Tuesday, February 25, 2014

First to Market is Officially Open!

First off, a huge thank you to all those that came out to the restaurant preview last Friday (and of course to Jen for setting up the event). The hottest new restaurant in Downtown San Jose is officially open to the public today! First to Market is owned by San Jose locals Jenn Lin and Joe Gradillas (co-owner of Singlebarrel); the head chef is Domingo Wolbert. These are people that are passionate about San Jose and want to make SoFA a real destination.

The food combines traditional American comfort food with some modern twists. You can see some of their menu items in the photos below. They will even have some signature items featuring wild game, such as Bison Tartare with Quail Egg and Pineapple Arugula Salad. I had a chance to sample their menu already (twice) and have to say this place is phenomenal. Come try it out before it turns into Singlebarrel and you have to stand in line for 45 minutes to get in! =)

Given that First to Market is located in the heart of the SoFA District, they are going to participate and contribute to the local art scene. One of their walls will be dedicated to a local artist each month. The first artist to be featured is none other than one of our bloggers, Jen Bullock OwYoung!

First to Market is located at 399 S. 1st Street. The restaurant is below Agenda and immediately above Singlebarrel. If you are too impatient to find street parking, the Convention Center garage is right across the street.

Bison Tartare with Quail Egg and Pineapple Arugula Salad

Maple Glazed Pork Belly and Beans

Pimento Mac and Cheese with House Cheese Curds

Bourbon Brisket Pot Pie with Buttermilk Biscuit

Lattice Apple Pie

7 comments:

  1. Do they have a web site?

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    1. I don't think they do, but they do have an Opentable/Yelp: http://www.opentable.com/first-to-market

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    2. Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/first-to-market-san-jose-2

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    3. Thanks! The food looks good! Just was hoping to see a menu.

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  2. Would love to try this place out at some point, maybe this weekend? I am a big fan of Singlebarrel, and it is right across the street from the climbing gym. I like that the name is a play on words on a business/startup concept.

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  3. We went to the event last Friday and really liked what we had! The draft beer selection on draft was very good too. The only downside was, it was so well-attended that the food was a little too sparse, to the point where attendees started crowding around the server as soon as they brought the trays of appetizers out. Ah well, that won't be an issue when we go there and order dinner. :-) The venison-stuffed rabbit leg also looked very interesting.

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  4. why would a new restaurant open without having a website. very odd.

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