San Jose Welcomes The Pressroom and Alter Ego

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Continuing our series on Local Flavor, the San Jose culinary scene keeps getting hotter with captivating new additions. Housed in the historic Lyndon Building—once the headquarters of the San Jose Mercury News—newly opened The Pressroom pays homage to its journalistic roots through thoughtful design elements and menu. The walls showcase historical newspaper ads, and napkin rings/check presenters are repurposed from vintage printing plates created by metal artist and Pressroom General Manager Justin Coutts.

The menu celebrates California cuisine with a contemporary twist. Diners enjoy seasonal dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, complemented by a selection of expertly mixed cocktails. Adjacent to the main dining area is Bar Mercury, a moody cocktail bar and intimate setting for guests seeking a refined drinking experience of wines, spirits, as well as a good selection of mocktails.

For cocktails we started with Pear Review – earl grey-infused gin, spiced pear liqueur, korean pear, alluring but one of those problem drinks I enjoy too fast. My meat-leaning dinner guest loved the Birria Beef Rib for her appetizer (I enjoyed the brown sauce) while this plant-forward Food Partier! appreciated all the veggies, Sriracha Aioli, Wasabi Cream and crunch of the Ahi Tuna Nachos.

Arugula Salad had a unique combination of cashew, shaved parmesan and maple vinaigrette with plenty to share.

For entrees, we decided on Ratatouille – thick slices of zucchini, glossy with olive oil atop a rustic fire-red tomato sauce. The eggplant tasted deep, velvety, almost mysterious. Whimsical carrot curls and basil oil complete this almost too-pretty-to-eat dish.

We also enjoyed Lemon Ricotta Agnolotti —golden pasta parcels filled with creamy ricotta and bright lemon zest. Homemade pasta cradles a silky filling hugged by roasted tomatoes, spinach and parmesan cream. Both dishes were vegetarian, but there is plenty on the menu for meat lovers.

For dessert, a fun take on Bread Pudding. I’ve never been a big fan, but this beauty was kissed with cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg and baked into gloriously crisp edges with a luxuriously soft center. Add on the scoop of melting vanilla ice cream and I’ll have two please.

The Pressroom is a project of Nuvo Hospitality, the group behind the popular and trendy San Jose craft cocktail bars – Dr. Funk and Five Points. Open daily, it offers lunch and dinner with brunch on weekends. It’s a classy downtown San Jose addition.

Spin the Vinyl after Dinner

Walk 7 minutes from The Pressroom and take a spin around Still O.G, a secret gem you might just walk by if you are not looking for it. Called a listening bar, the site is filled with real LP’s and an amazing sound system – a new type of hangout, at least for me.

Co-owner Don Foley “wanted a special place to put all my LP’s,” and boy he made that happen. DJ’s spin varying genres Tuesday – Sunday – check the website for schedule. Comfort food such as Crab Noodles and Scallion Pancake fill the menu including a specialty robata, slow charcoal grilled skewers of various meats.

Sneak behind still O.G. and discover the illusive Alter Ego Club, another fun example of speakeasies popping up on the Peninsula. The place was young and packed – a see and be seen kinda place – It was take over night when we visited. San Francisco’s True Laurel, one of only two Bay Area bars to make the Forbes North America list of 50 Best Bars was doing the mixology. Another new trend, popular bars in San Jose and San Francisco are collaborating on pop up’s, sharing bartenders and drink ideas on special nights.

True Laurel cocktail masters traveled to San Jose to highlight their special drinks and appetizers. It’s a fun way to see what’s hot in the City without having to drive there.

Tucked behind a low-marked door, Alter Ego and Still O.G. pulse with vintage vinyl vibes and a hip crowd. Keep an eye out for the small sign, and upcoming take overs.