"What's Cooking" roundup: Michael Bros. Steakhouse will open in Menlo Square "What's Cooking" roundup: Michael Bros. Steakhouse will open in Menlo Square (August 07, 2002)

Michael Bros. Steakhouse has been chosen as the on-site restaurant for Menlo Square. The owners, however, must wend their way through the maze of needed permits before opening in early 2003, according to Ginny Babbitt, spokesperson for the condominium-office project.

Those tired of baby vegetables or nasturtiums in their salad will be able to sink their teeth into an honest-to-goodness steak, baked potato (sour cream, sir?), and creamed spinach, all preceded by a "three olive martini."

Michael Bros. Steakhouse is part of SWR Restaurants, which also operates a Michael Bros. Steakhouse in Reno. The company is looking to expand into Seattle, Arizona, and Southern California, as well as the Menlo Park location, according to spokeswoman Babbbit.

Michael L. Atkinson, the company's president, was on hand for Menlo Square's "christening" June 20, where guests munched on sandwiches made with the restaurant's signature prime rib.

Michael Bros. is described as "a casual, elegant, unpretentious American steakhouse seating 160." The 4,500-square-foot restaurant is designed along the lines of the classic American steakhouse popular in New York and Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s, long before anybody knew or cared about cholesterol. Menlo Park old-timers will recall Scotty Campbell's, Stone Cellar, and the Atherton Club on El Camino Real, where juicy steaks were always on the menu.

Michael Bros. will feature rib-eye, New York strip, filet mignon, bone-in Kansas City strip, and porterhouse steaks. Prime rib will come in three cuts.

More trendy entrees will include miso-glazed sea bass and peppered Ahi tuna.

Side dishes will feature traditional steak house favorites: lettuce-wedge salad, creamed spinach, baked potato and sauteed mushrooms. Don't forget the onion strings and garlic fries.

Desserts will include strawberry shortcake, crËme brulee, and a root beer float with a chocolate straw.

Michael Bros.' prices range from New York strip at $26.95 to pan-roasted salmon at $18.75.
Celebrity cooks at Draeger's

Celebrity chefs Julia Child, Alice Waters and Michael Chiarello will be in San Mateo this fall to take part in special programs at both Draeger's Culinary Center and Viognier Restaurant, located in the San Mateo market.

On Tuesday, October 8, Mrs. Child will be at Draeger's for a book-signing, followed by a James Beard Foundation dinner in her honor at Viognier.

On Saturday, November 16, Michael Chiarello, founder of Tra Vigne Restaurant and host of the PBS series "Season by Season," will teach a cooking class, followed by a dinner at Viognier featuring a selection of his signature dishes.

Alice Waters of Chez Panisse will be at Draeger's Saturday, December 7, to teach a class in the culinary center, then adjourn to Viognier for an organic dinner prepared in her honor by the restaurant's chef, Scott Giambastiani.

Dinners, with wine included, in the guest chef series are $150 per person. For reservations, call Viognier at 685-3727. The cost of cooking classes varies; call 685-3704, or check online at www.draegers.com.
Julia's birthday

Although the grande dame of French cooking won't be there in person, Menlo Park's Left Bank will celebrate Julia Child's 90th birthday with a special menu from 5 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, August 15.

Diners may choose from the Julia Child-inspired a la carte specials, as well as from Left Bank's signature "cuisine grand-mere." The special dishes are from Mrs. Child's first set of cookbooks, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

That evening the menu will include: vichyssoise, coquilles St. Jacques, sautee de veau Marengo, and baba aux fruits.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the International Association of Culinary Professionals' Julia Child Endowment Fund, providing scholarships for culinary research in France. For reservations, call 473-6543.
Grilling class

Chef Rodolpho Samayoa of the Culinary Center of Monterey will give a lesson on barbecue methods and marinades from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, August 19, at 3 Cedar Lane, Woodside. The evening, sponsored by the Woodside Recreation Commission, will include three entrees, side dish and dessert, wine and soft drinks. Cost is $95. For more information call Suzi Kosher, 599-9319, or e-mail SuziKosher@aol.com.
MacArthur Park Wine Festival

More than 70 California wineries will take part in MacArthur Park restaurant's 21st annual Wine Festival from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 17, in Palo Alto. The event will benefit the Palo Alto area chapter of the American Red Cross.

Along with wines from the Benziger Family, Ravenswood, Cakebread Cellars, Hunter Hill, and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards, the festival will include food from MacArthur Park, such as baby back ribs, grilled meats, fresh fruit and dessert. The Red Cross will hold a silent auction offering weekend hotel packages, vintage wines and restaurant dinners. Admission is $55 in advance or $65 at the door. To purchase a ticket, call 688-0438.

A pre-festival winemakers dinner featuring wine from Bernardus Winery in Carmel Valley will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, August 9, at MacArthur Park, 27 University Ave.

The dinner will include five courses paired with Bernardus wine. The winemaker will also discuss the wines served.

Admission is $80 in advance. To purchase tickets, call 688-0438 or visit www.paarc.org.
Box dinners for concerts

Too busy to pack a picnic? You may now order a box dinner from Left Bank restaurant for the remaining two Twilight Concerts to be held Wednesdays, August 7 and 14, at Fremont Park, corner of University Drive and Santa Cruz Avenue.

The $10 box dinners may be ordered by 8 a.m. the morning of the concert, 866-538-2265, or purchased that evening at the concert. There is also a kids' meal for $7. Water, wine and juice are also available, with a portion of wine proceeds donated to The Children's Health Council.

The concerts are presented by the Menlo Park Arts Commission. For more information on the concerts, call 858-3470. For more information about box lunches, call 866-538-2265.