Gluten-Free Mexican Restaurant Copita Opens in San Jose’s Willow Glen Neighborhood | Eater SF

"Opened on October 30 at 1098 Lincoln Avenue in San Jose, this massive 6,300-square-foot, two-story outpost from chef Joanne Weir and restaurateur Larry Mindel—with Azari Cuena-Maitret heading the kitchen—brings Copita’s seasonal, entirely gluten-free take on Mexican food to Willow Glen. Downstairs sticks close to the Sausalito format with a full menu of larger plates, a dining room with booths, banquettes and a street-facing patio, while the second-floor rooftop terrace focuses on smaller plates and cocktails, offering firepits and small tables for a more intimate experience. Design draws on San Miguel de Allende with blue, white, and tangerine tiles intended to feel fresh, clean, warm, and bold. Tortillas are made on-site by hand, and the menu ports over Sausalito favorites alongside new Northern California twists, including breaded cauliflower tacos, huitlacoche-filled empanadas, and roasted Brussels sprouts in a citrus chipotle salsa; the kitchen also features a vertical trompo for twirling al pastor into tacos and quesadillas (the Sausalito site uses a tile-encased rotisserie). There are two bars (one per floor) each with its own menu and roughly 10 featured drinks, curated tequila and mezcal flights, and cocktails like the Loteria (Tanqueray, lemon, orgeat, passionfruit) and a Cinnamon Espresso Martini (Ketel One, Mr. Black, cold brew, cinnamon); Mexican wines, a small beer selection, and nonalcoholic options are also available. The Copita margarita remains central and continues to use Herradura Silver, chosen after a blind tasting of 40 tequilas that the team repeated ahead of this opening. For now the restaurant is open for dinner (Sunday–Monday 5–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5–10 p.m.), plans to add lunch and weekend brunch soon, and is not accepting reservations." - Lauren Saria