Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Tony Hwang, co-owner with Sally Park, of Farm Pizza, displays one of the pizzas popular with residents in the summit area. The bear stands by the restaurant's front door. Hungry summit area diners gather at nearby Farm Pizza By Suzanne Cristallo Travelers on Highway 17 can reach more than a break in the forest at the summit. On the east side of the road, which is still part of Los Gatos, a long, rustic wood building houses a deli, fruit stand and pizza parlor. Named respectively Deli 17, Fruta del Rancho and Farm Pizza, the eating spot attracts neighboring mountain residents who make it their family meeting spot after local school events and sport activities. "Ninety percent of our customers are neighbors," says Sally Park, who with partner Tony Hwang, bought the property in 1990. An old water tower and various pieces of farm machinery overlook a sea of neatly chopped wood nearby in an area that is also being cleared to display trees for sale this coming spring. The wood, trees, deli, fruit and pizza attest to the ingenuity of the owners. They have been creating an active business since they rebuilt the property after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which destroyed the old Cloud 9 restaurant once occupying the spot. Park notes they first opened as a breakfast, lunch and dinner place called the Mountain Top Restaurant, but "it didn't work," she says. They started their present setup in 1995 and evidently hit on a local need. "We really have good pizza," she says, referring to the pizza-making technique learned from a longtime pizza maker hired for their first six months of operation. She boasts that their bread is hand-sliced, their ingredients fresh, and dough and sauces are all made from scratch. "Nothing here comes from a can." Farm Special pizzas include the shrimp gourmet, which is sautéed shrimp, mushrooms, red onions, bell peppers and fresh garlic. Chicken can substitute for shrimp. The pesto lovers' special offers shrimp or chicken with a house pesto sauce and fresh tomatoes. Specials also include a Hawaiian pizza, a veggie combo and the Casa del 17, which consists of Louisiana hot links, linguica and Polish sausage. Customers may create their own pies with one to three toppings in a personal 8-inch size for $3.95 to $6.45, up to the extra-large, 16-inch size for $15.50 to $21.95. Appetizers, beer, wine, cocoa, juices and soft drinks are plentiful. Park, 29, came to San Jose as a high school freshman in 1984. Fresh from Seoul, Korea, she spoke no English. "In Korea, I used to cut my English classes, because I didn't see any point in studying something I'd never use," she says with a laugh. "Then I found myself with my family in America, and having a very hard time with school." Park credits her teachers at San Jose's Gunderson High School with giving her lots of extra attention. It was the boost she needed. Although she started out behind others in her age group, she ended up graduating a year early. "I had nothing else to do but study. Besides, I was embarrassed not knowing English." Today she speaks the language with barely a perceptible accent, having added to her studies by achieving a degree in business at Portland State College. "But what you get in school is nothing compared to what you learn on the job," she adds, reflecting on the nearly 10 years she has been partners with Hwang, who also deals in real estate investments. Hwang, 46, also hails from Seoul, where he was an instructor in martial arts and a real estate agent. In 1980, he came to San Jose, eventually settling in the summit area with his wife and two children. Farm Pizza, 22990 Highway 17, Los Gatos. Open daily except Tues. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. 353-1477. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, February 3, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.