Lark Creek Kitchen Review

I still fondly remember Yankee Pier, the first Santana Row sit-down restaurant. It ended up becoming the first of many in one of the South Bay's premier dining destinations. After several years, the space was remodeled and transformed into Lark Creek Blue, which was still heavily focused on seafood. Now in the third incarnation of this space, Lark Creek Kitchen opens up the menu dramatically and focuses on more creative and elaborate dishes. Executive chef Nick Tall previously worked at Amber, a Two Michelin Star restaurant in Hong Kong. You can definitely see the influences from both Amber and Nick's Miami upbringing in the dishes. The menu also changes frequently with seasonal items being added every two weeks or so.

The summary (if you don't want to get into all the specifics below) is that I loved it. This is now easily one of the best restaurants on Santana Row. Ask your server for the chef's recommendations for that week and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Smaller Plates

24 hour slow-cooked pork belly - This was both tender and crispy at the same time. It came with a flavorful side of morning glory (water spinach), a rare and hard-to-find topical plant used in Asian cooking but surprisingly hard to find in Silicon Valley.

Heirloom beet and buratta - This is a must-try appetizer if you visit! The buratta cheese was smooth and creamy and was accompanied by beets, dates, and pomegranate. I could eat three of these and call it a day.

Hamachi ceviche verde with avocado, kiwi, cucumber, green yuzu (Asian citrus) and plantain chips - Of all the great dishes we had, this one was my favorite. If you are a sushi fan like I am, you will love this. They use the fatty part of the hamachi (toro) for extra flavor. You can either use the plaintain chips to scoop up generous pieces of fish or use the lettuce on the bottom of the bowl to make a hamachi wrap (which I highly recommend, this helps you sop up all of the ceviche juices at the bottom).

Larger Plates

Yellowtail amberjack (cooked hamachi) with maitake mushroom, bacon, broken noodles, pickled cauliflower, and miso mustard glaze - Mind-blowingly good hamachi made from a dorsal fillet. A seaweed bacon infusion is used for the noodles.

Braised local lamb cavatelli pasta with homemade lemon ricotta, grilled fennel, roasted tomato, olive, three herb pesto - Perfect for a hearty meal when it's cold outside. There were a lot of flavors on the plate and it was very filling. If you feel like skipping the appetizers and getting down to business, this is a great choice.

Desserts

Cheesecake creme brulee, pink guava puree, cafe culce de leche - Very unique, I have never had a dish like this. This is a perfect hybrid of both cheesecake and creme brulee, two of my favorite deserts. I would order this again in a heartbeat.

Caramelized pineapple and preserved lemon tart, white chocolate zabaglione (Italian custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and a sweet wine), pineapple caramel - This one was my wife's favorite. The flavors were very balanced and the cubes of pineapple inside of the custard were a great touch.

Drinks

Unfortunately the cocktails were not quite up to the same caliber as the food. A place like this really deserves some true craft cocktails to go with the killer dishes. I tried the Cucumber Mule (hanson's organic vodka, bitters, lime, and ginger beer) and Broken Branch (rittenhouse rye whisky, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, amaro averna, bitters). They were fine, but I wouldn't come out of my way to grab a cocktail here. Wine might be a better choice with your meal.

Chef Nick Tall also has ambitions to bring local craft beer vendors into the restaurant for multi-course beer pairings. He happens to be a brewer himself and has a strong appreciation and fondness for the art. If he launches a beer pairing for his outstanding menu, I'll be the first one in line.

Two More High-Rises Planned for Downtown San Jose!

So many high-rise projects are coming into the pipeline for Downtown San Jose that they are now being proposed two-towers at a time. This latest proposal would be the largest residential project in Downtown San Jose's history, clocking in at 708 units!

The two towers would be built by KT Urban, which is the company behind Axis and One South Market--arguably the two nicest looking residential towers in Downtown San Jose. They were also involved in the 643-unit Silvery Towers complex that is now under construction by the San Pedro Square Market. If anyone has the ability to get high-rise projects moving forward in Downtown San Jose, it's these guys.

Based on the SVBJ article, they are proposing a 24-story (251 ft) and a 23-story (241 ft) tower sitting on top of three levels of underground parking. One tower would have 414 units while the other would have 294 units. The ground floor would have as much as 13,500 SQFT of retail primarily on Post Street.

The project would be built on 1.6 acres at 70 S. Almaden Avenue. Currently the only thing on this lot is a dilapidated Greyhound bus station and a parking lot. The location is very central in Downtown San Jose as you can see in the map below. The bulk of Downtown's amenities are located within a five block radius.

I also like how Nathan Donato-Weinstein gave a shot out to Mark Haney from Think Bigger San Jose in the article. Mark has already updated his awesome high-rise map with the new project. There is no doubting Downtown San Jose's momentum at this point.

Source: SVBJ

The San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets

WHAT ARE THE SAN JOSE HOLIDAY EPICUREAN MARKETS?
For the first three Saturdays of December, SJMADE will be curating a holiday showcase of San Jose and Silicon Valley's best food/drink makers and food/drink-related makers at Whole Foods Market San Jose. Think of it as a joyous celebration of San Jose and Silicon Valley's foodie, coffee and beer culture. In addition to our amazing local food/drink makers and food/drink-related makers, Whole Foods will have a delicious tasting menu available in the outdoor breezeway space and Mission Creek Brewing will have tasting experiences as well as full-glass experiences available.

Are The San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets for YOU?
1. If you're looking to shop local high-quality food/drink makers for your holiday food shopping, so you and your loved ones can enjoy that super special small-batch sensation, the San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets are for you.
2. If you like craft fairs for food and drink, the San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets are for you.
3. If you like high-quality locally made food/drink goods, the San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets are for you.
4. If you like amazing coffee and beer, the San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets are for you.
5. If you're down with artisan quality, handmade quality, handcrafted quality then the San Jose Holiday Epicurean Markets are for you.

THE AMAZING LOCAL MAKER LINEUP FOR EPICUREAN MARKET
Racarons (http://racarons.com/)
Sweetdragon Baking Company (http://sweetdragonbaking.com/
I Dream of Cookies (https://www.facebook.com/idreamofcookies)
Tico Coffee Roasters (https://www.ticoroasters.com/)
Hella Hot Hot Sauce (http://www.hellahothotsauce.com/)
Wild Orchard (http://www.wildorchardcakes.com/)
Cake Therapy (http://www.caketherapybakery.com/)
Back Porch Bakery (http://www.back-porchbakery.com/)
Suha Suha Inc. (http://www.suhasuha.com/suha1.html))

LOCATION
Whole Foods Market San Jose
777 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
10am-4pm

ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET SAN JOSE
Whole Foods Market San Jose offers the wonderful food shopping experience of all Whole Foods however it also brings its popular coffee and juice bar as well as its amazing on-premises craft brewery Mission Creek Brewing. With tons of comfortable outdoor seating, free WiFi, an indoor cafe and a second-floor terrace with a beautiful view of downtown SJ, Whole Foods Market San Jose has become that chill central hangout for the downtown San Jose and The Alameda community!

Saturday Stats: College Students Graduating From "Top-25" Schools are Flocking to San Jose

A recent report by Earnst shows how graduates at the top 25 universities in the country are flocking to the west coast. One very interesting stat is that 57% of recent grads in the San Jose Metro studied somewhere else. In comparison that number is just 31% for New York and 25% for Boston. The only Metro that beat San Jose was San Francisco at 58%.

Source: SVBJ

The San Jose Holiday Craft Markets

What are The San Jose Holiday Craft Markets?
For the first three weekends of December, SJMADE will be curating a holiday showcase of San Jose and Silicon Valley's best crafters and creatives in the amazing San Pedro Square Market located in downtown San Jose.

Are The San Jose Holiday Craft Markets for YOU?
1. If you're looking to shop local high-quality makers for your holiday shopping, so you and your loved ones can enjoy that super special small-batch sensation, the San Jose Holiday Craft Markets are for you.
2. If you like craft fairs, the San Jose Holiday Craft Markets are for you.
3. If you like high-quality locally made goods, the San Jose Holiday Craft Markets are for you.
4. If you like amazing art and even more amazing artists, the San Jose Holiday Craft Markets are for you.
5. If you're down with artisan quality, handmade quality, handcrafted quality then the San Jose Holiday Craft Markets are for you.

THE AMAZING LOCAL MAKER LINEUP
Le Petit Elefant (http://genevievesantos.com/)
Nomad West (http://www.nomadwest.com/)
Manic Designs (http://www.shopmanicdesigns.com/)
Pennie Post (http://penniepost.com/)
Maria Woods (http://www.mariawoods.com/)
SOOT (http://shop.soot.me/)
Capricorn Honey (http://www.capricornhoney.etsy.com/)
MPulsestudios (https://www.etsy.com/shop/mpulsestudios)
The Poppie Shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePoppieShop)
Kathryn Marie (http://kathrynmarieonline.com/)
TheLiquorLamp (http://www.theliquorlamp.com/)
Poshaq Silk Artwear (http://www.poshaq.com/)
Three Angels Inc. (http://threeangelsinc.com/)

LOCATION
San Pedro Square Market
87 N San Pedro St.
San Jose, CA 95110
Located in the part of the market in which B2 Coffee is located.
10am-5pm

ABOUT SAN PEDRO SQUARE MARKET
"The San Pedro Square Market is the Downtown San Jose meet-up place for foodies, music lovers, locally-made shop supporters, demanders of coffee perfection, history seekers, old-time barbershop hunters, social media followers, and wine and beer libation imbibers. The Market is the all-around best place to hang out with the open-air plaza and sidewalk cafe or inside one of three unique interior spaces. The lively public market includes over 20 unique vendors selling everything from sushi to tapas to home goods. The aromas of fresh ground coffee and wood-fired pizza fills three market halls."

Six-Story Apartment and Retail Building Rising on The Alameda

Yet another residential project is coming to The Alameda, a district that is really blooming over the last few years. I think the Whole Foods which opened a year ago was just the inflection point the area needed.

This latest project will rise six stories and has a charming aesthetic that will go with the neighborhood. Included in the building are 168 apartments (some of which are "affordable housing") and a respectable 22,000 SQFT of commercial and office space. There could be up to four retail pads fronting The Alameda. Oh, and that Whole Foods I mentioned is right next door.

There will be a total of  273 parking spaces underground split between residents and guest parking for the commercial units. The developer will also pay $2 million to help fund a future expansion of Del Monte Park.

Ground-breaking has already taken place and the construction is expected to be completed in early 2018.

Source: The Merc, On The Alameda

Wednesday Wishlist: BART to Santana Row

Mark from Think Bigger San Jose is proposing a different alignment for Phase 2 of the BART extension into Silicon Valley. The Santa Clara BART station is highly redundant with Caltrain service and if not for the maintenance yard nearby, it would be considered mostly unnecessary. Yes, you have SCU and large development projects like the Coleman Highline are being planned for the area, but the need for BART there is far less than the route Mark proposes--taking BART through Midtown to the Santana Row and Valley Fair area. This is a region that is booming and is in desperate need for mass transit access. At the rate "Uptown" is growing, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is not going to cut it. Check out the thoughtful post and discussion right over here.

Santana Row December 2015-February 2016 News and Events

San Jose, CA - Santana Row ends the year on a high note with holiday celebrations that include a Holiday Open House, a benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank; and Santa Paws, a benefit for Humane Society Silicon Valley. Then get ready to count down to 2016 at your favorite Santana Row restaurants and posh Hotel Valencia. Be sure to keep early February open to join football fans for Super Bowl 50 festivities at The Row!

Sephora Now Open

Discover the latest in beauty products and gifts at Sephora’s Santana Row location! Explore its unrivaled selection of makeup, skin care, fragrance and more from classic and emerging brands. The 5,339 square-foot store is located on Santana Row Boulevard, next to Sino restaurant.

“Dear Santa…” Write a letter to Santa and get a letter back!


Through December 10


Write a letter to Santa and receive a reply! Beginning Nov. 17, every child who leaves a letter for Santa in the mailbox outside of the Santana Row concierge office will receive a reply from the red-clad, jolly fellow! Each letter must include the child’s name and a mailing address. The letters must be dropped in the box by Dec. 10. Concierge is located near the garage between Sino restaurant and Left Bank Brasserie.

Go Niners!

Take the Round Trip Shuttle to Levi’s Stadium from Santana Row

Avoid the headache of game day traffic! Take the shuttle from The Row to Levi’s Stadium for a hassle-free day that starts with easy parking, shopping and dining perks.

Shuttles leave exactly two hours before game time.

Games:

Sunday, Dec. 20, Niners vs. Bengals (departs at 3:30 p.m.)

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, Niners vs. Rams (departs at 11:25 a.m.)

Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, Super Bowl 50 (departs at 1:15 p.m.)

The shuttle registration begins about 30 minutes before departure time. Registration and shuttles are located near the CineArts Theatre.

Your $30 ticket, which can be purchased in the concierge office or at SantanaRow.com, includes:

• Round trip transportation to Levi’s Stadium
• Free parking at Santana Row
• Santana Row shopping and dining incentives

Details:

When you arrive at Santana Row, park your vehicle in the designated, secured parking lot on Winchester Boulevard in the former Century 21 Theatre area. Walk across Winchester Boulevard to Olsen Drive where the registration table and bus will be waiting to load in front of the theater. The bus departs at the scheduled time (two hours prior to game time), and will not wait for passengers.

Levi’s Stadium drop-off site:

The bus will park at the official shuttle drop-off location at the stadium. One hour after the conclusion of the game, the bus will depart from the same location. All passengers not on bus at the specified departure time, will not receive transportation back to Santana Row.

Santa Paws, a Benefit for the Humane Society Silicon Valley

Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Your furry friends are ready for their holiday close up! Bring your canine and feline friends to Santana Row's Park Valencia for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus.

Photos are $20 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Humane Society Silicon Valley. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. in Park Valencia.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Celebrate the Season”

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to noon

The last Mommy & Me of the year will be held in the lobby of the CineArts Theatre and will include live entertainment from Andy Z, story time with Mrs. Claus, treats, crafts and more holiday fun!

Details: 10 a.m. to noon in the lobby of CineArts Theatre. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit SantanaRow.com.

“Shop, Enjoy and Give” Holiday Open House

A Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Give to those in need while you complete your holiday shopping during Santana Row’s Holiday Open House, a benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides groceries and food to families and individuals in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Purchase a $40 ticket on SantanaRow.com or at the Concierge center and receive complimentary food and wine tastings in Santana Row shops and restaurants, a signature Santana Row wine glass and exclusive shopping discounts. Enjoy holiday fashion modeling and special seasonal offerings. Bring a donation of canned food into concierge when you purchase your $40 ticket and receive $5 off the ticket. (Customers must be 21 years or older.)

Celebrate Chanukah at Santana Row

Sunday, Dec. 13, 3p.m. to 5 p.m., Park Valencia* near Maggiano’s restaurant

Santana Row celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights in Park Valencia with family activities that include decorating dreidels, Jewish story time, arts and crafts and the lighting of the Menorah.

*In the event of rain, this event will be held inside the via between Left Bank and Sino restaurants.

Cars & Croissants, last gathering of the year until March

Dec. 26,  9 a.m. to noon

Santana Row partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month from March through December, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

New Year’s Eve On The Row

Thursday, December 31

Two restaurants are open for lunch and dinner on the last day of 2015 with special menus and festivities for diners who stay until midnight.

LB Steak. Opens at 11:30 a.m. with the last seating at 11 p.m. The restaurant is serving a limited regular a la carte dinner menu plus a $82 four-course prix fixe with these entrée choices:

• Pan-roasted jumbo Day Boat Scallops with wilted spinach, foie gras emulsion and frizzled leeks
• Porcini-crusted filet mignon with Yukon Gold potato and shallot cake, green beans and winter mushroom mousselin

Prix fixe menu items will also be offered on an a la carte basis and the regular lunch menu will be served. There is no Happy Hour that day and all prices exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. The restaurant will be festively-decorated in the spirit of the occasion and guests for the evening's last seating will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast and party favors at midnight. For more information or reservations please call, 408.244.1180.

Left Bank Brasserie. Opens at 11:30 a.m. with the last seating at 11p.m. The restaurant is serving a limited regular a la carte dinner menu plus a $68 four-course prix fixe menu with these main course choices:

• Filet Mignon with truffle foie gras sauce, potato gratin and sautéed Bloomsdale spinach  
• Butter poached Maine lobster tail with vanilla scented Happy Boy Farms roasted sweet potato purée

The restaurant's regular lunch menu will be served and there will not be Happy Hour service that day. Prix fixe menu items will be offered on an a la carte basis and all prices exclude beverages, tax and gratuity. Decorations include balloons and streamers and guests for the evening's last seating will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast and party favors at midnight. For more information or reservations please call, 408.984.3500

New Year’s Eve at Hotel Valencia

Thursday, Dec. 31

Ring in the New Year in white and gold at the hottest spot on Santana Row. Hotel Valencia’s New Year's Eve celebration is always the toast of the town! Bid farewell to 2015 and welcome 2016 by taking advantage of the holiday package.

New Year’s Eve Valencia Masquerade Gala includes:

• Luxury guest room for two
• Champagne upon arrival
• Admission to the Masquerade Gala featuring a DJ and an assortment of festive food stations
• Midnight Champagne toast
• Grand deluxe breakfast with mimosas, served on New Year's Day
• Late check-out at 1 p.m. on New Year's Day
• *Guests are encouraged to bring their own festive masks as limited quantities will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Rates from $585 per room, per night, double occupancy, exclusive of tax; additional guests are $125 per person and subject to maximum occupancy.

Celebrate Super Bowl 50 at Santana Row!

Sunday, Feb. 7

One of the Bay Area’s most-talked about destination for food, fun and festivities

will be hosting Super Bowl events and offering shuttle service to hotel guests from select hotels and to Levi’s Stadium on game day. More details coming soon!

• Live music in the parks and plazas from Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.
• Round-trip shuttle service from the Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott hotels in Santa Clara to Santana Row. The free shuttles will be offered Friday and Saturday (Feb. 5 and 6, 2016) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Super Bowl ticket holders can conveniently pick up their tickets in the days leading up to the Big Game. Ticketmaster will be on site at Santana Row, next to Z Gallerie.

On Super Bowl Sunday, Santana Row will have its ongoing shuttle service to Levi’s Stadium for those going to the game. Shuttles depart two hours before game time!

Rainy Day Rewards, through March 31, 2016

Here’s hoping the rainy season returns! Santana Row is optimistic and wants to reward shoppers and diners braving bad weather. When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, they will be offered discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.

No need to get wet: Customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row: outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking Garage.

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow invites Tweets and Instagram tags

For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row

Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

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About Santana Row

Santana Row, a 647,000 square foot mixed-use development in San Jose, CA, is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for shopping, dining, living and working. Santana Row features over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail & restaurant collection, Santana Row offers 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Founded in 1962, our mission is to deliver long term, sustainable growth through investing in densely populated, affluent communities where retail demand exceeds supply.  Our expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities.  Federal Realty’s 90 properties include over 2,600 tenants, in approximately 21 million square feet, and 1500 residential units. 

Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 48 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.FederalRealty.com.