The patio at Poor House Bistro is among the best of any bar or club in town, a resonating chamber of international ideas.
Next door is Henry’s Hi-life, with its own outdoor patio that should be connected, but for whatever reason is not connected. Nevertheless, the whole area provides a killer scene with a killer view of the planes flying overhead.
The history of this experimental outdoor dining scenario could only have unfolded in San Jose. Just a few years ago, Poor House, the actual house, relocated from Barack Obama Blvd (formerly Autumn Street) to a vacant lot by Henry’s, just across Highway 87 from an abandoned building where Random Access Memory was pioneered. It doesn’t get any more San Jose than that.
Even better, none of this could have happened without the Italians, who played a major role in the whole house switcheroo, not just because the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras vibe at Poor House began with the Carnival in Venice. Thankfully, Little Italy had space outside for Poor House to relocate. And it did. We all watched the movers lift up the house and move it down St. John to its current location. It was a serious party.
That was a few years ago. Now, also next door to Poor House, on the side opposite Henry’s, sits the new Italian Cultural Center & Museum, including a speakeasy in the basement. They have an espresso machine behind the bar, since nowhere in San Jose’s Little Italy can anyone get a damn espresso, now that Bel Bacio is gone.
Regarding the museum, though, back when the Italians were building the place out, the Little Italy Foundation assured me they would screen Fellini films once the facility was up and running. This has not yet happened on a substantive basis, so I will continue to rattle cages until it does happen.
With the museum, the basement speakeasy and a great patio, not to mention Guadalupe River Park, or pieces of it, the Fellini potential is enormous. If they can throw a Mardi Gras party, they can surely throw a Nights of Cabiria party. Or maybe we can all just wander around and kill time, as in I Vitelloni. That might be a better idea. This neighborhood is a great place to do that.
I have been to the Fellini Museum in Rimini, Italy, the director’s home town, where the original cart Anthony Quinn drove around in La Strada is on display. When I saw that, I immediately wanted San Jose to become sister cities with Rimini. If anything, the Cultural Center should partner with the Fellini Museum and get something going. Hell, if they can hang a banner of Irene Dalis in the park, surely they can screen Amarcord in the park.
But this column was supposed to be about Poor House. It still is. I haven’t forgotten.
You see, everything is connected anyway. If the city can designate entertainment zones at will, then this whole area should be one of them. And it looks like we’re off to a decent start because right now, the Little Italy San Jose Foundation and the Sharks organization are about to officially rename segments of St. John Street. The road in question—St. John from San Pedro Square all the way to the SAP Center—will soon be called Sharks Way, a fabulous idea, long overdue. Go to any grown-up city with a hockey culture and you’ll see similar stuff, especially in Montreal or Toronto. Good on the Sharks for doing that. I hope it happens.
Meanwhile, the patio at Poor House is rocking. With 300 days of sun every year, or so say the PR folks, it’s about time more places took advantage of it. Yes, there have been other patios. But not like this one. It really is a neat place to hang. There is live music. Gumbo and Italian spritzes. Bricks and plaques and history. And did I mention Bibo’s Pizza across the street?
It’s just one corner. I understand. But it has so much potential.
I don’t know if Fellini was a hockey fan, but if he ever resurrects himself in Guadalupe River Park, he definitely will be.
Love this! Great piece GS!