WHAT'S COOKING: A roundup of food news WHAT'S COOKING: A roundup of food news (June 01, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

The Cupertino Tea Company, 1160 University Drive, Menlo Park, is hoping for lots of new customers during the month of June. So is Kathleen Bonte.

Through July 1, the shop will donate 20 percent of all new customer sales to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer taking place in San Francisco July 9 and 10. Kathleen Bonte and Janet Kolstad will walk as partners, sponsored by Cupertino Tea Company.

"They're an ideal sponsor," says Ms. Bonte, who came to the Keswani family with the plan. "The health benefits of tea are already widely known and the owners of the company are committed to the cause."

Christopher Keswani handles the day-to-day operation of the family-owned business.

Participants in the Avon Walk must each raise a minimum of $1,800 before the July 9 kick-off. The walking route will cover 39.3 miles over two full days and will involve a night of camping.

The Cupertino Tea Company opened on University Drive, just off Santa Cruz Avenue, two years ago. It carries more than 1,000 varieties of tea. The store carries loose-leaf, bulk and bottled tea as well as tea in bags. Varieties include herbal and medicinal.
Cold Stone Creamery is coming

Store 1,026 of the Cold Stone chain is coming to Menlo Park and is due to open any day now. It will be located at 611 Santa Cruz Ave.

Cold Stone Creamery's ice cream and yogurt can be customized with a variety of mix-ins, including fresh fruit and nuts, pie fillings, chocolate and gummy candies, cookie dough and brownies. The mix-ins and ice cream are folded together on a frozen granite stone set at 16 degrees.

James Yang is owner of the new store.
Allied Arts informational tea

Allied Arts Guild Restaurant is holding an informational tea at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, for prospective volunteers who might like to work at the restaurant, either cooking or serving. All proceeds from the restaurant benefit Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. If you are interested, call 324-2588.
Cherries are ripe

Left Bank restaurant will celebrate cherries, one of the first summer fruits, for three days on June 9, 10 and 11.

The cherry fete begins at 5 p.m. Diners may order a la carte or choose the cherry prix fixe menu for $38, excluding, tax, tip, and beverage.

The menu includes: foie gras with pickled cherries and toast points, pork tenderloin with a port-cherry sauce, and cherry Bavarian with a warm cherry-brandy sauce.

Left Bank is located at 635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
BBQ, Blues and Wine

Stanford Park Hotel is hosting BBQ, Blues and Wine on Father's Day, Sunday, June 18. Barbecue favorites and wine from four wineries will be served from 5 p.m., accompanied by the music of blues artist Chris Cotton. This is the first in a series of summer events to be held at the Stanford Park Hotel. Tickets are available at $95 per person. For reservations, call 322-1234 and refer to "American Event No. 1." Stanford Park Hotel is located at 100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park.
Garden dining at Trellis

Now that the rains are over, Kurt Ugur hopes you will dine at his garden terrace located on the second floor of Trellis restaurant, 1077 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. There's a small fountain, flowers, plants and palm trees to add to the al fresco atmosphere.

Mr. Ugur also says his restaurant fits into the category of affordable dining, which the Almanac featured in last month's Food and Drink section.

Our criteria was dinner for two with a glass of wine for $50 or less. Trellis' menu lists several pastas in the $8.95 to $13.95 range, including "Susan's Downfall," a signature cheese and herb ravioli with gorgonzola-toasted almond sauce for $13.95.

The least expensive entree is grilled breast of chicken with polenta, asparagus spears and white wine-lemon sauce for $13.95. Mixed green salad with citrus vinaigrette is $4.50. Beet, orange and endive salad with red onion vinaigrette is $6.95.

Salmon Creek chardonnay is available for $5 a glass. There's a Chianti Terramia Riserva from Italy for $6 a glass and a Rutherford cabernet sauvignon for $7.

Mr. Ugur is the former owner of Pro Bono Cafe in Palo Alto.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.