Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Pat Reid, general manager of Pedro's Cabo Grill, enjoys one of the restaurant's famous margaritas.

Pedro's adds Mexicali Deli, bright new colors

By Suzanne Cristallo

Hot reds, deep lake blues, jungle greens, fiesta purples, sunlight yellows--colors true to the vibrancy of Mexico. They make up the new look at Pedro's Cabo Grill in Los Gatos. In essence, the new look is a celebration of the unmatched success the 24-year-old restaurant has enjoyed in the last year.

"When you're at your peak, that's when you remodel," says Pat Reid, Pedro's general manager. Noting that the last change in the restaurant was eight years ago, when pastels were the style, he says the new look has evolved over the past three months, starting with the bar and just this week culminating in new carpeting from England and wall art by a French artist which reflects the pumped-up color overall.

Oaxaca, Mexico, is the inspiration. Owner Peter Ramirez traveled with his interior designer to this southeastern state bordering the Pacific to find a color scheme. He also discovered mole rojo, a sauce containing 26 spices and chocolate which is served over an enchilada with cheese or chicken stuffing. "We sell a ton of it," Reid says.

Speaking with obvious pride in his restaurant, Reid, 30, started at Pedro's as a busboy when he was 17. His 12-year career with the restaurant was interrupted while he earned a degree in psychology from San Diego State University. He returned to the restaurant while seeking a job in sales, but an offer to go into management kept him there. He says he uses his education frequently.

"With 120 employees of varying personalities working here, I tend to use psychology a lot," he laughs. He also interacts with many of the 5,000 customers the restaurant serves every week. That number does not reflect the takeout clientele the new "Mexicali Deli" is attracting.

Added as part of the remodel, the deli offers a variety of dishes which can be taken home, heated and served or frozen for later. On the menu is the best-selling chile verde burrito; there are also tamales, enchiladas and chile colorado--lean pork cooked in a spicy, tomato-based sauce.

"All of it will melt in your mouth," claims Reid. "I eat it every day."

Pedro's Cabo Grill, 316 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. Open Sun.- Thu., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Call 354-7570 for large party reservations only.