Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant

Fine dining restaurant · SoFA

3

@atlasobscura

"At most restaurants, music is a mere garnish. But at the Orchestria Palm Court in downtown San Jose, diners can enjoy a buffet of marvelous musical instruments along with their meal. As part of Silicon Valley, San Jose is no stranger to amazing technology. At the Orchestria Palm Court, that technology happens to be 100 years old. Before Steve Jobs and his Apple engineers in nearby Cupertino ever dreamed up an iPod, people still turned to machines for music. Engineer Mark Williams, Orchestria Palm Court’s owner, collected a wide array of such machines and has put them on display in a refurbished auto showroom from 1910. There’s the Coinola electric piano, which can play the hits of the early 20th century. Then there are the restaurant’s two orchestrions. An orchestrion (also the namesake for the restaurant) is a machine that can mimic the sounds of an entire orchestra. Along with piano, mandolin, and various percussion instruments, the establishment’s Coinola X Orchestrion will even play the triangle. Also featured are two early jukeboxes (1926 and 1928) and, perhaps, the most wonderful machine of them all: the Violano-Virtuoso Player Violin. If the magic of a self-playing violin isn’t enough, the machine also accompanies itself with a piano, all using an electric motor and electromagnets. On holidays from Bastille Day to Christmas, along with the birthdays of famous composers, the machines are set up to play the appropriate tunes. While music from the various machines plays, diners can sample a farm-t0-table menu, of which the Austrian goulash and chicken breast saltimbocca are favorites. Orchestria Palm Court also has an old-fashioned soda menu, including malted milks, phosphates, and drinks with names such as Poppy Dew and Raspberry Ambrosia. But if you want to listen to some old-time music and sip an old-school soda, be sure to keep an eye on your calendar. Orchestria Palm Court is open only on Friday and Saturday, from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m., and reservations are heartily recommended." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

7 Curious Collections Hiding in Restaurants and Bars
Courtesy of Orchestria Palm Court

27 E William St, San Jose, CA 95112 Get directions

orchestriapalmcourt.com
@orchestriapalmcourt

3 Postcards

Reserve
See full details

More Places For You

Pho Kim Long

Vietnamese restaurant · Northwood

A no-frills Vietnamese spot for standard pho noodle soup, with parking available out front.

2 Postcards

Sliders Burger

Hamburger restaurant · Shasta/Hanchett Park

Unfussy strip-mall go-to for large & unique patties such as ostrich & bison, plus a condiment bar.

0 Postcards

Il Fornaio

Italian restaurant · SoFA

Upmarket chain for Italian dining, including freshly made pasta & bread from an in-house bakery.

1 Postcard

Left Bank Brasserie - Santana Row

French restaurant · Santana Row

This lively French brasserie offers a seasonally inspired menu, inviting outdoor seating, and a vibe that’s both classy and homey.

3 Postcards

Mariscos Costa Alegre

Mexican restaurant · West Northside

Bright eatery dishing up seafood specialties & other Mexican standards, plus cocktails.

2 Postcards

Tofoo Com Chay Vegetarian Cuisine

Vietnamese restaurant · North Campus

Bare-bones institution boasts a large menu of Vietnamese vegan & vegetarian options.

0 Postcards

Chick-fil-A

Fast food restaurant · Silver Creek Valley

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

1 Postcard

Adega

Portuguese restaurant · Little Portugal South

In the heart of Little Portugal, this relaxed spot dishes out delightful Portuguese tapas in a rustic setting, making it perfect for casual sharing with friends.

11 Postcards

99 Ranch Market

Asian grocery store · Westfield Oakridge

Grocery store at Westfield Oakridge specializing in Asian products such as seafood and dim sum.

1 Postcard

Westfield Oakridge

Shopping mall · Westfield Oakridge

Westfield Oakridge, commonly known as Oakridge, is a shopping mall in San Jose, California, located in the Blossom Valley neighborhood of South San Jose. Established in 1973, Oakridge has been redeveloped multiple times in its history, most recently in 2003, to the cost of $150 million.

1 Postcard