Restaurant AwardYes, its that time of year again. These are the local restaurants I consider to be the best in their categories based on my experiences in 2011.

Best Italian Restaurant

There are probably more Italian restaurants in the Bay Area than anything else yet really good ones are few and far between. After much consideration, my award goes to a relatively new restaurant, Mangia Mi in Danville. This little hideaway serves food with fresh ingredients at a reasonable price. They also have an outdoor patio.

Best French Restaurant

Not much competition here. French cuisine is considered to be the best in the world but the representation in the east bay is poor. I am pleased to say that we have one outstanding example though. The prices may be on the high side, but Chevalier in Lafayette serves outstanding French food and is highly recommended for that special meal.

Best Indian Restaurant

Indian restaurants come and go with alarming regularity and most are average at best. Too bad, since Indian cuisine is one of my favorites. The best Indian restaurant I know is undoubtedly Swad in Lafayette where you can get great food with outstanding flavors.

Best Chinese Restaurant

Again, there is a vast choice in this category. Overall though, I think Yan’s China Bistro is the winnner. With locations in Walnut Creek and Alamo, the food (especially the specials) is excellent and the surrounding are very pleasant.

Best Seafood Restaurant

I do like seafood and this is another category where there is little choice. The Walnut Creek Yacht Club has its followers but I still rate Scotts Restaurant in Walnut Creek higher. I find myself returning there frequently for their reliable and sometimes imaginative dishes. The décor is rather dated but it is still a pleasant (and very popular) restaurant.

Best California Cuisine

There is plenty of choice here and many contenders have a good reputation and a strong following. My choice, following their relatively recent change of ownership (and menu) is Patrick David in Danville. An intimate restaurant serving imaginative food in a great location.

Best Outdoor Dining

There are many restaurants in our area with patios. Not all have food to match the al fresco experience though.  Some that do are Barone’s in Pleasanton and Chevalier, Metro and Postino, all in Lafayette. After much deliberation though, I think Blackhawk Grill has the edge over them all. It would be hard to imagine a more perfect location and the quality of food has always impressed me.

Best Overall

And the winner is …. Chevalier in Lafayette. As noted earlier, this is one of the very few remaining French restaurants in our area and the food is authentic and without compromise. The main restaurant is like a typical small French bistro and they also have a covered dining patio, set amidst attractive gardens. Chevalier has exactly what is takes to make a good restaurant great.