Palo Alto Needs the Kitchen
I’ve said it to their publicist and I’ll say it to all of you too: Palo Alto needs a restaurant like Boulder’s The Kitchen. Why, you may wonder, do we really need another restaurant? Actually, you’re probably not wondering that, since Palo Alto and the Peninsula in general have a dearth of good places to eat. OK, so what makes it so different from what we already have? Well, for starters, the fact that everything is local and/or organic where possible and all of the food is great, yet nothing on the menu is over $30 (most entrees are actually priced in the high teens to low twenties); that it’s one of America’s most greenly operated restaurants; and that this neighborhood hangout is always open and you can always seem to get a seat. While a few dishes I’ve tried have only been good, the average level of the rustic, casual cuisine is much higher. It’s the sort of food many of us would like to make at home, but don’t have the time or skill to manage.
Nothing in my neighborhood compares to the fresh, light menu, and where you can find good food it tends to be richer, more expensive, and require a reservation a few days in advance. Of course it’s a different story if we’re willing to drive to the City or beyond, but then it’s not really our casual neighborhood place.
If you know of a place at least a little like the Kitchen on the Peninsula, please let me know. (The closest comparables I know in the Bay Area are Pilar in Napa and Bar Tartine in SF, if it was easier to get a seat.) Or, if you’ve been thinking of opening a place like this, please get going! And Kimbal and Hugo, if you ever decide to branch out in California, I’ll be your first and frequent customer!
The Kitchen
1039 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO
303.544.5973
Open 7 days a week.
 
| Explanation of ratings |
Attire: Casual-stylish. You could wear anything in, but you’ll probably see someone you know and the Boulder population tends to be fit and chic when they’re not climbing mountains or holding a lotus position.
sam said,
August 13, 2006 @ 7:28 pm
I actually went to palo Alto last week for lunch! A first for me. Ate at Evvia - they use lots of local uingredients. the padron peppers from Happy Quail for instance. Yum. Plus Shuna Eggbeater was consulting there - overhauling the dessert menu which is why we visited. We only ate apps and dessert so it didn’t seem like a heavy meal to me.
Next time in the city check out Coco500. They are even restricting their entire liqur menu to small producers. Plus most of the food is more likely under $15 and organic and it’s a cool spot.
Loveit!
Olivia said,
August 13, 2006 @ 9:19 pm
Evvia at dinner is actually one of the spots I had in mind when I mentioned places with good food that are a little more expensive and require reservations. You can usually get a last minute seat at the bar or if you’re willing to eat at 6 or after 9, but for anything else, plan ahead! I do love their appetizers, which aren’t big enough to act as a main, though most of the entrees I have tried have been very good as well. I am always stuffed silly if I get a full 3 courses.
Sam, you’re definitely right on with the philosophy and pricing at Coco500. Two major problems though: the first is that it’s in the City, so doesn’t help for weeknights when you’re on the Peninsula and can’t take the traffic, and the second is that it got so much buzz when it opened that at least for awhile it was impossible to just drop in for a meal. I also have to admit that on my one visit, I was a lot more impressed by the menu than by the actual food and the service was abysmal, but with your endorsement it sounds like we need to try it again. Thanks for the tip and keep ‘em coming!
Teich.Net :: All In » Restaurant Guide said,
August 27, 2006 @ 11:39 am
[...] The Kitchen — Why Palo Alto Needs It (8/06) [...]