Eataly coming to San Jose

With two very successful food halls in Downtown San Jose and Santana Row across the street, Valley Fair might be feeling a bit left out when it comes to the South Bay food scene. Fortunately, their big expansion that starts rolling out in March has a major focus on cuisine. Several flagship restaurants have been announced, but the biggest addition will be an Italian Marketplace called Eataly.

The market clocks in at an impressive 51,000 SQFT. Eataly is large enough to house multiple restaurants, cafes, food stalls, bars, and take-out counters. If you're a foodie that likes Italian food, this may be your new favorite location in the mall. It will also be the only Eataly location in Northern California.

Eataly San Jose will open sometime in 2021.

Source: SVBJ

Santana Row future plans

A new Silicon Valley Business Journal interview with a Federal Realty executive reveals ambitious plans for new eateries and development at the Row. Over the next few years, 13 new restaurants are planned! In 2020, we'll see Momosan Ramen & Sake and a new Hot Yoga studio.

Some of the current retail spaces will be converted for other uses. For example, the two-story Urban Outfitters will be broken up into smaller spaces for new retail and restaurants.

Federal Realty also plans to break ground on a five-story building this year with 258 residential units at 358 Hatton Street. Across the street, they are gearing up for Two Santana West, an office building with 375,000 SQFT of office space.

It sounds like Federal Realty still has their foot on the gas even though the original development plan has been completed. The area is going to look quite different with these changes and the Valley Fair Expansion having their grand opening this year.

Source: SVBJ

Orchestria Palm Court

Jordan from Searchlight San Jose has written about one of my favorite hidden gems in Downtown San Jose -- Orchestria Palm Court. This is undoubtedly one of the most unique restaurants in the Bay Area and is well worth a visit. It's part museum, part entertainment, part time-capsule (all the way down to the restrooms), and in-and-of-itself a solid restaurant. They even have a soda jerk bar!

Click here to read the post.

Scott's Seafood launches a hip new lunch menu

Scott's Seafood has been a consistent staple in San Jose's fine dining scene for years. Now, they are working on a revitalization to take the restaurant to the next level. A few years ago they built the most impressive publicly accessible outdoor patio Downtown, which is perched 6 stories high with a view of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. A few months ago they brought in a rockstar chef, Khaled Ghazal, who is bringing a modern take on classic dishes.

John Huân Vũ, Andrew Rivlin, Noe Sacoco, and I were invited to try the new lunch menu at Scott's Seafood. Collectively, we were blown away. I have been to Scott's many times, and this was by far my best experience.

Before we got into lunch, we were lucky to sample two items from the catering menu. An ahi poke in a soy sauce infused waffle cone and bruschetta in a basil infused waffle. Both were delicious with outstanding presentation. These are several of the many options available for private events.

The first lunch dishes we sampled were three salads: the seared scallop salad with organic mix greens, rainbow quinoa salad, and red & golden beets salad with grilled peaches. Each of us had a favorite. I have always loved the way Scott's Seafood does scallops, so that one was my personal fave. The pomegranate molasses vinaigrette on the red & golden beets salad impressed everyone at the table.

Round two featured a Burrata with arugula and cherry tomatoes that was the best I have ever had in the South Bay. John said he only had better in Italy. If you like cheese even a little bit, this is a must-order dish.

We also tried a tuna poke with seaweed, cucumber, and wontons that was a more elaborate version of tuna cone we had earlier. However, the real star of this round was the squid ink croquette with calamari. The squid ink added a complex and briny flavor that went flawlessly with the croquette and added a dramatic color to the dish. It sounds a bit exotic but this is an appetizer that is likely to please anyone who likes calamari or crunchy fried foods (nearly everyone). The croquette was one of the more creative plates and was John's favorite dish.

Last but definitely not least, we got to try four signature lunch entrees. The Scott's Kobe Burger has to be a contender for the best burger Downtown. It features Snake River Ranch kobe beef, onion jam, duck bacon (!), arugula, pepper jack, and a truffle aioli. It's about as decadent as a burger can get, especially with the duck bacon and truffle aioli.

The lobster rigatoni was a combination of fresh rigatoni pasta, cherry tomatoes, Gruyere cheese, tarragon, bisque sauce and generous pieces of lobster. The halibut bouillabaisse lemon risotto was a more modern take on a Scott's classic with beautiful presentation.

Finally, our favorite was the lobster roll. It's pretty hard to find a great lobster roll in San Jose, this is it. The crispy and buttery bread with well-seasoned chunks of lobster smothered in shellfish bisque sauce--flawless. Beats Sam's Chowder House any day of the week.

If you have never been to Scott's or haven't been there in a while, we highly recommend trying the new items on the menu. Don't forget to check out the amazing patio while you're there.

Big thanks to John Huân Vũ for taking all of the photos.

For more info, menus, and reservations, head to the Scott's Seafood website over here.

Scott's Seafood

185 Park Ave

San Jose, CA 95113

www.scottsseafoodsj.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScottsSeafoodSJ 

Dunkin' Donuts comes to San Jose

The famous east-coast doughnut chain has finally made its way to San Jose. A former Arby's at 5519 Snell Ave has become the first Dunkin' Donuts in Silicon Valley. I'm sure transplants will appreciate the location, and they might nab a few new converts as well (sorry, my personal favorite is still Psycho Donuts).

This is the first of several new locations. Next up will be a second San Jose shop on Winchester Boulevard towards the end of the year or early 2019. Franchise owners are also scouting Milpitas, Sunnyvale, and other Silicon Valley cities for further expansion.

The San Jose Dunkin' Donuts is now open everyday from 5am to 10pm.

Source: SVBJ

Spencer's Steak & Chops

I was lucky enough to get an invite to sample the Winter menu at Spencer's. I had been there a few years before when it was primarily a steakhouse, but it is obvious that the restaurant has dramatically changed since then. Chef William Hughins has transformed the menu to into something far more eclectic and contemporary. The steaks are still there (and they were delicious), but my favorite dishes were actually the courses that came before them. Below is a tour of my meal:

Freshly baked sourdough bread with black salt (not pepper). It was extremely difficult not to fill up on this before the meal started. 

Butternut squash soup with a roasted marshmallow, topped with chives. This one blew my mind. On the official menu the soup comes with creme fraiche instead of the marshmallow, which is too bad since this variant seems far more tasty and creative.

Braised bacon with local figs (middle part), and caramelized organic honey (top). I love bacon as well as combining savory and sweet flavors. The blend of the extremely thick cut bacon with the sweetness of the figs and honey made this my favorite dish. If you try this (and you should), slice from the very top to the bottom to make sure you get all three flavors in every bite.

Ahi poke. Sushi grade ahi, avocado, sesame, nori, and wonton. Here the secret is slightly burning the nori, which gives it a different flavor. This was very tasty and something I definitely was not expecting at a place known for their steaks.

Pan-seared Hokkaido sea scallops, filberts (no need to google that, they are hazelnuts), on top of orzo. The scallop was perfectly cooked and this would be a perfect light dinner for a pescatarian.

Kobe Ribeye, Spencer cut, and Tomahawk cut with potatoes and mushrooms. This was the most insane meat plate I have ever had. There was also a side of Ostrich steak (tastes like red meat but is very low in calories/fat). Even I couldn't finish the plate, but it made for a very luxurious lunch the next day.

Chocolate five different ways. If you haven't guessed it by now, Spencer's has gone a bit more upscale and they are raising the level of creativity in the menu. It really felt like dining at many of the Michelin star restaurants that I have been to. The dessert was a perfect cap to an outstanding meal.

I should also mention that they have a very nice setup for private events such as corporate parties and a cool bar area serving craft cocktails.

Spencer's is located at 2050 Gateway Pl, San Jose (inside of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose). For the full menu or reservations, visit the website over here.

Brand new Bay 101 Casino is now open for business

M8trix finally has some decent competition with the first phase of Bay 101's complex officially open. Of course, the casinos really don't see one another as competition--but as a part of complementary offerings that draw gamblers and entertainment-seekers to the area. Bay 101 even strategically located themselves on North First Street just blocks away from M8trix.

The new Bay 101 looks really sleek and is filled with modern touches like dynamic lighting, open spaces, and abstract art. The building spans 68,000 SQFT and has 49 gaming tables. Bay 101 also features a flagship Asian fusion restaurant called The Province, which is owned by the same people as Sino, Straits, and Roots & Rye at Santana Row. The restaurant will be higher-end than anything at M8trix (or the immediate area for that matter) and bring with it some nightlife and one of the most impressive outdoor patios in San Jose.

Future phases of the Bay 101 project include two hotels and a 237,000 SQFT tech campus. The first hotel is an Embassy Suites with 174 rooms in a seven-story building. For the development enthusiasts out there, yes that is a huge missed opportunity for one of the few parcels in San Jose where a 35-story building is not only economically viable but allowed by airport regulations. Perhaps they will think bigger for the second hotel. One thing is for sure, Bay 101 is going to help make North San Jose a lot more interesting.

Source: The Merc, hat tip to Arnold Kwok for sending this in!

First Earl of Sandwich in Northern California coming to Downtown San Jose

One of the hottest sandwich shops in Southern California and Florida has made its way to San Jose. The Earl of Sandwich sign is already hanging at the ground floor of One South Market (the shiny blue tower). The new restaurant will be located next to Proper Cup, a great coffee shop well worth checking out as well.

The sandwich was apparently invented in 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich (now you know how the sandwich got its name). It turns out that this chain was founded in 2004 by two direct descendants of that inventor: Lord John Montagu, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, and his son. Now that heritage is coming to San Jose.

We could use more of these unique sandwich shops Downtown like Freshly Baked Eatery, Ike's, and now Earl of Sandwich instead of more Subways. Personally, I'm eyeing that Holiday Turkey sandwich down below.

There is no official ETA on the grand opening yet, but the sign is a good indicator that it won't be long.

Source: The Merc (hat tip to the anonymous commentor)

San Jose's ADEGA is one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants

As a San Josean of Portuguese descent, ADEGA is a very special restaurant for me. Not only is it the very first restaurant in San Jose to earn a Michelin Star, but it is one of only two Portuguese restaurants in the United States to earn that honor. ADEGA has just won a second major award, a spot on Wine Enthusiast Magazine's prestigious "America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2017."

One of ADEGA's owners is actually a wine importer, and he has amassed the largest collection of Portuguese wines outside of Portugal. This includes a large selection of ''green wines" which come from one of two varietals that only grow in Portugal.

The list was announced earlier this month and includes restaurants that the editors feel reflect the "best, brightest and most progressive wine and food experiences available today." The issue will hit newsstands in July and you can read the initial announcement over here.

Cupertino Welcomes Coconut’s Fish Café with Aloha

As soon as you walk into Coconut’s Fish Café, you are immediately transported to the Hawaiian Islands. From the Hawaiian music playing in the background, the staff’s welcoming hospitality, to the “ono” (delicious) dishes, Coconut’s in Cupertino is definitely a must-see!

Coconut’s is a fast casual restaurant where patrons order at the counter. From a menu perspective, think of it as a much healthier version of L&L’s. With great Pu-Pus (appetizers), healthy salads, gluten-free options, delicious entree selections to a keiki (kids) menu, Coconut’s has a variety of food choices for everyone.

The restaurant is renown for its fish tacos and it surely didn’t disappoint. The fresh mango salsa paired with Coconut’s famous coleslaw married perfectly #bomb.

The Fish and Chips were so scrumptious and one of my faves. I loved how the chips weren’t a thicker cut so it’s definitely a great platter for sharing #hellagood.

If I can live on just eating two things in this world, it would have to be calamari and shrimp. So, I was definitely excited that we ordered both of these Pu-Pus. It’s worth noting that the calamari is sliced calamari steak (the best cut)  #obsessed.

Other tasty recommendations include:

• Seared Ahi – sesame-crusted, blackened Ahi served with wasabi and soy sauce
• Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi-Mahi – served with homemade mango coconut sauce, brown rice and coleslaw
• Poke Bowl – choice of traditional, spicy or teriyaki. Served with coleslaw, brown rice, ginger, wasabi and radish sprouts

As a Hawaiian born, Coconut’s Fish Café definitely has my approval. Sorry L&L’s, but Coconut’s is my new love J

Mahalo to Chad, Erica and Reina for the excellent customer service! Shout out to Sarah Santos for the great photos #Mahalo

Coconut's Fish Café is located at 20010 Stevens Creek Blvd in Cupertino and is open every day from 11am to 9pm.

-Noe Sacoco Jr.

Forager Tasting Room & Eatery opens phase 1

Forager is sounding more and more interesting every few months. The former South First Billiards space has recently been used as a space for musicians and artists, but is transforming into an incubator kitchen and brewery. Think of it as the ultimate pop-up destination.

Multiple kitchens will power seven micro-restaurants, two flagship anchors, and several temporary eateries that will be rotated on an annual basis. Forager will get a cut of equity in exchange for providing the space at a discounted rate. Think of this as an incubator such as Y-Combinator or 500 Startups, except specifically for restaurants. It's a fantastic idea and we should all support the concept as much as possible!

Devout Coffee is already open and providing local craft beer, small plates, and obviously coffee. They are now open seven days a week from 7am-11pm. For mroe info head over to the Forager website.

Food and arts incubator launches in SoFA District

SAN JOSE, Calif. – On March 3, San José’s arts district on South First Street (SoFA) will welcome an innovative blend of coffee, beer, food, and arts as Forager Tasting Room & Eatery formally launches its first phase.

Forager is a launching pad for entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, and arts industry. During the build-out since fall 2016, Forager has been activating its space for musicians and artists. Forager has since partnered with the founders of Devout Coffee and is now serving local beer, coffee and small plates, with a growing menu. The space is also used as a venue for both private and public events. The next phase will see the opening of incubator kitchen and brewing facilities to help chefs and brewers bring their creations to the public in a “permanent pop-up” environment.

Each kitchen in the space will be operated by independent chefs chosen through a rigorous selection process. Seven individual micro-restaurants include two flagship anchors with others rotating out every 12-18 mos. In exchange for partial equity, Forager provides kitchen space at a discounted monthly rate while also serving as an advisory board and helping raise the capital needed for a chef to open his or her own self-sustainable brick and mortar restaurant. The beer program includes a small 2-barrel brewing setup and is designed for seasoned homebrewers planning to begin a professional career.

Partners:
Heinz Jones, CEO Forager: culture, people management, customer experience
Bryan Chen, CFO Forager: financials, business development
Jon Fisher, Co-Founder Devout: coffee program, business operations
Stevie Pape, Co-Founder Devout: coffee roasting, spatial design, marketing

About the San José Office of Economic Development
The San José Office of Economic Development is committed to a vital, competitive San José economy that increases prosperity for people and companies. OED guides the city’s economic strategy, provides assistance for business success, connects employers with trained workers, and provides art and cultural resources to our community. For more information, go to sjeconomy.com.

San Jose Launches Restaurant Week: January 16-26

San Jose is participating in a statewide Restaurant Week that also includes various other cities in the Bay Area (SF, Berkeley, Oakland, etc.). The event features fixed-price dinners and other specials at participating eateries. The event launches next Monday and runs for a week and a half.

Below is a list of 25 San Jose restaurants that will be part of the event this year, an all-time high. All of the restaurants happen to be Downtown, which is very convenient if you want to go all out and do a food crawl.

• 55 South
• The Blue Chip - $10 cheesteak, chips, and soda combo
• Cafe Stritch
• Cafe Too!
• Curry Pundits
• Deluxe - 20% of all food items from Sunday to Thursday
• Fountain - $40 three-course prix fixe lunch
• The Farmers Union - $30 three-course prix fixe dinner
• The Grill on the Alley - $45 prix fixe lunch, $70 prix fixe steak dinner
• Habana Cuba - $35 tasting menu 
• Hawaiian Poke Bowl - $30 dinner for two
• Il Fornaio - $40 three-course prix fixe dinner
• La Lune Sucree
• La Pastaia
• Loft Bar and Bistro - $30 three-course prix fixe dinner
• Mezcal Restaurant - 15% off entire bill
• Mosaic
• Nomikai - 20% off pizzas (mention DTSJ Restaurant Week)
• Olla Cocina - $30 three-course dinner, Tequila or Mezcal pairing for $20
• Our House - $45 three-course prix fixe dinner
• Pizza Bocca Lupo - 20% off when you mention Restaurant Week
• Rookie's Sports Lodge
• Scott's Seafood - $40 three-course prix fixe dinner
• Takai - $23 two-course prix fixe menu
• Treatbot - one free topping or waffle cone with purchase

For more info, head over here. Press release below.

SAN JOSE LAUNCHES RESTAURANT WEEK PROMOTION JANUARY 16-26, 2017
Program Part of Statewide California Restaurant Month Promoting California’s Culinary Experiences

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2017) – More than 25 San Jose restaurants will celebrate San Jose Restaurant Week from Jan. 16 – 26, announced Karolyn Kirchgesler, Team San Jose CEO.

“San Jose’s Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for visitors to sample the 250 dining and night life options in San Jose,” Kirchgesler noted. “This years participating restaurants are an excellent representation of San Jose’s diverse culture and innovative approach to food.”

San Jose’s Restaurant Week is a mixture of Silicon Valley meets Valley of the Heart’s delight. Visitors will experience special deals and foods including: discounts, pre-fixed menus, chef’s tables, wine pairings and more. For more information and the complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.sjdowntown.com/dtsjrestaurantweek and follow Visit San Jose on social media.

San Jose Restaurant Week is part of California Restaurant Month, designated by Visit California. During its past 6 iterations, more than 50 destination partners have participated and contributed to its success. From the southernmost coastal beach towns to the High Sierras up north, dozens of destinations are hosting restaurant weeks and special events, shining a light on the many talented people and places in each region.

“This year, we’re broadening the program to promote all things culinary across the Golden State, from farmers’ markets and chef tastings to progressive dinners and winemaker specials. Our restaurants are the gateway to California’s abundance of culinary experiences -- now it’s time to peel back the layers to let our visitors experience the talent behind the scenes, from farmers and producers to chefs and winemakers,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California President & CEO.

In 2015, travelers in California spent $32.3 billion on food and beverages, consisting of 29 percent of all visitor spending (Source: Dean Runyan Associates), Beteta said. Nearly 38 million domestic visitors participated in fine dining throughout the state. For more information about California Restaurant Month, visit www.DineinCa.com.

About Team San Jose
Team San Jose (TSJ) is an innovative partnership unifying the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, hotels, arts, labor and venues to deliver an exceptional visitor experience. TSJ manages the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, California Theatre, Center for the Performing Arts, City National Civic, Montgomery Theater, Parkside Hall and South Hall. For more information, visit www.sanjose.org.

About Visit California
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures totaled $117.5 billion in 2014 in California, supporting jobs for 1,013,000 Californians and generating $9.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.
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Sushirrito coming to Valley Fair

The original "sushi burrito" restaurant is opening their 7th location in San Jose, specifically the Valley Fair food court. They currently have four locations in San Francisco, one in Palo Alto, and one in Manhattan. The highly-rated fusion eatery should be open very soon, but I don't have an exact date. For more info, follow the Sushirrito Facebook page over here.

Thanks to Arnold Kwok for sending this in!

Deli Delicious now open in Evergreen

The best sandwich chain in the Fresno area now has its first Bay Area outpost. Deli Delicious opened less than a month ago on a quiet strip mall in Evergreen, just a few blocks away from the house I grew up in. Over the years, the generic eateries in the area have been giving way to more unique and higher-quality offerings that San Joseans thankfully have come to appreciate and expect. I can't imagine many people in the area choosing to go to Subway after trying out Deli Delicious.

I sampled (devoured) three different sandwiches and they were all excellent. The #44 Chipotle Chicken was my favorite, followed by the #42 Philly Cheese Steak, and #37 Hot Pastrami & Provolone. The meat is marinated and cooked in house, never frozen or microwaved like other chains. The breads are freshly baked. Oh, and instead of just having boring potato chips they have beer-battered fries, sweet potato fries, and curly fries for the sides. There are some healthy options like salads as well, but where is the fun in that?

Word is getting out, I highly recommend checking them out. It is definitely one of the better Sandwich places in Evergreen and if it's successful we'll likely see more of them (hopefully one in North San Jose or Downtown).

Deli Delicious is located at 2762 Aborn Road and is open Monday through Sunday from 10am to 9pm.

Santana Row adding several new new retail and food options

You are going to see some new faces at Santana Row this year. Two stores have recently opened: Kendra Scott (1,470 SQF) which sells accessories and Makers Market (675 SQFT) selling handmade-in-America gifts. Below is a list of what else is coming in 2016.

Retail

• SuitSupply (4,425 SQFT) - trendy men's clothier
• Marine Layer (749 SQFT) - boutique clothing brand
• Aesop (1,081 SQFT) - Australian skincare company

Food

• Smitten Ice Cream (kiosk at Park Valencia) 
• Poke Bar (kiosk at Park Valencia)
• Tacolicious (2,191 SQFT)

Office

• Splunk (234,000 SQFT) - Okay, so this isn't somewhere you can shop at. However, having a thousand extra workers at Santana Row will help liven things up during the workweek. 

Source: SVBJ