WillowStreet Blog!

Home Is Where the Heart Is

My name is Anthony Gomez, but you may refer to me as….The Food Czar! I am a bartender, server, and all around food enthusiast currently working for Willow Street Pizza and Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos. Salute! I was educated at the Professional Culinary Institute and finished with a degree in culinary arts, and over the past three years, I have contributed desserts, appetizer plates, sauces, and cocktails to Willow Street. I absolutely love talking about great food, so listen to my wisdom, LOVE me, and return to your lives.

A few weeks ago, I went out to a late dinner with some friends to the new Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar that opened up in the Westgate mall. I wasn’t expecting much, and frankly, I knew it was going to be bad. However, “TV dinner” does not even begin to describe the meal I ended up with. I could actually taste the plastic that my dish had been wrapped in!

Which brings me to my point; the saying goes “home is where the heart is”, and to produce truly amazing food, you must to cook with heart. There is a reason grandma’s food is the best. There is a reason that you pay the money you do at fine-dining restaurants. These people cook with LOVE! They don’t settle for cans, boxed potatoes, instant rice, or plastic wrapped insta-meals. They have unbreakable standards and take pride in their products.

I have the absolute pleasure of working for a company in Willow Street Pizza that takes as much pride in homemade goodness as I do. Stocks, soups, sauces, OH MY! Desserts, dressings, and cheeses, YES! All homemade and all prepared in-house. From the dough we use for our bread and pizzas, to our fresh mozzarella cheese, we do it all because we know that grandma’s way is best, so we do it the way she did.

Until next time, eat, live, and love well.

Behind the scenes look at the food line in Los Gatos

Uvidimsia!
The Food Czar

New Year’s Promises

…at the risk of sounding a bit like the late Andy Rooney, you ever wonder why people make New Year’s resolutions? For most of us, they barely last until mid January let alone March. I mean, why bother? It’s just one more thing to beat youself up about. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help this year? Fat chance huh? Actually, Willow Street is really good at helping keep resolutions. For instance, let’s say that you’ve resolved to eat healthier. Go to Willow Street and order a gluten free pizza or pasta or any number of other great tasting healthy entries. See that? It’s not that tough. Oh, so your resolution is to take the kids out once a week for a fun, tasty, affordable meal? Go to Willow Street on Tuesdays. Kids eat free, parents eat well and our kids menu doesn’t begin and end with the words, “hot dog and fries.” So that does it, problem solved, resolution kept. What? You’ve promise yourself that in 2012 date nights will not only be weekly but enjoyable? Go to Willow Street. Have cocktail, share a bruschetta, order one of your old favorites or try one of our ever changing specials. Then, have a couple of rich, decadent desserts…hey, there are some resolutions that you’re on your own. On behalf of us at Willow Street, we wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year.

It Was A Very Good Year

December already! Who would have thought? Although that does explain all those colored lights and fat men in red. As we prepare to say goodbye to 2011 we wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.
For us at Willow Street, looking back requires a long look. In Willow Glen, we are beginning our third decade of serving the community. The town has certainly changed since we opened twenty years ago. And nowhere is that more evident than at Willow Street. We have a new look, a new feel, and a new garage! That’s right, good things come to those who wait. At Westgate, we’ve become the place to catch a game in a comfortable room with terrific food. You know, it’s a fact that the better you eat, the better The Niners play…so far so good. In Los Gatos, we’re continuing to help bring the downtown to life. From sunny days on the patio to warm nights filled with jazz, Willow Street remains the talk of the town.
Speaking of new things in town…Main Street Burgers has added a new dining room and has been voted “Best Burger” (again) by The Los Gatos Weekly. So as we say, “It was a very good year.” Yet none of it would have happened without you. Your friendship and loyalty is appreciated more than you can ever imagine. While our attention to quality and dedication to service makes us good restaurants, our supporting of and giving back to communities in which we work makes us good neighbors. And that’s what it’s all about. On behalf our all of us at Willow Street and Main Street, we wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year.

Thanksgiving Blessings

On the surface, the idea of posting a blog with a one-day shelf life seems a little silly. However, the whole concept of Thanksgiving deserves a bit more thought than, “When’s the turkey going to be ready?” and “Who’s playing in the late game?” It is a day to count one’s blessings. For us here at Willow Street, to count our blessings, we need look no further than to you kind folks who have been there for a generation. Now don’t get us wrong, we’ve certainly had our share of ups and downs, of broken water pipes and long hours. Yet, thanks to your loyalty and friendship, it has been worth the effort. And having just completed our annual Sacred Heart Turkey Drive (thanks to you, a terrific success), we are reminded of just how lucky we are. So tomorrow, between the gravy and the first downs, take a moment to reflect on the good life…then loosen your belt and take a nap. From all of us at Willow Street, Happy Thanksgiving.

Just Pizza? Think Again

…there’s a phrase in the music business, “one trick pony,” it’s a little like, “one and done” or “one hit wonder.” It means that you’re basically known for just one thing. Like Midas and mufflers, The Yankees and baseball or Willow Street and pizza. Well actually, if the truth be known, pizza may have started us on our journey but it’s what else we do that has kept us at the front of the pack for a generation. So, listen up cause I’m gonna ‘splain it to you…Willow Street does more than pizza. Go ahead, say it with me. Willow Street does more than pizza. A lot more.
From pasta dishes, to salads, sandwiches, appetizers, succulent burgers, desserts, wine, local beers on tap, and creative cocktails, our menu stretches across a wide variety of American cuisine offerings. We slow roast our rotisserie chicken daily. We purchase our ingredients from local vendors 9 months out of the year. We have a specials menu that changes monthly and includes dishes like our Butternut Squash Ravioli and the ever-popular Summer Steak and Peach Salad. And would you like to know what we home-make? Literally, almost everything…our pasta sauces, salad dressings, soups (including stocks), fresh mozzarella cheese, pizza dough, honey wheat bread, and desserts. All made fresh for you. Yes, it’s labor intensive, and yes, our chefs arrive at our restaurants at ungodly hours to prepare the day’s ingredients; but we do it all for you. And because Willow Street will settle for nothing less than providing the best possible meal without emptying your wallet. We even offer an extensive gluten-free menu ranging from pizzas to pastas, beer, and molten chocolate cake. Yes, we said it, gluten-free molten chocolate cake. Oh, and did we mention we offer wine by the glass and a half? It’s just like the glass you pour yourself at home. Can you think of one other restaurant that offers a glass and a half of wine?…don’t worry, neither can we.
There you have it…Willow Street, while it may say pizza on the door, it says flavor in the kitchen. What will the next 20 years bring? No one knows for sure. What we do know is that when it comes to creative, tasty, cutting edge dishes, folks in the know will still be coming to Willow Street.

Social Media: News or Nuisance?

…so here’s the deal. As business people, we love social media. What’s not to love? Talk about direct marketing! Thanks to the folks at Facebook and Twitter, we can actually keep in touch with our customers 24/7. Of course, as private citizens, we’re frankly not sure if 24/7 isn’t a little over the top. At Willow Street, we know that there is a fine line between being informative and intrusive; a line that we do our best never to cross. The fact is, just because you were kind enough to either “like” us, join our E-Club or chose to follow us via your smart phone, doesn’t give us carte blanche to interrupt your day whenever the spirit moves us. So, here’s our pledge to you: If it’s not about saving you money, filling you in on community events or sharing something that is truly compelling…we’ll keep it to ourselves. Unless of course, we happen to produce a very clever video that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face…but who couldn’t use a smile now and then?

Parody at Last: Willow Street Restaurant (Saratoga Ave.)

For years, the NFL and sports bars have grown increasingly further apart. The better the game was, the worst the food got. Fans were trapped in a flavorless nether world of deep fried pickles, popcorn, cold hot dogs (now there’s an oxymoron) and stale peanuts. Then, one day, it all changed. Finally, you could enjoy the game and the meal. At Willow Street Westgate, when we added 5 high definition TVs and The NFL Ticket, we not only kept our same terrific menu and full bar, we added dishes that go perfectly with football. Like a Barbeque Burger or a Meatball Sandwich. Or Coconut Prawns with homemade pineapple chili dipping sauce…and that’s just a few things off our Sports Menu. You can also celebrate a touchdown (or curse a defense) with an order of Fresh Manilla Clams, some Rigatoni with Italian Sausage or one of our signature wood-fired pizzas. Bottom line, Willow Street Westgate is a good deal more than just chicken wings and beer. Although, our Willow Wings have taken a common dish to another level. From Micro brews on tap to Margheritas and all the yard lines in between, this is what a sports bar was meant to be. Willow Street Westgate…all things being equal, we’re not.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES MADE…

…at last, we’re happy (make that ecstatic) to report that the construction at Willow Street Willow Glen is complete. The new bar and patio are open. And, if we do so say so ourselves, they are stunning. The bar features a beautiful Italian marble countertop, three high definition TVs, The NFL Ticket, a terrific sound system and added seating. The bar opens to a larger patio with more tables and outdoor heaters…but as they say, “Wait, there’s more.” The main dining room boasts a new mural by renowned artist, Reid Winfrey and the feel is comfortable and roomy. However, the thing that we are most pleased with is the fact that the new Willow Street, with all its changes and improvements, still maintains the charm and the character of the little restaurant around the corner. For the past twenty years Willow Street has been the place in town where memories have been made. From first dates and graduations to baby’s first meal…we’ve been here for a generation. Come say hello to a new old friend. Willow Street Willow Glen…better just got bigger.

1991 – FROM PEPPERONI TO SLAP SHOTS…IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR

Did you know that Willow Street Willow Glen opened the same year that the Sharks came to San Jose? That’s right twenty years ago. Today the Sharks are once again in The Stanley Cup and we’re, for at least a few more days, closed for construction…and it’s driving us crazy. Twenty years is a long time. Twenty years of unlocking doors and firing up ovens. Twenty years of tossing pizza dough and greeting neighbors. Twenty years of making Willow Glen just a bit better place to live.

Someone came in the other day, without a hard hat, to say just how much they missed us. Well trust me, we miss you. You don’t spend twenty years working and living in a community without making a few friends. This is why it’s so hard to be closed right now. Yet, it is what it is.

Now we all know the old adage, “Out of sight, out of mind.” This morning as I was paying $4.23 a gallon for gas, it occurred to me that things have a way of sneaking up on us. Just when you think that prices have peaked, there they go…”out of sight.” And just when we thought we were about to open again, here comes another construction delay along with the inevitable slowdowns that come a major project such as the new Willow Glen Town Square.

So bear with us and know that frustration is a two way street. The future is exciting but the present does require some patience. We do promise, however, that it will be worth the wait.

WILLOW STREET WILLOW GLEN TURNS 20!

The year is 1991, George Bush (his father) is in The White House, Dances with Wolves is named best picture and Phil Collins wins record of the year for “Another Day in Paradise”. In Willow Glen, in small brick building, a restaurant opens and a tradition begins. Some of our fondest memories are from that first year. Looking back, things have gone pretty well. Those first few months, however, were hectic to say the least. New staff, new menu and new neighbors. Our number one selling pizza that first year, not surprisingly, was the combination. Yes, your basic combination. Here we were introducing hip new pizzas like, barbequed chicken or pesto with prawns and our biggest seller was a combo…go figure. Although, over the years we’ve continued to serve the classics, we’re proud to have added a group of extraordinary new pizzas to Willow Glen’s list of favorites. From Italian thin crust to our new gluten free pizzas, Willow Street remains at the forefront of creativity and flavor. And now, our small brick building, is getting a facelift. Actually it’s more of a make over. Bigger patio, more parking, larger capacity. If you get a moment, take a peek at the plans www.willowglentownsquare.com we think that you’ll be as excited as we are. The project is scheduled for completion early next year. While construction is never convenient, we’ve added free valet parking and store front take out spots. In many ways it’s easier than ever to enjoy the dishes that have made Willow Street Willow Glen a South Bay favorite. Happy birthday Willow Street. It seems that the best is yet to come.