Bloom Coming Soon to Downtown San Jose

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

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

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

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

Source: Willow Glen Charm

Brunch Blooms in Downtown San Jose

Reza Manion, the mastermind behind the beloved Bloom Eatery brunch spot in Santa Clara, is bringing his vision to 225 W. Santa Clara St., with an anticipated opening later this year. This expansion marks a new chapter for Bloom, a restaurant that’s been winning hearts since its debut in 2020, and it’s a sign of exciting things brewing in the city’s core.

Manion’s journey into the restaurant world started early, shaped by his upbringing in his family’s café, Sara’s Kitchen, a Santa Clara staple for over three decades. That experience fueled his dream of creating his own space, and Bloom Eatery was born. The Santa Clara location quickly gained a following for its standout dishes like croissant French toast and chicken and waffles. Now, Downtown San Jose gets to experience that same magic, with a 4,000-square-foot space that Manion describes as perfect thanks to its natural light and lack of brunch competition nearby.

The move to Downtown wasn’t Manion’s first instinct—he initially leaned toward smaller towns like Campbell or Los Gatos. But when a real estate opportunity arose, he saw the potential for Bloom to shine in an area he believes is on the upswing. Challenges like parking and Downtown’s reputation don’t faze him; instead, he’s eager to contribute to the area’s growth. With the interior build-out underway and permits in progress, he’s aiming to open by late summer or early fall, setting the stage for a cozy brunch haven just before the holiday rush.

What makes Bloom special is its commitment to keeping things simple yet exceptional. The menu stays focused, letting the quality of the food and the care in its presentation take center stage. Whether it’s the flaky layers of croissant French toast or the crispy perfection of chicken and waffles, freshness is key. Manion wants Bloom to feel like a neighborhood gem—approachable, elegant, and rooted in community. 

Source: SVBJ

Restaurant Gish

The Silicon Valley food scene continues to deliver numerous high-end options, but the downside is ever-increasing costs heading towards insanity. Restaurants like The French Laundry and SingleThread easily cost upwards of $500 PER PERSON. Wine tastings to go along with that fancy meal can easily cost upwards of $100 per person on top of that. That is why I was thrilled to find a great fine dining option that won't break the bank. It's called Restaurant Gish.

One of the reasons why the prices are not super high is that the area around it is not pretentious at all. The restaurant is in a nondescript Santa Clara strip mall facing an alley. It's one of the last places you would expect a fine dining establishment. It feels like you're going to a speakeasy.

Inside the ambiance is modern yet homely. Deciding on what to eat is simple, there is a single menu with 4-5 courses that changes each month. When I went it was $79 for 4 courses with an excellent wine pairing for $47. There was also an optional extra course if you were really hungry.

Everything was exceptional from start to finish, including the service. I might just become a regular.

A Taste of Paris Video + Special Offer

WhiteRoadFilms:

SPECIAL OFFER: Throughout March, mention White Road Films or sjdowntown.com to receive a free cup of coffee with the purchase of two pastries.

We personally believe in this boulangerie.

http://atasteofparis.net

Lionel comes from a region in France called Alsace. His
father was a baker and the fifth generation to run the Haeberle
Bakery in a city in Alsace named Colmar.

Now, Lionel Haeberle becomes the sixth generation of
authentic French Chefs to offer bakery items of the highest
quality to his customers.

Ann is a 5th generation Californian with a family history that
goes back to early settlements on the East Coast. And though
Ann was not born in San Jose, her great-great-grandparents
married and raised a family there, developing strong roots in
the community where her mother was also born and raised.

Generations of Ann's family members also attended and
graduated from San Jose State University, to which the shop is
closely located. Her family has long standing ties to the San
Jose Bay Area

Ann and Lionel Haeberle are excited to welcome you to their
first bakery here in the heart of the Silicon Valley!

Stop by and ask for a sample of their quality French menu
items. And bring a friend!

SJBound: A Taste of Paris

A Taste of Paris is Incredible!

My expectations were set already high by friends that have already eaten here and Yelp reviews... yet somehow A Taste of Paris still managed to blow my mind. I have to be honest. When I first heard a restaurant called "A Taste of Paris" was coming to the old Beard Papa space, I assumed it was just going to be another generic sandwich shop. What downtown San Jose ended up getting is a truly AUTHENTIC French Delicatessen with sets the bar for sandwiches downtown.

The authenticity begins with the proprietor Lionel Haeberle, a 6th generation French baker who also happens to be a fully trained French Chef. Then we have the food itself. The bread is made fresh throughout the day, from scratch, using base ingredients imported from France. Even the mustard is imported! Then you have small touches to complete the feel, such as French music playing throughout the cafe.

The menu is concise and focused on quality over quantity. My wife and I were fortunate enough to sample most of the menu, and EVERYTHING was amazing... the Brie Baguette, Pate, Cassoulet (traditional French country soup), Nutella Croissant, Almond Pastries, and even simple Ginger Cookies were incredible. The prices are also unexpectedly reasonable, especially considering the quality and meticulous prep work. 

In addition to their menu, they are also selling a few high-end imported products from France, such as slow roasted coffee, their mustard (which comes in thick glass jars), and jams. The selection here is going to be expanding over the next few weeks.

One last interesting tidbit is they are planning to build a traditional French patio, which would have an overhang above outdoor seating right on Paseo do San Antonio.

To summarize... authentic French delicatessen with phenomenal sandwiches and desserts. You might as well throw a dart at the menu when you get there because anything you order will impress. A very welcome addition to downtown San Jose!

2011 Michelin Restaurant Ratings

The Michelin Guide is one of the most renowned dining guides in the world. A restaurant getting a Michelin star is the equivalent to an athlete getting a medal in the Olympics. Last year I ranted about San Jose not claiming a single Michelin star restaurant, and it looks like this year the situation has not changed. At least in the 2011 Michelin Guide, they are recognizing that the South Bay is indeed an "Area" as last year they listed Silicon Valley restaurants as "South of San Francisco." You can see the full list below of the 44 Michelin Star recipients (6 of which are in Silicon Valley).

Instead of ranting this year I'll offer an idea and some encouragement. First up, the idea. Michelin star restaurants are huge draws for people. They usually book weeks if not months in advance and are a source of pride and international recognition for the neighborhoods they are in. Why not provide a monetary incentive for restaurants that receive a Michelin star that are located in San Jose (much the same way the USOC provides a monetary incentive for Olympic medalists)? This would encourage pioneering restaurateurs to open up shop in San Jose as well as drive existing restaurants to push their innovation and creativity in order to achieve the highest level of acclaim in their field.

Okay now for some encouragement. There are at least two restaurants in San Jose that are run by chefs that have already earned a Michelin star. This is at least a step in the right direction from last year. The first is Salvatore Calisi who was former head chef of Dio Deka and is now responsible for Ristorante Fratello on Meridian Ave. The second is Michael Miller, who was head chef at Traverse (closed because of dramatic rent hikes), and is now the executive chef at the Silicon Valley Capital Club downtown.

San Jose has achieved so much in the past few decades and already has a knack for innovation and a vibrant restaurant scene. Being known for cutting edge restaurants and have the stars to back that up as a fact (such as Napa does now), well... you can add that to my wishlist for San Jose in 2020.

Every restaurant listed in the MICHELIN Guide is recommended by our team of professional inspectors. The ones listed below have earned stars that reflect their exceptional culinary achievements, regardless of cuisine style. Stars represent only what is on the plate. They do not take into consideration interior decoration, service quality or table settings.

Read the release

Use the links below to make reservations at your favorite San Francisco restaurant, compliments of OpenTable.com.

	Restaurants	Area	Neighborhood	Reservations
Acquerello		San Francisco	Nob Hill	Reserve a table
Alexander's Steakhouse (New)*		South Bay	Cupertino	Reserve a table
Ame*		San Francisco	SoMa	Reserve a table
Applewood (New)		Wine Country	Sonoma County	Reserve a table
Auberge du Soleil		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Aziza		San Francisco	Richmond & Sunset	Reserve a table
Baumé (New)*		South Bay	Palo Alto	Reserve a table
Bouchon		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Boulevard		San Francisco	SoMa	Reserve a table
Campton Place (New)		San Francisco	Financial District	Reserve a table
Chez TJ*		South Bay	Mountain View	Reserve a table
Commis		East Bay	Oakland	Reserve a table
Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, The*		San Francisco	Nob Hill	Reserve a table
Dio Deka (New)		South Bay	Los Gatos	Reserve a table
étoile		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant		Wine Country	Sonoma County	Reserve a table
Fleur de Lys		San Francisco	Financial District	Reserve a table
Frances (New)		San Francisco	Castro	Reserve a table
Gary Danko*		San Francisco	North Beach
La Folie		San Francisco	Nob Hill	Reserve a table
La Toque		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Luce*		San Francisco	SoMa	Reserve a table
Madera (New)*		Peninsula	Menlo Park	Reserve a table
Madrona Manor		Wine Country	Sonoma County	Reserve a table
Masa's		San Francisco	Nob Hill	Reserve a table
Mirepoix (New)		Wine Country	Sonoma County
Murray Circle		Marin	Sausalito	Reserve a table
One Market		San Francisco	SoMa	Reserve a table
Plumed Horse*		South Bay	Saratoga	Reserve a table
Quince		San Francisco	North Beach	Reserve a table
Redd		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Saison (New)*		San Francisco	Mission	Reserve a table
Santé		Wine Country	Sonoma County	Reserve a table
Solbar		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Spruce (New)		San Francisco	Marina	Reserve a table
Terra		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Ubuntu		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Village Pub, The*		Peninsula	Woodside	Reserve a table
Wakuriya (New)		Peninsula	San Mateo

	Restaurants	City	Neighborhood	Reservations
Coi		San Francisco	North Beach	Reserve a table
Cyrus		Wine Country	Sonoma County	Reserve a table
Manresa*		South Bay	Los Gatos	Reserve a table

	Restaurants	City	Neighborhood	Reservations
French Laundry, The		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table
Restaurant at Meadowood, The (New)		Wine Country	Napa Valley	Reserve a table

* Restaurants Josh has been to

A Taste of Paris Now Open!

A retail space on Paseo de San Antonio next to Philz Coffee that has been vacant for years is now home to A Taste of Paris! The cafe is run by a sixth generation French Chef and features authentic French breads, sandwiches, soups, and pastries. For more info, you can have a look at their website over here.

A Taste of Paris is Coming Soon to Downtown San Jose

A retail space that has been vacant for two years is finally getting a new lease on life. A French sandwich shop called "A Taste of Paris" is moving into what used to be Beard Papa's, just in time for Christmas in the Park. I was in the area yesterday morning and there was some nice activity around the space, mostly thanks to Philz Coffee. It'll be nice to have another unique, non-chain eatery downtown!

In other retail news, it looks like The clubHOUSE next to The Rep is just about ready to open. The interior is 99% complete and they are already doing soft openings. If the food is up to par with the interior, this could easily be downtown's next hot spot. I got a sneak peak yesterday, and sports fans are going to love this place. I'll have more info after the official opening.

2010 Michelin Restaurant Ratings

The latest Michelin ratings for Bay Area have just been released and 39 restaurants have been recognized in our neighborhood. Receiving a Michelin star is one of, if not the highest honor a fine dining restaurant can receive. There are 3 different categories:

One Star - A very good restaurant in its category
Two Stars - Excellent cuisine, worth a detour
Three Stars - Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

The same rubric is used all around the world, so a Two Star restaurant in the Bay Area would be the equivalent to a Two Star restaurant in France, London, or New York. As you glance through the full list of restaurants below, you may notice that NONE of them are in San Jose. So my question to you is, how the heck does a city of one million people not have a single Michelin rated restaurant? I know it's not because we don't love food. Did the Michelin committee just ignore San Jose entirely, or do we truly not have a single restaurant that deserves a star? If the latter is the case, I'm pretty sure I can think of a restaurant or two that deserves to be on the list below...

Three stars

The French Laundry, Yountville

Two stars

Coi, San Francisco
Cyrus, Healdsburg
Manresa, Los Gatos*
The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena

One star

Acquerello, San Francisco
Ame, San Francisco*
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford
Aziza, San Francisco (new)
Bouchon, Yountville
Boulevard, San Francisco
Chez Panisse, Berkeley
Chez TJ, Mountain View
Commis, Oakland (new)
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco*
El Paseo, Mill Valley (new; now closed)
Etoile, Yountville (new)
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Forestville
Fifth Floor, San Francisco
Fleur de Lys, San Francisco
Gary Danko, San Francisco*
La Folie, San Francisco
La Toque, Napa (new)
Luce, San Francisco (new)*
Madrona Manor, Healdsburg
Masa's, San Francisco
Michael Mina, San Francisco (two stars last year)
Murray Circle, Sausalito
One Market, San Francisco
Plumed Horse, Saratoga*
Quince, San Francisco (new)
Range, San Francisco
Redd, Yountville
Sante, Sonoma (new)
Solbar, Calistoga (new)
Terra, St. Helena
Trevese, Los Gatos (now closed)
Ubuntu, Napa (new)
The Village Pub, Woodside*

* Restaurants I've been to