Two weeks of construction and many changes later, and MANRESA in Los Gatos is scheduled to complete its remodel on Wednesday May 18th. The renovations include lots of new things: a new look, new dining areas, a new wine cellar, and a new bar and lounge space with a new cocktail program to match.
Chef-proprietor David Kinch worked with Sterry Architecture and Sunnyhills Studio to update the restaurant’s 1940s ranch-style building with a more contemporary (yet still sophisticated) look. The color palette reflects the natural surroundings of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the ocean with earthy tones and cream and maple accents. Guests will enter under a handmade glass chandelier by Berkeley artist Erik Powell and Los Angeles-based Cleveland Art as they head toward the new bar and lounge at the back of the building. The lounge features a backlit bar with alabaster mother-of-pearl backing, and custom seating encompassing the restaurant’s art-inspired curved wall and mosaic fireplace. It’ll be a nice setting to order from the special bar menu and from the new artisan cocktail program from wine director Jeff Bareilles, who will offer classic and contemporary cocktails using ingredients from Love Apple Farm. The bar seats 10.
On one side of the bar, the existing dining area has been completely refreshed, and on the other side, a new dining area seats up to 30, including a cream and ebony banquette lining the back wall. The adjacent private dining room seats up to 10. Plus there are four sure-to-be-coveted outdoor seats, and what was formerly the entrance will now be a walk-in wine cellar. Dinner starts 5:30pm Wed-Sat, 5pm Sun. 320 Village Ln., Los Gatos, 408-354-4330.
Photo from Manresa website.
