Manresa** restaurant reopens

David Kinch**

(Los Gatos, CA) The award-winning Manresa** restaurant debuts a fresh new look following a renovation which includes the addition of new dining areas, a wine cellar and a bar and lounge space. Located in the village of Los Gatos at the base of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains, Manresa is the showcase for the inventive cuisine of Two-Michelin Star Chef and Proprietor David Kinch. In addition to changes in its design, Manresa debuts a new cocktail program to complement the bar and lounge space.

Manresa restaurant in California reopens.

“The driving idea behind the new design is to add pleasure to the overall dining experience,” Kinch notes. “Just like with the food we serve, we want the atmosphere of the restaurant to evoke the beauty of the location, and to be a memorable ingredient in its own right.”

Kinch worked with Bay Area-based Sterry Architecture and Sunny Hills Studio to create a new and welcoming space. While the historic 1940’s ranch-style building provides the basic structure for the restaurant, the new Manresa retains its feeling of sophistication with a more contemporary design. In collaboration with Kinch, the design team looked for inspiration from the garden, art, and food. The new color palette comes from the natural beauty of the area and is inspired by the Santa Cruz Mountains and the ocean.  Earth tones such as driftwood, sand, and fog serve as the major hues while cream and Maplewood accents add contrast and sparkle to the space. The renovation preserves many of the original design details including the open beam ceiling and a Gaudi-inspired curved wall.

A new entrance leads guests to the rear of the building along a walkway sheltered by an arbor that terminates near a Japanese-inspired garden. Manresa’s new entry features a high ceiling with a whimsical handmade glass chandelier which can be seen from the street and serves as the focal point for the room. A collaboration between Berkeley artist Erik Powell and Los Angeles based Cleveland Art, the chandelier features hundreds of hand-blown glass crystals in the shape of spoons hanging from a metal fixture. Upon entering, guests will find themselves at the threshold of the brand new lounge and bar —a charming, intimate space at which to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or glass of wine. The backlit bar is the focus of the room and features an alabaster mother of pearl backing. Custom-built lounge seating curves throughout the space and faces Manresa’s distinctive fireplace, which is finished in mosaic tile. 

Manresa restaurant awarded with two stars.

The newly launched cocktail program at Manresa follows the same philosophy as Kinch’s menus—to provide an exceptional experience with the highest quality ingredients. Under the direction of Wine Director Jeff Bareilles, Manresa’s cocktail menu encompasses both classic and contemporary creations, drawing inspiration from the quality and variety of spirits, the modern mixology movement and ingredients from Love Apple Farm, the restaurant’s exclusive farm partner.

Seasonal classic cocktails include the Santa Cruz 75 with Osocalis Brandy, lemon juice, Love Apple Farm honey and Dieboil-Vallois Blanc de Blanc Brut Champagne and the Cosmo Blanc with Hanger One “Straight” Vodka, Cointreau, Japanese plum wine and lemon. More contemporary creations by Bareilles include Jamaica Fresca with Los Azulejos Silver Tequila, lime juice, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, hibiscus syrup and Cynar Artichoke Liqueur and the Shizuka with Hendricks Gin, Fentimans Tonic, Green Chartreuse V.E.P., Love Apple Farms cucumber, Love Apple Farm shiso and aloe. Manresa will also offer a selection of digestifs and aperitifs.

The new bar and lounge is enclosed by two distinctive dining spaces – one on either side. A low wall separates the bar and lounge from the existing dining area. This space has been completely refreshed with new carpeting, lighting, and tables, which seamlessly integrated with the new, fresh color palette. The seats which formerly occupied the new bar and lounge have been integrated into the new dining room, which can seat up to 30. Custom-made pendants draw inspiration from the entry chandelier and a cream and ebony banquette lines the back wall of the room. A mirror situated above the banquette seats reflect the view of the lounge and main dining room, bringing more depth and light into the restaurant. A 6 by 3 foot tall piece of photography by Japanese artist Shinichi Maruyama is displayed in new room, and is one of twelve pieces in his acclaimed “Garden” series. The latest project by Maruyama, “Garden” is a conceptual and visual exploration of Japanese Zen gardens in which he photographs ink and water falling in the air. Adjacent to this new space, guests will find an intimate private dining space with seating up to ten.   

Manresa seats up to 70 and is comprised of three distinct spaces including the two dining spaces, a ten seat bar and lounge area as well as four outdoor seats. The former entrance to the restaurant has been converted into a walk-in wine cellar – an exciting addition to the restaurant’s award-winning wine program.

For more information on Manresa, please visit www.manresarestaurant.com or www.facebook.com/manresarestaurant.

About Manresa:
Located in the village of Los Gatos at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, Manresa is the showcase for the cuisine of renowned Chef and Proprietor David Kinch. Influenced by French and modern Catalan cooking, Kinch finds inspiration from European traditions and refinement, American ingenuity, and the vast bounty California has to offer. Manresa receives many of its ingredients from its exclusive farm partner, Love Apple Farm. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars for five consecutive years and most recently, Kinch received the Best Chefs in America award for the Pacific region from the James Beard Foundation in 2010. Manresa is located at 320 Village Lane in Los Gatos, California. For more information: www.manresarestaurant.com 

Feedback: hannes.konzett@genussziele.com
(Artikelquelle/Photo/copyright: Manresa Restaurant)

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