WHAT HAPPENED TO DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE? Though I never used to visit downtown San Jose much before the Sharks, since the hockey teamed moved into the area it sometimes seems like I live downtown. At one time not only did I work downtown but I had season tickets to the professional hockey team (Sharks), the professional roller hockey team (Rhinos), the professional indoor soccer team (Grizzlies), the professional indoor football team (Sabercats) not to mention tickets to concerts, plays, booster club events and birthday parties. All happening downtown. And lets not forget the year the professional basketball team played there (Warriors...though I admit I only went to one game, basketball just isn't my thing).
So over the years I've seen restaurants come and go downtown. I still miss Paddy's Irish Pub and San Jose Live, two places where hockey fans could go after the games and talk about our favorite sport. During the lockout years I've watched parts of the area become a ghost town as places, who normally count on the revenue of rabid hockey fans and sold out games, fold due to lack of business. Sure a restaurant would close over the years as usually happens in the restaurant business, but I admit, I was completely shocked when I went to dinner last week before a Sharks pre-season game and found pretty much everything changed or closed in the San Pedro Square area.
It's been since April (when that team of mine kinda tanked in the first round) since I was downtown and walking around before our dinner at the Sonoma Chicken Coop last Saturday was eyeopening. Though I knew that the Tied House and A.P. Stumps had closed, I was surprised to find Blakes and Spiedo also gone. Spiedo is the only place that has a new tenant with a new mexican restaurant (Agave Viejo*) taking it's place. The other three places are just shuttered up. There's a place called The Old Wagon Saloon and Grill which I don't remember ever seeing. Though some places like Peggy Sue's, 71 St. Peter and the Old Spaghetti Factory are still there it was a bit disconcerting to see so many places closed or changed. It didn't help that the building on the corner is under construction (see photo). I haven't spent much time walking other parts of downtown, but having all this change and closures in such a small area isn't fun.
Mr. L and I try to do our part by eating downtown before hockey games or events. We were fans of Blakes because it was usually quiet and we could get a half decent steak for a good price. We haven't decided where to go before the game opening night, but obviously, our choices just got quite a bit smaller. Very sad.
FREE ICE CREAM - Tonight is Cold Stone Creamery Make a Wish free ice cream night. Between 5 PM and 9 PM tonight stop by a participating Cold Stone and get a free 3-oz taste of "Jack's Creation" which is Sweet Cream ice cream mixed with brownies, rainbow sprinkles and topped with caramel. For more info go here.
CRAZY BUSY - Whenever I don't post for a bit, I usually get someone asking if I've quit blogging. Usually my lack of blogging is just because I'm crazy busy. I post every day in my mind, it sometimes just doesnt' get translated to actually sitting at the computer and putting it out there. The busy continues through the next month as I train a new assistant at work, participate in BlogHerFood in San Francisco and go on a much anticipated four day scrap event with my girls in Bodega Bay. If you scrap at all, you know how much time printing out all those photos and page planning can take. I do plan on doing my 'post a day' in October because the best holiday is right around the corner and can't be ignored. And if I don't post anything this coming weekend, it's because Rocco DiSpirito is cooking me dinner tomorrow night. Okay he's cooking dinner up in Napa for about twenty other winners who are attending the BlogHerFood event this weekend but still. Always nice to have a cute celebrity chef cook for you!
*Yes, the new Mexican food place advertises a "tequila lounge". Yes, we will be trying it soon.
i thought you were dining with michael mina tomorrow???
Posted by: Chef Barbie | September 24, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Chef Barbie - It was either a cocktail party hosted by Michael Minas RN74 or dinner up at St. Suprey winery with Rocco. I was really torn actually. But a put by Mr. L....he can always take me up to dinner at RN74. He probably won't ever get me dinner with a male celebrity chef :)
Posted by: Mrs. L | September 25, 2009 at 08:54 AM
I went to the Old Wagon a few weeks ago with some girlfriends... they were showing music videos outside on the wall, the owners dog wanders around and is awesome, and the BLT was fab-u-lous!
Posted by: Lizz | September 25, 2009 at 08:41 PM
That is happening around here as well. Lots of places closing.
Posted by: peabody | September 26, 2009 at 04:01 PM
I've disappeared off the radar too recently... don't feel guilty.
Sucks about all those restaurants closing, but I bet that tequila bar will be awesome!
Posted by: emiglia | September 27, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Best sentence you've ever written, "And if I don't post anything this coming weekend, it's because Rocco DiSpirito is cooking me dinner tomorrow night." Amazing. Can't wait to hear about the evening!
Posted by: Louise at Livin Local | September 27, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Has this recipe come across your bacon radar
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/09/bacon-cereal-and-orange-juice-breakfast-cookies-recipe.html
How was Rocco's dinner?
Posted by: andrea | September 28, 2009 at 03:17 PM
If I am ever in San Jose, now I know places to go to.
Posted by: Lisa | September 28, 2009 at 09:57 PM
I lived in San Jose when I was little, so it all looks completely foreign to me now! The only things I remember are the Old Spag Fac and the SJ Children's Theatre. Nice meeting you at BlogHer?
Posted by: Lori @ RecipeGirl | September 29, 2009 at 06:59 AM