The Blue Door Restaurant and Bar, San Jose

Considering that the husband and wife behind The Blue Door Restaurant and Bar are both first-generation Greeks, it's hardly surprising that their restaurant should bring a slice of the Mediterranean to San Jose. But the way it does so is bound to turn a few heads. Influenced by a favorite resort in southern Greece, the eatery combines a sprawling outdoor patio with a main dining space that resembles a cozy—albeit lavish—living room, complete with a fireplace lit by Prometheus himself.

Then there's the menu. Intermingling their native country with their new country, the family of The Blue Door mixes classic American comfort fare (think burgers, meatloaf, and pork chops) with Mediterranean flair (like pesto cavatappi and a traditional avgolemeno soup). The results certainly ring true with the restaurant's name, which alludes to both a Greek tradition (and law on some islands) and a metaphorical gateway to the country.