San Jose
Dining And Drinking

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The great number of popular bars and restaurants in downtown San Jose, the hub of the city's nightlife, presents something of a challenge. The visitor must choose from establishments ranging from the trendiest to the cheapest, featuring cuisines from every corner of the globe.

Downtown

Toon's, South First Billiards, and Agenda Lounge are but a few of San Jose's downtown bars and nightclubs. Sport bar buffs won't miss an inning at the Britannia Arms.

For the most refined and stylish dining in San Jose, regardless of cost, one should try the fusion favorite E & O Trading Company, and Spiedo Ristorante.

You can certainly eat well at other downtown restaurants, without such severe prices. Scott's Seafood, Il Fornaio and Blake's Steakhouse and Bar are all excellent choices for a business lunch or dinner. Robust and reliable American fare can also be had at local favorites Original Joe's and Waves Smokehouse and Saloon.

Eulipia serves imaginative fusion fare at reasonable prices in stylish surroundings. If you are a sushi lover, Kazoo should satisfy with remarkably fresh fish. Thepthai Thai Cuisine and House of Siam are favorites with local Thai food enthusiasts. And if you're not in the mood for Asian cuisine, try Picasso's Restaurant, a charming and traditional Spanish establishment with live flamenco guitar on weekends.

For some inexpensive but satisfying grub, the burrito haven of Muchos should fit the bill. Or head to Peggy Sue's, and to top it all off, O'Brien's Candy Store, an old-fashioned soda fountain inside the San Jose Historical Museum and a favorite, it has been said, of Richard M. Nixon.

Willow Glen

South of downtown, Willow Glen (an older neighborhood of San Jose) has lined its main drag, Lincoln Avenue, with some fine dining establishments. Aqui Cal-Mex Grill offers California-Mexican with a grill. Flower Flour is a great one stop bakery and flower shop, specializing in cakes, but with no shortage of other goodies as well as other café fare like sandwiches and salads. For something with a little more heat, Sue's Indian Cuisine is a small, hidden gem with great food.

Santa Clara

A highlight of Santa Clara (for the most part a land of chain and franchise restaurants) is Birk's Restaurant. Its California cuisine is worth the trip if you're in the area. However, Mexican food seems to be the specialty in Santa Clara, with such restaurants as Pedro's Restaurant and Cantina and Mexicali Grill.

San Jose West

Los Gatos, a town with a carefully preserved image and lots of money, has a small downtown area offering many worthwhile places to drink and dine. The Los Gatos Brewing Company is a local hangout where many go after work for some suds and chow. The Plumed Horse is another popular choice for locals and visitors.

A stroll down Santa Cruz Avenue (Los Gatos' main drag) will take you by a number of night spots where one can dance or listen to music. One can sniff the wealth in the restaurants of nearby Saratoga, as well: Viaggio is an impeccable Italian restaurant and bar. At La Fondue reservations are required up to three months in advance. The primary culinary attraction of Campbell (wedged between San Jose and Los Gatos) is The Pruneyard, a shopping center, where shopping is accompanied with a variety of eateries.

San Jose North

In Palo Alto, the California Cafe offers memorable views to complement the California cuisine and pleasant ambiance. Menara Moroccan Restaurant has been serving up North African cuisine for over 20 years, complete with bellydancers. Aldo, in Los Altos serves up small plates of traditional Italian foods, while Chef Chu's offers up some of the best Chinese food in the area.