Free Play Thursdays Keep the Games Rolling at MiniBoss in Downtown San Jose

Thursdays at MiniBoss turn into an open invitation for unlimited arcade action with no tokens required. The Downtown San Jose spot at 52 East Santa Clara Street opens its full lineup of more than 30 classic cabinets and a dozen pinball machines to anyone who walks through the door, letting groups challenge one another on everything from multiplayer favorites to vintage standbys without spending a single quarter.

Craft cocktails and solid bar food keep the energy going while the screens flash and the joysticks get a workout. Wings, Detroit-style pizza, and creative drinks pair easily with long sessions of play, making the free-play night a natural stop for friends who want both nostalgia and a proper Downtown evening.

The regular Thursday policy has become a reliable highlight for locals who remember the days of stuffing machines with change. Sundays shift to a family-friendly window (kids allowed from 2-10pm), but the midweek free access remains the clearest draw for adults looking to stretch their gaming time without the usual cost.

Source: Instagram

Flora Restaurant Arrives at Santana Row with Style

Santana Row will gain a versatile new restaurant this summer when Flora opens in the former Rosie McCann's space. The 4,800 square foot venue will seat roughly 170 guests around a 26-foot indoor-outdoor bar and will create 70 to 90 local jobs. Three South Bay hospitality veterans have teamed up to transform the long-vacant site into an all-day destination with service stretching from brunch into late night, including weekend hours until 2 a.m.

Danny Shafazand, Jameson Parvizad, and Russ Fukushima draw on experience from other local spots to create something distinct. They have worked with Basile Studio, the firm behind several other San Jose projects, and R3 Builders to shape a nature-inspired space. The design supports flexible programming that shifts with the time of day, allowing the atmosphere to evolve from daytime meals to evening gatherings with music and entertainment.

The partners aim to make Flora the heart of Santana Row and a place that attracts visitors from across Silicon Valley. Rather than replicate the past, they have focused on building a fresh identity with elevated yet approachable food and beverage offerings that blend familiar elements in new ways. Entertainment will adapt throughout the day, with DJs and live music integrated to match the moment, whether during weekend brunch or later hours.

This investment signals continued momentum for Santana Row as it refreshes its mix of dining and nightlife options. The substantial commitment from the team reflects their desire to deliver a flagship experience that combines their collective years in hospitality.

Source: SVBJ

Winter Splendor at Cielo Rooftop: San Jose's Elevated Holiday Escape

Cielo has always been one of my favorite secret spots to take visitors up to when visiting Santana Row. It's hidden at the very top of Hotel Valencia and overlooks Plaza de Valencia with the Santa Cruz Mountains in the background. It's often open to enjoy the view, but is underutilized as a place to grab a drink or bite for most of the year. Fortunately, that is changing with it's very first Winter activation: Cielo Rooftop's Holiday Experience.

This reimagines Cielo as a cozy winter wonderland until January 10, 2026 featuring frosted pines, glowing fire pits, and plush seating draped in faux fur. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., the space creates an intimate outdoor retreat perfect for sipping drinks amid the city's soft evening lights. Closed on Sundays, Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, and it operates weather permitting.

The experience also features an exclusive partnership with Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, highlighting bespoke cocktails, caviar pairings, and premium pours available by the glass or bottle. Menu selections include starters like butternut-coconut soup with vegetables or spicy chorizo croquettes, shared plates such as Spanish charcuterie with cheeses and cured meats, and entrees ranging from chickpea ratatouille with spinach and mozzarella to volcano lamb shank with spicy carrot puree with pickled red cabbage.

I was invited to sample the menu last week and thoroughly loved the experience. The warm butternut-coconut soup was perfect for a winter night and I would highly recommend having it with the optional braised beef. The spicy chorizo croquettes and volcano lamb shank are also a must. I practically licked the bone clean on the lamb.

Desserts round out the offerings with apple pie and a killer chocolate fondue with marshmallows, nuts, and fresh fruit. It's perfect for sharing on a date or with a group of friends.

I would also recommend trying the mulled wine, which is a seasonal drink that is not easy to find in the Bay Area. Seasonal cocktails include a spiced mule with pear vodka; the Santana 75 with gin, lemon, raspberries, and Piper-Heidsieck 1785; and a Hot Toddy with bourbon, honey, and lemon juice.

A $50 food and beverage minimum per person applies, which is very reasonable given the quality and uniqueness of the Cielo Rooftop's Holiday Experience. Since winter weather can be unpredictable, all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Amenities like space heaters, blankets, and hand warmers are available for guests. Bundling up is still recommended to get the most out of your night out, but it was a very cold night when I went and we were never uncomfortable thanks to the heaters.

I would highly recommend checking this out this holiday season. Try to get there early as they have been completely full on multiple nights. To get there, you have to head up to the Hotel Valencia lobby, then take a second set of elevators used for the hotel rooms up to the 7th floor. For more details, please visit https://www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com/holidays-on-cielo-rooftop.htm.

Bitterbuck: A Fresh Twist in Downtown San Jose’s Bar Scene

Cache Bouren has been shaping Downtown San Jose’s bar scene for over 15 years. His journey started with Singlebarrel in 2010, a craft cocktail lounge that set the stage for what would become Haberdasher in 2015. Both spots earned loyal followings for their creativity and charm. Now, Bouren is ready to unveil his latest venture, Bitterbuck, in the emerging Fountain Alley district.

What sets Bitterbuck apart is its dual personality. By day, it’s a haven for coffee lovers, featuring pour-overs crafted with a Poursteady machine from Brooklyn. This automated setup, capable of brewing up to five cups at once with a robotic spout for precision, reflects Bouren’s obsession with quality coffee. As night falls, the space transforms into a cocktail lounge, spotlighting sparkling wines, bitter liqueurs, and amaro-driven drinks. It’s a concept that bridges morning and evening crowds, common in Europe but offering a fresh take on what a Downtown San Jose hangout can be.

The location in Fountain Alley feels like a perfect fit. This pocket of Downtown is on the rise, part of a larger wave of revitalization bringing new energy to the area. Bitterbuck joins this momentum. Bouren has a knack for spotting what’s missing in the market, and with amaro gaining traction, his timing couldn’t be better.

Source: The Mercury News

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!

Thursdays are Free Play days at Miniboss

Did you love playing arcades but hated spending buckets of quarters? Now you can play all the way through 6-player X-men or challenge a team to Killer Queen for free. Thursdays are arcade free play days at Miniboss in Downtown San Jose (corner of Santa Clara Street and 2nd Street).

Next week I'll also have a full post on the latest project from the same team that brough you Miniboss, Paper Plane, Still OG, and Alter Ego. It's called Eos & Nyx and it truly sets a new benchmark for Downtown San Jose.

Source: Instagram

San Jose is getting another unique cocktail bar - BitterBuck!

A couple legends from the San Jose craft cocktail scene are opening up a new bar in Downtown San Jose with a very unique menu. Cache Bouren and Tomoyo Yoshinaga come from Single Barrel (which I still think is the best bar to ever exist in the Bay Area), it's spiritual successor Haberdasher, and Cash Only.

The new bar will be called BitterBuck and it's going to be unique in several different ways. First, the menu will be focused on amaro-centric drinks. Amaro is a bitter Italian herbal liquor that is used in complex and interesting drinks. There won't be any lemon and lime juice, forcing people to order different kinds of drinks than their usual favorites. Hopefully this will let them discover new drinks in this highly-specialized bar.

BitterBuck's second interesting twist is that will be open at 7am every single day. They will also specialize in pour-over coffee and cold brew and then transition to alcohol later in the day. This is common in Europe where the same space can serve as both a cafe and bar. It makes a lot of sense, many coffee shops open and close early while bars stay open late. This helps distribute sunk costs like rent across more hours of operation.

Thirdly, and this is where it gets crazy, the bar will have "whimsical taxidermy" incorporated into the ambiance. The interior will feature weathered brick, dark wood, green booths, historical photos and artwork, and yes--taxidermy. The vibe will be unique for sure.

BitterBuck will also have a small kitchen with a limited menu similar to a wine bar. Food will be seasonal and chef-driven.

The goal is to open by February at 30 Fountain Alley #170, which is next to the excellent Goodtime Bar and Scratch Cookery. I can't wait!

Source: SVBJ

San Jose is getting a new signature cocktail

Rollati Ristorante, one of Downtown San Jose's top restaurants, is introducing San Jose's first signature drink. It's called the San Jose Sour and includes not one, but two local products.

The main spirit is 10th St. Distillery's triple cask single malt whiskey called Dragon Plus. This is a local San Jose company with several award winning products and the spirit is even distilled in San Jose.

The second ingredient is Alamitos Vineyard's award-winning estate Hawk Eye Syrah, which is grown and produced in South San Jose.

The drink also has lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. You can enjoy it at Rollati right now and hopefully it will be available at some of their sister restaurants like Left Bank, LB Steak, or Meso. If you want to try to make this cocktail at home, below are the ingredients and directions.

THE SAN JOSÉ SOUR

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces 10th Street Distillery, American Whiskey, Triple Cask, STR Single Malt, San Jose, CA

¾ ounces Alamitos Vineyards, Syrah, Hawk Eye Estate Grown, Santa Clara County, CA

1 ounce lemon juice

¾ ounces simple syrup

1 egg white

4 dashes Angostura bitters, “Aromatic,” Trinidad & Tobago

Directions

1. Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white into shaker

2. Shake with ice and strain back into tin

3. Reverse dry shake

4. Double strain over coupe glass

5. Float Hawk Eye Syrah

6. Garnish with Filthy Black Cherry and Angostura bitters

The most Christmassy bars in Downtown San Jose

Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up that transforms popular bars into kitschy holiday taverns with seasonal cocktails. This year both Paper Plane and Miniboss in Downtown San Jose are getting the full miracle treatment. 

If you are itching to get into the holiday spirit or happen to be exploring Christmas in the Park, swing by for an infusion of cheer and merriment. Many of the creative cocktail glasses you will find here are also available for sale. For more info, head over here.

Craving a more traditional bar experience? The owners of Paper Plane and Miniboss also have Still OG, Alter Ego, and Eos & Nyx within two blocks.

Eos & Nyx is now open!

The most highly anticipated restaurant in Downtown San Jose for 2024 is now open. Eos & Nyx is the new flagship venue from the proprietors of Original Gravity, Still OG, Alter Ego, Miniboss, and Paper Plane. It takes up 4,000 SQFT across two stories in what used to be the Camera 12 building in Downtown San Jose, and the restaurant looks stunning. It is part of the Paseo Project also brough us Urban Putt earlier this year. This project is quickly transforming this part of Downtown San Jose in the best way possible.

The vibe is described as chic and sophisticated. It looks like careful attention has been provided to every detail. The restaurant has 20-foot-high ceilings, indoor trees, and custom furniture. There is even a lit conveyor belt of spirits. I'm not entirely sure how the conveyor belt will work but I can't wait to find out.

The menu is upscale Mediterranean with influences from many different cultures. Some of the dinner items include prawns in a Moroccan tagine stew, octopus, kofta beef & lamb meatballs, pappardelle duck, tagliatelle lobster with beurre blanc sauce and caviar, bone in pork chops, and lamb chops. The cocktails are going to be the high-end craft variety they are known for at their other establishments.

Hours are Tues-Wed from 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, and Sunday (brunch) from 9am-3pm. These will likely be expanded after the soft opening period.

You can find Eos & Nyx conveniently located at 201 S. Second Street. It's impossible to miss as you drive or take a Light Rail down second.

Source: SiliconValley.com

22 happy hour deals in San Jose

SJtoday is back with periodic posts and they have a list of several great happy hour deals across San Jose. My favorites on the list are EMC Seafood (get the phenomenal uni pasta while you're there), Dr. Funk, The Table, San Pedro Social, Meso, Lazy Dog, and MINIBOSS (pictured). All of those have great food to go along with libations. Check out the full list in the source link below.

Source: SJtoday

Eos & Nyx is getting closer to opening

The most highly anticipated new restaurant and bar in Downtown San Jose right now is Eos & Nyx. This is being done by the same owners of Miniboss, Paper Plane, Still O.G., and Alter Ego. It's a flagship two-story restaurant and bar in the building that used to house Camera 12 (Urban Putt is in there as well).

I was walking by and not only was there furniture, but they were testing the mechanical system on the 2nd floor that opens the windows. Look at that glorious patio space on the ground floor! 

It was supposed to open this year, but that might still be a bit of a stretch. Below are the spy shots followed by the latest renders.

Little Italy San Jose has a Speakeasy

There is a brand new Italian Museum in Little Italy San Jose, and it has a secret. The basement was converted to a members-only Speakeasy. Memberships are only $50/year (open to anyone over 21) and the drinks are all reasonably priced. Plus all the proceeds from both memberships and drinks go to the museum. For more info, click here.

Hours

Wednesday: 5pm - 10pm

Thursday 5pm - 10pm

Friday 5pm - 10:30pm

Saturday 5pm - 10:30pm

Sunday - 2pm - 7pm