3915 Alpine Rd./Arastradero Rd., off Sand Hill Rd., (take Alpine exit off Hwy. 280), in
Portola Valley, (650) 854-4004. Tues-Sun 11:30 am-9 pm, closed Mon; $. Free parking lot adjoins.
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exterior of Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California
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Built in the 1850s by then-San Jose mayor Felix Buelna, when it was a gambling house, this fun spot is also known as Rossotti’s Alpine Inn. It became a hangout for the workers who built Stanford in the 1880s, operated during the Prohibition when it was described as “vile,” and just might be the oldest bar in California. The claim is that Herbert Hoover--like so many other Stanford students--carved his name into one of the tables. The question is which
one? The local Kingston Trio folk group spent their formative days playing here and became one of the most popular groups around before the Beatles hit. And another claim has it that the internet began here when an e-mail was sent to Boston from a computer atop a picnic table. This spot is justly famous for its delicious burgers and crisp fries, but many more items are on the large menu and beers galore are available on tap. Seating is provided indoors in large wooden booth and at a long communal table, but the prime place to dine is outside in the large beer garden at al fresco picnic tables. Since the restaurant is located on a back road that is popular with bicyclists, you’ll see many bikers catching their breath here and relaxing under the trees in the creek-side beer garden. Activities for kids are provided in the back, and the kid in all of us enjoys tossing peanut shells on the ground (the in-shell peanuts here are warmed and a don’t-miss).
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| wine menu at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| order counter at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| grill at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| beer and peanuts at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| burger and fries at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| interior dining room at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| beer garden at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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| kids' area at Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, California |
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images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
What a delightful stop you uncovered at the South Alpine Inn. I can almost taste one of those burgers, while sitting under a shady tree. It's a place to spend some relaxed time soaking in the great outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThe Alpine Inn sounds like a fun spot - I can't resist warm peanuts in a shell for one ( and a place once known as vile!) .
ReplyDelete