Business & Tech
Great Escape: The School of Blues at Poor House Bistro
Bonafide Big Easy-style blues, and Louisiana-inspired po'boys means New Orleans flavor is just a short drive from home.
The Poor House Bistro was built to house the blues. The School of the Blues in San Jose was created to connect instructors—many with decades of experience playing the blues—with young people interested in learning this soulful brand of music. Every month, PHB hosts these student musicians in a jam session that's family-friendly and fun.
The next student jam session: Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. (These are usually the last Sunday of every month.)
What to do there: Listen to some good live music from up-and-coming musicians and even get in a little dancing to burn off the po’boys you’ll eat.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Why we like it: A quick 15-minute drive on the I-680 from Milpitas, you'll find great music and authentic New Orleans-style food. If a salad is your speed, Poor House Bistro has some good ones, especially the Poor House Salad with romaine lettuce, green apples and fantastic house-made candied pecans ($10.25). The red beans and rice with andouille sausage ($10.75) is hearty and spicy, and the rich jambalaya ($13.75) and the muffaletta sandwiches ($10.50) are worth trying.
But unless you get your hands on a po’boy, you won’t be getting the full New Orleans experience. We are partial to the Cochon de Lait Po’Boy ($8.25), made with slow-roasted tender pork bathed in a sauce with a slow-building spiciness that’s lip tingling. All the po’boys here begin with big, crusty rolls, toasted and then piled high with meat and a vinegary house-made slaw as well as pickles and tomatoes if you like.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
And even more to like: Kids are welcome at Poor House Bistro during the School of Blues events. The music is free, but good karma is yours when you put a few dollars in the donation box for the school. And on Friday, Living Social has a 50 percent off deal if you buy on the website.
The Poor House Bistro calendar: If you can't make it on Sunday, students from the School of Blues play at Poor House Bistro every month. PHB also hosts many other live music events worth a listen.
The Poor House Bistro is one block from the Shark Tank, 91 S. Autumn St., San Jose. 408-292-5837 .
