Wednesday Evening Dine-Arounds

Are you looking for a good place to dine while in San Jose?  Why not participate in one of our Dine-Arounds on Wednesday evening?  Select one of the restaurants recommended by locals and sign up at the Registration Desk.  It’s a great way to meet other people and make new friends. 

How it works

A group of no more than ten people will sign up for a given restaurant.  We’ll make the reservation for you.  Participants will meet in the lobby at 6 PM Wednesday. (Don’t worry, we’ll have helpers get the groups together).  The group will walk to the restaurant and enjoy an evening of fun and good food.  (Two of the restaurants will require a cab ride, so participants will share a cab.)  Each participant will pay for his/her own meal.

So, select a restaurant and sign up at the registration desk.  And get ready to meet some new colleagues.

Restaurants Selected

Within Walking Distance

1.  McCormick and Schmicks

http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/san-jose-california/SMarketSt.aspx
Although this is a chain, the food is excellent, the service is good and the restaurant itself is lovely.  For those of you who like outdoor dining, there is a lovely sidewalk venue. McCormick and Schmick is located just outside the Fairmont.  Fish is a specialty.

2.  71 St. Peter
http://www.71saintpeter.com/
This restaurant is located in the “historic San Pedro Square” area of downtown. The food is extraordinary and the service is excellent. This is a much smaller restaurant but it’s quaint and nice.  Continental cuisine.

3.  Il Fornaio
http://www.ilfornaio.com/?page=138&restaurant_id=3156
This is another chain restaurant. In my opinion, the food is pricey, but it is always excellent, has  great service and the ambience is very nice. Il Fornaio is located on the first floor of the St. Claire Hotel which is a half block from the Fairmont.  Italian.

4.  Original Joe’s  
http://www.originaljoes.com/
This restaurant is right around the corner on First Street. There are those who think you haven’t had Italian food in San Jose until you have eaten at Original Joe’s. The food is good – lots and lots of cheese and lots and lots of food. Some may consider it a little pricey. Italian.

5.  House of Siam
http://www.houseofsiamsanjose.com/
If you are craving Thai food, this restaurant, here you’ll find excellent food. The service is good but the décor is quite average. However, they do have a table that will sit 10 that has the floor recessed so you look like you are sitting on the floor, but you are quite comfortable. It’s fun, but not elegant. Thai.

6.  The Loft Bar & Bistro
http://www.loftbarandbistro.com/
The website shows it all and they have live jazz on Thursday night.  It’s very cozy and even has roof-top dining.  Overall, great food and atmosphere. 

7.  Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
http://www.gordonbiersch.com/restaurants/?pg=location&sub=loc&location_id=19
A wonderfully renovated restaurant in downtown San Jose and one of the area's premier outdoor dining courtyards. A cross between New Orleans funk, German beer gardens and a World War II Era farm house, this truly is a unique destination. The Courtyard stage is home to the area's top jazz, swing, blues, and ska bands.

8.  E & O Trading Company
http://www.eotrading.com/restaurants/sjose/gallery.html
Housed in a building from the late 1800's, the restaurant features an open dining room with dramatic 20' ceilings, a display kitchen, exposed brick walls, and authentic artifacts from throughout Southeast Asia. (Asian Fusion)

9.  Morton’s the Steakhouse
http://www.mortons.com/sanjose/
Morton’s is a well-known restaurant that is a little pricey.  However, if you want an excellent meal and great service and atmosphere, go ahead and take the plunge.  Morton’s is best known for its steaks, but also seafood and the wine list.

Need to Take a Cab (Santana Row)

10.  Maggiano’s Little Italy
http://www.santanarow.com/dining/
This is a great restaurant,  a cab ride away in the fashionable Santana Row shopping center - approximately Winchester and Stevens Creek. The food is great; the ambiance is fabulous. It’s pricey but always worth it.  Italian.
 
11.  Consuelo’s Bistro
http://www.consuelomexicanbistro.com/
This is a nice sidewalk restaurant and has good food. It has a nice atmosphere, good service and is definitely an upscale restaurant.  Mexican.