Client Dinner in San Jose - Suggestions?

[thsoup10]

I am looking for an upscale restaurant in San Jose for hosting a business dinner for 8 people.

I am open to any cusine suggestions. The only requirement is that it be a fine dining establishment and have great service. Price is not an issue.

As you can probably guess, I am not from the area (this will be in fact, my first visit to San Jose). I would be forever grateful for suggestions from locals.

Much thanks!

[mikeh]

How mobile will you and your clients be? Alexander's Steakhouse in Cupertino (up 280 about 10 miles west of downtown) is better than anything you'll find in San Jose itself. Great atmosphere for the conduct of business, a classic steakhouse menu to suit a wide range of palates but with cutting-edge touches that put it above and beyond. Along with Angus Barn in Raleigh, NC, it's my favorite steakhouse in the country.

http://www.alexanderssteakhouse.com/silicon_valley.html

If you must stick with downtown, your safe bet for a proper atmosphere (although the food is classic "business meeting" food and is just okay) is Michael Mina's Arcadia. Michael Mina himself is a celebrity chef and this is part of his empire, but he kinda phones it in with this particular location. Still, I'd feel comfortable conducting business there without any hiccups or major annoyances.

http://www.michaelmina.net/restaurant.php?restaurant_id=9&action=home

Now, if you're looking for a true destination, one of the best restaurants in the entire country
is 12 miles south of San Jose in Los Gatos. It's called Manresa. A lot of people like it more than French Laundry. However, here the food is going to be the star, as it is a destination restaurant that people come to the Bay Area just to try. Not sure how they are about accommodating a party of 8.

http://www.manresarestaurant.com/

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Alexander's Steakhouse
10330 N. Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014

[mdg]

A couple of other possibilities would be Parcel 104, nearby in Santa Clara, and Le Papillon in western San Jose. Parcel 104 seems particularly geared to business dinners. Neither has food as remarkable as Manresa (or, from what I've heard, Alexander's) but should be fine for what you're looking for.

Michael

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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

Parcel 104
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Le Papillon
410 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129

[alyssakies]

Try Cin-Cin in Los Gatos. It's a wine bar so it may not be what you're looking for, but the food (cheese selection can't be beat) and service is fantastic.

www.cincinwinebar.com

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Cin Cin Wine Bar
368 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030

[openhelix]

I like Cin Cin but it wouldn't be on my list for a business dinner. Not at all flashy, very informal and VERY loud...

Alexander's would be my first choice with the runners up being Parcel 104 or maybe even Bayonne (downtown SJ) with drinks at singlebarrel

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Parcel 104
2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054

[emi50]

Paolo's is worth looking at. Downtown San Jose.

[emi50]

Oh, yeah, just remembered: 71 Saint Peter.

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71 Saint Peter
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110

[mikeh]

Hasn't 71 Saint Peter gone massively downhill over the past few years? Also, the atmosphere used to be a bit too..."hip." With that Turkish curtain and all.

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71 Saint Peter
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110

[emi50]

Your info may be more current than mine. Thanks. So OP, take that 71 Saint Peter recommendation under advisement. But recent reports of Paolo's suggest it could be great for an upscale business dinner...

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71 Saint Peter
71 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110

[gb44]

I agree. After many a fine lunch and dinner at 71 St. Peter, I was bitterly disappointed on my last visit.