Here are some restaurants Mercury News critics have reviewed in recent years, sorted by cuisine:
AMERICAN-CALIFORNIAN
California Roadhouse. 401 Castro St., at California, Mountain View. (650)254-8981. A takeoff on the old-fashioned country roadhouse, this casual restaurant delivers the beef in both small and large portions at reasonable prices. Diners who aren’t keen on steak, however, risk disappointment. Lunch and dinner daily. $$.
The Cantankerous Fish. 420 Castro St., near California, Mountain View. (650)966-8124. Casual fish house excels in small plates, soup and salad. Lunch Mondays-Saturdays, dinner daily. $$.
Chez TJ. 938 Villa St., Mountain View. (650)964-7466. Sophisticated food and ultra polished service in an intimate setting have made this small restaurant in a venerable Victorian house a Peninsula favorite for nearly a quarter-century. Dinner Tuesdays-Saturdays. $$$$
Clarke’s. 615 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. (650)967-0851. Fresh, charcoal-broiled burgers and dizzying array of add-ons. A family-owned burger shack in Mountain View since 1945. Lunch and dinner daily. $
Uncle Frank’s BBQ Restaurant & Catering. 2135 Old Middlefield Way, near Rengstorff Avenue (in Francesca’s bar), Mountain View. (650)964-4476. Legendary Louisiana barbecue now ensconced in the back room of a bar. Lunch weekdays. Dinner Mondays-Saturdays. $$.
ASIAN
Amarin Thai Cuisine. 174 Castro St., Mountain View. (650)988-9323. Mountain View location of a well-run fleet featuring classic Thai dishes, including a spectacular pad Thai. Lunch and dinner daily. $.
Baba Neo. 311 Moffett Blvd., near Central Expressway, Mountain View. (650)903-9219. Malaysian-Singaporean cuisine with touches of India, Thailand and China is served in a casually stylish space. Lunch Mondays-Saturdays. Dinner nightly. $$.
Cafe Yulong. 743 W. Dana St., near Castro Street, Mountain View. (650)960-1677. Dependable Northern Chinese cuisine in a setting of casual elegance. Generous portions. Lunch and dinner daily. $$.
INDIAN
Amber Cafe. 600 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. (650)968-1751. Quick service and bright flavors are the hallmarks of this fast-food branch of the Amber India dining dynasty. Chaat, wraps and Indian-style pizza join the more substantial traditional fare on the menu. Lunch and dinner daily. $.
Amber India. 2290 El Camino Real, Mountain View. (650)968-7511. Excellent Northern, regional and fusion Indian dishes, in an elegant setting that belies its strip-mall location. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$
Shiva’s Indian Restaurant and Bar. 800 California St., at Castro Street, Mountain View. (650)960-3802. Northern India made easy, with explanations on the menu and some dishes geared to Western tastes. Good vegetarian selection. Casually elegant. Lunch and dinner daily. $$.
ITALIAN
Vaso Azzurro. 108 Castro St., Mountain View. (650)940-1717. A comfortable and reasonably priced Northern Italian menu featuring good vegetarian dishes. Lunch Mondays-Saturdays, dinner nightly. $$.
MEDITERRANEAN
Cafe Baklava. 341 Castro St., near California Street, Mountain View. (650)969-3835. Mezze, Turkey’s tasty tidbits, are the star at this small Mountain View restaurant, where owner Iliano Yuksel serves dishes made from his mother’s recipes. Lunch and dinner daily. $$.
Mazeh. 1910 W. El Camino Real, near Escuela Avenue, Mountain View. (650)969-4884. An eclectic, pan-Mediterranean menu extends as far as Nepal at this friendly, white-tablecloth cafe in a shopping center. Lunch and dinner Mondays-Saturdays. $$.
Neto Caffe & Bakery. 135 Castro St., at Evelyn, Mountain View. (650)625-9888. Mediterranean classics such as falafel get an Israeli accent at this casual cafe. From breads to pastries, baked goods are outstanding. Lunch and dinner daily. $.
Zucca. 186 Castro St., Mountain View. (650)864-9940. Lively hospitality with Mediterranean menu that adapts to most needs, from pre-theater rush to long family celebration. Great breads. Lots of small plates. Lunch weekdays, dinner nightly. $$.
MEXICAN
Fiesta del Mar. 1005 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View. (650)965-9354. Friendly, bustling cantina specializing in shrimp. Quick service. Many margaritas, 200 tequilas. Lunch and dinner daily. $$.
La Fiesta. 240 Villa St., Mountain View. (650)968-1364. Since 1977, homey La Fiesta has attracted a loyal following for its heirloom recipes. Sauces are particularly good. Lunch and dinner daily. $.
Taqueria Los Charros. 854 W. Dana St., near Castro Street, Mountain View. (650)969-1464. Every neighborhood should have such a comfy taqueria. Smiles all around for the authentic Jalisco fare and personal touches. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. $.
PIZZA
Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria. 790 Castro St., Mountain View. (650)961-6666. Thin-crust pizza is delivered in stylish, family-friendly surroundings. Terrific cheesecake. Lunch and dinner daily. $.
SPANISH
Cascal. 400 Castro St., Mountain View. (650)940-9500. Spanish-style small plates and paella dominate the menu, but you can also dabble in pasta, pizza, salads and sandwiches. Lunch and dinner daily. $$$.
