All who have been to Tasting House or the Champagne bar in Los Gatos know these well-appointed dining spots provide a joyful, decadent detour into the flavors of Paris. The vibe is exploratory and celebratory, where the best Champagnes are uncorked in sharing the joy and energy of the moment.
With their new fine dining restaurant, located discreetly behind a private door adjacent to the Champagne Bar at 368 Village Lane, owners Denise and Michael Thornberry are turning their attention toward local geography.
Named Vicinity, the serene 16-seat tableau is helmed by Chef Julian Silvera, a New York native who has embraced his new hometown.
Each item on his 13-course tasting menu will be primarily sourced from and largely informed by California’s landscapes, coastlines, farms, forests, vineyards and native ingredients. Silvera’s dishes are edible snapshots from his outings and foragings, from hikes in the coastal hills, walks on the beach and visits to farms. Almost 90 percent of the menu will be sourced from producers in the vicinity of the Bay Area.
Vicinity is entirely fresh: a carefully crafted clean slate envisioned by Silvera and the Thornberrys, who have commissioned and assembled perfectly textured linens, custom-made flatware, plateware and presentation vessels, creating an esthetic that is natural, organic and timeless. The intimate room is centered by a cozy gas fireplace, with antlers on the mantel, and above, two swords once owned by officers in Napoleon’s army are crossed. Each shows evidence of their primary use: the sabering of Champagne.
Sconces light the stone walls, and real candles illuminate the dining tables. Next to each one is a small wooden stool for the placement of purses. A serene, handpainted mural in soft greens and warm brown tones turns one wall into a foggy, backlit dreamscape. Every surface speaks to subtlety, creating a calm, restful space in which to enjoy fine dining in town.
Pricing for the 13-course chef’s tasting menu begins at $195, with supplements, beverage, wine and Champagne options available. A full bar will be offered, and corkage is $50.
The restaurant expects to begin serving on Feb. 3, and will be open Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Reservations can be made at https://vicinitycalifornia.com/services.
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