First Look at Howie’s Artisan Pizza in Palo Alto

Dining room and bar under construction. (Photo courtesy of EcoModern Design)

Mark your calendars now. The much anticipated Howie’s Artisan Pizza place is expected to open Nov. 19 in the Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.

Yes, New Haven-style pizza by well-regarded Chef Howard Bulka, former head chef of Marche in Menlo Park and Silks in San Francisco.

Construction is still going on and dishes still being perfected, but here’s a sneak peek at all the work that’s been going on in the once-vacant spot near Sur La Table.

Retro light fixtures in the main dining room. (Photo courtesy of EcoModern Design)

Berkeley’s EcoModern Design is transforming the space with earth tones, exposed timber-frame ceilings, cork walls, bamboo counters with brass inlays, hand-forged iron fixtures, and retro lighting fixtures.

One of the coolest features is the divider between the bar and dining room. It’s made of glass panels filled with olive oil. Yes, really.

Yup, that's olive oil in between those glass panes.

For a touch of whimsy, you can’t beat the “tomato sauce splotch” on the restaurant’s window. It’s the restaurant’s fun, clever logo.

"Tomato sauce'' that won't come off. Sort of. (Photo courtesy of EcoModern Design)

More: My Q&A earlier this year with Chef Howard Bulka.

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Date: Tuesday, 10. November 2009 5:13
Trackback: Trackback-URL Category: Chefs, General, Going Green and Sustainable, Pizza, Restaurants

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11 comments

  1. VeggieGirl
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 6:20
    1

    Can’t wait to see the finished interior!

  2. Nate
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 7:17
    2

    Oh what I’d give for a New Haven Pizza…or even a Hawaiian pizza!

  3. CG the Foodie
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 8:00
    3

    I can’t wait! And love the olive oil wall!

  4. Carroll
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 8:58
    4

    Carolyn, your reviews are going to ruin my food budget! First the place in Sunnyvale — now this. At least we have time to save up some scratch for this one, and it promises to be a bit more affordable than the high-end eateries. Thanks (yet again) for another good tip!

  5. ann
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 9:27
    5

    yay!! I’ll probably wait a few days after the opening, but it’s on my to do this month. Thanks for the heads up!!

  6. hungry dog
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 9:43
    6

    I love the olive oil panels, what a fun idea! I’ll have to check it out…,my mom lives in palo alto so I have the perfect excuse to go visit in a few weeks. Thanks for the heads up!

  7. Andrea@WellnessNotes
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 15:06
    7

    Thanks for the heads up! :)

  8. Moe Rubenzahl
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 17:06
    8

    OK, I know about New York pizza (see my blog for evidence!). I know Chicago pizza. What’s “New Haven” pizza??

  9. foodgal
    Tuesday, 10. November 2009 21:13
    9

    Moe: Check out this definition of New Haven-style pizza from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Haven-style_pizza

  10. Judith Stewart
    Wednesday, 11. November 2009 9:28
    10

    PIZZA. One of the 5 food groups in my life. Now if we can only find someplace to park at Town & Country to enjoy it!

  11. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
    Wednesday, 11. November 2009 10:35
    11

    The glass dividers with olive oil are so neat, what a creative design!

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