New owners bring some new flavors to Live Oak Kitchen
By Suzanne Cristallo
A new atmosphere prevails at Live Oak Kitchen in Los Gatos. Longtime customers feel it the minute they walk into the restaurant that has been part of the Downing Shopping Center neighborhood for years.
Lisa Martin, who lives nearby and visits the restaurant regularly, says it's because of the new owners, the Kims. "They're very hospitable and friendly--their pleasantness makes a big difference."
Jennifer and J.D. Kim bought the eatery last month from Art and Annie Oberg, who retired. "We don't plan to change much, yet," J.D says, "but we'll introduce a few changes, little by little."
One noticeable difference is in the sesame seed dressing Jennifer makes, using the ground seeds mixed with onions, garlic, carrots, vinegar and mayonnaise. "Eight out of 10 of our customers say it's great," says J.D with a smile, adding modestly, "maybe they're generous."
Soon the Kims, who emigrated here from Seoul, Korea, in 1992, plan to add teriyaki to the menu. "We know about Japanese food," J.D., 51, says, explaining that his culture greatly influenced Japanese food, especially sushi, which attracts mainly Korean customers in Japan.
Meanwhile, regular customers of Live Oak can enjoy the food that is still being prepared by Rosalio Maturino, who has spent the past four years of his 25-year cooking career at the restaurant. Breakfast on the weekends is the busiest time. It keeps the Kims and their daughters, Jiae, 20, and Jiyeon, 19--both are students at DeAnza College--on duty full-time, assisting up to 75 customers at a time. They are assisted by seven wait staff, two busboys, two dishwashers, a cook and four helpers.
Dutch Babies is a signature dish. Looking somewhat like puff pancakes filled with fruit, the babies are topped with whipped cream or yogurt and served with syrup. Omelets, two-egg dishes and a variety of pancake breakfasts cost from $4.50 to $7. New York steak and eggs is $10.95.
Lunches include Cobb salad and Oriental marinated breast of chicken salad served on crisp Asian noodles with roasted peanuts and tossed with salad greens and sesame seed dressing. There's also a variety of sandwiches, with Philly cheesesteaks and hamburgers topping the list. "Some guests from Los Angeles tell us they come all the way here just for our hamburgers," says J.D. with a grin.
Dinners include steaks, pork, fish and chicken dishes, along with fettucine, lasagna, spaghetti and special white sauce pizzas. such as the pesto or the Capricorn with goat cheese and sausage. Entrees range from $8 to $12.95 and include soup or salad, side servings of potato, vegetables and bread sticks. There's also fresh soup--two kinds each day.
In Korea, J.D. owned a computer company, employing 70 engineers. His move came because he wanted his daughters to have the opportunity for a better education and lifestyle. Before buying Live Oak Kitchen, the Kims owned the Wienerschnitzel fast-food outlet on Camden Avenue in Campbell for seven years.
"I changed because, here, I have a lot of chances to make people pleased," J.D. says. "That makes me happy. With fast food, people just get food and go. Here I can see they have pleasure in being here."
Live Oak Kitchen, 15531 Union Ave., Los Gatos. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. 408.371.7600.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
