Combine chef-made food and a prime location for art lovers and what do you get?
Poppy & Claro, the newest destination dining spot in downtown San Jose. The restaurant, the first from the Jay Paul Co. real estate developer, anchors the high-rise 50 West building that was formerly home to KQED, the Capital Club and Knight Ridder.
This is an all-day restaurant that aims to satisfy the food and beverage needs of downtown employees, visitors and residents from breakfast through early dinner.
The location is a culture vulture’s dream — situated just yards from the San Jose Museum of Art and events at the Circle of Palms and Cesar Chavez Plaza.
We stopped by Poppy & Claro before the Christmas in the Park crowds descended on the area. Here’s our First Look:
WHAT’S IN A NAME? The California poppy is celebrated in the name and the restaurant’s colorful interior. Claro is a species of Northern California black walnut tree. Walnut wood figures in the design while tasty walnuts play a role in a number of dishes.
THE VIBE: Busy and buzzy. The day we visited, we encountered a group of 14 tech workers from Adobe lunching at the spectacular “California table” (more on the decor below) while San Jose Jazz leaders, poli sci profs from San Jose State University and Museum of Art visitors ate nearby.
THE LOOK: The design, by Cass Calder Smith, is California contemporary, with artwork by state artisans, splashes of sky blue and poppy orange, and wood detailing throughout. Two clever pieces in particular demand your attention: the communal table top carved to resemble the state’s borders and a California grizzly collage, with the typically bad-news bear staring down at diners safely from a wall above.
THE FOOD: Heading the kitchen is executive chef Christopher Littman, who cut his teeth at the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York City, then came to California and focused on corporate dining and catering. His inaugural menu, created with The Good Eating Company, features NorCal-sourced dishes that will change seasonally.
Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. with offerings like the Morning Smash Sando ($14), a cage-free-eggs number, and the Claro Granola Parfait ($12), starring coconut yogurt, citrus and toasted black walnuts. Pastries come from Manresa Bread.
The all-day menu covers lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can order an entree plate at 11 or a sandwich at 7 if you like.
The plates — Dijon Dill Seared Salmon ($21), Herb & Garlic Roasted Chicken ($21) and others — all come with veggie sides. And creative treatments of veggies are found throughout the menu. Check out the popular vegan Claro Cauli shareable ($8) with charred florets, a black walnut romesco and golden raisin crunch; and the Roasted Beet & Hummus Bowl ($18) with lacinato kale, red cabbage, cucumber and more.
The most interesting dessert on the menu is a Claro Black Walnut Cheesecake with a nutty crust ($8), made in-house and draped with a huckleberry sauce.
THE SIPS: Signature drinks from the Sightglass coffee bar include the namesake Claro ($6.25), which combines espresso, milk, black walnut syrup and black walnut bitters; and a Brown Butter Caramel Latte ($6.25).
Among the most popular bar-created cocktails are the Golden Poppy Spritz ($16), with Organic Poppy Amaro, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Blanc Vermouth, lemon, bitters and sparking wine; and on the nonalcoholic list, the Roselle Spritz ($7), with Woody’s NA Blanc de Blancs, hibiscus tea, verjus and lemon.
Rounding out the beverage options are a nicely curated wine list and a handful of beers on draft.
DON’T MISS … The delectable Shrimp & Scallop Cornmeal Bites ($12 for four) and the affordably priced NY Strip Frites ($26). That seafood appetizer elevates the concept of food on a stick. Bigger than mere “bites,” they are served with a seasonal persimmon jam and Fresno chile mustard, but we loved the delicate seafood encased in light, moist cornmeal without any embellishment.
The entree brings New York steak slices napped with béarnaise and accompanied by charred broccolini (if you’re spice-averse, ask the kitchen to leave off the chili crisp) and french fries. Or you can substitute a side salad for the fries, It’s a refreshing mix of radicchio and other greens, marinated cucumber and red onion slices.
THE SERVICE: As a restaurant that offers both takeout and sit-down meals, Poppy & Claro walks the fine line between the to-go and casual restaurant models. Customers may order at the counter, or via a QR code at the table — or with a server if you’re not QR-savvy. The bar is fully staffed.
GOOD TO KNOW: The restaurant is conveniently situated on the VTA’s First Street light-rail line. If you’re driving and can’t find street parking, there’s an underground garage at 50 West. Enter from San Fernando, park and then take the elevator to the lobby level and the restaurant entrance. On a day when nearby construction limited the street parking options, we paid $10 for 90 minutes.
DETAILS: Open 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays, with happy hour pricing from 3 to 6 p.m. Weekends are reserved for private events. 50 W. San Fernando St., San Jose; www.poppyandclaro.com