Walking through downtown San Jose after sundown, it’s hard to resist peeking through Billy Berk’s floor-to-ceiling windows as you stroll by. With its spacious, inviting interior and bustling scene of patrons clearly having a good time, you’ll be more than tempted to get in on the action yourself.
Located in a newly renovated historic brick building on the corner of First and San Fernando Streets, Billy Berk’s is the latest addition to the Max’s World family of restaurants. With hardwood floors, brick walls, exposed piping, and 50-inch plasma TVs mounted above the central bar, the loft-like restaurant has the glitz of a big-city eatery. But details such as a wall of framed classic record albums and quirky murals give the eatery a down-to-earth feel.
The restaurant’s laid-back atmosphere reflects the personality of its affable namesake, Bill Berkowitz, Max’s World director of operations. Don’t be surprised if he stops by to say hello; he’s often seen working the room to make sure everyone’s having fun.
True to its slogan, Billy Berk’s is a restaurant where “sharing is in good taste.” Everything is served family-style, drawing influences from a variety of cuisines, from Asian and Latin to Italian and American. Starters include a rustic flatbread piled high with cambozola cheese, bacon and caramelized onion that melts in your mouth; tender guava-glazed sticky pork ribs; and Asian long beans sautéed in a black bean sauce.
Add some more variety with hearty entrée dishes like the potato-string prawns, succulent shrimp wrapped in potato ribbons, fried and served with a red ginger-sesame dipping sauce; or the huge blackened ribeye steak, accompanied by a herbaceous Montpelier butter. Save room on the table for the Chilean sea bass—it’s cooked to perfection with a heavenly lemon-curry yogurt sauce. Even though it’s tapas-style dining, portions are large enough to be had as entrées if ordered with a couple of sides.
The dessert menu is also a force to be reckoned with, featuring such home-style offerings as the skillet bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, served in generous portions that rival your mom’s.
After dinner, grab some drinks and catch a big game at the large island bar in the center of the room. What better way to cap off the evening than watching the Sharks kick some ice while sipping a cocktail? Highly recommended are the tangy Blood Orange Martini and the refreshing Cool Gin, with muddled cucumber and lime.
With its rib-sticking, scrumptious food and a fun, upbeat ambiance, Billy Berk’s is destined to keep the good times rolling for a long time to come. —Stephanie Soong
Hours:
Mon-Wed, 11:30-10; Thurs, 11:30-11; Fri, 11:30-midnight; Sat, 4-midnight; Sun, 4-9.
Location:
99 S. First St., Downtown San Jose
More Info:
408/292-4300
www.maxsworld.com/billyberks
