Santa Clara‘s bar scene reflects the demands of students at the nearby private university. Mostly, the just-up-to-code dives cater to an ample number of partiers who trade their disposable income for cheap, strong drinks on sticky dance floors. Ambience ain’t a necessity for those who…
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2nd Story Bakeshop‘s inviting space is actually on the first floor. Christa, the friendly clerk, tells me “second story” refers to the second episode of one owner’s career. The dark-stained ceiling boards, a counter made of fruit crates and wood shelves were all handmade. Two…
The Super Bowl might be over, but Plaza de Cesar Chavez has a new lineup of events to kick off the hot summer months. City officials, the Knight Foundation and Adobe have partnered to launch Spring in Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a weekly outdoor gathering…
Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey returns to the South Bay; this time with a futuristic twist. Tickets are on sale now for the West Coast premier this summer. Often billed as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” the company is known for producing head-turning and…
One of the biggest problems with owning a private dirigible is that they tend to be quite large. Even the compact version Mr. Harada and I operate is just shy of 250 feet. So, while I steered the Von Barfly above the squat skyline of…
Original Joe’s is a downtown San Jose institution, standing strong for 60 years and serving Italian cuisine to loyal customers. General manager Bob Patane oversees operations, and he doesn’t mind commuting from Redwood City to serve good food to good people. How long have you…
The annual day of non-stop fundraising is almost here. At midnight May 3, Silicon Valley Gives begins its massive fundraising campaign, when online donations will be accepted for 24 hours in support of over 1,000 nonprofits from around the Bay Area. The fundraiser gives nonprofits the opportunity to…
An actual bell tower on top of the Bell Tower Café gives this downtown Saratoga eatery a bit of a European flair. An espresso machine straight from Rome graces the countertop and goes oh so well with the hammered tin ceiling. The minimalist glass displays…
San Jose’s most unique cat adoption center, The Dancing Cat, expects to reopen soon to help at-risk cats find loving homes. Last year, more than 2,000 cat lovers visited the café and 50 adult cats were adopted, according to Dancing Cat owners Ann Chasson and…
It’s a bustling time for new restaurant chains in Silicon Valley, as retail developments grow rapidly and diners begin to embrace mixed models of dining. LYFE Kitchen is not a newcomer—a highly regarded flagship restaurant opened in 2011 in Palo Alto. But while the brand…
