spaswinefood: Best Italian restaurants in Downtown San José, California

Downtown San José, California is home to some of finest restaurants however, often people avoid going downtown because of parking problems, or the cost. San José downtown businesses have worked hard to resolve this issue. In fact over 100 downtown San José businesses offer parking validation for selected garages and lots. This makes it easier to dine downtown at some of the best restaurants in the San José area. This Spaswinefood post will highlight three downtown Italian Restaurants. They are Bella Mia, Il Fornaio and Original Joe's.

Bella Mia

Bella Mia Restaurant and Bar 58 South First Street was established in 1985. It offers fresh seasonal California-Italian Cuisine. Bella Mia has an extensive menu, with Prix Fixe Menu (3-course dinner nightly) for $30, Wednesday lunch buffet ($9.95) and monthly coupon specials. It is also home to Mystery Dinner Theatre.

Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

I dropped by on a July Friday night after a movie. Table service began with bread and water.

Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

For wine I ordered an Organic Syrah from Joyce Vineyard, Arroyo Seco.

Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

For an entrée I selected a combination plate with Vegetarian Lasagna and Fettuccine.

Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

The entrée came with a salad.

Salad, Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

When I left night was settling into the Silicon Valley. The service was excellent and the food was good.

Bella Mia © Spaswinefood

Check reviews at Citysearch, Dine.com, Insiderpages, Tripadvisor, Yahoo and Yelp.

Il Fornaio

Il Fornaio 302 South Market Street is a popular Italian restaurant. June-July we have visited Il Fornaio a number of times (lunch, dinners and wine makers dinners). This has allowed Spaswinefood to explore first hand the menu options. The leadership team at Il Fornaio includes Dave Fera, Managing-Partner and Claudio Zorloni, Chef-Partner.

Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Il Fornaio is in the historical Sainte Claire Hotel.

Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

They always start with bringing out this wonderful bread baked fresh daily.

Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Il Fornaio has an excellent wine list. They won a 2010 Wine Spectators Award. For dinner that evening we ordered a 2006 Umbria Sangiovese, an Italian wine.

Time for wine at Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

We shared a Caprese Salad.

Caprese Salad, Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

For entrées we selected pastas.

Butternut Squash Ravioli, Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Linguine with Clams in White Wine Sauce, Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

We shared a chocolate desert.

Dessert Time at Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Diner was great and so was the dinner we had a month later.

Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Il Fornaio has wonderful wine makers events and we attended two. I also visited on July 11th for lunch. I had a relaxing lunch with soup and sandwich.

Soup, Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Panini Vegetarino, Il Fornaio © Spaswinefood

Accompanying the panini there was a great sauce -- it was spicy but not too hot. The orange color suggested there may have been some pepper in it. It sure was good and add a nice touch to the sandwich.

Check reviews at Citysearch, Opentable, Tripadvisor, Urbanspoon and Yelp.

Original Joe's

Established in 1956 Original Joe's 301 South First Street and East San Carlos is a downtown landmark. It has been around so long that you will find it in wikipedia. Since my first visit in 1990 I have returned many times and the service is consistently good. It has a loyal following. Original Joe's offers a breakfast through dinner menu.

Original Joe's © Spaswinefood

One Friday in June I dropped by for dinner. After I ordered the waiter served this great bread you always get at Original Joe's.

For an entree I had Pasta Primavera with a side of mushrooms.

Of course the servings are quite sufficient, even when you order a half serving. Still, it is always nice to get a dogie bag "to go"

Check reviews at Citysearch, Tripadvisor, Urbanspoon, Yahoo and Yelp

Bella Mia, Il Fornaio and Original Joe's are three great options for dining downtown. For other Italian restaurants in San José area check lists like Boorah, Top 10 Travel and 10Best for ideas.

Whenever you leave a downtown restaurant there is often an event or convention going on. One evening we encountered lots of exciting street activity. The street was full of people in costumes.