Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
John Modiri (left), manager, and chef Jesus Murguia share a glass of wine on the patio of La Hacienda.
It's not just the food, it's the cars at La Hacienda
Owners of vintage vehicles come for Sunday brunch
By Suzanne Cristallo
Folks go there for special holiday brunches, for five-course dinners and to dance away the evenings, but there's another attractive feature that draws crowds to La Hacienda Restaurant on Highway 9. It's the cars.
"They come to show off their cars," says longtime restaurant manager John Modiri, describing the patrons who dust off their vintage vehicles and drive over for Sunday brunch. The tree-shaded parking lot in front of the restaurant can accommodate up to 150 cars. "You'll see the latest in fashion and collector cars there," he says, exclaiming, "My God, that parking lot is worth a few million dollars!"
The restaurant exudes a charm gained over its long history, which began in 1901 when it was built as a Japanese tea house. It seats 350 diners inside and on the veranda--popular on warm days and evenings--and the patio, which is in constant demand for weddings, proms and other special occasions.
On weekend evenings, a guitar and drum duo, enhanced by electronic music for background, plays whatever suits the crowd--jazz, rock or contemporary. The switch to dancing from the piano bar, which was popular in the lounge a few years ago, came when the demand for sing-alongs ceased. "We found the old crowd was passing away," Modiri notes. "The dancing appeals now to a bigger group of an 'over 40' crowd."
The food, however, appeals to all ages who relish Italian-American cuisine, and surprisingly, they're able to neatly put away the five courses featured in the $29.95 prix fixe seasonal special. The spring menu available now features an entree of halibut with a sauce of juices extracted from leeks, reduced with Cointreau and white wine and served with caramelized pearl onions. With this comes antipasti, salad, homemade raviolis, a crème brûlée dessert and coffee. The two other entree choices are roasted quail with mushrooms and wild rice and a raspberry glaze sauce; and New York steak infused with Roquefort cheese and minced garlic, roasted, then covered with a pinot noir and Roquefort sauce.
Chef Jesus Morgia, who has contributed to La Hacienda's reputation for 17 years--seven of those as head chef--also offers a luncheon menu with two fresh fish dishes, veal, chicken, lamb and pork, pastas, salads and appetizers. Entrees range from $8 to $16, with specials, including a salad. Selections from a full-service bar and wines by the glass also are available.
"Big or small appetites can be happy here," says Modiri, "both in formal or casual attire." A Campbell resident, Modiri entered the restaurant business while working his way through San Jose State University, where he received his degree in industrial engineering. He remained in the business, starting with La Hacienda a year after it was purchased by John Vossoughi and Tony Monses in 1979.
La Hacienda, 18840 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Los Gatos. Open for lunch Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday brunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner 4 to 9 p.m. 408.354.6669.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
