37231 Tue Jun 21 03:08:51 -0700 2005 17 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 173083 Hey Everyone - I know there was a similar post recently (which I read and appreciated) but I was hoping for a few more leads. I just moved to San Jose from Boston, am totally unfamiliar with this area and, after a couple days of strike outs and fast food, am in serious withdrawl. No limits on food type or nationality, just wondering if anyone could give me a couple of names of solid places to try... Thanks! Tue Jun 21 03:08:51 -0700 2005 0 The Frying Dutchman 1 173127 Here's one of the best value picks in the entire bay area... One of my favorite places is called the Sonoma Chicken Coop (Koop?) in Downtown San Jose. Very good food at low prices and fast. Good staff. Really tasty chicken dishes. Good desserts. Self-serve drink machines. Very clean. Multiple screens showing the game(s) of the day. Additional patio seating. Easy parking next door garage. It's a real winner in my book. Tue Jun 21 13:47:55 -0700 2005 173083 0 J T 2 173145 I'm going to disagree on Sonoma Chicken Coop. It's a good performer if you're talking about price/quantity ratios. And it presents way more compelling-sounding options than anything else in its price bracket. But...the food there is...well, I don't think it's good for much more than basic slaking of hunger. Tue Jun 21 14:58:57 -0700 2005 173127 0 Chester 1 173142 My new favorite place is Yasu, in Japantown...on Jackson Street in between 5th and 6th. It's a terrific hidden gem of a restaurant. The chef/owner is formerly of Puck's Chinois and Nobu's (Nobu Matsuhisa) and it shows in his food. The menu is small, but portions are generous, prices reasonable and the presentation and the tastes are amazing! It's asian inspired with a twist. Hard to explain, but it's incredible! Link: http://www.restaurantyasu.com Tue Jun 21 14:47:38 -0700 2005 173083 0 Jinks 1 173153 You might get more recs if you do ask for a specific type (there are so many) or neighborhood (San Jose is a big town). :shrug: Downtown, you can check out 'St Peters Square' - which isn't a square at all, and the stretch of Santa Clara St right around it - tons of places, I like Britania Arms and 71 St. Peter. Also, the area around 1st & San Carlos is pretty well-stocked with eateries, notably Original Joe's (old-school italian-american). There are some other restaurant-rich areas. Oakridge (now a 'Westfield' shopping center) on Blossom Hill, has just put in a bunch (mostly upscale chains). Also, many in downtown Campbell (Campbell is completely surrounded by San Jose), and the nearby Pruneyard (which also houses the Camera 7 theatres) - if you like Japanese, try Komatsu on Orchard. Big Basin Way in Saratoga has some classy places, like La Mare Michelle. There are also some more-or-less local 'chains' (in that they have more than one location) that are pretty consistent. Holder's Country Inn serves great coffee and breakfast food (and good lunch & dinner, too, but we always go for breakfast). Giorgio's/'Frankie, Johnie & Luigi,' and Florentine serve good italian (northern italian, BTW, almost all the italian in the south bay is more or less northern). Tue Jun 21 15:37:20 -0700 2005 173083 0 Manuel 1 173215 Where abouts San Jose are you? Tue Jun 21 21:11:49 -0700 2005 173083 0 Cary 2 173238 For good Ethiopian food, I highly recommend Zeni in West San Jose. Link: http://www.zenirestaurant.com Wed Jun 22 00:27:43 -0700 2005 173215 0 jimmy eat wonton 2 173248 Thanks for the suggestions so far. As far as location, I'm around where the 85 and 101 meet but I'm willing to drive for good food. As for type, I'm pretty open though I'm particularly partial to Thai... anything is welcome though :) Wed Jun 22 01:57:52 -0700 2005 173215 0 The Frying Dutchman 3 173263 Dutch, welcome to town. Moved here from Boston myself ~12 years ago. Sounds like you are close to Mountain View, if so, go to Castro St. and go wild. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern and more await you. Also, one of my favorite things here in the Bay Area are the farmers markets, many are open year round and feature the best of nearby farms (organic and not.) I am particularly taken with the one in my town, Los Gatos, on Sunday mornings. Make sure to go to the oyster bar in the market, say hi to Bill, ask if he has any Kumimoto's and think to yourself: "I'm not in Boston anymore." Wed Jun 22 06:22:23 -0700 2005 173248 0 Reuel 4 173273 I was thinking he was at the other end of 85 and 101 (out by IBM). As far as SJ eats: Tsing Tao San Thomas Aquino and Campbell Campbell Chinese food; large portions, moderate price. The Hunan Beef is outstanding. Krung Thai N. Winchester San Jose Thai. Sister-restaurant to S. Winchester location. I enjoy eating at this one vs. the other. Thai Bistro Kirkwood Cupertino Thai. GREAT prices, excellent choices, VERY personable service. Small place, though, so lunch can be a challenge if you go at crunch time. John's Xlint Food Lincoln San Jose Greek and American food. EXCELLENT. We dine here at least once a week. Breakfasts are very reasonable. Kid friendly restaurant. Emile's 2nd Str. Mediterranean. Special ocassion restaurant. It's worth the reservations. Taiwan Restaurant Lincoln Chinese. Another solid performer in Clan Ranger's rotation. Wed Jun 22 11:35:34 -0700 2005 173263 0 The Ranger 5 173296 Oops, my mistake, I think you are correct and he's at the southern connection of 101 & 85. That will teach me to post at that hour... My comments re Farmers Markets, wherever he finds them, are still valid. Wed Jun 22 13:19:43 -0700 2005 173273 0 Reuel 6 173562 Re: Farmers' Markets being a great source for good eats I also enjoy visiting the different farmers' markets in San Jose. Vallco Farmers' Market is held on Fridays, from 9am to 1:00pm. There are two vendors, (Van Groningen & Sons - Escalon URL: http://www.vgandsons.com ) and Medina Berry Farms - Watsonville, that are worth the trek alone! There are two others I'm familiar with: San Pedro Square FM is held on Fridays, also, from 10am to 2pm. Parking can be challenging so give yourself some extra time (and bring quarters!) Campbell FM is held on Sundays from 9am to 1pm. It has a couple bakers present that I haven't seen at either of the other two FM. I've yet to see a comprehensive listing of every Bay Area-wide FM but here's a link listing more than a few: http://www.kqed.org/topics/home/cooking/farmers-markets.jsp Thu Jun 23 16:23:33 -0700 2005 173296 0 The Ranger 7 173644 This is my favorite site that has all certified California farmers markets. On this site, there is a mention of an upcoming Thursday farmers market at Crocker Galleria in SF. Anyone heard anything. Would be nice if you are in that area and didn't need to schlep down to FP. http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/SF.html The Sunday Los Gatos Farmers Market is great. If you drive as far as Campbell, the LG market is just a few more miles. This site is not as comprehensive as the link below, but has some pictures and additional info. In the link below, if the farmers market has a website, it is listed. In the SJ area, I also like the Evergreen Farmers Market at the La Rocelle winery. It is really small but it has a few unique vendors and you can get a glass of wine at the winery while shopping. Has been a few years since I've been though. Link: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/search/ Thu Jun 23 22:00:37 -0700 2005 173562 0 rworange 3 173264 my favorite Thai restaurant in SJ is Krungthai Restaurant, 642 S. Winchester Blvd (Moorpark/280), SJ. tasty food, big portions, moderate prices. Went once and really liked it. Link: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=t5dik17.924fkbyn&Uy=lnkgau&Ux=0 Wed Jun 22 08:59:06 -0700 2005 173248 0 Arlene 4 173277 Wow, thanks for the pics, Arlene. Am def. going to try this place. The soup and B's favorite dish looked awesome. Good place to take the in-laws. Wed Jun 22 11:50:11 -0700 2005 173264 0 Carb Lover 4 173443 I second that recommendation. It seems like there is a strong Cantonese influence since I overhear Cantonese from the help there. Wed Jun 22 21:12:05 -0700 2005 173264 0 Cary 3 173445 ...definitely check out Sushi Mania. It's by the Camden exit of 85. Best sushi place in the area, in my opinion. The place has been around for almost 15 years, and has a devoted coterie of regulars -- and for good reason. Check it out. Get yourself a tall Sapporo, insist on sharing a pour with Hidei the sushi chef/owner, and let the magic commence. Wed Jun 22 21:15:24 -0700 2005 173248 0 Chester 1 173780 For French Mediterranean: Brigitte's on Saratoga Ave. Something Innovative: Yasu in Japantown San Jose Japanese: Minato's or Kubota's in Japantown San Jose Sushi Masa on Camden in South San Jose Sushi: Tokie's in Foster City Kitsho in Cupertino Vietnamese: Pho Blossom on Blossom Hill Road, South San Jose Old Style Continental: Original Joe's, downtown San Jose. German: Teske's Germania, Downtown San Jose Pizza: The Garret, Jake's, Giorgio's...for thin crust go to Buca di Beppo! For something greasy...House of Pizza, downtown San Jose. Dim Sum: Dynasty (two locations) Story and McLaughlin or in Vallco Shopping Center on the Macy's side. Great regular Chinese also. Sandwiches: Togo's or on the upside, Max's. Burritos: Guadalajara Market and Bakery on Tenth and Empire in downtown San Jose. Huge burritos and great fresh tortillas that you can buy to take home. Or at Mi Pueblo, a Mexican Grocery store on 4th Street just past Japantown. They have a great Mexican bakery and a taqueria inside. Pubs: Britannia Arms..good fish and chips and bangers and mash, South San Jose. Fri Jun 24 15:45:01 -0700 2005 173083 0 Jinks