CREAM Ice Cream Shop Coming to Post St.

Another hot eatery is coming to Downtown San Jose! C.R.E.A.M. (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) is a chain that specializes in customizable ice cream sandwiches and tacos, as well as milkshakes. They will be opening up shop at the corner of South First and Post, adjacent to 55 South and across from Original Gravity House. Things are really starting to turn around along this corridor.

Side-note, I have added DTSJNews to the blogroll on the right. Great site, I just found out about it!

Source: DTSJNews, Drew S., Joseph M.

Little Italy San Jose Updates!

So it looks like there is some movement in San Jose's new Little Italy neighborhood. First off, Paesano's is about to get some company. Bel Bacio Cafe should be opening any week now and they are also trying to get a Pizzeria/Wine Bar. The giant arch at the entrance of Little Italy is a go (design below). Last but not least, they are raising $360,000 to purchase and restore a 1910 Victorian house in Little Italy and turn it into an Italian museum to honor the contribution of Italian Americans in Santa Clara County. So far, they have already raised at least $280,000.

Keep on trekking guys, it sounds like you are making some serious progress!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joshua DeVincenzi Melander

Please Help and Spread the word. We have been working hard to raise $360,000 to purchase a property in Little Italy into an Italian American Museum and Cultural Facility. We have raised $280,000 and have secured the In Kind donations for renovation of the Home.

We need $80,000 in the next two weeks!!!

We have Bel Bacio Cafe opening in a few weeks, a 31 foot Arch going up soon, are in the works for a pizzeria/Wine Bar. Help us get the property for the museum!!!

http://www.razoo.com/story/Little-Italy-San-Jose-Museum-Cultural-Center-Project

Smashburger Now Open at San Jose Market Center

The first Smashburger in Silicon Valley just opened up at the San Jose Market Center! The gourmet burger joint competes with other restaurants like The Counter and Five Guys. They differentiate themselves with creative toppings, Haagen-Dasz milkshakes, and craft beer. Based on Yelp, the chain is highly reviewed and I'm sure a lot of people will be happy to have one of these in the South Bay.

Eventually they plan to open a total of five stores in San Jose, and 10 more in the greater Silicon Valley area.

Source: SVBJ

Oakridge is Going Country!

Well, it looks like a huge, HUGE, country-themed restaurant will be coming to Oakridge Mall. "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill" is going to take up a massive 17,594 SQFT, and I would be surprised if there wasn't a commensurate amount of outdoor seating to go along with it. This is a venue known for hosting country music events (hope our events are like the photo below), large guitar-shaped bars, and of course Southern food.

The new restaurant replaces at least five stores: Mainland Skate, Radio Shack, Merkerro Fashions, PacSun, and Cutegirl.com. I wonder if they are planning to go the Santana Row route and increase the ratio of restaurants to retail.

There also appears to be a rumor that the Apple Store will be moving to a newer larger space soon. This would be great news since the only Apple Store in San Jose-proper is also the smallest one I have ever seen (the Valley Fair store is technically in Santa Clara).

Source(s): Hat tip to Sergio Oliveri (shout out to Little Italy San Jose), JAB88, Kennethh

Cafe Stritch Now Open in SoFA!

2013 is going to be the best year for new restaurants that Downtown San Jose has ever seen. I'm going to go out on a limb (as usual) and say that by the end of the year the type of scene and energy that you can now find at the San Pedro Square Market will also be available in other parts of Downtown.

SoFA's new restaurant anchor--Cafe Stritch--officially opened over the weekend. It's operated by the next generation of the Borkenhagen family, which ran Eulipia for decades.

The ambiance is hip, modern, and artsy, with a jazz-club vibe (somewhat ironic since Eulipia was a jazz club at one point). The food and staff are excellent, there's a great bar, the outdoor seating setup is one of the most impressive I've seen Downtown, oh yeah... and everything on the menu is under $10.

The fare is essentially modern American comfort food served tapas-style. Over the weekend I tried the chicken & waffles, mac & cheese, fries, tomato bisque with a grilled cheese sandwich, and the vegan french dip which was my favorite. That last one was surprisingly excellent for a vegan entree and you have to try it even if you're not vegan! Picture vegetable tempura inside of a crisp baguette with a great dipping sauce. The total bill for food that would easily have fed 3-4 people... $30.

Some other big huge pluses about this establishment:

• Elevated stage for live musicians, which they will likely feature several times week (more live music in SoFA!)
• Second floor where they will eventually build some sort of lounge area with couches. 
• Open Sundays (many Downtown restaurants are not)
• Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays

I can see this place improving the vibe of the entire SoFA district. This is another epic addition to Downtown San Jose and I'm thrilled with how this turned out!

Lavazza Espression Opens Today in Santana Row

Today Santana Row will get yet another premier attraction. The very first Lavazza Espression on the West Coast is opening in the 300 Building right around the corner from The Yard House. Lavazza is the most popular coffee brand in Italy and this cafe will likely blow the doors off of Starbucks in terms of quality. They will also feature fresh food with locally sourced organic ingredients, desserts made in house, and gelato.

To top it off, the cafe opens early and stays open until late. The hours are 6am-10pm Sunday through Thursday and 6am-midnight on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, check out the press release below.

San Jose, CA (Oct. 25, 2012) - When is a cup of coffee not merely a cup of coffee? When it’s Lavazza, Italy’s best-known coffee brand. Lavazza is famed not only for quality and innovation, but also for its integration with high fashion, sleek design and contemporary cuisine, including its collaboration with revolutionary Chef Ferran Adrià, the pioneer of molecular gastronomy.

It’s only fitting then that the first Lavazza Espression café on the West Coast opens on Tuesday, Oct. 30 in the heart of tech-driven Silicon Valley: Santana Row. Additional locations are planned in San Francisco, the East Bay, North Bay and on the Peninsula.

The 2,200 square foot café, with 35 seats in the restaurant and 32 on the patio, will introduce a unique taste of Italian culture, where coffee is not just a beverage, but a celebrated way of life.

“Lavazza is creative in every sense of the word,’’ says Erich Fleshman of Espression Coffee West, the Bay Area franchisee. “The Bay Area has a very sophisticated pallet for coffee and Lavazza Espression completes the full experience.’’

The company was established in 1895 when founder Luigi Lavazza opened a small grocery store in Turin that later began specializing in roasting and selling coffee. Family-owned for four generations, the company’s coffee is now available in more than 90 countries. It is the most recognized coffee brand in Italy and familiar to anyone who has traveled through Europe.

With stunning artwork by some of the world’s most acclaimed fashion photographers, including Helmut Newton and Annie Leibovitz, the café has a contemporary, European feel with furnishings from Italy. With its comfortable, modern décor and free Wi-Fi, Lavazza Espression invites visitors to linger when they don’t need to grab and go.

Lavazza coffee can be enjoyed through classic preparations such as espresso and drip, along with more creative riffs such as a “Monterosa’’ (a custard and berry compote with an espresso shot and whipped cream), the signature Èspesso™ (Adrià’s ingenious liquid-to-solid coffee creation served playfully with a spoon that sports a hole in it) and the Èspessone™ (light foam, with a soft and velvety texture in combination with an intense aroma of the espresso).

 Other offerings include velvety thick Italian hot chocolate, Espresso Shakerato served in a chilled martini glass and blended coffee drinks such as the Blendissimo® (a cool blend of espresso, vanilla gelato and caramel, topped off with whipped cream).

With a nod to California sensibilities, the menu will include gluten-free choices and incorporates as many locally-sourced and organic ingredients as possible with items such as “Chicken and Mushroom Tramezzino,’’ “Salmon Caprese” and “Fruit and Parmesan Salad’’ with passion fruit vinaigrette. Desserts will be made in-house and gelato is provided from a local artisan to Lavazza’s specifications. Coffee drinks will be priced from $2-$4; salads and sandwiches from $5-$10.

Appealing to the Bay Area’s inclination to embrace social responsibility is Lavazza’s ¡Tierra! Project, started in 2002 and certified by The Rain Forest Alliance. Lavazza set up its ¡Tierra! Project in coffee growing countries with the aim of improving the living and working conditions of local communities by providing training and technical support. The initiative combines productivity with social responsibility and attains excellent results not only within the targeted regions, but also in terms of product quality.

Lavazza and Fashion 4 Development, a United Nations partner organization which uses fashion to develop strategies for female self-empowerment, have teamed to unveil the Lavazza ¡Tierra! limited edition tins designed by internationally acclaimed designers Marni, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, Etro, Versace, and Moschino. The tins contain a blend of coffee made from 100% sustainable crops and a large part of the proceeds will be donated to Fashion 4 Development’s efforts in Africa, India and South Africa. The tins will be available for purchase for a limited time at Santana Row’s new Lavazza Espression location.

Lavazza Espression, 300 Santana Row, Suite 110, 408.261-1830 Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun.-Thurs.; 6 a.m. to midnight, Fri. and Sat. 

Chick-fil-A Officially Coming to San Jose!

The most eagerly awaited restaurant at the @First development (North First and 237) would have to be Chick-fil-A. There have been many discussions back and forth on whether this restaurant was even going to make it to the South Bay, but today I'm happy to confirm that it's going to happen. I even have a launch date for everyone: July 26th. This will be the very first Chick-fil-A in the Bay Area Correction: This will be the first stand-alone Chick-fil-A (non-mall) within 60 miles of San Jose. There is one in Fairfield, which is technically part of the Bay Area.

Liquid Restaurant & Lounge

Alright, so two things to mention here:

1.) New Restaurant Alert: Liquid is now open a 32 S. Third. It looks pretty damn nice inside and the menu is solid. I would describe it as Asian fusion.
2.) They are looking to incorporate local art, which is a great new trend Downtown. 488 Cafe--which just opened on the ground flood of the Sobrato Tower--is also showcasing a substantial amount of local art. I hope this trend continue for a long time to come.

********************************************

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Liquid Restaurant & Lounge is all about "new."

We are, in fact, the newest hotspot in Downtown San Jose. We draw in a wide array of people ranging from 20-somethings to 60-somethings. We focus on maximizing the feeling of euphoria when guests come in to experience Liquid.

Hard work and passion has been put into designing and creating the perfect atmosphere where people can enjoy not only their delicious meal from our full lunch and dinner menu and drinks mixed to perfection from our full bar, but also the carefully selected music choices and LED projected lights throughout the walls.

Liquid has some prime wall space to offer local contemporary artists. (Insurance provided, no commission on sales.)

If interested, please contact My Pham to arrange a walk through and to discuss details.

Liquid Restaurant & Lounge
32 S. Third, San Jose
(408) 806-1441.

Blendz is Back

It looks like Blendz (healthy quick food restaurant) in Downtown San Jose is back in business and under new ownership. It has been closed for quite some time, but I noticed employees in there over the weekend and their Yelp page is advertising a grand opening on April 28th, 2011 from 4-6PM. You can find the restaurant at 132 E. San Fernando Street right next to Whipps.

The Kebab Shack Replaces Chill Factor

The bad news is Chill Factor Frozen Yogurt Lounge at 312 S. 3rd is no more. This brings us down to ONLY FIVE yogurt shops in Downtown San Jose.

The good news is it was replaced by a solid Mediterranean place called The Kebab Shack. I tried their chicken kebabs and recently, and they were extremely tender and flavorful. It does take about 15min to get your order because everything is made fresh to order, but it's worth the wait. The best part? Open until 3am on the weekends.

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.

Psycho Donuts is Coming to Downtown San Jose!

Comedy Sports and Psycho Donuts are teaming up to give everyone a worthwhile premiere of downtown's first true donut shop tomorrow at Camera3.  If you haven't heard of Psycho Donuts before, then you will definitely have to click on this link to see the abominations they've created =).

Join us in celebrating the opening of a SECOND location for Psycho Donuts...at ComedySportz in Downtown San Jose! The wildly popular and crazy trademark donut creations will now be a part of the Downtown experience as they join up with ComedySportz, the live improv comedy show, to transform the inside of Camera 3 and make for a truly interactive experience for donut lovers and comedy goers alike. There is no other spot like it in downtown! When: Thursday, September 16, 2010 Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where: 288 S.2nd street in Downtown San Jose The event is FREE to all, so you can: • MUNCH on donut samples • WATCH some comedy from the crew at ComedySportz at any of the special mini-shows   presented in the ComedySportz theater • EXPLORE the newly transformed space • SEE/purchase the crazy art from local artists such as Christine Benjamin, Simon Salas,    Murphy Adams and many more • TAKE PHOTOS in the Padded Pfoto Cell- New and improved! • PURCHASE the beloved donuts or coffee and smoothie concoctions from the Full Service   coffee bar • MEET the Nurses from Psycho Donuts and Comedians from ComedySportz • ENJOY hanging out at the indoor Donut Asylum or on the outdoor Psycho Patio   Invite your friends and family and we'll see you then! *RSVP here for your attendance and to take part in our Facebook Fan-exclusive giveaway"

Sante Grill Coming to Santa Clara St.

It looks like Downtown San Jose's newest restaurant might be Sante Grill on Santa Clara Street. The crappy cell phone photo below is pretty much all the information I have. I can't find anything on Google about this place. If you know anything about Sante Grill, please post in the comments. Thanks!