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As an aspiring travel writer who went to culinary school I can tell you that I really love nothing more than visiting a completely new place and eating. I mean I LOVE food! I’ve already talked about how cool the city of San Jose is, now let me talk a little more about the amazing food the city offers!
The first place I ate and the only place I had breakfast at daily was La Pastaia right off the lobby in Hotel de Anza. Aside from breakfast, the hotel has a “Raid The Pantry” program, meaning you can go into a small room and grab as many snacks as you want from bananas and apples to sandwiches you make yourself, from 10 PM-5 AM in the morning. I flew in late the first night and it was midnight where I am from by the time I got to the hotel so I raided the pantry before I passed out!
Description: Italian, fresh seasonal and local products emphasized.
My opinion: Cloth napkins… Seriously nice and I can see why dinner time is packed there. Really great food! They offer a buffet on the weekends but also normal breakfast fare like Omelets.
FRESH made whipped cream and always fresh fruit were offered. I loved my breakfasts at the hotel, and people watched out the window
Lunch after visiting the Winchester Mystery House was at Left Bank in Santana Row.
Description: French cuisine, high energy vibe
My opinion: This place is a HIP spot! Décor, vibe, amazing food.
Hors d’Oeuvres included fondue, calamari and bruschetta..all delicious
For my entrée I chose the steak and fries..let me tell you these fries are amazing! Steak was so perfectly cooked. My pal next to me had ordered the salmon and let me try some and it too was delicious!
Right after lunch we headed across the street to a wine tasting class at Village California Bistro & Wine Bar. I am not well educated on wine and liquors so I welcome the chance to learn! There also were dessert pairings to go with the wines and they were so amazing.
Noble Wrath, a California Sauvignon Blanc, was paired with a delicious vanilla bean panna-cotta topped with a fresh blackberry coulis. Folks, this is HEAVEN in your mouth when the flavors mix!
The second wine was a Zinfandel out of Sonoma called Bella. This one was more fun to swirl and look at its properties before tasting
Normally I don’t like red wines but this one has a pleasant aftertaste. It was paired with a flourless chocolate cake, coconut macaroon and ice cream. The cake was super rich so I dipped it in the ice cream to cut the richness. It tasted like fudge to me.
We had a private class but I can say the entire place was packed with customers both to eat and try wine. Very popular!
Dinner was at the Loft Bar and Bistro.
Description: Super popular hot spot featuring a patio for outdoor enjoyment, has a local and seasonal type menu.
My opinion: Everything seemed to have capers (it’s in the name!) but I managed to order my pork piccata without capers. Coming from someone who lives in Michigan we can’t eat outside a lot because of mosquitoes and bugs. In California this just never happens. GREAT place for gatherings, the patio was hosting a small wedding reception during our meal and it was lovely!
They had some really delicious appetizers including scallops and red onion strings.
For my entrée I chose the Pork Piccata, which was very tasty with the garlic mashed potatoes!
Saturday
With a late lunch and even later brunch at the Silicon Valley Capital Club we really didn’t need to have lunch anywhere we were all stuffed for hours. There were also snacks and drinks at the Jazz Fest if we needed them.
Dinner however was enjoyed at Arcadia.
Description: A Modern Steakhouse ran by renowned chef Michael Mina. The décor was upscale and the vibe was a nice energy.
My opinion: This is part of the San Jose Marriott and since I knew from my chef at culinary school that Marriot is the best place to work, I KNEW it would boast an amazing restaurant and I was right. I actually enjoyed a Rosè wine throughout dinner. It was amazing.
Ahi Tuna Popper with Wasabi Caviar
Duck Spring rolls..these were SO amazing I love duck!
This was my amazing dinner, Braised short ribs with cippolini onions carrots and horseradish gremolata. This is the kind of dish where you want to make sure you have each component on the fork because together they make an amazing flavor profile!
Trio of Crème Brulee
Homemade beignets with caramel CUSTARD…custard..sooooooo gooood!
Although the restaurant calls itself a steakhouse, I must disagree; I call it a very high end place, because the food was much more than the steakhouses I am used to. LOVED this place.
Sunday’s eats were eclectic and so so seasonal and local I loved it!
Lunch was offered from the The Blackbird Tavern
Description: American Bistro; vibe, open, airy, also has patio. Funky and fun décor
My opinion: Not your regular pub/bistro this place was designed perfectly because for me I love a BRIGHT place so I can see my food and this was perfect.
Charcuterie and cheese platter
Garlic potato wedges
Salad wedges with cherry tomatoes and LEMON cucumber. They looked like lemons but tasted like cucumbers. I’d never even heard of them before this salad!
Even the owner came to thank us for visiting, he was totally chill.
This was my meal, grilled chicken with heirloom tomatoes, bacon of course and fries. I shared half of this with the gal next to me and she gave me half of her burger. Both were amazing, fresh and not greasy at all.
Finally, this was my amazing dessert, spiced peaches and poundcake with fresh berries and lavender cream. I ate every single bite of this it was just so fresh and light and delicious!
Dinner was at San Pedro Square Market… This is what I like to call the farm market of restaurants, all small, all fresh, from sushi to ice cream you can get your grub on easily.
I was still very full so I went for some dessert, a simple but lovely red velvet and cream cheese frosting cupcake.
These are just some of the meals I had in San Jose, and there are many more restaurants. San Jose might be called a business city and Silicon Valley but for me it could easily be a culinary destination with the many local, seasonal offering by the restaurants and of course the wine!
Be sure to check out my San Jose Travel Guide if you’re planning a visit.
Candace Reid authors the site Serendipity Mommy and is currently working on achieving her dreams as a travel food writer.
Images: Candace Reid
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