By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Lifestyles Editor
The neon martini glass sign is dark. The jukebox in the bar is silent. The Bella Vista restaurant, known by generations for its dazzling view of the city lights below, closed on Aug. 10.
"After 35 years, we've decided to call it a day. It's been a great experience, but it's time to go. Thank you for all the great years," says owner John Ward on the restaurant's answering machine. The restaurant's website says the Ward family bought the restaurant in 1979; however, the building dates back to 1927.
Nestled in a grove of redwood trees on Skyline Boulevard, Bella Vista was noted for its "continental cuisine," as well as its spectacular view. Bella Vista was a restaurant where tuxedo-clad waiters flambeed steak Diane or cherries jubilee in the dining room.
Oysters Rockeller? Escargot? Grand Marnier souffle? These retro dishes were Bella Vista favorites.
Generations marked birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other special occasions with dining at Bella Vista. It was considered the perfect place to pop the question and, of course, was always packed on Valentine's Day. For many years, including this year, Bella Vista has won the Almanac's Readers' Choice award for best romantic restaurant.
Longtime patrons are on Facebook lamenting Bella Vista's closing, remembering the 35th wedding anniversary or milestone birthday they celebrated there. "A lot of people are very sad about it," says Almanac reporter and Woodside resident Barbara Wood.
Comments
another community
on Sep 11, 2013 at 3:39 pm
on Sep 11, 2013 at 3:39 pm
This is horrible news... Bella Vista was easily my favorite restaurant of all time! :'(
another community
on Sep 19, 2013 at 2:22 pm
on Sep 19, 2013 at 2:22 pm
We are crushed....this was by far one of our families favorite places. The view, the food, the service -- all fantastic. We started taking our daughter there when she was 3 (now 14) -- table number 7! It was the only table we ever sat at....so sad.
another community
on Oct 2, 2013 at 1:16 pm
on Oct 2, 2013 at 1:16 pm
We had our wedding there in 2010 and it was the best experience. I wish I would have known to give it one last hurrah.
:(
another community
on Oct 12, 2013 at 7:56 pm
on Oct 12, 2013 at 7:56 pm
I am saddened by this as this was where I was proposed to and where I brought my daughter for her graduation dinner.
I hope another great restaurant comes in as the view was wonderful and the food fantastic!
another community
on Oct 17, 2013 at 7:37 pm
on Oct 17, 2013 at 7:37 pm
I was deeply saddened to discover the closure of this First Class Establishment! Only until I went to make reservations for our 22nd wedding anniversary did I discover the retirement of the Bella Vista. This is the only place we would go and the staff and management there were always so kind and accommodating. This will be a near impossible act to follow! I wish Mr. Ward well butttttttttttt!! God Bless and Thanks for all the years we did have!
another community
on Oct 29, 2013 at 11:18 pm
on Oct 29, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Like so many others I am deeply struck by the closure of the Bella Vista. 25 years ago my wife and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary there, and have been coming back for years. The closure hit me like the loss of a friend, but like another has already said, "thank you for the wonderful memories" you will be missed.
another community
on Nov 22, 2013 at 11:44 am
on Nov 22, 2013 at 11:44 am
NO! I tried to make a reservation for my wife's birthday and was saddened by the news. I spent many a memorable evening there, and proposed to my wife on New Years Eve 1996 in the view room. I'll miss the hearts of palm salad and the abalone. Thank you Bella Vista!
another community
on Nov 26, 2013 at 8:43 pm
on Nov 26, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Oh so thrilled we got to be there when she was open. A forever kind of place and time. Now Bella Vista will live on as grand legends tend to do becoming even more beautiful as the mind and memories tells the story of "when we were there" ... Live on Bella Vista...
Woodside: Kings Mountain/Skyline
on Dec 7, 2013 at 1:09 pm
on Dec 7, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Can't believe it closed. We went there at least twice a year and we were due for our annual Christmas dinner there with friends. So sad.
another community
on Dec 25, 2013 at 9:45 am
on Dec 25, 2013 at 9:45 am
As a result of a career that took me all over the United States, I always asked for the best restaurant in the area. When I came to San Jose the first time, I was told "Bella Vista" -- and how right they were! On the basis of superb dining around the country, I found Bella Vista to be my No. 1 rated restaurant from all perspectives -- cuisine, service, and ambiance. A sad time when such fine establishments have to close their doors.
Woodside: Emerald Hills
on Dec 31, 2013 at 8:08 am
on Dec 31, 2013 at 8:08 am
Ugh. I'm so crushed. Will no one take it over?
another community
on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:32 pm
on Jan 7, 2014 at 10:32 pm
It was my all time favorite restaurant. We were hoping to stop there our next trip to the Bay Area. There isn't a better restaurant location. Sure hope some buys it and does the place right.
another community
on Feb 19, 2014 at 10:36 am
on Feb 19, 2014 at 10:36 am
I grew up in san mateo (graduated hillsdale high in 69') and my parents would take the family to dinner at bella vista for special events. I always loved the salad and frog legs. I was planning to take my mom there this spring for her birthday (she will be 89)so sorry to hear it has closed.
Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle
on Feb 28, 2014 at 3:15 pm
on Feb 28, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Alas, so sad. Maybe our favorite place, ever. Loved it. Come on, John: find a buyer!
another community
on Mar 26, 2014 at 8:04 pm
on Mar 26, 2014 at 8:04 pm
I just learned that this delicious majestic gem has closed it's doors, and I'm heartbroken.
I'll always long to visit this this mysterious rustic hideaway nestled in the deep redwoods, and see the glowing martini sign one last time. Every time I dined here, I felt I was suddenly cast in an old Hitchcock film. I always half expected to see Old Blue Eyes and the rest of the Rat Pack huddled in a corner of the fireplace lounge over gin and cigars. This was seriously one cool place.
Cheers to you Bella Vista... play it again Sam, just one last time.
Woodside: Kings Mountain/Skyline
on Jul 5, 2015 at 3:56 am
on Jul 5, 2015 at 3:56 am
I was telling someone about the Bella Vista today and just today found out it had closed. Starting in the early '80's The Bella Vista was my favourite restaurant in the area. Once I left the Bay Area I actually dragged my new husband there for Christmas Eve dinner during our honeymoon! Nancy was our waitress, she was always my favourite waitress. I loved that the staff turnover was low. I was sad when I found out Mario was no longer there (back when I was there in 1993) I had a reservation in Sept of 2010 but I missed my opportunity running late that night and now it is no more. I am so sad but have such amazing memories.
another community
on May 12, 2016 at 4:29 pm
on May 12, 2016 at 4:29 pm
We miss Bella Vista and were devastated to learn it closed. Having grown up in Atherton and Palo Alto and now living in San Luis Obispo, my husband and I would stop in for dinner when in the bay area. Does anyone know how to make the Oysters Rockefeller? It is the best we've had and have tried it in many restaurants and have yet to find one that equals their recipe. Has anyone bought the restaurant and planning to open it.