New restaurant to open at Allied Arts

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A new restaurant, Cafe Primavera, will open Friday, Sept. 4, at Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor Road in Menlo Park. It replaces the Red Currant, a Mediterranean bistro, which closed Aug. 31 after nearly two years at the location.

Red Currant owners Nir and Ayellet Perry chose not to renew their lease, according to Jackie Holmkvist, president of the Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary, which owns and operates the historic complex.

Cafe Primavera’s owner, Joanna Biondi, is well known in the Los Gatos, Saratoga and Willow Glen areas, with 32 years of experience in the catering business. She has two restaurants named Cafe Primavera in San Jose — one at One Almaden and the other at the Tech Museum of Innovation — as well as a catering company.

Weddings and special events are an important part of Cafe Primavera’s business, says Ms. Biondi. Working with her on the new cafe will be executive chef Greg Russi of Menlo Park and event director Erika Garcia-Traverso.

The luncheon menu will include seasonal soups, salads, sandwiches, and daily specials. Chiogga beet salad with blue cheese and oranges; spinach salad with candied pecans and strawberries; and caprese salad, featuring heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, are popular choices.

The sandwich selection includes a BYOB (build your own burger), chicken club, ribeye cheesesteak, and a “grown-up grilled cheese sandwich.” Roasted vegetable cannelloni is featured on the menu, along with daily specials.

Prices range from $6 for soups, $10 for a burger, and $10 to $12 for salads. The house-made desserts will be $6 to $8.

Cafe Primavera will be open Monday through Saturday. A continental breakfast will be available from 10 to 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a light menu and afternoon tea until 5 p.m.

Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. For more information, call 321-8810.