Game Day Score Big at AJI Bar & Robata in Downtown San Jose

Soccer fans seeking a new gathering place in Downtown San Jose will have the launch of a special themed menu at AJI Bar & Robata this month. Located inside the Signia by Hilton San Jose, the restaurant designed dishes around the global tournament under headings like Hat Trick Nachos, Penalty Kick Sliders, and Kickoff Buckets of Wings.

The Gochujang BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos come piled high with waffle fries, queso, smoked crema, pineapple salsa, jalapeno, cotija cheese, and green onion. The Red Card Steak Sandwich features six ounces of New York steak on artisan bread, chimichurri sauce, caramelized onion, sauteed mushrooms, and onion rings.

Order Lemon Tamarind chicken wings by the ten or twenty count bucket and select from available sauces. The mix and match Wagyu Hot Dogs include options such as Chili Cheese, Bacon & Brie, and Surf & Turf.

A full bar complements the food with wines, beers, artisanal cocktails, Japanese whiskies, and sakes. Creative combinations appear in drinks like the Smoked Samba, which blends Maestro Dobel reposado, mezcal, house-made honey syrup, fevertree ginger beer, and lime juice. The Passion Fruit Pisco Sour combines El Gobernador pisco, Chinola passion fruit liqueur, lemon syrup, and egg white.

AJI opens at noon on Bay Area match days and equips the space with TVs and projection screens for optimal viewing. The themed menu runs through July 1. I've been here multiple times and have never been disappointed. Grab a seat, order a few items to share, and experience the matches in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

Bloom Coming Soon to Downtown San Jose

This second location from the popular Santa Clara spot brings a menu focused on inventive brunch dishes, hearty lunches, and creative cocktails to the heart of the city. Diners can expect options like smoked chicken apple sausage scramble, croissant French toast topped with fresh berries, and avocado toast with unique twists that highlight seasonal ingredients.

The new venue at 225 W Santa Clara Street occupies the space formerly held by Opa!, directly across from the Pressroom, adding to the growing cluster of vibrant eateries in the area. With its cozy interior and outdoor seating, Bloom provides a welcoming atmosphere for morning meetings, weekend gatherings, or casual afternoons. The emphasis on quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation has already drawn locals and visitors alike, contributing to the lively street scene along Santa Clara Street.

This addition strengthens Downtown San Jose's reputation as a destination for diverse dining experiences. Bloom's arrival supports the ongoing revitalization, offering another reason for people to explore the neighborhood's mix of historic charm and modern amenities. Whether starting the day with a craft mimosa or enjoying a midday salad, the eatery invites everyone to savor what DTSJ has to offer.

For more details or to place an online order at their original location, visit www.bloomeatery.com.

Source: Willow Glen Charm

Poppy & Claro Set to Elevate Downtown San Jose's Dining Scene This Fall

Poppy & Claro will be coming soon to 50 West San Fernando Street. This new all-day restaurant draws inspiration from Northern California's abundant ingredients and artisanal traditions, promising a blend of refined dishes and casual comfort. Set to debut later this fall, it fills a space left vacant since the closure of the Capital Club in late 2024, bringing fresh energy to the ground floor of this prominent office building.

The menu at Poppy & Claro centers on locally sourced produce, guiding selections that highlight what's grown nearby. Guests can expect hearth-oven specialties alongside bold, familiar flavors for lunch and dinner, while mornings feature a curated coffee program paired with fresh pastries. The bar offers rotating cocktails and non-alcoholic refreshers, catering to a variety of preferences throughout the day. This approach not only celebrates regional bounty but also provides options for dine-in or takeout, making it accessible for busy professionals and visitors alike.

The restaurant's design incorporates poppy-inspired hues and local claro walnut millwork, creating a modern California aesthetic that reflects the area's natural beauty and craftsmanship. This thoughtful interior fosters a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, ideal for everything from quick breakfast meetings to leisurely evening gatherings. Such elements underscore San Jose's commitment to spaces that blend innovation with everyday appeal.

Poppy & Claro joins a wave of recent additions enhancing Downtown San Jose's food offerings. Following the launches of Mediterranean spot Eos & Nyx and the journalism-themed Pressroom in late 2024, this newcomer adds to the diversity available for residents and tourists. These developments signal a thriving dining hub where flavors from around the world meet local creativity.

As San Jose positions itself as a destination for exceptional experiences, establishments like Poppy & Claro contribute to the city's growing reputation. The focus on Northern California influences invites exploration of the region's culinary heritage right in the urban core. With its all-day versatility, the restaurant stands ready to become a go-to spot for discovering the flavors that define this part of the state.

Source: SVBJ

Eos & Nyx - the new king of Downtown San Jose restaurants

The bar has just been raised for fine dining in Downtown San Jose. Eos & Nyx is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in the Paseo building at 201 S. Second Street. The restaurant spans two stunning floors in a 4,000 SQFT space filled with unique furniture, Instagram-worthy decorations, and an open kitchen. There is also a large outdoor dining area on the paseo itself.

This restaurant is brought to you by the same team as Miniboss, Paper Plane, Still OG, and Alter Ego. However, it is less bar and more restaurant than their previous ventures. Don't worry though, it still has all of the amazing craft cocktails you would expect from this team and they are severed across two different bars connected with a pully system. It's really cool to see the bottles move from bar to bar, which you can even see outside from the street.

This was the restaurant I was most eagerly anticipating throughout 2024. I wanted to visit earlier, but couldn't get a reservation =). I booked way in advance to visit on my birthday in mid January, with a nearly two-year old toddler in tow. The only time slot I was able to get on a cold Wednesday was late in the evening. It's a very popular restaurant.

After I got over the wow-factor of the space, my first impression was not great. Despite having a reservation (and it being a birthday), we still had to wait 30 minutes and we were getting dangerously close to our daughter's bedtime. There is not an ideal waiting area for the restaurant if it's cold outside. Usually it would be the bar, but that's a challenge with a kid. Speaking of which, the vibe did not seem ideal for kids, especially for dinner. I was getting a little apprehensive. Did we make a mistake?

No, we didn't. After being seated we were able to get the food expedited and everyone was extremely friendly and apologetic for the wait. There was a high-chair for our daughter, and despite it being a little loud she loved hanging out and munching on multiple courses as much as we did. Also, there was a beautiful birthday card on the table with a drawing of the restaurant and it was signed by the staff.

The food was exceptional from start to finish. It started with an amuse bouche of beef tartar and caviar in a mini waffle cone. My mom who doesn't eat any raw fish or meat loved it (we didn't have the heart to tell her what it was).

For appetizers we had the "everything" carrots (carrots many different ways, including fennel, truffle, and hazelnuts), raw seafood (hamachi for the night and it was spectacular), bruschetta, and the dip trio (cacik, baba ghanoush, ataramas, and pita). I would recommend all of it. Next time we'll try the octopus which looked really good.

We tried a variety of cocktails. I wanted to go for items that we could not easily get anywhere else. So we tried "Licensed to Dill" which featured Greek yogurt, apricot eau de vie, aquavit, dill, and lime. It was really interesting and was perfect for Mediterranean appetizers. We also tried a "Crimson & Clover" with gin, strawberry, lychee, basil, lemon, and honey as well as a "Smooth Operator" with rye, blackberry, vanilla, and bitters. Honestly you can't go wrong with anything on their bar menu, that is their wheelhouse.

After the apps came a palate cleanser, a thoughtful second comp that everyone eating dinner gets to enjoy. Then were all the main courses. We got pappardelle duck pasta, tagliatelle lobster pasta with beurre blanc sauce, the house burger (with harissa, eggplant, and piquillo), and a half chicken. Again, everything was excellent. The biggest surprise was that the burger was my favorite course. I love a good burger and this might have been my favorite of all time Downtown.

Dessert was Loukoumades, followed by bite-sized chocolates that came with the artfully presented bill. We were also delighted that the appetizers were comped to apologize for the wait. Great customer service and that gesture ensured we will be back many times in the future.

In conclusion, it was worth the wait... both for the restaurant to open in San Jose and on the day of my birthday meal. It's the new ultimate date-night restaurant for Downtown San Jose and has Michelin Guide written all over it. Just make a reservation way in advance and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this amazing restaurant!