I've been hearing the same question all week.
"What's happening down there?"
"With Left Bank, LB Steak, Meso, Peet's, Best Buy, and so many others gone... what are you going to do?"
My answer is always the same.
We're still here.
We're still committed to being the South Bay's premier destination for fine wine and spirits, and we'll continue to be patiently available whenever you need a great bottle, a memorable glass of wine, or simply a familiar place to stop in and say hello.
The recent closures hit close to home. Left Bank wasn't just another restaurant to me—it was part of my routine for decades. A few years ago, curiosity got the better of me, so I went back through two years of American Express statements to estimate how often I'd eaten there. The average came out to roughly 70 visits a year during 2018 and 2019. Extrapolating over the years, I figure I probably dined at Left Bank more than 1,100 times before COVID... back in my pre-wifey days.
Along with Sino, Village Café, and Rosie McCann's, those places were practically my second dining rooms.
Earlier this year I stopped into Left Bank for what had long been one of my favorite lunches: a burger, fries, bacon, and a beer. The burger was about $30. Bacon was another $4. The beer was $10. By the time tax, surcharges, and gratuity were added, the bill came to just over $58.
It wasn't a bad burger, but it also wasn't $60-burger delicious.
The sticker shock was a reminder of just how difficult the economics of hospitality have become—for both guests and operators. I haven't been back since that lunch in February.
Running an independent business has never been easy, and it's certainly no easier today. Costs continue to rise while customers understandably think twice before spending nearly sixty dollars on what used to be an everyday lunch.
That's why we're more committed than ever to offering genuine value. No hidden service charges. No "living wage" fees. No surprise surcharges at checkout. Just thoughtfully selected wines and spirits, fairly priced, served by people who genuinely appreciate your business.
The names on Santana Row will continue to change. They always have. But our commitment to you won't. And that's the part that matters most.
The good news is that Santana Row continues to reinvent itself. Augustine has quickly become a wonderful new addition. The lines outside Bacio di Latte seem to grow longer every weekend. We're looking forward to welcoming Flora Café to the former Rosie McCann's space, and we're excited to see what comes next.
Retail and restaurants will always evolve. That's the nature of business.
Our job is much simpler.
Open the doors every morning. Offer exceptional wines and spirits at fair prices. Welcome everyone like an old friend. And, with a little luck, still be here for many years to come.
Stop by and see us — we'd love to pour you something special.