Two restaurants close, one re-vamps, in downtown Menlo Park Two restaurants close, one re-vamps, in downtown Menlo Park (October 02, 2002)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Two down, how many to go? Menlo Park's dining scene was diminished last week with the closing of Wild Hare and 3 Fish restaurants, while Draeger's Bistro is morphing into the Bistro Cafe.

The news shocked local diners and restaurateurs, who were still reacting to the announcement that Fabbro's is going out of business in Redwood City after 70 years. That news, however, was tempered by the announcement that John Bentley's Woodside restaurant would be taking over the premises.

3 Fish and Wild Hare both closed their doors September 21.
Wild Hare

"Too little and too late," is how celebrity chef Joey Altman tersely described efforts to keep Wild Hare open. The trendy restaurant opened in 1999 at the height of the dot-com boom. The sophisticated eatery, with its huge wild animal mural and Aspen ski lodge look, was popular with the Silicon Valley set who came to dine on bison carpaccio, ostrich satay and glazed quail.

Mr. Altman, Wild Hare's managing partner, was quoted in a recent San Francisco Chronicle article as saying that his appearance as host of the Bay Cafe cooking show helped attract diners, but apparently it was not enough.

To entice customers on week nights, Mr. Altman recently advertised Tuesday as family day, featuring a hamburger and fries, pizza, and buttered noodles for the kids. The restaurant was open only for dinner and offered valet parking to deal with the pesky problem of where to park on El Camino Real.

Mr. Altman said he was too busy to talk, but would say that his main concern right now is "taking care of my staff." He employed 40 people.
3 Fish

3 Fish restaurant opened in December 1999 at 888 El Camino Real, site of the former Ken's family restaurant. The building was remodeled into an East Coast-style seafood restaurant and included a raw bar and a wide variety of seafood.

This was the first restaurant for principal owner Fred Duckett of Palo Alto, although he had more than 20 years of experience working with Fish Market restaurants owned by his family.

The building, owned by Jim Cunningham of Menlo Park, who operated Ken's for 40 years, is said to be for sale.

The restaurant's owner could not be reached for comment.
Draeger's Bistro

Draeger's Bistro, which opened in 1991, last week became the Bistro Cafe, moving from its former site into the coffee bar and adjoining room where cooking classes are held. The number of tables remains the same.

During the week, the cafe will serve ready-made sandwiches, soup, pastries and deli salads with customers stepping up to the counter to place their orders.

The good news is Chef Victor Chamorro will soon start preparing weekend brunches in the cooking school's demonstration kitchen. Brunch will be served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The menu will feature waffles, French toast, omelets, and regular breakfast fare.

The former Bistro space will now be occupied by the store's china and housewares department. "We are increasing that department by one-third," says Draeger's spokesman Richard Draeger.

Draegers market in San Mateo also has a restaurant, Viognier, which remains open.