Bloom Eatery Expanding to Downtown San Jose

The new 4,000-square-foot downtown San Jose location for Bloom Eatery is taking over a space formerly occupied by Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine. Owner Reza Manion is targeting a late summer or early fall opening, aiming to establish the new brunch spot before the holiday season. Manion, a Santa Clara native, is no stranger to the restaurant industry, having grown up in his family's long-standing Santa Clara cafe, Sara's Kitchen. He launched the original Bloom Eatery at 202 Saratoga Ave. in late 2020, facing the immense challenges of opening a new business during the pandemic. The original location quickly built a loyal following with signature dishes like Croissant French Toast, chicken and waffles with a honey and Cholula sauce, and duck fat house potatoes. The menu focuses on modern, unique takes on American breakfast and lunch classics, using fresh, local ingredients. Initially, Manion considered expanding to smaller towns like Campbell or Los Gatos but saw a prime opportunity in downtown San Jose. He believes the area is on an upswing and notes a lack of direct brunch competition near the new site, which is located in a Class A, LEED Gold certified building.