San Jose: Long-awaited rooftop restaurant in Willow Glen opens Monday

“When?” has been the top question for months in San Jose’s Willow Glen.

Finally, there’s an answer. Copita, the highly anticipated rooftop restaurant and tequila bar from celebrity chef Joanne Weir — her first in Silicon Valley — will start serving at 5 p.m, Monday, Oct. 30.

For the first few weeks, it will be first come, first served. Dinner will be served daily, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Reservations and extended hours are coming later.

Joining Weir and business partner Michael Mindel in this venture — officially Copita Tequileria y Comida — is executive chef Azari Cuenca-Maitret, a culinary star from Mexico City.

“Their passion for restaurants and Willow Glen made me be in love with the project almost right away,” Cuenca said in a March interview with the Mercury News. “On top of it, I get to work with Joanne Weir and her huge passion and fantastic palate.”

A fourth-generation chef, Weir cooked at the legendary Chez Panisse before launching her publishing and television career. A tequila guidebook she wrote in 2009 became the inspiration for the original Copita in Sausalito, which marries seasonal California ingredients with regional Mexican recipes. She opened that award-winning cantina in 2012.

Mindel said the Willow Glen menu will be posted Monday on the Copita website. Until then, diners can check out the Sausalito menu on that same site.

Details: 1098 Lincoln Ave., San Jose.