Fun Facts About San Jose, California

Spectacular heights: The art scene is alive and well in San Jose

Since publishing my blog a few years ago, I often received a variety of invitations that take place in New York City - some of them cultural, some are travel-related. They are all very interesting, but I do confess that most of the time I'd rather hibernate through the cold season.

A few weeks ago, one particular invitation caught my attention.

The friendly request was for a visit to San Jose via ALDEA restaurant. What do you mean? It was a special media luncheon and wine tasting that included an introduction to San Jose tourism. The occasion called for a significant amount of high level wine tasting, which included lunch at the Michelin star gourmet restaurant, ALDEA, located in the heart of Chelsea. I'd like to go on record and note that the food was superb. I strongly recommend a visit to ALDEA.

George Mendes, Michelin star chef, and owner of ALDEA restaurant in Manhattan

The alluring coastal side of San Jose

The special luncheon was prepared by Chef David Costa and his fiancee, Chef Jessica Carreira from San Jose's ADEGA (another Michelin star restaurant). Consequently, ADEGA is the second Portuguese restaurant in the United States to be honored with a Michelin star. While speaking to them, it became clear that the owners have some ambitious plans for the future of ADEGA. Judging by their skills which translated to the quality of the food, I predict they are well on their way of becoming world renown.

Chefs David Costa and Jessica Carreira of San Jose’s first Michelin starred restaurant, ADEGA.

We enjoyed a full bodied Pinot noir, and Chardonnay (shown above) during the wine tasting hour, and later for our delicious lunch. Judging by the empty bottles (below) on the table, this Californian wine was a big hit! BTW: I only had two glasses (this signified a taxi home)

The mood last Wednesday was a particularly jovial one. The people gathered at ALDEA was a combination of media, and various representatives from the San Jose, and Monterrey business communities. Sitting opposite me were members of the Californian Tourism offices. A gentleman named Mike Fox, Kim Becker Aguirre, Julie Riera Matsushima from San Jose's Airport Commission, and a delightful New York writer Named Nancy Frick Battaglia. They all spoke with great passion and panache about the beautiful state of San Jose.

Mike Fox, President and CEO of GOODWILL, a Silicon Valley-based company.

Kim Becker Aguirre, Director of Aviation, San Jose International Airport

My table partners made the case that San Jose was one of the finest city to promote one's business. I loved being in the presence of passionate people, and I was intrigued by their ardent enthusiasm.

As a Brit, my knowledge of California was somehow limited to films, like the old classic, 'Bullet' starring Steve McQueen which was filmed in San Francisco

Iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge (a great example of art deco), and the former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, gave me the impression that San Francisco and Los Angeles were among the largest cities in California. Wrong!

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco, California

As the afternoon went by, it dawned on me that I was uninformed when it came to the facts about San Jose. Therefore, I asked a lot of questions and my hospitable table partners responded positively without a quizzical look. Great!

Did you know that San Francisco was fourth, size-wise, when it come to cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose? Amazingly I learn that San Jose is the 3rd best place to live in America, 3rd most educated city in America, and was named one of the Richest City in America. The residents' patriotism for their cities is such that they can boast that the brightest, most creative minds in science, technology, and entertainment can be found in San Jose.

 Mineta San Jose International Airport 

The Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is one of the most up-to-date airports in the United States. As a young boy, I loved visiting Heathrow and viewing all the aircrafts from around the world. That is probably why I still believe that the Concorde and the Space Shuttle were the No 1 engineering feats of the 20th century.

The Mineta San Jose International Airport also served global travelers from Canada, China, Europe, Japan, and Mexico. Even British Airways has a relevant presence in that part of the world. This is significant, because it means that my British patriots can now fly direct from Heathrow to San Jose. Excellent.

Kim Becker Aguirre (center with white jacket)

Silicon Valley is a place where the impossible is achieved.

Silicon Valley is where you'll find that a baby's first words are "Start-Up". Do I sense that San Jose is ready to step up to greater things? The world's airlines are flocking (no pun intended) to this town, and this could only means that's where all the smart people are heading, right?

At the start of the luncheon, a raffle was offered with the possibility of winning a trip (sponsored by Alaska Airlines) to the west coast. Sadly I didn't win. In life, you can't always get what you want.

Below are a few helpful links about visiting San Jose. Enjoy!
*https://www.ridgewine.com/wines/2014-estate-cabernet-sauvignon/
*http://www.aldearestaurant.com/contact/
*http://www.adegarest.com/#ip-container
*http://www.testarossa.com
*http://www.sanjose.org
*http://www.flysanjose.com/fl/
*http://www.foodgal.com/2016/11/a-celebration-of-wine-and-food-at-adega-san-joses-first-michelin-starred-restaurant/
*https://www.alaskaair.com
*Nancy Frick Battaglia: https://savingplaces.org/stories/architectural-fabric-historic-houses-newport-rhode-island#.WNK1QTu-RPN.
*http://www.goodwillsv.org

You Are What You Eat. True?

Only Bird's Custard will Do

“Do you miss England?” My friends continue to ask. “Yes.” In my last post where I eulogize the full English breakfast, which is on my list of the things I miss, believe me its a long list. When out for a meal my favorite after meal statement: “What’s for pudding?” A British way of asking for a dessert whichever the restaurant or hotel I ask for an apple pie and custard they look at me in astonishment,

“we have apple pie or apple pie with whip cream!” music to my ears? I think not!

What is this ‘custard’ you ask? Look at these pictures below and tell me this is not appealing.

Serve Hot

Ahh Apple Pie And Custard

Solution To This Addiction - AP&C Rehab

Small Apple Pie

Firstly buy a real apple pie from Whole Foods in New York, never purchase a counterfeit pie made from chemicals. I had an amazing shock this week I found out that Whole Foods sell Bird’s Powder Custard...last night I had an apple pie and custard for the first time in 8 years. Heaven, heaven, heaven!

My Top Pet Peeves

Fast Food Restaurant: McDonald's West Thurrock (UK)

Today I'm reflecting on my pet peeves and my favorite types of pets. It's a bit of fun, and something light to read for sure. My thoughts might make you laugh, so don't take it too seriously because hopefully you will enjoy it. Feel free to leave me a comment; I certainly would like to know if you agree or disagree with me.

My Pets  Convenient fast food (yes, some of it is good) and they're open 24/7. Great.

Barnes & Noble Cafe

Barnes & Noble is one of my most frequented places in the city. That's right. I find the bookstore to be a real treat. And I'm not just talking about their cafes either. When I have the time, I find myself spending hours inside their Starbucks Cafe, catching up with my reading, occasionally studying, or just having a good old chat with the friendly person sitting next to my table. He or she is apt to ask “Are you a Brit?” Of which I'll replied “Yep! From head to toe.” What do you think? I must have a Brit sign on me somewhere, right?

Train ride of a lifetime. Can't wait to get on one of those again.

I am passionate about trains, particularly steam trains. Last year, my wife and I traveled from the Pennsylvania Station, New York, to North Carolina via Amtrak. It was a 16 hour journey which went through Washington D.C. and beyond. What's on my current wish-list? A train ride through the Rocky Mountains… Dream on, and don’t wake me up just yet.

Washington D.C.

Lost In Translation

Another pet peeve, if you can call it that, is the fun I've had with some of my American friends and a few acquaintances regarding my speaking British English, instead of American English. My friends here view this as an invasion to America.  Ha ha, bring it on, and let's give Manhattan back to the Queen! Here’s a few examples:

Do the washing up - British for "wash the dishes". My wife quickly picked that up.

Keen on/ keen to - a British way of saying "to like" or "be eager to"

Barman - bartender

Bit - as in "the best bit" of a film... Americans would usually say "part"

To book (e.g. a hotel) - Americans would say "reserve"

Called Joe - Americans say "named" Joe

To move house - a British way of saying "to move"

I've got the hump - work it out

On the 'rare' occasion that I visit Dunkin Donut and ask for a jam donut, the person behind the counter do not understand what I'm talking about. I have to clarify the fact that I'm asking for a jelly donut!

Britain is a very distinct country. Very different from the US (divided by a common language). Not better, not worse, just different. Jolly good show too, long live that difference. That means I will continue to maintain the integrity of the British nuance, subtle and supple version - not forgetting the original version - of the English language.

Pet peeves

58 Flavors of ice cream. Eat me!

Only in America … The first time I saw the sign 58 flavored ice creams …. it blew my mind away! To this day I still order vanilla flavored ice cream, and my American friends still pull my leg when I order vanilla. Come on they say "try something different." When hell freezes over, that's when.

Noah Webster 

American spelling!
Lexicographer, author and editor Noah Webster was born in Connecticut in 1758. He believed English spellings were needlessly complicated, and tried to simplify them. Here are some of the many changes that were adopted into American English. "Traveled", "defense" and "color", for example he also wanted to change "women" to "wimmen" and "tongue" to "tung", but neither was adopted - was he serious? Glad common sense prevailed.

New York Bus

Another of my major peeves is the New York MTA bus drivers. Is this the correct title for them? I often take the Q49, and Q33 buses, and most of the drivers think they are budding racing drivers, hard on the throttle, and breaks causing most strap hangers (my Brit friends can work this out) to swear under their breath because all the strap hangers are being thrown about and hanging on for dear life. Slow down sir!

A British queue

I was totality unprepared for the "American line" here in New York which made me miss and appreciate the British queue even more. Last time I was in Britain, to be in a queue meant an orderly line, and one moved in an orderly fashion. No pushing to be first or barging others out of the way. When I first arrived in New York I had 'little old dears holding their senior bus pass' knocking me off my feet to get on the bus before me, eventhough I was there first. My friends would laugh at me and say ‘you’re too polite’.

Feel good images

Riding, and Feeling good.

Tipping Etiquette: Part 1

Photo via My CNY Mommy

Tipping is taken quite seriously here in the US. Even though it is not a legal requirement, it can be a highly contested subject. When I first arrived in North America in 1974, I faced my first tipping experience, and so started my education on the mechanics of tipping etiquette - American style. So I can comfortably say that I am a believer in tipping. My intention on writing this post was not create a problem with my friends in New York (my humor doesn’t need any help to get me into trouble) but I wanted to convey how I came to deal with a diverse sort of cultural confusion during my stay and subsequent visits.

My wife, Vyna

Here’s why I don’t have the British/European outrage when it comes to the US tipping controversy. It’s true to say curiosity got the better of me and after a few visits to the States I was starting to see things in a different light. I was exposed to the world of American service even with its hurried charm. I even started to tip while I was living in the UK, and loved the look of amazement and gratitude on their faces which in turn gave me a ‘feel good’ factor. Both parties should benefit from the leaving of a tip.

French waiter

Americans I know think it is the most natural thing in the world to pay for a service, at the point where you receive it, person to person. The reasoning behind it is - the one doing the service is constantly on their toes. Your food will be hotter, fresher, steak more comprehensively cooked when someone knows their income depends on it (although I'm not entirely convinced by that). And the other widely recognized view is that most people working in the service industries in America are underpaid by their employer on the assumption that you will be taking up the slack when it comes to tip time. If that is  true, then I feel uncomfortable with this view because it brings social awkwardness. I believe each one should be paid their worth and not have customers pressured into tipping unwillingly. Over the years, I have seen the charm of leaving an unsolicited tip dying. Maybe its already dead? Stay tuned for more on tipping in my next post.

Trigo Restaurant

Dinner at Trigo

On my New York Scene post, I wrote about The Maria Bonita Salon in Soho, and how Mirella invited Vyna and me there on promotion night. Among its many beauty services, the salon boasts its quintessential signature Brazilian wax. Well, both Mirella and Fernanda (the salon owner) introduced us to this restaurant called TRIGO. It was a new spot for us; not surprising since it had only been opened for 10 weeks, by the time we got there.

Walking into the restaurant, it immediately reminded me of St Pancras Railway Station in London (As a Londoner, my mind wonders there quite frequently). That train station is celebrated for its architecture. In the 1960s, there were several attempts to close St Pancras. These efforts provoked a strong and successful oppositions from Londoners. The late Poet Laureate, John Betjeman, led this campaign.

 St Pancras Railway Station

 St Pancras Railway Station

TRIGO is a Spanish word for wheat, and this brand new restaurant does separate the wheat from the weeds. From the outside, the façade looks ‘cool’ but in no way does it prepare you for the ‘wow factor’ that greets you once inside. It brings new meaning to the ‘Mediterranean Dream’! Chef Michael Garrett knows how to excite with the food as well. Having been to so many eating spots in NYC, so far this restaurants is a very good contender. Let's see if it sticks around.

Vyna and I started with marinated olives followed by veal meatballs with smoked bonito. “Excellent pick” said Amy our waitress, and so it was. Next, Vyna tried the steak au poivre. And I - wait for it! chose the burger. It was insanely delicious, and we wrapped our meals off with creamy caramel mouse, poppy seed cake, sweet potato ice cream, cheese board and coffee. Not to overlook our drinks choices… we were served caipirinhas: an exotic Brazilian drink made from natural cane. I can’t help it, but simply must share the recipe:

Lime: Place 4 lime wedges in rocks glass

Sweeten: Add 2 tsps of superfine sugar or 1 oz of simple syrup

Muddle: Mash lime and sugar with muddler for 15 seconds

Ice: Add 2 ounces Leblon Cachaca

Shake: Shake well for 5 to 10 seconds

Serve: Pour contents into a rocks glass. Garnish with lime

Enjoy!

WARNING: The TRIGO restaurant is: deliciously addictive, boasting a wide variety of artisanal cheeses, all about phenomenal service and a great vibe, and will soon be a celebratory dining spot. To start a restaurant in this financial climate, you need a certainty amount of confidence, bravery, and a well thought out menu. I see they have all that, and more. Well done! So pleased was Vyna and I, that the following night, we took two of our out of town friends (one from California, and the other from England) to our new favorite spot. They all agreed with my assessment.