Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Michelin Star-awarded restaurant group coming to downtown Gilroy

Petiscos recognized an opportunity to add to the food scene in downtown Gilroy

---

By Robert Airoldi

A Michelin Star-awarded restaurant group has announced they are opening a local eatery. Gilroy Downtown Investments (GDI) said that Petiscos by Adega will open at 7574 Monterey St. Adega Inc. is the recipient of multiple Michelin Star awards since 2017, making it the first and only Michelin Star restaurant in San Jose. Petiscos is Adega’s casual restaurant concept, focusing on small plates.

The restaurant will bring authentic Portuguese dishes based on traditional recipes from the Iberian Peninsula, with desserts prepared in the onsite bakery. The menu will consist of a selection of small-plate tapas featuring dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

With a large Portuguese community in southern Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, Petiscos owners Carlos and Fernanda Carreira said they recognized an opportunity to add to the food scene in downtown Gilroy.

They hope to open by the end of the year. For information, visit petiscosadega.com.

Looking forward to trying it out!

We got news from the Rotary Club of Gilroy that they awarded grants to 30 local organizations and programs in the amount of $56,516 at their Jan. 30 meeting. Funding for the grants was made possible through the Gilroy Rotary Endowment, which was established in 1991 to ensure that proceeds from Rotarian contributions, fundraising, and the endowment would ensure a long-term giving program to benefit the local community.

This year’s giving funded reading programs, books for libraries, materials for multi-cultural events, sports activities, student counseling programs, science education materials, funding for senior center programs and services, and many more unmet needs in the community.

But the Rotary Club of Gilroy giving program does not end with the grants. In addition, the Gilroy Rotary Endowment also awards about $75,000 per year in one-year and multi-year scholarships.

“Rotarians are people of action, and the funds that come from our Gilroy Rotary Endowment is a prime example of our dedication to improving the lives of others through service and through our grant program,” said Nita Edde-Mitchell, Gilroy Rotary Club president. “We take a lot of pride in giving almost 70 percent of those funds this year to the GUSD, and for teachers and students, those grants funded a lot of unmet needs. Graduating students this year will also receive scholarships to further their education.”

Created in 1991, the Rotary Club of Gilroy has granted $1 million-plus to more than 200 different community organizations and programs. Recognizing the needs of the local community, the Gilroy Rotary Endowment was formed with the express purpose of a sustainable, long-term giving program.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors appointed San José resident Yosimar Reyes to the honorary post of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025. In this role, Reyes will help promote the art of poetry at local community events, including during National Poetry Month, represent the County of Santa Clara County through outreach related to poetry, and act as a resource for the Santa Clara County Library District.

“The Poet Laureate position offers a chance to hear different voices and consider fresh perspectives in the realm of poetry and the spoken word,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “We look forward to seeing what Yosimar brings and stand ready to assist with hosting community events and helping to spread the word about the majesty of all types of verse.”

Reyes draws inspiration in his work from his personal experiences as an immigrant from Guerrero, Mexico, and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He is a former Lambda Literary Fellow and Undocupoets Fellow who has toured across the country delivering keynote addresses, writing workshops, and performing his one-man show, “Prieto,” a coming-of-age story about migration, sexuality and socio-economic struggle.

“I am a proud product of an undocumented immigrant community in San José,” he said. “It is an honor to represent us in such an esteemed position.”