The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Michael Galano displays a dish of spinach pasta, tortellini and canelloni.

First Switzerland, then France--now Sunnyvale

By Katherine Petersen

Michael Galano has 63 years of cooking experience behind him. The Italian chef worked all over Europe--Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Austria--before moving to the United States with his family in 1963.

"I thought my kids would have better opportunities here," he said.

Galano was a chef in various hotels and restaurants in the Bay Area for several years, then opened his own business in Sunnyvale in 1972.

Pictures of Italian settings cover the walls of Galano's cozy restaurant, along with some newspaper reviews. The atmosphere is homey and warm, and Galano's children often come in to lend a hand.

"They help out their Pop when they can," he said.

Galano's menu offers more than 10 varieties of pasta. The veal, chicken and beef dishes are all made fresh every day. He also whips up a daily fish special.

Some customer favorites include linguine with red sauce and homemade beef and spinach ravioli. His homemade tortellini filled with veal, chicken and beef and four cheeses are also a big seller.

"People love it with a red sauce that has cream added," he said.

Oftentimes, Galano will make fresh linguine or spaghetti noodles with leftover pasta dough.

"I don't do it all the time because you have to sell it right now," he said.

While Galano's is only open for dinner these days, Galano is thinking of opening for lunch within the next few months.

"I think the business will be better, and the kids can help out," he said.

Galano also makes his desserts from scratch as often as he has the time.

"I learned how to do it all in France about 50 years ago," he said. "When you work in hotels, you have to know how to make everything."

He makes tiramisu, layers of liqueur-soaked ladyfingers and a sweet creamy mascarpone cheese and chocolate filling, canoli, pastries filled with cream and rum cake.

Galano's Restaurant seats 65 and can hold up to 90 for private parties.

Prices range from some pasta dishes that start at $8 up to $15.95 for prime rib.

Galano's Restaurant, 1635 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale. Hours: Tue-Thu. 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 4 p.m.-10 p.m. and Sun., 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, August 13, 1997.
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