San Jose's Adega earns city its 1st Michelin star
SAN JOSE, Callif. (KTVU) - In a city of a million people, San Jose has never had a restaurant with a Michelin star until now. The highest honor in the culinary world was given Tuesday to a Portuguese restaurant called Adega.
It's located in the Little Portugal neighborhood of San Jose. It's the second Portuguese restaurant in the country to receive the rating.
Tucked hidden in San Jose's Little Portugal neighborhood on Alum Rock Avenue lies Adega which means wine cellar. The restaurant, open for 10 months, has already been awarded the coveted Michelin star rating.
"We were like in shock, there was no other reaction or yelling," said Owners Carlos and Fernanda Carreira.
The Michelin Guides honored more than 50 Bay Area restaurants with stars yet this is a first for the City of San Jose. It's an unexpected surprise for the husband and wife owners, whose intention is to offer authentic Portuguese cuisine in a city known for innovation.
"Why not create something in the culinary world," said Carlos Carreira. "Why only in the technology?"
It's also where this family is from. The owner's daughter Jessica, at 23 years old is likely one of the youngest female chefs to earn a Michelin distinction.
"If you really work hard and follow your dreams and focus and dedicate your attention on something that you believe in strongly," said Pastry Chef Jessica Carreira. "It will pay off."
Jessica and her fiance, Executive Chef Dave Costa, were already on the Michelin radar after working at a top-rated restaurant in Lisbon. Adega's specialties include the octopus, cod and their desserts.
"It's good because there's a lot of sharpness and unique flavors," said Aaron Solin of San Jose.
Solin reserved a table as soon as the rating came out, embracing the diversity and pride this restaurant has to offer.
"There's culture in San Jose," said Solin. "You hope other restaurateurs will latch onto that and maybe we will see more and more excellent restaurants coming up and we will see competition."