Almaden Resident

Dining

Restaurants cater to South Bay CEOs and others who want to 'dine to impress'

By Jennifer M. van der Kleut

Being a high-powered executive--especially a CEO--is not unlike being a Hollywood movie star. Many times, they just want to be able to go out to a restaurant and enjoy a meal without being recognized.

Other times, it's all about networking and being seen out and about.

Many South Bay restaurants have made it their business to know just how to cater to local executives and their changing needs, whether it's a hush-hush board meeting or a flashy, seven-course, wine-paired dinner to schmooze clients and close a deal.

Ann Combs, manager of Sent Sovi in Saratoga, says a large percentage of the restaurant's business is Bay Area executives, and her staff prides itself on anticipating their needs and knowing exactly how to fill them.

Many times, she says, their biggest need is privacy.

"We take care of Apple a couple times a month, NetFlix, HP. They all like us because we have a private room off to the side, called the wine cellar, so they can't be seen by anyone walking by. When the CEO of Apple comes in, he doesn't have to worry about anyone spotting him; he can have his limo pull right up front. The room is great for groups, too. They have their own entrance, patio and restroom. They have their own server. So they come in, and the room is all set for them; they don't even have to think about it," she says.

"I work with their budget and their interests, as far as the menu, and I determine how much interaction they want and then work with the server on that. Sometimes they just want to be totally left alone, and sometimes they want to be 'wowed' and have the server explain the wine pairing and why the wine pairs well with each course, and so forth. I always work with the client on what they want."

In the Silicon Valley, competition between corporations comes with the territory, so Sent Sovi owner Josiah Sloane says that's another reason why privacy can be such an issue for local business people.

"The way our dining room is laid out, our tables are very spread out, so you're not sitting right next to someone. We don't have any banquet-style tables along the wall or any booths or half-booths. So there's not someone sitting 2 feet away from you, eavesdropping on your conversation," he explains. "We're a very intimate restaurant."

Sloane says Sent Sovi is also popular for the quality of its food-- very important when trying to romance the client.

"Executives often eat out, sometimes seven or more meals a week. So they want quality service and quality food, and we deliver on both of those things, so they keep coming back. You see the same people over and over again," he says. "A CEO once told me, 'For a business dinner, I can go anywhere I want, but I know if I come here, we're going to have great food and service, and we're going to have a good time, every time.' So that's something to consider as well."

Three Degrees restaurant in the Tollhouse Hotel in Los Gatos also lists those factors when pinpointing its popularity among both local residents and out-of-town business people.

"Seven days a week, we host corporate meetings with Fortune 500 companies. It all depends on the size of the group, and we accommodate them in the appropriate-sized room that will make them the most comfortable," says Linda Apichell, general manager, adding that the hotel and restaurant's conference services, meeting services and catering/banquet departments regularly work 'round the clock to take care of corporate clients and visitors.

"Three Degrees is intimate, quiet and private," Apichell says. "We have a private dining room that is perfect for dinner meetings and lunches."

When trying to impress, atmosphere also ranks high at the top of the list, and that's something A.P. Stumps in downtown San Jose has long been known for.

"We certainly have the ambience and atmosphere that plays well into [business dining to impress]," says Pat McElroy, general manager. "We have a wide range of rooms that are available, and our beautiful outdoor patio. We have an extensive classical wine list and a wide array of drinks, not to mention the food that's prepared by our executive chef, Mr. Jim Stump, is spectacular."

For those looking for that "see and be seen" factor, A.P. Stumps comes highly recommended.

"We are 'the' place to be seen before all the HP Pavilion events like the Sharks games, conventions and concerts, and we are recommended by all the local hotels," says McElroy, naming Cisco, Adobe, Synaptics, Citibank, Commonwealth Land Title, Siemens, Covad and Morgan Stanley executives among the restaurant's clientele.

For executives looking for the perfect way to "schmooze" a client or celebrate the closing of a special deal, McElroy says the staff at A.P. Stumps knows how to put on a classy affair.

"We can customize menus and hold wine-paired dinners. If they have special wine requests, we can meet their demands," he says. "We've often brought in winemakers to do special dinners, tastings and paired dinners for corporates who want to be flashy for their customers."

Those looking for a more tried-and-true approach definitely have another local favorite amongst their options--Forbes Mill Steakhouse in Los Gatos.

"It's such an American thing--steak. It seems to be a tradition, business people going to steakhouses. If there's one dish business people seem to like, it's a good steak," says co-owner Dean Devincenzi. Other popular Forbes Mill dishes are the ahi appetizer and the pear salad.

However, Forbes Mill has plenty to offer besides just good food, he adds. Devincenzi lists the atmosphere and the friendly service amongst the restaurant's other bragging points.

"Many people have said our restaurant has a New York or San Francisco feel to the atmosphere, and they like that. When you walk into a restaurant and think the atmosphere is good, I think it automatically makes the food that much better," he says.

As far as service, Devincenzi says his staff goes out of its way to make people feel welcome, by greeting everyone by name.

"Bigwigs walk in, and we know their name. And if you're trying to impress a client, it makes you look that much more important to them. People love to be recognized when they walk in the door."

A.P. Stumps, 163 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, 408.292.9928.

Forbes Mill Steakhouse, 206 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.395.6434.

Sent Sovi, 14583 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 408.867.3110.

Three Degrees is inside the Tollhouse Hotel, 140 S. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos, 408.884.1084.