Loft Bar and Bistro

Downtown San Jose is lined with nice looking restaurants and bars but I think I choose one of the best, Loft Bar and Bistro. Located on 90 Second Street this two story restaurant with outdoor patio seating is the perfect place for near for a small group of big parties celebrating birthdays, etc.

I ordered two appetizers, sun-dried tomato and garlic soup followed by the tomato and mozzarella salad with balsamic dressing. To be honest, I wasn't thrilled with the balsamic dressing, it was not pure balsamic vinaigrette, instead it was kind of creamy. My friends had two delicious looking meals- the chicken parmesan and the grilled, pesto-crusted salmon.

Dashing Diva

Make it a Girls Night Out on Wednesday and Thursday nights at Dashing Diva where they serve complementary cosmos while you're pampered with a pedicure complete with a rose petal filled tub for your feet, no whirlpools though as Dashing Diva Promises Superior Hygiene & Sanitation.
This pink-themed spa is great in that it offers a theme most nights of the week, check out what each of the 13 locations have to offer. (Locations include NYC, Brooklyn, North Carolina, California; the spas are even in far off places like Asia, Europe, and Australia). Plus, the prices are reasonable with manicures starting at only $12.

Alta

I was led into this Tuscan-esque tapas restaurant as a surprise for my birthday! Myself and three friends and I ordered several small plates to share. We ordered Fried Goat Cheese with lavender infused honey, Spinach Salad with dried cherries, toasted pine nuts and red onion, Smoked Mozzarella in shredded filo, tomato and red onion salad with caramelized balsamic, and finally the Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Fuji apples, creme fraiche and pistachio nuts. I ordered Alta's Non-Classic (white) Sangria and it definitely wasn't a classic sangria, I was very tipsy much quicker than with most sangrias.

Check it out on Socialight:

Candle 79

I'm always impressed with vegetarian restaurants like Candle 79. The chefs use organic produce to create the most unique dishes. we started our meal with a glass of organic white wine. After giving us the wine the waiter placed 2 flat silver spoons with a spicy fruit medley. We ordered the heirloom tomato avocado tartar as an appetizer. For our entree we both ordered the chickpea cake- it was delicious and completely satisfying. With an array of organic desserts we chose the fruit pie. The featured fruit changes seasonally- this time of year it was apples with cinnamon and topped with a small scoop of dolce de leche ice cream.

*Plus Alanis Morissette sat right behind us!

Antique Garage

Antique Garage is a quaint restaurant in Soho with a glass-paned garage door in the front, exposed brick walls, a bar in the back and warmly lit chandeliers all around the restaurant. I ordered the Arugula Salad while two of my friends shared the appetizer sampler which was a nice way to try the hummus, which was good but the eggplant salad had too much of a smokey flavor. Tying the name back into the dining experience, each of the entrees are served on mismatching antique-looking china.