Showing posts with label new san jose restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new san jose restaurants. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Santana Row's two newest restaurants are opening soon

A new Indian and Peruvian-Spanish restaurant are coming to the Row very soon. 

In March, Suspiro (pictured below) will bring upscale Latin fusion to San Jose. The restaurant is owned by the same people as Zazil and El Jardin and will be open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Suspiro specializes in fresh seasonal seafood and grilled meats. You'll find it at the very end of Santana Row next to Barry's Bootcamp and Meso Modern Mediterranean.

Fitoor will open in late March and will be an modern Indian grill and lounge. It comes from the team that owns Rooh, Anu, and Vikram Bhambri and it will be located in the space formerly occupied by Amber India.

Source: The Mercury News



Sunday, February 4, 2024

Raising Cane's is opening their first San Jose location in Evergreen

If you are looking for a fast food Chicken restaurant that is open on Sundays, look no further than Raising Cane's. The chain started in 1996 and was named after the owner's Labrador. Currently there is only a Raising Cane's in Oakland and Vacaville. That means the San Jose location will be the first in all of Silicon Valley.

San Jose's Raising Cane's will be part of the 80-acre Evergreen Circle Project, which is right off of Capital Expressway. The 315,000 SQFT project also has a Costco Business Center and by the end of the year it will also get a Crumbl, California Fish Grill, and Starbucks.

There is no official ETA for San Jose's first Raising Cane's, but it should be relatively soon since they already have a job posting for a manager of this particular location.

Source: KRON4







Thursday, January 25, 2024

Chick-fil-A proposed near Downtown San Jose

Yet another Chick-fil-A is planned for San Jose. This one is technically in Midtown but is just a few blocks away from Downtown San Jose at 1301 West San Carlos Street. This was once the site of a Burger King with a drive-through. Several years after the restaurant closed the building was razed and turned into a parking lot.

Most of the restaurant would be on that empty parking lot, but one building with Taqueria Eduardo and two other small businesses would have to be torn down to make way for the Chick-fil-A if the project is approved.

The popular chain is also trying to open a new restaurant in Evergreen at the corner of East Capitol Expressway and Silver Creek Road in a Target parking lot.

Monday, December 11, 2023

Six projects changing the face of Downtown San Jose

The Merc has listed out six projects that are helping usher in the next era of Downtown San Jose. Below they are:

1.) Spartan Village on the Paseo - SJSU is buying the former Fairmont Annex and turning it into student housing for 700-800 students right on Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

2.) Home Eat - A new 11,000 SQFT restaurant with amazing reviews will take over the space formerly occupied by Flames that has been sitting empty for a year.

3.) Housing towers, Fourth & Santa Clara - Investors are switching a proposed office tower to 600-650 residential units. This tower will replace a Chevron gas station.

4.) Food Hall - A new food hall with 26 kitchens, a small dine-in restaurant, and coffee bar will finally reactivate the Hank Coca furniture store.

5.) Purple Lotus - a popular cannabis dispensary will take over a key corner on Santa Clara are draw up to 300 customers a day starting in February or March.

6.) Adobe pedestrian bridge - last month Adobe opened a shiny new bridge connecting its 4th tower with the original three. Included is a brand new museum and cafe open to the public and some new street art.

There are several other projects worth mentioning not included in this list: Urban Putt, Unofficial Logging, Eos & Nyx, Still OG, Alter Ego, the expanded Elyse, and many more.. I think 2024 is going to be a year to remember Downtown. 

Sunday, December 10, 2023

New Taiwanese restaurant will replace Flames in Downtown San Jose

Another key corner will soon be revitalized in Downtown San Jose. Flames occupied a large space on the ground floor of one of the most used parking garages Downtown, located at the intersection of San Fernando and 4th Street This is across the street from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and a few blocks away from Plaza de Cesar Chavez, City Hall, and SJSU.

A restaurant called Home Eat just signed a 5-year lease for the 11,000 SQFT space. They already have a location in Cupertino with spectacular reviews. 4.5/5 stars on Yelp is pretty difficult to achieve. They specialize in Taiwanese-style small hot pots and a variety of fusion dishes. They plan to offer both lunch and dinner as well as catering.

While it was quite sad to see Flames shut their doors about a year ago, it just opened up an opportunity for what could be an even more exciting restaurant. If you miss the Flames signature brunch, I highly recommend The Club on Post for an elevated brunch and creative drinks. 

Another good omen for Downtown San Jose is that there were actually six different restaurants that wanted the Flames space and Home Eat will pay 89% higher rent to the City of San Jose than Flames did (the City of San Jose owns this garage).

Source: The Mercury News



Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Famous Korean BBQ spot Baekjeong opens first Northern California location in San Jose

Speaking of BBQ (see previous post today), Baekjeong is opening their very first location in Northern California at Westfield Valley Fair. This is a chain owned by Korean celebrity Kang Ho-dong and is extremely popular in LA and New York. San Jose will be one of just a two locations to accept reservations and they are already going fast on Resy.

While many malls around the country are struggling, Valley Fair somehow is continuing to expand and attract compelling restaurants. Eataly, Din Tai Fung, iChina, Maestro's, Kingfish, and Ramen Nagi are some of the other flagship dining destinations within the mall.



Monday, July 31, 2023

San Jose has the largest share of Vietnamese restaurants in the country and exciting projects to come

I believe San Jose has the largest Vietnamese community of any city in the US. At the County-level, it is only second to Orange County down south. However, despite having a slightly smaller Vietnamese population than Orange County (180k vs. 120k in here), Silicon Valley has the highest concentration of Vietnamese restaurants in the US. 6% of all restaurants in Santa Clara County are Vietnamese, featuring some of my favorite foods like pho, banh mi, and other delicacies.

SJ Today has great guides for both the top Pho and Banh Mi shops in San Jose. There are also lots of other types of restaurants featuring spicy Bun Bo Hue and Nuoc Mia (sugarcane juice) that you can find throughout San Jose.

The strength of the Vietnamese community here is one of the reasons why there is a proposal on the table to build a 260,000 SQFT Vietnamese indoor market modeled after a Ho Chi Minh City landmark (image below) where Sears used to be in Eastridge. It would be called Hello Ben Thanh Indoor Market and would have a combination of retail stores, massive food courts with as many as 50 booths, an entertainment center, and banquet hall. The project would take over both floors of the old Sears building. Think of it as a Vietnamese version of Eataly that will be accessible from both inside and outside the mall.

There is no formal ETA, but the developer Intelli has already secured the space for $24.8 million.

Source: The Merc, NextShark




Sunday, July 9, 2023

Hobee's beer garden coming to Downtown San Jose

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

I was really bummed when Ludwig's German Table closed their doors after just a few years in business. They were one of my favorite restaurants Downtown and were beautifully integrated with a historic German hall. They also had hands-down one of the best outdoor dining spaces in San Jose. 

Fortunately, a new restaurant is already planning to move into Ludwig's old space and it's a Silicon Valley favorite--Hobee's. However, it will have a special twist. Unlike any other Hobee's location they are going to have a full-fledged beer garden with craft and local beers. This will likely bring a whole new crowd and expand the brand outside the breakfast and lunch options that made them a local favorite.

As for the German hall in the background, some fun facts are that the building was originally a symphony hall in the 1890s and then became Germania Hall in 1923. It is owned by Germania Verein and events are still hosted there to this day. 

Source: The Merc



Thursday, July 1, 2021

Dine Downtown 2021!

One of the best opportunities to try out new restaurants at a discount launches today. 27 restaurants will be participating in the latest Dine Downtown event with special three and four course fixed-price menus. This time around instead of a restaurant week, the event will take place over the course of over two weeks.

Several new restaurants such as The Good Spot, Petiscos, Scott's Chowder House, and The Shop are on the list. In fact, the only restauranteurs in San Jose to ever get a Michelin Star have three different eateries on the list: Adega, Pastelaria, and Petiscos. Old favorites like Orchestria Palm Court, Habana Cuba, and Mezcal are on the list too.

To see the full press release and the list of restaurants, just scroll on down.



SSAN JOSE – Dine Downtown San Jose Restaurant “Week” returns for 18 days, starting July 1.

 

Normally the “week” lasts 10 days, but Dine Downtown was delayed and extended successfully to six weeks last October and November amid the COVID pandemic, so it will be extended again this year to assist with economic recovery after 15 months of tough times.

 

Twenty-seven downtown eateries have confirmed participation, offering food-and-drink pairings, 3- and 4-course price-fixed menus, or chef specials.

 

For first-timers as well as veteran downtown diners, the restaurant promotion provides a good way to explore new places and return to old favorites.  Several new Dine Downtown restaurants that opened during the pandemic are participating:  The Good Spot, Petiscos, Scott’s Chowder House and The Shop by Chef Baca. 

 

The newcomers have waited a long time for their chance to show off their mettle during Dine Downtown.  For example, Petiscos, new to the SoFA District, has a three-course menu that includes appetizers from flamed chouriço to asparagus rice; 15 choices for the main course from these categories:  shells & claws, tentacles & scales, and feathers & bones; and five choices for “sweet endings.”

 

On the customer side, every price point can participate.  Pastelaria by Adega offers a grilled cheese sandwich, drink and pastry for $10.  Grace Deli and café has a breakfast combo of egg, bacon, avocado and hash browns with salsa and fruits, plus bottomless coffee for $11.

 

The Grill on the Alley decided to mix it up, offering a featured cocktail –  a Ruby Red Lemon Drop – to go with their three-course meal of appetizer, filet mignon pot pie or Norwegian halibut as entrée, plus dessert.

 

Nomikai social food + drinkery offers chef’s specials and cocktail specials.  Choose from mango jalepeno wings, pork belly musubi on the food side or P.O.G Pig or a green tea highball.

 

71 Saint Peter and Mezcal have participated in all 13 years of Dine Downtown.

 

All the choices are posted at dinedowntown.com.

 

“It will be smiles all-around this summer,” said Julie Carlson, SJDA marketing director.  “Our chefs, hosts and servers are ready to welcome their customers ready for a beautiful evening out in downtown.”

 

 

2021 Dine Downtown

restaurant roster

  • 4th Street Pizza
  • 71 Saint Peter
  • Adega
  • The City Fish
  • Devine Cheese and Wine
  • District
  • Enoteca la Storia San Jose
  • The Farmers Union
  • The Good Spot
  • Grace Deli & Cafe
  • The Grill on the Alley
  • Habana Cuba
  • Il Fornaio
  • Mezcal Restaurant 
  • Nomikai Social Food + Drinkery
  • Nox Cookie Bar
  • Orchestria Palm Court
  • Paper Moon Cafe
  • Pastelaria
  • Petiscos
  • Scott’s Chowder House
  • Scott’s Seafood
  • The Shop by Chef Baca
  • SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant
  • Spoonfish Poke
  • Voltaire Coffee Roasters

Friday, April 30, 2021

Good Spot grand opening tomorrow, May 1st!

Another flagship restaurant is opening in SoFA across from Petiscos, the SoFA Market, and Haberdasher. The Good Spot is a modern gastro-lounge featuring a variety of tasty small plates and craft cocktails. 

I had a chance to preview it during their soft opening, and was really impressed with the quality of their food across the board. I tried the deviled eggs with crispy brussels sprouts, adobo wing lollipops, long life garlic noodles, sweet potato fries with spicy banana ketchup, and an avocado tostada with fried cheese. I'd recommend all of them, seriously. What was most surprising was how inexpensive the food was compared to similar quality restaurants in the Bay Area. I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu.

The team behinds the new restaurant comes from a solid pedigree. Good Spot owner, Thoi Trinh, was an executive at Chris Yeo Group which launched Sino, Straits, and Roots & Rye at Santana Row. Chef Timothy Luym worked at Poleng Lounge, SF Chickenbox, and Brew Coop.

While the interior is quite spacious (and open at 50% capacity), there is also a large outdoor patio in front of the restaurant right on First Street. I really hope they keep the outdoor space post-COVID as it really changes the dynamic of the street. Apparently there is also a 2nd floor that they could open in the future.

The grand opening featuring an assortment of VIPs is tomorrow, May 1st at 1pm. The ribbon-cutting will be followed by a Vietnamese lion dance at 2pm, then cocktail hour at 3pm, and finally dinner specials and a late night happy hour. The full press release is below and you can learn more over here.




SAN JOSE -- Owner Thoi Trinh and managing partners Sammy Sok and Ivy Li of Good Spot, 386 S. First St., promise good food, good drinks and good company at their new SoFA establishment, opening Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m. in downtown’s SoFA District.


The gastro-lounge offers a unique small-plate menu and large selection of curated wines, beers, spirits and handcrafted and batched cocktails.  Cocktails include Dirty Old Man (rendition of a Japanese-style Old Fashion); Hangtime Cooler (refreshing, crisp, perfect for summertime); and Costa Rican Canopy (your sensual jungle experience).


Food-wise, popular favorites will include Adobo Wing Lollipops, Long Life Garlic Noodles and Chimichurri Hanger Steak.


Good Spot owner Thoi Trinh worked his way up from entry level to senior executive level for local and global hospitality brands. Most recently, he was Corporate Director for Chris Yeo Group, a pioneering Asian Fusion restaurant company, with endearing concepts such as Sino, Straits and Roots & Rye.


Chef Timothy Luym, recognized as a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star chef, made his name at pioneering Asian street food restaurant Poleng Lounge and more recently led culinary operations for SF Chickenbox and Brew Coop. 


At Good Spot, the owners focus on the customer experience:


The set-up is divided into sections the owners describe as “a fine-casual dining section, a set of communal tables ready for an impromptu business meeting, a highly Instagrammable corner reminiscent of a busy sidewalk café,  and a lounge where big-city feels will sneak up on you when you least expect it.”


Their story on goodspotsj.com continues:  “Good Spot imagines a community junction where locals and visitors can gather in the neighborhood’s living room; a place where differences stay at the door, strong bonds become stronger, and new memories flourish.”


The owners intentionally created the Good Spot with an “ambition to both honor and respond to the unique character of the place that birthed it.  That is downtown’s South First Area -- or SoFA District -- a place with a history of glitz and entertainment that fell on hard times in the 1970s and ’80s and now the arts and cultural hub of Silicon Valley’s downtown.


Their On the SoFA outdoor lounge is open on weekends for now with an all-day happy hour.


Follow Good Spot on Instagram and Facebook @goodspotsj. Phone (408) 816-8841.


Good Spot’s Grand Opening ribbon-cutting event will be held at 1pm Saturday. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Councilman Raul Peralez, San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies will make brief remarks, followed by a traditional Vietnamese Dragon Dance. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Gyu-Kaku and Serious Dumplings are coming to San Pedro Square

Two major restaurants are coming are coming to San Pedro Square that will compliment the rest of Dowtown San Jose's "restaurant row." Both Gyu-Kaku and Serious Dumplings will be added to the recently finished Modera residential project in a former parking lot between The Old Spaghetti Factory and O'Flaherty's Pub.

Gyu-Kaku is a Japanese BBQ (Izakaya I believe) place that already has a loyal following in Cupertino. It will be one of the higher-end places Downtown and is likely to be a popular spot for parties and events.

Serious Dumplings will be a new kind of restaurant for Downtown San Jose. I don't believe we have ever had a dumpling restaurant. I imagine it will be similar to the Michelin recommended Din Tai Fung in Valley Fair, but more low key and less expensive. Come to think of it, I'm not sure we have had a Japanese BBQ place either.

I think it's safe to say the combination of these two places is a big upgrade from Peggy Sue's (while I did enjoy their burgers as well). I'm excited about having an even more diverse array of restaurants to choose from in San Pedro Square. The selection is expected to grow even further as there are three more retail pads to lease at Modera and additional retail spots are opening soon in and around the ground floor of 188 St. James (Silvery Towers). 

If our remaining restaurants can hang on a bit longer, 2021 could end up becoming the best year ever for Downtown San Jose dining.

Source: San Jose Development Forum








Tuesday, December 29, 2020

iChina Restaurant in Valley Fair

Covid hit just as San Jose was beginning a true culinary Renaissance. We even got our first Michelin Star restaurant in 2017. Over this entire decade it feels like expectations have changed and there is a general shift away from cookie-cutter chain restaurants to more unique offerings. Old strip malls from my childhood that were filled with fast food joints like Taco Bell and Little Caesars now have Vietnamese Cafes, Indian Pizzerias, and wine bars featuring tapas.

I was pleasantly shocked when I stumbled across these photos of iChina in Valley Fair. This easily could have been another Cheescake-factory, but instead they hired the same designer from Hong Kong that worked on the top floors at the Burj Dubai (world's tallest building). The aesthetic looks stunning, and hopefully the food will live up to design. I can't wait to visit when all this craziness is over.

Source: Silicon Valley Joe from the San Jose Development Forum











Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Scott's Seafood reopens in the middle of the COVID crisis

This is the only new restaurant opening that I'm aware of in Downtown San Jose over the past two and a half months. Scott's Seafood, one of Downtown's flagship restaurants, had to close to make way for a major multi-million SQFT development project called CityView Plaza. Thankfully, Scott's has chosen to reopen in a new location Downtown.

On May 21st, they opened for takeout at 200 S. 1st which is at the intersection of Paseo de San Antonio. This is a famous spot that has housed Casa Castillo, Asqew Grill, Zing, Ruffled Feathers Eatery, The Blackbird Tavern, and Social Policy. This corner has had so much turnover, that some believe it to be cursed. If there is one restaurant that can break the curse of Case Castillo, I think it's Scott's Seafood. They have a loyal fan base and will offer a more impressive menu and cocktail selection than any of their predecessors.

Just as exciting as this opening is Scott's plan to expand their brand and build a second restaurant in Downtown San Jose. They are looking to open a takeout soup and salad eatery called Scott's Chowder House which will feature their excellent seafood chowders. We don't have a great casual bread-bowl place in Downtown San Jose, so I can't wait! Meanwhile, please patronize Scott's and your over faves so we can keep as many of our restaurants as possible this year.

Source: SVBJ




Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Santana Row 2020 Openings and Events

The first big restaurant news for Santana Row in 2020 is Momosan, a Japanese yakitori spot owned by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is coming this summer. Think of it as grilled tapas and ramen along with a full bar. If you have been to Morimoto in Napa, you know the quality is bound to be quite high.

Hot 8 Yoga will bring another health and wellness option to Santana Row when it opens this Fall. It should complement SoulCycle and Barry's Bootcamp nicely.

As for events, the San Jose 408k 'Race to the Row' takes place on February 2nd and the Lunar New Year Celebration will be on February 8th. For all of the details, read on below for the full press release.



Santana Row - an Oasis for Delicious Food, Sought After Brands and Action-Packed Entertainment

SAN JOSE, Calif. – January 14, 2020 – Santana Row is kicking off 2020 with the announcement of incoming merchants and community celebrations! Upcoming dining and fitness additions will bring a number of new experiences to Santana Row in 2020. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, a Japanese master chef known for his innovative and signature style of cuisine, will open his popular ramen and yakitori Izakaya concept, Momosan, at Santana Row. This energetic and casual dining experience will feature the Iron Chef’s signature take on Japanese ramen, grilled skewers and Izakaya dishes, plus a diverse selection of premium sake, beer and spirits.

“I am looking forward to opening Momosan in San Jose’s vibrant Santana Row district,” said Chef Morimoto. “Momosan is all about enjoying ramen, yakitori, beer and sake in a fun, casual environment.”

At Momosan Santana Row, noodles will be front and center, highlighting Chef Morimoto’s varieties of Japanese-style flavor-forward ramen.  The menu will also shine with a variety of grilled dishes and Japanese bar snacks, all with Chef Morimoto’s signature twist. Playful small Izakaya plates and appetizers will take guests on a comfort food journey.

“San Jose is a city with traditional culture, including traditions that are adapted from Japan, as well as the most advanced technology as the center of Silicon Valley,” added Chef Morimoto. “I am very excited to explore the challenges and opportunities such a unique place offers me.” For more information on Chef Morimoto, visit ironchefmorimoto.com.

Group fitness concepts’ SoulCycle and Barry’s Bootcamp have become ritual for many workout enthusiasts at Santana Row, and another is in the works! Hot 8 Yoga will bring a variety of hot yoga classes to The Row in Fall 2020 that are ideal for students of all levels, paired with luxury amenities in a spa-like setting. Santana Row is the ideal fit for Hot 8 Yoga: its offering of curated shops focused on delivering premium goods and services is directly in line with the studio’s careful cultivation of the best movement and wellness experience for its practitioners.

And the excitement doesn’t stop here! 2020 kicks off with celebrations and community events for the entire family.  Here’s what’s coming up this February for all to enjoy.

San Jose 408k ‘Race to The Row’
Sunday, February 2nd, starting 8 am
Join us for the 9th annual Race to The Row, brought to you by Amazon and benefitting Pat Tillman Foundation. Featuring the famous “Mariachi Mile” and “Memorial Mile,” this fun point-to-point course will take you through some of San Jose’s most charming neighborhoods. As you cross the finish line, Santana Row shops & restaurants will be waiting for you with free yoga classes, mimosas and more. Stay tuned for the official offers!

Click here to Register for this event. For registered runners, the Packet Pick Up will be held in Santana Row Park (across from Left Bank) on January 1st from 2 pm – 7 pm, and February 3rd from 10 am – 5 pm.

For more information, visit santanarow.com/events/408k-race-to-the-row.

Santana Row Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 8th, 1 pm – 3 pm
Santana Row welcomes the Year of The Rat with an afternoon of Lunar New Year festivities, presented by NTD Television and The Epoch Times. Enjoy the drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Dragon and Lion dances, plus other fascinating cultural performances on a large stage in Santana Row Park (across from Left Bank).

Every hour, on the hour from 1 pm – 3 pm, red envelopes will be distributed in the park filled with Santana Row shop & restaurant gifts and offers! *Available while supplies last. Also enjoy in-store events, discounts, arts & crafts and more on The Row in honor of Lunar New Year.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring the family and celebrate the start of 2020 coordinated by the cycles of the moon! For more information, visit santanarow.com/events/santana-row-lunar-new-year-celebration.


Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Cupertino Welcomes Coconut’s Fish Café with Aloha

As soon as you walk into Coconut’s Fish Café, you are immediately transported to the Hawaiian Islands. From the Hawaiian music playing in the background, the staff’s welcoming hospitality, to the “ono” (delicious) dishes, Coconut’s in Cupertino is definitely a must-see!

Coconut’s is a fast casual restaurant where patrons order at the counter. From a menu perspective, think of it as a much healthier version of L&L’s. With great Pu-Pus (appetizers), healthy salads, gluten-free options, delicious entree selections to a keiki (kids) menu, Coconut’s has a variety of food choices for everyone.

The restaurant is renown for its fish tacos and it surely didn’t disappoint. The fresh mango salsa paired with Coconut’s famous coleslaw married perfectly #bomb.

















The Fish and Chips were so scrumptious and one of my faves. I loved how the chips weren’t a thicker cut so it’s definitely a great platter for sharing #hellagood.


If I can live on just eating two things in this world, it would have to be calamari and shrimp. So, I was definitely excited that we ordered both of these Pu-Pus. It’s worth noting that the calamari is sliced calamari steak (the best cut)  #obsessed.


















Other tasty recommendations include:
  • Seared Ahi – sesame-crusted, blackened Ahi served with wasabi and soy sauce
  • Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi – served with homemade mango coconut sauce, brown rice and coleslaw
  • Poke Bowl – choice of traditional, spicy or teriyaki. Served with coleslaw, brown rice, ginger, wasabi and radish sprouts















As a Hawaiian born, Coconut’s Fish Café definitely has my approval. Sorry L&L’s, but Coconut’s is my new love J

Mahalo to Chad, Erica and Reina for the excellent customer service! Shout out to Sarah Santos for the great photos #Mahalo

Coconut's Fish Café is located at 20010 Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino and is open every day from 11am to 9pm.

-Noe Sacoco Jr.

Friday, March 25, 2016

The Blue Door Opens at Westgate Center



New restaurant/bar offers American fare with Greek and Mediterranean flair

San Jose, CA – Familiar comfort food and dishes elevated for the sophisticated palate are on the menu at The Blue Door Restaurant and Bar at 1520 Saratoga Ave. at Westgate Center.
The restaurant opened in early February and serves an extensive menu of American classics, often with a touch of Greek flavors, accompaniments and ingredients, a nod to the owners’ heritage and food traditions.

The Blue Door features favorites such as meatloaf, pastas, steaks and burgers, all with signature touches. For diners searching for more innovative choices, the restaurant serves such dishes as grilled salmon with mustard greens, braised short ribs with orzo and mizithra cheese and a kale and quinoa salad with Parmesan-sunflower seed cracklings.

Five dining areas are designed with unique features and coloration, creating experiences that range from cozy and family-friendly and to quietly intimate. The 7,500-square foot space seats 170. An outdoor patio accommodates 80 more diners.

A bar area serves cocktails, beer, wine and small bites, including vodka-cured salmon bruschetta with tzatziki, tomato and pickled onions, lamb sliders and soutzoukakia--lamb meatballs in spicy garlic tomato sauce.

“The Blue Door Restaurant and Bar is a new and exciting addition to Westgate Center,” said Collette Navarrette, Director of Marketing for Westgate Center. “The sunny outdoor patio, modern and elegant interiors and comprehensive menu offer the community a vibrant culinary experience."
The owners  are restaurateurs Sylvia and Peter Foundas whose family members are longtime Bay Area restaurant entrepreneurs, immigrants from Greece in the 1950s. The Foundas restaurants include the Pinecrest Diner, an institution in San Francisco, and the Boulevard Café in Daly City.

The restaurant was inspired by the warmth and beauty of Costa Navarino, one of the Foundas’ favorite resorts in southern Greece.

Blue is the color associated with the country’s flag and waters and the blue door is especially significant: wives of fishermen painted their doors blue believing it protected their husbands from harm as they went to sea and would bring them home safely.

The Blue Door Restaurant and Bar
Address: 1502 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129.
Executive chef: S. Michael Alsop

Opened Feb. 8, 2016. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri. and Sat: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Website and menu: thebluedoorrestaurant.com
Phone: (408) 866-4176



Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Adega Restaurant Review

I was initially heartbroken when Sousa's, the only Portuguese sit-down restaurant in Silicon Valley, closed earlier this year after a 33-year run. Ordering Sousa's for special occasions was a family tradition of ours. However, it is time for a new generation of chefs to carry the torch and bring their own unique spin to Portuguese cuisine.

The restaurant was sold to husband-and-wife chef team David Costa and Jessica Carreira along with Carlos and Fernanda Carreira (Jessica's parents). Jessica was born and raised in San Jose. She studied cooking at the Cordon Bleu and then went to Portugal for three years to master Portuguese cuisine. By age 20 she became the head pastry chef at Restaurant Eleven, a Michelin-star restaurant in Lisbon. That is also where she met her husband David Costa. David had been cooking for over ten years and believes in transforming traditional dishes without destroying the original flavor. He has worked at several notable restaurants in addition to Restaurant Eleven and was the sous-chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Lisbon.

With Adega (which means wine cellar), David and Jessica have realized their life-dream of opening their own Portuguese restaurant. There is character in every corner of the space. Much of the furniture is hand made, original tools used in wine-making are hanging on the walls, there is a traditional tile mosaic on the back wall, even the plates and dishware are imported from Portugal. True to the restaurant's name, Adega's massive collection of Portuguese wines is one of the first things you'll notice when walking in. It is immediately clear that this is not a cookie-cutter restaurant.

Before I get to the food, let me just say I am Portuguese-American and have been eating amazing home-cooked Portuguese meals for 35 years. I've visited Portugal over 20 times and have had countless amazing, authentic meals there. The dinner I had at Adega in San Jose, was easily one of the top five Portuguese meals I have ever had in my life. I think the food here is something that everyone can appreciate, even if you have never had a Portuguese dish before. This could very well be the best fine-dining restaurant in San Jose right now.




STARTERS

House-made hummus and Portuguese bread - These comes complimentary. The hummus is a unique blend and may change from one visit to the next. The marinated olives are perfect to nibble on while you browsing the menu and wine list.

Pork belly, pea puree, poached quail egg - A must-order dish! Pork belly has become very popular in the US over the last few years. This combines perfectly cooked slices of pork with an outstanding pea puree that could stand on its own. Add the quail egg and you have magic on a plate. The presentation is also gorgeous.



Sweet prawns in a buttery garlic sauce - This is a very simple dish that is exploding with flavor. I forgot to ask how long the prawns are marinaded for, but I imagine it is a very long time. These were so good that we were looking around the table to see other's reactions when they bit into the shrimp.



Rabbit terrine with pine nuts, pistachios and cous-cous salad - Rabbit is not something you see often on American tables, but it is a popular staple of Portuguese cooking. The taste is similar to chicken and is not gamey at all like other "exotic" meats. At Adega, it is prepared perfectly in a terrine mixed with nuts and each slice sits on a bed of cous-cous. The sweet sauce on the bottom is what really elevated the whole dish for me and made it all come together. If you are adventurous, you have to try this one.







Octopus salad with roasted red pepper sauce - As beautiful as this dish was, I could only try a small bite since I'm allergic to raw onion. Everyone else at the table had no problem cleaning this plate.


SOUPS

Fresh cut kale, chourico bits, cream of potato (Caldo Verde) - This is as traditional of a Portuguese soup as you can get. It tastes just as good as how my grandmother made it, but Adega dresses up the soup with a modern presentation I have never seen before. It tastes as good as it looks.



Seafood bisque, aspic of lobster & oysters - Absolutely delicious. This is as good as any soup I have ever ordered at a Michelin-star restaurant. The soup is poured over the seafood table-side.




ENTREES

Ribeye steak, crispy Iberico ham, fried egg, fried potatoes (Bife a Portuguesa) - Wow, what an amazing and fun interpretation of a Portuguese classic. Usually this is a marinated flat-iron steak topped with an egg and french fries, but Adega has put a tuxedo on this traditional dish. They use a premium Ribeye which comes medium-rare and sizzling on a hot stone (similar to Rok Bistro). You can leave it on the stone to cook to your favorite temperature and then combine it the accompaniments on the neighboring plate.



Braised beef, roasted taro root puree, sauteed spinach (Alcatra e Inhame) - Another outstanding beef plate. This one is less interactive than the Bife a Portuguesa, but combines melt-in-your-mouth beef with taro mashed potatoes and surprisingly flavorful spinach. This was one of my wife's favorites.



Sea bass cooked with potatoes, bacon, green beans - The fish was flaky, crispy, and moist all at the same time. The texture was excellent and it had the right amount of spices.


























DESSERTS

Fried coconut rice pudding, passion fruit sauce, mojito sorbet (Arroz Doce Adega) - This might be the best Portuguese dessert I have ever had. It was not a traditional rice pudding like what I was expecting. You have three fried pastries filled with coconut rice and combine those with the passion fruit sauce and mojito sorbet in the middle. I could have eaten a half-dozen of these. This is another must-order item.



Flan pudding, caramel tile, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream - This is definitely not your traditional flan. I like this version much more and my table devoured the flan in about 20 seconds.



Orange roulade cake, cream cheese, in cardamom sauce - I don't think I have ever had this before in Portuguese cooking so I have nothing to compare this to. It was sweet, decadent, and the cake was the perfect sponge for the sauces and cream cheese.


BEVERAGES

Adega has what is likely the largest collection of Portuguese wines of any restaurant outside of Portugal. Chef Jessica's parents are both in the wine industry and have used their connections to get over 200 different types of wine across multiple regions of Portugal. You will probably need some help picking a wine similar to what you are used to, but I would recommend being adventurous and trying something that you will never find anywhere else. My pick would be a "Green Wine" (Vinho Verde), which comes from one of two varietals exclusive to Portugal. The cost for these is very inexpensive and Adega has some of the best ever made.

For dessert, you can add a shot of Port, Madeira, or Moscatel to help close out a wonderful meal. They have suggested pairings for each dessert and the cost is only $5.

Adega also has a selection of Portuguese beers and sodas. If you are going non-alcoholic then I recommend the passion fruit soda.






In conclusion, you should book a reservation ASAP before the word gets out. Adega is San Jose's best shot at getting its first Michelin Star Restaurant in 2017 and is a shining example of what the next generation of San Jose restaurants could be.

Adega is open for both lunch and dinner at 1614 Alum Rock Avenue. Hours are 11:30am to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10pm Wednesday through Sunday. Parking is available behind the restaurant, across the street, and valet parking is available on weekends. You can book a table from the Adega Website.