 Spring has definitely sprung in Los Gatos. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the people are sneezing—oh well, two out of three isn't bad, right? There's still time to make Easter meal plans, snap up last minute treats for Easter baskets, and enjoy the season of growth.
After church and the requisite egg hunt, enjoying a leisurely meal at one of the town's numerous restaurants, browsing through the farmers market in the Los Gatos Town Plaza at Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue and shopping through downtown makes for an ideal Sunday in Los Gatos. Be aware that most restaurants are taking reservations for the holiday, and prepare to wait at those establishments that seat on a first-come, first-served basis.
At the Toll House Hotel, 140 S. Santa Cruz Ave., diners can enjoy a lavish buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for just $29.95. Call 408.395.7070 for more information and reservations. Other popular choices for special dining experiences include: La Hacienda Restaurant, 18840 SaratogaLos Gatos Road (408.354.6669) and Manresa, 320 Village Lane (408.354.4330).
Kuleto's Restaurant in Hotel Los Gatos at 210 E. Main St. is also featuring an Easter buffet for $30. The restaurant's expanded buffet will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no dinner meals served that night). Call 408.354.8290 for reservations.
For last minute springtime and Easter gifts, consider picking up flowers at Bunches, located at 14-1/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Call 408.395.5451 to place an order for pickup or delivery.
The French Cellar, located at 32 E. Main St., celebrates Joyeuses Paques (aka Happy Easter) with an annual crop of chocolate eggs from the Bonnat family. Since 1884, the Bonnat chocolatiers have provided gourmet delights for chocoholics around the world. Genuine brown eggshells are lined with dark chocolate and filled with a milk chocolate hazelnut praline. The 2.2-ounce eggs are available individually for $6.50 or by the half dozen.
Traditional nonalcoholic beverages include dry sparkling apple cider from Duchy du Longville (presented in a champagne bottle with a genuine cork) or Lorena Pink Lemonade. Both are priced at $5. The French Cellar is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store can be reached at 408.354.0993.
Speaking of chocolate ... Cocoa Pete's Chocolate Adventures, 910 E. Hamilton Ave., Sweet 300, in Campbell, has joined up with the Los Gatos Brewing Company, 130-G N. Santa Cruz Ave., to offer a unique taste celebration on April 19. There, head confectioner and founder Pete Slosberg (who also established Pete's Wicked Ale) will unite his two culinary loves—beer and chocolate.
The event will start off with a brief "chocolate 101" education session led by Cocoa Pete, followed by brewpub libations paired with each of the four flavors of Cocoa Pete's chocolate bars.
For more information or reservations, contact Los Gatos Brewing Company at 408.395.9929.
The SpaLos Gatos, 100 S. Santa Cruz Ave., reminds us that spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation. In that spirit, The Spa is hosting a month-long special event called April in Paris. Fragrant fresh flowers spilling from the spa's rooms and hallways, as well as the taste of French wine and chocolate, enhance the event's Parisian theme.
The specially created treatments, together called Springtime in France, consist of two services—Le Réveil du Printemps (awakening of the spring) facial and La Rosée du Corps (the body dew), a rejuvenating body treatment.
In conjunction with other area businesses that offer French-style goods and services (Europe Your Way, Travel Advisors of Los Gatos, Toll House Hotel, Pigalle Restaurant, The Plumed Horse, Sur La Table), there will be a grand giveaway of prizes, such as an evening escape for two involving French dining, spa treatments and a certificate toward a night's stay at the Toll House Hotel. Other prizes include travel discounts, specialized travel planning and French language lessons, culinary classes and more. YonKa Paris products will be featured for the full month of April at a 15 percent discount.
To make reservations or learn more, call 408.354.5901 or visit The SpaLos Gatos website at www.thespalosgatos.com.
In case you missed it, Falc S.p.A., one of the oldest and largest European children's footwear manufacturers, recently joined with local Los Gatos business Naturino (the only Northern California retailer of Falc S.p.A) and sponsors educational-toy retailer The Learning Game and photographic supplier ImageSnap to celebrate its 30th anniversary on April 3.
The event occurred at Naturino, located at 29 University Ave., and the fun included face painting, a photo competition and a drawing competition, a special guest appearance by Cinderella, cake and refreshments. All children attending also received a party goodie bag with Naturino and sponsors' gifts. In addition, a professional photographer took pictures of children—one of which will be selected by Falc S.p.A.'s judges in Italy for inclusion in its next worldwide ad campaign.
For more information on Naturino, contact owner Marina Cerin-Stith at 408.399.5131.
Do you have or know about a cool new Los Gatos business, a hot news tip or a business anniversary or special event to announce? We'd love to hear about it. Contact Michelle C. Crowe at 408.378.9056 or a1writers@hotmail.com.
Michelle C. Crowe is a Silicon Valley-based freelance writer
and editor.
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