Dan Pitt’s Opinionated Compendium of Downtown Palo Alto Restaurants
© Copyright 2018 Dan Pitt
Dan Pitt’s Opinionated Compendium of Downtown Palo Alto Restaurants
© Copyright 2018 Dan Pitt
What with its grotesque decor, superfluous portions, and unhealthy fat content, the Cheesecake Factory had always been out of step with California cuisine in general and the Palo Alto innovation climate in particular. It seemed like someone thought this was still the 1980s and glam was in fashion. Yes, it brought people to downtown Palo Alto, but why? So am I heartbroken to see it go casters up? Hardly.
In other news, Joe & The Juice has finally opened at 508 University, just east of Cowper. Cozy it’s not but it’s light and full of energy. Many of the fruit drinks also include vegetables in combinations that would never occur to me (buckthorn, pineapple, apple). Also sandwiches and omelets.
Onigilly is now open at 164 University and serving little Japanese items, centered on rice balls but including soup, rice bowls, familiar and not familiar sides, and salad sets. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It might be supper but it’s not exactly dinner. (Note: pronunciation is “onigiri” (Japanese rice balls): tongue-in-cheek take on a cultural stereotype.)
Ramen Nagi, on Bryant between University and Hamilton, has lines down the block. In theory a nice bowl of soup with good stuff in it has made for an enviable meal in many cultures. What Ramen Nagi brings to the table here (literally) is a healthy, satisfying, and upscale take on the subsistence food of poor students and entrepreneurs, so it’s a perfect fit for Palo Alto (and basically the antithesis of the Cheesecake Factory).
An outfit called KiaJia plans to open a new restaurant, as yet unnamed, where Three Seasons resided (officially 518 Bryant but actually hidden in the alley between Bryant and Ramona just south of University). Three Seasons had a fire back in the winter and will not reopen as the same restaurant. Hardly any remodeling work has been done so don’t hold your breath for a replacement soon.
The construction of Ike’s Place on Lytton at Waverley also remains at a standstill, probably a problem with a building permit. Their other locations are doing fine.
Another place stuck in limbo is Arte Ristorante at 472 University, closed “for remodeling” since December but actually closed due to Mario’s serious medical condition. Still no good news, sadly.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Cheesecake Factory is gone, finally; and a few other tidbits