If there ever was a great excuse to take time for a proper lunch, it’s “Taste the Row” at San Jose’s Santana Row.
Monday through Friday through the month of September, 16 participating restaurants will offer special $25 prix-fixe lunches. Best yet, a portion of proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit humanitarian organization founded by celebrated Chef Jose Andres that provides nourishing meals across the globe to communities in crisis. So, treat yourself to lunch – and do some good in the process.
I enjoyed a sneak taste of the menu at Augustine Restaurant, where the two-course lunch starts off with a choice between a vibrant Gem lettuce salad with sweet Sungold tomatoes and haricot verts or a creamy cucumber gazpacho poured tableside over husk cherries and levain croutons for that special touch.
That’s followed by a choice of crispy-skin salmon with baba ganoush, baby spinach and fun, crispy chickpeas or summer squash cannelloni, delicate crepes filled with creamy, rich ricotta, and finished with garlicky basil pistou and crunchy pine nuts.
It all makes for one pampering lunch.
Afterward, stop in at the adjacent Augustine bakery. It’s not part of the “Taste the Row” dining deal. With all the money you’ve saved on lunch, though, you not only can afford a sweet treat, but you deserve one, too.
After all, who can resist a big ol’ slice of fudgy Midnight Chocolate Cake ($8.50) or an outrageous Rocky Road Donut with requisite gooey torched marshmallow ($8.50) or a loaded chocolate chip cookie ($5.75) as big as your head? I know that I sure can’t.