Santana Row Turns September into a Month of $25 Prix-Fixe Lunches for a Good Cause

September brings a practical reason to leave the office for a proper midday meal when Santana Row launches Let’s Do Lunch, a month-long Taste The Row event running Monday through Friday from September 1 to 30. Sixteen restaurants will each serve a $25 prix-fixe lunch that includes one appetizer and one entrée, giving diners an easy way to sample new spots while supporting World Central Kitchen.

The participating lineup covers a wide range of flavors, from Augustine and Dumpling Time to Fogo de Chão, Ozumo Sushi, Pizza Antica, Straits, Zazil, and more. The promotion builds on last year’s successful Taste The Row dinners and shifts the focus to weekday lunches so more people can take a real break during the workday.

Every lunch helps World Central Kitchen, the organization founded by Chef José Andrés that delivers fresh meals to communities facing disasters and crises. With an average cost of about five dollars per meal, the donations generated during the month will stretch far. Menus, hours, and availability differ by restaurant, and tax, tip, and drinks sit outside the fixed price.

Santana Row already draws people for shopping and evening dining. This September program simply makes the middle of the day more appealing and purposeful. Full details and the current list of restaurants appear at www.SantanaRow.com.

Neighborhood Favorites Across San Jose Just Received a Welcome Boost

Family-run kitchens from The Alameda to Vietnam Town and South San Jose recently secured $5,000 resilience grants. The California Restaurant Foundation and The PG&E Corporation Foundation directed the money to more than 150 Bay Area restaurants, with a solid share landing in Santa Clara County.

Independent owners with fewer than five locations and under $3 million in annual revenue qualified. The funds will cover kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, staff training, retention bonuses or unexpected costs. This year’s cycle set records: 239 restaurants across 30 counties received $1.4 million total. Since 2021 the partnership has delivered $5.7 million to more than 1,100 restaurants.

San Jose winners include Via Mia Pizza, T-T Deli at 1520 The Alameda, Pho This Way on Story Road, Angelo’s Italian Restaurant on Blossom Hill Road, Hop & Vine at 1435 The Alameda, Anh Hong, Birria Patro Jaramillo, Golden Harvest, Huynh Dining, Mimi’s Kitchen, MOC DELIGHTS and Bun Mam Ha Tien & Simply Boba. Several sit close to Downtown San Jose or along The Alameda corridor where regulars already know the owners by name.

These spots employ local crews and give each neighborhood its own flavor. Better equipment and extra training let owners keep the same recipes while running smoother operations. Readers who already count these places as weeknight standbys can expect the same welcome plus a few operational upgrades behind the scenes.

The next time a craving hits, drop by one of the grant recipients. A bowl of pho, a banh mi, a pizza or a plate of pasta from a family kitchen keeps money circulating close to home and helps San Jose’s restaurant map stay varied and independently owned. Additional information on the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund lives at restaurantscare.org.

Coterie Winery Prepares a Move Closer to the Heart of Downtown San Jose

Coterie Winery has produced small-batch wines in San Jose since 2007, turning an old warehouse near Downtown into a handcrafted operation focused on grapes from select parcels in places like the Russian River Valley, Carneros and the Santa Lucia Highlands. Every bottle follows a berry-to-bottle approach with careful vineyard work and non-interventional methods at the winery.

The team recently signed a letter of intent for a new home in San Pedro Square. After nearly two decades in the city and more than a decade in its current neighborhood, the winery expects to stay within a few blocks of the area it already knows well. The shift should bring longer regular hours, easier parking and closer ties to the food and entertainment options that fill the surrounding streets.

Membership remains open at no cost and delivers substantial savings, with discounts reaching 30 percent on wines and events plus first access to limited releases. Those who join receive periodic allocations and the chance to stay connected through occasional updates on new offerings.

The upcoming relocation places this longtime local winery inside one of Downtown San Jose’s liveliest pockets, where visitors can pair a tasting experience with nearby markets, dining and public spaces. Keep an eye out for the final address announcement as the transition continues.

Source: Coterie Winery and usedmedia

Grande Pizzeria Makes Its Welcome Return to Downtown San Jose

After seven years of silence on East San Carlos Street, Grande Pizzeria has stepped back into the Downtown San Jose scene across from San Jose State University. Owner Nick Barrita poured more than $250,000 of his own money into the nearly 1,700-square-foot space, which now seats roughly 130 guests including a sizable outdoor patio for 80. The doors opened on August 3 without outside investors, a decision that followed heavy pandemic delays, labor shortages, and climbing costs that kept the longtime campus hangout dark for so long.

Barrita absorbed around $500,000 in losses during the closure yet covered them through his other local spots, La Victoria Taqueria and Burger Bar. The location still sits in a strong position for foot traffic. Major events earlier this year, from the Super Bowl to FIFA matches and FanimeCon, reinforced his belief that San Carlos Street stays lively when the city draws crowds. Regulars had been pushing for the return, some half-joking that they needed the place open before they were gone. The kitchen answered by keeping signature pastas and favorites while expanding the seafood options and shifting to a more casual setup where tables order through QR codes.

Once fully staffed the restaurant expects to employ 10 to 12 people. Nate LeBlanc of the San Jose Downtown Association noted that bringing back a familiar local name fills an empty storefront and strengthens the hospitality mix that helps create lasting memories for students and visitors alike. A similar revival is underway nearby at Peanut’s Deluxe Cafe, another former SJSU favorite now under new ownership with cooperative plans. Together these reopenings add energy to a stretch of Downtown that benefits when college-area classics come back online.

The timing feels right for anyone who remembers the old Grande or simply wants a solid pizza and pasta option steps from campus. The patio offers a chance to sit outside, the expanded menu gives new choices alongside the classics, and the casual approach keeps things easy for both quick bites and longer stays. Downtown San Jose gains another steady presence that ties the SJSU community to the broader Downtown area.

Source: SVBJ

The Silk Route Brings Modern Indian Dining to San Pedro Square

A familiar midblock space at 17 North San Pedro Street will shift from Mexican fare to upscale Indian cuisine this fall. Jasbir Singh and Mandeep Jandir, the operators of neighboring The Brit Sports Pub and Patio, took over the former Olla Cocina site after earlier plans for a modern Mexican steakhouse fell through. Exterior and interior work is already in progress for The Silk Route.

Singh pointed to a clear opening in the local dining scene. Downtown San Jose has lacked a high-quality, modern Indian option even as other South Bay destinations such as Mountain View, Santana Row, Palo Alto, and Santa Clara each support successful spots that draw mixed crowds. He also noted the rising presence of young Indo-Americans around SJSU, the Improv, and San Pedro Square itself, alongside broader interest in Indian flavors among non-Indian diners.

The location carries a long restaurant history. Blake’s Steakhouse occupied it for years, followed by La Piñata and then Olla Cocina from summer 2016 until fall 2025. A short-lived Bar Tako pop-up filled the gap earlier this year before the current transition. The new concept aims to deliver a refined experience suited to the square’s growing energy.

Expect The Silk Route to open later this fall once renovations wrap. The change adds another distinct flavor to a stretch already drawing steady foot traffic and fresh investment.

Source: The Mercury News

Santana Row Restaurants Offer $25 Prix-Fixe Lunches in September

Santana Row restaurants will serve $25 prix-fixe lunches throughout September as part of Let’s Do Lunch – Taste The Row. The weekday promotion runs Monday through Friday from September 1 to 30 and includes one appetizer and one entrée at participating spots.

The list of restaurants covers a wide range of cuisines: Augustine, Dumpling Time, El Jardin Tequila Bar, EMC Seafood & Raw Bar, Fitoor Indian Grill & Lounge, Fogo de Chao, Momosan Ramen & Sake, Oveja Negra, Ozumo Sushi, Parranga Taqueria, Pizza Antica, Suspiro, Vintage Wine Bar, and Vintage Wine Merchants. Tax, gratuity, and beverages are extra, and exact hours and menus vary by location.

The fixed-price format makes it easy to sample different kitchens without a large midday commitment. Office workers, shoppers, and anyone looking for a convenient lunch option can try a new place or revisit a favorite while the offer lasts.

Source: Santana Row

New Indian Restaurant The Silk Route Prepares to Open in San Pedro Square

A longstanding Downtown San Jose restaurant space at 17 North San Pedro Street will soon welcome The Silk Route Bar and Kitchen after plans for a Mexican steakhouse fell through. Owner Jasbir Singh, who already operates the neighboring sports bar The Brit, filed for a Type 47 liquor license and aims for an October debut.

The two-story, 6,800-square-foot venue represents nearly a million-dollar investment and is expected to create about 25 jobs. Singh identified a clear gap for Indian fine dining in the district and intends to fill it with classics such as chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and various lamb preparations alongside a full cocktail program.

The location sits squarely in the busy corridor between Farmers Union and O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub, a stretch that has drawn strong crowds in recent months. San Pedro Square recorded more than 400,000 visitors during FIFA World Cup watch parties, and additional openings including Southern Comfort Kitchen in the food hall continue to refresh the dining mix.

Earlier tenants of the site included a decade-long run by Olla Cocina, popular with Sharks fans headed to SAP Center, followed by the temporary Bar Tako pop-up. The shift to The Silk Route arrives as the surrounding blocks show renewed energy and private investment, including the recent purchase of the Old Wagon Saloon building by a group linked to an NFL player.

Local diners seeking expanded options in the heart of Downtown can look forward to this addition once the build-out finishes. The Silk Route’s arrival further diversifies the flavors available along San Pedro Street and reinforces the area’s momentum as a destination for both everyday meals and special occasions.

Source: SVBJ

Southern Comfort Kitchen Brings New Orleans Flavor to San Pedro Square Market

Downtown San Jose just gained a hearty dose of Cajun and Creole cooking as Southern Comfort Kitchen opened its newest outpost inside San Pedro Square Market Hall. The East Bay favorite, long known for scratch-made New Orleans dishes, chose the perfect moment. FIFA World Cup watch parties have packed the market courtyard with fans, and the new stall sits ready to feed the crowds with po’ boys, blackened shrimp, fried oysters and cheesy grits.

Three brothers, Jason, Jeremy and Brett Brill, launched Southern Comfort Kitchen as a food truck in 2013 after growing up around their family’s New Orleans catering business. Their first brick-and-mortar arrived in Castro Valley in 2018. Pleasant Hill and Alameda followed. The San Jose spot at 100 N. Almaden Avenue marks their first foothold in the South Bay and adds a bold Southern voice to the market’s rotating vendors.

Expect classic plates built the same way the family has always cooked them: Seafood Gumbo, Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Crawfish Étouffée, Cajun crab fries and a Southern fried chicken sandwich that has earned a loyal following. Everything starts from scratch each morning with house seasoning blends and sauces. Later weekend hours stretch to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays so match-goers can grab something hot after the final whistle.

San Pedro Square Market has become the unofficial headquarters for World Cup viewing this summer, drawing workers, visitors and soccer fans into the courtyard day after day. The arrival of Southern Comfort Kitchen gives everyone one more reason to linger. Grab a seat under the string lights or take your order to go. Either way, the flavors travel straight from Louisiana family recipes to the heart of Downtown San Jose.

Stop by the next time you find yourself near San Pedro Square. The line may form quickly on match days, but the reward is pure comfort on a plate.

Source: SVBJ

(UPDATED) Bay Area Michelin Star Restaurants - 2026 Edition

Well that was a surprise. I have always been a huge fan of X, but was not expecting to get almost 100k views on yesterday's post about Bay Area Michelin Star Restaurants. It was bookmarked a thousand times, so my guess is that the list is being used as a reference or checklist. In today's update I added a checkbox column in case people want to use it for that purpose. I actually use it that way myself and in the Google doc you can see which spots I've been to.

There were also a few corrections that folks kindly sent in and I verified. SingleThread was updated to Sonoma, Mister Jiu's was updated to Chinatown, and SSAL was updated to Russian Hill. Below is a higher quality screen grab and the original version with all previous years and stats is available here.

To any new readers brought here by X, welcome!

Bay Area Michelin Star Restaurants - 2026 Edition

The latest Michelin Star Bay Area honorees were just announced about a few weeks ago. The Michelin guide is the most renowned rubric in the for measuring culinary success. Unfortunately, this year was uneventful. All of the new restaurants were in SF or Wine Country.

Michelin has three different star categories:

• One Star - A very good restaurant in its category with cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard. A good place to stop on your journey.
• Two Stars - Excellent cuisine, skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality. Worth a detour.
• Three Stars - Exceptional cuisine with distinctive dishes and superlative ingredients. Worth a special journey.

"Green Stars" are for restaurants that are at the forefront of sustainable, environmental, and ethical standards.

There are also restaurants in the Michelin guide that do not get a star, but are considered "Michelin Recommended." This is already a significant honor that a very small percentage of restaurants achieve. This distinction has gotten more rare since the guide now covers all of California instead of just the Bay Area. San Jose has a total of 3 Michelin Recommended restaurants, and it's almost the same list as the past few years except Adega is inexplicably not on the list even though their more casual sister restaurant Petiscos is.

San Jose Michelin Recommended Restaurants:

• Downtown
• Petiscos $$ (Bib Gourmand)
• Midtown
• Luna Mexican Kitchen $$ (Bib Gourmand)
• North San Jose
• LeYou $$

I created a Google doc listing all of the star recipients for 2026, along with tabs for all previous years and some general statistics. There is no longer a physical book for California, but Michelin will update their site after new stars are awarded.

Below is an image capture from the doc. This year there were a total of 44 Bay Area restaurants that were awarded Michelin stars. 61% of the restaurants are locating in SF, 11% in Silicon Valley (5% in the South Bay, 7% in the Peninsula), 20% in Wine Country, 5% in the East Bay, and 2% in Marin. There are three new restaurants on the list for 2024 and one that closed down. 

I'm again feeling optimistic about next year with Strata and hopefully Adega, Eox & Nyx, Le Papillion, and many others will get the recognition they deserve. How did not one San Jose Vietnamese restaurant make the cut for a recommendation? There used to be several in the guide.  

Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is Live!

It's one of my favorite times of year. Dine Downtown is in full swing until July 19th. I'm going to break the traditional format a bit and highlight some of my favorite menus on the list. 

Let's start with a pre-dinner libation at Alter Ego, one of the best bars in the entire Bay Area. If you're feeling fancy, they have a unique liquid special of a martini and caviar for $20. I do wish there were some food items on here as well as their kitchen is the best of any bar I have been to.

Poppy and Claro has a $29 lunch 3-course prix fixe as well as a very reasonably $39 dinner option. You can pair that with a $19 cocktail flight ($9 for mocktails).

At the other end of the pricing spectrum you have Adega, San Jose's first and only restaurant ever to earn a Michelin Star. They have a 4-course $99 menu, which is the least expensive menu you are likely to find there all year. If that is too rich for your blood and you're craving Portuguese food, their sister restaurant Petiscos has a $55 3-course menu available.

For some traditional American steaks, Morton's has a great deal for a 3-course meal featuring a Filet Mignon. 

Last but not least, La Peñita is featuring four specials for Restaurant Week, all smothered in delicious mole sauce. This is one of the more affordable options on the list for a full service restaurant.

Bon Appetit! 🧑‍🍳

Dine Downtown 2026 Invites Food Lovers to Explore San Jose’s Culinary Scene

Dine Downtown returns for its 18th year from July 9 through 19. This 11-day event brings together restaurants across Downtown San Jose for special menus and deals that highlight the area’s growing reputation as a destination for memorable meals.

Participating spots stretch through neighborhoods like the South First Street Corridor, SoFA District, and San Pedro Square. Diners can choose from casual bites or more refined experiences, with many restaurants offering chef specials, prix fixe options, or value pairings that make it easy to sample different cuisines without breaking the bank.

Examples include Cambodian flavors at Angkor Chef with a chef special priced at $28, Greek-inspired dishes at Eos & Nyx with a prix fixe starting at $65, and classic steakhouse fare at Morton’s with options from $69. Other places feature more accessible deals like a free appetizer with purchase or food and drink pairings around $16.50, giving options for every budget and taste.

There are also some newcomers on the list that were not around last year like Poppy & Claro, Jackie's Place, Phin & Bowl, Southern Comfort Kitchen, and Pretty Good Advice. This is a great way to get to know Downtown San Jose's newest restaurants.

The event also includes practical perks such as 90 minutes of free parking in select downtown garages, making it simpler to spend an evening wandering between spots. By encouraging people to try new places and return to favorites, Dine Downtown supports local businesses while showcasing the diversity of flavors that define the city’s food landscape.

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

JapaCurry Temporarily Steps Into Former Naglee Park Garage Space in Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose restaurant spaces keep cycling through fresh concepts as one door closes and another opens. JapaCurry has moved into the former Naglee Park Garage location at 505 E. San Carlos St. with its made-to-order Japanese curry since April.

The arrangement lasts only until July 1. On that date Garage Enishi, an American bistro with Japanese influences, will take over the space. JapaCurry will then shift operations next door into the former Top Dog spot at 284 S. 11th St. to stay in the immediate area. JapaCurry also has another Downtown San Jose location inside of the SoFA Market.

Naglee Park Garage earned a steady neighborhood following for its American dishes and large outdoor patio courtyard. The restaurant gained wider attention after appearing on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives before owners closed it in September 2025.

The same patio will host activity again in early August. Plans call for FIFA World Cup viewing parties, games, music, and community events that will bring people together outdoors once more.

Source: SVBJ

Melting Pot Fondue Plans a Return to San Jose

Tampa-based Melting Pot has targeted San Jose for a long-awaited return to the Bay Area, with plans to open by the end of the year. The chain previously operated locations in San Jose, San Mateo, and Larkspur before those sites closed, and company leaders now view the city as one of the strongest expansion opportunities in the region. The former San Jose location was where Paper Plane is today at 72 S. First Street and operated from 2005 to 2009.

Officials selected San Jose for its population density, family-focused demographics, and balanced age and income profile that matches the brand’s positioning as a go-to spot for special occasions. The company relies on data analysis tools to pinpoint markets, and San Jose consistently ranks at the top of their list over other California options.

A typical Melting Pot restaurant spans roughly 5,000 square feet, creates 35 to 70 jobs, and carries an average investment of $2.1 million. The brand already runs three California outposts in Sacramento, Thousand Oaks, and San Diego, and the new San Jose site would restore fondue dining to a city that has room for one or two locations, possibly including one in Downtown San Jose.

Those who recall the interactive cheese and chocolate experiences will welcome the return of curated fondues, fresh salads, wines, and spirits served in a lively social setting. The addition brings another distinctive dining choice that supports local hiring and enriches the city’s growing collection of celebration-worthy restaurants.

Source: SVBJ

Signia by Hilton San Jose Prepares an Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch at its Fountain Restaurant

San Jose families seeking a memorable way to honor mothers this spring will find the perfect setting at the Fountain Restaurant inside Signia by Hilton San Jose. The chef-curated brunch unfolds on Sunday, May 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and promises a refined progression of flavors in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

The experience opens with a vibrant spring salad and a generous seafood platter served tableside. Guests then select from standout entrées including Lobster Benedict, Steak Frites, Chicken & Waffles, Lamb Chops, or Atlantic Salmon before sharing a dessert course that features coconut mango rice pudding, mini cheesecakes, a flowing chocolate fountain, and additional sweet touches paired with bottomless mimosas.

All of this takes place in the warm, sophisticated atmosphere of the Fountain Restaurant, where attentive service and thoughtful details create space for connection and celebration. Pricing stands at $135 per adult and $50 per child. For reservations, click here.

Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine Opens at Valley Fair Bringing Signature Wok Magic to Silicon Valley

Food lovers throughout the South Bay eagerly anticipate the grand opening of Tai Er Sichuan Cuisine at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. This marks the brand's second Bay Area location following its successful debut in San Mateo, and it promises to elevate the already thriving dining options right in the backyard of San Jose.

Since launching in 2015, Tai Er has built a global reputation with over 500 locations by obsessing over details like its hallmark 23-day house-fermented sauerkraut fish. The new Valley Fair outpost will deliver that same commitment to bold, nuanced flavors in a modern setting designed for sharing.

The spacious restaurant features an open kitchen where skilled chefs execute high-heat wok dishes that capture authentic smokiness and aroma. Standouts on the expanded menu include location-exclusive creations such as lime-glazed sweet and sour shrimp and truffle vegetarian fried rice with mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. Diners will also savor wok-seared black pepper beef, house special beef fried rice, fresh appetizers, and desserts like fried mochi cubes served with ice cream.

The grand opening is currently slated for the weekend of May 1st. I'm planning to do a full review around mid-May.

Sumi Sushi Brings Outstanding Fresh Sushi to Downtown San Jose

Sumi Sushi has quickly established itself as a favorite for quality Japanese cuisine at 119 Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose. It has a casual Japanese pop-culture vibe with anime on the walls and fun lighting. Food wise they specialize in classic rolls, creative specialties, and generous Chirashi bowls.

Service is super fast and efficient. You can order to-go from a kiosk or use a QR code to quickly pick food the moment you sit down. Prices are reasonable, which should appeal to San Jose State University students and really anyone casually walking by.

I got to try the Ladybug Roll (soft shell crab tempura, crab meat, torched salmon), White Dragon Roll (shrimp tempura, crab meat, cucumber), a nigiri sampling, and a green tea cheesecake. I'd recommend them all, but would likely go heavy on the nigiri next time since it was so good. The salmon and Hamachi especially were excellent.

Don't let it's humble entrance and location fool you. Downtown San Jose now has six different sushi spots, and this might just be the new benchmark.

Bar Tako Opens with Mexican-Japanese Flavors in Downtown San Jose

Bar Tako is about to become one of San Jose's most unique food offerings. It's a pop-up restaurant blending Mexican and Japanese cuisines at 17 North San Pedro Street in San Pedro Square. Set to open in late February 2026 and run through June, this temporary spot activates a key Downtown location previously home to Olla Cocina. Industry experts Derek Belanger and Greg Nasser lead the project, drawing on Nikkei influences from Peru to craft dishes that merge bold tastes in unexpected ways.

The menu divides into sections for shared plates, encouraging group dining experiences. Raw bar selections feature sushi-grade hamachi paired with salsa verde and salmon tartare alongside mango-shiso pico de gallo served with chips. Robata grill options include grilled pork and chicken skewers with housemade masa tortillas, corn ribs topped with Kewpie mayo and furikake, and Okinawa sweet potato with mole aioli and cotija cheese. Standout entrees range from togarashi shrimp tacos to shoyu-braised beef short rib tamales with ancho chile sauce and pickled ginger, plus A5 wagyu accompanied by mole.

Desserts offer creative twists like three varieties of sweet tamales with sauces, such as a red bean version drizzled in miso-caramel. The bar complements the food with tequila, mezcal, Japanese whisky, beers from both cultures, and Baja California wines including Nebiolos and chilled reds. Open daily from noon to 10 p.m., Bar Tako invites San Jose foodies to explore one of the most unique food offerings in the South Bay.

Source: Eater

Asia Live Set to Elevate Dining at Westfield Valley Fair

An expansive new restaurant named Asia Live is preparing to open at Westfield Valley Fair, bringing a wide array of flavors from across the continent to the San Jose area. This two-story venue spans about 13,000 square feet and offers seating for 350 guests, featuring dishes inspired by Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, and India. The concept builds on the success of its San Francisco predecessor, China Live, expanding the focus to celebrate a broader range of Asian culinary traditions in a marketplace-style setting.

The location at 2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard places Asia Live next to Shake Shack and across from Eataly, in the space once occupied by iChina. This addition enhances the mall's lineup of international eateries, drawing more visitors to explore the shopping and dining hub that serves as a key attraction for San Jose residents and those from surrounding communities. With a bar offering upscale cocktails similar to the original's popular spot, the restaurant aims to create a dynamic environment for meals, gatherings, and evening outings.

Scheduled for a spring 2026 debut, sometime between March and May, Asia Live represents another step in the ongoing growth of high-quality dining options in the region. It complements Westfield Valley Fair's role as a premier destination, where visitors can do more than just shop.

For more information, visit www.westfield.com/valleyfair.

Source: KRON4 (hat tip to usedmedia from Skyscraper City)