Orchestria Palm Court

We dined at Orchestria Palm court on a Friday night. I've been here once in the "before" times, but haven't returned since. It's a very special place. As others have described, the ordering is unique, as is the menu selection. We had a salad, a bowl of French onion soup, beouf Bourgogne, and the trio sampler. The salad was good...pear, pecans, and gorgonzola. I felt it could have been more flavorful, but it was ok. French onion soup was a bust for hubs. He said it didn't really taste like French onion soup. The beouf Bourgogne was adequate. Meat was tender and flavorful, potatoes were crusty, as if they had been added later. This wasn't bad, just an observation. The sauce was nice and I thought the dish should have been served with crusty bread to sop it up. Daughter ordered a black forest soda and slurped it down. Proclaimed it delicious! The star of the restaurant are all the mechanical music machines. There are a plethora of them and they play the entire time. It's special and worth coming for that alone. They also have a phone at the bar and a phone booth that can call each other. It's fun, too. The women's restroom is dedicated to Rudolph Valentino. Funny and period appropriate. I would definitely come back to Orchestria Palm Court if I wanted to have a unique experience or entertain others with whom you don't need a business experience. It's a fun place!

This place is extremely unique and unlike any dining experience I've had. It's very old-fashioned which might not appeal to everyone but it certainly is a nice change from your every day dining experience. The restaurant is filled with vintage pianos and music boxes that will randomly begin playing, which makes for a unique ambiance that you really don't get anywhere anymore. You actually order by approaching the bar yourself which is interesting. I actually didn't mind that at all, however there really is no wait staff. So don't expect to have someone coming around for refills or to check on you. That part is a little different and unfortunate, however, I still feel like the ambiance makes up for it. I can't really say much about the service because you really don't get much there. The staff were all very friendly though. I ordered the sea bass which was spectacularly cooked, like butter. The sides that accompanied it were just ok, nothing special. I also ordered the shrimp bisque which seemed to be the soup of the day and it was very tasty. I also ordered the cherry sour phosphate which was good. I also ordered the tea service which came out a bit late and wasn't my favorite part of the meal but it was still good. Overall, this is a fun experience. I wouldn't say it's my new go-to but I definitely would go back.

First time here and was very pleased after our meal. Found this place a couple of years ago and finally got around to try it. We were the first ones there and got to pick our table, which was nice. It was interesting having to order at the bar but wasn't a big deal. Food came out fast. The only thing that was ok was the ice cream. It was a little icy, but at least the whipped cream was homemade and saved the dessert. It was nice getting to see and hear the music randomly playing through the room. Every time I mention this place to my friends and family, they haven't heard it it. If they ask for a recommendation for a good meal and a nice atmosphere, I'll send them here.

Orchestria Palm Court has always been a beloved and curious little restaurant for me. It's a well-known secret for historians and theatre goers in San Jose's SoFa District yet many people don't know about it. Most likely because the doors are only open for 2 days a week for less than 4 hours a day. The former 1910 auto showroom has been filled with a collection of antique musical machines including self-playing pianos, orchestrion, juke boxes and Violano-Virtuoso which is a remarkable self-playing violin and piano combo. I always felt like the co-owner Mark (an engineer) wanted to find a place for his collection and then decided to serve food. The food however is not a second thought. The menu that features grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, and real creamery butter. I can always taste the difference when well-chosen ingredients are used. We enjoyed the Chicken Saltimboca, Boeuf Bourguignon, Strawberry Salad & Key Lime Pie which was so good we ordered a second dessert their Profiteroles.They have an odd yet functional system whereas you come in and pick your own table then head to the back bar to put your order in and wait for it to arrive. The prices include service and tax and there is a busser who fills your glass and drops off your food. In the interim the other co-owner (a Veterinarian) runs the antique fountain bar whipping up cool concoctions such as the Huckleberry Fizz, Poppy Dew and Apricot Ambrosia. Good old-fashioned milkshakes and "mocktails" when were the flourishing during prohibition. In between his fountain duties he runs about firing up the many different musical machines. If you have hearing sensitivies do not sit near a piano because they are LOUD. When your done with your experience you go back to the bar to pay your meal. They will never rush you and want you to sit back and enjoy your time. No tipping is allowed as there are no waiters. Just a reminder, Orchestria Palm Court is open only on Friday and Saturday, from 5:30 to 9:00pm and you must get your order in by 7:40pm. Reservations are obviously recommended.

We had dinner here last Saturday and had a great time. The inside has an early 1920's vibe with self playing pianos and violins. It's a really amazing experience. The food was also excellent.They have a huge selection of vintage soda fountain drinks. We tried the poppy dew, the chocolate phosphate egg cream, key lime quencher, and the apricot ambrosia. Honestly, they were all excellent. I would come back just for these.We ordered the cheese platter, the sampler trio, and the tenderloin steak. All were amazing.Service was also good. You place your order at the bar and they bring the food out to you when it's ready. They also serve complimentary bread and butter that's really good too. For dessert we tried the key lime pie and the banana split. The key lime pie was my favorite of the two.I look forward to returning for the music, food and vintage sodas.

I brought my kids to this remarkable restaurant for their birthdays. It was a very unique experience and we had a lot of fun. The place is decorated in a very vintage fashion, complete with an old fountain bar serving phosphate drinks as well as other cocktails and milkshakes. They have a unique menu and they seem to be very conscious of having quality healthy ingredients. They told me that this is one of the very few locations in the United States where you could still get phosphate drinks.The entire seating area is surrounded by a variety of animatronic automated pianos that use a form of sheet rolls to play a variety of tunes. It was very fascinating to enjoy our meal and watch and listen to these machines play around us.I believe the two partners that founded this place work behind the two different bar areas, they have quite the story of how they founded the restaurant based on their personal passion for collecting these machines. And then the collection only grew and the result is this fascinating restaurant.If you're looking for a fun and unique experience in a vintage setting, then this place is for you.

Super cute and unique spot! The place is filled with so many interesting old-timey instruments and knick-knacks, and the staff were very friendly! Definitely gave off early 1900s-vibes :) The food was your standard typical American fare. It's not amazing, but decent enough. Portions were surprisingly quite huge. Oh and they give you complimentary bread and butter to start! I thought the highlight was the phosphate sodas & I will definitely be back to try more flavors! Possibly even try their desserts too! I thoroughly enjoyed the Briar and Rose, although the Kauai Cream was also tasty as well.What a precious find in the middle of SJ!

This restaurant has a distinct charm with its vintage brick warehouse ambiance. It's named for its many "orchestrions" (electric-mechanical pianos), some of which continuously play from wax perforated scores. The food is tasty, and the experience is streamlined with a self-service system: you order and pay at the back counter after your meal. A service fee is included, so tipping isn't required. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

Organic? Hormone-free? Grass-fed? Sign me up! Ordered the chicken saltimbocca, sea bass, and surf and turf. Food was well seasoned and delicious! For dessert, we had the profiteroles and it was the best cream puffs we've had. Decor was really cute and the service was superb. Perfect meal and experience.

Great music! Delicious food! Thank you for sharing your amazing collection of automated pianos with us! Such a great experience!