Back at Grace’s Table
Repeating Napa-revisited, I breakfast at Grace’s Table again, just up the street. My yoghurt, fruit and granola concoction is served in a tall, slim glass. Most bizarre. It’s quite difficult to eat. Even the long handled teaspoon struggled to reach the bottom of the glass. But it was very nice and a nice change from an in-room 7-11 option.
Approaching Golden Gate Bridge
I’d arranged a late checkout at noon because it’s a short drive to San Jose today. I set off just gone noon but return to Safeway to buy what turns out to be a very expensive sandwich for lunch later.
I follow the same route as 2015, driving through fruit farming country with lots of peaches, cherries and nectarines for sale in numerous roadside shops. It’s an interesting drive to the Golden Gate Bridge, but nothing too hard driving-wise. I guess you might get bored of it if you commute over it every day. But as it’s only my second time to drive over it, I still get a sense of excitement crossing this worldwide landmark, one of the world’s most iconic structures.
Crossing Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco Marina for Lunch
I stop in San Francisco Marina for lunch, finding a bench overlooking the yachts and boats with Alcatraz and the GG Bridge in the background. After finishing lunch, back in the car I’m presented with problems. My selected route over the Bay Bridge and down I-880 past Oakland has got a crash somewhere, with serious delays. I set off but the alternative route has a similar ETA, so there must be problems down Hwy 101 as well. As I navigate downtown SF traffic, Maps re-calculates the route a number of times and I miss a number of turns here and there.
San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor
Eventually I end up driving down I-280 S to San Jose. I realise I have never driven on this road south before, so something new. It’s not particularly interesting however, but it is something different. Arriving in San Jose, I’m back in possibly the most boring city on Earth. I mean, nothing happens here. It’s mostly a soul-less place, with limited nightlife.
But I have to stay here to be near the VTA to see the 49ers. Well, I don’t have to stay here but the rest of Silicon Valley is even more desolate from my memories of working there. At least San Jose has a few bars, whereas most of the Valley has none.
San Jose Revisited
Maps takes me to my hotel, the SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Jose Airport. The check-in and parking directions outside the hotel are crap. I have to drive around before ending up parking outside the front entrance to go and check-in, and finally get into my room. I pay my GG Bridge toll. Then top-up my Clipper card for the VTA tomorrow and re-pack my dirty clothes into my suitcase.
A few years ago Google started buying up vast swathes of downtown San Jose with the intention of razing everything to the ground and building a swanky new campus-type facility. One of the casualties was the Poor House Bistro, who were forced to move to another site downtown.
The juke joint closed during the pandemic but has only just re-opened in its new location. The website is not up to date but I called on Thursday to check they had live music on tonight. Yes, I was told. So later on I hop on the VTA from just outside the hotel and head down to Saint James station. The Bistro is about a 10 minute walk away.
Poor House Bistro, Poor Attitude
However when I arrive at 7 pm, there is a private event taking place in the forecourt. There is no sign of a blues band. I’m directed past the fenced off event area to the bar and kitchen area of the Bistro at the back. Inside the food ordering area I ask a guy in a PHB polo shirt what’s going on. Private event, he explains, but “we’re open for food and beer.”
I explain that I called up earlier in the week and was told a live band was on tonight. “That’s what I’ve come to see,” I say. Turns out this guy is Jay, the owner. His attitude frankly was a bit off. He didn’t apologise for the lie his staff told me, nor offer any ‘commiseration’ at my, effectively, wasted journey to his bar.
I politely point out to him that his website, whilst not naming any bands, clearly states “Live music every Friday and Saturday.” He again doesn’t apologise, just stating “It’s not been updated.” No shit, Wonder Boy.
He then proceeds to go on and on about how he’s only been open for food and drink for a few weeks after moving, it’s all been very stressful, that he didn’t know if he would ever open again, and if he did whether he could have live music in the new location. He finishes his rant by saying he will be starting live music again in a few weeks. Not much use to me, eh? Jay, I’m not impressed.
I’m extremely annoyed at his attitude, not accepting any responsibility for this cock-up by his staff. He does then however say, “Have a beer on me.” He then tells me the private event has a lady jazz singer performing and that I’m welcome to stay in the small-ish eating area to listen to her. Hardly my style of music but I accept the beer.
“Should I stay, or should I go?” *
Sipping away at my free beer, waiting for the music to start, I mentally debate my options. I need dinner somewhere and I’m going to Rookies Sports Lodge again tomorrow after the game, so don’t want to go there tonight and the M8trix casino bar is a bit soul-less.
I did discover the hotel has a bar that is open until 10 pm. Whilst reluctant to part with some cash and boost Jay’s profits given his attitude, I decide to eat at the Bistro, then go back to the hotel bar and do some diary writing over a beer or two. Hardly the best way to spend a Saturday night but I see little other choice.
I have the Poor House Bistro Po Boy sandwich of ham and roast beef. I’d had one of these on a previous visit – but I won’t ever again (assuming I return in future). It’s on a French roll that disintegrated from the au jus they poured over. The meats are OK, the cabbage, tomato and pickles so-so. There’s supposed to be mustard and mayonnaise but I couldn’t taste them. I eat what I can for some sustenance but am not impressed. Maybe the catering has also gone downhill after the move.
I’m back at the hotel by 8 pm. I get my diary from my room then go back down to the bar. It is – surprisingly to me – very busy. I sit at the bar. There’s a lady on my right who keeps herself to herself all night, despite me and bar lady chatting about things quite often. She doesn’t want to engage, so I let her be.
A guy comes and goes on my left, then returns later but also doesn’t engage much. But the beer is good, and the bar lady interesting. Despite the 10 pm close, the night turned out much better than I could have hoped earlier. It was a nice drive down to San Jose, if un-adventurous, and despite the PHB fiasco, an OK day.
* Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
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