San Jose’s Poppy & Claro offers chef-driven food and location, location, location
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 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 necessities of downtown employees visitors and residents from breakfast through early dinner The location is a tradition 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 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 Related Articles Another Bay Area Denny s closes amid sale of national chain This Bay Area city is No in ranking of best U S food destinations New Asian supermarkets from Canada to open in Millbrae S F San Jose These Bay Area pop-up bars serve up festive cheer this holiday season Little Caesars was accidentally approved and now downtown Sebastopol is stuck with it Breakfast starts at a m with offerings like the Morning Smash Sando a cage-free-eggs number and the Claro Granola Parfait starring coconut yogurt citrus and toasted black walnuts Pastries come from Manresa Bread The all-day menu covers lunch and dinner from a m to p m You can order an entree plate at or a sandwich at if you like The plates Dijon Dill Seared Salmon Herb Garlic Roasted Chicken and others all come with veggie sides And creative treatments of veggies are located throughout the menu Check out the popular vegan Claro Cauli shareable with charred florets a black walnut romesco and golden raisin crunch and the Roasted Beet Hummus Bowl with lacinato kale red cabbage cucumber and more The most of stimulating dessert on the menu is a Claro Black Walnut Cheesecake with a nutty crust made in-house and draped with a huckleberry sauce THE SIPS Signature drinks from the Sightglass coffee bar include the namesake Claro which combines espresso milk black walnut syrup and black walnut bitters and a Brown Butter Caramel Latte Among the the bulk popular bar-created cocktails are the Golden Poppy Spritz with Organic Poppy Amaro Chareau Aloe Liqueur Blanc Vermouth lemon bitters and sparking wine and on the nonalcoholic list the Roselle Spritz 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 Shareables at Poppy Claro include the Shrimp Scallop Cornmeal Bites rear and Oven-Fired Wings with chile sauce mint and Thai basil Poppy Clare photo by Michelle Pattee DON T MISS The delectable Shrimp Scallop Cornmeal Bites for four and the affordably priced NY Strip Frites 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 b arnaise 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 ORGANIZATION 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 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 for minutes DETAILS Open a m to p m weekdays with happy hour pricing from to p m Weekends are reserved for private events W San Fernando St San Jose www poppyandclaro com
