New Rooftop Views and Vietnamese Cuisine Coming to San Jose's SoFa District

A vacant building at 374 South First Street in Downtown San Jose's SoFa district prepares for a new chapter with plans for a Vietnamese restaurant and rooftop deck. Once home to popular spots like Eulipia Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Stritch jazz club, and Mama Kin, the two-story structure from 1927 has recently (and sadly) stood empty. Now, entrepreneur Viet Nguyen and architect Abraham Zavala aim to fill it with vibrant dining across both floors, complete with a bar and seating areas connected by stairs and an elevator.

The restaurant draws inspiration from Nguyen's successful ventures, such as Gao Kitchen & Bar in San Mateo and San Francisco, alongside Ben Tre Vietnamese Homestyle Cuisine locations in Millbrae, South San Francisco, and San Francisco. This addition will bring authentic Vietnamese flavors to SoFa, wish several Instagram-worthy dishes. The 8,000-square-foot building will undergo a full interior transformation to create welcoming environments on each level.

Crowning the project, a new rooftop deck of 850 to 1,000 square will offer panoramic views while being set back from the street for seamless integration with the neighborhood. This will be the first eatery with a rooftop view in SoFA and I'm pretty sure it will be the first 3-story restaurant in San Jose. This type of multi-level restaurant and bar setup is very appropriate for the neighborhood, which ideally should be brimming with activity until closing time.

Source: The Mercury News

Pretty Good Advice Opens in Downtown San Jose: Elevating Vegetarian Eats with Local Roots

9am UPDATE: Ribbon Cutting has been postponed, new date will be shared soon.

Pretty Good Advice is celebrating its grand opening at 125 Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose today. The event kicks off at 12:15 p.m., with remarks and a ribbon cutting starting at 12:20 p.m. Speakers include Mayor Mahan, Councilmember Tordillos, representatives from the San Jose Downtown Association, and owner Matt McNamara. This marks the restaurant's third location and its first in San Jose, following outposts in Santa Cruz and Soquel, taking over the space once occupied by a Togo's that closed in 2024.

Owner Matt McNamara, a South Bay native who attended Bellarmine College Prep, brings a wealth of experience from Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and the United States. His journey led to founding Sons & Daughters in San Francisco, which earned a Michelin star shortly after opening. In 2013, McNamara acquired an 83-acre farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains to grow fruits, herbs, mushrooms, and perennials, shifting his focus toward making high-quality, seasonal food accessible beyond fine dining settings. Pretty Good Advice emerged from this vision, offering a 100% vegetarian menu with vegan options, crafted with technique and care from local farms at approachable prices.

This addition enriches San Jose's diverse dining landscape, where McNamara sees the city as the top food destination in the United States right now. The restaurant's unique concept aligns with the area's blend of flavors and innovation, inviting locals and visitors to explore new vegetarian dishes amid a scene already packed with global cuisines.

For more information, visit https://www.prettygoodadvicerestaurant.com/

 

Empire Armadillo BBQ Set to Open New Location in San Jose

A new barbecue spot arrives in San Jose in a few days, carrying forward a local tradition with Empire Armadillo BBQ & Deli. The restaurant takes over the former Armadillo Willy's space at 878 Blossom Hill Road, with a planned opening on November 20. This marks the second outpost for the concept, following a successful launch in Sunnyvale just over two months ago.

The new venue covers nearly 3,000 square feet and seats 60 indoors, plus a 10-table outdoor patio. Its position next to Westfield Oakridge, one of Silicon Valley's major retail hubs, promises steady foot traffic. Visibility from busy Santa Teresa Boulevard adds to the appeal, making it easier for locals and visitors to spot and stop by.

Diners can look forward to favorites like the brisket sandwich or plate, which have proven popular at the Sunnyvale site. Fresh additions include a refined pastrami sandwich and seasonal pumpkin cheesecake, alongside staples such as New York-style cheesecake and house-made banana pudding. The team also pursues a beer and wine license to expand offerings at both locations. This expansion creates 14 to 17 jobs, with wages starting above minimum levels and tips for roles like cooks.

Source: SVBJ

Supreme Crab Brings Cajun Seafood Feast to San Jose's Coleman Avenue

San Jose welcomes yet another new dining spot with Supreme Crab setting up at 625 Coleman Avenue at the Marketcenter. This location, once home to Sweet Tomatoes, now transforms into a haven for seafood lovers. Construction wraps up as the restaurant prepares to open its doors, complete with hiring for staff to serve the community. The addition marks an exciting expansion for the chain, bringing its popular concept further south along the peninsula.

The menu focuses on Cajun-style seafood sold by the pound, featuring fresh options like live crawfish, shrimp, lobster, and king crab. Diners can also enjoy a range of appetizers, wings, soups, and salads to complement the main attractions. This setup allows for customizable meals that cater to groups or individuals looking for a hearty, interactive experience. Supreme Crab's approach emphasizes quality ingredients prepared with that signature spicy kick, making it a go-to for those craving something different in the city's food landscape.

As the third outpost following successful spots in Redwood City and San Francisco, Supreme Crab positions itself conveniently near Trader Joe's and Blue Mango Thai restaurant.

supremecrab.net

Source: SVBJ

A New Culinary Option Will Enhance Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose is about to gain an urban dining venue led by acclaimed Bay Area chef Parke Ulrich. Known for his work at Waterbar and Epic Steak in San Francisco, Ulrich brings his expertise to the ground floor of the 50 West office tower, transforming the former KQED space into a spot for lunch, happy hour cocktails, and dinner. The indoor-outdoor setup promises a welcoming environment for locals and visitors to enjoy high-quality meals in a prime location near the SoFA district, San Jose Museum of Art, and Signia by Hilton hotel.

This development aligns with broader efforts to revitalize the area, including lobby upgrades at the tower by owner Jay Paul Co. The restaurant adds to the mix of attractions drawing people back to the urban core, where office returns remain gradual but steady.

Amid economic recovery following the coronavirus, Downtown San Jose has seen a notable increase in foot traffic, with visits rising 28.2 percent over the past year according to a University of Toronto report. This growth ranks among the top in North America and underscores the area's shift toward an experience-driven economy focused on dining, entertainment, and community gatherings. Ulrich's establishment contributes to this momentum, inviting more people to explore and invest time in our city's evolving landscape.

Source: SiliconValley.com