Bye-bye, Brandon’s. The hotel restaurant that kept the 1980s alive for a good long time at Montague Expressway in Milpitas is gone. The Beverly Heritage Hotel is now the Sonesta Silicon Valley, and after major renovations, the new owners have reimagined the onsite restaurant as Manzanita, a “California table and bar” for tech/business visitors and locals alike.
So extensive were the changes that the restaurant is now located in a more prominent place on the property, just off the main lobby. (Check out the cool light fixtures on your way in.) As for the old Brandon’s, that’s also being overhauled and will soon become banquet space.
We stopped by right after Manzanita’s opening to check out the new space and the new menu.
THE VIBE: Sleek and friendly, with high-tops that seat six for tech confabs, small tables for solo business travelers, round tables for groups, comfy bar seats and plenty of connectivity.
THE FOOD: Executive chef Adam Ornellas, who has local roots (he’s a San Jose native) and fine-dining cred (Plumed Horse, Masa), has created a Latin-Asian focus for Manzanita. You’ll find touches of fusion throughout the menu: BBQ Pork Ramen ($21) starts with a Latin-style sofrito chicken broth. The spice-rubbed Grilled Ribeye ($34) comes with both Chinese long beans and cotija-topped patatas bravas. Tacos, with housemade tortillas, can be ordered with Kung Pao Chicken, Korean Beef, Pork Belly or other fillings ($7 each).
Starters include Queso Fundido with smoked poblanos ($9), Elote grilled corn ($9) and a whimsically plated poke called “Canned” Tuna ($14) that’s served with crisp wontons and tortilla chips.
Fusion menu aside, you can’t keep a good burger down. Already popular with guests is the Manzanita Burger ($16), a Wagyu patty topped with a beer-bacon jam crafted from Fort Point’s smoked Manzanita brew.
THE SIPS: Signature cocktails include the Portuguese Daisy ($14), a potent sangria made with Fonseca Port. The taps and wine list feature NorCal names, among others. And the ever-important espresso drinks? Locally roasted Chromatic Coffee.
DON’T MISS: The shareable Tequila Yuzu Chicken ($23) is a nicely roasted breast napped with cashew mole and served with avocado rice and tortillas.
GOOD TO KNOW: The $20 breakfast buffet is available to locals and hotel guests alike. Besides the obligatory eggs, bacon and sausage, look for lox with bagels, smoothie shots and a rotating array of breakfast pastries and pancakes.
PERFECT FOR … Post-conference mind melds. Or a convenient, freeway-close rendezvous point for friends from Alameda County and Santa Clara County. Parking is plentiful.
DETAILS: Hotel restaurants need to feed guests three squares a day, so Manzanita’s hours are long. Breakfast is served from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. weekdays, 7 to 11 a.m. weekends. Lunch daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served nightly from 5 to 10. The bar is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1820 Barber Lane, Milpitas; www.manzanitatableandbar.com