HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Sayonara, 2011, and hello to a whole lot of recycled resolutions from years past. But before you vow to curb dining out or make that new diet book purchase, splurge once more by sampling one of the Go! magazine team’s picks for its Best Eats of 2011.

After nearly 50 reviews of various Tennessee Valley dining destinations this year ranging from culinary masterpieces to more homegrown dishes, our 11 selections will delight the tastebuds of foodies one last time before the New Year.

Cafe Lemon Bleu: 6275 University Drive, Suite 24, 256-971-2222

Hours: Weekdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Recommendations: Omelets, fries, turkey burger

This cheery, locally owned breakfast/lunch cafe in the Target shopping center on University Drive is a real gem. Omelet fillings include the standards plus cilantro, leeks, Yukon gold potatoes, basil cream cheese, feta, smoked gouda or salmon. One delicious omelet of the day included mushrooms, onions, green pepper and white Vermont cheddar.

Broken yolk sandwiches - two eggs cooked medium served on your choice of toast, can include bacon, cheddar, brie, sautéed mushrooms, pepper jack or avocado.

Lunch sandwiches ($6.50-$7.50) include chicken salad, turkey breast, tarragon shallot egg salad, lentil pate (with cucumbers, pea sprouts and blue cheese spread), BLT with fresh mozzarella, red onion and Dijon sauce.

Croque sandwiches (traditional French grilled sandwich, the menu explains) are $7.50-$8 with ingredients like ham, Swiss, leeks, brie, avocado, turkey or creamy bechamel sauce.

Happy Tummy: 2211 Seminole Drive at Lowe Mill's first floor, 256-348-8132

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Friday, noon to 8 p.m.

Recommendations: That's the Last Straw, Mexi-Creek Quesadilla, Taterdilla, Bad Apple and a homemade Hello Dolly.

Owner Catherine Shearer isn’t afraid of spicing up dull and conventional sandwiches and quesadillas with her flavorful and eyebrow-raising concoctions.

Located on the first floor of Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, the Happy Tummy specializes in unique creations all for under $10. And it always has specials each week, so check its website and sign up for its weekly newsletter sent via e-mail.

Wraps include items such as the Jalalicious ($5) with turkey and jalapeno cream cheese, the My Muy Grande Greek Wrap ($5) with a black bean-garbanzo bean spread and artichokes, olives, lettuce and onion. There’s a plethora of signature sandwiches to choose from $5 to $9 like the Stars Falafel on Alabama ($5.50), You Are What You Eat ($6) and Korean barbecue ($6).

Don’t forget about the basic burger, hot dog and the not-so-ordinary quesadilla options, ranging from $2 to $6. And, most importantly, the delectable sweets like a homemade Hello Dolly at $2.

Commerce Kitchen: 100 Southside Square, 256-382-6622

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

Recommendations: Fried chicken, daily specials

The new restaurant on the Madison County Courthouse Square combines down-home food with some upscale twists.

That doesn't mean it's crazy expensive, but not fast-food cheap, either - a pork chop dinner is $18, fried chicken dinner $15. It's served in a beautiful setting with a full bar and extensive wine list.

The Plate of the Day is available every day but Sunday: Monday - chicken pot pie, $15; Tuesday - fisherman's basket, $16; Wednesday - pot roast, $18; Thursday - bratwurst and sauerkraut, $16; Friday - broiled main lobster, $26; Saturday - prime rib chop, $23.

Dinner entrees range from $12 for a burger to $23 for fried flounder with coleslaw. The Creole salmon comes with grilled scallions and basmati rice for $19; fried flounder with coleslaw for $23. Steaks come with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.

The lunch menu offers a good way to sample the restaurant for $10-$15. Choices under $10 are chicken salad on toast points, fried green tomato BLT, country ham and fried egg sandwich, Caesar salad, spinach salad or burger with Parmesan fries.

The Eaves: 501 Church St., 256-489-1752

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Recommendations: Salads, sandwiches, Sunday brunch

The Sunday brunch is one of the best in town. The omelet with avocado, crumbled bacon and brie is a melange of intense flavors that will get your day off to a wonderful start.

Weekday lunches are their bread-and-butter. The salad menu (19 choices from $8.99-$12.95) is a who's-who of fabulous ingredients like Szechwan noodles, couscous, ahi tuna, jerk chicken, macadamia nuts, grilled bok choy, wasabi-cream vinaigrette, mango, salmon and more. Specific ones include a chopped BLT, Nicoise, grilled Caesar and Cobb. The Tiki has grilled chicken, mixed greens, cucumbers, green onions, red and yellow peppers, green beans, carrots, mango, crisp wontons, macadamia nuts and sesame in a tropical dressing.

The Caribbean salad includes jerk chicken or shrimp, mixed greens, bell pepper, pineapple and shredded coconut topped with "island vinaigrette" and banana chips.

Sandwiches (19 of those, too) cost $9.25 to $13.95. You'll find a Muffaletta, chicken salad, grilled steak, vegetarian and burger among them.

Cafe Olivia at Across the Pond: 7004 N. Memorial Parkway, 256-852-7335

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (a light menu with cold sandwiches, tea, coffee, ice cream, etc.)

Recommendations: Pesto chicken panini, French dip panini, turkey, apple butter and brie panini, chilled cucumber dill soup, homemade bread pudding with café au lait.

Now there are more reasons to visit Across the Pond besides gazing at the gargantuan koi, the pair of iguanas, birds and the outdoor fixtures one wishes to have to embellish their abodes.

Paninis, which are all served on homemade focaccia bread with a choice of a small garden salad, kettle chips, a fresh fruit cup or the soup of the day (an additional $1.25), are quite large and can easily be shared. Amid a selection of eight different kinds of the pressed sandwiches, sample the caprese ($7.25), pesto chicken ($8.25), roast beef and basil ($8.75), and the ham, apple and gruyere ($8.25).

Simple deli sandwiches are offered and so are fresh-made soup specials, such as the chilled cucumber dill soup in the summer. For desserts, folks can choose between different flavors of Blue Bell ice cream, milkshakes and, wait for it, homemade bread pudding. Various flavors are made fresh daily, and we just so happened to dine on blueberry day.

Pair either a slab of bread pudding ($5.25) or a dessert panini ($5.50) with a cup of warm café au lait and you will have it made.

Chef Will the Palate: 2211 Seminole Drive at Lowe Mill in the white trailer, 256-617-6052

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, noon to 6 p.m.; Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recommendations: The roma tomato, garlic, basil and three-cheese brochette; the curry quinoa lettuce wraps; blackened edamame salad and anything with portobellos, such as his vegetarian pizzas on Fred Bread.

Located on Lowe Mill's grounds inside the kitchen trailer that was once occupied by the Happy Tummy before its big move to the first floor, the Palate is Huntsville's answer to tasty and delicious vegetarian cuisine with - wait for it - gluten-free options.

Options such as the roma tomato, garlic, basil and three-cheese brochette on Fred Bread ($4.50), the curry quinoa lettuce wraps ($6) and Chef Will's California rolls with his signature "bee sting" ($5) serve as great starters and even entrees.

Try the blackened edamame bean salad ($7), the blackened portobello over jasmine rice ($7 and red Indian rice is another option), and the fruit salsa salad ($7). Other menu items include gluten-free roma pasta ($8), blackened tofu over either jasmine or red Indian rice ($7), a portobello burger and an avocado, sprout and cucumber sandwich ($5).

Since Chef Will is a “locavore” and cooks with locally grown produce, entrees vary by season, so give him a ring for his latest signature and healthy dishes.

Voodoo Lounge Bar and Grill: 110 South Side Square, 256-539-0335

Hours: Monday-Friday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Recommendations: Grilled cheese, BHLT, grilled chicken quesadilla, wok-friend green beans, fried dill pickles and fried mushrooms.

Many bars aren't known for great food, but when you're hungry beggars can't be choosers. The Voodoo Lounge, which is already on my list of top places for the Rocket City nightlife scene, constitutes a trifecta - great beer selection, awesome bands and delish bar food. And they serve food until 1 a.m., a major plus.

For appetizers, start with the wok-fried green beans ($5), fried dill pickles ($5.50) and the fried mushrooms ($6.50). The Phiddle fries ($6.50 for a small and $7.50 for a large order) are also a hit according to the Voodoo folks with a basket seasoned fries topped with ranch dressing, hot sauce, bacon and cheddar and pepperjack cheese.

For sandwiches, try the BHLT ($7.25) - bacon, ham, lettuce and tomato - and the grilled chicken quesadilla ($7.50). My friend raved about the quesadilla - made with cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, onions, tomato, hot sauce and a side of ranch or sour cream - claiming it was "the best" she has had in Huntsville and the BHLT is phenomenal, especially with an ice-cold glass of Monkeynaut IPA. All sandwiches are also served with chips and a pickle, but you can substitute fries for $1.

Voodoo's menu also includes the Voodoo burger ($6.75), a 12-inch buffalo chicken wrap ($9.75), pizzas and a house salad ($6).

Clementine's: 600 O'Shaughnessy Ave., 256-512-0697

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Recommendations: Salad plates, sandwiches

When most people think of Clementine's, they probably picture the popular salad plates at lunch. Chicken salad alone comes in at least eight varieties with ingredients that include egg, grapes, pecans, artichokes, black beans, apples, asparagus, bell peppers and more. This is the best selection of chicken salad in town and some of the best tasting, particularly the rich artichoke chicken and fruity varieties.

Potato salad comes Southern mustard-style or with fat-free sour cream and a generous sprinkling of tasty dill (the creamy one is best). Pasta salads can include vegetables, shrimp or tortellini.

For salad platters, $5.95 gets you one scoop, $7.50 two scoops and $8.95 three.

If you'd rather go the salad or sandwich route, you can pick ham, turkey, roast beef, pimento choose, tuna and the like for $4-$4.50. Salads start at $6.95 with chicken, shrimp or fried tenders.

Paninis are a great choice, and the bread isn't tough, a problem with some.

Watercress: 365 The Bridge St., 256-585-3265

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday-Sunday, 5 p.m.-close

Recommendations: Scallops, tomato soup.

Lunch entrees cost $12 for shrimp and grits or a veggie plate or up to $18 for a grilled pork chop. The veggie plate is impressive with grilled portobello mushroom, creamed corn quinoa and braised greens. Dishes in between are panko-fried chicken, chili-seared yellowfin tuna or Black Angus sirloin. The $18 seared sea scallops come with basmati rice pilaf, greens and a veggie mix. You can get Kobe sliders for $12 or a burger for $9.

The scallops cost $26 at dinner with roasted cherry tomatoes, mixed mushroom ragout and Parmesan herb polenta. Their flavor is fresh, delicate and creamy, the gold standard for scallops.

Entrees top out at market price for the day catch, but the rest are $20 to $26. The entree version of crab cakes costs $20, catfish $18, chili-seared tuna $24.

For meat lovers, the "chopping block" selections come with one side, one vegetable and one sauce. It's nice not to have to pay for items a la carte.

Kadie's Bakery and Deli: 7560 Wall Triana Highway, Madison, 256-325-2253, go2kadies@gmail.com

Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Recommendations: Jamaican jerk chicken, pesto turkey, Santa Fe turkey, Reuben, chicken salad, muffaletta, pecan bars and all tasty baked goods.

Albuquerque, N.M., native Katie Gustwiller opened Kadie’s Bakery and Deli in Madison in July after noticing the lack of homegrown restaurants in the area. So, she combined her passion for cooking with the community’s needs and, bam, a full menu of signature sandwiches representative of different regions with homemade tasty treats.

Be aware the display case filled with pecan bars, savory muffins, cheesecake, cupcakes, doughnut muffins with raspberry fillings, holiday muffins and pies can be both hypnotizing and mesmerizing while placing your order at the register.

All paninis and sandwiches are served with a pickle spear and chips, but additional sides include the scrumptious deviled egg potato salad ($2.19 to $3.69). Her menu also includes an array of salads ranging from a classic Caesar ($6.99) to Greek ($7.99). Popular sellers are the Santa Fe turkey ($7.89), the Cuban ($7.89), Jamaican jerk chicken panini ($7.69), pesto turkey panini ($7.69) and mouth-watering muffaletta ($8.89).

Breakfast menu items include the Western-influenced carne adovado burrito ($5.39) to the more classic croissant egg sandwich ($5.89). Catering and pick-up orders are welcomed.

Anaheim Chili: 2030 Cecil Ashburn Drive, Suite 102, 256-489-5531

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Recommendations: Texas Spring Rolls, Black Bean Chili, Habanero Cheese Cornbread

The menu's main attraction is, of course, the 10 different flavors of chili. A clear description of each chili includes the base ingredients, the spices, a designation of mild, medium or hot along with any garnish. Chili can be ordered in 6-ounce cups, 10-ounce bowls or large 20-ounce bowls. Double and triple cups, as well as double bowls, make it easy to sample more than one flavor.

Beyond the chili, Anaheim offers baked and fried wings, a fun mix of appetizers and side dishes and a nice selection of sandwiches and burgers. There is a wide selection of beer on tap, including a handful of local brews. For a family outing, there are a half dozen kid-friendly options that include a drink and a cookie.

Anaheim Chili uses spices to create unique flavor combinations, not to set your mouth on fire. We could taste the emphasis on fresh ingredients in everything we ate. The reasonable prices left us feeling like we got a lot of value for our money.