Welcome to Whispers

The "SF Bay" savory crepe (smoked salmon, spinach, onions and jack cheese), served with an organic greens salad and fruit. | Photo by @officialjendano

San Jose, California has a fantastic bar and restaurant scene, so it was no surprise to find an incredible one; nonetheless, Whispers Café and Crêperie still managed to surprise me!

Although labeled a "café," Whispers is certainly in a category of its own: hipster café-family restaurant-local bar. When I visited, students were hunched over their computers in one corner, families were enjoying brunch outside, and it wasn't too early for a few locals to start drinking mimosas at the bar. Certainly a perfect place to people watch...while enjoying a delicious pile of crepes, of course.

Upon walking into the airy open-concept restaurant-front, guests are greeted with a massive chalkboard menu. The menu serves up anything crepe related, and if you can't find it on the menu, the server happily suggested she could ask the chef to create something more individual. There are also more traditionally American breakfast options (i.e. omelets, eggs, pancakes, toast, etc.), and then lunch and dinner entrees for those dining later in the afternoon. Enjoy a pesto and grilled chicken sandwich, a teriyaki burger on a sesame bun, or get a bit fancy and order the pan-seared salmon filet. Honestly, there's literally everything you can think of on the menu. Even the drink menu offers everything from chocolate milk to V-8 to fruit smoothies to an impressive wine and beer selection.

Be warned: the portions are as massive as their menu (check out the picture of my order to the left).

There's a great happy hour available, with prices on draft beer as low as $3.00 per glass and margaritas at $4.00. The prices were overall very reasonable, and definitely do-able for a full-time traveler! I actually went back here several times during my stay in San Jose, and both my budget and belly left satisfied.

Located at 150 South Second Street in San Jose, Whispers is open Sunday to Thursday (8am to 10pm) and Friday to Saturday (8am to 10pm). Visit their website at www.whisperscafe.com to check out their latest specials and to download a menu.

Happy eating!