South Bay venues wind down summer by showcasing local culinary talent

It might feel like autumn is approaching at lightning speed, but some local culinary events should help ease into September.

Taste of Los Gatos, on Saturday, Sept 6, noon-5 p.m., showcases bites from local restaurants, eateries and coffee shops such as Chez Phillipe, First Born, Gardino’s, Parkside, Los Gatos Roasting Company, Manresa Bread, We Olive and Wine Bar 107. Visit nearly 20 wineries tucked into retailers around town and sip on the latest from local wineries like 3P, Cooper Garrod, David Bruce, Gali Vineyards, Mount Eden and more while you shop. Tickets are $80.12 for food only and $101.22 for both food and libations at https://bit.ly/45lQnUm.

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The Art of Food & Wine brings together a rich feast of local food and wine on Sunday, Sept 7, at Montalvo Center for the Arts in Saratoga. Meet iconic chefs like Peter Armellino of Plumed Horse, Scott Cooper of Le Papillon and Greg Kruzia-Carmel of Camper, along with rising talents like Julian Silvera of The Tasting House, Aubree Arndt of Emerald Hour and Broma and Sergio Box of Macarena. So many wines, so little time, but make sure you check out the auction table for some outrageous bargains this year. VIP admittance at 3:30 p.m. General admission tickets are sold out; VIP tickets are $440 at my.montalvoarts.org.

At Star Chefs 2025, top talent from local restaurants from San Martin to Palo Alto go skillet-to-skillet in the region’s most fun pairing taste-off. On Sept 21, 3-7 p.m., at The Glass House in downtown San Jose, sample the latest effort from Chef Patrick Capurro of Be.Steak.A, who was last year’s Judge’s Choice winner, as well as from Chef Jackie of Jackie’s Place, winner of last year’s People’s Choice award. These two will defend their aprons and honor against challengers like Chef Marcelino Hernandez of Asa Los Gatos, Chef Nicko Moulinos of Eos & Nyx, Julian Sivera of The Tasting House, Ross Hanson of Oak & Rye and Anthony Secviar of Protégé. Other stars in the constellation include Good Times Bar, Orchard City Kitchen, The Bywater, Forbes Mill, Oak and Rye, Silos, Alter Ego, Odeum, One Fish Raw Bar and Cordevalle’s Il Veneto. Dine and vote for a good cause. Tickets are $150 at https://momentumforhealth.org/starchefs-2025.

Taste of Half Moon Bay at The Ritz on Sept 19, 6:30 p.m., offers a four-course cliffside dinner on the dramatic Ocean Lawn. Award-winning wines and winemakers from Beauregard Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains take center stage. Tickets are $270 at https://bit.ly/45UxnMN.

And coming this fall, Ritual at Manresa welcomes a lineup of chefs from three different continents, beginning with HAŌMA and Chef Deepanker Khosla. In September, it’s Mayta of Perú with Chef Jaime Pesaque, and in October, Culler De Pau from Spain showcases Chef Javi Olleros. And there’s a rumor of more Manresa-related activity happening on the coast. Stay tuned.

Can you believe it’s been one year since Gardenia debuted on the dining scene in Los Gatos? This gorgeous property feels like a southern estate with its copious front lawn, dotted with tables. It continues to impress with charming décor and an ever-changing and improving brunch menu. Kudos for all the great choices and the always personal service.

Any way you slice it, people love pizza, and famed pizzaiola Tony Gemignani is set to open a new location of Slice House by Tony Gemignani, at 1286 Great Mall Parkway in the mixed-use complex across from the Great Mall. They are hiring for more than 30 new full and part-time jobs.

“As we continue to expand Slice House’s footprint across the country, it’s especially exciting for me to open doors throughout the Bay Area where I grew up and launched my pizza career – and this is true for Milpitas,” said Gemignani in a release.

Che Fico Menlo Park is now offering weekend brunch. The outdoor ambiance is lovely; it feels like vacationing at a Mediterranean resort. Brunch covers the bases of sweet and savory, with special treats from Little Sky Kitchen literally down the street. You can make a meal of the sides.

Also in Menlo Park, Flea Street is celebrating 45 years, and the fact that restauranteur Jesse Cool has stuck with this crazy business for this long is testament to her perseverance and her love of this business and this place. She invites you to toast this milestone Tuesday, Aug. 26-Saturday, Aug. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. each evening.

Nobu in Palo Alto offers both brunch/breakfast, beginning at 8 a.m., and afternoon tea, beginning at noon, on weekends.

Brunch favorites include the house-cured salmon lox with yuzu cream cheese, a breakfast skillet of potatoes, chicken apple sausage, miso spinach and poached heirloom tomatoes with fried egg, and Bao Buns stuffed with applewood smoked bacon and sunny side up eggs. Don’t skip the Suntory whiskey-soaked date cake, topped with vanilla sorbet and served with candied walnuts, for dessert.

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto’s Afternoon Tea in the Garden offers myriad delights, among them stone fruit crispy prosciutto crostini, quiche and caviar with dashi, yuzu cream and chives, and grilled pineapple dulce cream puff.