A historic eatery Restaurants, posted by Editor, Palo Alto Online, on Oct 26, 2008 at 9:45 pm
The MacArthur Park restaurant occupies one of the loveliest buildings on the West Coast. Officially known as "Hostess House," the structure is a California historical landmark. Designed by regional architect Julia Morgan, the Arts and Crafts-era building was once a place where World War I soldiers from the former Camp Fremont in Menlo Park could meet with their families.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, October 10, 2008, 12:00 AM
Posted by Mike-Crescent Park, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Oct 27, 2008 at 11:26 am
I sincerely hope that MacArthur Park can regain its popularity.
In the 1990s it was a lively and fun place. Happy hour used to have crowds of professionals from town, with appetizers and live baby grand piano entertainment (mostly Windham Hill people I am told) adding to the attraction. I have had many, many business and non-business dinners there, and met lots of folks for a drink at the bar. Used to be my favorite place to take out of towners and meet local friends as well.
Somewhere along the way, the piano was eliminated for more tables. Then the charming and window-oriented bar was remodeled to the dark thing it is today. And tv screens were added, visible from dining tables. The place lost its charm and became a darker, sports-bar oriented kind of place.
My hope is the new owners can restore the openness and charm that it once was, and regain the fun crowd of customers that seem to be escaping them now.
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