Three years ago, we ran stories celebrating the 100th edition of our sister publication the Peninsula Foodist’s newsletter in which we surveyed readers for their favorite dishes from local restaurants and their most memorable dining experiences. Readers shared moments and mouth-watering bites from a bevy of Silicon Valley institutions, from Chef Chu’s and Evvia Estiatorio to Ettan and The Village Pub.
Looking back, the stories are also dotted with restaurants that have closed: Bird Dog, Ristorante Carpaccio, John Bentley’s – and now Chez TJ.
The fine-dining institution announced its closure Wednesday night in an Instagram post after more than four decades in business. Comments came in a flurry, with many from patrons asking if they could come in just one more time or saying they had one of their best meals ever there.
It reminded me of this feeling that’s been ever-present as I’ve gotten older: the uncomfortable truth that sometimes, we don’t know when we’re doing something for the last time.
Mountain View resident Chris Lunt shared in 2023 why he had one of his most memorable meals in Silicon Valley at Chez TJ: “I ordered the octopus and told the waiter it was exceptional, and I should know, I’d lived in Japan and had a lot of octopus. The waiter had no sooner passed into the kitchen when the chef burst out and marched straight to the table. He told me he was very proud of his octopus, and nobody ever ordered it! He was very pleased to meet a happy customer.”
Forty-three years in business means Chez TJ had many happy customers. While patrons can’t raise a toast there one last time, we can pay it forward by supporting more of our favorite Peninsula establishments.
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
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Get the inside scoop on the outdoors with The Six Fifty’s latest roundup of parks and recreation happenings.
Chez TJ closes after 40+ years serving Mountain View
The former Michelin-starred restaurant in Mountain View closed its doors on Tuesday after a long culinary run that launched the careers of world-renowned chefs and put the city on the map as a fine-dining destination.
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Congrats to Meghan C., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s the Episcopal Church of St. Matthew in San Mateo!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a gift card from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Looking for more fun things to do? Check out our Earth Month events roundup and our guide to free clothing and book swaps, plant exchanges and more!
Hitchcock at Stanford Theatre: April 17-May 31 The ever-popular films by the “Master of Suspense” return to Palo Alto’s Stanford Theatre, which also offers what must be the best movie ticket and concession prices around.
April Artist Market: April 18 Find all kinds of goods by local small businesses and artisans, including ceramics, cards, knit items, chai, baked goods and more at Little Green’s April artist market.
Birds and Their Nests: April 18 Learn about local birds and their nests at Hidden Villa, including observing some current spring nesting in progress.
Cardinalpalooza: April 18 Stanford Athletics’ spring sports festival includes a free fan zone with food trucks, giveaways and games, plus athletic events including baseball, softball and volleyball.
SpringFest 2026: April 25 Celebrate spring at Quarry Park with crafts, face painting, the Sage Bakehouse food truck and performances from Sterling Bubbles and saxophone ensemble fun’SQ.
50th Annual Wildflower Show: April 25 The Santa Clara Valley chapter of the California Native Plant Society hosts a milestone celebration for its annual wildflower show with hundreds of native wildflowers and plants on display and a variety of activities for all ages.
Night at the Library: April 25 Solve a literary mystery after hours at the Redwood City Library at a fundraising event featuring puzzles, food, cocktails, prizes and “literary spirits.”
Pickleball Sundays: April 26; May 10 and 24: Open Court Paddle sets up outdoor pickleball courts next to Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company’s beer garden on select Sundays this spring. Bring your own paddle or rent equipment there.
Plan Ahead:
Stay in Bloom: May 1-2 Musician/producer Dabin returns to Frost Amphitheater for another iteration of the Stay in Bloom festival, featuring multiple artists over the two-day event.
May Day Music & Art Festival: May 2-3 Two days of live music, food and drink vendors, art installations and more come to Pie Ranch for this celebration of spring. There is even the option to camp on-site Saturday evening.
Release the Rage: May 3 San Mateo County Pride Center hosts “Release the Rage: A Queer Community Exhale” at Ryder Park, featuring inflatable clown punching bags, stress-ball making, dancing and a community art project.
NUMU First Free Sundays: May 3 New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month, including guided tours.
Old Woodside Store Day: May 3 Travel back in time to get a sense of Peninsula life in the 1800s. Woodside Store’s annual free family day focuses on local history, with hands-on activities, games and live music.
Jane Austen Readers’ Theatre: May 8 Hear local actors read the works of Jane Austen aloud during free monthly performances at The Yard coffee shop.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival: May 9 California winemakers will present their wines all along Half Moon Bay’s Main Street while a variety of jazz musicians and groups perform, including Jesús Diaz Y Su QBA, the Marcus Shelby Nonet, the Stella Heath Sextet and Rabiah Kabir.
Woodside-Atherton Garden Club Plant Sale: May 9 Find California native plants, drought-tolerant species, vegetables, herbs, perennials, succulents and specialty plants propagated from members’ gardens for sale.
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Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announces $10M donation for Menlo Park, East Palo Alto familiesApril 13, 2026 12:00 pm