Once an agricultural depot from the sleepy days of the valley of heart’s delight, the Farmers Union has taken on a new life in San Jose as a modern gastropub, complete with a huge central bar and massive projection TV. With its location in historic San Pedro Square not far from SAP Center, a menu of comfort food and extensive on-tap beer selection, the Farmers Union aims to be downtown San Jose’s sporting event gathering spot.
Restaurants News - page 52
Owners Dan Phan and Johnny Wang opened Original Gravity Public House in downtown San Jose last July to much fanfare among local beer fans, and rightfully so. Their 25 rotating taps and bottled beer selections have been focal points since day one, and they have done much to help raise the profile of the South Bay beer scene.
If you’ve ever wondered what traditional breakfast in Turkey is like, wonder no more. Olympus Caffe & Bakery offers several common breakfast and baked good items that are otherwise difficult to find in the Bay Area.
Shaved ice isn’t just relegated to that nostalgic, syrupy snow cone. In fact, a new construction of shaved ice is starting to develop in the South Bay.
Located on William street next-door to San Jose Stage Company, Orchestria Palm Court offers the feel of an early 20th-century bistro, but with a modern menu designed with the health-conscious in mind. Owner Mark Williams, who previously worked as an engineer, says he was always fascinated by the mechanics of electric pianos and vintage jukeboxes.
After business school, culinary school and post-grad work as an executive sous chef in Texas, Darren Nguyen opened Pho 69, popular lunch spot on South First Street in San Jose. With a variety of pho offerings, sandwiches and rice and noodle bowls, the restaurant has emerged as a neighborhood favorite.
Walking into Campo 185, a new Italian restaurant in downtown Palo Alto, it’s not hard to imagine this place plucked right out of a modern Italian city where families come to dine. There’s a lot of cozy seating for large groups and families, though it still is accommodating for couples. But if you are going there expecting a quiet, candle-lit, romantic Italian dinner, the tables’ close proximity might not make this the best choice.
At Walia in San Jose, our order was on its way. The server lowered a solitary platter onto our table with a hazel colored sheet of injera, or Ethiopian bread, stretching towards the edges. He took his time to ladle all of our dishes onto this cushiony surface, activating a series of radiant aromas. When he was done we allowed our eyes to feast on this colorful palette as the warm steam hit our noses.
When Psycho Donuts head chef Ron Levi and his assistant Joe Cloutier were tapped to compete in TV show Donut Showdown, the bakery’s Bay Area following had no clue. The six episodes aired in April on Food Network Canada.
Blending a casual menu of California freshness and New Orleans zing against a backdrop of live music, Blackbird Tavern is ready to bring a new concept to San Jose for what a local restaurant and tavern can be for the community.
