Issue date: August 26, 1998

Personal Preference

From Jaguars to jalopies, if it's got four wheels and an engine, Portola Valley Garage can probably fix it. For 46 years the Ramies family has been keeping customers satisfied with top-level automotive service. Martin Ramies retired in 1996, and his son Tom is now at the helm. Tom's passion is electronic diagnostics, and the garage utilizes state-of-the-art equipment. There's no repair Tom and his staff won't tackle. Where else can you get great car care and enjoy a lovely scenic ride to get there? To find the garage, head west on Alpine Road, 2.5 miles from Interstate 280.

Portola Valley Garage, 4170 Alpine Road, Portola Valley. 851-7442.

Bank

The Wells Fargo stagecoach still leads the way as the local banking favorite. Wells Fargo Bank has ATMs and mini-branches at many grocery stores and public centers. With its 24-hour automated account information, 1-800-869-3557, you can find out your account balance, transfer funds between accounts, and inquire about recent account activity. Online services provide access to this same information, and let customers pay bills electronically.

Wells Fargo Bank, 735 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park; 325 Sharon Park Road, Sharon Heights Shopping Center; 2925 Woodside Road (at Whiskey Hill), Woodside; in Portola Valley, ATM at 3200 Alpine Road.

Bicycle shop

Whether you need to fix your bike, or if you're in the market for a new road bike or mountain bike, our readers suggest you head to Menlo Velo. A popular bike shop since 1985, Menlo Velo offers a wide variety of bikes and accessories for kids and adults. You'll find bikes here to fit a range of budgets. Current owner Rainer Zaechelein attributes the shop's success to a strong emphasis on customer service. Bike repair and service are available, as well as bike rental.

Menlo Velo, 433 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 327-5137.

Boutique

Great-looking clothes, unique jewelry, beautiful accessories, and charming gifts can all be found at Calla. A mini shoe-boutique offers fine quality shoes from Cole-Haan, Donald Pliner and Superga. Owner Lee Murphy says the "best and friendliest staff" is always ready to help you. As an added bonus, beautiful complementary gift wrap is available for that special purchase.

Calla, 895 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 322-5524.

Bookstore

Kepler's Books and Magazines remains the absolute local favorite. Founded in 1955, this independently owned store offers a wide variety of titles to appeal to diverse literary tastes and interests. This spacious, comfortable store is a marvelous place to spend time lost in the wonderful world of books. Readers describe Keplers as "a real bookstore," an "all-time favorite." Customer service is also mentioned as a hallmark of the Kepler's experience. A large selection of magazines and newspapers from other countries are available. Kepler's also sponsors authors' readings, book-signings, and programs for children.

Kepler's books and Magazines. 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 324-4321.

Car wash

Open seven days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lozano's Brushless Car Wash keeps thousands of cars on the Peninsula clean and shiny. Fast friendly service and a "we aim to please" attitude can be found at Lozano's. While you wait you can have your shoes shined, purchase flowers from the flower stand, or enjoy complementary coffee, popcorn and lemonade.

Lozano's Brushless Car Wash, 2690 West El Camino Real, Mountain View. 941-0590.

Chiropractor

Is your neck a real wreck and your back out of whack? Bring your aches and pains along with a desire to improve your overall health to Peak Performance Chiropractic. Dr. Bill Tarr and his associates, doctors Michael Tarr, Lewis Connor, and Steven Funk are there six days a week and offer early-morning and late-evening appointments. The emphasis at the clinic is total wellness, and the staff strives to treat body and mind with full chiropractic services, massage therapy, and general wellness counseling. Patients range from infants to seniors, and olympians to couch potatoes.

Peak Performance Chiropractic, 1258 El Camino Real. 325-7325.

Clothing for children

Comfortable, casual, and fun, describes the selection at Gap Kids and the newly expanded Baby Gap. Classics such as denim pants, cotton T-shirts, overalls and wonderful sweaters are available from preemie to size 16. Accessories, pajamas and shoes are also available to complete your child's wardrobe. Frequently changing merchandise ensures that the customer will always find something fresh and up-to-date at this store.

Gap Kids, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 321-5739.

Clothing and shoes for men and women

Located at the Stanford Shopping Center, Nordstrom continues to be the favorite in these categories. With a selection of clothing to meet almost any occasion, and the largest selection of shoes in the northern hemisphere, customers find this store a shopper's delight. Nordstrom is known for its uncommon customer service and upscale, but warm, atmosphere. Alteration service available. Shoppers and browsers can listen to live piano music, or enjoy a meal at the second-floor restaurant while waiting for their companions.

Nordstrom, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 323-5111.

Copy shop

The copy shop that never closes, Kinko's is always ready to help with your copying and printing needs. Whether it's production of 5,000 copies of a training manual, a large-format color print, or the local PTA newsletter, Kinko's can handle it. There are 11 self-serve copiers plus a computer center stocked with Macs and IBM PCs. Internet, e-mail, and fax services are also available. Kinko's offers laminating, off-set printing and pick-up and delivery services.

Kinko's, 1194 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 321-4202.

Florist

Providing delightful window displays to enjoy while strolling along Santa Cruz Avenue, J Floral Art is this year's choice as favorite florist. J Floral Art is a full-service florist specializing in extraordinary designs for both home and commercial environments. Celebrations and special events are their forte, along with custom permanent designs using silk, dried and freeze-dried elements. A vast selection of French-wired and other specialty ribbons as well as a sophisticated variety of gift items and home accessories are available at the shop.

J Floral Art, 704 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park. 322-4488.

Gas station

This family-run business has been a part of Menlo Park for 30 years. Dan Bajada at Menlo-Atherton Shell places great importance on friendly reliable service. The repair department will take care of your basic service needs as well as more complicated and unusual repairs. The gas pumps, full- and self-serve, are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Snacks and cold drinks can be bought from the small convenience store on-site.

Menlo-Atherton Shell, 1400 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 325-1280.

Gift shop

Twin Concepts, run by twin sisters Linda Fujimoto and Mary Schwarz, has been a local treasure for four years. Eclectic, unusual, and ever-changing describes the Twin Concept collection. You'll find unique clothing as well as interesting and fun jewelry here. Gifts are mostly one-of-a-kind collectibles made by American artists. The shop specializes in holiday themes, and each new theme is launched with a party in the store. Regular shoppers rarely become tired of the status-quo, since the entire look of the store changes every six weeks with the new theme.

Twin Concepts, 883 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. 322-8171.

Hair salon

The relaxing atmosphere and appealing results once again make Images of Woodside our readers' choice for favorite hair salon. Entering its 12th year, the full-service salon has 12 stylists, two full-time manicurists and an esthetician. And it's not just for women. Sit and enjoy a cup of coffee while the entire family gets to looking its best. Hair and skin products are available for purchase. The salon is open Monday through Saturday.

Images of Woodside, 3040 Woodside Road, Woodside. 851-7103.

Health club

Men and women looking to get in shape, stay in shape, or going for that sculpted hard body can find everything they need at Reach Fitness Club. Reach offers 120 classes each week, including samba-aerobics, Afro-fun aerobics, and cardio-aerobics. All instructors are trained and certified. The larger Los Altos facility has a pool for doing laps and offers water exercise classes. It also has a full-service spa where you can indulge in a manicure, a massage, or something more exotic like a seaweed wrap. Both locations offer child care.

Reach Fitness Club, 377 2nd Street, Los Altos and 707 High Street, Palo Alto. 949-3730.

Jewelry store

A gem among jewelers, Timothy Fidge & Co. again wears our readers crown. Our readers describe this store, open since 1976, as providing excellent customer service and having merchandise of the highest possible quality. Gemologists and goldsmiths create one-of-a-kind pieces using almost anything as inspiration -- including computer-drawn blueprints, family crests, company logos and music scores. Besides working with natural gems, including lapis and tourmaline, Timothy Fidge artisans can assess old pieces and suggest new designs. Appraisal services are also available.

Timothy Fidge & Co. Custom Jewelers, 27 Town and Country Village, Palo Alto. 323-4653.

Laundry/dry cleaner

A Menlo Park institution, Hoot-n-Toot has been located in downtown Menlo Park for over 40 years. Laundry and dry cleaning are taken very seriously by current owner Ara Lee. The shop provides car-hop service for people needing a little extra help, minor alterations and repairs, and attention to the tiniest of details. All work is done on the premises, with same-day and overnight service available. It specializes in silk, linen, and in cleaning and pressing St. John Knits.

Hoot-n-Toot Car Hop Cleaners, 875 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. 324-2920.

Manicurist

Enjoy the pleasures of a fine European spa without the jet-lag. Readers know that La Belle Salon and Day Spa is the place to go to be pampered and rejuvenated. Fifteen manicurists on staff will provide the highest-quality nail care. La Belle uses only the finest products available, with an emphasis on natural ingredients. Other services include various styles of massage, facials, and make-up parties. Gift certificates available.

La Belle Salon and Day Spa, Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. 326-8522.

Music store

Rock n' roll, jazz, hip-hop, classical -- whatever you're into, Tower Records has it. And if they don't, they'll order it. Some 200,000 CDs, 28,000 cassettes, and 5,000 laser discs are in stock at Tower. Special sections for jazz, classical and world music offer broad selections of standards, new releases and hard-to-find recordings. Listening stations throughout the store feature a list of CDs that rotates monthly. Tower also sells books, magazines, videos and calendars, and has a Bass ticket outlet on site.

Tower Records, 630 San Antonio Road, Mountain View. 941-7900.

Pharmacy

In a hard-fought battle of the pills, the westside's McQuarries inched past the popular downtown Preuss pharmacy to become this year's pharmaceutical champ. Readers appreciate the continued presence of an established neighborhood business. Knowledgeable pharmacists and consistent service can be found at McQuarries. A great place to pick up that last-minute greeting card or birthday present -- it has a toy section -- as well as a wide selection of health care and beauty products. Popular beanie babies can be found resting on the shelves at McQuarrie's. A copy machine and film developing are available.

McQuarrie's Pharmacy, 3549 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park. 854-4141.

Resale clothing

Fine quality clothing and designer labels can be yours for as reasonable price at Afterwards. Women's sizes range from 2 to 12, with a few 14s and 16s. Men can find suits, sports coats, sweaters and tuxedos in sizes 38 short to 50 long. The children's and bridal shop, located four doors down, carries bridal gowns, maternity wear and children's clothes from size 3 months. Toys, furniture, and strollers are also in stock.

Afterwards, 1137 and 1159 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 324-2377.

Shoe repair

European Cobblery allows its customers to put their best foot forward, our readers say. Located near the corner of El Camino Real and Menlo Avenue for 11 years, this shop delivers quality work in the shortest possible time. Some repairs may even be completed while you wait. European Cobblery carries a selection of Swedish clogs and also handles orthopedic repairs.

European Cobblery, 993 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 322-6911.

Sporting goods shop

Tennis anyone? Or golf, basketball, soccer, baseball? You name it, and Big 5 Sporting Goods has the clothes and equipment to get you started. The store carries a wide selection of active wear, including ski clothing during the winter months. Fitness equipment and a large inventory of athletic shoes will help get you up and going. For more restful pursuits, Big 5 also offers camping and fishing gear.

Big 5 Sporting Goods, 700 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. 323-8520.

Sports card shop

With close to 1 million cards in stock, Home Field Advantage is the favorite with sports fans and collectors. The store specializes in the latest cards in baseball, basketball, football and hockey. Basketball is the most popular sport for collectors, with Michael Jordan cards the number-one item. Also for your collecting pleasure, sports posters are available, as well as a selection of those wildly popular beanie babies. And an assortment of candy can be collected for your more immediate enjoyment.

Home Field Advantage, 626 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. 323-9450.

Stationer

Heavy voting in this category indicates that our readers take greeting cards and office supplies very seriously. Downtown has two popular destinations, Village Stationer's and McWhorters. By the slimmest of margins -- one vote -- the nod this year goes to McWhorter's. A huge selection of cards for any occasion, gift items, seasonal merchandise and free gift wrapping, along with friendly customer service, keep customers satisfied. School and office supplies occupy a large part of the store. Invitations, rubber stamps and business cards can be special-ordered. Office supply delivery is offered and fax and copy services are available.

McWhorter's Stationers, 643 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park. 324-2350.

Travel agency

Pack your bags, grab the camera, and visit Travel Now to finalize those travel plans. A full-service agency, Travel Now is owned by Anita Douglas. She and a staff of 13 will arrange all the details for a wonderful adventure. Cruises, tours and international travel are the cornerstones of Travel Now. They can also suggest great trips geared for families and seniors.

Travel Now, 713 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, (upstairs next to Ritz Camera). 853-0333.

Wedding reception

Here comes the bride at Holbrook-Palmer Park. This park in Atherton has hosted many lovely weddings. Kitchen facilities and a reception room are there for your dining and dancing pleasure. Charming outdoor gardens and a patio area provide a romantic backdrop for that special day, and there's plenty of parking for your guests.

Holbrook-Palmer Park, 150 Watkins Avenue, Atherton. 688-6534.



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