My partner and I are fairly new to the area and were told about Tomato Thyme. Our first time in was a couple weeks ago and we sat at a table but tonight we sat at the bar. We were greeted with a warm smile by the host first and the bartender as soon as we sat down. Dominic got our drinks promptly and asked if we had any questions on the menu. She seemed to have a lot of knowledge on the menu and suggested the Petrale Sole with risotto, YUMMY! The entire experience was lovely, we received just enough attention by Dominic that we didn't go without anything and it didn't interfere with our date night. The ambiance is quant and warm and we have yet to be disappointed. It's nice to have a good meal in a relaxed environment with excellent service! Thank you Tomato Thyme. read more

After reading all the great reviews on this restaurant, we decided to try it out last night because it sounded fantastic. The restaurant itself is surprisingly nice inside given its outside appearance and location in a strip mall. We were seated in the back of the restaurant which had 3 TV's displaying sports programs which was odd since it did not really fit in with the ambiance of the restaurant. Anyways, I was very hungry last night (which usually makes everything taste so good), but unfortunately this place managed to somehow disappoint. We started off with the calamari which was overfried so it was way too crispy and a little on the burnt side. We then had a Caesar salad which I have to say, how can you go wrong with a Caesar salad right...well, i guess you can. Although I have never had a bad Caesar salad anywhere, this place managed to change all that. The dressing was very tangy and garlicky (sp?) and the salad was just swimming in the dressing. For my entree, I ordered the Spanish paella. The paella itself was very mushy, more of a porridge like texture and consistency. I know it's primarily a seafood dish so I expected some fishy flavor... but the fishy flavor in this dish was so overwhelming that I could barely eat it. I think the chef must have known this and decided to try and mask the overpowering fishy taste because there were tons of lemon wedges sprinkled all throughout the dish. I have had paella at many restaurants and this was the first time I've ever seen lemon wedges in it. Anyways, because I was so hungry I managed to pick through the dish to find the more edible parts. Our server must have known I did not enjoy my meal because I barely touched it and when he asked if I wanted to take it to go, my face must have had a look of disgust when i responded with a simple no. However, he did not even try to inquire further as to whether I liked it or not as he probably cared less. For my husband's meal, he got the prawns and scallop over rice which he seemed to have liked overall, except he said the scallops were very bland with no flavor. My son ordered a pepperoni pizza which was okay but it was $5.99 and did not come with any sides or a drink. We came here based on the many great yelp reviews and was extremely disappointed in our food especially considering how expensive it was. Our dinner came out to $80 before tips for an appetizer, side salad, two entrees, a kid's pizza and one soda. I felt completely ripped off and will definitely not be going back. read more

OMG, their smoked salmon benedict!! Perfect in every way! The most delicious breakfast! The location is just near a Safeway, so people might think it would be mediocre, but we loved virtually everything. Comfortable seating, surprisingly classy environment and FULL waiter service. Sometimes it is just so nice not to have to jump up and down and carry trays around. Wait staff was excellent. all the breakfasts were good, the breakfast burrito, for example. Nice IPAs on tap too. We've been there for dinner and they do a very authentic lasagna, nice salad, great garlic bread. The time I had their bread pudding, that was the only thing I didn't like. The caramel sauce seemed out of a jar. Plus, I know that hard working people have a chance to get a nice tip instead of sharing a tip jar (which is never as much) or getting nothing (even though they have to plate food and come get plates and clean tables afterward)! read more

The food and service was great... yeah, well, we did go at 4:30 with my grandma. However, we had a nice time. It's loud (but not too loud) and fun. The staff was great! read more

Love Tomato Tyme. Always great service and excellent food. Today was the first time we ordered food to go....and we're very happy with the food. Same quality that one would get in the restaurant. Can't go wrong with Tomato Tyme! read more

The entrees are good. The salads, not so much. There is just something off about this place. The service seems disjointed, for lack of a better word. It's really to bad, because this place has a lot of potential. read more

I love this place and it is now our family restaurant for all occasions. The food is amazing but I am more impressed with the service and atmosphere. Jeffery is a wonderful server and he couldn't do it without the fantastic support staff. Please go here and experience a down to earth wonderful meal at local watering hole. Kid friendly too!!! read more

Just had Father's Day dinner at the tomato-thyme. Excellent service, great beer, awesome food. The environment is happening. Very fun place. The staff is so nice. Would definitely come back. I had that fettuccine tequila. Delicious I'm stuffed. read more

Great place to get Italian pizza, the crust wasn't so hard and burnt like most pizza places. And the worker there was nice and took the time to present the menu to my friend and I. read more

The service might be good but the workers here are treated like slaves. They don't get brakes and they don't get the days off that they should by law. They don't even get to have a relaxing lunch after being rushed their whole shift. And it is a busy restaurant a lot of people love this place but no one knows how the workers are treated. I don't care how good the food is here I will not eat here again for these facts. Unless this is fixed but trust me I will know if this changes or not. read more

I'm a huge fan of this restaurant! I have only been there a handful of times, but I have always left there very pleased. The food is delicious and the service has always been excellent! Some of my faves...Meatball Sandwich, Pear Salad, Traditional Calzone, Raviolis. Oh and they had this special there once with Prawns, Scallops, and Risotto...Mmmmm so good! And they get bonus points for having Guinness on tap :-) read more

This place is the best. Great food. Great atmosphere. They just did a fantastic remodel A+. Will go at least once a week. Everyone needs to try this place. read more

Our family just went to TT for the first time this evening, after reading your reviews. We had an excellence experience! Great food, atmosphere, and service, also family friendly! I had the eggplant lasagna , wow so good, and the fresh bread was a hit with the whole family. My husband thought the tiramisu was good, too! We will go again for sure! read more

In the heart of Willow Glen lies Tomato Thyme, a quaint Italian restaurant filled with dim mood lighting, warm friendly faces, and the delicious scent of freshly made Italian food. When driving down Meridian in San Jose, one would not first notice this restaurant, but rather the large Safeway, Rite Aid, and Shell gas station contained within the same, ever-packed parking lot. Although it maybe unseen by passersby, Tomato Thyme is a favorite of the locals. There is a consistent presence of familiar faces always socializing with one another, as well as the always delightful staff. When walking into Tomato Thyme the ambiance immediately grabs your attention. The lights are dimmed, so as to create a calming, sophisticated vibe throughout the restaurant; however, do not be fooled. Despite the dim lights, the conversations are always vibrant and flowing at each table. This is what makes Tomato Thyme such a family friendly restaurant. There are also arcade games, and machines where kids can win toys, stickers, and the like in the back to keep children entertained throughout the night. While these games detract from the sophistication of the restaurant, at the same time they also make it more accessible to families dining with little kids. Televisions are also placed throughout the restaurant. These are great in the bar area, allowing for sports fans to congregate and socialize with one another while eating delicious, well prepared food; however, having televisions placed throughout the entire restaurant, can often be quite distracting when trying to have a peaceful meal with someone. But overall, Tomato Thyme succeeds in its goal of providing a comfortable space for their patrons to dine. The service that Tomato Thyme provides is always wonderful. Of the many times that I have dined there, I have never experienced bad service. The servers are always helpful and knowledgeable about the food they are serving, and the rest of the staff are always pleasant as well. There are bound to be the occasional mix-ups in any restaurant, but when something goes wrong here, the situations are always handled with the utmost efficiency, and usually work out in the favor of the customer. When ordering takeout, the cashiers are always friendly and accommodating, and making sure that the food they give you is made exactly to your specifications. Elite Yelper Linda A. commented, "Service was great! Our server was pretty funny actually and was attentive to our needs and quite accommodating"(Linda A.). Almost everyone who visits Tomato Thyme leaves satisfied with the service that they received, as well as the food that they ate. Tomato Thyme proves to consistently offer excellent service and food - and this consistency in quality makes this restaurant a dependable favorite. Tomato Thyme has many delectable dishes to choose from, but after many visits, the two dishes that I most enjoy are the Pesto Linguini, and the Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza. A Server will first bring you fresh baked bread - warm and delicious - but be careful to leave room for your main dish! My favorite pasta dish, the Pesto Linguini, is always a vibrant green from the fresh aromatic herbs used in the sauce, and is garnished with delicious bright red sun dried tomatoes on top. The tomatoes are optional, but I always choose to have them. The pasta, always cooked perfectly in large portions, ensures you get your money's worth. When choosing from the pizzas, my favorite is the Sundried Tomato Pizza: a thin delicious crust, topped with rich goat cheese, feta, red onion, fresh and sundried tomatoes, pine nuts, and garnished with fresh basil. Just the thought of this pizza makes my stomach growl and my mouth water. Sarah B. from Yelp agrees: "Try the sun-dried tomato pizza- with tomatoes (both fresh and sun-dried), goat cheese, feta, and basil, it is just the right combo of flavors. My favorite slice ever!" The pizza and pasta are only two examples of the many amazing dished served at Tomato Thyme. The menu has a vast variety to choose from, including: seafood, steak, pork chops, and light flavorful soups and salads. No matter what dish I have tried, I have never left disappointed. I would highly recommend Tomato Thyme to anyone looking for fresh, tasty Italian food, with a good atmosphere, and friendly staff. The dishes served are delicious and always flavorful. read more

Tomato Thyme is my wife's and my go-to place for dinner. Pretty great service! Food is always good and I usually get pretty good pours. They are always pretty busy even on weekdays so check it out sometime. read more

Seriously yummy food. I especially love the special - braised short ribs on polenta or mashed potatoes. So good. Pizza is good too. Great beverage selection. We usually sit at the bar and talk with the regulars. Large screen TV's for sports viewing. read more

We love this place. Great food, great service, nice people, good vibe. Our favorite dish is the Salmon Pasta, but we've tried almost everything and it's all good. read more

If you don't like mushrooms or are allergic.. you are S.O.L. They put them in everything. So you better like pesto or Alfredo sauce.. and forget about pizza.. they're in the marinara. I expect them in lasagne's so I always ask, sure enough they had them. So I had the Alfredo dinner. Pretty bland and the sauce was more watery then creamy. My husband ordered a cal zone, but.. of course... mushrooms in the marinara. So he had to settle for BBQ pork sammich, which he said tasted like ketchup instead of BBQ sauce. Our waiter -sigh- well, he spent about 10 minutes at each table taking orders, his intentions are good, I'm sure, but really he is just overbearing. He try's to joke and make you happy (I guess) but it just doesn't come off well, and it can be a little annoying when all you really want is your water or maybe your salad or how about your entree. His behavior slows him down A LOT! He did, however, get our order right. We went here because of the yelp reviews, this is NOT good Italian food, its barely OK Italian food, the selection is horrible, half the menu is pizza (MUSHROOMS!!) they don't even offer a fillet, real Italian places always offer a good fillet, this place is like a pizzeria that's trying to expand to a fancy dining place, but is still learning. The food isn't inedible, I just expected more from all the reviews. We won't be back though. read more

WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went there last night for a family belated-eatser dinner and it SUCKED!!! They burnt my boyfriends chicken so they had to re-make his food and it didn't come out until all of us were done eating, then they gave his mom the wrong kind of pasta but she didn't want to wait a half an hour for a new plate so she just ate it and then they have the nerve to charge you a dessert fee if you bring your own birthday cake into the resturant(they charge you $2.00 per person, and don't even tell you!! The waitress was horrible and had a bad attitude, you could tell she hated her job! Devon the "Manager" was so rude and was about 25 years old tops and was on an ego trip because he had "power"! We will never go there again and i would not recommend it to anyone!! I think the only reason people go there is to drink beer and watch sporting events and that is why they are there, you can't taste bad food and don't really care about your waitress when your seating at the bar drunk!! read more

good food, mostly good service, (a few waitresses could improve), wine selection is very well done. needs more vegetarian options. keep the artichoke dip on the regular menu please :-) fun to sit at the bar and eat too. fun crowd, nice for family or date night. read more

Pasta Carbonara is not an easy dish to make if you consider yourself a novice chef wanting a specialty flavor. I leave it to the experts, but unfortunately some Italian restaurants masquerading as genuine Italian include alfredo sauce in their carbonara dishes (carbonara sauce is made from eggs, cheese, pepper, whereas alfredo is a cream and butter based sauce). After scouring the area (San Jose) to come up with the real McCoy, chanced on a delightful place in an unlikely strip mall (isn't it always the case?). The service was outstanding. I came in for lunch and wanted a choice booth for my table, usually, when I eat alone, I get the shoulder shrug and withering glance that, sure, it's fine if you sit at a table meant for four. The woman pointedly told me I could sit where I liked and stay as long as I wanted. Had a drink in a minute and it seemed as though everyone was dashing around to please everyone. I saw at least two waitstaff, a host, I think the manager and a busboy all come out to assist the few 4-5 tables that were occupied upon opening. I was delighted with the dish, in which I substituted capellini and crisp bacon for the pancetta and was pleased by the flavor of the sauce. Tons of people came in while I was eating and everyone said hello to me! When I left, a gentleman held the door. It just was such a nice experience across the board. I'll be back! read more

We were referred to this restaurant by one of their regular customers. We had eaten there a few times with them and a couple of times on our own. I tried to make reservations for this dinner and was told they do not take reservations for small parties because people usually don't show up. I understood that, no problem. We were a party of 4. Last night ended it for us. We were enjoying dinner with friends and talking after dinner. We were approached by one of the wait staff and told that our table was taken in 10 minutes by a party who "is expecting this table". First of all we were a party of 4, no reservations. Tell me, how can a party of 4 not get reservations when a party that "expects" our table can have reservations? My opinion is that the wait staff was lying to us! Never again will we step foot in there and we will no longer recommend it. I wanted to try their other restaurant but not gonna do it now. read more

really really love the food here...we always order pizza (the husband's favorite), and I love the sole piccata. Nice filets, fresh, crusted nicely, and not drowned in sauce. Rice cooked to perfection. Creme brulee was excellent. Had the clam linguine a few times, always was fresh and tasty. Decent cocktails, wine list isn't the greatest, but that's okay. Service is good 75% of the time-I really can't stand it when we show up as a couple and they seat us in the lousy back room with the huge families and kids running around all crazy. Hey I'm all for having a positive family atmosphere, but if it's date night with your SO, don't put me in a room where I can't hear the person sitting next to me. That is just awful. I do love the seats in front of the bar, with multiple TV's (sports!!). Can get very busy, so just avoid the dinner rush and you'll get seated promptly, otherwise you're looking at least a half hour, forty five minute wait. Ample parking. read more

My 87 year old mother has been coming to this restaurant for years and we were shocked to see the recent changes in service. I took my Mom there for lunch on 10/13/16 and when we sat down she asked the waitress for a glass of water, the waitress ignored her and brought menus then never came back. So since my Mom needed to take a pill I went up to the register where she was visiting with the other waitress and asked her a second time for the water. She told me she would get when she was ready. So I stood there until she handed me the water. Next she asked if we were ready to order, so my Mom said can we get some bread the same waitress rolled her eyes and walked away and told us the bus boy will bring it when he has time. ( The restaurant had 2 people sitting in it) I have never seen such rude people serving the elderly. The food was fine as long as your willing to be treated very rude and serve yourself!! read more

overpriced knock off of uno pizza or some family restaurant, better whe this used to operate as stuft pizza on Bascom, now it is just overpriced crap, most of it is obviously frozen and the service is not that good. was easier to order the food at the counter and pick it up, when it was on Bascom. would never go back to this overrated restuarant. read more

this place is great restraunt. the food is really good and the service is exceptional. and I love that they have rav's from la villa in willow glen. you need to try this place! read more

Our favorite neighborhood place. We live within walking distance to the solid restaurants on Lincoln, but come Friday night when my husband texts me that we are going out to dinner at TT, I spend the rest of the day happy that I will soon be relaxing with a great glass of wine and dinner. Highlights: We always seem to have very friendly, attentive servers but it can get really busy so I would guess that they could get stretched. We haven't sampled extensively on the menu (we have our favorites and it is hard to stray) but can highly recommend the bolognese sauce with any pasta (my picky Italian husband loves it and orders it every time), the pear salad with added grilled salmon, and a great high end burger. I agree with another reviewer and would recommend skipping the petrale sole. I've had a great halibut special and salmon which I could recommend for fish choices. Clam linguini is also great. There are usually great choices for daily specials. I had a great glass of Carmel Road Pinot noir last night. A bit on the high side at $10 a glass but every sip told me it was worth it. We opt for a 5:30 time so we can be readily seated without a wait because it does get really busy. read more

I hate to do this but here goes. Don't be fooled by the food pictures here on yelp for Tomato Thyme because most are from the previous chef. The restaurant is going through some serious growing pains and not for the better with whoever the new "chef" is. Apparently there aren't established guidelines for consistency with the food or the chef just chooses to do it their own way? We have been coming here for a few years for the hand tossed pizza, but will probably never return or use door dash here ever again. Yes, it was that bad. The pizza cracker, it's not a crust at all, is smaller and tasteless with no substance to it at all. The new manager's first solution was to remake the pizza but it came out exactly the same. The server and the manager followed up and made us feel like we shouldn't be questioning the size of the crust because the toppings came all the way to the edge and it was at least thicker than Round Table Pizza?!? No apology. No offer for any compensation: a half pour of wine while we waited again? More bread? A discount of some sort? It was super disappointing that our concern was not considered valid. Maybe the owner should review with manager Brian Godfrey that this is/was a hidden Willow Glen gem where people come for good food over and over. If you don't value your customer's or at least their input then get ready to quickly put this business under. What a shame, we loved coming here. BTW, we didn't stiff our server, it's not her fault, Two stars, not one because the server was helpful. read more

We used to like this neighborhood restaurant very much. Over the past few months, they've changed the good sourdough they used to serve to some cheap version that resembles almost white roll plain bread (slightly sourdough) and is saw-dusty. What a bad start for an Italian restaurant. The wait staff is usually quite friendly, I must say. The food has arrived on our table luke warm to cold the past 5 times we've dined there (not always busy nights). Part of the reason must be the waiters ignore the order as it sets on the counter. We saw this twice in particular since we were seated near the waiters' pick-up counter watching our order setting there for at least 25 minutes. Once, one of us got up to go retrieve our dinner himself because we could see it was setting there and a huge amount of time had passed as we sat there and waited. When he walked up there, someone double checked and then brought us the food, which was indeed our order...no apology. I've previously ordered the eggplant parmesian pizza and the eggplant parmesian lasagne and got the impression that it was a practical way for this restaurant to use up their unused eggplant parmesian because the eggplant parmesian in those items was mushy with soggy breading and it was obvious it had been heated and reheated over and again...the lasagna was basically a pile of mushy slop on my plate. I recently ordered the eggplant parmesian meal to compare and see if perhaps when they prepare eggplant parmesian to serve that evening as the original dish, it would be good. Not the case. When I received my under-heated meal, which cost around $16, so not cheap, there was a portion approximately 1.5x2.5" of this stuff on my plate served with some penne that had no sauce at all and some sauteed veggies. The veggies were cooked nicely au dente. The pasta, of course was ridiculous and dry with no sauce or olive oil or anything on it except a few sprinkles of parsley or something green. The eggplant parmesian was a disgrace. The eggplant had not been cooked enough to even chew, so it was beyond rubbery. The marinara sauce on it, I must say was very good, as this is the restaurant's signature marinara sauce and they really do make a fantastic one. All in all, the management of this restaurant needs to pay attention to its quality, as it has lost control of it; and it needs to understand that regular customers do notice its cost-cutting measures and don't appreciate it when those actions translate into giving the impression of being chinsy (while still charging plenty) with portion size, sloppy with presentation of the food, and laissez-faire r/e simply delivering food promptly to tables and making sure it is hot. I hope the owners read this review and take it to heart because the neighborhood residents do appreciate very much having a cozy local restaurant that provides a great dining experience and this place used to really shine at it. It would be a shame if they don't take control of the reigns and straighten things up. read more

Best little "secret" in WG! Nicely tucked away in a little shopping plaza - had I blinked while walking by, I never would have noticed it, but I'm so glad I did! This was my first visit. 5 stars all around for food, service, location, ambiance...loved it! Not fancy, but a nice "feel-good" kinda place. This place is cozy and quite comfortable. Very mellow. (I was there for lunch on a late Sunday afternoon, but I can imaging peak times might have a different vibe.) Sat at a table in the bar area, across from 3 big screens - definitely the best seat in the house! The bar is nice and well stocked, the bartenders were pleasantly attentive to the guests. I was approached by several of the waitstaff who all made sure I had everything I needed, including one of the bartenders (who made a perfectly 'killer' Mojito for me, BTW - even better than mine! ) If you have a hankering for pulled pork, you must try the BBQ pork sandwich. Excellent flavor, perfect tenderness, and plenty for sharing! The accompanying fries were nice and crisp! Coffee was good and strong enough to balance out the buzz from the Mojito. (Still, so glad I wasn't driving!) Next time I will save room for dessert! Can't wait to visit again! read more