Teske's Germania Restaurant, Bar & Beer Garden

255 N 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113

Archie R. writes: It has come to my attention that my friends in the gay community would like me to join their team.  

When I was younger this attraction would make me uncomfortable but to be honest, I embrace it all now.  

A three armed deaf midget eunuch could find me…

Rosies & Posies Downtown Florist

98 Paseo De San Antonio
San Jose, CA 95113

A C. writes: Great for people in downtown that need flowers, but for everyone else, inconvenient. I had to park a block away (who wants to pay for parking just to get flowers?) to order and then come back and pick up flowers.

When I was ordering, I was afraid the…

The Grill On the Alley

172 S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113

Daphne B. writes: Great place for dinner with a Rat Pack-feel.  Our office often has dinners and meetings there, and we've always been pleased with the food.  The service is wonderful and so attentive.  I think the wine room would make a great place for an engagement…

Good Karma Vegan House

37 S 1st St
Between San Fernando & Santa Clara
San Jose, CA 95113

laura b. writes: awesome awesome AWESOME tiny (maybe 8 tables?) vegan restaurant/deli serving mainly vietnamese food.  the deli case is just retarded. filled with so many delicious tasty snacks...it's like your head wants to explode from all the options but can't…

Kimba Vegetarian Bistro

322 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113

Dawn M. writes: For the price, you can't beat this place.  I had to ask the woman if she added everything when she told us our total was $15.  We got two full plates with rice and 3 items, two drinks, and a dessert to share.

My only complaint is with the deli-style…

Onyx

374 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113

Daphne B. writes: When I first heard that this was an Asian fusion restaurant, I thought, just what we need; another Vietnamese restaurant. We already have Saigon 75 and Vung Tao, among others, in the same area and on the same street. But since I was hoping to try…

Plan Be

25 N 2nd St
San Jose, CA 95113

Anita Y. writes: Let me start by saying I am no glamor gal nor do I know about the latest trends or beauty secrets of the rich and famous.  But what I can tell you is that every 7-8 weeks I walk out of Krissy's chair looking like a movie star.  It scares me.  You…

Touchstone San Jose Climbing & Fitness

210 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113

van ness d. writes: Underneath the stiletto heels, the makeup, the vamp-ish dresses...I admit: I'm a Tomboy at heart.

'Bouldering' is indoor rock-climbing without the harness, so not only is it a test of upper body strength, but also personal fear levels regarding…

Shisha

84 N Market St
San Jose, CA 95113

Sella G. writes: This place is fabulous!  Open late, I went on a Friday nite..they have flavors unusual to the average hookah lounge. None of this banana or apple stuff..no no..Shisha takes it to the next level.  Raspberry and tropical fruit mixed with a hint of mint…

Theater On San Pedro Square

29 N San Pedro St Ste 200
San Jose, CA 95110

Jane L. writes: Truly a hidden gem in downtown San Jose.  This 'little loft theatre' has been in existence since June 2000 and before that it was known as 'The Last Laugh'.  The intimate setting for this performance venue will keep you engaged.  Seats are first come…

Bakery Mexico No 2

87 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113

Yvonne C. writes: The make excellent liquadas here. I ordered a Strawberry, and it was made with- get this- REAL FRESH STRAWBERRIES! They have an awesome selection of pan here, and some of the most delicious shortbread cookies I have ever tasted in my life! They have…

Morton's

177 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95113

Laurin A. writes: You'll know you've reached Morton's when you think you're going into a  bank downtown, but it turns out to be Morton's the steakhouse. The valet parking in front might give it away too...
My hubbie and I came here recently for a nice dinner out. Our…

Circle-A The Shop - Footwear, Clothing, and Skateboards

108 Paseo De San Antonio
San Jose, CA 95113

Jaye C. writes: If you're looking for your skate goods, get them here. Shoes are also a notable collection in this location (Nike dunks, Adidas, Vans, etc) I found me some great looking Vans high tops that I haven't seen in any shoe store.

Stop by here if you're a…

Beef Noodle No 1

1611 E Capitol Expressway
Suite 206
San Jose, CA 95121

Laura Y. writes: I didn't know where to go first, Beef Noodle #1 or Pho Y #1 across the street-- I mean, shit, they're both #1!  I ended up picking Beef Noodle because of the neon sign in the window:  "WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF EXOTIC TASTE".

The waitstaff was so crummy…

Pho Y #1

1660 E. Capitol Expressway
San Jose, CA 95121

Mikey U. writes: CHEAT MEALS REMAINING TILL VEGAS: ONE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The last time I was in Vegas, I inexplicably found myself incoherently decimated from countless double Hennesseys and vodka/Redbull, walking about the Strip at 5:00am, with…

Red Robin

398 Eastridge Loop
San Jose, CA 95122

Yvonne C. writes: Good fast food, and great family atmosphere. When I say great family atmosphere, I mean it's freaking LOUD and your kids will be recieving crayons and a menu that they can color on! My 15 month old son was savoring the crayons as an appetizer until I…

International Food Bazaar

2052 Curtner Ave
San Jose, CA 95124

Flor D. writes: Wow...this place was lots of fun today.  Busy Busy Busy...and I think I heard the cashier say it was close to Persian new year(Norouz.) I was pleasantly surprised by this joint.

Minus 1 star due to lack of organic produce and they had no MANGO's.  I…

Bill's Cafe

1115 Willow St
San Jose, CA 95125

Colleen Y. writes: So Last Sunday I think I was PUNK"D here. Our usual cute, fast, sweet waitress keeps sheepishly grinning at me...."hehehe" she keeps going..."hehehehe" I'm like "what?" She keeps walking by giggling at me. Then she keeps doing this head nod thing…

California Beauty Source

1702 Meridian Ave
Ste K
San Jose, CA 95125

Cindy S. writes: I've been meaning to stop by "California Beauty Source", and finally found the time today.  What a cute store!  I was greeted by Danielle and her cute little pooch Dakota.  I bought some necessities, a couple of hair clips, make-up brush, lip color,…

Flower Flour

896 Willow St
San Jose, CA 95125

BeBe C. writes: Flower Flour is a cute jewel in Willow Glen.  It's a half florist and half French cafe that reminds me of Paris. The menu is simple yet refreshing. I like their soup du jour, which does not have preservatives or excessive salt. The baked entree items…

Tomato Thyme-Willow Glen

1560 Hamilton Ave
San Jose, CA 95125

John G. writes: A hidden gem in Willow Glen. The restaurant is in the same shopping center as the Safeway on Hamilton.  When I first went in, I was amazed how packed it was for a Wed. evening.  It is divided into the restaurant tables, and the long, handsome bar.…

Kamera Korner

545 Meridian Ave
Ste E
San Jose, CA 95126

watani f. writes: on x.mas day, i was a clumsy fool and dropped my fisheye lens 4' onto hardwood floors.  i practically cried in mid-air.  amazingly, the embeded lens hood was the only contact point when impact happened.  i figured, since it didn't land on the actual…

Zanotto's Family Markets

1970 Naglee Ave
San Jose, CA 95126

Flor D. writes: ****************
042008 update
****************
Went back for the BBQ tri tip sandwich...and it was delicious!  I am so pleased with Zanotto's.  I love this place!

--------------------OG--- ------------------------
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MOM AND POP SHOPS!…

Shampoo Dolls

1403 W San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95126

mike s. writes: Shampoo dolls is the shit!  Moni even knows how to cut unruly, unkempt hair like mine.  Had a brother looking like Denzel-- no, no, BETTER than Denzel.

Faux sho'!

Urban Darling

San Jose, CA 95126

Monica L. writes: Corinne is amazing. I just had a baby and I have some well we'll just say "body issues". Corinne is amazingly kind and gentle and has AMAZING fashion sense. Everything she has steered me towards is like showing the best version of me. Aside from her…

Hotel Valencia Santana Row

355 Santana Row
San Jose, CA 95128

Richard R. writes: I have stayed at many places around this world of ours over the past years and by far Hotel Valencia is up there in my books.....

Stayed there this past weekend and just had a great time over all....

The place is clean, sharp looking, you feel like you…

Vin Santo Ristorante

1346 Lincoln Ave
San Jose, CA 95125

Kitty M. writes: Pork chops remind me of the Brady Bunch. Remember the old line "pork chops and apple sauce?" That is what I think of when I see them on a menu, and usually they are served with something of the apple variety because some chefs cant think outside of…

Greenlee's Bakery

1081 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126

Veronica H. writes: Keeping it simple. To the point.

Gobbled.
Cinnamon bread loaf.
Double chocolate marshmellow sandwich.
Mini carrot cake.

Fresh.
   Yummy.
       Good.
           You.
               Should.
                   GO!

Race Street Fish & Poultry Market

253 Race St
San Jose, CA 95126

jessie k. writes: o.k., so i'm no pillar of health by any means, frankly most of my diet consists of booze, french cheese and cupcakes, but for some reason i am slightly neurotic about my meat, poultry and seafood being the purest it can possibly be.  go figure?  i am…

Paradiso Delicatessen & Restaurant

791 Auzerais Ave
San Jose, CA 95126

Richard G. writes: Well this is a spot my hunny was first to review and I always forget to review this place except for today. we both optioned to get the Italian Fried steak sandwich and YUMMY is the best word to describe it. It's only available on Fridays and is a…

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

1342 Naglee Ave
San Jose, CA 95126

Ann S. writes: My beautiful princess, Ophelia, doesn't know this yet, but when she finally meets the great Bast in the sky, I'm going to mummify her:

http://www.summum.org/...

The inspiration first struck me a couple of years ago while wandering through row upon row…

Balance Skin Care

2136 The Alameda Ste D
San Jose, CA 95126

steve b. writes: i  have been going to Tanya and Balance for over a year now, and my skin has improved noticeably.  The microdermabrasion and other treatments have worked wonders.  But over and above that, Tanya has taught me how to care properly for my skin, so that…

Lucy's Tamale Factory

233 S White Rd Ste C
San Jose, CA 95127

Jing F. writes: I loooooooooove Lucy's Tamales!!! I bought 3 dozens of 'em (chicken and pork) today.  It was a life saver too!!!  Why???  I picked these goodies up on my way home but I got stuck on a bad traffic jam and I didnt have anything to eat the whole day…

Texas Smokehouse BBQ

1091 S Capitol Ave
San Jose, CA 95127

Donna P. writes: In my experience, some of the best food comes from the best hole-in-the-wall-type places, and Texas Smokehouse is no exception.  You don't come here expecting ambiance.  You don't even come here expecting a place to park or a table to eat at; you…

Nordstrom Cafe Bistro

2400 Forest Avenue
Valley Fair Mall
San Jose, CA 95128

Cindy S. writes: This is one of my favorite places to eat at Valley Fair.   I think I've tried almost everything on their menu, and it's pretty damn good for a cafe that's in a retail store.

One of the main reasons to keep going back is their awesome BREAD PUDDING…

Maido Fine Stationery & Gifts

378 Santana Row
Ste 301
San Jose, CA 95128

Beth W. writes: Being a person who still likes to write a thank you note or send a handwritten letter, I take great delight in stores like Maido!  Ever since they opened at Santana Row, I have been a frequent customer indulging in my review and purchase of their…

Sur La Table

378 Santana Row
Suite 1030
San Jose, CA 95128

Mara T. writes: Vahlrona Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Mint Frosting. This was on the menu for baking tonite.

Which meant I needed to make an emergency visit to Sur La Table. Any reason to go spend some money in a kitchen store is a good reason...I'm a kitchen…

Burke Williams

355 Santana Row
San Jose, CA 95128

Anita L. writes: Too bad I can't give this place 10-stars. It's THE absolute BEST spa I've been to in the Bay Area. I stand corrected. I thought the Claremont Spa was the best, but no, Burke Williams is really spectacular. The moment you step into the lobby you know…

Camper

333 Santana Row
Apartment 230
San Jose, CA 95128

charlotte s. writes: i love love love camper shoe designs!
we need more camper shoe stores everywhere!  just like all the zillion aldo shoe stores that have opened in downtown san francisco since the past couple years...