A long time ago in a galaxy far far away….A ‘Star Wars’-themed bar opened
I believe bars are better with a theme. Two weekends ago, I went down to Orange County for my friend’s birthday, where we celebrated at Strong Water, a pirate-themed speakeasy. In San Francisco, spots like The Tonga Room and Wizards & Wands fully lean into their respective themes, and even in San Jose there’s places like Dr. Funk. But in Silicon Valley, bars don’t seem to have themes (which doesn’t really help our reputation for being boring).
There is an exception: 7 Stars Bar and Grill, which recently relocated from San Jose to downtown Campbell. Find a giant Jabba the Hutt, child-sized stormtroopers and a themed cocktail menu featuring drinks like Blue Milk and The Blaster AKA Pew Pew Pew. Even the kiddos can have fun here – it’s all-ages until 7 p.m.
I talked with owners Paul and Marya Cunha (who even had a “Star Wars”-themed wedding!) to learn the story behind the business and more about the friendships and marriages that have formed because of their bar. May the force be with you.
Stay tasty,
Adrienne
‘A sports bar for nerds’: At 7 Stars Bar and Grill, drinks and decor pay homage to ‘Star Wars’ and other movie franchises
Walk inside 7 Stars Bar and Grill in Campbell to find a pair of child-sized stormtroopers guarding the door. Funko Pop figurines are lined up in display cases, Starfighters hang from the ceiling, “Star Wars”-themed art fills the exposed brick wall and a Landspeeder, Jabba the Hutt and BB-8 keep the DJ in the back company.
French Asian pastries come to Redwood City, a luxury meat equipment store opens in Los Gatos and upcoming food and wine festivities
- Bunny-shaped Japanese milk bread, black sesame chocolate croissants and matcha latte cookies are just some of the French Asian pastries you’ll find at ONKI Bakery’s Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market booth.
- In the market for luxury live-fire cooking and dry-aging equipment? How about dry-aged tomahawks and 100% Iberico ham? There’s a new Los Gatos store selling just that.
- Keke’s Breakfast Cafe opened in Sunnyvale on Monday and is donating 10% of its net sales to the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley food bank through tomorrow, Nov. 14.
- Che Fico Parco Menlo is turning 1! The Italian restaurant is celebrating its anniversary Friday with a special prix fixe menu featuring dishes like Bay scallop crudo and tortelloni with honeynut squash and brown butter.
- Want to taste the mountains? Sample wines from 13 Santa Cruz Mountains-based wineries on Saturday at Taste of the Mountains Menlo Park Wine Walk.
- Snack on samples and meet four culinary writers at Kepler’s Books on Tuesday. The Menlo Park event is aptly named Fantastic Feasts and Where to Find Them.
- Domenico Winery is hosting a Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair on Tuesday. In addition to unique gifts from small businesses, there will be a full bar, wine and food.
- TV cooking show “America’s Test Kitchen” is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Redwood City’s Fox Theatre on Tuesday. Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster will give an inside look at how the Test Kitchen works live on stage.
- Pedro’s Restaurant & Cantina in Los Gatos is officially reopening Nov. 20 after its first major renovation in 52 years.
- Beloved breakfast spot Hobee’s is soft opening its San Jose location on Saturday nearly a year after closing its original Mountain View restaurant.
- Nabi Cat Cafe has launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $10,000 by Dec. 12 to help open its Santa Clara cat cafe.
Dinner at The Oxford
The Oxford Kitchen & Gastropub is an adorable spot along Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale that truly makes you feel like you’re stepping into a pub in London – it even has a quintessential red telephone booth. The menu isn’t just basic British fish and chips (although they do offer that); it includes other cuisines you’d find along the streets of London, like Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian and Indian flavors. And with the weather cooling down and the sky looking much grayer than usual (reminiscent of London), it was fitting I’d stop by and give it a try.
For my drink, I opted for the coconut-washed Negroni with London dry gin, vermouth and coconut-washed campari. This was absolutely lovely and tasted like something out of a high-end bar. The giant ice cube was so perfectly clear that it was almost invisible in the cup, and the drink itself was sweet, smooth and fruity with a slightly bitter orange aftertaste.
For an appetizer, I opted for the mushroom and chickpea kibbeh with Turkish tzatziki and mint. I could not believe this dish was vegetarian, and I actually thought they had served me the wrong dish because of how meaty and smoky it was. The kibbeh was extremely flavorful with a bit of spice, the Turkish tzatziki added a bright tang and the mint sauce had a velvety and luscious texture.
While the appetizer was insanely good, my main course, the Peri-Peri roast chicken, was not. I’ve never had Peri-Peri chicken before, but I expected at least a hint of spice – but none was perceptible at all. It tasted like a sweet bell pepper sauce. To its credit, the chicken was cooked well and the Peri-Peri rice it was served with was quite flavorful. The fries, on the other hand, were soggy from being placed underneath the chicken and weren’t very flavorful.
To finish off the meal, I opted for the banoffee tart, a very British dessert. The chocolate tart shell was interestingly cakey and soft instead of crispy, but the filling itself was luscious and satisfying. I would have liked more toffee to add a bit more texture. The dessert was good, but it didn’t blow me away like the appetizer did.
Overall, I love the theming of The Oxford, and I’d definitely want to visit again and try more of the dishes on the menu. I’d say skip the Peri-Peri chicken, but the Negroni and the kibbeh are a must order.
The Oxford Kitchen & Gastropub, 195 S. Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale; 408-245-8503, Instagram: @theoxfordca. Open Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4-9 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4-10 p.m.
Houjicha lattes and mango matcha: Kaizen and Coffee brings specialty coffee to San Mateo
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