Tasting House in Los Gatos reboots with new chef, menu

Wine bistro will reopen at 5 p.m. Friday

The Tasting House, a Wine Spectator award-winning Los Gatos bistro, has been refreshed and will reopen on Friday with a new chef, a new menu, live music nightly, and sommeliers to recommend food-and-wine pairings to diners.

Chef Julian Silvera joins the venture with an impressive resume, having worked at the Michelin-starred Knife and Spoon in Orlando, Florida, as well as with chefs Wylie Dufresne and Nahid Ahmed in his hometown of New York City. He describes himself as a “fermentation enthusiast” who focuses on seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients.

His first menu features an anise-glazed Roast Duck with wild plums, blackberries, and baby turnips inspired by Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as well as a Fort Bragg Sea Urchin with popcorn grits and toasted yeast.

The service team is led by Sommelier Enrique Leon.

The evocative appearance remains. Denise Thornberry, the longtime restaurant and wine bar’s founder and proprietor, had originally remodeled the space with decor straight out of the 6th arrondissement, from the honeycomb floor tile to the bistro tables. A baby grand piano has been added for live music nights.

Wine Spectator awarded the bistro an Award of Excellence this summer.

The new hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Champagne Bar is open from Tuesday to Saturday at noon. Los Gatos, 368 Village Lane; www.tastinghouse.com