Arcadia

Located at 100 W San Carlos St.San Jose, CA 95113
Visit directly at: http://www.michaelmina.net/restaurants/san-francisco-bay-area/arcadia/

Arcadia in San Jose Marriott in San Jose, California

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the San Jose Marriott for an event with my teenage son. He's a foodie also, so a perfect travel partner. In first reviewing the dining options at the San Jose Marriott, the featured restaurant Arcadia peaked my interest. But when I found out that it's created by restaurateur Michael Mina, who also has Wit & Wisdom, a popular Baltimore, Maryland restaurant not far from where we live, I was sold! ​

Arcadia is located in the San Jose Marriott. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everything on both the breakfast and dinner menus are delicious. For breakfast, they also have a terrific buffet with lots of choices perfect for kids and adults. 

Breakfast Menu

Dinner Menu

Dinner is always a more formal experience, so we were excited to try Arcadia. I had made dinner reservations in advance and we even brought fancier clothes just for the occasion. As always, I like to highlight kid-friendly aspects of seemingly not-so-kid-friendly restaurants. So I loved that upon being seated, we were presented with a creative display of three kinds of French fries along with three kinds of delicious dipping sauces. How perfect for kids of all ages! ​They were crispy and perfectly salted. Yes, we ate every one.

In looking over the menu, I decided to go a bit more old fashioned with a Iceberg "BLT" Wedge Salad and Braised Short Ribs. ​​But as you can tell, these dishes do not look "old fashioned" in the least little bit. Not only were they beautifully presented, but the fresh flavors really popped. [Hover each picture for additional details.]

The BLT Wedge Salad was amazing. I love a salad that is full of the toppings and delicious dressing.

Braised meat is always my classic comfort food, I highly recommend!

On the other hand, my son would have made Michael Mina proud...Beef Tartare and rare Filet Mignon, accompanied by a trio of sauces. He was in beef heaven. Plus, the sauces truly added to the richness and experience. We both sampled the bearnaise, red wine, and steak sauce, all house made. Then for a side dish, we couldn't resist and split an order of Mac and Cheese with Black Truffle.

Beef Tartare. A classic and gorgeous presentation with a quail's egg. Truly delicious.

I LOVE sauces for my steak. Bearnaise is always my favorite, but I enjoyed them all.

The filet was prepared perfectly.

Macaroni and Cheese with Truffle

Virtual Hint: The Mac and Cheese is perfect if you are bringing a young diner. But know ahead that it gets part of its originality because of broccoli added. If you have an anti-green veggie eater, ask for it without. ​

​Every bite was packed full of flavor and tasted as good it looked (and it looked amazing!)  Although if I were to do it again, I may have also ordered the Shellfish Platter. I embarrassingly stared as one went past our table.

Sadly, we were both so full and had to pass on desserts. ​

Okay! So not really true. We were full and did have to pass on dessert. BUT would you believe room service had the Chocolate Molten Cake as a specialty on their menu?! It arrived to our cozy San Jose Marriott room with the cake perfectly hot, the ice cream refreshingly cold, and it was absolutely phenomenal!  

Keep in mind, if you live in the area and looking to plan an intimate dinner party, their private dining room is gorgeous. I love the wine case view as well. I'm sorry that I live so far away since I'm actually planning one now...

Arcadia is truly a special restaurant. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just pretending you are, this is a San Jose gem you don't want to miss. With the ambiance, service and wonderful surprises throughout the meal, I can't wait to try a dining experience at another Michael Mina restaurant again soon. 

​WHAT MAKES Arcadia A TOP PICK?

• Fantastic wine list with comfortable lounge seating to enjoy a before dinner drink 
• Ask for the trio of fantastic steak accompaniments: Bearnaise, Bordelaise, and Steak sauce 
• Convenient if staying at San Jose Marriott or any one of the other hotels within walking distance.

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