Salt & Straw ice creamery opens in Old Town Los Gatos

Jan 01, 2024

Los Gatos is now among the 20 plus locations of Salt & Straw, this one at Old Town. The Portland-based company is known for eclectic ice cream flavors like sea salt with caramel ribbons, salted malted chocolate chip cookie dough, and pear & blue cheese.

Salt & Straw is featuring an Upcycled Food Series this month, highlighting partners committed to reducing food waste in the U.S. The menu is fully certified by the Upcycled Food Association.

A detour through downtown Saratoga to avoid a traffic accident took me by the adorable new Darla Café that has taken over the former Basin restaurant. Roommates Nina Summers, Papatsara Chaipong and Mookie Varunthorn are serving up a stew—and slew—of American and Asian fusion dishes, with Japanese, Thai and Hawaiian influences. You’ll find loco moco, congee (rice porridge) with shrimp, crispy French toast, bibimbom with Gochujang sauce, duck and waffles, Hella crab spaghetti, braised bone-in lamb shank in Massaman curry, and softshell crab sandwich. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-8:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8:30am-2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

The Tasting House Los Gatos has transformed the former cheese, chocolate and gift shop into a cozy Champagne Bar featuring grower Champagnes, club Champagnes and iconic Champagne houses, all available by the half glass, glass, half bottle and bottle. Caviar, oysters, crab, pomme frites, artisanal cheeses, salads, Boujee Tater Tots, and utterly divine truffle grilled cheese on Manresa bread comprise the menu. The Champagne Bar at Tasting House will be open Tuesday-Saturday, noon-10 p.m., and Sundays, noon-9 p.m.

Atop the Mediterranean oasis that is the Hotel Valencia, the rooftop bar, Cielo, has finally reopened for the season. It's long overdue, said Sergio, the bartender, as he mixed up cocktails for a handful of locals and tourists who had come to ease the pain of the day with cocktails mixed with soothing views of the sunset.

Oveja Negra just rolled out brunch on weekends, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Eataly Silicon Valley's Terra, the only rooftop restaurant in San Jose, has also just announced they are serving weekend brunch. Current menu highlights include Frittata Funghi e Zucchine (mushrooms, fried zucchini, Agriform Parmigiano Reggiano and ricotta) and Spaghetti alla Carbonara (Afeltra spaghetti, Guanciale, egg yolks, Agriform Parmigiano, Pecorino Romano and black pepper). Brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations are encouraged to OpenTable.

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