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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Barbara Lonsbury will continue as manager of Aldo's Ristorante and Bar as it moves to its new location at Vasona Station.
Italian chef expands menu and service in a new locale
By Suzanne Cristallo
It still has a mama-and-papa atmosphere, but now there is room for towering palms, 160 guests and a third more staff to accommodate lunch-time diners every weekday. Aldo's Ristorante and Bar opened quietly last week on Winchester Avenue at Knowles in Los Gatos.
Known by many fans for his Italian fare, chef Aldo Maresca has operated Aldo's La Strada restaurant on E. Main Street since 1996 with his wife and manager, Barbara Lonsbury. They moved their operation during a brief 10-day closure to its new digs in the lofty, Mediterranean-style building previously known as Marbella. Marbella owner Barbara Gilliland has left the restaurant business after five years in the Vasona Station location.
The husband-and-wife team vacated their previous location across from Los Gatos High School because of the impending construction of a hotel on the site. Until that project is under way, Diane Ogilvie, owner of the property, will continue to operate La Strada as an Italian restaurant.
The Marescas' new location features bright skylights, cozy booths, a fireplace, a full-service bar and patio dining, which Barbara plans to enhance with a bubbling fountain and strung lights. Faux-painted walls are hung with pictures of Italy sent by Aldo's family in Sorrento. An open kitchen allows guests a full view of the chef in action.
"I warn him there can be no more displays of temper and arm waving," laughs Barbara, who says the new kitchen is double the size of the previous one.
Aldo, 31, has created a number of fresh dishes reflecting his Italian heritage and befitting his new location. The dinner menu includes penne Siciliana--tube pasta with eggplant and basil in tomato sauce, with dry ricotta cheese on top. "This combo is so tasty. It's the dry ricotta that makes it complete," Barbara boasts. Another fresh item is the seafood salad--also called insalata positano-- which consists of a mixture of greens, baby shrimp, calimari and fresh tomatoes. Gnocchi al tartufo is potato dumplings with truffle paste and a touch of cream.
In order to accommodate the brisk lunch trade in the area, Aldo also offers grilled chicken, prosciutto and his special sausage sandwiches on home-made focaccia bread. Fried calamari will soon be available as an appetizer and in the bar. Homemade pizzas are planned, and large parties will be accommodated in sectioned areas.
Bar specials are appropriately named, such as The Godfather--a concoction of Scotch whiskey and dry vermouth; Grappa Rosa--a pink, sweet-smelling drink with rose petals; and Red Ferrari--amaretto and dry vermouth. Bloody Maria is an alternative.
Aldo's Ristorante and Bar, 14109 Winchester Ave., Los Gatos. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner 5-10 p.m. Closed Sunday. 374-1808.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
