Celebrating Excellence: The Team Behind Two Grand Award Winners Launches Augustine in San Jose

San Francisco’s Bacchus Management Group has expanded its culinary presence with the recent opening of Augustine and the adjoining Cafe Augustine in San Jose’s vibrant Santana Row, a luxury shopping and residential area. Known for operating Grand Award-winning restaurants like Spruce and the Village Pub, Bacchus has catered to a market that craves more diverse dining options.

Augustine’s Opening and Concept
Augustine opened its doors on March 14, 2025, bringing a coastal-focused menu that highlights the best of California’s farmers and produce. According to Andrew Green, president of fine dining at Bacchus, the area is flourishing with residents who are eager for more varied dining experiences. The menu celebrates local ingredients, featuring dishes such as harissa-spiced carrots and spiced lamb sausage, amidst Mediterranean influences.

The adjacent Cafe Augustine boasts a casual all-day menu, offering coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and salads, catering to both residents and visitors looking for a quick bite.

Culinary Highlights
Bacchus Executive Chef Mark Sullivan has crafted a menu that encourages sharing, with options like Dungeness crab donuts and grilled flatbread with traditional muhammara. The weekend brunch includes enticing plates such as French toast infused with Tonka beans and smoked salmon tartine.

Wine List Innovation
Director of Wine and Spirits Jaime Pinedo has focused on a unique wine selection that distinguishes Augustine from Bacchus’s other offerings. The 400-bottle list features wines from Mediterranean and Southern European regions, including rare selections from Greece, Corsica, and Sardinia, alongside notable California wines. The emphasis is on value, with several options priced around $50.

Design and Atmosphere
The design of Augustine, created by Tim Stannard and Steven Brady, blends luxury and warmth, featuring a prominent marble horseshoe bar, a cozy dining setting for 38, and a welcoming outdoor patio. The space aims to cater to both formal and casual dining attitudes.

Valley Goat: A New Addition from Chef Stephanie Izard
In Sunnyvale, Chef Stephanie Izard and Boka Restaurant Group have unveiled Valley Goat at the Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley. Having opened on March 31, 2025, Valley Goat captures the essence of Northern Californian cuisine with a shareable menu that includes dishes like spicy hand rolls, goat empanadas, and roasted oysters.

Wine Selection
Wine director Shea Zimmerman has curated a selection of about 85 wines, primarily spotlighting California alongside notable selections from Spain, Argentina, and Chile, ensuring a comprehensive representation of flavors to pair with Izard’s creative dishes.

Casual Dining Experience
Designed to encourage a relaxed atmosphere, Valley Goat seats 250 and features an outdoor area, further enhancing the casual dining experience it aims to provide.

For those seeking both culinary diversity and quality, these new restaurant openings from prominent groups in the Bay Area mark an exciting development in the local dining scene.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!