If you prefer a bright breakfast, a shining sandwich, or radiant ratatouille, there is common love between us. Hello sunbeam. We are the solar–powered Food Partiers!
Recently I found myself wine-ing in the warmth of the newly reopened Rosewood Pool Bar & Grill. It’s surprising to learn Rosewood weekends are mostly booked with guests who live 20 miles or so from the resort. No matter, poolside dining is open weekdays to the rest of us, now thru October.
- photo by Rosewood Hotels
If you had enough of that cougar cocktail scene, but still love the place, here’s what to do. Put on your pool party-best, saunter through their fabulous lounge, still taking stock on who’s at the bar, and who’s wearing what, but just keep walking across the terrace and down the stairs with a strut reserved for that lucky someone with a golden wristband to an exclusive party. They’ll all be watching you! Where IS she going?
We started poolside with drinks including Hibiscus Margarita ($17), Rose Basil Sangria ($16)
and Liquored-Up Popsicles ($16).
Specialty cocktails are usually too sweet for me, but these were light, refreshing and unique. “People want to have a few drinks, but not feel weighed down,” explains bar manager Michael Rotella. My personal favorite was the Chamomile Gin Sunrise ($16). Non-alcoholic versions are also available.
This year's pool menu has been updated with a globally-inspired, gluten-low, light fare, because “no one wants to feel bloated around a pool,” informs Executive Chef Peter Rudolph.
Rudolph’s been at the Rosewood helm for years, and continues to shine with his use of local farms such as Massa Organics rice in the Gulf Shrimp Skewers, Herb Puree and Rice Salad ($22), coastal produce in his Pescadero Grown Bib Lettuce with Green Goddess ($14) and Straus Family Creamery milk for their soft serve ice cream.
Other sunny offerings include:
Smoked Salmon Waffle with Mozzarella, Leek Spring Onion, Herb, Tomato & Chardonnay Vinaigrette ($19)
Pescadero Red Romaine with Dashi Shittake, Yuba Tofu, Sesame Rice Crouton, Koji Vinaigrette ($14)
Portion sizes were right and surprisingly, so was the price. The guys that work there are cute too!
-Executive Chef Peter Rudolph, Alexander du Mée, Director or Food & Beverage, Michael Rotella, Pool Bar & Grill Manager
Want to expand your list of options because summer goes by way too fast? Here’s a few more places to Food Party! outside. Please share yours.
Good day sunshine!
The Pool Bar & Grill at Rosewood Sand Hill
2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park
M – F: 11 AM – 6 – 7PM (depending on when the sun sets)
No dress code
Quadrus Café
2400 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park
M - F: 10:30 AM - 2 PM
Cool Cafe @Cantor
328 Lomita Dr, Ste 200, Stanford
W – Sun: 11 AM – 5 PM, Thurs: 11 AM – 8 PM
Alice’s Restaurant
17288 Skyline Boulevard, Woodside
8 AM – 9 PM
Front patio sun all day / back bar sun during happy hour
The Patio
12 Emerson Street, Palo Alto
11 AM – 2 AM
Alpine Inn / Rossotti’s
3915 Alpine Road, Portola Valley
M – F: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
Sat: 11: 30 AM – 9 PM, Sun: 11:30 AM – 6 PM
Trellis Rooftop
1077 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
M – F: 11 AM–2:30 PM & 5–10 PM
Sat: 5–10 PM, Sun: 5–9 PM
Fish Market
1855 S Norfolk St, San Mateo
11 AM – 10 PM
Patio dining in the summer
Johnson's Salt Box
1696 Laurel St., San Carlos
Tues–F: 11:30 AM - 2 PM & 5:30 - 9 PM
Sat–Sun: 10 AM -2 PM
