Tuesday, January 3, 2012

San Pedro Square Market Updates

I have a few updates from my favorite development project in San Jose, the San Pedro Square Market. First off, Robee's Falafel and Little Chef Counter are now open and both are exceptional. The concept of the Market is really starting to task shape. Last week I took some family there and grabbed a couple pizzas from Pizza Bocca Lupo, a falafel plate from Robee's, blueberry mojitos from the San Pedro Square Market Bar, cold cuts from Vino Vino, and several dishes from Little Chef Counter such as hand-cut fries covered with short-ribs and cheese. It's hard for me to even image how awesome this place will be after some of the other eateries open up.

Speaking of the other eateries coming soon, we have a Vietnamese sandwich shop, a crepe place, a smoke house & BBQ, a taco stand (this will be right next to the bar), Treatbot, and a raw bar / lounge. This last one is what I would like to focus on today. I just received a transcript from an interview with Taylor Kim, the owner of Blush Raw Bar & Lounge. I think they found the perfect location for their concept, I can't wait!

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Q: How did you come up with the name Blush?
A: The name “blush” captures both our ambience and our unique drink concept, which are slush cocktails.
Q: What kind of food will be on your menu?
A: Our Raw Bar boasts a food menu that offers a variety of small cold dishes, sushi, and oysters.  Along with a traditional drink selection, our cocktail menu features a unique and innovative fusion of slush mix drinks, yet to be introduced in California
Q: What made you pick San Pedro Square Market for your new establishment?
A: We have been pursing to open Blush for the past 2 years, searching the bay area for the perfect location. We heard about a new project in Downtown San Jose, and we thought that would be the ideal location for Blush.
Q: When will Blush be open?
A: Blush will be opening in late February to early March. 
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12 comments:

  1. Can't wait to finally check this place out!

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  2. I wish it had the grand opening that they were predicting in October. It has dragged on and it is a little disappointing, though I know once it is complete, it will be great. I just wish it had had a bigger impact all at once instead of a few openings here and there. Josh, any insight on why things haven't opened as quickly as planned? Is it the merchant's or owner's fault?

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  3. Yea I agree. The pace of the openings has been pretty anemic. Its lessened the overall impact.

    I was also wondering about the coffee place. I havent walked up to it yet to take a look but when I drive by it looks like its just a small cart. Meanwhile that whole room looks totally empty. Is this all it will be? I had the impression that it would be a full blown coffee shop like a Peets, with counters and tables and chairs. Any idea?

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  4. I just recently tried B2, and it was indeed a small cart... but was some of the best coffee I've ever had. It may even top Philz, which would not be easy. There were maybe half a dozen other people there when I grabbed my cup (also had a chocolate scone and apple muffin, excellent).

    The plan is for B2 to build a permanent coffee shop at the front of the massive space it is in now, and there would be another flagship tenant leasing the rest of the space. Right now they need to build out new bathrooms in order to meet code, so I think that is the next step.

    Right now, the cart is open 7:30am-7pm on weekdays and 9am-4pm on weekends. Well worth checking out. While you're there, also swing by Little Chef and Robee's.

    I agree with Mark that it would have been nice to have multiple places open with a bang, but you know what, this way is kind of fun too. It's nice to have a new place to look forward to every couple weeks and knowing that the market is going to get better every time you visit (kind of like Downtown in general right now).

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  5. Thank god. I was worried that that cart was the extent of it! Thanks!

    Any idea what the timeline for the coffee shop is?

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  6. Not yet, but I'm sure we'll have more info soon

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  7. It's disappointing in a San Jose kinda way. And yeah, that's sort of negative, but it's my opinion having been to almost every vendor there - and as a downtown resident. Why can't this city do anything really great?!

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  8. I'm assuming there are 2 Marks in this thread? Mar"c", have you been there in the past week or so?

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  9. I talked to one of the coffee people sometime in October. She said that they were waiting for the Market and the City to finish the building so they could do their build out. She was hoping they could start building a month later. Obviously that hasn't happened so the city, the market, or both are to blame for the delay.

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  10. I've been to several functions there and probably end up there about every other week. Painfully slow and seems disjointed.

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  11. What happened to the BBQ restaurant? I heard some type of permit problems..you would think that wouldn't be an issue in this building.

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  12. The BBQ place is still coming, they just got delayed because everything needs to be up to code and permits are required for every little thing. You should see them this quarter, same for the Vietnamese place, and crepe place.

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