Mendocino Farms is coming to Santana Row

A super hot LA sandwich chain is opening one of their first Northern Californian locations at Santana Row. Mendocino Farms has 4.5 stars on Yelp with hundreds of reviews for almost every single one of their locations. They are a premium fast-casual restaurant with food sourced from local farms. They also serve wine and craft beers.

The 2,822 SQFT Santana Row location will be located between CineArts and the Splunk office building next to it. It will also feature a large outdoor patio and kid's corner. Mendochino Farms is scheduled to open this Fall, and I can't wait to try it out.

SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 09, 2017

Opening in fall 2017, the Los Angeles-based artisanal sandwich and salad shop committed to sourcing seasonal ingredients from local California farmers is slated to open a 2,822 sf restaurant at Santana Row, nestled between CineArts Theatre and Santana Row’s newest office tenant, Splunk.

The Santana Row "Mendo," as fans affectionately call it, is designed by local architecture firm KDA and will have a modern, wine country-inspired vibe. The premium fast-casual restaurant will feature the "kid-friendliest" kids' corner and offer a full lineup of wines and craft beers on tap. It will also feature a spacious outdoor patio, an ideal sunny spot to catch up with friends and co-workers while indulging in truly irresistible sandwiches, salads and soups from the chef-driven menu.

Mendocino Farms, founded in 2005 by husband and wife team Mario Del Pero & Ellen Chen, is redefining the neighborhood sandwich shop by elevating it to a fine dining experience with premium, locally sourced ingredients. Keeping true to its mission, Mendocino Farms’ food will be sourced from farms and artisans local to Northern California. Rather than just selling sandwiches, Mendocino Farms "sells happy," creating true neighborhood gathering places for locals to come together over compelling and thoughtful food that supports the local food economy. Mendocino Farms Santana Row will be a space filled with health and warmth for adults and kids alike, a perfect addition to this popular community destination.

About Santana Row 
Offering 1.7 million square feet of retail, office, hotel and residential, Santana Row is located in San Jose, California; the hub for high-tech innovation and development. Featuring 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos, 376,000 square feet of office space, over 50 shops, 30 restaurants, a boutique hotel and a movie theatre. Santana Row is a property of http://www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit http://www.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty 
Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Our expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty's 98 properties include over 2,800 tenants, in approximately 23 million square feet, and over 1,800 residential units.

Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 49 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit http://www.FederalRealty.com.

First Amazon Books in Northern California is coming to San Jose

In the ultimate irony, Amazon is now opening up physical bookstores. Yes, the same Amazon that took down pretty much all brick-and-mortar bookstores in the US.

The first Amazon Books anywhere in Northern California is coming to Santana Row, one block away from where a two-story flagship Borders once existed. The Amazon store will be about 5,500 SQFT and prices will be exactly the same as the website if you are a Prime member. Amazon is even planning to somehow incorporate user reviews in the physical store.

Amazon Books will be located at 333 Santana Row, Suite 2. It will also be joined by a second Silicon Valley Northern Californian location in Walnut Creek later this year.

Source: SVBJ, hat tip to Corin for sending this in!

Update: As pointed out in the comments, Walnut Creek is not in Silicon Valley

First Friday @ SPACES by Santana Row

You now have two First Friday events to chooser from in San Jose! SPACES, a new coworking space in Santana Row, is hosting a monthly event with art, cocktails, and networking. Their first event happens today from 5pm-8pm. SPACES is located at 3031 Tische Way.

San Jose 408K "Race to the Row" takes place this weekend

If you are still burning off some of those holiday calories like I am, one of San Jose's most popular 8k runs takes place this weekend. Now in its 6th year, "Race to the Row" begins in Downtown San Jose at the SAP Center and finishes at Santana Row. Along the way there are special areas highlighting various foundations and San Jose culture, including the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, the Mariachi Mile, a Low-Rider car show, and San Jose's finest. Proceeds from the race benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

For more details and to register, head over to the San Jose 408k webpage.

THE SAN JOSE 408K CELEBRATES SIX YEARS OF LOCAL CULTURE
PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION, MARIACHI MILE, & JOE BELL MEMORIAL RETURN

San Jose, Calif. -- 3/1/17 – The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” Benefitting the Pat Tillman Foundation celebrates its 6th annual running this Sunday, March 5th.  From start to finish, the 8k run/walk in the 408 area codes has quickly become one of the most authentically local running events.

“Six years ago our wildest dream was to create race a big race that highlighted the culture and lifestyle in San Jose, while also benefiting a community connected cause. Over half a decade later, not only are we doing that in San Jose, but through out the San Francisco Bay Area,” said J.T. Service, San Jose 408k and Represent Running founder.

That guiding mission came from early race staples such as the Mariachi Mile, and using low-rider cars for lead vehicles on course, to the single most memorable moment in the race’s history – WWII Army vet Joe Bell cheering on the runners as they passed by his house which turned into a national story.

Mr. Bell’s passing prior to the 2015 event prompted the event to enact the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, a section of the course dedicated to honoring United States service members and now expanded to include all first responders.

The Memorial Mile will be located during the 4th mile of the 8k run. It will begin at Garden and Emory St. near the San Jose Rose Garden and continue down Emory to Bascom Ave. Residents of the neighborhood within Memorial Mile will be provided with American flags to place along the course. Veterans and active military groups or individuals interested in participating are encouraged to contact race organizers at info@representrunning.com

Another inspiring story includes two San Jose 408k runners will also honor the memories of SGT Scott Lunger (Hayward Police Department) and Officer Jeffery Fontana (San Jose Police Department) by carrying and crossing the finish line with American flags courtesy of the Flags 4 Fallen Foundation.

All participants receive a low-rider themed finishers medal, exclusive Cukui designed participant shirt, Santana Row after party and an outpouring of love from the people of San Jose.  All local companies are encouraged to participant in the Amazon Healthy Co. Challenge.

To register or to receive more information on the Memorial Mile and San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” please visit www.run408k.com.


About the San Jose 408k Race to the Row
The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” is an 8k run from SAP Center in San Jose to Santana Row. The 6th Annual event expects over 6,000 local runners, celebrates the Pat Tillman Foundation as its Official Charity, and calls San Jose home. On the course runners enjoy a low-rider car show, Joe Bell Memorial Mile, and final Mariachi Mile with live Mariachi bands. The 408k is part of a Bay Area wide series called the Run the Bay Challenge including the Across the Bay 12k and the East Bay 5k & 510k.  More info at www.run408k.com and www.representrunning.com

About the Pat Tillman Foundation 
In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships–building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit www.PatTillmanFoundation.org.

###

New co-working space opening at Santana Row

Co-working continues to increase in popularity in Silicon Valley, especially with entrepreneurs, start-ups, and remote employees for large organizations. Not only does it reduce overall costs by sharing resources between multiple companies, but it creates a culture and atmosphere that you won't find sitting in a home office with dogs barking or a baby crying in the background. Downtown San Jose has several coworking spaces such as NextSpace and WeWork. Finally our other urban center--Santana Row--has one as well, and it looks quite nice.

Spaces Santana Row will launch on February 20, 2017 at 3031 Tisch Way, and offers inspiring collaborative workspace for San Jose entrepreneurs and innovators. Founded in Amsterdam on the idea that “success breeds more success,” Spaces Santana Row is Spaces’ latest location in North America and the second location in Silicon Valley, joining sister property Spaces Menlo Park which opened in summer 2016.

Spaces Santana Row offers the following amenities:

• 5,300 SQFT business club 
• Co-working memberships starting at $330 per month
• 100 private offices available for rent starting at $819 per month
• 3 meeting rooms available to members and community residents
• Concierge-level hospitality services
• On-demand services including dry cleaning, IT support, floral, etc.
• Learning and social events hosted by local businesses and influencers

Of course, tenants also happen to be at the tail end of Santana Row. That might be the biggest amenity of all, walking access to two dozen restaurants, bars, retail, movies, and entertainment. 

For more information, head over here.

Santana Row 'Capstone' building is officially under construction

Development in the Santana Row neighborhood will likely never be fully complete, but the last major project with an official Santana Row street address is now underway. '700 Santana Row' will provide a bookend to what is one of the most successful mixed-use developments in the world.

The 284,000 SQFT premium office building will be located at the very end of the row next to the CineArts movie theater. The offices feature 13-foot ceilings, expansive floor plans, and a 15,000 SQFT garden terrace on the roof. The ground floor will have a signature plaza that will be open to all.

Parking will be available in a new parking structure that will also be open to the public during evenings and weekends. Thankfully, Santana Row will be offering shuttle service to Diridon Station as an alternate transportation option. The total cost of the project is expected to be between $205-215 million and completion should wrap up by Q3 2018 according to the SVBJ.

The full press release is below. Thanks to Ron Heckmann for sending this in.

Federal Realty Starts Construction on 700 Santana Row, Headquarters-Quality, Large-Floorplate Office Building Anchoring Iconic Santana Row

284,000 square-foot Class-A Office Building in Silicon Valley’s premier urban neighborhood
designed to attract burgeoning Silicon Valley firms

San Jose, CA (Dec. 1, 2016) -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT) started construction today on 700 Santana Row, a 284,000 square-foot office building set on a signature plaza with a sweeping design that anchors the end of Santana Row, Silicon Valley’s iconic mixed-use neighborhood. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo joined Federal Realty executives and other local officials to commemorate the ground breaking.

The state-of-the-art, eight-story structure at Santana Row at Olsen Drive features 30,000 and 48,000 square-foot floorplates, modern architecture and headquarters-quality office space with concrete construction, which gives the building distinctive design qualities compared to traditional Silicon Valley office buildings. 700 Santana Row follows the highly successful 500 Santana Row, a six-story office building on an adjacent site fully-leased to Splunk Inc. in 2015 with occupancy slated to begin next month. The project cost is estimated at $205-$215 million.

"700 Santana Row is a ‘capstone’ building that takes full advantage of being the visual book-end to Santana Row, which has become one of the most popular live-work-dine-shop environments in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. No other office building will have this unique, commanding location,” said Jan Sweetnam, Federal Realty’s Western Region Chief Operating Officer.  “We’ve designed the building with a concrete structure and loft-like feel more often found in San Francisco’s SOMA district and other urban centers. 700 Santana Row will feature expansive natural light with tall, market-leading 13-foot ceilings and open floor plans, which in turn will provide companies with high-productivity, collaborative workspaces for their employees.”

Ready for tenant build-out in the third quarter of 2018, 700 Santana Row will also feature a three-per-thousand dedicated parking ratio and a 15,000 square-foot roof-top terrace and garden with majestic views of Santana Row, the San Jose skyline and distant foothills.  Shuttle service will take Santana Row office tenants to nearby Diridon Station for Caltrain and VTA light rail service.

“And unlike the congested 101 corridor,” Sweetnam added, “Santana Row is located directly off of Interstate 280 in close proximity to residential neighborhoods and office parks in San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and throughout Silicon Valley.”

“The on-site amenities and walkable environment that Santana Row offers has become a recruiting and retention tool for Splunk, Experian, Si-Bone and the other companies located here,” said Jeff Berkes, President-West Coast for Federal Realty Investment Trust.

Newmark Cornish & Carey is the leasing agent for the project.  700 Santana Row has been designed by WRNS Studio of San Francisco, and Devcon Construction is the general contractor.

Santana Row’s world-class amenities include 50 shops, 30 restaurants, a 215-room boutique hotel offering extensive full service conference facilities, two parks and multiple plazas with outdoor seating and free wifi, 615 rental homes and 219 privately owned condominiums.

For more information on leasing at 700 Santana Row, contact Randy Gabrielson, Todd Shaffer, or Tracey Solari of Newmark Cornish & Carey at 408.727.9600.  Or visit http://theofficesatsr.com/building/700-offices/


About Federal Realty

Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Our expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty's 96 properties include over 2,800 tenants, in approximately 22 million square feet, and over 1,800 residential units.

Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 49 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.FederalRealty.com.

Dandelion Chocolate pop-up shop at Santana Row from Nov9-Dec24

Dandelion Chocolate is a popular Bay Area artisan chocolatier that makes all of their chocolate in house (you can even tour their factory in SF). They are bringing a pop-up store to San Jose featuring their signature hot and cold chocolate drinks, Four Barrel coffee and espresso, and of course chocolate bars and gift boxes.

Fun fact--the very first batches of Dandelion Chocolate were made at Santana Row in a loft above Pizza Antica in 2010.

You can check them out starting November 9th next to Z Gallerie. The shop will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 9pm.

For more details, head over to the Dandelion Chocolate website.

Aesop opens first Silicon Valley location at Santana Row

Aesop is a high-end retailer with skin, hair, and body "formulations." They have just opened a signature store at Santana Row, which is the first and only Silicon Valley location. They have four stores in San Francisco and hundreds all over the world.

The store is open now and is located between Gucci and Tesla. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm.

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

Santana Row News and Events - May through July 2016

San Jose, CA - Silicon Valley’s favorite summer spot swings into the season with new experiences and annual events. In May, the weekly Saturday morning Yoga in the Park and the monthly Mommy & Me and Daddies, too begins again. In June, Santana Row hosts the YWCA Silicon Valley Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an annual event that raises money for comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

lululemon athletica Presents Yoga in the Park, May 7, 14, 21 and 28
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica begins May 7 and is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too, season kick-off event
May 10, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club returns for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Special guest for the event is Clifford the Big Red Dog. Andy Z will perform. Families can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Cielo at Hotel Valencia Seasonal Grand Opening
Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Take in breathtaking sunset views overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains at Cielo, Hotel Valencia's 7th-floor rooftop bar as it celebrates the start of the warm-weather season!
Enjoy wine tastings, sangria, paella and an assortment of tapas while listening to live music. Admittance is $30 per person and reservations are required. Please call 408.423.5405. 
*Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Summer Hair & Fashion Show at Hotel Valencia
Friday, May 29, cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m., show begins at 6:30 p.m.
The best summer trends for hair and fashion will be showcased during an evening of cocktails, nibbles and stylish fun! It’s a benefit for Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children and young adults suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
The Hotel Valencia courtyard is the backdrop for the show and partners include Bellarmine Salon with fashions provided by Santana Row retailers.
Tickets are $30 and reservations are required. Please call 408.423.5405.
*Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

lululemon Presents Yoga in the Park, June 4, 11, 18 and 25
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. Guests can enter to win a $50 gift card to the store and one winner is selected every week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too Free Kids Club
Tuesday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club has returned for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Join us in June for the Pirates & Treasure event! Dress as a pirate and embark on a special treasure hunt through Santana Row. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more. Meet us in Santana Row Park to pick up your activity sheet!
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

YWCA Silicon Valley Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Wednesday June 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Entering it’s 14th year, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes may look like a stunt with men racing in heels, but it’s actually a statement about men's roles in ending violence against women and drawing attention to the issue that is connected to strict gender roles and expectations of men.
For the second time, the annual event will be held at Santana Row.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event attracts hundreds of spectators and prominent walkers including the mayor and community and business leaders. It’s become an international event that engages men in raising awareness and funds to stop sexual assault and domestic violence.
Funds raised from Walk a Mile in Her Shoes make it possible for YWCA Silicon Valley to provide critical response, intervention, and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
For more information and sponsorship/registration information, go to www.ywca-sv.org.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Big Changes Underway at Santana Row’s Park Valencia
An enhanced park and churned-to-order ice cream coming in July!
A transformed plaza is opening this summer with two new food merchants including Smitten Ice Cream, an artisanal ice cream shop. Smitten will offer its cult-favorite frozen treats from classic flavors like TCHO chocolate and Cookie Dough with Pretzels and Chocolate Chips to more innovative seasonal flavors like Strawberry White Balsamic and Nectarine Crisp, in addition to its selection of creative toppings and fun sundaes. 
The lively and family-friendly atmosphere of Park Valencia will be unveiled with plenty of outdoor seating, a dynamic fountain and an interactive playground with a tot-sized climbing structure, mounted in a brightly-colored "lizard-skin" turf. Four lifelike chameleon sculptures will look as if they’re lounging in the new "Chameleon Oasis," fountain. New café tables and seating areas will be added and the popular grass turf will be replaced.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too Free Kids Club
Tuesday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club has returned for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Enjoy special guests from classic fairy tales and a special story time. Meet us in Santana Row Park near Left Bank Brasserie!
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Santana Row Beer Walk
Wednesday, July 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Stroll The Row and sample 20-plus beers while enjoying the shopping and dining incentives offered during the fourth annual Beer Walk! Cool off with a walk around Santana Row while tasting brews from microbreweries. The beer stops will be stationed in restaurants and shops for easy sipping and strolling and shopping. Tickets are $30 and available online at www.SantanaRow.com.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.
  
Twitter and Instagram Promotion @SantanaRow invites tweets and IG tags
For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row
Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

Hello Kitty Cafe at Santana Row today

San Jose, CA -- The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is a mobile vehicle of cuteness that offers yummy treats and supercute goodies, each infused with unique Hello Kitty details for all to enjoy.

The mobile cafe will feature new goodies from its last visit to Northern California, including a box set of Hello Kitty macarons that features one surprise Sanrio character macaron, a delicious 3-piece Hello Kitty cookie set, an adorable Hello Kitty Cafe mug and a supercute pink Hello Kitty Cafe t-shirt. Additional yummy treats include a 4-pack of mini cakes & a pink bow-shaped water bottle.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is the first of its kind food service venture for Sanrio. Fans can follow the cafe truck on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter to stay updated about upcoming appearances and where to find these adorable Hello Kitty treats.

When:   Saturday, April 23     10am-8pm

Where:   Santana Row
                377 Santana Row,
                San Jose, CA 95128

Santana Row news and events - April through June 2016

San Jose, CA (March 24, 2016)  - We’ve been waiting for you, sunshine! While we’ve appreciated the rain, Santana Row is ready to step into warmer days with new events such as the YWCA-Silicon Valley’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and the seasonal return of favorites like Yoga in the Park and Mommy & Me and Daddy, Too, both starting in May.

Warby Parker goes Warby Barker for April Fools’ Day
Get a free portrait of your dog done by a professional illustrator
Friday, April 1, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join Warby Parker for this special and exclusive event, Warby Barker!
It’s become a tradition for the eyewear retailer: Several yearsa ago, it wanted to pull an April Fools' Day prank on its and created an entire website warbybarker.com to promote eyewear for dogs. It was so popular that the store started celebrating Warby Barker in its locations and this year, Santana Row is one of them.  Join in the fun and bring a furry friend who can strike a pose!
For more details, please call Warby Parker at Santana Row, 669.266.7063.

Light It Up Blue, benefit concert for the Pacific Autism Center for Education
Saturday, April 16, noon to 4 p.m.
The second annual Light It Up Blue music event happens at Santana Row Park.
Local bands will donate their time to help raise funds for PACE programs and services and the community can support PACE in several ways:

• Eat at participating restaurants
• Donate at the event or online
• Visit awareness booths
• Buy a raffle ticket

Performers include local youth musicians Monta Vista Jazz Band, Cymbalize,
The Drought and Monta Vista Tri-M
For more information, go to www.pacificautism.org.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

San Jose Dancin’ Downtown Festival, Santana Row Park
Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Santana Row and sjDANCEco has partnered again this year to bring together local as well as regional dance artists to celebrate National Dance Week. The free outdoor festival features the diversity of the area’s dance community.
Enjoy performances by sjDANCEco, Pointe of Departure (Karen Gabay), Los Lupenos de San Jose, Keesha & Johnny (Salsa), PERSpective Dance Company (Lindsey McLevis), The New Ballet School, Helen and JC (Salsa), The MoveMessenger(s) with Angela Dice Nguyen and Gabriel Mata/Movements.

lululemon Presents Yoga in the Park, May 7, 14, 21 and 28
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica begins May 7 and is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too, season kick-off event
May 10, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club returns for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Special guest for the event, to-be-announced. Families can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

lululemon Presents Yoga in the Park, June 4, 11, 18 and 25
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too Free Kids Club
Tuesday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club has returned for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Join us in June for the Pirates & Treasure event! Dress as a pirate and embark on a special treasure hunt through Santana Row. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more. Meet us in Santana Row Park to pick up your activity sheet!
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

YWCA Silicon Valley Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Wednesday June 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Entering it’s 14th year, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes may look like a stunt with men racing in heels, but it’s actually a statement about men's roles in ending violence against women and drawing attention to the issue that is connected to strict gender roles and expectations of men.
For the first time, the annual event will be held at Santana Row.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event attracts hundreds of spectators and prominent walkers including the mayor and community and business leaders. It’s become an international event that engages men in raising awareness and funds to stop sexual assault and domestic violence.
Funds raised from Walk a Mile in Her Shoes make it possible for YWCA Silicon Valley to provide critical response, intervention, and comprehensive support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
For more information and sponsorship/registration information, go to www.ywca-sv.org.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, June 25, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Big Changes Underway at Santana Row’s Park Valencia
An enhanced park and churned-to-order ice cream coming this summer!
A transformed plaza is opening this summer with two new food merchants including Smitten Ice Cream, an artisanal ice cream shop. Smitten will offer its cult-favorite frozen treats from classic flavors like TCHO chocolate and Cookie Dough with Pretzels and Chocolate Chips to more innovative seasonal flavors like Strawberry White Balsamic and Nectarine Crisp, in addition to its selection of creative toppings and fun sundaes.
The lively and family-friendly atmosphere of Park Valencia will be unveiled with plenty of outdoor seating, a dynamic fountain and an interactive playground with a tot-sized climbing structure, mounted in a brightly-colored "lizard-skin" turf. Four lifelike chameleon sculptures will look as if they’re lounging in the new "Chameleon Oasis," fountain. New café tables and seating areas will be added and the popular grass turf will be replaced.
 
Twitter and Instagram Promotion @SantanaRow invites tweets and IG tags
For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row
Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

Big changes coming to Santana Row's Park Valencia, including churned-to-order ice cream

Park Valencia is one of the most popular public spaces in Santana Row. Even though it is barely over a decade old and has already received multiple upgrades, it is currently undergoing a major renovation that will make a very nice plaza even nicer. Below you can see a drawing of what it will look like after the renovation.

The grass turf in the middle will be replaced, additional landscaping will be added, and new cafe tables and seating areas will be installed throughout the park. One of the biggest changes will be a new interactive playground for kids, complete with a miniature climbing structure, "lizard-skin" turf, and four new sculptures (one of which you can see below). The sculptures are designed for children to touch, sit on, and play with.

Two brand new kiosk buildings around 600 SQFT each will be added, allowing for even more food options in the area. One of those will be filled by Smitten Ice Cream, an artisinal churned-to-order ice cream shop using high-end ingredients from local farms. They use a proprietary machine that churns out ice cream within minutes after being ordered--you can't get ice cream any fresher than that. Only six other locations exist and they are all highly rated on Yelp. I can see long lines for this one, especially on warmer days.

The renovated Park Valencia will be ready in time for Summer. Smitten Ice Cream is expected to open late Summer.

San Jose, CA (March 16, 2016) – Over the last decade, Park Valencia has proven to be a popular, social gathering hub for the community.

“As Santana Row has evolved into a vibrant and bustling neighborhood, it’s time to refresh and enhance its appeal for our residents, employees, visitors, shoppers and retailers” said Collette Navarrette, Director of Marketing at Santana Row. “We have watched the evolution of Park Valencia over the last decade and in particular what our customers value when they visit this plaza. They want to have fun, eat and spend time with their friends and family. This is not just a makeover, we are reinventing Park Valencia to deliver a better place for our community to connect.”

The transformed plaza, opening this summer, will expand its lineup of places to dine with two new food merchants including Smitten Ice Cream, an artisanal ice cream shop expected to open in late summer. Smitten will offer its cult-favorite frozen treats from classic flavors like TCHO chocolate and Cookie Dough with Pretzels and Chocolate Chips to more innovative seasonal flavors like Strawberry White Balsamic and Nectarine Crisp, in addition to its selection of creative toppings and fun sundaes.  Smitten is known and loved in the Bay Area for its made-to-order scoops that use only the best ingredients from nearby farms and purveyors. The ice cream is made using Smitten’s patented machine, which churns the smoothest, purest and creamiest ice cream in minutes before your eyes.

The lively and family-friendly atmosphere of Park Valencia make the perfect new home for Smitten. The 600-square foot shop will be a walk up ice cream bar surrounded by plenty of outdoor seating, a dynamic fountain and a kid’s playground. In addition, Maggiano's Little Italy will unveil a new and expanded outdoor patio, bringing the energy from Park Valencia to patio diners.

Kids of all ages will love the interactive playground with a tot-sized climbing structure, mounted in a brightly-colored "lizard-skin" turf. Four lifelike chameleon sculptures will look as if they’re lounging in the new "Chameleon Oasis," fountain. The stunning pieces, made by renowned artist Ron Holthuysen of Scientific Arts Studio, are low to the ground and designed for children to play on and touch. The chameleons are modeled after four unique species found in different parts of the world and range in size from two feet in length to more than six-feet long. Holthuysen is best known for sculpting the catcher's mitt and Coca-Cola bottle at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. He also made the learning sculptures at the San Francisco Zoo and San Jose's Rotary PlayGarden. New café tables and seating areas will be added and the popular grass turf will be replaced.

From upscale dining at Maggiano’s Little Italy and Roots and Rye to gourmet cupcakes at Kara’s and made-to-order ice cream at Smitten, there's something for everyone in Park Valencia. Kids will love the dynamic play elements and fountain, and adults can unwind while enjoying live music on the entertainment stage. The new park will be bright and inviting, offering a dynamic and unique experience for the community to adore.

New 11-story hotel planned for "Uptown" San Jose

San Jose desperately needs more hotels, which increase our ability to host major events and bring more visitors into the area. Fortunately, a new hotel project has just been announced two blocks away from Santana Row and across the street from Valley Fair. The proposal is for 173 guest rooms in one 11-story building. The first floor would be the lobby and likely some retail or restaurant space, floors two through five would be parking, and floors 6 through 11 would have the rooms. One cool amenity is that there would be a restaurant and balcony on the 11th floor that overlooks the area.

While it would be nice if the building was taller and the parking was underground, you have to remember that this site currently has a gas station and we are well outside of Downtown. It sounds like a nice project for the area, especially since two possible brands are Hilton's Canopy and Choice Hotels' Cambria. Both are very contemporary high-end brands that feature nicely appointed rooms (think W Hotels). This has the potential of being really interesting inside.

Currently the project is in the city planning and approval process with a goal of starting construction in early 2017.

Source: SVBJ

Two new coworking spaces coming to San Jose

Not one, but two new coworking spaces are coming to San Jose! Coworking allows entrepreneurs and small companies to lease a small amount of space in a shared office space with access to resources needed to run a business. Some come with cool perks like free popcorn and happy hours. However, what is really important to us is that these coworking establishments bring entrepreneurial talent into the San Jose ecosystem, where companies will hopefully decide to stay as they grow.

Downtown San Jose currently has two coworking offices that I'm aware of, NextSpace and Pacific Workplaces. The two new ones coming in though are quite a bit larger and will add a combined 105,000 SQFT of coworking space into the mix.

WeWork is the market leader of the coworking world. They are worth over $15 billion and have dozens of offices around the world. They are grabbing 75,000 SQFT across four whole floors at 75 E. Santa Clara Street. This is the same complex where the San Jose Mercury News is located. The building also happens to be just a few blocks away from the new San Jose Patent Office, a very nice luxury few entrepreneurs across the US can claim. WeWork is also going to put a sign on top of the high-rise and paint one side to bring the building to life with cool imagery.

Regus is bringing 30,000 SQFT of co-working to Tisch Tower, a 12-story building behind Santana Row. This will be the first west coast launch of Regus' "Spaces" concept, which is targeted at creatives and startups. Once those startups grow up, there will be plenty of room available in the area since Santana Row is planning to add at least 500,000 SQFT of office space.

Creating more collaborative office spaces that attract entrepreneurs could only help both our economy and reputation as an innovation leader.

Source: SVBJ, SVBJ (2)

San Jose Getaway

Mark Haney from Think Bigger San Jose found a great article that highlights San Jose as a nice getaway destination. You don't see too many of these unfortunately. The Press Democrat article highlights various areas of Downtown San Jose, local museums, cultural institutions, and Santana Row. Read it over here and then forward it to any visitors coming into town!

Santana Row News and Events - February through May 2016

San Jose, CA - Sure signs of spring are popping up Santana Row is ready with a full roster of events beginning with special restaurant offerings on Valentine’s Day and the return of two of Silicon Valley’s signature events: the wine stroll to benefit the American Heart Association and the 408k Race to The Row, an 8k run to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on The Row
Brunch, lunch or dinner for two…or more!
Sunday, Feb. 14

Enjoy an intimate dinner, or one with friends and family, to celebrate the day for love. Among the restaurants offering special menus:
LB Steak is serving its regular brunch, lunch and dinner menus plus à la carte dinner specials in the spirit of the occasion. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Menu includes:

• Hudson Valley foie gras ($24) with strawberry compote and warm brioche toast
• Tuna tartare ($19) with yellowfin tuna, Asian pear, mint, sesame oil, pine nuts, and harissa
• Prime Angus filet of Beef Oscar ($52) with Dungeness crab, asparagus and hollandaise sauce
• Valrhona chocolate fondue with cherry liquor ($12) with strawberries, biscotti and macaroons

All prices exclude tax and gratuity. Every couple dining at the restaurant for dinner will receive a complimentary rose.
Left Bank Brasserie serves its regular brunch, lunch and dinner menus plus à la carte dinner specials in the spirit of the occasion and a rose for every dining couple:

• Heart-shaped lobster, scallop and shrimp ravioli ($14) with roasted squash, spinach and cauliflower
• Foie gras mousse terrine ($18) with compressed honey pear, and mixed berry compote
•  Roasted filet of beef ($36) with Madeira sauce, gratin potato and asparagus
• Chocolate Pyramid ($12), a chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse, raspberry filling and gold flakes.
• Taittinger, Brut La Francaise, Champagne, France NV will be offered for $18 a glass and $90 a bottle.

Maggiano’s Little Italy - Celebrate Valentine's Day the Maggiano's Way from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mommy & Me Valentine's brunch. Bring your appetites, creativity and Daddy too! Maggiano's serves a breakfast buffet with cookie and craft stations to make your own cards and gifts. There’s also a Polaroid photo booth, and more. Each $35 ticket includes one child and two adults.
Pasta Pomodoro – A prix fixe menu for two is offered on Valentine’s Day (and Friday and Saturday, too) for $60 and includes:

• A glass of wine
• An appetizer to share, either sauteed shrimp or caprese
• Entrée choice of Salmon Piccata, Chicken Marsala or shrimp and asparagus pasta
• A choice of dessert from the menu

Roots and Rye – A Special Sweethearts Valentine’s menu is offered. Check the website, www.rootsandrye.com, for details.
Sino and Straits restaurants - Special Valentine's Day menu is offered. Check the website, www.straitsrestaurants.com, for details.

Santana Row Wine Stroll: A benefit for the American Heart Association
Thursday, Feb. 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
An annual event at The Row, come out for winter fun and support a well-known cause!
Your $40 Ticket includes:

• Wine & Light Bites
• Exclusive Discounts Inside Santana Row Shops & Restaurants
• Signature Santana Row Wine Glass

* Must be 21 years or older to attend.
Tickets will be available online and inside the Santana Row Concierge Center. For more information please contact the Santana Row Concierge, 408.551.4611.

March and beyond…

5th Annual 408k “Race to the Row” 8k Run
Sunday, March 6
Join us for the San Jose 408k "Race to the Row,” an 8k run/walk that starts in downtown San Jose and finishes at Santana Row.
This fun, point-to-point course features the famous “Mariachi Mile,” that takes participants through some of San Jose’s most charming neighborhoods, including The Alameda business district and the historic Rose Garden, before an exciting finish on The Row! Stay and enjoy the post-race celebration that includes live music, watch the adorable 408kids Race and grab brunch before catching a quick ride back to the start.
Click here to Register for this event.
For registered runners, the “packet pick up” will be held in Santana Row on Friday, March 4 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The San Jose 408k is designating the Pat Tillman Foundation as its official charity for the fifth year. The foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships.

Hippity-Hop! Have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Santana Row!
Sunday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Hop on over and pose with the season’s favorite rabbit at Santana Row Park, across from Left Bank Brasserie. Photos, cookie decorating, face painting and egg decorating will be offered, with all proceeds benefiting the Autism Diagnostic & Consulting Center.

Cars & Croissants Kick-Off Event
Monthly gathering returns in March!
Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

San Jose Dancin’ Downtown Festival, Santana Row Park
Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Santana Row and sjDANCEco has partnered again this year to bring together local as well as regional dance artists to celebrate National Dance Week. The free outdoor festival features the diversity of the area’s dance community.
Enjoy performances by sjDANCEco (Maria Basile, Gabriel Mata), Diablo Ballet, Pointe of Departure, Erin East, Visual Rhythm and Zohar Dance Company.

lululemon Presents Yoga in the Park, May 7, 14, 21 and 28
Every Saturday through September, 9 a.m. Santana Row Park
Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by lululemon athletica begins May7 and is held every Saturday through September, taking advantage of the best weather seasons!
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. each week. For more information, contact lululemon, 408.557.8721.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too, season kick-off event
May 10, 10 a.m. to noon, Santana Row Park
The popular kids’ club returns for the season with free entertainment, interactive games, crafts and educational activities designed for parents and their pre-school aged children. Special guest for the event is Buddy from Dinosaur Train. Families can also enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Santana Row Park while Park Valencia is under renovation. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Cars & Croissants
Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. to noon
Santana Row again partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Rainy Day Rewards, through March 31, 2016
Here’s hoping the rainy season returns! Santana Row is optimistic and wants to reward shoppers and diners braving bad weather. When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, they will be offered discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.
No need to get wet: Customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row: outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking Garage.

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow invites Tweets and Instagram tags
For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row
Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

Celebrate the Big Game at Santana Row

San Jose, CA  - Santana Row adds to the Bay Area’s celebration of the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium with a long weekend of football festivities at Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination. Come join the fun!

The Beer Blitz Presented by Anheuser Busch
Thursday, Feb. 4, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Santana Row kicks off Super Bowl 50 weekend by hosting The Beer Blitz Presented by Anheuser Busch, an evening featuring 10 breweries in eight locations with each stop representing a division of the NFL. (Some locations will have more than one brewery.)

Partnering with The Beerwalk organizers, the Santana Row event includes an evening of unlimited tastings in the participating locations, an official Big Game swag bag from Anheuser Busch and a passport for shopping and dining discounts to stores and restaurants at The Row! Anheuser Busch will have a pop-up shop in Santana Row Park where other activities are also planned.

Tickets: $100 per person and limited in number. Includes:

• Unlimited tastings
• Souvenir pint glass
• Gift bags with Big Game merchandise

Check-in Location and time:
Santana Row Park, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sponsors:
Budweiser
Bud Light
Shock Top

Featured imported breweries:
Stella Artois
Hoegaarden
Leffe

Featured National Breweries:
Elysian Brewing, Seattle, WA
Golden Road Brewing, Los Angeles, CA
Goose Island, Chicago, IL
10 Barrel Brewing Company, Eugene, OR

Highlighted Local Breweries:
Red Branch Cider Company, Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara Valley Brewing, San Jose, CA
New Bohemia Brewing Co, Santa Cruz, CA
Golden State Brewery, Santa Clara, CA
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, San Francisco, CA
Anchor Brewing Company, San Francisco, CA

Tasting locations:
Santana Row Park
lululemon athletica
Kit and Ace
Pasta Pomodoro
Rosie McCann's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Orvis
Roots and Rye
Sino restaurant
Straits restaurant

Super Bowl activities at The Row, Thursday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 7
One of the Bay Area’s most-talked about destination for food, fun and festivities
is hosting Super Bowl events and offering shuttle service to hotel guests from select hotels and to Levi’s Stadium on game day. More details coming soon!

• Live music in the parks and plazas from Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.
• Complimentary round-trip shuttle service from The Fairmont and Hilton hotels in San Jose are offered on Friday, Feb. 5 and Saturday, Feb. 6. The shuttle service begins at 11 a.m. each day in front of each hotel. The service will run every 45 minutes continuously all day to and from Santana Row, with the last shuttle departing each hotel at approximately 8:45 p.m. The shuttle will drop guests off at Santana Row, which is about five miles away, and guests are picked up at the same location as the drop-off to return to the hotels.  Questions? Contact Santana Row Concierge, 408.55.4611.
• Super Bowl ticket holders can conveniently pick up their tickets in the days leading up to the Big Game. Ticketmaster will be on site at Santana Row, next to Z Gallerie.
• On Super Bowl Sunday, Santana Row will have its ongoing shuttle service to Levi’s Stadium for those going to the game. Shuttles depart at 1 p.m., about two and a half hours before game time (3:15 p.m.) and tickets are $30 for each passenger. See details below.

Super Bowl 50 Viewing Parties and Happy Hour Specials for Super Bowl 50!
Several Santana Row restaurants and bars are inviting football fans to enjoy the Big Game and feast on festive food and drinks:

• Left Bank Brasserie will be showing the game on two large screens in the bar area and has an exclusive happy hour beginning at 3 p.m. Wings, sliders and other nibbles for $6, plus select wines and beers for $5.
• Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant will have a large projector screen in the restaurant as well as smaller TVs in the bar area.
• The Counter will be showing the game and is offering happy hour specials all day, including half off starters, $2 mini burgers, $2 off draft beer, wine, signature cocktails and adult shakes. Wings are six for $6.
• VBar at Hotel Valencia airs the game in the bar area and will have special hours from Thursday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 7. Drink specials and a special Super Bowl menu items are offered.
• Vintage Wine Bar won’t be televising the game but is celebrating anyway with all-you-can-drink-champagne (featuring Taittinger, Pommery and Delamotte) for $60 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• LB Steak will have all day happy hour and the Big Game showing on two TVs.

Calling all Super Bowl 50 Ticket Holders!
Take the Round Trip Shuttle to Levi’s Stadium from Santana Row
Avoid the headache of game day traffic! Take the shuttle from The Row to Levi’s Stadium for a hassle-free day that starts with easy parking, shopping and dining perks.
Shuttles leave two hours before game time.
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, Super Bowl 50 (departs at 1 p.m. for 3:15 p.m. kickoff)
The shuttle registration begins about 30 minutes before departure time. Registration and shuttles are located near the CineArts Theatre.
Your $30 ticket, which can be purchased in the concierge office or at SantanaRow.com, includes:

• Round trip transportation to Levi’s Stadium
• Free parking at Santana Row
• Santana Row shopping and dining incentives

Details:
When you arrive at Santana Row, park your vehicle in the designated, secured parking lot on Winchester Boulevard in the former Century 21 Theatre area. Walk across Winchester Boulevard to Olsen Drive where the registration table and bus will be waiting to load in front of the theater. The bus departs at the scheduled time (two hours prior to game time), and will not wait for passengers.

Levi’s Stadium drop-off site:
The bus will park at the official shuttle drop-off location at the stadium. One hour after the conclusion of the game, the bus will depart from the same location. Passengers not on bus at the specified departure time, will not receive transportation back to Santana Row.

~~~

About Santana Row
Santana Row, a 647,000 square foot mixed-use development in San Jose, CA, is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for shopping, dining, living and working. Santana Row features over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail & restaurant collection, Santana Row offers 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty
Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply.  Our expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities.  Federal Realty’s 90 properties include over 2,600 tenants, in approximately 21 million square feet, and 1500 residential units.
Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 48 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.FederalRealty.com.

Roots and Rye Restaurant Review

Roots and Rye (R&R) is one of the newest Santana Row restaurants. It's tucked in next to Maggiano's and Kara's Cupcakes in a space that previously housed Roux Louisiana Kitchen and Hot Tamales. I'm not a big fan of the decor, which makes the whole restaurant look like it is still under construction. However, I hear that they are going to run plants and vegetation on those exposed wood pillars which would provide a unique effect. Like their sister restaurants Straights and Sino, they have a unique restroom that is partially unisex--might as well get that out of the way now so that there are no awkward surprises ;).



They have an impressive outdoor patio space with plenty of heat lamps. R&R also features live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. A nice Jazz band was playing while we dined there the second time around.

So now, let's get to the good stuff... the food. They recently changed their menu to focus more on small, shareable plates that are available all day. They still have some main courses that are available after 5pm. R&R also has a long list of unique craft cocktails and bourbons.

SMALL BITES (SERVED ALL DAY)

Parmesan Fries with a 63 degree egg, fines herbs, truffle aioli - This is their signature small plate and an absolute must-try. You can either dunk the fries into the egg, or pour the egg on top of the parmesan fries. I could eat this all day.

Brussel Sprouts with parmesan, capers, red wine vinegar - Brussel sprouts are usually not my favorite side to order, but these were outstanding. The lemon zest and capers added an extra kick and help make this a perfect addition to your meal.

Roasted bone marrow with red wine braised short rib, potato pepper crostini, pickled radish - When foie gras became illegal in California, bone marrow turned into my new go-to for some extra indulgence on special occasions. The presentation, flavor, and portion size of R&R's bone marrow were all impressive. However, I will say that the first time I dined here there was foie gras on the menu, and it was excellently prepared. If I had the choice, I would go with the foie gras over bone marrow any day of the week.

BIG BITES (5PM TIL CLOSE)

Fried Petaluma Chicken with house-made apple sauce, brussel leaves, mustard caviar, pickled vegetables, apple cider jus - Excellent chicken with crispy skin exploding with flavor. They nailed this dish and the accompaniments.



Beef Short Rib with potato puree, caramelized roots, charred leeks, red wine jus - This dish was just okay. It was standard fare for short rib and did not blow my away like the chicken. I would have rather ordered two more small plates instead of this, which seem to be R&R's strong suit.



SWEETS

Fried Apple Pie with honey crisp apples, roasted quince, creme fraiche ice cream, cider reduction - Save some room for dessert, and order this! If you like apple pie, this dessert will not disappoint.



Candy Bar Tart with chocolate ganache, salted caramel, spanish peanut nougatine ice cream, sazerac caramel sauce, huckleberry compote - This is their most popular dessert and was my wife's favorite. It tastes like all of the candy bars you craved as a child melted into one.



Roots and Rye Affogato with house spun fennel ice cream, almond anise biscotti - A much better alternative that just ordering coffee at the end of your meal. I really enjoyed the cappuccino-soaked ice cream and biscotti. The coffee was a little bit too bitter for my tastes, but a regular coffee drinker should love this.

DRINKS

Churchill Downs (bourbon whiskey, strawberry aquavit, lemon, green cardamom, fever tree ginger beer) - This is one of their signature cocktails and had a very unique flavor that is difficult for me to describe. It was like drinking a flower. This is light enough on the alcohol for either gender to enjoy. This was my wife's favorite.

Goldenrod (terroir gin, herbal liquor, lemon chrysanthemum honey, absinthe, rosemary) - The taste here was even more unique than the Churchill Downs. The combination of flavors actually made this taste kind of like sawdust, which pairs well with the decor. I couldn't resist drinking this since it was so different, but wouldn't recommend it to most people.

Barrel Aged Old Fashioned (bourbon whiskey, bitters, demerara sugar) - I'm a bit of an Old Fashioned snob since this is my favorite cocktail in general and this is the only cocktail that I can reproduce at home. R&R uses Buffalo Trace, which has a bit of a bite to it but I would expect nothing less from a traditional Old Fashioned. This is the cocktail that I would order first in the future.