Campbell’s new hot spot, Water Tower Kitchen
Food-fueled gatherings are the focus — and yes, you can watch the game, too
It’s about time someone named a Campbell restaurant after the city’s iconic landmark.
The cavernous building that sits in the shadow of the Campbell Water Tower is a remnant from the Orchard City’s agricultural past. In recent years, a nightclub called The Spot occupied half the building.
After The Spot closed, four South Bay industry veterans — Russ Fukushima (Blush Ice Bar), Milad Shaeghi and Jameson Parvisad (LVL 44) and Nick Esparza — saw the potential here for creating a food and entertainment destination where customers will feel welcome whether they are celebrating a birthday or watching a game.
Here’s an early look inside the Water Tower Kitchen.
THE VIBE »
It’s a buzzy, bright, high-octane scene with dining and bar areas both upstairs and downstairs and clean lines that show off the historic bones of the building.
The Spot, nearly windowless, had been painted black. The Water Tower quartet went in the opposite direction with an allwhite scheme (even in the rafters) and a wall of 10-foot-tall windows (with a view of the tower) to complement the original brick walls. Plush chairs accompany liveedge tables of redwood and oak.
There are 14 TVs — including some 10-footers — downstairs and three upstairs. “You can have a great viewing experience, but we’re not a sports bar,” Fukushima emphasizes.
THE FOOD »
The Water Tower Kitchen has wisely launched with a limited menu by consulting chef James Richmond — six appetizers, three salads, three burgers/sandwiches and two mac-and-cheese varieties — so as not to overwhelm the kitchen during the opening weeks. More dishes are coming soon.
So far customers are flocking to the garlic-bacon mac and cheese ($15), with white cheddar and a housemade bechamel; a soyglazed Asian riff on Brussels sprouts ($13), with Thai chile lime cashews and the obligatory bacon; and the stacked fries ($15), topped with carne asada, guacamole, cheese, tomatillo sauce and pico de gallo.
DON’T MISS »
The chicken lettuce wraps ($15) are a fun build-your-own version. You get grilled chicken breast, marinated cucumbers and carrots, cilantro, green onions and two sauces (peanut and a sweet chile soy) to wrap into leaves of lettuce — and it’s the gem variety, not boring iceberg.
GOOD TO KNOW »
The patio is still being transformed. Look for a springtime opening, with new menu items, weekend brunch and a build-your-own bloody mary bar.
PERFECT FOR … »
Celebratory gatherings or game days. Or, with those screens, a hightech
presentation in a fun setting.
DETAILS »
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, until 11:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. 201 Orchard City Drive, Campbell; Facebook.com/ watertowerkitchen.