On May 1, Downtown in general and SoFA in particular celebrated the opening of Good Spot, a new gastrolounge at  86 South First Street. The grand opening was attended by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, City Councilmembers Raul Peralez (D3) and Pam Foley (D9, Chair of Community & Economic Development Committee), and about 50 well-wishers and guests.

Also there to celebrate a moment of hope in our economic recovery was San Jose Downtown Association executive director Scott Knies and downtown property owner and Good Spot landlord Richard Berg. See the video for all the action. 

The best description of Good Spot is in co-owner Thoi Thang’s own words:

“There’s a story behind every crossroads. In the case of San Jose’s SoFA district, a place long known as the intersection of the city’s many identities, it is a story of rebuilding and transformative growth. A story reflected in the neighborhood’s past: its glitzy retail and entertainment district beginnings, followed by a period of neglect and an eventual rebirth as an arts and culture hub. More so, a story paralleled by the lives of its folk and those merely passing through: artists, students, and entrepreneurs. Now, the story finds a new home at Good Spot – a gastro-lounge with an ambition to both honor and respond to the unique character of the place that birthed it.”

For the grand opening, the attractive parklet outside the Good Spot was taken over by a drum ensemble and two extremely animated, engaging and active lion dancers, who ate a cabbage, threw oranges, unfurled scrolls and entertained both inside and out.  The short video provides the flavor of the event.

Once vacated by the lion dancers and band, the parklet provides distanced seating and a front-row view of SoFA’s street scene. Inside, the Good Spot includes both fine-dining tables, a bar, a lounge area and even co-working tables for lunch meetings.

The sloth, Good Spot’s spirit animal and mascot, presides over the main dining area from a mural by Fernando (@force 129).

The fine dining element is courtesy of Culinary Director Timothy Luym and his back-of-the-house team of diverse talent.  The former San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef goes back to the basics—and his roots—with honest cooking that lets the food speak for itself.

As the Mayor pointed out – if San Jose can attract and foster such an ambitious and talented team to build a venue during a pandemic, the city is definitely on the right track for a full recovery and more. 

Good Spot
386 S First Street, San Jose,Calif.
(408) 816-8841
Open Thursday through Sunday