ECR is losing all of its small independent and consumer friendly services and businesses to big bucks developments and more unaffordable housing.

Loved this story, albeit another sad demise of what Menlo Park and Atherton use to be. The wonderful, days of Fabbro's, Scotty Cambell's, Ramar Oaks and Atherton Key Club are now just a faint memory of those of us lucky enough to have grown up here through the '50s & 60s. Even in the 1970's, our stretch of El Camino harbored fun restaurant/watering holes like The Coach & Six (later became The Refectory) and Butterfields (home to Vince Guaraldi Trio). Thanks to John Bentley for keeping a good thing alive as long as he did. Now we can only expect more office buildings and condos to line the walls of the King's Highway.
I need a Calso Water...if only it were still around.

Now that the Fabbro story has been told, it's about time that the John Bentley story is told, since he is closing his restaurant by the end of this month. When asked why he was closing such a popular and successful restaurant, his response was that he could no longer get up before 5am each and every day and put in the 12 plus hours daily. He was exhausted and needed a serious break.

It's our loss. His food is superb. He is (was) the master of "ying-yang" cooking, combining sweet and savory flavors in exquisite balance. Trained at the California Culinary Academy, he mastered the essence of classic French Cooking; i.e., sauces. He created and trained staff, both "in front" and "in back" that worked with him for decades. He assembled menus and meals that were predictably reliable and superb.

The restaurant prior to the current one on El Camino was in Woodside, in a former fire house. It was small and somewhat funky, but with a loyal customer base and a great reputation. How do I know all this? Full disclosure: In that older restaurant, he took me on as one of the oldest apprentice prep. cooks in the US. He taught me everything. I worked my tail off and loved every minute of it. Why? Because John is one of the neatest guys I have come to know in my long life.

I will remain deeply grateful for his friendship, patience and willingness to let me learn in his kitchen.

Good-by John. We will really, really miss you.

I will so miss John Bentley's!!!!!!! This is another Amazing and very special restaurant that will no longer be with us!
I too, remember Fabbro's and Scotty Cambell's! I was there a month ago. I was trying to get back one more time, but unfortunately I can't make it! Rest up and be well John! We will miss you and all your amazing food!

Is it true a boutique wheat grass bar is going in the Oasis- operated by a burned out tech. executive? I will never go that- who would.

Rolling Over