News

Former Apple store to be razed; combo farm-restaurant planned

Eatery will feature lettuce in the front, livestock in the back

The Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission has approved a plan by billionaire philanthropist John Arrillaga to demolish the former downtown Apple store and its next-door neighbor, Footwear etc., and build a combination farm-restaurant.

The 451 and 463 University Ave. spaces will become the new home for F.I.Y., which stands for "forage it yourself."

Arrillaga plans to completely demolish the current building and construct an actual farm, where diners can come to forage their own meals. He envisions an open-air space where people can come to eat, learn and share with others.

He's also partnering with various local entities to execute on his vision for F.I.Y. A group of Stanford University graduate students who have been studying local food systems and farm-to-table trends will help with the planning process, and two d.school graduates who work at Palo Alto design firm Ideo will design the space.

"I couldn't be more excited about this project -- to take a former Apple building and turne it into this, while bringing in local connections, it just really brings together everything Palo Alto is about," commission Chair Mark Michael said last Wednesday.

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F.I.Y. will be Arrillaga's first foray into the restaurant industry, but he brings a wealth of knowledge about development in Palo Alto. He cited his 2012 failed proposal to build an office-theater complex at 27 University Ave., near the downtown Caltrain station, as a learning experience for what Palo Alto needs.

"What Palo Alto needs is a true, authentic farm-to-table restaurant. It can't get any closer than this," the reclusive billionaire said in a statement.

Arrillaga has already signed a chef, butcher, bartender, sommelier, host and waiters -- all from San Francisco -- to run the respective parts of the restaurant. Diners can forage the produce-related parts of the meal, while the rest will be executed by professionals in an open kitchen. Ideo is also designing a state-of-the-art humane holding facility for livestock -- cows, pigs, chickens and the like -- to be located in the back of the restaurant.

"Everything will of course be organic, with numerous gluten-free and vegan options," said Arrillaga, who himself is a gluten-free vegan.

Arrillaga's press release also stated that he envisions F.I.Y. as not just a restaurant but also a community learning space. He hopes to host cooking classes for all ages and experience levels as well as food, health and sustainable-farming seminars.

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The proposal will now go to the City Council for consideration next month.

(Happy AFD!)

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Former Apple store to be razed; combo farm-restaurant planned

Eatery will feature lettuce in the front, livestock in the back

by Ribs McVany / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Tue, Apr 1, 2014, 9:49 am

The Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission has approved a plan by billionaire philanthropist John Arrillaga to demolish the former downtown Apple store and its next-door neighbor, Footwear etc., and build a combination farm-restaurant.

The 451 and 463 University Ave. spaces will become the new home for F.I.Y., which stands for "forage it yourself."

Arrillaga plans to completely demolish the current building and construct an actual farm, where diners can come to forage their own meals. He envisions an open-air space where people can come to eat, learn and share with others.

He's also partnering with various local entities to execute on his vision for F.I.Y. A group of Stanford University graduate students who have been studying local food systems and farm-to-table trends will help with the planning process, and two d.school graduates who work at Palo Alto design firm Ideo will design the space.

"I couldn't be more excited about this project -- to take a former Apple building and turne it into this, while bringing in local connections, it just really brings together everything Palo Alto is about," commission Chair Mark Michael said last Wednesday.

F.I.Y. will be Arrillaga's first foray into the restaurant industry, but he brings a wealth of knowledge about development in Palo Alto. He cited his 2012 failed proposal to build an office-theater complex at 27 University Ave., near the downtown Caltrain station, as a learning experience for what Palo Alto needs.

"What Palo Alto needs is a true, authentic farm-to-table restaurant. It can't get any closer than this," the reclusive billionaire said in a statement.

Arrillaga has already signed a chef, butcher, bartender, sommelier, host and waiters -- all from San Francisco -- to run the respective parts of the restaurant. Diners can forage the produce-related parts of the meal, while the rest will be executed by professionals in an open kitchen. Ideo is also designing a state-of-the-art humane holding facility for livestock -- cows, pigs, chickens and the like -- to be located in the back of the restaurant.

"Everything will of course be organic, with numerous gluten-free and vegan options," said Arrillaga, who himself is a gluten-free vegan.

Arrillaga's press release also stated that he envisions F.I.Y. as not just a restaurant but also a community learning space. He hopes to host cooking classes for all ages and experience levels as well as food, health and sustainable-farming seminars.

The proposal will now go to the City Council for consideration next month.

(Happy AFD!)

Comments

sueppr@gmail.com
Green Acres
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:24 am
sueppr@gmail.com, Green Acres
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:24 am
Dorothy Black
another community
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:29 am
Dorothy Black, another community
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:29 am

I agree this is certainly different. But when I go out to eat, I want to be SERVED in a seated position and handed a menu from which to select. This is not the restaurant for folks like me.


LOL
Los Altos Hills
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:34 am
LOL, Los Altos Hills
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:34 am

Good one! You had me going, thinking the world had turned on its ear--forgot it was April 1st! Had a good laugh!!!


Eric
Professorville
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:36 am
Eric, Professorville
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:36 am

OMG, well done Weekly News! I was just about to press send to all my friends when I realized...


Wondering
College Terrace
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:36 am
Wondering, College Terrace
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:36 am

Right now i don't understand - livestock at University Ave? There will be odor ... to say the least ... right?


Jeanie Smith
Evergreen Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:44 am
Jeanie Smith, Evergreen Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 10:44 am

HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA good one! The photoshopped butcher made me stop and go Wait What?????!!!
Thank you, PAW!


James
another community
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:07 am
James, another community
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:07 am

Well what about enclosing a small open section where folks could choose their own live turkey and shoot it. You know, like choose and cut xmas trees. That would be fun for all. I think it would attract Mr Facebook who, if I recall, vowed only eat meat he killed himself for one year. I think I saw him recently at La Bamba with a veggie burrito.


Annette
College Terrace
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:21 am
Annette, College Terrace
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:21 am

Good one! Had me believing until I got to the part about the "failed proposal to build an office-theater complex". Thanks for the chuckle.


KP
South of Midtown
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:21 am
KP, South of Midtown
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:21 am

I was starting to think that this guy is crazy. Who wants to go and do gardening just to have dinner. Not me...If I am paying someone, I want to be waited on!!
Then I saw the HAFD!! Good one. It sounded really believable!!


Milk Pail
Mountain View
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:28 am
Milk Pail, Mountain View
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:28 am

This would be sooooo much more convenient for the Milk Pail. We could then keep an eye on our cows!


member
Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:30 am
member, Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:30 am


hee hee hahaha!

love the butcher in the back of the photo !


yardley
Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:32 am
yardley, Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:32 am

hehehe, hahahah!
the butcher in the photo, good one!


resident 1
Adobe-Meadow
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:34 am
resident 1, Adobe-Meadow
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:34 am

Whole Foods Market in San Jose is building a store that will incorporate a brewery with the ingredients grown at the store. Note that AT&T Park is growing a garden.

I recommend that the staff read "Setting the Table" by Danny Meyer. It is a tutorial on the restaurant business - how you grow a single restaurant to a major corporation - Union Square Hospitality Group based in New York. The restaurants include Union Square Café, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern - at MOMA, and a host of other restaurants all with different themes. Also Delta's prime offerings for first class travel. The key to success is Hospitality.

Here is a thought - the Maybell grove could have a demonstration garden with a couple of egg laying chickens, etc. for children to experience the farm experience of planning, growing, and eating the food with help from said restaurant. They could have a hands on garden and go eat at FIY to see the whole experience from beginning to end - or ground to table. Very chi-chi.


Carol Gilbert
University South
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:44 am
Carol Gilbert, University South
on Apr 1, 2014 at 11:44 am

Oh this was a good one! You had me until the animals were going to be penned on the property even though I thought the concept was ridiculous :-))


porter
Midtown
on Apr 1, 2014 at 12:37 pm
porter, Midtown
on Apr 1, 2014 at 12:37 pm

Glad to see the new crew has the humor of the old PAW standbys. Good work!


Sam
Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Sam, Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:13 pm

Because of health code requirements, all patrons will need to take and pass food handling tests before they can make a reservation to dine. They will also need to don hair nets and protective gloves due to recent state laws.

Nice job!


Gullible
Barron Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Gullible, Barron Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:17 pm

I was totally buying this, after it is Palo Alto. What finally set off my B.S alarm was the assertion that Arrillaga "is a gluten-free vegan". At that point I realized what day it is. Many things are possible in Palo Alto, but not a gluten-free vegan billionaire developer. Great parody!


observer
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:38 pm
observer, Old Palo Alto
on Apr 1, 2014 at 1:38 pm

LOL! Funny stuff! Thanks PA Weekly!


Nora Charles
Registered user
Stanford
on Apr 1, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Nora Charles, Stanford
Registered user
on Apr 1, 2014 at 2:14 pm

Well done, Ribs McVany!


April Fooled
Evergreen Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 2:40 pm
April Fooled, Evergreen Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 2:40 pm

I was so upset about razing the old Apple (music store before) building that I skimmed right down to the comments. Then I didn't know why anyone would say hahahah about it; THEN I saw the Happy AFD! Love it!!!


funny
Barron Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:27 pm
funny, Barron Park
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:27 pm

Hilarious! I first believed it because Palo Alto would do something like this. The only thing that threw me for a loop was catering to vegans and then having animals being slaughtered for meals in the back. Good one!


Christine
Greendell/Walnut Grove
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm
Christine, Greendell/Walnut Grove
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:28 pm

Must be an April Fool's joke!


NIMBY
Green Acres
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:41 pm
NIMBY, Green Acres
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:41 pm

Thank goodness that the professionals will be executing the livestock:

"Diners can forage the produce-related parts of the meal, while the rest will be executed by professionals in an open kitchen."

Part of the April 1 levity? Well done PAW!


Eric again
Professorville
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:57 pm
Eric again, Professorville
on Apr 1, 2014 at 3:57 pm

The only this it's missing is a GBus with built in kitchen to ease the commutes of the chef, butcher, bartender, sommelier, host and waiters from San Francisco!


fool me twice
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 1, 2014 at 4:29 pm
fool me twice, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 1, 2014 at 4:29 pm

John Arrillaga actually did offer to move the Julia Morgan Building from 27 University to the Maybell orchard, if the City wished. This is when it seemed like the restaurant was closing.

Apparently the City is going to pay to keep it somewhere in the north, like all of the city's other major assets.


wayne douglass
Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 4:32 pm
wayne douglass, Ventura
on Apr 1, 2014 at 4:32 pm

When Know Knew Books shuffled off to Los Altos, I speculated with the staff at the soon-to-be-defunct Bargain Box that the restaurant slated to replace it would serve "gourmet haggis." Little did I know that the actual food concept at the restaurant would top mine.


NIMBY
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 1, 2014 at 5:52 pm
NIMBY, Old Palo Alto
on Apr 1, 2014 at 5:52 pm

No, no, no. This place of business that will generate traffic and ruin our idyllic small town.


Anonymous
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 1, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Anonymous, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 1, 2014 at 6:42 pm

Zuck said he only eats meat he slaughters himself. This would be the place. Had the patron the knives and let them butcher their own dinners.


K
University South
on Apr 2, 2014 at 3:25 am
K, University South
on Apr 2, 2014 at 3:25 am

UGH. I live a few blocks from there and almost freaked out reading this especially as a vegan. I imagined having to walk around that area everyday just to avoid having to see those poor animals. Glad it's a joke; otherwise, it started to sound like some kind of horror dystopian true story, which, sadly, seems not completely impossible in PA these days. Besides, that shoe store is really cool.


GOOD EARTH Restaurant & Bakery
University South
on Apr 2, 2014 at 8:45 am
GOOD EARTH Restaurant & Bakery, University South
on Apr 2, 2014 at 8:45 am

We're actively looking for the right spot for our return to downtown Palo Alto so my initial reaction was "Damn, we've been scooped!"
Then we had a good laugh. Nice work PAW.
Who says Palo Alto has lost its sense of humor. Besides, a Giant Cinnamon Butter Bun or Planet Burger will always trump the foraging idea. Alan Moll


Astonished
Midtown
on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:14 am
Astonished, Midtown
on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:14 am

What absolute, arrant nonsense this idea is. Surely this great philanthropist, Arrillaga, has more intelligent ones, which could put the money to better use? T here are hundreds of thousands of better ways to disperse one's wealth to serve the community. This particular plan is one of the most mediocre ones, and he should be embarrassed by it.


neighbor
another community
on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:53 am
neighbor, another community
on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:53 am

It's not April Fool's Day anymore -- don't use this "joke-story" to make fools of people. Not responsible journalism.


Old-timer
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 2, 2014 at 11:11 am
Old-timer, Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 2, 2014 at 11:11 am

It's fun to see comments are still coming, even on April 2nd. A friendly request to Neighbor from someone enjoying these clever stories: lighten up.


Mike Alexander
St. Claire Gardens
on Apr 2, 2014 at 1:05 pm
Mike Alexander, St. Claire Gardens
on Apr 2, 2014 at 1:05 pm

I do hope they call it The Restaurant at the End of the Universe!


Jimmy
Downtown North
on Apr 2, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Jimmy, Downtown North
on Apr 2, 2014 at 5:45 pm

Do they serve cow pies?


Palo Alto Mom
Midtown
on Apr 2, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Palo Alto Mom, Midtown
on Apr 2, 2014 at 11:43 pm

This is so very funny! Thank you Palo Alto Weekly!

I must admit I thought the news was strange but fell for it nonetheless!


Gullible
Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Gullible, Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 1:30 pm

I was on board with all of this until I saw the name of the restaurant and realized it had to be a joke given Arrillaga's predictable naming habits. If he built it, it would be called The Arrillaga FIY.


CrescentParkAnon.
Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 5:06 pm
CrescentParkAnon., Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 5:06 pm

I thought the former Swain's House of Music was a kind of landmark or something?
They want to demolish it now? Farms, in Palo Alto?


CrescentParkAnon.
Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 5:07 pm
CrescentParkAnon., Crescent Park
on Apr 1, 2015 at 5:07 pm

OK, funny, funny, how many of these 4-1 jokes are you going to put out there? Pffffffffttttt!


Name hidden
Woodside

on Apr 1, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Name hidden, Woodside

on Apr 1, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?


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