In recent months, San Carlos has said good bye to some of the most beloved shops and restaurants on Laurel Street. After 33 years of service, our favorite shoe expert Dave has decided to retire. Similarly, Dave’s next-door neighbor Jimmy, owner of Guy’s Barbershop, has also done the same. Both are already greatly missed. In addition to that, the UPS Store beside them has also closed and will be turned into a small grocery store. On the restaurant side, Blind Tasting and Paxti’s Pizza have also quietly closed its doors, paving way for new restaurants on the block.
To relive some memories, here are some pictures we took at Blind Tasting, The Cobbler, and Guy’s Barbershop with Jimmy. If you meet them in town, be sure to say “hi!”:
New Restaurants: Esnaf, Turkish Restaurant
As they say, when doors close, new ones open. And that happens quite often on Laurel Street. As for new restaurants, Esnaf has recently launched in the former Cuisinett. Esnaf quickly gained a reputation for its delicious Turkish food and unique atmosphere, and the most recommended dishes by customers so far are the Crispy Manti, Kebap Trio, Pide, Shrimp and Mushroom Appetizers – and to top it all, the best Turkish Coffee in town. The cozy, beautifully decorated interior, coupled with friendly and attentive staff, makes Esnaf a must-try dining experience.
Upcoming: Highlands Sports Bar & Grill, Bistro Mitte, Elia Restaurant, and Impasto Pizzeria
On a high note, our beloved serial local restaurateur and owner of Drakes, Christian Conte, takes over the former Sneakers American Grill with a similar concept named after one of San Carlos’s parks: Highlands Sports Bar & Grill, which will feature large screen TVs in every booth, 36 craft beers on tap, and a full lunch and dinner menu with cocktails and happy hour. Bistro Mitte, judging from its name, will be a new German restaurant – so get ready for some Frankfurt, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut.
On the other hand, Elia Restaurant (located in the former Taurus) is already an established name in two other locations; Elia offers fine dining under a charming Greek ambiance, with top-notch cuisines like the Chicken Souvlaki, Seafood Paella, Sautéed Prawns, as well as delightful desserts like the Baklava and deconstructed Lemon Cheesecake. Meanwhile, the much awaited Impasto Pizzeria is set to launch this July.
Survey: What restaurants would you like to see in Laurel Street?
So that completes our list of updates from Laurel Street. As you can see, there are other spots waiting to be filled. So – what other restaurant would you like to see in Laurel Street? Please let us know in the survey below:
Create your own user feedback survey
This survey will be sent to Commercial Real Estate Agent Alex Kent. If you are thinking of opening a shop or restaurant in San Carlos, please feel free to contact Alex directly at the following contact info:
Alex Kent of Symphonic Real Estate Services
- DRE# 01718732
- alex.kent@symphonic-inv.com
- 650-793-0541
About San Carlos Life
Mark Martinho and Vivienne Kelvin are the hosts of San Carlos Life and have been residents of San Carlos for years. While running San Carlos Life together with an awesome team, Mark and Viv are also in the business of real estate as co-owners of Vabrato, a luxury real estate brokerage serving the San Carlos, and the whole of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. With over 30 years of combined experience in the business and 95% of their clients coming in from referrals, Mark and Viv take great pride and joy in exceeding your expectations.
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Contact Mark and Viv of Vabrato Real Estate
