Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant

We enjoyed this cute place with vintage player pianos and a soda fountain. Food is farm to table and good. Right next door to San Jose stage so great for a pre-show dinner.

This is a unique restaurant with a good-old-day atmosphere of a brick warehouse setting. The restaurant is so named because of its numerous "orchestrions" (electric-mechanical pianos). Some of these pianos play constantly with the wax perforated scores. It serves good food. With minimum staff, customers order food and drinks at the back counter, were they also pay after dinner. Service fee is included in the bill so no tipping is necessary. Overall it was a nice experience.

I brought my kids to this remarkable restaurant for their birthdays. It was a very unique experience and we had a lot of fun. The place is decorated in a very vintage fashion, complete with an old fountain bar serving phosphate drinks as well as other cocktails and milkshakes. They have a unique menu and they seem to be very conscious of having quality healthy ingredients. They told me that this is one of the very few locations in the United States where you could still get phosphate drinks. The entire seating area is surrounded by a variety of animatronic automated pianos that use a form of sheet rolls to play a variety of tunes. It was very fascinating to enjoy our meal and watch and listen to these machines play around us. I believe the two partners that founded this place work behind the two different bar areas, they have quite the story of how they founded the restaurant based on their personal passion for collecting these machines. And then the collection only grew and the result is this fascinating restaurant. If you're looking for a fun and unique experience in a vintage setting, then this place is for you.

Don't have high expectations for the food.... Like others said, it's not fresh (frozen veggies, food coloring in the pesto and gnocchi). I came here for my birthday, and everyone was disappointed in the food quality and service. One of them only received veggies but no pasta, so we had to flag the waiters down to add pasta. My pasta was also burnt. The only positive was the vibes/atmosphere of vintage self-playing pianos.

Very unique restaurant and ambience... self playing instruments, old time charm and organically sourced food makes the visit worth it. The Shrimp Puttanesca and Chicken Breast Saltimbocca were excellent...loaded with veggies and proteins! Apricot Ambrosia from the ancient fountain was unique.will definitely visit again... Reservation is recommended Love the fact that tip is included...

My heart was very warm having dinner here. My stomach was very happy as well. To start, for a part time hobby of the owners, this restaurant that is only open on Friday and Saturday, did not come off as exclusive but welcoming. We were traveling in the Bay Area with our dog and wanted to find a restaurant with a patio that our dog could come to instead of leaving her in the hotel. And Orchestria asked what breed(corgi) and asked that we have her behave and welcomed us. As for the dining experience, I felt like I was in a Time Machine and travelled back a century ago with self playing pianos taking turns serenading the dining room. Ordering food is a pleasant experience where you walk up to the bar and place your food orders and get your drinks. The servers and possibly owner? Were very warm and attentive. The food was home styled Italian cooking with good portions. We did not have dessert but enjoyed our appetizers and main dishes. All in all, you don’t come across restaurants with this much culture and personality often, if ever. Go to Orchestria Palm Court if you’re in San Jose, remember, on a Friday or Saturday.

The most quaint and charming restaurant! Delicious food, entertaining pianos, and attentive service. It feels like you’re transported back to better times. Generous portions at a reasonable price point. There are several vegan options including a great eggplant Parmesan available with advance request. The butternut Marsala pasta had a flavorful cream sauce and plenty of veggies like squash, mushrooms, zucchini. The profiteroles are crisp and light, drizzled with chocolate sauce and filled with fresh whipped cream. The self-playing pianos play delightful tunes throughout the evening. It’s like getting dinner and a show. The favorite part of the evening was definitely the drinks! The soda fountain options are creative and tasty. The apricot ambrosia is particularly good, with nice almond flavor that balances the tartness of the apricot. The best drink of the evening was the East Frisia tea service. A hot pot of Assam black tea atop a tea candle to keep it warm arrived on a silver tray with rock sugar. You place cube in the cup and then as the tea is poured over, the cube crackles like an ice cube. Assam tea is reminiscent of English breakfast.

This restaurant has a lot of interesting character in its decor with player pianos and other musical devices that still work and play period music. It has a very historic and vintage vibe. The food was well plated and had good, layered flavors. The vegetables were cooked to perfection. The pricing was very reasonable, even with a 25% tip automatically added to the bill. The service was friendly but not necessarily attentive. This is probably by design. The customer's orders are not taken at the table. They have to go to the bar (in the back) to place the order and pay the check. This is not really efficient and can create a bottleneck during busier times. The location is suitable for those going downtown for other events at nearby theaters, the convention center, or at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

I had the most wonderful dinner at Orchestria Palm Court last night! This place is a true gem. The first thing you notice is the ambiance. It's filled with fascinating, eclectic vintage decorations that create a truly unique and special feeling. I loved exploring all the details, from the vintage player pianos to the special lighting. You can tell the owners poured so much hard work and love into creating such a welcoming space. The owners and staff were just as fantastic. They were incredibly friendly and seemed genuinely happy to answer all of our questions about the restaurant's many interesting pieces. Their passion for the space really added to the experience. And the food was absolutely delicious! We really appreciated every course. The warm bread was a perfect start, the French onion soup was rich and flavorful, and the chicken saltimbocca was fantastic. I will definitely be back. There were so many other items on the menu that I was tempted to order, so I'm already looking forward to my next visit to try them. Highly recommended!

This place was an experience! The moment you walk in you're transported into a whimsical world of antique beauty. From the player pianos to the gorgeous lights to the antique soda bar, every inch of the interior is a feast for the eyes. We ventured here for our anniversary hoping for something quirky with good food, and they delivered! For drinks we ordered a root beer float and a raspberry ambrosia. The root beer was spiced and flavorful with a definite lean into sarsaparilla territory. It was topped with a nice size dollop of ice cream. The raspberry ambrosia blew me away! If you've never had a vintage soda like this please try one. They use phosphate or Lactart to create complex and full flavors. The soda fountain menu is extensive. It's *refreshing* to have such a diverse and fun drink menu available that's non-alcoholic- and not just mocktails. I LOVED the soda fountain. Gnocchi appetizer was next on our list. It featured a nice size portion of fluffy yet still pleasantly chewy gnocchi alongside tender artichoke, all tossed in a vibrant lemon caper sauce (with a strong presence of garlic). Delicious. Entrees consisted of the blue cheese and walnut stuffed pork and the chicken saltimbocca. The pork chop featured a black mission fig sauce that paired perfectly with the blue cheese filling and the braised cabbage. Tender apples graced the braised red cabbage and lent a subtle sweetness to balance the tanginess of the dish. The chicken is described as being "sage-rubbed" which often means the flavor is super subtle, but not here! Never have I been so impressed with a chicken breast. It sent my tastebuds on a whirlwind of a journey and wrapped my senses in a warm feeling of homey comfort. The delicious prosciutto and incredible marsala wine reduction played into this feeling as well. It was also served with a good helping of polenta and veggies. The polenta was creamy inside and perfectly crisp on the outside, and the veggies had a nice crispness to them as well. I could not get enough of that polenta with the marsala reduction! No wait staff here! Not in the traditional sense anyhow. You are seated by the host, given water and menus and are asked to order at the bar. This is why their prices are so affordable! Tips are also included in the cost of the meal. The staff that is there are friendly and willing to help out if needed. There are 3 theaters close by so a great spot if you'd like to take in a show after. They do say to order desserts and coffee about 30 mins before you want them, and to let them know if you're catching a show. All in all I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars. What a memorable experience.

My second time here. First was before Covid. Lovely people, delicious and fairly priced food. Plus all the pianos, records, and typewriters just give nostalgia for time passed. Love that it's family owned and you can taste the passion poured into the food and service! We got the sampler trio and surf and turf, then ended with key lime pie. Highly recommend for a birthday, date night, or if you're just in the area. Reservations are a must.

We dined at Orchestria Palm court on a Friday night. I've been here once in the "before" times, but haven't returned since. It's a very special place. As others have described, the ordering is unique, as is the menu selection. We had a salad, a bowl of French onion soup, beouf Bourgogne, and the trio sampler. The salad was good...pear, pecans, and gorgonzola. I felt it could have been more flavorful, but it was ok. French onion soup was a bust for hubs. He said it didn't really taste like French onion soup. The beouf Bourgogne was adequate. Meat was tender and flavorful, potatoes were crusty, as if they had been added later. This wasn't bad, just an observation. The sauce was nice and I thought the dish should have been served with crusty bread to sop it up. Daughter ordered a black forest soda and slurped it down. Proclaimed it delicious! The star of the restaurant are all the mechanical music machines. There are a plethora of them and they play the entire time. It's special and worth coming for that alone. They also have a phone at the bar and a phone booth that can call each other. It's fun, too. The women's restroom is dedicated to Rudolph Valentino. Funny and period appropriate. I would definitely come back to Orchestria Palm Court if I wanted to have a unique experience or entertain others with whom you don't need a business experience. It's a fun place!

What an incredible experience! The pianos and violin that play different songs from the early 1900s. Typewriters and the coolest old school telephone booth. Best feeling dialing that old school phone. They had a vegan option which was delicious. My husband had the trio option: steak, prawns and fish. He loved it. Will definitely go back with girlfriends. Like stepping back in time with the antiques and beautiful pianos. Lovely staff too.

Such a cool dining experience! Came here with a friend and tried a whole variety of items. The ambiance is very unique and you're surrounded by automated instruments. It's not too loud, so you can easily enjoy conversation while enjoying the music. It's a great place to dress up in a vintage fashion and take fun photos. They have a phone booth near the entrance. We ordered onion soup, beef goulash, pesto gnocchi, ice cream sundae, wine, soda, and the tea service. Everything was delicious and surprisingly well priced. You order at the bar, which is a cute touch.

This place is extremely unique and unlike any dining experience I've had. It's very old-fashioned which might not appeal to everyone but it certainly is a nice change from your every day dining experience. The restaurant is filled with vintage pianos and music boxes that will randomly begin playing, which makes for a unique ambiance that you really don't get anywhere anymore. You actually order by approaching the bar yourself which is interesting. I actually didn't mind that at all, however there really is no wait staff. So don't expect to have someone coming around for refills or to check on you. That part is a little different and unfortunate, however, I still feel like the ambiance makes up for it. I can't really say much about the service because you really don't get much there. The staff were all very friendly though. I ordered the sea bass which was spectacularly cooked, like butter. The sides that accompanied it were just ok, nothing special. I also ordered the shrimp bisque which seemed to be the soup of the day and it was very tasty. I also ordered the cherry sour phosphate which was good. I also ordered the tea service which came out a bit late and wasn't my favorite part of the meal but it was still good. Overall, this is a fun experience. I wouldn't say it's my new go-to but I definitely would go back.

First time here and was very pleased after our meal. Found this place a couple of years ago and finally got around to try it. We were the first ones there and got to pick our table, which was nice. It was interesting having to order at the bar but wasn't a big deal. Food came out fast. The only thing that was ok was the ice cream. It was a little icy, but at least the whipped cream was homemade and saved the dessert. It was nice getting to see and hear the music randomly playing through the room. Every time I mention this place to my friends and family, they haven't heard it it. If they ask for a recommendation for a good meal and a nice atmosphere, I'll send them here.

Amazing place! So cool looking around at the vintage player pianos and food was amazing! Really awesome place and cool ambiance, would be perfect for a date night! The phosphate soda was also amazing. Only good things to say about this place!

Orchestria Palm Court has always been a beloved and curious little restaurant for me. It's a well-known secret for historians and theatre goers in San Jose's SoFa District yet many people don't know about it. Most likely because the doors are only open for 2 days a week for less than 4 hours a day. The former 1910 auto showroom has been filled with a collection of antique musical machines including self-playing pianos, orchestrion, juke boxes and Violano-Virtuoso which is a remarkable self-playing violin and piano combo. I always felt like the co-owner Mark (an engineer) wanted to find a place for his collection and then decided to serve food. The food however is not a second thought. The menu that features grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, and real creamery butter. I can always taste the difference when well-chosen ingredients are used. We enjoyed the Chicken Saltimboca, Boeuf Bourguignon, Strawberry Salad & Key Lime Pie which was so good we ordered a second dessert their Profiteroles. They have an odd yet functional system whereas you come in and pick your own table then head to the back bar to put your order in and wait for it to arrive. The prices include service and tax and there is a busser who fills your glass and drops off your food. In the interim the other co-owner (a Veterinarian) runs the antique fountain bar whipping up cool concoctions such as the Huckleberry Fizz, Poppy Dew and Apricot Ambrosia. Good old-fashioned milkshakes and "mocktails" when were the flourishing during prohibition. In between his fountain duties he runs about firing up the many different musical machines. If you have hearing sensitivies do not sit near a piano because they are LOUD. When your done with your experience you go back to the bar to pay your meal. They will never rush you and want you to sit back and enjoy your time. No tipping is allowed as there are no waiters. Just a reminder, Orchestria Palm Court is open only on Friday and Saturday, from 5:30 to 9:00pm and you must get your order in by 7:40pm. Reservations are obviously recommended.

We had dinner here last Saturday and had a great time. The inside has an early 1920's vibe with self playing pianos and violins. It's a really amazing experience. The food was also excellent. They have a huge selection of vintage soda fountain drinks. We tried the poppy dew, the chocolate phosphate egg cream, key lime quencher, and the apricot ambrosia. Honestly, they were all excellent. I would come back just for these. We ordered the cheese platter, the sampler trio, and the tenderloin steak. All were amazing. Service was also good. You place your order at the bar and they bring the food out to you when it's ready. They also serve complimentary bread and butter that's really good too. For dessert we tried the key lime pie and the banana split. The key lime pie was my favorite of the two. I look forward to returning for the music, food and vintage sodas.

When it comes to reviewing Orchestria Palm Court, I think it's important to first decide what kind of experience you're after. This is more of a unique dining experience than a typical restaurant, so you may be very unpleasantly surprised if a typical experience was your goal. However, as long as you know what to expect, Orchestria Palm Court is wonderful. As others have mentioned, you order and pay at a counter in the back here, but your food and drinks are delivered to your table. Our party of 3 were seated at what seemed to be the worst table in the house right up against that order counter with everyone lining up beside our table -- but we still had a good time and were not really bothered by it. Something I'm keeping in mind though for next time is that only items ordered together will come out together. My husband and I were meeting a friend to have dinner before a play and we ordered before our friend arrived. This turned out to be a mistake as our food arrived far in advance. But, that food was excellent! I had the Sea Bass which I would highly recommend. In fact, I can't stop thinking about it, and would be giving this restaurant a 5 if not for the little oddities which I find charming but not always desirable. Truth be told, I'd prefer traditional table service, but what they're doing keeps costs down and provides such a unique experience. Tips are included in the bill so there are no surprises. And the player pianos and turn-of-the-century decor are such fun! One of these days, we'll need to return and check out their incredible soda fountain.

What a gem! Definitely a niche atmosphere. Perfect for people with an appreciation for the early mechanical instruments and an authentic fountain soda. Nonstop entertainment. I had their grass fed tenderloin. It was perfectly cooked.

I brought my kids to this remarkable restaurant for their birthdays. It was a very unique experience and we had a lot of fun. The place is decorated in a very vintage fashion, complete with an old fountain bar serving phosphate drinks as well as other cocktails and milkshakes. They have a unique menu and they seem to be very conscious of having quality healthy ingredients. They told me that this is one of the very few locations in the United States where you could still get phosphate drinks. The entire seating area is surrounded by a variety of animatronic automated pianos that use a form of sheet rolls to play a variety of tunes. It was very fascinating to enjoy our meal and watch and listen to these machines play around us. I believe the two partners that founded this place work behind the two different bar areas, they have quite the story of how they founded the restaurant based on their personal passion for collecting these machines. And then the collection only grew and the result is this fascinating restaurant. If you're looking for a fun and unique experience in a vintage setting, then this place is for you.

An incredibly unique dining experience. You are surrounded by automated instruments and vintage items. You really feel like you are stepping back in time. They source their organic ingredients locally and ethically and the price is quite reasonable. The food is delicious but is not the primary focus of the restaurant. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about the items and paraphernalia on display. Overall it was a wonderful experience and would highly recommend people go there at least once to see it for themselves.

We made a reservation on a Saturday night, and they seemed understaffed when we arrived. We had to wait a while before being seated, but the staff was apologetic. Also, you order food and drinks at the bar, then they serve it to your table when ready. It was quite a wait for our glasses of the house red. But again, the staff was apologetic and gave us an extra large pour of wine due to the wait. The setup is pretty cool and one-of-a-kind... animal-themed accessories, retro decor like an old phone booth that actually works and guests can try out, music machines with piano rolls, and various instruments that randomly play on their own one at a time throughout the night (impressive mechanics!). Some rarer ones, like the symphonion, but also the violin, xylophone, record player, jukebox, and pianos. LOTS of pianos! It's amazing how they fit it into a single restaurant and venue, several even on the attic level which can be seen from below. What's more, some are placed in between tables, so you can listen and watch the keys play independently right next to you as you eat. A unique sort of entertainment, and an old-timey feel overall. All of the food and drinks we tried were amazing (except the free bread, which was super hard and almost inedible)! The Gnocchi Appetizer was creamy and tender. The Scampi on Pasta had wonderful flavor and a good balance of ingredients (especially those sun-dried tomatoes), so it didn't feel like the dish was mainly carbs. And the Seafood Sampler Trio was plated beautifully, with delicious servings of salmon, shrimp, and the softest tenderloin steak ever (like butter). The dish as a whole was satisfying, though the wild rice was probably the least palatable and not as expected. In lieu of dessert, we tried the vintage soda fountain Key Lime Quencher, and this was yummy! Like a lime flavored creamsicle. Just a note, the chairs have curved backs (this is the only seating option available) so there's nowhere to put your purse except on the table or ground, or your lap. There is a coat rack in the corner, but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my valuables there. Parking was difficult to find downtown, but at least free on a Saturday evening, just had to walk a couple blocks. All in all, we had a great dining experience.

Super cute and unique spot! The place is filled with so many interesting old-timey instruments and knick-knacks, and the staff were very friendly! Definitely gave off early 1900s-vibes :) The food was your standard typical American fare. It's not amazing, but decent enough. Portions were surprisingly quite huge. Oh and they give you complimentary bread and butter to start! I thought the highlight was the phosphate sodas & I will definitely be back to try more flavors! Possibly even try their desserts too! I thoroughly enjoyed the Briar and Rose, although the Kauai Cream was also tasty as well. What a precious find in the middle of SJ!

Unique restaurant experience. The soda fountain drinks and desserts are excellent. Food is fine, not memorable. But the ambiance is really fun and I recommend it, especially if you live locally you must go(and bring people visiting from out of town).

Great music! Delicious food! Thank you for sharing your amazing collection of automated pianos with us! Such a great experience!

This restaurant has a distinct charm with its vintage brick warehouse ambiance. It's named for its many "orchestrions" (electric-mechanical pianos), some of which continuously play from wax perforated scores. The food is tasty, and the experience is streamlined with a self-service system: you order and pay at the back counter after your meal. A service fee is included, so tipping isn't required. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

Organic? Hormone-free? Grass-fed? Sign me up! Ordered the chicken saltimbocca, sea bass, and surf and turf. Food was well seasoned and delicious! For dessert, we had the profiteroles and it was the best cream puffs we've had. Decor was really cute and the service was superb. Perfect meal and experience.

This has become my favorite restaurant. Especially around the holidays. The atmosphere is too cute--- there are electric pianos all around and they are decorated for Christmas. I usually order the surf and turf and get a briar rose soda. Old fashioned sodas from a soda bar are so tasty. The service is also excellent. The only hard part is reservations- they are only open for the weekend.

The most quaint and charming restaurant! Delicious food, entertaining pianos, and attentive service. It feels like you're transported back to better times. Generous portions at a reasonable price point. There are several vegan options including a great eggplant Parmesan available with advance request. The butternut Marsala pasta had a flavorful cream sauce and plenty of veggies like squash, mushrooms, zucchini. The profiteroles are crisp and light, drizzled with chocolate sauce and filled with fresh whipped cream. The self-playing pianos play delightful tunes throughout the evening. It's like getting dinner and a show. The favorite part of the evening was definitely the drinks! The soda fountain options are creative and tasty. The apricot ambrosia is particularly good, with nice almond flavor that balances the tartness of the apricot. The best drink of the evening was the East Frisia tea service. A hot pot of Assam black tea atop a tea candle to keep it warm arrived on a silver tray with rock sugar. You place cube in the cup and then as the tea is poured over, the cube crackles like an ice cube. Assam tea is reminiscent of English breakfast.

I'd love to give it 6 stars if I could! Hidden gem in San Jose! Ambiance & decoration: absolutely 10/10. Love the owners collecting and maintaining all these fabulous electric pianos and orchestrions. The wood roof framing and skylights are aesthetically pleasing. Great place for a special occasion, or just a casual night out with friends. Service: it's warm but not overdoing it. The restaurant obviously operates on very a few staff including the owners (they are busy but super friendly!) . You order whatever you want at the bar and they will take the food out to your table. I don't mind it and think it's very efficient. Price: surprisingly reasonable. A glass of wine under $10 in San Jose? Don't know how you think but nowadays even a casual dining place charges $17 for a cocktail and $15+ for a glass, so I think it's a steal. Food: great food! Nothing too fancy or presentational, but on point, healthy, flavorful. Coffee and desserts are also great. Love everything we ordered! We will come back for sure and bring our friends to here. I hope this place keeps going strong.

Beautiful old and fasscinating interior with the sweetest staff and music. Food was lovely. Price was very reasonable to boot. Everyone should try this place.

To start, I wasn't crazy about making a reservation that charges 30 dollars if you cancel before 24 hours. In other words, if I make a reservation right now for next week and cancel tomorrow, your credit card will be charged 30 dollars. Now that that's out of the way, it's a very unique place to dine. They're only open on Friday and Saturday evenings, that's it. A hostess will seat you and explain that you choose your drinks and food from the menu, then go to the bar and order. By the time we made our decision, there was about five people ahead of us and one bartender. It took a good while for him (the bartender) to bring our drinks and he was obviously overwhelmed. My BF said that it made no sense because there were a few employees standing around that could help out. They were the ones that seat you, bring bread and ask how your food is. I guess it's just the way they do things so don't expect to have one server. BF ordered the French onion soup and I had a few bites. We both really liked it. Then he had the beef bourguinon and said it was delicious. I had the chicken saltimbocca with a nice polenta, Brussels sprouts, covered with melted cheese but the chicken was very dry. I would say that this is a very nice place to eat but more of a family place with interesting pianos and decor to listen to and feast your eyes upon. Very vintage with a touch of dust. The tablecloths are linen, the walls are brick. It's very charming. We will be back but I wish they were open for lunch on Sundays so we could bring our 97 year old mother in. She would love it. But they're only open two days a week and dinner only.

Like many mentioned, this restaurant has very unique atmosphere and the various self playing instruments are indeed fun to be around. I cannot recommend the food, though. French onion soup is way too salty, pasta sauce is so thin that is more like soup and under seasoned. Steak is WAY over cooked (ordered medium rare and got well done), if you are going to charge $40 for a 12oz ribeye steak, get the cook right! On top of that, the waiter brought our food wrong...twice! We cleared told him what we ordered the first time he got it wrong, but somehow he managed to bring the wrong food repeatedly. Also this restaurant is totally not prepared for any takeout with liquid. When we asked for containers to pack our leftover pasta(which has liquid sauce) and soup, we were given 2 zip bags and a paper coffee cup! While those technically work, it's frustrating that this restaurant do not have proper containers for taking out its own food.

What a fabulous, unique restaurant! One that you'll never forget. It's like eating in a musical museum. All the different automated pianos and music devices take turns playing around the restaurant throughout your dining experience. The food is reasonable but the experience there is fantastic! Also remember to order a milkshake to top off this most memorable dining experience.

Unique atmosphere - surrounded by antique player pianos and Tiffany-style stained glass lamps - and the food is very good (I had the beef bourguignon with key lime pie for dessert). The pianos play one-by-one as you eat. Very enjoyable.

Really unique place, pianos and other vintage instruments play in turn. Food tastes fresh and good however the flavors were a bit dated and unimpressive, but still good.

It's different maybe not for everyone. I called at 6:30 on a Friday evening for dinner reservations for two at 7:30. They said we are fully booked but let me see what I can do. I get you in if you get here at 7:15. Okay We arrived at 7:15 seated kinda tight corner, we ordered a bottle of wine and an appetizer the Gnocchi which was very fresh and excellent. The staff informed us the kitchen closes at 7:40 must place your orders before !!! Yikes no time to relax and enjoy The food is excellent as is the staff The ambiance is wonderful But been rushed... that sucks !!

Amazing electric piano restaurant. Very gentle and nice owner with good quality food. Everyone is amazed by the instruments. Must visit

This is the 3rd time that my family and I have dined here. Though, the third time we hadn't visited since before the pandemic. The ambiance is always so nice, relaxing with the various musical instruments around, and interesting since you'll see various pianos, violins, and jukeboxes from the 1910's to 1920's playing in it's own. My two kids loved watching and listening to the music emitted from the machines. Service has always been and continues to be great. Staff is welcoming, helpful with suggestions, attentive, and patient (there was a party behind us who needed their meal revised a couple of times and they accommodated without complaints and hesitancy). Food is tasty and consistent. I have to say though, that a steak cooked medium well is pretty RED in the middle. Knowing this, just order accordingly. The fountain drinks are delicious and make a nice sweet treat during your meal. I'm glad that this restaurant is still around. It's definitely a hidden gem in downtown San Jose that resembles a museum that you can dine in.

I visited a few years ago. Amazing romantic ambience, beautiful woodwork, fixtures, fresh European menu.

Apparently this restaurant has been around for ten years, and somehow I had no knowledge of it until last weekend. It's a fun place to go for a casual dinner. The place is surrounded by player pianos, which by turn play old-fashioned tunes. The menu is varied and includes healthy preparations of pasta, beef, chicken, and fish. The hostess, upon learning it was our first time there, explained that we order at the bar, the food is brought to us, and we pay at the bar afterwards. Another important point to be aware of (which is stated on the menu): the tip is already added to the tab, so you do not need to add it. They make their own sodas here, and I had the orange cream, which had a mild, pleasant taste. My husband had the Black Forest, and he enjoyed his. My husband loved his beef bourguignon, I thought the chicken, which came with Brussels sprouts and polenta in a Marsala sauce, was a bit dry, and I would have liked more of the sauce. Nevertheless, I appreciated the experience of dining in this unusual setting and would definitely return!

A really special place. No place like it. You won't be blown away by the food (but maybe the soda fountain drinks!), but it's good. But the charming atmosphere, friendly staff and just super authentic aesthetic and attention to detail will transport you to 1910. So glad this place was not a victim of Covid and glad it's still a gem that SJ can continue to enjoy.

If I could give 6 stars, I would. More so for the atmosphere and how cool this place is, but the food was great, too! As other reviews mentioned, I live nearby and have walked past many times in the past 6 years and finally got around to booking a reservation on Open Table after seeing the restaurant featured in the Secret San Jose book! Upon arrival, we were given a choice of available tables, so we could choose to sit near whichever instrument or machine we wanted. Service was fantastic. Paper menus at the tables have the history of the various machines and other cool items that fill the space, as well as the available food and drink options. A soda jerk makes phosphate sodas that are outstanding. We got the California Dream and Chocolate Phosphate "NY style" and they were both stellar. The French onion soup starter was fine, nothing to write home about. The entrees, the beef bourginion and butternut Marsala pasta, were delicious! And we got crème brûlée, affogato, and profiteroles. The crème brûlée was the best, highly recommend. While we ate, the jukeboxes and Orchestrions turned on and played at random intervals around the room, which was so cool to watch. The place was decorated with an art nouveau style, which I LOVE! They even have an old phone booth with rotary dial phone you can use to call your friends and loved ones to say hi (for free!). This is the kind of place I wish there were more of. It felt like I was eating inside a cool museum or gallery. I hope it stays where it is forever so everyone can appreciate i

My favorite place to go. Love the atmosphere. Great people. The decorations are worth the visit. Antique music machines everywhere and the food was good also.

Really fun restaurant with excellent food. Player Pianos rotate and play all through the time we were there. Tiffany lamps and really vintage cash register that is itself an example of previous craftsman ship. Go if you can get a reservation go. You won't be disappointed. Only open on weekends.

Really fun experience. Atmosphere was awesome, staff were friendly and good service, and food was solid. Note tip is included in pricing. My only note is ordering at the counter is awkward, creates a line where you are standing looming above peoples tables and kind of takes awhile. It seems like it should be a full service model.

Food ordered: trio sampler, shrimp on pasta, creme brulee. Great service, really good food.

Hands down the most unique restaurant ever! This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Music plays throughout dinner from antique pianos, which is a delight to see such a collection. This restaurant is how a restaurant should be...all about the food. They serve European cuisine prepared with grass-fed dairy, organic eggs, sustainable ingredients. They also have a vintage soda bar...delicious! Come for an experience that will take you back in time and for great food. If you're looking for something fancy and pretentious, skip this gem. Expect to order at the counter and pay at the counter. Minimum gratuity is included for the few, but hard working staff. I've been here many times and everything is delicious and priced very fair. Last week, I ordered Boeuf Bourguinon and Surf & Turf (filet mignon and lobster tail). I forgot to take pictures of desserts.

FYI: The phone booth is right next to the entrance! As a fellow piano player, experiencing this restaurant was certainly a treat with the variety of player pianos playing during the evening, so props to the old-timey vibes! With all the theaters in the nearby area, I got lucky with street parking that Friday evening, but I could see this being bit of a challenge. I also booked a reservation a week in advance since this restaurant is only open 2 days a week! The 2 gentlemen who run the restaurant were extremely friendly and we were checked up on a handful of times to make sure we were taken care of! I'm docking 1 star for the food as I would describe it as reasonable, so nothing I would rush back to personally. Table Bread - 1/5: Unfortunately, the bread was a bit firm and on the colder side Pink Lady - 4/5: Slightly sweet for my personal taste, but refreshing and actually contrasted well with the entrees when you have them together. Chicken Poblano Soup - 4/5: Delicious and flavorful. Cheese Plate - 2/5: The olive tapenade was the best thing here, but nothing special overall. Gnocchi Appetizer - 4/5: The appetizer portion was more than enough as the flavor is rich, so this was shared between 2 people. Boeuf Bourguignon - 5/5: The sauce was delicious, the beef was tender, and the potatoes were nicely roasted! I wish I had some rice to eat with this! Profiteroles - 4/5: The cream was light and delicious and the pastry had a delightful bite and texture. Overall: It's definitely a unique and fun environment that is worth a visit as this is truly a hidden gem of the area. For me personally, I would return to try more of the fountain drinks!

So unique. Everyone has to go at least once! LOVED the soda drinks...would go back just to try more flavors. Onion soup was delicious and the profiteroles for dessert were fresh and not too sweet. Loved the pianos!

This place has the coolest ambiance with all of the pianos. Hearing the self-plying piano in the background made the evening so fun. They also have the old school soda options that are delicious. The entire vibe was so much fun. The food was fantastic and the service was as well. I definitely recommend it

This place is one of a kind! We had a fantastic time. They really go the extra mile in providing a unique experience -- much more than just "have some antiques around". Food was good too! Highly recommended

After countless passings by this building while walking down William St., it wasn't until a year after seeing it for the first time that I discovered it is actually a restaurant...whoops. That was because it always happened to be closed, and we always forgot to look it up on Yelp. We weren't aware of the intimacy or the 'exclusivity' on our first visit, either. We came in t-shirts and jeans, without a reservation. After looking around the crowded, non-casual restaurant, we felt a little awkward. Luckily, they had a table open for two people, and luckily, the servers didn't treat us like trash for not wearing nicer clothes. After being seated, my eyes went directly to the list of handcrafted drinks. At first I was bummed that they are only non-alcoholic, but I ordered the poppy dew on my first visit, and honestly it works well without alcohol. I highly recommend ordering one. The poppy dew was sweet and tart, and it include a scoop of sorbet. On my second visit, I ordered the fester phosphate, which tasted like cherry soda with cream. Personally, I thought the poppy dew was more unique. On our first visit, I ordered the chicken saltimbocca, and my date ordered the butternut squash marsala. We immediately noticed that the quality of the food is higher than most restaurants (which is reflected in the prices). The meat and asparagus were tender, the sauces were rich, and the pasta and veggies were cooked perfectly--the pasta was al dente, and the veggies were likewise firm. On the second visit, I ordered the Austrian Goulash, and the quality was exactly the same. Tender meat, rich sauce, but much different flavors. My date ordered the special Roast Pork on the second visit, and unfortunately I didn't get to try any... On our second visit we also splurged and got their specialty dessert: the cream puffs. These puppies are soft, flaky, and the house-made whipped cream is like...a sweet cloud that fills a pastry pillow? Idk. Light and delicate for sure. The best part about this place, even better than the amazing food and the kind, attentive servers, is the player pianos surrounding diners as they eat! They play automatically on loops...quite amazing to experience. I LOVE this place.

This place is so unique! My friend made the comment that they would definitely recommend their grandparents to this place! It has like 50 of those self playing pianos and a bunch of other vintage stuff. We had a party of four and the food was great. Fair for the price and experience. I was hesitant about my tenderloin but the definitely knew how to cook it right! You have to order at the counter versus a waiter coming to you, interesting how they try so hard to keep old traditions. Though this place seemed more fitting for an older generation, there were definitely a roomful of people between 30-50. No kids, made it nice.

Came here for Valentine's Day dinner and let's just say we are so so so happy we did! So it was a surprise dinner. My husband somehow managed to get reservations. We always felt like this would be a hard restaurant to get reservations at or to even get in to have a meal because they have limited hours. Anyways, the ambience is super cool. They have music playing all throughout dinner but the crazy thing is...there's no one on the piano playing it...it's playing by itself! And the music rotates from instrument to juke box to whatever else! The whole entire restaurant is decorated in a 20s vibe. Flapper vibes. The food is the only reason why I took a star off. It was good but I felt like it was a bit bland. We ordered appetizers, the gnocchi and the lobster soup. The soup was great. I had the chicken pasta dish and my husband got the rib eye. For dessert we shared the restaurant special which I took one bite and didn't like at all. They could definitely improve in this area. The pasta was super heavy and very filling but a lot of butter is used to make it. Still a place to definitely check out in San Jose!