San Jose: Rosicrucian Museum, Olla Cocina, & much more

I've never set foot in San Jose before, passed through it in a car a few times, flown over it. Above is the SAP Center, and I think it's been just over the 20 years since the last time I was this close to a place where the NHL takes place. They've also got concerts by Roger Waters, Neil Diamond and Pitbull coming up.

Downtown San Jose Whole Foods, which is why we were here, as Robin was vending at their crafts fair. Two blocks from the stadium, with a CalTrains station in between, the airport just a bit north. This WFM has a brewpub up the stairs, and it also has a Poke bowl station inside. We got Poke for an early lunch, and it was more than enough for both of us.

Mural in Downtown San Jose.

Old & new. Plenty of buildings remain from San Jose's mission days.

Most of downtown SJ is unremarkable, but there's enough buildings from eras past to keep it interesting.

Olla Cocina: brilliant spot-on Mexican cuisine. Every detail is perfect. Tomatoes in the Salsa Rojo at left are charred. Big round flavor of ripe chiles and tomatillos in the Salsa Verde, and the Guacamole couldn't be better.

Pineapple/mango agua fresca.

Roast duck, chayote, sprouts, butternut squash, zucchini, oaxaca cheese served on a freshly cooked huarache, chile arbol salsa on the side. Mexican soul food at its finest.

Duck Carnitas tacos, again with Chile Arbol salsa. I look forward to our next visit.

I accidentally discovered a pub serving my favorite ale on the planet: Fuller's ESB! Haven't had one in years, thought I'd never have another. First time I've ever seen it on draught in California.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

Francis Bacon Auditorium

Pythagoras statue in front of Planetarium