San Jose's Santana Row is now home to a new culinary gem, Augustine, courtesy of the established Bacchus Management Group, a name synonymous with fine dining in the Bay Area thanks to establishments like the Michelin-starred Selby's and Spruce. With doors opened on March 14, Augustine isn't just another pin on the map—it's an ambitious blend of plush décor, inspired cuisine, and a bar scene set to echo the revelry of decades past. Next door, Cafe Augustine stands ready, slinging out pastries and coffee that could easily make it the neighborhood’s new morning hotspot.
Bacchus isn’t just slapping on a new coat of paint and calling it revolutionary, this fresh 7,000-square-foot establishment brings forth an intensive menu showcasing California's diverse bounty interwoven with French and Italian nuances, all under the watchful eye of executive chef Mark Sullivan, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The Santana Row crowd can expect sumptuous picks like Dungeness crab donuts, harissa-spiced carrots, and a signature bar burger curiously reminiscent of the popular rendition at Spruce, with weekend brunch promises of fresh croissants and buttermilk pancakes adding to the allure of the spot.
It's not an only food affair at Augustine, the wine program steps out aiming to impress with a Mediterranean flare featuring the likes of Santorini and Sicily, while Jaime Pinedo, the director of wine and spirits of Bacchus Management Group, is reported by Wine Spectator to have particularly focused on "less-celebrated regions" that resonate amicably with the restaurant's culinary approach. This commitment to a fresh, handpicked selection sets the Augustine wine list apart from its siblings in the Bacchus family.
And if you're wondering whether Augustine's interior matches its grandiose offerings, rest assured it does; it boasts a lush covered patio leading inward to a U-shaped marble bar enveloped by cool, cobalt-blue booths, the rich design is the handiwork of Bacchus’ collaboration with Steven Brady of Stephen Boyd Brady Design, and for those in-the-know, they even have a hidden room for that exclusive speak-easy vibe, this secret space, accessible through a discreet passage, isn't just for the select few – it could double as overflow seating when the night picks up pace, something Andrew Green, the group's president of fine dining, revealed in a Wine Spectator piece.
In an area as vibrant and techie as Silicon Valley, Augustine isn’t just another dining option; it's a clear-up declaration that high-caliber dining isn't confined within San Francisco's city limits. For Bacchus Management Group, it's about expanding their philosophy of quality dining experiences, with Augustine being the latest narrative arc in their Bay Area story, a story that tells of a group that has made firm roots in the regional culinary scene and isn't afraid of branching out.
