Menlo Park landmark restaurant closes Menlo Park landmark restaurant closes (June 29, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

The Acorn restaurant at 1906 El Camino Real, a Menlo Park business since 1972, has closed. The restaurant's telephone is no longer in service, the front door is padlocked and a patron reported seeing an auction truck remove furniture from the interior.

As of press time, the Almanac was not able to contact the restaurant's owner, David Mack of Redwood City. Mr. Mack bought the restaurant from the Petrakis family late last year.

When interviewed by the Almanac in January, Mr. Mack said he intended to keep the same menu and staff and that Nick Petrakis would continue as manager.

Mr. Mack said he had been in the restaurant business for 20 years and most recently was director of operations for food and beverage at the Hilton Garden Inn in San Leandro. He added a Sunday champagne brunch to Acorn's lunch and dinner service.

Sam and Maria Petrakis opened the Golden Acorn restaurant on Crane Street in 1972, at the site now occupied by Carpaccio restaurant. The restaurant became the Acorn when it was moved to the El Camino location 14 years ago. After Mr. Petrakis died, his widow, Maria, and two sons, Nick and Kosta, continued to operate the restaurant.

The Acorn was not only noted for Greek food, but for its traditional Thanksgiving dinner, where a portion of the proceeds was donated to charity.

A longtime patron, who asked not to be named, said he wondered what happened to the cooks, Jesus Ramos and Teresa Ortega, and waiters Estefan and Stanley, all longtime employees. "They were the best waiters on the Peninsula," he said.

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