Even though the much-anticipated grand opening event didn’t happen on October 22, there’s still much to be excited about at the new San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Slowly but surely, space is filling up and there are some exciting vendors and events to talk about.

The San Pedro Square Market Bar is located on a piece of real estate once home to the historic El Dorado Bakery. The bar will serve as a meeting place for people to enjoy a cocktail or take a leisurely stroll throughout the entire 50,000 square foot project. The bar has a wide selection of specialty drinks and eight beers on tap. It opens onto the amazing 18,000 square foot Peralta Adobe Plaza which will offer daily entertainment for people of all ages.

Store Hours
Monday-Thursday 4:00 pm - Midnight
Fridays 11:00 am- Midnight
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pizza Bocca Lupo is the first Neapolitan pizzeria in the South Bay that bakes in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples. The oven cooks the pizza in 1-2 minutes at very high temperatures giving them a distinct taste and texture. The pizza will be baked using the same ingredients as the best pizzerias in Naples: very fine Tipo 00 flour, authentic San Marzano Tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, fresh mozzarella (buffalo or cow), and more.

Store Hours
Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday – 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday - 11:30am - 2:00pm & 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

Vino Vino Wine Bar knows there are a lot of people out there that are fans of wine but hate the attitude that sometimes comes with it. They emphasize great music, great food and, of course, great wine. Vino Vino offers 13 wines on tap and another 3-dozen in the bottle, featuring local wineries. Click here to check out their food and wine menu.

Store Hours
Monday - Friday open at 11:30AM
Saturday & Sunday open at 2:00 PM

Crewners is a unique, single-chair, full service barbershop providing exceptional customer service in a nostalgic and relaxing atmosphere. Integrating vintage decor with modern furnishings distinguishes Crewners Barbershop above any others. Crewners mission is to provide the utmost level of service and professionalism while maintaining the integrity and distinction their customers deserve.

Store Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday - Monday Closed

The San Pedro Square Market offers music and entertainment most nights of the week. San Jose Sharks away games are shown throughout the bar area and projected outside onto a 13-foot screen. Many special events will be taking place at the Market like the upcoming Tamale Making Workshops.

Come check it out. The San Pedro Square Market is destined to become one of the coolest places to be in downtown San Jose. Check back here often upcoming news on new tenants.

The San Pedro Square Market is located at 87 N. San Pedro Street on the corner of W. St. John Street in downtown San Jose. For more information visit their website at www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com.

Have you ever driven past The 88 or Axis and wondered what it would be like to live in one of downtown San Jose’s high rises with their spectacular views and amazing amenities? Well wonder no more. This Saturday, October 29 is the San Jose Condo Crawl Open House. From 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm high-rise complexes Axis, The 88 and City Heights will open their doors so everyone can experience what downtown San Jose urban high-rise living is all about. Print your passport here, then get out and experience downtown San Jose. Take one of the designated walkable routes between buildings, or catch an Eco City Cycle pedicab. Make sure you get your passport stamped at each property – it will be good for a complimentary drink at the San Pedro Square Market, the rendezvous point after the condo crawl.

So spend Saturday afternoon experiencing everything that’s new in downtown San Jose. You never know, you may find your future home.

What: Downtown San Jose Condo Crawl Open House

When: Saturday, October 29, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Where: Start at any one of three high-rise residential complexes-

The 88
88 E. San Fernando Street between 2nd and 3rd.

Axis
38 N. Almaden Blvd. near Santa Clara Street

City Heights
175 W. St. James Street near Julian Street

Finish at the San Pedro Square Urban Market
87 N. San Pedro Street at E. St. John Street

After a hard day’s work, are you looking for somewhere to kick back, enjoy a cocktail, and just relax without breaking the bank? Look no further than downtown San Jose. Whether you’re looking for a quiet lounge or a rowdy bar crowd, downtown San Jose has what you’re looking for. As a downtown San Jose high-rise condo resident and worker, our office often gets together after work to decompress and enjoy some time together away from the office. It’s been a while since I’ve written about this, so here are some new and revisited of mine and my coworker’s favorite places:

Billy Berk’s - 99 S. 1st Street
A great people watching place with 180° of glass and a large square bar in the heart of the restaurant.
Monday - Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and Sunday 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
$2 off Billy’s specialty cocktails, all 6 oz. wines by the glass, select beers, and well drinks.
$4 - $7 appetizers including BBQ pork sliders, calamari, crispy oriental beef (one of my favorites!), assorted sausage and mustard plate, buffalo chicken tenders, and chipotle pepper jack potato skins.

Firehouse#1 – 69 N. San Pedro Street
An intimate, lively bar where everybody knows your name.
Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Draft beer and mixed drink specials
½ price appetizers (no food specials when the Sharks play at home) – chicken wings, sliders, steak bites, potato skins, tiger prawns

Loft Bar & Bistro – 99 S. 2nd Street
A long, rustic bar offers plenty of seating, as does the rooftop patio.
Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$4 Beers, $6 House Red or White Wine, Specialty Cocktails
$6 Appetizers – Buffalo wings, ½ lb. burger with fries, calamari, turkey and avocado sliders, Chinese chicken salad, quesadilla

McCormick & Schmick’s – 170 S. Market Street
Sit back on the patio in the heart of downtown San Jose for some excellent people watching.
Monday - Friday, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm to close
Daily drink specials
$1.95 – $4.95 bar menu - corn on the cob, quesadilla, Buffalo wings, nachos, BBQ pork sliders to name a few, including the $2.95 – ½ lb. cheeseburger

Morton’s, the Steakhouse – 177 Park Avenue
Enjoy “Power Hour” in this sophisticated and luxurious oasis.
Daily – 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm and 9pm to close
$5 beers, $6.50 wines, $7.50 “Mortinis” and cocktails
$6 and $7 Bar Bites – iceberg wedge bites, mini crab cake BLTs, smoked salmon pizza, sliders, petit filet sandwich

San Jose Bar & Grill – 85 S. 2nd Street
A lively crowd for the young and young at heart.
Monday – Friday, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Drink specials - $2 PBR, $2.50 Bud Lights, $3.50 drafts and well, $5.50 call, $1.00 off premiums
Daily slider, appetizer, burger/sandwich, and salad special - $7 - $9

The Grill on the Alley – 172 S. Market Street
Feel like a member of the Rat Pack with a warm and inviting ambience reminiscent of a 1940’s dinner clubs.
Sunday – Thursday, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Friday – Saturday, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$5 Draft Beer and Well Drinks
$3, $5, $6 Small Plates – potato skins, calamari, popcorn shrimp, loaded mac & cheese, crab cake or Kobe sliders

If you’ve ever thought about moving to a high-rise residential complex in downtown San Jose but are aren’t sure you want to buy before trying downtown living, why not think about renting? Silicon Valley Lofts & Condos has several 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos available for rent.

Three units are available at the Park Townsend complex. They range in size from 1583 – 2000 square feet – probably the largest condos you’ll find in downtown San Jose. All the units feature granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchens, walk-in closets, large bathrooms, in-unit laundry, and plenty of storage. They all come with 2 parking spots. Park Townsend is a secure building with secured underground parking, a pool and hot tub, fitness room, and social room with full kitchen. It’s within walking distance of everything downtown San Jose has to offer – restaurants, bars, theater, sports, and special events.

We also have a condo available for rent at the historic Plant 51 on The Alameda in downtown San Jose. The condo is 1200 square feet and features hardwood floors throughout, a beautiful kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances, and a custom file backsplash. The master bedroom has a walk-in closet, and the master bath features a tile floor, granite counter, and large tiled shower. There is an in-unit full-sized washer and dryer. Plant 51 is a very cool building. The builders wisely kept the old brick facade of the original cannery. It features lushly landscaped outdoor spaces including a BBQ area, several outdoor dining and seating areas, outdoor fire pits, a bicycle storage room, and a very modern fitness room with separate studio and locker room. Cahill Park and Diridon Station are in the Plant 51’s backyard, and the HP Pavilion is one block away.

So come to downtown San Jose and find out what people in-the-know already know – downtown San Jose is a great place to live!

Caffe Trieste is Now Caffe Frascati

Caffe Frascati is in the same downtown San Jose location (next to Original Joe’s and in the 360 Residences’ backyard), has the same owners and offers the same great authentic Italian espresso - it just is no longer a franchise of San Francisco’s Caffe Trieste. Other specialties at Caffe Frascati include panini, baguette sandwiches, salads, pastries and desserts, Italian wines, and my favorite, Moretti beer on tap! Caffe Frascati offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and has open mic night on Tuesdays. They are a regular stop on downtown San Jose’s South First Fridays art walk.

Caffe Frascati is at 315 S. 1st Street, just south of San Carlos Street, in downtown San Jose.

Modern Greek Food Comes to Downtown San Jose

The old Smoke Tiki Lounge on Post Street has been reinvented as a modern Greek restaurant and lounge. Myth Taverna & Lounge features modern Greek cuisine, signature cocktails, fine wines, and a great selection of domestic, micro-brewery, and imported beers. They have elegant indoor seating as well as a chic and comfortable patio. Both areas are open for lunch and dinner. Some of the highlights of Myth’s authentic Greek menu include dolmathes, spanakopita, gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, and baklava for dessert. The patio features live music at Happy Hour, and DJs spin house, techno, and old school music into the night.

Myth Taverna & Lounge is located at 152 Post Street, one block south of Market Street at San Pedro Street, near the HP Pavilion and the Axis high-rise residential complex.

Crema Coffee Roasting Company Opens Its Second Location in Downtown San Jose

Crema Coffee Roasting Co. is a family-owned coffeehouse with an intensely loyal following and a devotion to giving back to the community. They now offer a second location to join their Rose Garden coffeehouse on the Alameda near downtown San Jose. The new location is in the Fairmont Plaza near the Circle of Palms and the San Jose Museum of Art. This new location offers the same great coffee drinks (Caramel Almond Royale anyone?) made from fresh in-house roasted beans, Italian sodas, pastries, desserts, and sandwiches. Free wifi is available.

Crema Coffee Roasting Co. is at 50 W. San Fernando Street, between Market and 1st Streets in downtown San Jose.

If you’re a UFC fan like me, wouldn’t you rather join like-minded fans in downtown San Jose to watch the latest UFC fight, rather that sit at home? As a downtown San Jose condo resident, I like to head to 4th Street Pizza to watch the fights. This Saturday, August 6, 5’ 11”, 205 lb. Rashad “Suga” Evans faces off against 6’ 3” 205 lb. “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz. 4th Street Pizza in downtown San Jose is the perfect venue to watch UFC or any sports action. There’s not a bad seat in the house as there are plenty of plasma and LCD flat screen TV’s throughout the restaurant.

And did I mention the food? 4th Street Pizza serves award-winning pizza by the slice or full pizzas. Their pizzas are made with only the best quality and freshest ingredients. They also offer a full salad bar with over 34 tasty toppings. 4th Street Pizza has a full bar with great prices on beer by the glass or pitcher.

This Saturday, August 6, 4th Street Pizza will be showing the Evans vs. Ortiz UFC Fight starting at 6:00 pm. Admission is $10 for men and free for the ladies. They’ll be offering their usual Super Saturday! specials: $9.99 all-you-can-eat slices and soda; $3 Jager or Jack shots; $6 Patron shots; and $8 pitchers of Bud Light from 6pm-9pm.

4th Street Pizza offers specials every day of the week (expect Sunday). They’re located at 150 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose, on the corner of 4th and Santa Clara Streets across from City Hall. They specialize in corporate catering and delivery, and can also host parties up to 100 people in their restaurant. Click here to check them out!

As a downtown San Jose high-rise condo resident, I love the fact that I can walk 2 blocks from my front door to San Pedro Square and find the freshest produce and food products of the season. The downtown San Jose Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John Streets. In addition to just-picked fruits and vegetables, you’ll find vendors selling fresh flowers and plants, baked goods, yummy sweets, and handcrafted items such as jewelry and clothing. It’s also a great place to grab a quick bite from vendors selling lunch items.

Next Friday, August 12, is the Great Downtown Salsa Taste-Off. If you have a great salsa recipe and think you have what it takes to win, submit your recipe by August 8 to aanderson@sjdowntown.com. The top 3-5 recipes will be prepared for tasting and judging on August 12. Be sure to come by and taste the best recipes in San Jose, and vote for your favorite.

For more information about the downtown San Jose Farmers Market, click here.

The sign is now complete at the San Pedro Square Market with the addition of the giant clock. The clock sits between the words “Square” and “Market” and instantly becomes a focal point of the signage. And its almost time for this urban market at San Pedro Square to open shop. The anticipated September grand opening for the San Pedro Square Market is being anxiously awaited by many downtown residents, workers, and visitors.

The San Pedro Square Market was featured prominently in this week’s Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. Kudos to market manager Steve Borkenhagen and the San Pedro Square Market. Check out the articles here and another article here.

Do you want to live longer? Well, your chances of living a longer life are better if you live in the City of San Jose. That’s right. According to research by the CDC and online site The Daily Beast, the life expectancy is the highest among US cities right here in San Jose. The life expectancy of San Jose male residents is 79.2 years while San Jose females enjoy a life expectancy of 82.9 years. Maybe its the water here in San Jose! So if you want to live longer, live in San Jose.

For more information or to see the full list, check out The Daily Beast.

Two community-building events are taking place at St. James Park in downtown San Jose over the next two weeks. This Saturday, neighbors and friends of St. James Park are holding a park clean-up. There is a growing concern about the condition of St. James Park from residents in nearby downtown San Jose residential condo complexes such as One East Julian, Park Townsend, The Plaza, and City Heights. The hope is once the park is clean there will be a higher probability of neighborhood activities taking place on this beautiful piece of real estate, and the park will be maintained on an ongoing basis. Come out, get a little exercise, meet your neighbors, and do something good for downtown San Jose. Coffee, tea, and brown bag lunches will be provided.

Tuesday, August 2 is the 28th Annual National Night Out. National Night Out is a Night Out Against Crime. It is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. The St. James Neighborhood Association is hosting National Night Out in St. James Park. Entertainment will include comedy, games and classical and flamenco guitar performances. Refreshments will generously be provided by Morocco’s and Picasso’s Restaurants. Come out, get to know your neighbors and learn more about community projects at St. James Park. Volunteers are also needed. To volunteer, RSVP to the event, or for more information, please call (408) 275-9039.

What: St. James Park Neighborhood Clean-Up
When: Saturday, July 23, 9:00 am – Noon
Where: Meet at 3rd and St. James Streets in downtown San Jose across from the San Jose Athletic Club
For more information call (408) 275-9039

What: National Night Out in St. James Park
When: Tuesday, August 2, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: St. James Park in downtown San Jose