Update: The Downtown San Jose Whole Foods Opens on December 9th!

The highly anticipated Whole Foods on The Alameda finally has a grand opening date! Mark your calendars for December 10th December 9th. Update: the grand opening has been pushed forward by a day! That is when both the grocery store and the two-story microbrewery/tap room open up. This will be the very first Whole Foods with an integrated microbrewery.

The store is grocery going to be 35,000 SQFT while the brewery building will clock in at 5,600 SQFT. There is a patio area connecting the two buildings which you can see in the photo below. The brewery will also have a coffee and fresh juice venue and a restaurant-style menu. 15 taps will be curated by an in-house brewmaster, which will host a wide variety of seasonal and local beers in addition to the signature brews made in house.

Whole Foods is also pursuing LEED certifications for the store given its many environmental initiatives. High recycled content bricks, reclaimed red cedar, and an onsite heat and power plant were all part of construction. 38 new trees were also planted on the street and parking lot, there are 4 electric vehicle charging stations, and low water plantings were used in order to reduce water usage.

This could really be a catalyst for The Alameda and West Downtown by the SAP Center. This opening gives residents within a few miles easy access to a high-end grocery store. This has been many years in the making--finally a Downtown Whole Foods is coming to fruition!

Source: Whole Foods Newsroom

Thanks to Alex Shoor and Andy Wasklewicz for sending this in!

WHOLE FOODS MARKET® OPENS NEW SAN JOSE STORE ON DECEMBER 9
New location on The Alameda features environmental innovation and company’s first in-store brewery in California

Emeryville, Calif. (Sept. 10, 2014) – A new 35,000 square-foot Whole Foods Market store will open on December 9th at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, California. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose.

This new store will be home to the first in-store microbrewery and tap room for Whole Foods Market in California. The two-story, 5,600 square-foot brewery building will also house a coffee and fresh juice venue, as well as offering plenty of seating and a restaurant-style menu. An in-house brewmaster will create signature beers for the tap room, and a total of 15 taps will offer a wide variety of seasonal and local brews, as well as some nationally-available favorites.

Whole Foods Market San Jose is also innovating with this store via environmental initiatives. The company is pursuing LEED certification for the store, and this project is one of the company’s most environmentally efficient. Locally manufactured, reclaimed, recycled and low- to non-emitting materials are being used in construction including reclaimed Western Red Cedar siding, high recycled content tile from Fireclay (based locally), Forest Stewardship Council certified decking, and high recycled content bricks made in Sacramento. An onsite Combined Heat and Power plant will provide continuous electric and thermal power, reducing the store’s dependence on the public grid by around 90 percent. This is also one of only a few grocery stores in the nation that will use nearly 100% natural refrigerants by relying on a state-of-the-art CO2 refrigeration system.

Additional environmental features include:

38 new trees planted on the street and in the parking lot and plaza
Street light upgrade to energy-efficient  fixtures
Bio-filtration/retention for on-site storm water management
Four electric vehicle charging stations
Native Grasses and Wildflowers support local habitat
Low Water Plantings and drip irrigation reduce water usage
Jeff Giardinelli, who formerly ran Whole Foods Market’s Fresno store, has been hired as Store Team Leader. Michelle Hohmeier oversees local partnerships, sponsorships and charitable giving as the store’s Marketing and Community Relations Team Leader.

“We believe that while more and more people may be shopping online for groceries, there’s nothing that can replace the experience of sharing a great food destination with your friends. That’s why this new San Jose store is truly designed as a community gathering space,” said Giardinelli. “We’re hoping folks will stop by for a beer or a pizza on the way to or from a Sharks game, or that they’ll enjoy lunch in the breezeway. We’ve got plenty of space and are looking forward to serving this community with the highest-quality foods.”

As it brings redevelopment to the abandoned site within the Diridon Station Area Plan, the store will help create a dense, more walkable neighborhood. Five Percent Days, Nickels for Nonprofits, and food and fund drives will add to the store’s community support initiatives. Customers will find many local products on the shelves, too, as part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to supporting local makers and growers.

More information on the brewery, local vendors, community partnerships and store features is forthcoming. For updates, customers can follow the store at facebook.com/WFMSanJose.

Fatburger Opens First Bay Area Restaurant in San Jose

Fatburger is fast casual chain with made-to-order burgers, several different options for fries, and milkshakes. They are known for giant portions with a distinctive sweet relish and great optional toppings like eggs, guacamole, chili, and bacon. They just opened up their very first Bay Area restaurant in Berryessa (788 N. King Road). Unfortunately, I did not make it out there yet, but a few of my friends did and happened to take a few photos. The lines wrapped around the building, but I heard it was worth the wait.

Thanks to Diana and Kevin Zing for sending these in!

The Downtown San Jose Whole Foods Opens on December 9th!

The highly anticipated Whole Foods on The Alameda finally has a grand opening date! Mark your calendars for December 10th December 9th. Update: the grand opening has been pushed forward by a day! That is when both the grocery store and the two-story microbrewery/tap room open up. This will be the very first Whole Foods with an integrated microbrewery.

The store is grocery going to be 35,000 SQFT while the brewery building will clock in at 5,600 SQFT. There is a patio area connecting the two buildings which you can see in the photo below. The brewery will also have a coffee and fresh juice venue and a restaurant-style menu. 15 taps will be curated by an in-house brewmaster, which will host a wide variety of seasonal and local beers in addition to the signature brews made in house.

Whole Foods is also pursuing LEED certifications for the store given its many environmental initiatives. High recycled content bricks, reclaimed red cedar, and an onsite heat and power plant were all part of construction. 38 new trees were also planted on the street and parking lot, there are 4 electric vehicle charging stations, and low water plantings were used in order to reduce water usage.

This could really be a catalyst for The Alameda and West Downtown by the SAP Center. This opening gives residents within a few miles easy access to a high-end grocery store. This has been many years in the making--finally a Downtown Whole Foods is coming to fruition!

Source: Whole Foods Newsroom

Thanks to Alex Shoor and Andy Wasklewicz for sending this in!

WHOLE FOODS MARKET® OPENS NEW SAN JOSE STORE ON DECEMBER 9
New location on The Alameda features environmental innovation and company’s first in-store brewery in California

Emeryville, Calif. (Sept. 10, 2014) – A new 35,000 square-foot Whole Foods Market store will open on December 9th at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, California. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose.

This new store will be home to the first in-store microbrewery and tap room for Whole Foods Market in California. The two-story, 5,600 square-foot brewery building will also house a coffee and fresh juice venue, as well as offering plenty of seating and a restaurant-style menu. An in-house brewmaster will create signature beers for the tap room, and a total of 15 taps will offer a wide variety of seasonal and local brews, as well as some nationally-available favorites.

Whole Foods Market San Jose is also innovating with this store via environmental initiatives. The company is pursuing LEED certification for the store, and this project is one of the company’s most environmentally efficient. Locally manufactured, reclaimed, recycled and low- to non-emitting materials are being used in construction including reclaimed Western Red Cedar siding, high recycled content tile from Fireclay (based locally), Forest Stewardship Council certified decking, and high recycled content bricks made in Sacramento. An onsite Combined Heat and Power plant will provide continuous electric and thermal power, reducing the store’s dependence on the public grid by around 90 percent. This is also one of only a few grocery stores in the nation that will use nearly 100% natural refrigerants by relying on a state-of-the-art CO2 refrigeration system.

Additional environmental features include:

38 new trees planted on the street and in the parking lot and plaza
Street light upgrade to energy-efficient  fixtures
Bio-filtration/retention for on-site storm water management
Four electric vehicle charging stations
Native Grasses and Wildflowers support local habitat
Low Water Plantings and drip irrigation reduce water usage
Jeff Giardinelli, who formerly ran Whole Foods Market’s Fresno store, has been hired as Store Team Leader. Michelle Hohmeier oversees local partnerships, sponsorships and charitable giving as the store’s Marketing and Community Relations Team Leader.

“We believe that while more and more people may be shopping online for groceries, there’s nothing that can replace the experience of sharing a great food destination with your friends. That’s why this new San Jose store is truly designed as a community gathering space,” said Giardinelli. “We’re hoping folks will stop by for a beer or a pizza on the way to or from a Sharks game, or that they’ll enjoy lunch in the breezeway. We’ve got plenty of space and are looking forward to serving this community with the highest-quality foods.”

As it brings redevelopment to the abandoned site within the Diridon Station Area Plan, the store will help create a dense, more walkable neighborhood. Five Percent Days, Nickels for Nonprofits, and food and fund drives will add to the store’s community support initiatives. Customers will find many local products on the shelves, too, as part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to supporting local makers and growers.

More information on the brewery, local vendors, community partnerships and store features is forthcoming. For updates, customers can follow the store at facebook.com/WFMSanJose.

Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak & Pub Now Open @ Levi's Stadium

This week marks the official opening of Michael Mina's second restaurant in Silicon Valley (Arcadia in the ground floor of the Downtown San Jose Marriott was the first). Bourbon Steak & Pub combines both a high-end steakhouse and a more relaxed Pub environment. The Pub will have 50 craft beers, farm-to-table cuisine, and 70 HDTVs for watching sporting events. On the other hand Bourbon Steak will offer a premium dining environment with Certified Prime Angus steaks, Japanese Wagyu, and Dry-Aged Duck. The restaurant will be open all year round and will have special events during game days.

For more information, scroll down for the full press release. You can make reservations over here.

Chef Michael Mina teams with the san Francisco 49ers to Bring Unique

dual-restaurant dining concept to Levi’s Stadium

Bourbon Steak & Pub to Welcome Bay Area Patrons Daily, Year-Round

for Lunch, Dinner and Viewing Parties

(SANTA CLARA, CA) – Bay Area culinary great Chef Michael Mina has unveiled Bourbon Steak & Pub at Levi’s Stadium^®, a new concept in stadium dining. Bringing a high-end steakhouse and relaxed pub together under one roof, Bourbon Steak & Pub offers a range of dining experiences to suit the needs of sports fans, foodies, concert goers and local residents alike – seven days a week, all year long. Bourbon Steak & Pub is now accepting reservations beginning Aug. 11. 

Bourbon Pub will be the premier lunch, dinner and gameday destination offering the perfect space to kick back and cheer on your favorite teams while enjoying a variety of 50 craft beers and a vast menu filled with reinvented bar bites. Bourbon Pub will serve fresh, farm-to-table cuisine that reflects the spirit of a modern pub at affordable price points. With a focus on shareable dishes, featured menu items include Berkshire Pork Ribs, a Ecopia Farms Greens salad, the Bourbon Burger, Smokin’ Double Barrel Wagyu Dog, Crispy Flounder Fish & Chips and a 38 North Half Chicken straight from the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind, 13-foot tall, fully rotating rotisserie. With 70 high-definition televisions, subscriptions to all major sports cable packages and a Yahoo! Sports ticker that will run through the space highlighting fantasy football stats, Bourbon Pub will be the ultimate viewing party location for any sporting event, on any given day.

Bourbon Steak offers a more private, premium dining environment for the true Michael Mina steakhouse experience. With a focus on seasonal regional cooking, Bourbon Steak will feature tableside service with a heightened guest experience, along with steaks that are sourced from premium producers from around the world. Signature dishes will be served directly from the rotisserie and a state-of-the-art seafood boiling station, and will include items such as Certified Prime Angus steaks, A5 Japanese Wagyu, Dry-Aged Duck for Two, Wild Striped Bass, Black Truffle Mac and Cheese and innovative vegetable sides from famed South Bay farms. Guests dining in Bourbon Steak can also enjoy a flight of spirits from the restaurant’s Bourbon Cart, individually smoked tableside to accentuate the flavor profiles of each.

“Bourbon Steak & Pub at Levi’s Stadium has been the ultimate passion project for me,” said Mina. “I’ve had the rare opportunity to pair two of the things I love most – food and the football – to create two dining experiences that will create the perfect atmosphere for fans of sports and fans of great food.”

Echoing the high level of innovation found in every corner of Levi’s^®Stadium, Bourbon Steak & Pub features a state-of-the-art open kitchen, delivering a culinary theatre with a wood-burning grill, a seafood action station with a floating suspension frame that elevates the burners, and a show-stopping, one-of-a-kind, 13-foot tall, fully rotating rotisserie that’s equipped to hold up to 1,000 pounds of meat.

“We believe Levi’s Stadium to be the gold standard in next-generation stadium experiences,” said Paraag Marathe, San Francisco 49ers President. “Bourbon Steak & Pub will enable us to present that vision to Bay Area residents and visitors 365 days a year.”

Located on the ground floor of Levi’s^® Stadium at 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way in Santa Clara, Bourbon Steak & Pub welcomes Bay Area diners seven days a week, year-round, with Bourbon Pub open for lunch and dinner, and Bourbon Steak open for dinner only. Additionally, before the start of each home game, Michael Mina’s Tailgate will kickoff in the tailgate area of the restaurant, a member-only experience for 49ers season ticket holders, inspired by Chef Michael Mina’s elaborate, themed tailgate parties he has thrown with 49ers fans for more than two decades.

Additionally, Chef Michael Mina is pleased to announce the appointment of John Cahill, recently the Chef de Cuisine of Café des Amis in San Francisco, as Executive Chef of Bourbon Steak & Pub. Cahill has a multi-faceted role at Bourbon Steak & Pub, overseeing the whimsical pub-style lunch and dinner menus for Bourbon Pub, and the signature high-end steakhouse menu for Bourbon Steak. “We’re building something that could revolutionize the stadium experience,” explains Cahill of his new role.

For additional details on Bourbon Steak & Pub’s menu and Michael Mina’s Tailgate, visit www.BourbonSteakandPub.com, ‘Like’ BourbonSteakPub on Facebook, and follow @BourbonSteakPub on Twitter and Instagram.

###

ABOUT MINA GROUP

Mina Group Inc. is a San Francisco-based restaurant management company specializing in creating and operating upscale, innovative restaurant concepts.  Mina Group is led by Chef/Owner Michael Mina whose accolades include James Beard Foundation “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage” inductee in 2013, Bon Appétit Chef of the Year, Food Arts Silver Spoon Award Winner, San Francisco Magazine Chef of the Year, and International Food and Beverage Forum’s Restaurateur of the Year.  Operating since 2002, Mina Group currently manages 22 restaurant properties including MICHAEL MINA in San Francisco (Esquire Magazine’s Restaurant of the Year 2011); BOURBON STEAK and CLOCK BAR at The Westin St. Francis on Union Square in San Francisco; RN74 at Millennium Tower in San Francisco and RN74 at the Joshua Green Building in Seattle; PABU and THE RAMEN BAR at 101 California in San Francisco; BOURBON STEAK & PUB at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara; STRIPSTEAK at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas; MICHAEL MINA Bellagio at Bellagio in Las Vegas; MICHAEL MINA 74 at Fontainebleau Miami Beach; LOCALE MARKET and FARMTABLE KITCHEN at Sundial St. Petersburg in Florida; and THE HANDLE BAR in Jackson Hole.  For a complete list of restaurants please visithttp://michaelmina.net.

ABOUT LEVI’S® STADIUM

Levi’s® Stadium will be the new home to the San Francisco 49ers, and will also serve as one of the world’s best outdoor sports and entertainment venues. It was designed by HNTB and is being built by Turner/Devcon for the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. The $1.2 billion venue will have 1.85 million square feet, seat approximately 68,500 and feature 170 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats. It was designed to be a multi-purpose facility with the flexibility to host a wide range of events, including domestic and international soccer, college football, motocross, concerts and various civic events, and will be expandable for major events such as the Super Bowl. Levi's® Stadium is owned by the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, a public joint powers authority that was established to provide for development and operation of Levi's® Stadium to ensure that the stadium serves the goals of the City of Santa Clara. For more information, go to www.LevisStadium.com.

Tee Nee Thai Restaurant Re-openeing in June

A beloved Thai restaurant on The Alameda that way destroyed by a fire over a year ago is about to reopen. Immediately after the fire, the Shasta Hanchett Park Neighborhood came together and held a fundraiser at its sister restaurant, House of Siam Downtown, and helped raise money for the re-build.

The new restaurant will have the same address at 1423 The Alameda, but will be substantially redesigned. The original restaurant had a seating capacity of around 40. The new restaurant will be able to seat up to 86 across a main dining room, a brand new sidewalk cafe, and a Thai-themed outdoor patio. The kitchen is being extended out by nine feet, it is getting two new ADA compliant restrooms, and the front windows will be enlarged to allow for more window seating.

I don't have an opening date yet, but it should be sometime in June with the back-patio being completed in July.

Source: The Merc, hat tip to Alex Shoor for sending this in!

2nd San Jose Chick-fil-A Grand Opening on April 3rd

The first Chick-fil-A in Silicon Valley opened at the @First shopping center in North San Jose a couple years ago. On opening weekend, it had one of the longest lines I have ever seen for any restaurant. Chick-fil-A is hoping for a repeat of that success with their second San Jose restaurant at 2280 Monterey Road near The Plant. As is tradition, they will be giving away a free year supply of Chick-fil-A to the first 100 people in line. Bring a tent if you plan to be one of those people! (Side-note: entertainment, music, and food will be provided for campers.)

Chick-fil-A is also partnering with Sacred Hearts Community Service to host a food drive on April 2nd. For every five food items brought for the food pantry, guests will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A entree. More info below in the press release.

April 3 Opening of San Jose’s Newest Chick-fil-A Restaurant Creates Nearly 70 Jobs;

First 100 Adults in Line at New Restaurant to Win Free Year’s Supply of Chick-fil-A Meals

New Stand-Alone Restaurant at 2280 Monterey Road to Host Food Drive with Sacred Heart Community Service

                SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 3, 2014) – San Jose’s newest stand-alone Chick-fil-A^® restaurant at 2280 Monterey Road will open April 3, bringing nearly 70 new jobs and the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year as the chain marks the 50^th anniversary of its signature Chick-fil-A sandwich.

                Chick-fil-A’s “First 100” event, which began as a way to celebrate the first stand-alone Chick-fil-A in Arizona in 2003, immediately became the cornerstone of every Chick-fil-A grand opening when the first person arrived more than 18 hours the day before, wondering where to get in line. Others soon followed and by the time the restaurant opened for business the next day, more than 100 were waiting.

                 Humbled and surprised by the dedication of its fans, Chick-fil-A quickly implemented the “First 100” at every grand opening and in the past 10 years has given away almost $21 million in free food at more than 750 grand openings.

The new San Jose restaurant will be the scene of the latest Chick-fil-A grand opening celebration. The first 100 adults, ages 18 and older with identification, in line when the doors open about 6 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, each will win a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A^® Meals (52 meals consisting of a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries™ and a medium drink) – a total of more than $30,000 in free food. The line officially opens at 6 a.m., Wednesday, April 2, with the free meal cards being awarded Thursday, April 3, around 6 a.m. The restaurant will open for business immediately thereafter. If there are more than 100 people by 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, all 100 spots will be determined by a drawing held that morning with those selected needing to camp out to secure their spot. For complete rules, see Chick-fil-A First 100 Promotion.

In conjunction with the First 100 celebration, the new San Jose Chick-fil-A is partnering with Sacred Heart Community Service to host a food drive at the new restaurant between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 2. Chick-fil-A Owner/Operator Shannon Balderas will award a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A entrée for every five non-perishable food items donated. Sacred Heart provides essential services, empowers people to improve their lives, advocates for justice and inspires volunteers to love, serve and share.

The new restaurant comes 30 years after Chick-fil-A first opened in California in a Cerritos mall in 1984. After 20 years of operating in several Southern California mall locations, Chick-fil-A opened its first two stand-alone restaurants 10 years ago in Chino Hills and Irvine in early 2004. The new restaurant on Monterey Road will be the second Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Jose, joining the first Bay Area stand-alone Chick-fil-A which opened on Headquarters Drive in 2012. The two are among 68 restaurants operating in California. The newest San Jose Chick-fil-A is the first of nine restaurants projected to open in California this year bringing nearly 600 new jobs to the state and is among 88 new locations the chain is opening nationwide this year, creating more than 6,700 new jobs overall. Chick-fil-A opened more restaurants than ever before in 2013 with 114 new locations added across the country. 

With a degree in kinesiology, Balderas graduated from the University of Texas and then pursued her Masters in social work at the University of Houston. After a career as a Houston Police Department lieutenant and District leader of security at Target, Balderas decided to pursue the dream of becoming a Chick-fil-A operator almost four years ago. A Santa Clara County resident, Balderas, her husband Rogelio and their family look forward to serving their community.

 “Our focus on freshly prepared food and personal customer service is as central to our new restaurant as it was the day Truett opened his first Chick-fil-A location,” said Balderas. “That commitment continues for me and my team members at our new San Jose location where we can’t wait to continue welcoming and serving our guests in the community.”

The new restaurant seats 111 and has warm colors and wood accents. It offers the convenience of free Wi-Fi and features the chain’s latest interior and kitchen design. Additionally, customers will find that the chain’s dual drive-thru ordering point design helps to expand its award-winning drive-thru service.  With a majority of customers at Chick-fil-A stand-alone restaurants choosing drive-thru, the ability for two drivers to simultaneously order should mean quicker service. Families can also enjoy the interactive play area. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m.

It was 50 years ago that Truett Cathy first began serving his boneless breast-of-chicken sandwich, pressured cooked and served on a buttered bun with two crucial pickles, at the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Ga. It was the signature menu item when the first

Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in 1967 and though many other selections have been added over the past five decades, it remains the centerpiece of the menu as the chain has grown to more than 1,803 restaurants in 39 states and Washington D.C.

Chick-fil-A continues to win industry accolades including Men’s Health “Eat This, Not That” 2013 edition which again gave the chain high marks (A-) and named it one of the top two restaurants providing healthier menu options.

For more information on the San Jose Chick-fil-A restaurant visit on Facebook at Chick fil A Monterey & Tully.

About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company dedicated to serving the communities in which its restaurants operate. Credited with inventing the chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves nutritious, freshly prepared food in 1,803 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

Founded by S. Truett Cathy in 1967, Chick-fil-A produced sales of $5 billion in 2013. Chick-fil-A was recognized in 2013 as one of America’s “Most Inspiring Companies” by Forbes Magazine and “Best Places to Work” by Glassdoor™, among other honors. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s website, located at www.chick-fil-a.com.

Fogo de Chão Now Open at Santana Row!

Epic Brazilian Churrascaria, Fogo de Chão, has opened their first Northern California restaurant in Northern California at Santana Row. The restaurant is massive--clocking in at about 9,000 SQFT with seating for 250 people, outdoor dining, private dining, and a sizable bar.

I had the opportunity to try out the restaurant during the soft opening last week, and was not disappointed. In fact, I think this is the best Brazillian Steakhouse that I have been to, including Pampas in Palo Alto, Espetus in San Mateo, and Maceio which was in Downtown San Jose.

When you visit, my recommendation is to come very hungry. They food is all-you-can-eat with a special focus on amazing steaks. Gauchos carve one of 16 different meat variations right at your table. These range from bacon wrapped filet mignon, to legs of lamb, beef ribs, linguica sausages, Parmesan pork loin, and my favorite by far... the Picanha. To complement the meats they have a whole side bar of veggies and sides. I recommend getting a plate of rice, topping it with black beans, then adding a traditional Brazilian topping called farofa (you have to ask for it) with some hot red sauce. This goes well with all of the meats. Also, you can't leave without trying a Caipirinha, a traditional Briazilian drink with Cachaca, lime, and sugar. Lastly, for dessert you must have the flan and the cheesecake. At this point, you will feel like you are about to explode, but believe me it is worth finding some room for these.

For lots of photos and a thorough review, I would recommend checking out Ngoc's post at the San Jose Food Blog. That is also where I stole the photo below.

From the San Jose Food Blog

FOGO DE CHÃO OPENS FIRST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION

ON FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Authentic Southern Brazilian Steakhouse Brings the Best of Churrasco to Santana Row in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (February 25, 2014) — Internationally renowned Southern Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão (pronounced fo-go dèe shoun), opens its first Northern California location on Thursday, February 27, 2014. The restaurant, which offers upscale Churrasco(barbeque) cuisine, is located at Santana Row in San Jose, Silicon Valley’s premiere destination for shopping, dining, living, and more.

“We are excited to celebrate our first restaurant in Northern California in the heart of Silicon Valley and join the community at Santana Row,” says Fogo de Chão Chief Executive Officer Larry Johnson. “Like Brazil, the Bay Area is home to some of the best food in the world. We are looking forward to introducing the Southern Brazilian Steakhouse experience and the culinary traditions behind it to San Jose.

The Fogo de Chão dining experience is based on the centuries-old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open fire, and sharing dining experiences with family and friends. To see the story of Fogo de Chão from the perspective of one of their gauchos, visit the documentary-style video recently filmed on a return trip to the farms of Brazil by clicking here. 

The menu focuses on 16 cuts of meat including beef, chicken, pork, and lamb carved tableside by a team of Brazilian trained gaucho chefs, led by Head Gaucho Chef Helio dos Santos Vieira. The prix-fixe experience invites guests to dine at their own pace using a double-sided, red and green disk indicating when they are ready to try the various selections of meat. This approach allows them to enjoy a variety of meats with each new cut coming right from the grill and carved tableside.

Highlights include the Picanha, the prime part of the sirloin, seasoned with sea salt or flavored with garlic – a Brazilian specialty; Cordeiro,fresh leg of lamb flavored with a special mint marinade and sliced off the bone; and Fraldinha, a bottom sirloin cut that is one of the most distinctive and flavorful cuts of meat from Southern Brazil. The restaurant also features a gourmet salad and side bar with more than 30 selections of fresh cut vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, and traditional Brazilian side dishes including Pão de Queijo – a warm cheese bread,Crispy Hot Polenta, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Caramelized Bananas.

The menu is complemented by an award-winning 200 label wine list featuring selections from around the globe including Malbec and Carmenère varietals from South America, to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The restaurant also boasts a South American-inspired cocktail program, including many traditional drinks from Brazil, such as the Caipirinha, as well as a selection of Brazilian and domestic beers, premium liquors, after-dinner drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. The dessert menu features indulgences such as Fogo de Chão Signature Papaya Cream, Key Lime Pie, and Molten Chocolate Cake.

The nearly 9,000-square-feet, 250-seat restaurant, located on the corner of Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue at Santana Row, blends contemporary Northern Californian and Brazilian design and features a mix of textures, colors and materials. In addition to the main dining area, Fogo de Chão features outdoor seating, a lively bar, and three semi-private dining areas that can be combined to make larger rooms, seating from 22 to 110. With its location in the heart of Silicon Valley the restaurant was designed with the tech-savvy crowd in mind, offering fully connected private dining spaces including touch screen televisions and 60-inch projector screens, wired for everything from presentations to video conferencing. The focus on technology also flows into the bar area, which features numerous AC and USB outlets for charging phones and laptops as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

Fogo de Chão is located at 377 Santana Row in San Jose, California. It is the 23rd location in the U.S., with 32 restaurants worldwide.

Hours of operation and pricing are as follows:

Lunch – beginning Monday, March 3
$29.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $22.50)
Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dinner – beginning Thursday, February 27
$51.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $26.50)
Monday through Thursday 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00-10:30 p.m.
Saturday 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Sunday 4:00-9:30 p.m.

Children 6 and under are complimentary. Children 7 to 12 are half price.  Any beverages, desserts, tax, and gratuity are additional.  An 18% gratuity is added to all parties of 6 or more.

For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

About Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão^® Churrascaria - Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 22 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent openings in New York City and the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo. A location in Portland, Oregon will follow in 2014. For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

Fogo de Chão Coming to San Jose this Month!

Internationally renowned Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão is opening their first Northern Californian location later this month at Santana Row. I will have more information about the restaurant later in February, but for now there is a neat video about the "Gaucho Way" and a contest for a 7-day expedition to Brazil below. I am really, really looking forward to this restaurant!

Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão, Opening Its First Northern California Location in February, Launches “Expedition Brazil,” A National Contest for Adventure-Seeking “Culture-vores”

Fogo de Chão has launched “Expedition Brazil,” a national contest that is perfectly fit for adventure-seeking Fogo fans. It invites these “culture-vores” into the world of Fogo by offering an insider’s look into the beautiful country of Brazil. One lucky fan and their guest will be awarded one of four, 7-day travel expeditions that include dining at a Fogo restaurant in Brazil. Entries are accepted through Feb. 16, 2014, and judging is based on several criteria such as creativity and uniqueness of the submission, describing why they are perfect to win the exciting journey. Complete details and Official Rules at: www.fogo.com/expedition. Fogo de Chão will open its first Northern California location at Santana Row in San Jose in February 2014.

In September 2013, U.S Fogo de Chão assembled a team of Fogo leadership and Brazilian gauchos to return to Southern Brazil, where the deep cultural roots of Fogo de Chão were formed. They spent time on the family farms of authentic Fogo de Chão gaucho chefs and became immersed in the rich Southern Brazilian culture. “It was during our own expedition to Brazil that we were inspired to fully develop the contest, as we realized what an incredible insider’s look we could provide to our guests,” says Fogo de Chão marketing director Andy Feldmann, “What better way to create something special for our fans than to send them on an unforgettable adventure throughout Brazil, where Fogo de Chão originated?”

The contest was launched in conjunction with “The Gaucho Way,” a short 3-minute film that tells the Fogo story through the eyes of one of their gauchos. The majority of the video was shot on location in Southern Brazil. The story represents the many gauchos that have traveled to the U.S. with Fogo to share their culture here in America. The film brings to life the passion, heritage and distinctive culinary style that Fogo has been known for since it opened its first restaurant in Brazil in 1979, before importing the concept to the U.S. in 1997. The documentary can be viewed at fogo.com/expedition or http://www.youtube.com/fogorestaurants.

About Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão^® Churrascaria - Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 22 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent openings in New York City and the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo. San Jose, California to follow in 2014. For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Submission period ends on 2/16/14. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S. and DC, 21 and older. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules, click here. Sponsor: Fogo de Chão (Holdings) Inc. 14881 Quorum Drive, Suite 750, Dallas, Texas 75254.

                                                                                                ###

New San Jose Denny's Opens Tomorrow on Saratoga Ave

The newest San Jose Denny's officially opens its doors tomorrow at 10pm, and will keep those doors open all throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In fact, it will stay open 365 days a year. The new Denny's will be located right off of Highway 280 at 910 Saratoga Avenue. I believe this space was formerly occupied by a Carrow's. Full release is below.

DENNY’S COMES TO SAN JOSE

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2013) – As America’s diner, Denny’s is always open – open 24/7, open to good food and great value, and now Denny’s is open to San Jose. Located at 910 Saratoga Ave., the new diner will officially open its doors on Monday, Dec. 23, at 10 p.m.

Opening just in time for the holidays, Denny’s will be ready to serve guests on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The new diner will have a significant impact on the San Jose community by creating more than 80 new jobs for local residents.

“We are extremely excited to welcome San Jose residents and visitors to Denny’s,” said Denny’s franchisee Paul Dhaliwal. “We look forward to becoming a local gathering place where our guests can always count on good service, a great atmosphere and, most importantly, delicious food.”

The new diner is conveniently situated just off Highway 280, near the Saratoga and Manzanita bus stop. As a full-service diner, the San Jose Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night items in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Denny’s is also known for providing its customers with tremendous value, including these great deals:

• $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu® – Denny’s all day, every day value menu lets guests choose from 16 dishes at affordable prices, including traditional favorites as well as several new a la carte items.

• Kids Eat Free – Guests can receive up to two free kids meal for children ages 10 and under with the purchase of each adult entrée. The offer is good from 4 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays only, and menu items and prices may vary.

• “Fit Fare” – Delicious choices that are good for you, too.  Denny’s “Fit Fare” options feature healthy choices like egg whites and hearty wheat breads that can be substituted into any meal for no extra charge. Using the expansive Build Your Own Grand Slam® menu, diners have more than 250 ways to build a meal with 550 calories or less, and 32 ways to build a meal of 400 calories or less. With plenty of simple substitutions and healthy “Fit Fare” entrees found throughout the lunch and dinner menu, Denny’s makes it easy for you to eat well on the go.

• Free Birthday Grand Slam®– Celebrate your special day with a free Original Grand Slam® meal at participating Denny’s restaurants. The Original Grand Slam® offer is free for the birthday guy or gal who can show proof that it’s their birthday, and is good for dine-in only.

• AARP Members Save 15 Percent – Show your AARP membership card at participating Denny’s restaurants and save 15 percent off your total check, 24/7.

About Denny's Corp.

Denny's is one of America's largest full-service family restaurant chains, currently operating more than 1,680 franchised, licensed and company-owned restaurants across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Guam, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, please visit the Denny's website at www.dennys.com.

Connect with Denny’s

For news and updates on Denny’s please visit the brand’s social channels viaFacebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest or Youtube.

Jim Stump Expands The Table Restaurant and launches Stumpy's

After being open for only a year, Jim Stump--proprietor of AP Stumps and Los Gatos Brewing Co.--is already expanding The Table in Willow Glen. The restaurant has been booming lately and they are taking over 900 SQFT currently occupied by a neighboring dry-cleaner, where they will move their bar to. This also creates the opportunity for a massive outdoor patio (drawing below). Construction is slated for early 2014 with a 4-5 month build-out, just in time for summer.

Jim is also doubling down on Willow Glen with a second eatery called Stumpy's in the Garden Theater building. They will serve modern hamburgers and hot dogs in a small 700 SQFT space, but they are planning to convert two parking spots into an outdoor curb-cafe to make more available dining space.

Source: SVBJ

Orchestria Palm Court

This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Downtown this year, and one of the most unique restaurants I have ever been to period. Walking through the door, you feel like you are going back in time to the early 1900s. Everything from the telephone (which only accepts inbound calls) to the toilets is era-appropriate.

The most interesting feature is of course the impressive collection of Orchestrion music machines from the 1920s. These were some of the highest-tech gadgets available from their era. Think sheet pianos that also can play percussion, pipe, and even string instruments like the violin below. Every 5 minutes or so, a different Orchestrion is triggered to play a song, and it's pretty impressive to see what these machines built so long ago are capable of.

The food is also fantastic. They use top-quality ingredients and prepare everything the old fashioned way. A neat feature is a soda bar where they make traditional fountain drinks using fresh-squeezed fruit juices and classic recipes. These sodas alone make the trip worthwhile. If you feel like something stronger, you can add Orchestria Palm Court to the long list of Downtown San Jose restaurants where you can enjoy unique and hard-to-find craft beers. Also, the tax and tip is already factored into all of their prices.

This place pushes the bar for providing a unique dining experience, not just Downtown but anywhere. Please go and check them out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Orchestria Palm Court is located at 27 E. William Street (behind the Stage theater) and is open:

• Thursday 6pm-11pm
• Friday 6pm-11:30pm
• Saturday 6pm-11:30pm
• Sunday 4:30-10pm

Da Kine Island Grill Coming to Market Street

Da Kine Cafe is moving their Hawaiian restaurant from Sunnyvale to 23 N. Market Street. The space has been vacant for quite some time and was last occupied by Thepthai. It sits right between 19 Market and Sonoma Chicken Coop.

Their new home will come in at an impressive 4,000 SQFT and feature an expanded menu from what they previously offered. My favorite part is 20 craft beer taps, further cementing Downtown as a haven for craft beer lovers. The extra bonus is Da Kine will have a stave for live music (and perhaps some cultural events). Can't wait!

Source: DTSJNews

Santana Row Nabs Fogo de Chao and Scotch & Soda

As if Santana Row needed any other good news, Fogo de Chao is opening up 9,000 SQFT Brazilian steakhouse in the former Chili's space in early 2014. This is a very highly-rated restaurant and will be only the second location in California, with the other being in Beverly Hills. I apologize in advance to Chili fans, but this is going to be one heck of an upgrade. It will also be the only Brazilian Churrascaria in San Jose.

Scotch & Soda is an Amsterdam-based fashion retailer that only has seven locations in the US: New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Now you can add San Jose to that list. The 1,840 SQFT store will be next to Kate Spade New York and opens late Fall of this year.

For more info, check out the press release below.





Santana Row Welcomes Brazilian Steak House Fogo de Chao and Fashion Retailer Scotch & Soda

Exciting Additions Coming to Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination


San Jose, CA (July 18, 2013) – A Brazilian churrasco restaurant is opening early next year and a European-based fashion retailer is slated to open this fall at Santana Row.

Fogo de Chao, opening early 2014

The International Brazilian steakhouse opens its first Northern California restaurant at Santana Row, bringing the best of the centuries-old culinary tradition of churrasco to Silicon Valley.

The 8,978 square-foot restaurant is being constructed in the former Chili’s space on Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue. It will showcase a beautiful dining room with seating for 250 guests, several private and semi-private dining areas, outdoor seating and a lively bar. The interior of the restaurant will reflect a mixture of Northern California and Brazilian modern design.

The style of cooking goes back centuries and is known as, “The Gaucho Way of Preparing Meat.” An important element of the culture is churrasco: roasting meats over pits of open fire for delicious barbecues. Traditionally, it is served at every festive occasion, especially family gatherings. For more information about the restaurant, go to www.fogodechao.com.

Scotch & Soda, opening late fall, 2013

Amsterdam-based fashion brand Scotch & Soda is opening its first South Bay location at Santana Row in time for the holiday season.

The 1,840 square-foot store will be located on the corner of Tatum and Santana Row, next to kate spade new york.

Scotch & Soda at Santana Row will offer high-quality clothes and accessories for men and women. Rich in detail, they’re typically inspired by the best tried-and-tested classic and vintage styles and enriched with a wealth of inspiration from around the world. Though Scotch & Soda has been around since the ‘80s, the international fashion brand as we know it today originated in 2001 when the new owners combined their broad experience and shared love for making great garments. The women’s collection, Maison Scotch, entered the market with the Spring/Summer 2010 collection and accounts for a large part of the company’s continuous growth. For more information about the store, go to: www.scotch-soda.com.

About Santana Row

Santana Row a 1.5 million square foot mixed used development in the heart of San Jose, California, is Silicon Valley's premier destination for shopping,

dining, living and nightlife. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, parks and plazas, Santana Row features over 70 retail shops, more than 20 acclaimed restaurants, a 212-room boutique hotel and six-screen movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail collection, Santana Row offers 622 residential units featuring a fitness center, rooftop pool and resort-living accommodations, and 65,000 square feet of office space at 300 Santana Row, its newest office address. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, and redevelopment of high quality retail real estate in the country’s best markets.  As of September 30, 2012, Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contained approximately 19.1 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.1% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of September 30, 2012, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.1% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 45 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For more information, please visit www.federalrealty.com.