San Jose is renowned for its excellent culinary offerings from all over the world, and food lovers flock to its many popular restaurants and taverns. But the wealth of options can be a little overwhelming for beginners, especially when looking for culinary experiences to give as a gift. Here’s a great place to start if you or a loved one wants to become a better foodie in a city with a hearty appetite!
For an unforgettable fine dining experience, give the gift of a sumptuous meal with your loved one at The GrandView Restaurant in San Jose. Situated on Mount Hamilton with stunning views over the surrounding valley, The GrandView focuses on local ingredients and “seed to table” sustainability, sourcing fresh produce, eggs, and grass-fed meats from its own farm just across the road. “The GrandView Experience”, a five-course tasting menu of signature dishes, offers an optional wine pairing including selections from GrandView vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The dishes are Mediterranean-inspired and California-perfected, with traditional favorites like handcrafted pastas, steak, seafood and even a house-cured salami.
Contemporary Cantonese restaurant iCHiNA is known for its traditional Chinese dishes elevated by luxury ingredients. But unlike other fine dining restaurants, iCHiNA offers a one-of-a-kind experience: Virtual Reality Dining. This (goggle-free!) experience pairs an eight-course tasting menu of sumptuous dishes like Peking duck, Wagyu ribeye and Boston Lobster with audio and visual effects to enhance the meal and activate all the senses. For a gift that’s both delicious and wildly imaginative, book a private Virtual Reality Dining experience for up to 12 people!
Transport your loved ones to a tropical paradise, without leaving San Jose. Dr. Funk offers Polynesian-inspired bites and tropical cocktails in San Pedro Square. This intimate tiki bar and restaurant (decorated with dried palms, intricate bamboo siding and a colorful mixology lab on the bar) features Hawaiian ribs, ginger chicken skewers and mouth-watering coconut shrimp, alongside an inventive cocktail menu featuring Caribbean rum and an assortment of fresh ingredients. Give the gift of a meal and libations in a tropical retreat – without the jet lag!
For the foodie and mystery lover, look to San Jose’s The Clue Collective. You and your giftee can enjoy live interactive murder mystery dinner theater in several settings around the city. Book them for a private party or check out their website for their events at local venues, including the beautiful Hayes Mansion. Their original mystery shows are all customizable so you can make sure your dinner party is the perfect gift…with the added fun of solving a mystery between bites!
For a foodie gift that’s a little easier to wrap, check out San Jose company All the Buzz Gifts and choose the perfect basket of treats for that special someone. All the Buzz sources treats from local vendors in and around San Jose and the state of California. You can even give a San Jose Gift Box stuffed with Bay Area treats and souvenirs!
A cooking class at San Jose’s Cucina Bambini is the perfect gift for someone who’s eager to become the next great chef! Learn to make fresh pasta, from-scratch pizza, and elegantly decorated desserts. Group classes are available to join for adults and children, or you can book a private event for the perfect customized gift.
Petiscos in the SoFa District in Downtown San Jose is a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, perfect for a romantic lunch. Like tapas in Spain, petiscos are a Portuguese tradition of smaller shareable dishes like shrimp fritters, arroz de pato (duck rice) and caldo verde (kale soup). Give the gift of a delicious and inspiring meal, and explore fun new delicacies with someone you love!
If you’re eager to share the gift of good food in a city brimming with diverse, delicious culinary offerings, look no further than San Jose. Bon appetit!
