Dine Downtown San Jose returns with restaurant deals
The San Jose Downtown Association’s huge Dine Downtown promotion — a summer tradition in the South Bay — is back for its 17th annual year.
From today, July 3, through Sunday, July 13, dozens of restaurants, coffeehouses, lounges and bakeries will offer specials that range from fixed-price meals and chef specials to food-and-wine pairings and savings on casual bites.
It’s an opportunity for South Bay residents to discover new restaurants, revisit old favorites and support the hospitality industry downtown.
One downtown mainstay, Mezcal, has participated in all 17 years of Dine Downtown. This year, owner Adolfo Gomez is offering a three-course prix fixe meal, still at last year’s $45 price. (See details below.)
Other longtime participants include Loft Bar and Bistro, Farmers Union, Nomikai Social Food + Eatery, Habana Cuba and Scott’s Seafood, all of which have been involved for a decade or more.
Here’s a roundup of deals already posted. Check online for added promotions.
Adega: The $99 prix fixe meal starts with Abalone and then Ervilha (pea flan with linguica), and offers a choice of Duck Breast or Swordfish as an entree, ending with Portuguese desserts.
Alter Ego Cocktail Club: The $75 prix fixe meal features Hamachi Crudo, Passard Egg with crab, Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Chocolate Souffle.
Cobre & Clay: The $24 cocktail and food pairings include such choices as Mojitos, Palomas, Octopus and Shrimp Cocktail, Taquitos de Carne Molida.
District: The $40 prix fixe dinner features Preserved Lemon Risotto as a main, The entree with the $60 meal is Grilled Hanger Streak & Gambas al Ajillo.
El Cafecito by Mezcal: At this museum cafe, get a $13 lunch/dinner special that includes a cup of soup and a Pesto Chicken Panini or a Vegetarian Panini.
Eos & Nyx: For the $75 prix fixe menu, the entree choices are Salmon, Pork Chop and Filet Mignon (plus $10).
Farmers Union: The three-course $48 prix fixe meal, available at lunch or dinner, offers entree choices of Half a Rack of Ribs, Salmon or Fried Chicken.
Firehouse No. 1 Gastropub: $16 Tour de Cluck special of eight wings, two each of four flavors.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ: The $25 lunch deal and $45 dinner deal both offer savings on meals with appetizer, BBQ set, vegetable and dessert.
Habana Cuba: The chef’s special of Cuban Nachos features lechon ($15) or ropa vieja ($19) with tostones and toppings.
Il Fornaio: The thee-course, $36.95 prix fixe meal, available at lunch or dinner, offers entree choices of Pollo alla Griglia Pepperoncino or Casarecce al Pomodoro (vegan).
La Penita: Take $2 off all “light lunches” on the menu.
Loft Bar & Bistro: The three-course $35 special menu, offered on Friday and Saturday nights only, offers entree selections of Teriyaki Short Rib, Grilled Atlantic Salmon or Veggie Stir-Fry.
Mezcal: For this three-course, $45 prix fixe meal, choose an entree from among Top Sirloin Steak, Pan-Fried Sea Bass and Green Vegan Enchiladas.
Nomikai: The chef’s specials, available July 10-11-12 only, will be Heirloom Tomato Pizza ($22) and Korean Corn Cheese Nachos ($9).
Olla Cocina: The $40 three-course menu offers choices such as Camarones a la Diabla, Taco Platter and Roasted Cauliflower Enchiladas.
Paleta Planeta: Receive 20% off your in-store order (maximum discount, $10),
Pastelaria: Purchase four Pasteis de Nata and get two free or purchase four Malasadas and get two free.
Petiscos: Roasted Octopus, Duck Rice and Codfish Casserole are among the main dish selections on this three-course, $69 prix fixe menu.
Rollati Ristorante: The three-course, $45 prix fixe meal offers main dish choices of Rigatoni alla Vodka or Spaghetti alla Limon.
Saby Thai: Special pairings of Pan-fried Thai Noodles and Thai Fried Rice come with Thai iced tea for $21.99 or Thai Singha beer for $22.99.
Scott’s Seafood: The $55 prix fixe meal, offered at lunch and dinner, features Grilled Swordfish with tropical relish.
Secco Restaurant & Bar: The three-course, $62 prix fixe menu features two entree choices, Seared Salmon or New York Steak & Scampi.
Sumi Sushi: The chef’s special, a Nigiri Sampler, is priced at $16.99. Also, get a free Dragon Roll after spending $60.
The Nest Asian Bistro: For $29, get a DIY Spring Roll Platter for two people or a Party Wing Platter for two. Beer/drinks priced at $5.
The Old Spaghetti Factory: Get a free Sicilian Garlic Cheese Bread appetizer with marinara dipping sauce with the purchase of an adult dinner. One per table.
The Pressroom: This newcomer to downtown’s San Pedro Square is offering a chef’s special, Grilled Octopus with a salad of watermelon, cherry tomatoes, salsa macha, tako ($41).
Check the Dine Downtown website, https://sjdowntown.com/dine-downtown, to find out what sort of deals the following participants decide to offer.
Under Full-Service Restaurants: El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina, Fountain Restaurant and Lounge, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Mosaic Restaurant, SP2, San Pedro Social, Sushi Confidential, The Club on Post, The FAB.
Under Casual Eateries & Cafes, these deals are still to come: Angelou’s Mexican Grill, Campus Burgers, City Bagel, City Fish, Dumont Creamery & Cafe, Egghead Sando Cafe, Jackie’s Place, K & J Sweets and Bakery, Nirvana Soul Cafe, Sixth Street Burger.
Want more savings? The city’s ParkSJ garages at Market and San Pedro Square, Second and San Carlos, Third Street, Fourth Street and Third and Santa Clara streets all offer 90 minutes of free parking.