thank you to all of the readers for choosing
us Best Hotel Bar. You know us for our martinis, but on your next visit be sure
to check out our Boutique wine list featuring some hard to find treasures and
some great values. Again thank you for all your support.” - Philippe Azoulay,
General Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: Celebrities have been known to show up at The
Grill. Even famous people like martinis.
Honors Award: Paragon Montgomery Hotel, 211 S. First St., San Jose (408)
282-8888 www.paragonrestaurant.com
 BEST DANCE/DJ
MUSIC: THE CARDIFF LOUNGE
260 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
(408) 374-7477
www.cardifflounge.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Few places rival The Cardiff for cool quotient.
With its freaky-deaky Flintstones-esque exterior and its down-low loungy interior,
this is the domain of the young, hip in-crowd. There’s a DJ event every
night of the week, from Sunday’s popular Hot Buttered Soul to Thursday’s
ultra-chic Foxy. Saturday’s rotating DJ roster draws big names. The dance
floor is frenetic and fun, fueled by the hot bartenders’ kick-ass concoctions.
House Specialty: Sundays is Hot Buttered Soul night – downtempo,
jazz, hip-hop and breaks with soul from DJs Soulo, Mozaik and B-Side.
Acceptance Speech: “We just want to say thank you. This is the second
year we’ve won and we will continue to bring the most soulful house music
in the South Bay and we will never sell out to what the masses want.” –Sam
Ramirez, Owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: Cardiff is the capital of Wales.
Honors Award: SoFA Lounge, 372 S. First St., San Jose (408) 294-7632
 BEST LIVE
JAZZ/BLUES: JJ’S BLUES
3439 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose
(408) 243-6441
www.jjsblues.net
Bet You Didn’t Know: A more appropriate question might be, why wouldn’t
they win? JJ’s is a local institution – and one of those institutions
that keeps on innovating, bringing in new, cutting-edge groups to complement the
classics. John Lee Hooker’s music has met these walls, and unsigned bands
get their turn every Thursday. The long layout allows for great acoustics, the
knowledgeable bartenders allow for great mixed drinks, and the framed photos of
blues legends allow for an education.
House Specialty: JJ’s Blues is working on putting in a videostream
of their live acts on the webpage.
Acceptance Speech: “We are the champions, my friend. And we’ll
keep on fighting ‘til the end. We are the champions. We are the champions.
No time for losers, ‘cuz we are the champions of the world!” –The
ghost of Freddie Mercury, accepting on behalf of JJ’s Blues.
Bet You Didn’t Know: The piano at JJ’s is a vintage 1877 upright
Steinway – which you’re welcome to play during intermissions.
Honors Award: Hedley Club, Hotel DeAnza, 233 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose
(408) 286-1000 www.hoteldeanza.com
 BEST KARAOKE:7
BAMBOO
162 E. Jackson St., San Jose
(408) 279-9937
www.7bamboo.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Entertainment is cheap at 7 Bamboo, where all
you have to do is slug back a Long Island Iced Tea, grab a mic and rule the stage.
This is no high-pressure karaoke palace; it’s more like karaoke in your
grandparent’s basement, with comfy booths and friendly patrons. 7 Bamboo
hosts karaoke every night it’s open, and its immense songbooks can be a
real challenge to choose from. “Love Shack,” or “Brass Monkey”?
“Don’t Fear The Reaper,” or “Mony Mony”?
House Specialty: Each night’s karaoke performances are videotaped
and broadcast the next day on their webpage.
Acceptance Speech: “Now that a winner has been declared in this category,
I must re-check all of my calculations to see if this victory affects my theory
on the creation of the universe. It probably won’t, but you can’t
be too sure.” –Professor Stephen Hawking, accepting for 7 Bamboo.
Bet You Didn’t Know: Billy Idol’s real name is William Michael
Albert Broad.
Honors Award: Dave & Buster’s, 940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas (408)
957-9215 www.daveandbusters.com
 BEST LATIN/SALSA:
CLUB MIAMI
177 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose
(408) 279-3670
Bet You Didn’t Know: If you’re too intimidated to salsa dance
yourself, you have two options. The first is to simply show up at Club Miami,
order a drink and then try and maintain your composure as you ogle the writhing,
sweaty bodies on the dance floor. The second is to show up on Thursday or Friday
nights, when the Club gives free salsa dancing lessons from 7-9pm. You can learn
a few moves, then try them out a few hours later when the joint is packed.
House Specialty: A safe haven where you can admit you love the movie Lambada:
The Forbidden Dance without getting mocked.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to say thank you to all of you
for making us the number one Latin and Salsa club in the Silicon Valley. We invite
everyone to come and experience Club Miami. We have drink specials for ladies
all week long. Schedule your birthdays and parties with us.” –Pierre
Kouchekey, Host and Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: “The Macarena” was first released
in 1993 by the Miami group, Los Del Rio.
Honors Award: Alberto’s Salsa Studio & Night Club, 736 W. Dana
St., Mountain View (650) 567-9670 www.albertos.com
 BEST MARTINI:
TARRAGON
140 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale
(408) 737-8003
www.dinetarragon.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: This isn’t so much an award as an intervention.
You see, Tarragon has gone a little martini-crazy. Their martini menu has more
than 60 variations on the classic martini (the “French Martini”, with
Grey Goose, pineapple and Chambord is a favorite). While we think they could have
won this award by stopping at, say, 30 martinis, Tarragon simply doesn’t
know when to stop. Heck, after reading this, they’ll probably come up with
a Wave Martini: vodka, sour apple liqueur (because we’re puckering up) and
grenadine (because we’re so sweet).
House Specialty: Treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza and we’re betting
you can down twice as many martinis before you become incapacitated.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to thank the readers and invite
them to come on in for $4 martinis on Wednesday nights!” –Dottia Vilic,
Owner
Bet You Didn’t Know: A properly trained bartender will stir gin martinis
and shake vodka martinis. Take that, James Bond.
Honors Award: The Grill on the Alley, 172 S. Market St., San Jose (408)
294-2244 www.thegrill.com
 BEST MICROBREW:
GORDON BIERSCH
33 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
(408) 294-6785
www.gordonbiersch.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Brewing engineer Dan Gordon is the only American
in more than 40 years to graduate from the prestigious five-year Brewing Engineering
program at Germany’s Weinhestephan, the world’s premier brewing university.
As part of Gordon’s strict education, all Gordon Biersch beers follow the
500-year-old purity law called Reinheitsgebot, which dictates that the only four
ingredients allowed in brewing beer are malted barley, water, hops and yeast.
Combine this simple formula with a complex brewing process and you have a Readers’
Choice winner.
House Specialty: The current seasonal beer is a Czech lager, a pilsner-style
beer based on the beers made in the Czech Republic.
Acceptance Speech: “I’m speechless! The great thing about this
is that it’s a vindication of the passion we exhibit here for not only the
beer, but also the food and the service. To see that we’re on the right
track is refreshing and encouraging and puts a huge smile on my face. We don’t
just make beer here. It’s art, it’s history and it’s science,
all by the glass.” –Brian Terkey, Brewmaster
Bet You Didn’t Know: The world’s most expensive beer is made
in Cambridge, UK. Called “Tutankhamen,” the beer sells for $52 per
bottle.
Honors Award: Tied House Café & Brewery, 65 N. San Pedro St.,
San Jose (408) 295-2739 www.tiedhouse.com
 BEST OVERALL
NIGHTCLUB: MOUNTAIN CHARLEY’S
15 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos
(408) 395-8880
www.mountaincharleys.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: We already knew you loved Mountain Charley’s
(you voted them Best Live Rock winner last year), we just didn’t realize
how deep the affection ran. Known as a great place to see live music, kick back
in comfortable seating or cut a few lines on the dance floor, Mountain Charley’s
has been a Silicon Valley favorite since its opening in 1972. Only now, it’s
official.
House Specialty: Taxidermy.
Acceptance Speech: “I’d like to obviously start by thanking
all the patrons that come to Mountain Charley’s and making it such a good
time. Secondly we wouldn’t be anything without our staff. We have some of
the best staff the bay area has to offer. I am more than lucky to have such a
great staff to provide such a great time to our patrons.” –Page Rad,
General Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: The real Mountain Charley survived a hand-to-hand
battle with a grizzly bear in 1854.
Honors Award: Britannia Arms Pub, 173 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose (408)
278-1400; 5027 Almaden Expwy., San Jose (408) 266-0550; 1087 S. De Anza Blvd,
Cupertino (408) 252-7262 www.britanniaarms.com
 BEST POOL:
SOUTH FIRST STREET BILLIARDS
420 S. First St., San Jose
(408) 294-7800
www.sofapool.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Two-time winner South First Street Billiards
once again runs the table in this category. This massive (29 tables!) pool hall
has everything a pool shark needs to operate: 15 beers on tap, a full menu of
bar food and a kick-ass sound system. You can even get a private room if you prefer
to hustle in seclusion. South First also holds tournaments and is set up to host/cater
corporate functions.
House Specialty: The Elixir Ultralounge is located inside South First Billiards.
Vibe out to downtempo and electronica while you fill up on the tapas menu.
Acceptance Speech: “South First Billiards would like to thank everyone
who voted for us for the second year in a row! We think there’s no better
place to hang out and have some cocktails before the rest of your night out Downtown,
and we hope to see you soon!” –Luke Oberson, General Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: One-time national billiards champion George
Henry Sutton once made a run of 3,000 consecutive balls. Did we mention that Sutton
was born without arms?
Honors Award: Dave & Buster’s, 940 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas (408)
957-9215 www.daveandbusters.com
 BEST LIVE
ROCK CLUB: QUARTER NOTE
1214 Apollo Way, Sunnyvale
(408) 732-2110
www.quarternote.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: With a commitment to live music seven nights
a week, Sunnyvale’s Quarter Note steamrolled the weekend-only music venues
in Silicon Valley. The weekday jam sessions are often paired with either free
pool or free pizza, and weekends see the joint packed for acts like Watchtower
(Jimi Hendrix tribute) and AC/DECE (AC/DC tribute). They also have a full menu
of munchies and rock star-named specialty drinks to keep the party going.
House Specialty: Happy “Hour” runs from 4-7pm every weekday.
Acceptance Speech: “We are grateful to all who gave Quarter Note
this recognition. Silicon Valley has a multitude of great musicians and groups.
We’d also like to thank the hosting jam bands in the bay that have helped
inspire younger musicians.” –Robert & Vicki Reese, Owners
Bet You Didn’t Know: You can either play pool at the Quarter Note
or play Ultimate Pool by Quarter Note Software on your PC. What a coincidence.
Honors Award: The Blank Club, 44 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose (408) 292-5265
www.theblankclub.com
 BEST SPORTS
BAR: DOUBLE D’S
354 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos
(408) 395-6882
www.doubledsports.nv.switchboard.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Double D’s has a winning approach to the
sports bar theme: Appeal to families. While D’s has 21 televisions to go
along with the requisite pool tables and jukebox that every sports bar needs,
they also have a dining room designed to appeal to the tiniest sports fans. A
children’s menu of favorites rounds out a selection of comfort food that
mom and dad will find equally attractive: burgers, pizzas, steaks, seafood and
pasta.
House Specialty: You’ll rarely find this good a selection of imported
agave tequilas in a sports bar.
Acceptance Speech: “I cannot believe The Wave’s readers have
voted me the winner in this category. What a thrill! What? I didn’t win?
Oh, never mind.” –Actress Nicole Kidman, accepting on behalf of Double
D’s
Bet You Didn’t Know: Don’t confuse Double D’s with Hooters;
the suggestive name refers to the brothers who own it: Dean and Darin Devincenzi.
Honors Award: Jerseys Tavern, 1781 Winchester Blvd., Campbell (408) 374-1415
 BEST TAVERN/PUB:
ROSIE MCCANN’S IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT
355 Santana Row, #1060, San Jose
(408) 247-1706
www.rosiemccanns.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Most “pubs” are stereotyped as bars
where cheering soccer fans would just as soon break into an Irish folksong as
break a Guinness mug over your head. While you might hear the occasional song
at Rosie McCann’s, there’s little else this place has in common with
the beer-soaked, clover-decorated frat houses that often call themselves taverns.
With a menu of Irish favorites mixed in with upscale grill, seafood and pasta
selections – and everything from Boddingtons to Smitwhicks to Harp on tap
– Rosie McCann’s was the clear winner in this year’s voting.
House Specialty: The Snakebite: Blackthorn apple cider and Harp.
Acceptance Speech: “Wow! Two wins in a row from The Wave Readers’
Poll! Thanks to our fantastic customers and The Wave Magazine!” –Mike
Tosney, Manager
Bet You Didn’t Know: There’s also a Rosie McCann’s Pub
in Kings Cross, London.
Honors Award: GoodFella’s Bar & Grill, 69 N. San Pedro St., San
Jose (408) 287-6969
 BEST WINE
BAR: VINTAGE WINE MERCHANTS
377 Santana Row, Suite 1135, San Jose
(408) 260-1115
www.vintagewinemerchants.com
Bet You Didn’t Know: Readers who voted for Vintage Wine Merchants
clearly appreciate their slogan, “If you like wine snobs, you won’t
like us.” The next time you need a bottle of vino, swing by this shop, sample
a few labels at the tasting bar, then give the staff your flavor requirements
and they’ll connect you with a wine in your price range that meets your
needs. We promise they won’t make fun of you for not knowing the difference
between a chenin blanc and a sauvignon blanc.
House Specialty: Wine tasting events for specific occasions. Check out
the August 26 lecture, “BBQ Zins,” which provides your next cookout
with a few alternatives to Bud and Coors.
Acceptance Speech: “This is our first award of this kind. We’ve
only been open for two years, so this is quite an honor. We’re just a bunch
of guys trying to sell some wine and make it accessible to everybody…we
have to thank our loyal customers!” – Harry Fong, Wine Seller
Bet You Didn’t Know: There are more than 20 million acres of grapes
planted throughout the world, more than any other crop.
Honors Award: Tannins Wine Bar & Merchants, 379 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell
(408) 370-7623 www.etannins.com
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