By: Juble.com
The ideal vacation getaway is one where there are thousands of activities from every aspect imaginable, including the ethnicity. No one wants a vacation full of meals at the same types of restaurants. The same holds true with activities. While the beach may be fun, no one wants to sit on the beach for two weeks straight without a break. They want variety. Finally, who would look forward to the same sports bar every night for after hour’s entertainment? People want variety, and that is what they get in the San Jose California nightlife.
With over forty clubs, bars, and dance spots to choose from, one could not possibly experience them all within a one or two week vacation time. Although the majority of San Jose nightlife locations are on a par of excellence that is unparalleled, there are a few that stand out in their originality, service, and interest.
The Voodoo Lounge: One of the most original and intriguing night sites in the Silicon Valley is that of The Voodoo lounge. The Voodoo lounge gives a dark and romantic atmosphere, while maintaining a defined high-energy mood. The word “vampire” comes to mind. The Voodoo Lounge always has some new DJ or band to keep the energy and music flowing. There are also the occasional big music names in the industry, such as Deep Rooted and Soul Star. As a bonus, another area of this building serves as a grill diner while another is a hotel. You can literally get the entire vacation package at The Voodoo Lounge.
J.J.’s Blues Lounge: If a more traditional older American scene is your venue of choice, give J.J.’s Blues Lounge a shot. This hot spot of the San Jose lifestyle is highly reminiscent of the Chicago nightlife in the late 1950’s era. Here you will find walls covered with photographs and memorabilia from some of the world’s most famous Jazz music artisans. This spot was voted the Best Blues Club in California three times over the past decade. The service here is also themed with a jazz edge to it. The drinks are stout as the music. This is a guaranteed good time if you are a jazzy night lifer!
The Avalon: If elegance, flash, loud music and a fast pace is your theme of choice, then you will be right at home at the Avalon. This is considered to be Silicon Valley’s most elegant nightclub. You won’t find a bunch of young punks with screaming unintelligible excuses for music here. The patrons of this high-class party joint are the cutting edge of the definition of style in this generation. There is dancing, a variety of local popular DJ’s, an excellent and romantic lounge, and occasional live bands. If you want to hold a private party, the Avalon can be rented for a special catered event, complete with drinks!
These are the top three hot nightspots that San Jose has to offer, but you have to go in with the understanding that these are so high on the ladder of excellence that others can’t compare. The forty something other clubs in the area are also a truly wild experience. Shop around and give them all a try when you visit San Jose California.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, November 3, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thank You to all who attended the 2008 Air Medical Tranport Conference
The Call for Submissions link will be available through www.aams.org shortly. The deadline is December 15, 2008.
The 2009 Air Medical Transport Conference will be in October 2009 in San Jose, California see you there!
The 2009 Air Medical Transport Conference will be in October 2009 in San Jose, California see you there!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Minnesota Timberwolves Preseason Basketball
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a couple of preseason NBA Games while the AMTC is in Minneapolis. Check it out.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Doing Uptown a Big Favor
The Favor Cafe (913 W. Lake St., Minneapolis) is now cooking in the former Restaurant Miami.
The Crockett-and-Tubbs interior remains the same, but the made-from-scratch food is a world apart: catfish po' boys, fried chicken with collard greens, shrimp-crawfish gumbo, fried okra and peach cobbler.
RICK NELSON
The Crockett-and-Tubbs interior remains the same, but the made-from-scratch food is a world apart: catfish po' boys, fried chicken with collard greens, shrimp-crawfish gumbo, fried okra and peach cobbler.
RICK NELSON
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