You just wrapped up a freakin’ amazing photo shoot, your hair and makeup are done, and now you’re hungry. Ask anyone who has done a shoot with me, it’s hard work doing all those poses! It’s like doing a 90 minute Pilates class. So where should you go eat? Here are my favorite places to eat after I do a shoot, and I’d love to share them with you! Plus, they’re all pretty close to where we shoot in Campbell. If you go visit them, and I hope you do, let me know how your experience was! I’d love to know.
The Vesper – Campbell
This is my favorite local restaurant (that isn’t a taqueria)! The staff is super friendly, real, and very knowledgeable. There is nothing pretentious about this place, despite having the best craft cocktails around! To drink, I like the Handshake Agreement and the Voodoo Luck. To eat, I get the Italian Meat Flatbread, the spicy meatballs, or the squash blossom quesadilla. And if you go on a Friday evening, you’ll probably see me there!
https://thevespercampbell.com/
Sushi Confidential – Campbell
If you want to expand your sushi vocabulary beyond the California roll, this is the place to do it. I pop in here for a snack when I’m downtown even if I’m not hungry. The food is just so good. I like just about everything I eat to be spicy, so the Cabo Conspiracy is my go-to, along with the Salmon Bombs (on the appetizer list). The poke tacos are certainly worth trying, and they come with ahi or salmon. The cocktail menu is also fantastic and features a little of everything.
http://www.sushiconfidential.com/
Centonove – Los Gatos
My family is Italian and I grew up eating fresh pasta in my uncle’s restaurant. Spoiled, I know. This place has been my local go-to for really good Italian food since it opened. The pizza is traditional. The meatballs are a spiritual experience. And the penne con cinghiale is ridiculous. Good ridiculous. Plus, the wine list is solid.
https://centonovelosgatos.com/
Pizza Antica – Santana Row
This was my first restaurant job when I started college and it changed my life. I was introduced to so many new kinds of food and wine! It’s where I take friends from out of town. It’s like a second home for me. Ok, so what order… They will ruin gnocchi for you. I guarantee you’ll never have better gnocchi than what you get at Pizza Antica. The caesar salad is also a game changer. They pioneered the Brussels sprout salad that TONS of other restaurants copied, and their wine list is unmatched. You’re guaranteed to learn about a new grape varietal that perfectly matches whatever you order.
Adelita’s Taqueria – San Jose
If you’ve ever met me you know that I run on burritos. Burritos are life. Adelita’s has been my spot since middle school when we used to ride our skateboards there after class. The al pastor is my favorite, and the carne asada is always a good choice. Plus, the spicy prawn burrito is killer. And a super chavela is the perfect adult beverage to go with anything on their menu. They also have a tone of gluten free and vegetarian options if you’re into that.
