A lot has changed over the past year since readers voted for their favorite local places to eat, shop, workout or spend time with family and friends for the Almanac’s annual Readers’ Choice edition celebrating small businesses. The Almanac recently surveyed our local 2019 winners to see how they are doing a year later. (Note: With ever-shifting public health guidelines, some services listed below may be modified. Check with the business before you go.)
Arts & Entertainment
Cafe Borrone
For decades, Cafe Borrone has been a beloved neighborhood destination, so when it was forced to close its doors due to hardships created by the pandemic, more than 700 patrons rallied together to raise $110,000 to reopen the downtown landmark. The cafe is now open and serving food and drinks in its outdoor plaza next to the fountain and offers to-go orders and delivery.
1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-327-0830; cafeborrone.com
2019: Place to Meet People
2019: Independent Coffee & Tea House
2019: Casual Dining
2019: Outdoor Dining
Flea Street Cafe
Jesse Cool’s Flea Street Cafe is well known for its sustainable menu that only includes fresh, in-season, organic and local ingredients. During the pandemic, the Menlo Park restaurant has also become known among local hospitals for feeding dozens of front-line workers through its Meals of Gratitude program that Cool launched with Stanford University associate professor of medicine Holly Tabor. The program serves about 1,000 meals — funded by community donations — to Stanford Care workers each week. For patrons, the restaurant now offers its high-end dishes to go and also recently reopened its covered, heated outdoor deck.
3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, 650-854-1226; www.cooleatz.com
2019: Place for a Date
Left Bank
Since it opened in 1998, Left Bank has been the go-to place for French cuisine and drinks served in a fun European environment. During the pandemic, the restaurant is offering outdoor dining, limited indoor dining, curbside pickup and delivery service. All employees and vendors receive health screenings before entering the building and employees have been retrained and certified for new hygiene, sanitation and safety standards, according to the restaurant’s website.
635 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-473-6543; leftbank.com
2019: Happy Hour
2019: French Restaurant
Menlo Tavern
Located at the Stanford Park Hotel, Menlo Tavern has won a place in the hearts of those who love great food and live music. The menu features American cuisine that follows the seasons. The restaurant is temporarily closed due to the pandemic.
100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-330-2790; menlotavern.com
2019: Live Music
2019: American Food
Food & Drink
Amici’s
Amici’s has been serving up pizza — along with pasta, soup and salad — to Menlo Park patrons for the past decade. The thin-crust New York-style pies are cooked in traditional brick ovens next to an open flame. Diners can now eat outdoors or order food for pickup or delivery.
880 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-329-8888; amicis. com
2019: Pizza
Baskin-Robbins
Longtime downtown ice cream shop Baskin-Robbins offers traditional ice cream and frozen yogurt in cups and cones, as well as sundaes, milkshakes, parfaits and ice cream cakes. The shop is currently open for pickup and delivery.
863 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-323-9335; baskinrobbins.com
2019: Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
Bianchini’s Market
Since 1998, shoppers have counted on Bianchini’s Market for fresh local produce, gourmet cheeses and groceries from small producers whose items aren’t found at chain stores. The family-operated market has remained open throughout the pandemic as an essential business. In response, the market has implemented new health and safety policies, offers delivery in as little as one hour.
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650-851-4391; bianchinismarket.com
2019: Place to Buy Meat
2019: Sandwiches
2019: Grocery
2019: Produce
Buck’s of Woodside
The eclectic and quirky decor inside Buck’s of Woodside is legendary — whimsical figures and aircraft hanging from the ceiling, floor and tabletop gewgaws and oddities, even a Statue of Liberty presiding over tables. Now, during the pandemic, patrons can explore the restaurant’s museum-like collection from afar: Buck’s has created a virtual, 3D replica of its entire dining room, which can be explored in detail on its website. Until indoor service resumes, the restaurant is open for outdoor dining and takeout.
3062 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650-851-8010; buckswoodside.com
2019: Breakfast
2019: Dining with Kids
Carpaccio
Ever since Ristorante Carpaccio opened in downtown Menlo Park in 1988, it has consistently won Readers’ Choice for best Italian restaurant. Carpaccio features weekly lunch and dinner special menus, while also offering a full range of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas and meat and fish dinners. The restaurant is offering outdoor bistro dining, limited indoor dining and curbside to-go service.
1120 Crane St., Menlo Park, 650-322-1211; carpaccios.com
2019: Italian Restaurant
Cafe Del Sol
Cafe Del Sol in downtown Menlo Park offers extensive lunch and dinner menus with traditional Mexican fare such as enchiladas, tacos and burritos, as well as a range of chicken, fish and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant is now open for dine-in, takeout and delivery.
1010 Doyle St., Menlo Park, 650-326-2501
2019: Mexican Restaurant
Chef Chu’s
Since opening in 1970, Chef Chu’s specialty dishes, including its homemade potstickers and Beijing duck cooked in a cast-iron Chinese oven, have attracted a who’s who list of diners from near and far, including Serena Williams, Steve Young, Justin Bieber and JFK Jr. Chef Chu’s is open for drive-thru, takeout and delivery.
1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, 650-948-2696; chefchu.com
1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, 650-948-2696; chefchu.com
2019: Asian Food
Chef Kwan’s
Located in the former Su Hong to-go space, Chef Kwan’s offers a full menu of traditional dishes and lunch plates made to order. The restaurant is open for takeout seven days a week.
630 Menlo Ave., Menlo Park, 650-322-4631; chefkwans.com
2019: Takeout
Draeger’s
The bakery at Draeger’s Market has been a part of the Menlo Park community for 64 years, offering a variety of breads and sweets baked from scratch from favorites like German chocolate cake,vanilla coconut cake and s’mores cheesecake to wedding cakes. The bakery is open for service with new health practices. Groceries also can be picked up on site or purchased through third-party delivery services.
1010 University Drive, Menlo Park, 650-324-7700; draegers. com
2019: Dessert
Jeffrey’s Hamburgers
With meat ground fresh every day and numerous patty options for those who don’t eat beef, Jeffrey’s Hamburgers has been a longtime favorite for those looking to binge on burgers. Jeffrey’s also offers salads, soups, sandwiches, fish and chips, milkshakes and root beer floats. The restaurant is open for pickup and delivery seven days a week.
888 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-322-1959; jeffreyshamburgers.com
2019: Hamburgers
Koma Sushi
Family-owned Koma Sushi Restaurant is where Japanese food cravings will be answered with customer favorites like flounder, sashimi, grilled squid, ahi sashimi and a nigiri combination plate. The restaurant is accepting dine-in and takeout orders Monday through Saturday.
211 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-321 5662; komasushi.net
2019: Japanese Restaurant
The Village Bakery & Cafe
The Village Bakery & Cafe in Woodside offers breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, as well as specialty cocktails and spirits and wines by the glass and bottle. In addition to takeout and delivery, outdoor dining rooms are open for dinner nightly, and brunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, according to the cafe’s website. To keep guests safe, the Village Bakery has “carefully configured” its dining areas to accommodate guests at a safe distance. A limited number of reservations are accepted and walk-ins are welcome.
3052 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650-851-5555; tvbwoodside.com
2019: New Restaurant
The Village Pub
The Village Pub is an upscale Michelin Star restaurant that places high value on the experience of dining. Even during the pandemic, the upscale restaurant kept many of its signature touches — including white tablecloths and caviar — as it resumed indoor dining at a reduced capacity in the restaurant’s elegant dining room and expanded outdoor dining and takeout service.
2967 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650-851-9888; thevillagepub.net
2019: Romantic Restaurant
Woodside Bakery
Woodside Bakery offers pastries, cakes, cookies and other baked goods that have kept customers coming back for more than 35 years. The family-owned European bakery makes its baked goods from scratch every day. The shop is open for in-store pickup.
325 Sharon Park Drive, Menlo Park, 650-854-6207; woodsidebakery.com
2019: Bakery
Retail
Menlo Velo Bikes
“Business has been through the roof” at Menlo Velo Bikes as the pandemic has fueled a surge in bike sales and ridership, according to owner Rainer Zaechelein, whose shop provides a wide variety of bicycles, rentals and maintenance services. The shop is currently open for curbside drop-off and pickup.
433 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-327-5137; menlovelobicycles.com
2019: Bicycle Shop
Kepler’s Books & Magazines
Kepler’s Books & Magazines has weathered the good, the bad and the unprecedented for the past 65 years. Although the independent bookseller looks a lot different than it did when it was the hangout for the counterculture in its early days in the 1960s, it has remained a beloved cornerstone in the community, offering a broad collection of books, magazines and literary events. In response to the pandemic, Kepler’s nonprofit arm, the Kepler’s Literary Foundation, created Refresh the Page, a series of online conversations, classes and seminars for adults and youth. The store is now open and also offering plaza pickup service.
1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-324-4321; keplers.com
2019: Bookstore
Shady Lane
From hand-carved Zuni necklaces and luminescent art glass to troll beads, Shady Lane has been offering one-of-a-kind pieces ever since artist Alice Deutscher opened the boutique more than four decades ago. The boutique is open for limited hours for in-store shopping three days a week and offers online shopping and curbside pickup. The store also offers gift wrapping. 325 Sharon Park Drive, Sharon Heights Shopping Center, Menlo Park, 650-321-1099; shadylanegallery.com
325 Sharon Park Drive, Menlo Park, 650-321-1099; shadylanegallery.com
2019: Boutique
2019: Place to Buy Jewelry
Menlo Flooring & Design
Family-owned and operated Menlo Flooring & Design has been providing expert flooring design and installation for Peninsula residents for more than 20 years. During the pandemic, the store has opened its state-of-the-art showroom by appointment only.
905 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-384-6326; menloflooring.com
2019: Floor Coverings
Portola Art Gallery
Portola Art Gallery has been showcasing local artists for 14 years at its current location in the Allied Arts Guild complex. After shutting down for three months during the shelter-in-place order, the gallery is again open for guests to view paintings, photos and pottery in person. It also has artwork displayed online. Although events have been canceled, artists are now visiting the gallery to answer visitor questions in person.
75 Arbor Road, Menlo Park, 650-321-0220; portolaartgallery.com
2019: Frame Store/Art Gallery
Ladera Garden & Gifts
Ladera Garden & Gifts is a one-stop shop for garden, gifts and flower arrangements. Juan and Mercedes Navarro, who have operated the full-service nursery for 39 years, have re-opened their business for in-store shopping Tuesday through Sunday.
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650-854-3850; laderagardenandgifts.com
2019: Gift Shop
2019: Nursery
2019: Florist
Menlo Hardware
Menlo Park Ace Hardware has been the go-to hardware store for home, garden and building supplies since it opened in 2005. In addition to offering housewares and tools, the independently owned shop offers services, including key cutting, custom glass and acrylic sheet cutting, blade sharpening, window screen repair, propane exchange and product assembly and delivery. In-store shopping is available seven days a week.
700 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-325-2515; menlohardware.com
2019: Hardware Store
Flegel’s Home Furnishings
Flegel’s Home Furnishings has been a downtown Menlo Park fixture for 65 years. The family-owned furniture and interior design store has helped generations of clients create inviting home environments ever since Art and Cleora Flegel opened the furniture store at its original location on Santa Cruz Avenue. The shop, which moved into a new location on El Camino Real at the start of March just before the shelter-in-place went into effect, has reopened its doors for business.
1010 El Camino Real Suite 90, Menlo Park, 650-326-9661; flegels.com
2019: Home Decor & Furnishings
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet in Menlo Park is committed to enhancing local running and walking communities and helping customers find products that improve their fitness experience. They assess foot type and gait cycle and have 3D scanners to measure feet, making their footwear recommendations uniquely tailored to each customer. The Fleet Feet store has been reconfigured to allow for social distancing, and for those who prefer to shop online, they’re offering virtual shoe fittings via Zoom. They are now closed on Mondays to allow for extra time to clean.
859 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-325-9432; fleetfeet.com
2019: Place to Buy Shoes
Cheeky Monkey Toys
pstyle:text>Cheeky Monkey Toys is a family-owned shop that specializes in finding “just the right toy” for each customer. Since opening its doors in Menlo Park in 1999, the shop has provided interactive toys designed to stimulate children’s minds to generations of local families. When all nonessential businesses were ordered to close in March, Cheeky Monkey Toys quickly pivoted to a direct delivery-only service, dropping off toys within a 10-mile radius of the store. Cheeky Monkey has reopened for in-store shopping and also offers curbside pickup and delivery.
640 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 650-328-7975; cheekymonkeytoys.com
2019: Specialty Store
Services
A Touch of Elegance Nail Care
Customers can expect quality service, a friendly staff and reasonable pricing at A Touch of Elegance Nail Care, a longtime favorite of Almanac readers. In addition to manicures and pedicures, A Touch of Elegance also offers facials and other services. The salon is open for in-person services with stations indoors that are spaced to comply with social-distancing guidelines..
1150 Crane St., Menlo Park, 650-321-0679
2019: Manicure/Pedicure
Guy Plumbing & Heating
Guy Plumbing & Heating is a fourth-generation family-owned business that provides a wide range of services and operates a full-service showroom specializing in the sales and installation of Toto washlet bidet seats, as well as parts for Hansgrohe, Kohler and Grohe. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the company has been taking measures to confirm the health status of customers and its staff before scheduling each appointment. Plumbers are wearing protective masks, gloves and shoe covers as well as maintaining social distance while on the job.
1265 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-323-8415; guyplumbing.com
2019: Plumber
Jane Weston, MD
Dr. Jane Weston has been bringing expertise in plastic surgery to Bay Area patients since 1985. A graduate of Stanford Medical School, Weston offers plastic surgery for the face, breasts and body, as well as a range of medispa services, including Botox, fillers, laser, threads and body contouring. Weston now offers virtual consultations for those who want to limit face-to-face contact. For in-person appointments, all clients will have their temperatures taken upon entering the building, and additional safety measures are in place for patients who need to remove their face mask during an appointment.
1047 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-457-6291; janewestonmd.com
2019: Plastic Surgeon
Ladera Cleaners
Ladera Cleaners offers one-day dry cleaning, mending and reweaving services, as well as alterations for wedding dresses and other items. Check the company’s website for updated service changes.
3130 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650-854-2291; laderacleaners.net
2019: Dry Cleaner
Menlo Park Barber Shop
The barbers at Menlo Park Barber Shop pride themselves on developing close relationships with clients, giving excellent cuts and “blending craft and tradition with a strong dose of humor.” The shop has reopened for in-person indoor visits, and barbers also are making house calls. Masks are required for all appointments.
2100 Avy Ave., Menlo Park, 650-391-9008; menloparkbarbershop.com
2019: Barber
Olive Hill Salon
Its charming setting and commitment to its clients are just a few of the reasons why readers voted Olive Hill Salon the best hair salon last year. Olive Hill specializes in hair cuts, coloring and styling. The salon is open with protective barriers between stations, enhanced sanitation measures and contactless payment options.
2920 Woodside Road, Woodside, 650-851-1150; olivehillsalon.com
2019: Hair Salon
Portola Valley Garage
Portola Valley Garage’s skilled technicians have been providing minor tune-ups and major overhauls since 1948. In addition to repair services, the garage offers 24-hour vehicle drop-off, online appointments and loaner cars. The shop is open for service.
4170 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, 650-851-7442; pvgarage.com
2019: Auto Repair
Stanford Park Hotel
Stanford Park Hotel describes itself as an “oasis” that offers its guests “genuine tranquility.” This luxury hotel features a pool and spa, complimentary in-room snacks and fireside spots for reading. Check the hotel’s website for updated service changes.
100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-322-1234; stanfordparkhotel.com
2019: Hotel
Studio K-Fit
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Studio K-Fit offers high-intensity but low-impact workouts focused on strength, mobility and cardio through high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Class sizes are small so that instructors can focus on each individual. The studio also offers lifestyle coaching, personalized nutrition guidance and Zoom and Facebook Live workouts.
3708 Florence St., Redwood City, studiokfit@gmail.com; studiokfit.com
2019: Fitness Classes
2019: Gym
Studio Rincon
Studio Rincon has been our Readers’ Choice for best yoga studio since 2012. Studio Rincon offers a variety of different yoga and fitness classes for all levels, as well as ballet and hip-hop classes for children. Adult classes include gentle, power, and vinyasa yoga, as well as Zumba and cardio hip-hop. The studio ensures small class sizes so that instructors can focus on each individual, and classes are designed to be fun while still providing a good workout. The studio is streaming yoga and fitness classes online during shelter-in-place orders.
3536 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, 650-861-0242
2019: Yoga
Watercourse Way
Inspired by the natural hot springs of Tassajara, Watercourse Way now offers concierge massages that can be booked in clients’ backyards. The spa is open for outdoor gazebo massages, facials and spa treatments as well as indoor massages and limited hot tub service. All rooms are equipped with Dyson air purifiers and UV lights. Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the building. Masks are required for clients and therapists, and all staff undergo temperature checks before each shift.
165 Channing Ave., Palo Alto, 650-462-2000; watercourseway.com
2019: Day Spa
