Santana Row March 2014 Happenings

Santana Row March 2014 Happenings

And a Look Ahead to April and Beyond

Events, Promotions, New Openings at Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination


 

San Jose, CA (Feb. 26, 2013) – Warm weather is coming and Santana Row is about to bloom with events that welcome spring. The third annual 408K run through San Jose ends at Santana Row where runners and supporters both can celebrate. Festivities are planned for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. In April, celebrity chef and author Carla Hall makes a personal appearance and in May, it’s time to make time for Beauty Bash, a day of beauty and style that’s also a benefit for Career Closet.

 

Third Annual 408K Race to the Row

Sunday, March 2, Park Valencia and throughout Santana Row 

The 8K road run has become a Silicon Valley hallmark, raising funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation and its Team Tillman initiative. Runners start at SAP Center, wind through the streets of San Jose and end at Santana Row’s Park Valencia for presentations and post race celebrations. The Row invites participants and their friends and family to stay for race-day specials such as breakfast/brunch deals, massages, cool down workout classes and refreshments. Stores will offer post-race promotions. The event is expected to draw 5,000 runners. For information and registration, go to: www.run408k.com

 

Rainy Day Rewards, through March 31, 2014

While we’re enjoying the sunshine, we’re hoping for much needed rain. But bad weather is in the forecast, that means shoppers can save at The Row. On days there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, shoppers and diners  will be rewarded with 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: On all rainy days, 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.

 

Nowruz 2014, Persian New Year Celebration

Tuesday, March 18, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Park Valencia

Celebrate the arrival of spring the first day and the 2014 Persian New Year at Santana Row with free live music and performances.

In partnership with the Iranian Federated Women's Club (IFWC), the public is invited to this event marking the Persian New Year. Called Nowruz, it’s the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. The spring festival has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years and is celebrated by many people in the Middle East and Central and South Asia, but particularly by Persians.

 

A look ahead to April and beyond…

 

Personal Appearance by Carla Hall, Co-Host of ABC’s The Chew

and “Fan Favorite” on Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars

Saturday, April 12, 5 p.m., Sur la Table

Celebrity chef Carla Hall will be doing a cooking demo at Santana Row Park and signing copies of her new book at Sur la Table.

Carla’s Comfort Foods: Favorite Dishes from Around the World(on-sale April 1, 2014, Atria Books, $29.99) offers a delicious collection of imaginative new variations on soulful favorites from one of America’s favorite food personalities. Hall was a finalist in the fifth and eighth seasons of Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars, Bravo’s competition show. She is one of five cohosts of The Chew, a talk show centered on food.

Her new book was Inspired by her love of family suppers and international flavors and offers a mouthwatering variety of foods from around the world along with heartfelt stories of connecting with people through food.

 

Photos with the Easter Bunny

A Benefit for the Autism Diagnostics & Consulting Center

Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hippity-hop on over and have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Santana Row!

The holiday rabbit will be ready to strike a pose at Park Valencia for $10, with proceeds going to the Autism Diagnostics & Consulting Center.

Plus, enjoy face painting, cookie decorating for $1 and Easter egg decorating for $3.

 

Second Annual Beauty Bash: A benefit for Career Closet

Wednesday, May 7, 6 to 9 p.m.

For the second year, Santana Row brings together pampering and primping for a good cause. Beauty Bash is an evening of fashion fun and beauty tips with makeup, hair and fashion experts, retailers and salons. It’s an evening celebrating style to raise funds for Career Closet, a non-profit organization based in Silicon Valley that gives disadvantaged women advice, confidence and appropriate work attire, much of it donated to the clothing boutiques it operates in San Jose and Foster City.

The public is invited to shop, nibble and enjoy cocktails while talking to style experts and fashion bloggers who will be stationed at more than a dozen stops. Guests can try the latest hair and make-up trends from professionals and receive personalized consultations from the experts, a mini-magazine of tips from them and a gift bag.

Tickets are $20, or $15 with the donation of a gently used accessory (jewelry, bags, scarves) and available at  SantanaRow.com. Guests receive a "passport” for in-store events, a wine glass (wine will be poured in the stores) and a swag bag of goodies.

 

Lunch on The Row + A Matinee Show!

May 1 through 31

Enjoy a two-course $20 lunch special at a participating restaurant on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and receive a free ticket to the movie of your choice at CineArts Santana Row.

Present your itemized same-day receipt to the Santana Row concierge from the participating restaurant and you’ll receive a voucher for a complimentary movie ticket that can be used for a matinee that day or at a later date.

Limit: one ticket per person, per day, while supplies last.

Restaurant choices include LB Steak, Left Bank, and Rosie McCann’s.

 

Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by Lululemon Athletica

Begins May 3 and held every Saturday through September

Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine at Park Valencia every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. 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

Begins May 13 and held every second Tuesday of the month through December

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. Families will enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.

Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. 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 visitwww.SantanaRow.com.

 

Save-the-Date: Santana Row’s Annual Summer Fashion Shows!

Saturday, June 7, two shows at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

This popular summer event returns for the sixth year with two runway shows and a venue change: For the first time, the shows take place poolside at Misora, the newest luxury apartments at Santana Row.

As always, the shows will feature the season’s best fashions for women and men as well as style surprises and special guests. Last year, Vernon Davis of the 49ers made a splashy appearance on the catwalk as a celebrity model.

Runway shows are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Included in the price of the $50 ticket is poolside seating to view the fashion show, access to the Beauty Lounge, pre-event champagne, wine and light hors d’oeuvres, a Passion for Fashion shopping card that entitles guests to discounts around Santana Row, prize drawings and in-store events. Tickets go on sale in April at the concierge office and online at www.SantanaRow.com.

 

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow Invites Tweets #LifeOnTheRow

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 photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then Tweet it to Santana Row 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.

 

 

About Santana Row

Santana Row a 1.5 million square foot mixed used development in the heart of San Jose, California, is Silicon Valley's premier destination for shopping,

dining, living and nightlife. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, parks and plazas, Santana Row features over 70 retail shops, more than 20 acclaimed restaurants, a 212-room boutique hotel and six-screen movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail collection, Santana Row offers 622 residential units featuring a fitness center, rooftop pool and resort-living accommodations, and 65,000 square feet of office space at 300 Santana Row, its newest office address. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visitwww.santanarow.com.

 

 

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.3% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of September 30, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.4% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 46 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.

History San Jose and Portraits of the Past Hosting Fashion Show

History San José and Portraits of the Past to Host

Reflections of Old San José – a Historic Fashion Show

San Jose, CA --- February 25, 2014    --- History San José and Portraits of the Past will present an historic fashion show on March 15 at 2 PM in the Renzel Room of the Pacific Hotel in History Park.  Reflections of Old San José will benefit HSJ educational programs and showcase costuming, as well as feature local historical characters.

“Portraits of the Past members always provide such a wonderful ambiance to History Park events," noted Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José.  “We are so appreciative that they put so much effort into their costuming and performances to help benefit HSJ's educational programs.”

The historic fashion show will feature mens’ and womens’ clothing and accessories, and offer volunteers in elaborate costumes who will present vignettes featuring local historical figures. A reception of light refreshments, dessert and champagne,  will follow the fashion show.

Tickets are $25 and will benefit educational programming at HSJ. The Renzel Room is inside the Pacific Hotel at History Park, and free parking on the grounds of the Park is available. Seating is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets online  https://historysanjose.ejoinme.org/fashion

History Park at Kelley Park is located at 1650 Senter Road, between Phelan & Keyes in San Jose. For GPS mapping use 635 Phelan Avenue. City parking is available for $6.  For more information visit www.historysanjose.org or call 408 287 2290.

  

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About History San José: 

History San José is a non-profit organization that collects, preserves and celebrates the stories of diversity and innovation in San José and the Santa Clara Valley. HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology. 

History San José     1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112      408.287.2290

Website:  historysanjose.org

Facebook: /historysanjose

Twitter: @historysanjose

Blog: historysanjose.blogspot.com/

San Jose Bike Party: 2nd Annual Dublin Ireland Mayor's Ride Tomorrow

The mayor of one of our key sister cities is making his annual stop in San Jose and will be participating in a special Irish-themed bike party tomorrow--Irish music and all. Everyone is welcome! They will meet at San Jose City Plaza at 9:30 AM (don't forget to change your clocks) and ride on a 7-mile route through Downtown that will show off new bikeways and bike share stations. Check out the route and the press release below and don't forget to grab a Guinness after the event.

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SAN JOSE BIKE PARTY PRESENTS
THE 2ND ANNUAL DUBLIN IRELAND MAYOR’S RIDE

SUNDAY, MARCH 9th, 9:30 AM 
Event Info: www.sjbikeparty.org

San Jose Bike Party Will Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a Little Early  This Year  

As part of the Sister City relationship between the cities of Dublin and San Jose, the Lord Mayor of Dublin will be making his annual stop in the Silicon Valley.  The Lord Mayor will ride with San Jose Bike Party and local residents for a Sunday morning of cycling, music, and fun. San Jose’s cycling and creative community will be featuring Guerillaz in Da Mixx synchronized music bikes with a playlist consisting of traditional Irish tunes and Bike Party favorites.

Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn is the 344th Lord Mayor of the city of Dublin and has been a city councilmember since 2004. Next year the city of Dublin will celebrate the 350th anniversary of the city’s first Lord Mayor. Visible on the Lord Mayor at all public events is the Great Chain of Office which was presented by King William III (William of Orange) in 1698. The Chain is worn at all official ceremonies and is composed of decorative links including the Tudor rose, a harp, a trefoil shaped knot and the letter S (thought to stand for Seneschal or Steward).

 We will meet at San Jose City Plaza at 9:30AM PDT (don’t forget to set your clock forward by one hour the night before) and ride on a route of about  7 miles. We will be visiting some of the city’s downtown  landmarks and recent bikeway improvements, including bike share stations, green bikeways, and newly placed bike corrals or on-street bike parking facilities.

A map of the complete route will be available at SanJoseBikeParty.com two days before the ride. Everyone is welcome to attend or participate.

WHAT: THE 2ND ANNUAL DUBLIN IRELAND MAYOR’S RIDE
WHERE: Departs from San Jose City Hall Plaza
WHEN: Sunday, March 9thMeet at 9:30 AM

More information on the organization, including details on future rides, is available atwww.sjbikeparty.org.

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About San Jose Bike  Party:

San Jose Bike Party is a late evening ride around the Bay Area’s largest city; with different routes and start points. We ride as one cycling group on the 3rd Friday of every month. Weather does not cancel the ride. San Jose’s biking community, much like the city itself, has grown rapidly, and San Jose Bike Party’s goal is to be a positive part of this growth. Each month, the event sets out to explore the city via bicycle, featuring an ever-changing route, new playlists for the ride, and regroups that encourage participants to socialize with others. San Jose Bike Party is a monthly happening which encourages participants to ride bikes, make friends, and celebrate their city.

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Saturday Stats: San Jose is the #9 Best City for Female Entrepreneurs

Nerdwallet has crunched some data on female entrepreneurship and San Jose came in 9th place. They looked at the number of businesses per 100 residents, percentage of women-owned businesses, unemployment rate, education, and median earning for female full-time workers. I'm a bit surprised that we did not rank higher on the list and that the median income for women is so much lower than the Silicon Valley median. It is always nice to get into these national rankings, but this is something San Jose could improve upon.

Source: Nerdwallet

South FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk Tonight!

It's that time again, and for March there are a couple new places on the roster. First to Market (awesome restaurant) will be activating a key corner at San Salvador Street and South First Street. The Silicon Valley Music Festival will also be hosting an event at the Sliding Door Co. at 355 South Market. A total of 19 venues are participating in the art walk. To get a preview of the art on display, head over to the South FIRST FRIDAYS website.

Light The Rocket Going to SXSW

Local San Jose rock band Light the Rocket will be playing at Music Gorilla Live 2014, which is happening during the massive SXSW festival in Austin. When I say this is a local band, I mean it.  Most of the members were born and raised in San Jose, their music is recorded in San Jose, their first music video was shot at Music Go Round in San Jose, and they are not afraid to sport some teal to represent their city.

If you happen to go to SXSW this year, go check them out at Burnside's Tavern at 413 E. 6th Street on Wednesday, March 12th at 1am (okay technically Thursday, March 13th). They will also be giving out some free swag. For more info, check out the Light the Rocket Facebook Page or the Music Gorilla Live 2014 Facebook Page.

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"We can't wait for our annual Live Showcase Series during the biggest MUSIC FESTIVAL/CONFERENCE in the world. This is held in Austin, TX from March 11-16, 2014. Music Gorilla will be showcasing 50 artists and bands at this free showcase series that is open to the industry and the public.

The Artists performing will receive massive exposure. The venue is right in the middle of everything on 6th Street in Austin, TX. Artists will not receive compensation or travel expenses to play at the showcase.

Past showcases have been attended by Major and Indie Label A&R reps, Managers, Agents, Entertainment Attorneys and other industry pros as well as celebrities including, Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows and Rachel Ray."

San Jose Spiders - New Ultimate Frisbee Pro Team!

The newest pro sport to find its way to San Jose isn't Baseball or Basketball... it's Ultimate Frisbee. The league is owned by Cisco executive Rob Lloyd (potentially the next Cisco CEO) and the team is backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners. Apparently Silicon Valley is ground zero for Ultimate Frisbee, which has become the preferred sport for techies (perhaps one day we'll see pro Quidditch as well). Even the name San Jose Spiders is a tech reference--search engines send spiders to crawl the Internet for data.

The Spiders will have their inaugural season in April. Home games will be played at Foothill College for now, and hopefully they will move to the city they're named after at some point in the future.

For more information and tickets, head over to the San Jose Spiders website over here.

Source: SVBJ

Think Bigger San Jose Moved + Mixed-Use Hotel Condo Proposal

One of my favorite blogs is getting a face-lift and a new URL. Think Bigger San Jose is moving from http://thinkbiggersanjose.blog.com to http://thinkbiggersanjose.com.

The first post on the new site is a suggestion for Sobrato to build a mixed-use hotel condo on the giant parking lot he owns at the corner of Market and San Carlos. This is a high-potential Downtown development space across the street from the Convention Center, Plaza de Cesar Chavez, and the burgeoning SoFA district.

A hotel condo allows people to purchase rooms and suites, and rent them out as hotel rooms when not in use. It's an ownership models that simply does not exist in Silicon Valley, but is popular in tourist destinations such as Las Vegas. These are often used as vacation homes or secondary homes, which would make a lot of sense for business travelers that live in tech centers around the globe but have to spend quite a bit of time in Silicon Valley each year. Typically these are built by luxury hotel operators--and having another Fairmont-caliber hotel would go a long way Downtown.

Anyway, its a great blog post and you should check it out right over here.

SPUR Presents: The Future of Downtown San Jose

After a year's worth of meetings with developers, business owners, and city government, SPUR (an urban planning nonprofit) has prepared a report detailing how Downtown can leverage its potential and bring more jobs and residents to the area.

The meeting to review the report will take place today at the SPUR San Jose office located at 76 S. 1st Street from 12:30pm-1:30pm. The cost for attendance is $10 (free for SPUR members). More info here.

The Cinequest Film Festival Starts Today!

One of the largest and most prominent film festivals in the world is kicking off in San Jose today, and it will bring over 100,000 people Downtown over the next two weeks. The 24th Cinequest Film Festival will run from March 4th through March 16th and feature 84 World and US premiers, daily soirees and parties, and the Maverick Awards. Films will be screened at Camera 12, the California Theater, and The Rep.

For info and to buy tickets or passes, visit the Cinequest portal over here.

Westgate Expansion Has Broken Ground

Federal Realty (which also owns Santana Row) recently wrapped up a $15 million renovation at Westgate Center. Those upgrades were focused around improving existing space. However, they have just broken ground on another renovation project that will result in a new 14,400 SQFT retail building at the corner of Saratoga and West Campbell Avenue. This is where the RetroDome used to sit.

The new structure will have a Corner Bakery Cafe, Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe, and Verizon Wireless. There is also room for a fifth tenant in the building. The Corner Bakery Cafe will be the first in San Jose. The only other Santa Clara County location is in Palo Alto. As for Veggie Grill, this is one of the hottest vegetarian restaurants on the West Coast. This will be their second Northern California location and the only other one is at Santana Row. I'm a complete carnivore and even I love this restaurant.

The project should be completed by fall. You can find the full release below.

Westgate Center Has Broken Ground Again

Offering New Retailers in Coveted Corner Spot

Four tenants signed: Corner Bakery Café, The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless

San Jose, CA (Feb. 25, 2014) – Federal Realty Investment Trust, owners of Westgate Center, recently completed a $15 million major renovation transforming the 52-year-old mall into a one-stop destination offering family-friendly amenities and high quality retailers.

In an effort to continually improve and enhance the experience at Westgate Center, Federal Realty has announced that construction has begun on the center’s retail pad site located on the heavily traveled corner of Saratoga Avenue and West Campbell Avenue.  The ideal corner site will include the addition of four new tenants, including San Jose’s first Corner Bakery Café.

The new 14,400 sq.-foot retail building, in a highly visible spot near a popular shopping area, will also include The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless, with space for a fifth yet-to-be-named tenant. Construction should to be completed in the fall.

Corner Bakery Café, known for its delectable Cinnamon Crème Coffee Cake and tasty meals, is opening this fall at Westgate Center.

The fast-casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers baked goods in a bright, family-friendly atmosphere. Prices range from 99 cents to $9.99 and choices include sandwiches, soups, pastas and breakfast specials. The menu also features kids’ selections, seasonal items, healthy fare and treats such as cookies, cakes and pies. The Westgate Center location will seat about 100 diners inside and 40 diners in an outdoor area. It is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe was founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends. For more information, go towww.cornerbakerycafe.com.

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The Veggie Grill, home of the popular “All Hail Kale” salad, serves healthy, light, vegetarian fare as well as gluten-free and soy-free items. Classic American favorites like soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches as well as creative dishes such as burritos, bowls and “Buffalo wings” are made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.

Named one of L.A.’s “can’t miss” cheap-eats by Los Angeles magazine and best vegetarian/vegan restaurant by the Orange County Register, The Veggie Grill is scheduled to open in the fall.

For more information, go to www.veggiegrill.com.

The Vitamin Shoppe, dedicated to helping people fulfill their health and wellness needs, is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products ranging from vitamins and minerals to nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and health and beauty aids. The store offers more than 18,000 items from 400-plus brands. The Vitamin Shoppe at Westgate is scheduled to open this fall. For more information, go to www.vitaminshoppe.com.

Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile network operator in the U.S., is opening a retail store at Westgate where customers can shop for wireless services as well as mobile phones and accessories. Verizon will open this fall. For more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Westgate Center
Westgate Center, located in San Jose, California is a 645,000 square-foot community center offering a one-stop family destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Westgate Center features over 50 shops and restaurants and is anchored by Target, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack, Michaels, Any Mountain and Ross. Westgate Center is a property of Federal Realty Investment Trust www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit shopwestgatecenter.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.8% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of December 31, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.5% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 46 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.

Try Whiskey Barrel-Aged Sriracha @ Konjoe Tomorrow

Sosu Sauces--maker of artisan sauces and condiments--is bringing their new Kickstarter-backed Whiskey Barrel-Aged Sriracha to Konjoe Burger at the San Pedro Square Market tomorrow (March 4th). For one night only, Konjoe's Cheeseburger will be made using the new sauce. I love Sriracha in pretty much everything (especially Pho), but I think it will go great with Konjoe's offerings.

The event runs from 5pm to 9pm and Sosu Sauces will be there doing Sriracha tastings. For more info check out the Sosu website.

Fogo de Chão Now Open at Santana Row!

Epic Brazilian Churrascaria, Fogo de Chão, has opened their first Northern California restaurant in Northern California at Santana Row. The restaurant is massive--clocking in at about 9,000 SQFT with seating for 250 people, outdoor dining, private dining, and a sizable bar.

I had the opportunity to try out the restaurant during the soft opening last week, and was not disappointed. In fact, I think this is the best Brazillian Steakhouse that I have been to, including Pampas in Palo Alto, Espetus in San Mateo, and Maceio which was in Downtown San Jose.

When you visit, my recommendation is to come very hungry. They food is all-you-can-eat with a special focus on amazing steaks. Gauchos carve one of 16 different meat variations right at your table. These range from bacon wrapped filet mignon, to legs of lamb, beef ribs, linguica sausages, Parmesan pork loin, and my favorite by far... the Picanha. To complement the meats they have a whole side bar of veggies and sides. I recommend getting a plate of rice, topping it with black beans, then adding a traditional Brazilian topping called farofa (you have to ask for it) with some hot red sauce. This goes well with all of the meats. Also, you can't leave without trying a Caipirinha, a traditional Briazilian drink with Cachaca, lime, and sugar. Lastly, for dessert you must have the flan and the cheesecake. At this point, you will feel like you are about to explode, but believe me it is worth finding some room for these.

For lots of photos and a thorough review, I would recommend checking out Ngoc's post at the San Jose Food Blog. That is also where I stole the photo below.

From the San Jose Food Blog

FOGO DE CHÃO OPENS FIRST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION

ON FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Authentic Southern Brazilian Steakhouse Brings the Best of Churrasco to Santana Row in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (February 25, 2014) — Internationally renowned Southern Brazilian Steakhouse, Fogo de Chão (pronounced fo-go dèe shoun), opens its first Northern California location on Thursday, February 27, 2014. The restaurant, which offers upscale Churrasco(barbeque) cuisine, is located at Santana Row in San Jose, Silicon Valley’s premiere destination for shopping, dining, living, and more.

“We are excited to celebrate our first restaurant in Northern California in the heart of Silicon Valley and join the community at Santana Row,” says Fogo de Chão Chief Executive Officer Larry Johnson. “Like Brazil, the Bay Area is home to some of the best food in the world. We are looking forward to introducing the Southern Brazilian Steakhouse experience and the culinary traditions behind it to San Jose.

The Fogo de Chão dining experience is based on the centuries-old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open fire, and sharing dining experiences with family and friends. To see the story of Fogo de Chão from the perspective of one of their gauchos, visit the documentary-style video recently filmed on a return trip to the farms of Brazil by clicking here. 

The menu focuses on 16 cuts of meat including beef, chicken, pork, and lamb carved tableside by a team of Brazilian trained gaucho chefs, led by Head Gaucho Chef Helio dos Santos Vieira. The prix-fixe experience invites guests to dine at their own pace using a double-sided, red and green disk indicating when they are ready to try the various selections of meat. This approach allows them to enjoy a variety of meats with each new cut coming right from the grill and carved tableside.

Highlights include the Picanha, the prime part of the sirloin, seasoned with sea salt or flavored with garlic – a Brazilian specialty; Cordeiro,fresh leg of lamb flavored with a special mint marinade and sliced off the bone; and Fraldinha, a bottom sirloin cut that is one of the most distinctive and flavorful cuts of meat from Southern Brazil. The restaurant also features a gourmet salad and side bar with more than 30 selections of fresh cut vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, and traditional Brazilian side dishes including Pão de Queijo – a warm cheese bread,Crispy Hot Polenta, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Caramelized Bananas.

The menu is complemented by an award-winning 200 label wine list featuring selections from around the globe including Malbec and Carmenère varietals from South America, to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir from the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The restaurant also boasts a South American-inspired cocktail program, including many traditional drinks from Brazil, such as the Caipirinha, as well as a selection of Brazilian and domestic beers, premium liquors, after-dinner drinks and non-alcoholic beverages. The dessert menu features indulgences such as Fogo de Chão Signature Papaya Cream, Key Lime Pie, and Molten Chocolate Cake.

The nearly 9,000-square-feet, 250-seat restaurant, located on the corner of Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue at Santana Row, blends contemporary Northern Californian and Brazilian design and features a mix of textures, colors and materials. In addition to the main dining area, Fogo de Chão features outdoor seating, a lively bar, and three semi-private dining areas that can be combined to make larger rooms, seating from 22 to 110. With its location in the heart of Silicon Valley the restaurant was designed with the tech-savvy crowd in mind, offering fully connected private dining spaces including touch screen televisions and 60-inch projector screens, wired for everything from presentations to video conferencing. The focus on technology also flows into the bar area, which features numerous AC and USB outlets for charging phones and laptops as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.

Fogo de Chão is located at 377 Santana Row in San Jose, California. It is the 23rd location in the U.S., with 32 restaurants worldwide.

Hours of operation and pricing are as follows:

Lunch – beginning Monday, March 3
$29.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $22.50)
Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dinner – beginning Thursday, February 27
$51.50 | (Salad Bar Only - $26.50)
Monday through Thursday 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00-10:30 p.m.
Saturday 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Sunday 4:00-9:30 p.m.

Children 6 and under are complimentary. Children 7 to 12 are half price.  Any beverages, desserts, tax, and gratuity are additional.  An 18% gratuity is added to all parties of 6 or more.

For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

About Fogo de Chão

Fogo de Chão^® Churrascaria - Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 22 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent openings in New York City and the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo. A location in Portland, Oregon will follow in 2014. For more information, please visit www.fogo.com. Follow FOGO on Facebook.

San Jose State Has FIVE Major Projects Underway!

SJSU has five--yes five--major projects happening right now. They add up to a total of more than a quarter billion dollars of new development, and one of them includes a 10-story tower that will house 850 students. I walked through the campus a few weeks ago and was surprised to see so many areas fenced off.

Below are a couple recent photos of the new Student Union building (top) and the new Student Health and Counseling Center taken by Joseph Meduri (who also sent in the tip on these projects). If you keep scrolling down, you will get a quick synopsis of the projects underway.

Student Union Expansion & Renovation The project will add approximately 100,000 SF of expansions and renovate existing Student Union. The building will have new ballroom, food court,theater, meeting rooms, and student program spaces. Status - Construction Phase Construction Duration: 9/2010-6/2014 Total Construction Estimate: $65,000,000
Spartan Complex Renovation The primary project objectives are to upgrade the existing structural system of the complex to be concurrent with the current building codes,correct ADA deficiencies,correct fire life safety deficiencies,construct new infrastructure, make program modifications, and hazmat abatement. Status - Construction Phase Phase I Construction consists of the YUH and YUH Annex, from 7/2013 -7/2014 Phase II construction consists of SPXC and SPXE, from 8/2014-8/2015
Student Health & Counseling Center The project is a new 3 story 52,000 SF building located on 7th Street and Paseo de San Carlos. The building will house Student Health Center, Counseling Services and Wellness Center. Status - Construction Phase Construction Duration: 6/2013-1/2015 Total Construction Estimate: $24,600,000
Spartan Stadium End Zone Building The 61,000 SF facility will house sports medicine and athletic training space, a football team locker room, football coaching staff offices, meeting rooms, a hall of fame, and an auditorium. The facility will serve the day-to-day operations of the athletic department,and provide hospitality space on game days. It will be located at the South Campus site,north of Spartan Stadium. Status - Design Phase Construction Duration: 2/2014-9/2015 Total Construction Estimate: $32,000,000
Campus Village Phase 2 A new 850 bed student housing is being proposed at the corner of 9th Street and Peseo de San Carlos. The new building will house up to 850 beds, common study rooms, lounge, multi-purpose room, recreation space, and other support spaces. It is expected to be a 10 story high rise building. Status - Planning Phase Construction Duration: 6/2014-7/2016 Total Construction Estimate: $100,000,000

The Table Distiller's Dinner

The Table is one of the hottest restaurants in San Jose. The concept is farm-to-table seasonal cuisine in a gastropub-style atmosphere in Willow Glen. They are branching out a bit and partnering with St. George Spirits to do a "Distiller's Dinner" featuring 4 courses, 4 spirits, and 4 cocktails.

These are the types of events local restaurants need to think about to help elevate our dining scene to the next level. We are missing a lot of the food pairing events that highlight both local chefs and the purveyors of fine liquids that make us happy. I'm glad to see an event like this at The Table.

The Distiller's Dinner is happening on Monday, March 10th at 6:30pm. For more information and reservations, you can head over to The Table's website right over here.

Saturday Stats: America's Super Cities (Best-Performing Metros 2014)

SpareFoot put together an infographic showing a list of US cities to watch in 2014. They relied on data from the Milken Institute as well as several media outlets. San Jose made the list! They even posted a great quote from Business Insider: "With a powerful ecosystem of startups established companies, universities, investors, and a deep talent pool, San Jose remains the most impressive tech neighborhood in the world."

Check out the full infographic over here.

Bowling Alley and 24 Hour Fitness Coming to Eastridge

Eastridge Mall is adding two new non-shopping tenants to spice up the retail mix. The first is an 18-lane Round1 bowling alley. This is a Japanese chain that is known for incorporating karaoke rooms, arcades, and billiards into their facilities. The Eastridge Round1 will be about 50,000 SQFT. The second tenant is a 24 Hour Fitness that will come in around 40,000 SQFT. Both of these will be located in the space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond and it looks like they are under construction right now.

Source: SVBJ, Hat-tip to Arnold Kwok

Signature Flight Support Breaking Ground Today at SJC

Signature Flight's $82 million private jet terminal at SJC breaks ground later today. It will house Google's fleet as well as the jet fleets for other large Silicon Valley businesses. This means more tax dollars for the City and improved convenience for local companies. More info below:

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A new era  begins in San Jose - on Friday, February 28, Signature Flight Support will be breaking ground at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and begin development of a new facility that will serve Google and other Silicon Valley companies.

A powerful uptick in the private jet industry for companies of all sizes has spurred demand that is now being met in Silicon Valley - a strong need for hangar space, maintenance, and crew and passengers amenities in key worldwide locations.

Key competitive differentiators for business aviation:

— Business aviation companies reach over 10 times the number of U.S. airports than airlines do
— Users can reach multiple destinations in one day
— Business aircrafts increase employee productivity thanks to cabin configurations that are conducive to individual and team work

Signature Flight’s $82 million investment will help Silicon Valley companies stay competitive, will generate hundreds of new jobs and garner more than $3 million in annual revenue for San Jose. The company will also be an integral part of the community by partnering with local organizations such as the Tech Museum and Computer History Museum.

Eating San Jose - New Local Blog!

The San Jose Blogosphere grew a little bit larger this month with the addition of Eating San Jose. I'm sure you can guess what most of the posts will be about based on the name. The creator of the new blog, Dale Federighi, moved from the East Bay to Willow Glen in 2009 and calls it one of the best decisions he's made so far. He's a software developer, family man, skateboarder, food enthusiast, and now of course a blogger.

The first post on Eating San Jose is about KANSUI, a new pop-up Ramen restaurant in the Willow Glen Hay Market. Dale raved about their Tonkatsu Ramen, Spicy Red Miso Ramen, Okonomiyaki (photo below), and Pickled Salmon. Check out the detailed post right over here. I also added a permanent link to Eating San Jose on our blogroll over to the right.

Welcome to the community Dale, looking forward to your future posts!

Vacant Office Buildings Getting Free Gigabit Fiber

Well, well, well... when it rains it pours. Last week I happily posted about Google's consideration of San Jose (and other Silicon Valley cities) to be part of the next Google Fiber expansion. This would bring inexpensive ultra-fast internet to homes, businesses, and schools. Now it looks like the City of San Jose is initiating a new program that would use Fiber as a carrot to help fill vacant office buildings.

The City currently has some excess capacity in their internal Gigabit Fiber network. The Office of Economic Development is proposing that we use that extra capacity to wire up to six buildings with over 30% vacancy as an incentive for companies to fill those spaces. The ultra-fast internet would come free of charge, but the building owners would have to pay for any up-front costs to connect the building to the Fiber.  The out of pocket costs to San Jose would be nil, but the upside could be more companies in San Jose and increased tax revenue.

So far three building owners are interested: 2 North First, 4 North Second, and 75 E. Santa Clara.

Source: SVBJ