Friday, April 24, 2009

Santana Row can help you get ready for pedicure season

Santana Row's InSpa and Lavande realize sandal season is here. And these spas are all set to help.

InSpa offers pedicures ranging from $29 to $60. Its signature pedicure lets you spoil yourself rotten with an exfoliating scrub, heated masque and massage. Another unique feature, it has a no tipping policy.

Lavande has seven pedicure options that go from $37 to $65. The treatments are lavande deluxe, refresh-mint, peace of mind, rosy rosie, like water for chocolate, wine and roses, and sweet almond.

InSpa is located at 377 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The phone number is (408) 246-7722 or go to www.inspa.com

Lavande is located at 355 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The phone number is (408) 983-1222 or go to www.lavandenailspa.com

Santana Row to kick off free mom and kids events

Santana Row will kick off its Mommy and Me events on May 12 at Park Valenica.

The first event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and features Monterey Bay Aquarium with an exclusive performance of the Little Mermaid from the San Jose Ballet.

Other monthly events:
  • June 9, Go Green: Environmental education for children including recycling and other ways to take care of the planet.
  • July 14, Fitness is Fun: Sports including yoga, dance and lacrosse with the San Jose Stealth.
  • Aug. 11, Cooking with Kids: Kid-friendly cooking and healthy recipes.
  • Sept. 8, Santana Safety Day: Check out a fire truck and meet local law enforcement.
  • Oct. 27, Halloween Family Fest: Dress in costume and trick-or-treat at Santana Row.
  • Nov. 10, Give Thanks: Donate canned food to the San Jose Food Bank.
  • Dec. 8, 'Tis the Season: Enjoy hot chocolate and ornament making.

Specail rewards and shopping discounts are available to members of the free kid's club during these events. To sign up, go to www.SantanaRow.com

Donate $10 and receive 15 percent off at Santana Row

Santana Row and Atelier Aveda have a proposition to make.

Donate $10 to support the Clean Water Fund and get 15 percent or more off all Santana Row restaurants and stores through April 30.

That could quickly pay off. Plus donations from the earth card go to an organization that's been protecting public health and clean water since 1978.

To participate, go to the Concierge Center at 377 Santana Row, San Jose, California 95128. The telephone number is (408) 551-4611.

Santana Row offers 2 free Fleetwood Mac tickets with Mother's Day package purchase

Santana Row is selling Mother's Day gift sets with a catchy twist.

Be one of the first 10 people to buy a gift set and get two Fleetwood Mac tickets free. There are five sets of tickets left.

Although it sounds like a good deal, the packages seem chincy.
  • Vera Bradley note cards and Sur La Table mixed herb garden kit . $65
  • $40 gift card for The Counter restaurant, $30 gift card to CineArts Theatre and Pinkberry yogurt for two. $95
  • Tea for two at Lisa's Tea Treasures, two makeovers at Product plus two $20 gift cards and pedicures for two at Lavande. $150
  • $60 gift card for Village California Bistro and two California pedicures at Burke Williams Day Spa. $215

Each gift will be packaged in a signature Santana Row bag.

To order, contact the Concierge Center at (408) 551-4611.

LB Steak to open at Santana Row

LB Steak is in at Santana Row and Tanglewood is out.

The opening date for LB Steak will be announced next week, said Sian Perry of Glodow Nead Public Relations. It will take over Tanglewood's old stomping grounds.

LB Steak is the latest creation from executive chef Roland Passot of LB Brasseries and renowned La Folie.

LB Steak will be located at 334 Santana Row, Suite 1000, in San Jose, California.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Santana Row's El Jardin Tequila Bar and Restaurant to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live music

El Jardin Tequila Bar and Restaurant at Santana Row is a happening spot to go on Cinco de Mayo.

There will be a live mariachi band from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and a Gypsy Tribe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The food will be delicious and in tune to the theme of the day. Plus tequila cazadores, specialty drinks and margaritas will be abundant.

El Jardin Tequila Bar and Restaurant is located at 368 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The phone number is (408) 260-1744 or go to http://www.santanarow.com/shopping/store/el_jardin_tequila_bar_restaurant/

Donald J Pliner to present Spring '09 collection on April 30 at Santana Row

Donald, Lisa, Starr and BabyDoll Pliner will be at his namesake Santana Row store on April 30 to present his Spring '09 collection.

The event will begin at noon and go until 5 p.m.

Donald J Pliner's shoes, handbags, accessories and leatherwear are made in the mountains of Italy. Ten percent of purchases during the event will go to the American Cancer Society.

RSVP is required. Call (408) 260-2500.

Donald J Pliner is located at 377 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The phone number is (408) 260-2500 or go to www.donaldjpliner.com

Outside dining abounds at Santana Row

The hot weather has arrived so now's the time to enjoy the outdoors.

Santana Row offers more than a dozen outside dining options. The choices include chic, Village California Bistro and Wine Bar, to Pizza Antica, Pluto's and Rosie McCann's Irish Pub.

The front of Sino is open allowing the inside and outside of the restaurant to completely blend. It boasts plush chairs and couches. Roux Louisiana Kitchen also has cool, inviting funky couches.

Not hungry? There's outside availability for drinks, too. Starbucks, Cocola Bakery and Fantasia (tea) offer prime outside seating to enjoy their creations.

For more information, go to http://www.santanarow.com/dining/

Pinkberry vs. Ben and Jerry's at Santana Row

The crowd at Santana Row's Ben and Jerry's ice cream store was out the door and down the street.

It was blazing hot so I really wanted something to cool me down. Since I was already dripping with sweat, I couldn't wait in that long line in the sun.

I saw Pinkberry in the center median and I thought I'd give that a try. Its line was long, but not out of control.

Within minutes of standing in line, I was inside the store. But it was hotter inside than outside. I'd categorize it as blazing hot.

The air conditioners were going. It wasn't helping though. Oh now I was up to the counter so I might as well get some frozen yogurt.

There were only three choices: original, green tea and pomegranate. I took a taste of the original because I thought it would taste delicious with a candy topping. Yuck! So I went with a small pomegranate yogurt, no topping. I couldn't imagine that a chocolate topping would taste good with pomegranate.

The efficient staff printed out a tag with my name, order and time it was taken and affixed it to the yogurt cup.

I went over to where the staff was putting together the treats and I saw a full counter of toppings. In addition to reaspberries, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and blackberries, there were chocolate chips, yogurt chips, cookies/cream, fruity pebbles, Cap'N Crunch and a ton of other options.

My small pomegranate yogurt was tasty and well worth $2.50. It only ate up 180 calories, too.

Then I learned that Pinkberry is made with real nonfat milk and yogurt that has been certified by the National Yogurt Association to carry the live and active cultures seal. That's a plus!

Pinkberry is located at 368 Santana Row, Suite 102, in San Jose, California. The telephone number is (408) 557-8333 or go to http://www.pinkberry.com/

Ben and Jerry's is located at 377 Santana Row,Suite 1120, San Jose, California. The telephone number is (408) 423-8115 or go to http://www.benjerry.com/

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Santana Row's Hotel Valencia offers Mother's Day dream escape

Hotel Valencia at Santana Row wants to help make your Mother's Day luxurious.

This swanky 212-room hotel is offering an overnight package for two plus a bouquet of flowers, continental buffet breakfast at CITRUS and your choice of two Ayoma LifeSpa Abhyanga massages or two Soundarya facials. The tab rings in at $395.

After breaking it down, it's a pretty good deal.
  • The hotel room costs $198.
  • Each 60 minute deep-cleaning Soundarya Facial, which eliminates toxins, that destroy a natural balance and congest the skin, is $105.
  • Each 60 minute signature Ayoma Abhyanga massage _ a four-handed Ayurvedic massage designed to detoxify mind and body for ultimate relaxation and wellness _ is $155.

That more than cover the $395 package cost without factoring in the flowers and breakfast for two.

When making reservations be sure to mention Mother's Day getaway promotional code PKGMNM. Checking spa availability is recommended.

Hotel Valencia is located at 355 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The telephone number is (408) 551-0550 or go to http://www.hotelvalencia-santanarow.com/

Ayoma LifeSpa is on the fifth floor of Hotel Valencia. The telephone number is (408) 423-5424 or go to http://www.ayomalifespa.com/

Monday, April 20, 2009

Santana Row's Paper Source Spurs Creativity

Paper Source at Santana Row is filled with creative ways to personalize cards, photo albums, parties and more.

A stroll through Paper Source got me thinking of how to add personal touches to my mother-in-laws 80th birthday bash. I had already sent out Tiffany blue and white invites. And since blue is her favorite color, I wanted that to be the running theme throughout her party.

No problem, Paper Source had the exact Tiffany blue in placecards and menu backings with two tiny holes at the top. Perfect! I bought both along with laser vellum sheets to print the menus on.
The next decision was how to fasten the vellum to the backing. The options inluded ribbon, paper fastners, snaps, eyelets and eyelets with ribbon. The associate gave me a demo on the snaps and eyelets, which need a setter tool and hammer to work correctly.

The snaps had a solid top and looked just like the paper fastners. The eyelets had a tiny hole in the middle that could stand alone or ribbon could then be strung through. I ended up purchasing the paper fastners in white, which kept to my color scheme. It also made it easy to assemble the menus.

Paper Source is located at 334 Santana Row in San Jose, California. The telephone number is (408) 241-9000 or go to http://www.paper-source.com/

Friday, March 13, 2009

Santana Row's Tanglewood whips up a delicious, sustainable feast for my party

It's risky to try out new restaurants when you're having a party, but I did. And the result was more than I had hoped for.

I chose Tanglewood for my father's birthday party because I remembered walking by it at Santana Row. It looked quite hip with its indoor and outdoor seating that blended together when its large windows were open.

Then I checked out Tanglewood's menu online. Fabulous! Their cuisine celebrates the rich diversity of nature. The dishes are created using the day's best seasonal ingredients, all naturally grown and raised on local sustainable farms, ranches and fisheries. The prices were even moderate to boot.

Everyone at my father's birthday party was impressed with the food. Tanglewood delivered what it promised.

As for the ambience, they put us in their private party room with a roaring fireplace. It was perfect on that cold winter night.

If you go to Tanglewood, I recommend starting with the skillet melted cheese. It's grilled rustic bread, melted cheese, roasted Gilroy garlic with extra virgin olive oil.

Tanglewood is located at 334 Santana Row, Suite 1000, in San Jose, Calif. The telephone number is (408) 244-0464 or go to http://www.tanglewood.com/

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Directions to Santana Row Restaurants and Stores

Santana Row is located at 368 Santana Row in San Jose, California. In addition to its bustling restaurants and stores, it has another perk: free, convenient parking!

From 280 northbound
Exit Highway 880 toward Oakland/Stevens Creek Boulevard. Take the Stevens Creek Boulevard exit. Turn left on Santana Row.

From 280 southbound
Exit Winchester Boulevard. Turn left on Moorpark Avenue. Turn left on Winchester Boulevard. Turn right on Olsen Drive.

From 17 northbound
Exit Highway 880 toward Stevens Creek Boulevard. Take the Stevens Creek Boulevard exit. Turn left on Santana Row.

From 880 southbound
Exit Stevens Creek Boulevard. Turn right on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Turn left on Santana Row.

http://www.santanarow.com/concierge/location/

Santana Row restaurants offer plethora of choices

I like to go to Santana Row to eat. The area offers a variety of choices from Hot Dogs on the Row to trendy Citrus at Hotel Valencia.

So far, I've enjoyed every dining experience there!

Check out you Santana Row dining options below.

http://www.santanarow.com/dining/

Santana Row's directory shows everything it offers

You can find almost anything upscale at Santana Row. Here's a full listing of restaurants and stores.

http://www.santanarow.com/

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Santana Row's Taryn Rose offers comfortable deals

I just returned from Taryn Rose at Santana Row with two bargains! I bought black boots and brown and patent leather heels --- both were 65 percent off.

Most of these stylish Italian shoes ring in at a minimum of $250 and go to $1,200. But my tab for two was $208.80. Not bad!

If you'd like to partake in this shopping deal, I recommend asking for Joy's assistance at the Santana Row store. She tracked down my sizes at other Taryn Rose stores. That's unusual during a sale!

The famed footwear founded by orthopedic surgeon Taryn Rose is built on an asymmetrical form, allowing for full arch support, decreased fatigue and added ankle stability. Plus there's Poron cushioning, which acts like a shock absorber.

Taryn Rose is located at 333 Santana Row, Suite 1105, in San Jose, Calif. The phone number is (408) 615-8100 or go to www.TarynRose.com