Quick Bite: Caffe Trieste, downtown San Jose

By Amy Pizarro for the Mercury News

One detail says all you need to know about Caffe Trieste: champagne flutes.

When was the last time you saw those at a neighborhood coffeehouse?

The downtown San Jose newcomer, latest link in a Bay Area chain that originated in San Francisco's North Beach, gets the basics right with a full menu of the usual coffeehouse suspects. But sipping a glass of crisp prosecco in a flute makes it feel far classier than your ordinary mom-and-pop joint.

The 60-seat cafe, which opened in August, is a few doors down from the California Theatre near First and San Carlos streets.

Order at the counter, then find a seat either on the first floor or in the upstairs loft, which has couches as well as tables and chairs. The decor is simple but pleasant, with low-hanging fans and yellow walls framed by dusky blue trim. There's a counter at the window if you wish to people-watch, or keep to yourself at the wooden bar set against a mirrored panel, a cool piece picked up from San Jose's historic Almaden Feed and Fuel.

The menu's best bet is fresh-off-the-press panini, a kind of sandwich I'm crazy about. In fact, I like panini so much I even enjoy those that aren't so good — overloaded with oily filling or so bready you can barely stuff them down. That's not a problem at Caffe Trieste, where the market-fresh ingredients and quality Le Boulanger breads are in perfect balance, at bargain prices.

The ham and cheese panini ($5.95) comes grilled in a ciabatta loaf. Its crisp golden crust gave way to a soft center, with generous portions of smoky ham and Swiss cheese. It was a bit cool in the middle, but that was easy to forgive once I tasted the tangy sun-dried tomato pesto.

Even better is the vegetarian panini ($6.95). Grilled portobello mushrooms mingle with Roma tomato and red onion atop arugula leaves and roasted red pepper pesto. The filling is topped with a layer of creamy goat cheese so thick it burst out the back of the sandwich as I chomped down. It might be a tad rich for some palates, but I was in heaven.

My companion's favorite was the grilled chicken panini ($5.95). This hearty sandwich is layered with fresh tomato and arugula, plus two thin filets of tender, flavorful chicken. Basil pesto finishes the dish.

Also satisfying is the baguette sandwich, served in a sturdy 10-inch roll with a dense crust and a soft, chewy interior. Shaved ham and romaine are laid across a fat strip of creamy Brie in the ham-and-cheese ($5.95). Dijon mustard and a spread of butter give this sandwich a rich European flavor.

There are several varieties of quiche, and I opted for a slice of the savory quiche Lorraine ($5.95). The rich, flaky crust holds fluffy egg and thin folds of ham and Swiss cheese to create a dish that is light but still hearty. It is served alongside a sizable salad of mixed baby greens, balsamic vinegar, shredded Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

I highly recommend finishing your meal with a treat from the pastry case. At the suggestion of our cashier, who thoughtfully remembered we were drinking wine, we sampled an exquisite fruit tart ($3.65) filled with a mound of glazed kiwis, mango and assorted berries. Another strong choice is the creamy cannoli, one of the traditional Italian desserts imported daily from Dianda's Italian American Pastry in San Francisco.

Buying from a local pastry store might be cheaper, but it's that kind of refined detail that sets Caffe Trieste apart.

CAFFE TRIESTE
315 S. First St., San Jose(408) 287-0400, www.caffetrieste.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight Friday, 8 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday

Types of food: Pastries, sandwiches and panini, salads
Average price: $6
Good choices: Vegetarian panini, ham-and-brie sandwich
Attitude: Casual
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating; live music on weekends and open-mic night on Tuesdays
Vegetarian options: Salads, quiche and several sandwiches
Drinks: Full coffeehouse menu, plus wine, beer, sparkling water, juice, soda and tea
Eat in car: The baguette sandwich would be an easy commuter meal.
Next-day edibility: A panini and a baguette sandwich were both lovely after rejuvenation in the microwave.
Who goes there: Families, theatergoers, neighborhood office workers.
Credit cards: Accepted
Parking: On-street parking is metered; otherwise, there are several nearby garages.

Restaurant reviews are conducted anonymously. The Mercury News pays for all meals.

San Jose Police to Ride Segways

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) -- San Jose police are adopting a new strategy Monday for patrolling the downtown area. Some of them will be hopping on a modern-day "chariot" to fight crime. It is called a Segway, a two-wheeled electronic personal transporter that allows the user to navigate busy streets with relative ease.

KCBS’ Dave Padilla Reports

San Jose mayor Chuck Reed says the police department has just received three Segways that will be used by officers to patrol downtown.

"We think the Segways are going to be a great way to get police officers down with the people on the streets and still give them plenty of mobility,” said Reed. “Our methods of handling large numbers of people in the downtown are constantly evolving and we think the Segways are a nice addition to the portfolio of things that we can use.”

San Jose will become the first major city in Northern California to use the personal transporters. Police Lt. Ruben Chavez says officers on Segways will be more approachable, allowing for a better personal connection between police and residents.

(MGO)

Copyright 2008, KCBS. All Rights Reserved.

2009 Air Medical Transport Conference

The 2009 Air Medical Transport Conference will be held in San Jose, California October 26-28. Please check back regularly for further information and more updates about the AMTC.