Petrakis family sells Acorn restaurant Petrakis family sells Acorn restaurant (December 29, 2004)

The family has operated a restaurant in Menlo Park since 1972

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

"Thirty-two years in this business is enough. It's time to retire," said Maria Petrakis, who closed the Acorn restaurant in Menlo Park on Christmas Eve. The restaurant has been sold and is scheduled to re-open sometime in January.

The name of the buyer is being withheld until final papers are signed.

Plans are to retain the name, "keep the place the same, and keep all my staff, which is important to me," said Ms. Petrakis. She will be on hand to help with the transition. Her son, Nick, will stay on as manager.

Son Kosta plans to take six months off to ski at Tahoe and travel to Greece in the spring. He is thinking about other career options.

The Petrakis family has operated a restaurant in Menlo Park since 1972, when they opened the Golden Acorn on Crane Street, where Carpaccio restaurant is now located. The restaurant became the Acorn when it was moved to 1906 El Camino Real in Menlo Park 14 years ago.

More than 25 years ago, Sam Petrakis, Maria's late husband, began serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless in appreciation for the good life he found after coming to the United States. Several years ago, the Acorn shifted from serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless to serving paying customers, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.

The Menlo Chamber of Commerce's Golden Acorn awards, given yearly to local leaders, derive their name from the original Golden Acorn restaurant, where the first chamber recognition dinners were held.

Ms. Petrakis' eyes mist up when she talks about her years at the restaurant and the thought of leaving her staff. "We're a family here," she said, "but it's time to retire."

Does she have plans? "I'd love to travel. I'll go back to Greece for Easter. It will be the first time I don't have to rush back here."

Earlier this year, she made the transition to a smaller house, and she said: "I want to fix up my house. I might even write a cookbook."

One thing she won't miss is the long hours. "I'm here at 7 a.m. six days a week. I worked seven days a week until last week, when I decided to let up a bit."

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