Do you hear that creaking sound? It’s the door of the local restaurant economy slowly opening. It began with Pizza Antica, which was the first restaurant to open for dining in Santana Row, and according to Federal Realty marketing manager Rayna Langley, there was a two-hour wait for tables June 6.
Spokesperson Karey Walker tells us that the Bacchus Group restaurants, of which Pizza Antica is a part, obtained a small business loan that allowed them to retain 75 employees. But once the laon runs out, they would only be able to support 15.
Before the pandemic, about 25 percent of their business at The Row was takeout. Asked how it pencils out to be open with social distancing, Walker says, “I believe we will be able to do about 50 percent of what were used to, which means we still need to rely heavily on takeout and delivery. Without full dine-in, our business model does not work. This would require our landlords and vendors to offer deep discounts.”
Asked if she thinks people will opt for fine dining or casual experiences first, Walker says, “I believe that people will be drawn to businesses that they trust. We will need to continue to build our customers’ confidence and make them feel as comfortable as possible. Pre-COVID, we’re known for our high standards, so hopefully that will help.”
Nearly all of Santana Row’s restaurants are now open for dining, with the exception of Sino, which is not reopening. Momosan, a new restaurant concept from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, is set to take over the former Pasta Pomodoro digs sometime this summer.
Both LB Steak and Left Bank Brasserie offer outdoor/patio dining on a first-come, first-served basis (no OpenTable.com reservations), daily from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Meso Mediterranean remains available for takeout, but has not announced dining hours as of yet.
Other restaurants open for dining include Amber India, 408-248-5400; Blue Bottle Coffee, 510-653-3394; EMC Seafood, 408-296-6048; Maggiano’s Little Italy, 408-423-8973; Mendocino Farms, 408-207-1390; Oveja Negra, 408-423-5400; Ozumo, 408-886-3090; Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 408-247-1706; Sauced BBQ & Spirits, 408-564-8048; Straits Restaurant, 408-246-6320; Smitten Ice Cream, 408-508-5360; Vintage Wine Bar, 408-985-9463; and Zazil Mexicana Cocina, (408) 564-4162.
Santana Row Shops now open for in-store shopping include Boutique Harajuku, 408-260-2150; Franco Uomo (by appointment only), 408-247-2121; Free People, 408-246-3311; Laser Away, 408-248-2929; Makers Market, 408-320-1868; Paper Source,408-241-9000; Penelope Boutique, 408-554-0054; Suitsupply, 408-617-8939; Sleep, 408-260-2100; and Tranquility Dental, 408-557-8048.
Lululemon, Crate+Barrel, Bonobo’s, Marine Layer, Ted Baker, Tommy Bahama and Sephora were all expecting to open on or before June 19.
The Container Store and Best Buy are still offering curbside pickup for orders placed online.
Manresa Bread
Manresa Bread has reopened all three bakeries in Los Gatos, Los Altos and Campbell for contact-free ordering and pick-up. For the remainder of June, all three locations will be open Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can order online, with a menu featuring breads like signature sourdough loaves, baguettes and packs of four burger buns, along with laminated pastries including plain and chocolate croissants, monkey bread and Kouign-Amann. Manresa Bread will continue to offer baking essentials like flour and complementary sourdough starter, along with coffee and tea drinks prepared when guests arrive for pick-up. The location-specific links show available menu offerings via toasttab.com.
Manresa Bread founder Avery Ruzicka is committed to supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. To that end, 100 percent of the profits from reopening day June 10 were donated to the ACLU.
