Eat To Your Heart's Content

Eastsiders know how to eat and eat well and when they're not eating, they're talking about where to go. Which is why this section always gets the most response.

Best business lunch: Fashions change, even in the world of expense-account dining. Last year's top vote-getter, Jake O'Shaughnessey's at Bellevue Square, dropped off the list this year. Daniel's Broiler, atop Bellevue Place, swept the category.

Other recommendations from readers: Eques in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue, Yarrow Bay Grill at Kirkland's Carillon Point, Stuart Anderson's Black Angus Restaurant in the Crossroads area and Andre's Eurasian Bistro in Bellevue.

Best buffet: When more choices are better, follow the crowd to Zoopa (salads, baked potato bar, pasta bar and all-you-can-eat ice cream) at Bellevue Square. Other popular all-you-can-eateries: Old Country Buffet (down-home Midwest cooking) in Bellevue and Kirkland, the Eating Factory (Japanese dishes plus some as American as Jello) in Bellevue, and Shamiana (East Indian fare) in Kirkland's Houghton area.

Best place for late-night bite: When the post-movie or after-working-late craving hits, where can you dine?

While Denny's (many locations) remains a favorite, along with Cucina! Cucina! (downtown Bellevue, Pickering Place in Issaquah and Carillon Point in Kirkland), other late-night options may be less familiar. Beth's at Bothell Landing provides middle-of-the-night munchies, including all the hash browns you can consume. Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery just opened in Bellevue's new downtown Galleria.

Other suggestions: Spazzo Mediterranean Grill in the Key Bank Building in downtown Bellevue, Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Spirits (Overlake Park, Issaquah's Pickering Place and a new one this month in downtown Woodinville).

Best outdoor seating: The three most popular outdoor-seating eateries are all in the same location - Carillon Point in Kirkland (comes with views of Lake Washington, yachts and Seattle plus Yarrow and Hunts Point. Tops is Yarrow Bay Grill; followed by Cucina! Cucina! and Waters Lakeside Bistro in the Woodmark Hotel.

Other favorite al fresco dining spots: Duke's Bellevue Bar & Grill (on Lake Bellevue - the ducks are usually friendly); Cucina! Cucina! in Bellevue (watch who's coming and going at the Hyatt Regency) and Issaquah; Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville (with occasional sightings of the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train) and Anthony's HomePort (yachts, more yachts and Lake Washington) in Kirkland.

Most creative suggestion: the picnic benches outside Theno's Dairy in Redmond.

Best kid-friendly restaurant: While the McDonalds, Chuck E. Cheese and Burger King chains are duly noted, sit-down restaurants beat out the fast-food centers. Tied at the top were Zoopa in Bellevue Square and Red Robin (several locations). Other suggestions

were Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland; the Beach Cafe at Yarrow Bay; Cucina! Cucina! in Bellevue, Kirkland and Issaquah; Las Margaritas in Woodinville, Redmond, Bellevue and Issaquah; Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond; and Billy McHale's Restaurant in Redmond and Renton.

Best ethnic dining: You get to pick from a slew of suggestions: Calabria Ristorante Italiano in Kirkland, Mediterranean Kitchen and Spazzo Mediterranean Grill in Bellevue, Rikki Rikki in Kirkland (Japanese), Shamiana in Kirkland (East Indian), Torero's Family Mexican Restaurant in Bellevue and Chan's Place in Kirkland and Woodinville (Chinese).

Several readers said the best place for ethnic choices was Crossroads Shopping Center - which features a variety of food stalls and a dining area.

Best company cafeteria: Meet your friends who work at Microsoft in one of the company cafeterias scattered throughout the corporate campuses, where choices range from fast-food greasy to healthy. Bastyr University at St. Edwards State Park between Juanita and Kenmore also got a nod as a good company choice. Ditto Safeco Insurance in Redmond.

The one nominated company cafeteria open to the public: Overlake Hospital Medical Center.

Best barbecue: Dixie's BBQ in Bellevue, where co-owner Gene Porter dispenses drops of "The Man" barbecue sauce to brave souls, still rates as the No. 1 choice. Hot on the heels of Dixie's sandwiches and ribs is the Armadillo Barbecue in Woodinville, 3 Pigs Bar B-Q in Bellevue, Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Q in Woodinville and Tony Roma's in Bellevue.

Sherm's Barbecue Inc. in Issaquah, a tiny place in a strip mall on the Sammamish Plateau, gets a couple of well-deserved votes.

Best hamburger: When only beef will do, head to Kidd Valley (several Eastside locations) for the top-rated burger. Others in this category: Red Robin (several locations), the Kirkland Roaster & Ale House, Burgermaster, Chili's Grill & Bar in Bellevue and Issaquah, Gulliver's Hamburgers, and the Ranch Drive In in Bothell.

Most decadent desserts: The rich goodies at Daniel's Broiler (Bellevue), Hoffman's Fine Pastries (Kirkland) and the Claim Jumper Restaurant (Redmond), are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Several chocolate shops - Oh Chocolate' in Bellevue Square, Bernard C. Chocolates in Kirkland and Bellevue, and Fran's Chocolates in Bellevue are also good choices for desserts.

Best bakery: Readers rave about Hoffman's Fine Pastries in Kirkland. Other favorites: Great Harvest Bread Company in Redmond, Hillcrest Bakery in Bothell, Linger Longer, a bakery and coffeehouse in Old Bellevue, and Costco (Kirkland and Issaquah). Another popular choice is the in-house bakeries at Larry's Markets (Bellevue and Kirkland).

Best food for the money: Fill up without breaking the budget at these reader-recommended establishments: Claim Jumper Restaurant in Redmond (mammoth portions, higher-priced than the others on this list); Crossroads Shopping Center (lots of choices in the food court); Zoopa in Bellevue Square (all you can eat salads, soups, pasta and potatoes); Denny's (Grand Slam breakfasts during the week can't be beat), and Stamos Cafe in Bellevue's Lake Hills Shopping Center.

Best food when price is no object: The top pick for Eastsiders is Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue. Other choices: Cafe Juanita, Third Floor Fish Cafe and Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland; Eques and Tosoni's in Bellevue, and The Herbfarm of Fall City in Issaquah. Reservations are recommended, particularly if you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion.

Best pizza: While Seattle folks won't be surprised by the favorite in this category, Eastsiders may be. Pagliacci, a longtime Seattle pizzeria, opened its first kitchen in the Kirkland end of Bridle Trails this year and has quickly built a following. The other guys: Tony Maroni's led the rest, followed by Coyote Creek Pizza Company in Kirkland and Bellevue, Godfather's (several outlets), California Pizza Kitchen (Bellevue) and Big Time in Redmond.

Best breakfast: People stand in line for weekend seating at the 12th Avenue Cafe (no longer on 12th Avenue) in Issaquah; the Brown Bag Cafe in Kirkland and Redmond; Lil' Jon Restaurant, Stamos Cafe, Pancake Corral and Gilbert's Main Street Bagel Deli in Bellevue; Beth's at Bothell Landing; The Maltby Cafe in Maltby and The Original Pancake House in Kirkland. Three chains - Denny's, International House of Pancakes and Shari's Restaurant - also have a following.

Best latte: The chains are perennial favorites - Starbucks, Tully's, Seattle's Best Coffee and Veneto's at QFCs - but independents have their fans, too. Recommended are Victors Coffee Company in Redmond (a small, funky oasis in downtown), Espresso Time

in Issaquah and Jitters Coffee (drive-throughs near Factoria and in the Overlake area of Redmond, plus a sit-down main facility with a playroom and conference room in Redmond.)

Best brunch: A new favorite hit this category this year - Stromboli's On the Pointe, the restaurant at Providence Point in Issaquah. Also highly recommended are Anthony's HomePort in Kirkland and The Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie. The latter is expensive but considered the ultimate birthday, Easter and Mother's Day locale by some. Others worth considering: The Maltby Cafe in Maltby, Lombardi's Cucina in Issaquah, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bellevue, Daniel's Broiler in Bellevue and the Bellevue Club. (Sorry, you have to be a member or guest of the member to try the latter).

Best brew pub: The Redhook Ale Brewery in Woodinville again led this list; followed by Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Bellevue and the Issaquah Brew House.