SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA AUGUST 25 Dining al Fresco Cool Picnic Spots Rich in Charm The Gold Country Hey Macarena! Deliciously Spanish Natural Calling: The Sand Artist Virtuoso Hanging Out with Friends at the Dutch Goose PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM snail days of summer
IN A WORLD OF STRAIGHT LINES, THE CURVE INSPIRES. LICENSE B479799 Curved lines bring a sense of fluidity, warmth, and movement to interiors. There’s something inherently inviting about a space that embraces curves. They soften the overall feel, making a room more tactile and experiential. Whether it’s a kitchen, bath, or a large living space, curves can help lead you through in a seamless, magical way. it’s time to renew.®
Renewal is at the center of every home remodeling dream. It makes everything fresh, exciting, and wide-open for possibilities again. It’s how we re-invent not only our homes, but our lives, and become our best selves. Let’s take this journey together. 650.230.2900 HarrellDesignBuild.com EMPLOYEEOWNED
OVERALL HAMILTON 580 GONOWABIE ROAD THE TAHOE GLASS HOUSE thetahoeglasshouse.com
©MMXXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. SONI JACKSON 808.937.7393 soni.jackson@sothebysrealty.com NV S.0177775 BRECK OVERALL 530.318.3452 breck@overallhamiltongroup.com CA DRE 01760070 | NV S.0184483
TRANQUILITY AWAITS Building A Better Way Building sustainable and beautifully timeless homes that celebrate our clients’ unique personalities has inspired our team at Earth Bound Homes since 2002. We support and collaborate with the best architects in the Bay Area, ensuring all stakeholders - the client and the architect - enjoy an organized and thoughtfully planned pre-construction and custom home building, major remodel, or home addition experience. By using science and technology, we build healthier homes that are more comfortable, quieter, with incredible attention to indoor air quality and energy efficiency, all designed to enhance the lives of our clients and their families.
EarthBoundHome.com CA LICENSE #836236
8 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Peninsula Culture 23 Good for the Goose 30 Perfect Shot 32 Diary of a Dog: Oreo {due west} Travel & Wellness 37 Head for the Hills 44 Prime Picnics IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Editor’s Note 14 Sloane Citron 17 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / CHRISTOPHER STARK / VISIT PLACER / ANNIE BARNETT {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 51 Hey Macarena! 60 Sweet on Sourdough 64 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 67 Fresh Feel 72 Seaside Scenes {punchout} Features 90 Gone with the Tide {landmark} 98 Kohl Pumphouse {august 2025} contents 67 60 23 37
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE We believe homes should support well-being — for the people who live in them and the environment. That’s why we design with purpose, guided by Passive House principles that prioritize comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality. The result: a home that looks good, feels good, and quietly sustains for generations. Atelier-Essex.com | Palo Alto | New York info@atelier-essex.com | 917.426.2330
10 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” —JERRY SEINFELD FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Sloane Citron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrea Gemmet CREATIVE DIRECTOR Britt Johnston SENIOR EDITOR Johanna Harlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sheri Baer COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Annie Barnett Paulette Phlipot PHOTOGRAPHERS Gino De Grandis Robb Most Irene Searles Robert David Siegel WRI TERS Lotus Abrams Jennifer Jory Loureen Murphy Sheryl Nonnenberg EDITORIAL INTERN Margaret Koenig ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE David Fenton CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Airiel Mulvaney ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Randall PUNCH is an idea about how to live a life that is more engaging and authentic, from personal adventures, growth and what we feed our bodies and souls to the culture that fulfills us and the traditions and new discoveries offered by the Peninsula. It is about appreciating and exploring the richness of where we live and how that understanding can enhance our lives and make them more fulfilling and happy. FOLLOW PUNCH: @punchmonthly PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FOR EVERYTHING PUNCH, COMPLETE CALENDAR, INSIDE SCOOPS & MORE: punchmagazine.com PUNCH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Please call 650.383.3636 or email hello@punchmonthly.com PUBLISHED 1047 El Camino Real, Suite 202 Menlo Park, CA 94025 ©2025 by 36 Media, LLC Members Sloane Citron, David Arfin hello@punchmonthly.com punchmagazine.com PUNCH® is a registered trademark of 36 Media, LLC
AlysGraceMP alysgracebayarea A L Y S G R A C E . C O M MENLO PARK 899B SANTA CRUZ AVE SAN FRANCISCO 3490 SACRAMENTO ST LOS ALTOS 208 MAIN ST SAN RAMON 6000 BOLLINGER CANYON RD ALEXA LEIGH AMO DENIM APIECE APART APOTHEKE ASKKNY ATM AUTUMN CASHMERE B. BELTS CHAN LUU CIRCOLO 1901 CLARE V. COLLABORATION COSABELLA COTES OF LONDON FRAME FRANK & EILEEN G1 HARRIS WHARF LONDON ILLESTEVA JAO BRAND KAI FRAGRANCE KUTJEN LOEFFLER RANDALL MANSUR GAVRIEL MICHAEL STARS MOTHER MOUSSY NEST FRAGRANCES NEVER A WALLFLOWER NILI LOTAN ONCEPT ONE GREY DAY REPEAT CASHMERE RIDDLE OIL ROYAL NOMAD SAINT ART SAVE THE DUCK SEA NEW YORK THE GREAT TROVATA ULLA JOHNSON URBAN APOTHECARY VALSPORT VELVET WHITE + WARREN XIRENA
12 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM for a fun day out. (Page 44) If you’re reading our August issue indoors while daydreaming of the coast, meet Brighton Denevan, a Santa Cruz artist who creates beautifully intricate large-scale works on local beaches with basic gardening tools. If you aren’t in the right place at the right time to see them, no problem. He preserves them in mesmerizing photos and videos before the tides sweep them away. (Page 90) Fine art painter Laura Hughes grew up on the East Coast, and while she’s made her home in Palo Alto for years, she finds endless artistic inspiration from summers on the Jersey Shore. (Page 72) When Greg Stern realized his job was making him miserable, he took a leap. Hear about the rewards and challenges of taking over the Dutch Goose, the beloved West Menlo Park joint known for its addictive deviled eggs and the initials engraved into the woodwork by generations of diners. (Page 23) We also talk to the two chefs behind lively Macarena in downtown Palo Alto. The restaurant is serving up Spanish classics with some innovative twists, like patatas bravas transformed into churros. (Page 51) Baffled by bread-making? Redwood City’s Deb Lemos is on a one-woman mission to help everyone become a successful sourdough baker. She fills her wildly popular Instagram account (@everything. sourdough) with recipes, tutorials and tips. (Page 60) Ease into August with all these stories and so much more. Enjoy! Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} badges, standing in line for swag and navigating a cavernous convention center while hopping around on their flippers. Thankfully, it was not that kind of convention. The annual event, held in the Sacramento suburb’s Hagan Park since 2019, felt more like a family reunion at a swimming pool. The joyful, all-ages gathering was filled with people in seashells and scales, plus a handful of friendly pirates. In the kiddie pool, a performer with a fabulously fishy tail basked and chatted with a gaggle of little girls in makeshift costumes while they hung on her every word. When the mermaid’s shift was done, she was loaded onto a dolly and wheeled over to the main pool, where she could really stretch her fins. Seeing those starstruck kids hit a nerve. When I was a kid, I was fascinated by mermaid lore—all that dramatic tension from straddling two worlds without fully belonging in either one—a fact that I apparently never mentioned to my husband. Jeff and I have been nearly inseparable since the age of 18 and at this point, there’s not a whole lot that we don’t already know about each other. Somehow, it didn’t come up until we found ourselves at Mermaid Con. With a packed itinerary, our four-day trip to Gold Country was full of many other happy surprises. The beautiful scenery and amazing outdoor recreation in Placer and Nevada counties are a given, but the thriving art scene, great dining and charmingly laid-back wine region were sources of ongoing delight. (Page 37) Not up for a road trip? Enjoy the great outdoors right here on the Peninsula by planning a picnic. Check out our sampling of great places to spread your blanket (or fire up a barbecue) I’d never attended a convention quite like this one. On the very day I arrived in Rancho Cordova to report on this month’s travel story about Gold Country, the California Mermaid Convention was in full swing. I was picturing mermaids on dry land, wearing name MERMAID PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT RANCHO CORDOVA
SF PENINSULA & LAKE TAHOE RJDAILEY.COM | 650.948.5196 Lic. # B-379562 | Lic. # 0088663 FINE HOME BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} deal with that, then you just want everything to be perfect but to tell you something not everything can be perfect (but really nothing can be perfect.) Please try to just think about it. Try to make it a kid’s room not a 20 year old person’s room, I’m not even going to be here when I’m 20. Oh—on the next page, I show you where I want it to be. If it’s in the corner, then no one will be able to see it and I will just forget about it. Remember, I’m not 20. Thank you. I love you, Ari. The true beauty of this letter was seeing the creative spirit emanate from my daughter—her divinely-inspired gift revealing itself at such an early age. Her first, gentle effort to redo her room led to four more attempts to make her room her own, including new paint, doors removed and furniture rearranged. Finally, it was to her liking. Today, Arielle is a noted interior designer. With ease and confidence (and incredibly creative style), she has designed dozens of beautiful homes in Atherton, Menlo Park, Beverly Hills. And now, when I see her designing rooms and deciding on the multitude of choices in a home, I can’t help but think of her first little drawing of her own room. Yes, my dear Arielle, you can rearrange your room! I love you, Dad. A s I’ve been chronicling in these pages, we had to move out of our family home for an extended time while it was being renovated. Recently, we made the big transition back. Moving (in this case twice) is, was and always will be one of life’s most unpleasant tasks. We have boxed and reboxed and boxed again. Each time, we made the three distinctive piles: keep, donate, throw away. Each time, the donate and throw-away piles are extensive, and yet, like a plate of unwanted food at a formal dinner, the pile of boxes just doesn’t seem to get any smaller. But one good thing keeps happening: the discovery of long-lost or forgotten mementos that capture a moment, time or place that brings back joyful recollections. I’m not one to throw away these fragments of my children’s lives—each one a perfect treasure, a moment in time that I can never revisit now that those children are grown, their childhoods distant. I don’t possess a mind that can easily remember the past; I need the physical reminders to help me recall the happy events of my life. For parents, these fragile relics, when read years later, can provide a snapshot of the life your child was headed toward. Of course, their whims and wants can and do change, but often the mark is there. I speak from some experience, since I started my first publication when I was eight. During our latest unboxing exercise, I came across a three-page letter from my then-11-year-old daughter, Arielle. She is now married with two sweet boys, ages five and three, and a newborn little girl. Finding her missive was a bit like unearthing a clutch of arrowheads during the excavation for a new building in Santa Fe—everything stopped, and I slowly read this newly re-discovered treasure: Dear Dad, How are you doing? I love you so much and I think I should be able to choose where I put things! My room is already too grown up for me and I need to put more colors in it. I know that you want my room to be just right, but I’m sorry that I’m not 20 but I am still 11 and I’m still only a kid. If I could just pick where I put my bulletin board, I would be very happy. Remember it’s not yours, it’s my room. And if you can’t creative firsts
NICOLE RUCCOLO NICOLE RUCCOLO LUXURY REAL ESTATE REALTOR 650.823.0002 | DRE 02101054 NICOLE.RUCCOLO@COMPASS.COM NICOLERUCCOLO.COM Expect Exceptional Compass is a licensed real estate broker 01527235 in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit properties already listed.
John James
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 17 AUGUST 2025 + 31 DAYS + EASY LIVING + OUR 85TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + It’s back! The 49ers’ preseason kicks off against the Broncos, August 9. + Dig in! The California Gold Rush got its start on August 16, 1896. + Don’t miss the Little League World Series championship on August 24. + Head to the coast for farm-fresh tomatoes, sweet corn and strawberries. Venture Out + GALLOP on over to the Woodside Summer Horse Trials to watch riders and steeds make gravity-defying leaps over huge hurdles at The Horse Park at Woodside, August 8 to 10. horsepark.org + FEAST on lamb shanks and honeyed loukoumades at the Belmont Greek Festival at Holy Cross Church, August 30 and 31. belmontgreekfestival.com + WANDER through the woods to meet over 140 artists showcasing their work at the Kings Mountain Art Fair, August 30 to September 1. kingsmountainartfair.org Back in the day, no school opened its doors in August. Back then, August could be counted on as a fine month for making travel plans. Now, if you’re hoping to do something with anyone who has children, you practically need a spreadsheet to track all the different first days of school and sports practices, spoiling an otherwise perfectly good vacation month. Regardless of your situation, don’t let the summer pass you by without finding something fantastically fun and new to finish out the season. Explore, discover, investigate. Close it out with a bang! “It was August, and the fields were high with corn.” —MELANIE GIDEON welcome back
18 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Realm of Ice and Sky by Buddy Levy—Amid Arctic’s merciless beauty, daring airship explorers battle tragedy and hubris in a riveting historic rescue tale. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan—Mousy exlibrarian finds her voice through a bold second career: driving a bookmobile around rural Scotland. New Scientist—Since 1956, asking the big-picture questions about life, the universe and what it means to be human—newscientist.com WHO KNEW? The Notre Dame de Namur University campus was built around the historic Ralston Hall Mansion— but have you ever wondered why its interior feels like the inside of a boat? After purchasing the property in 1864, financier William Chapman Ralston constructed the mansion, drawing on his fortune from California’s gold and silver booms. The interior evokes a Gothic-style steamboat, said to be inspired by Ralston’s lifelong passion for boating. Well Read Unscramble TBEUKRQRAAC ROKCB RDPUY Finally, some half-baked advice: Don’t give up your dreams—keep on sleeping. Carpe Diem + DRINK in the drama at San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s free performances at Red Morton Park in Redwood City. During the second, third and fourth weekends of this month, watch a modern twist on The Two Gentlemen of Verona, transposing the classic comedy from Renaissance Italy to contemporary California. While there, check out the park’s other amenities, including tennis and basketball courts, plenty of open fields and a water playground that’s sure to be irresistible to the kids on a hot day. sfshakes.org + PURSUE a new skill—or hone an old one—at Palo Alto Adult School, where you’re never too old to learn. Try your hand at arts and crafts (like sewing, painting or woodworking), learn a new language or take a stab at creative writing. A few of the many other areas of study include cooking, business and finance, music, photography and even birding. paadultschool.org Dash to Dine + MARUGAME UDON—Bustling Japanese eatery serving customizable bowls of freshly made udon, plus curries and tempura—383 University Avenue, Palo Alto + AMOUR AMOUR WINE BAR & TAPAS— Tantalizing small plates, excellent drinks and rustic ambiance—305 East 4th, San Mateo + RARA—Unique Nepalese restaurant with authentic cuisine and a quaint atmosphere. A neighborhood gem—201 California Avenue, Palo Alto
1218 MIDDLEFIELD RD, PALO ALTO 4 beds | 4 baths | 1 office 2,764 sf home | 6,146 sf lot $5,198,000 1218middlefield.com
20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What’s a surprising fact about oysters you wish every diner knew? Despite their size and odd flavor, Belon oysters are the best thing you’ll ever eat. What drew you to the culinary world? I couldn’t make it in the real one. At work, what task do you look forward to the most? A super busy shift working the sauté station. You get absolutely destroyed. It’s amazing! What makes the sauté station so brutal? It’s definitely the highest-volume station in the kitchen. You’re picking up 8 to 10 pastas at a time, searing fish, steaming mussels, all while listening for the next dishes. I’m a sucker for organization so, for me, it’s like a game of Tetris. Sum up your personal philosophy in one sentence. There is no crying in the walk-in. Do you have a favorite dish currently on Clark’s menu? Crispy rockfish with grits and sofrito. What’s at the top of your bucket list? The Kentucky Derby. Outside of the Bay Area, where’s your favorite destination for food? Late-night Chinese in NYC. THE Q & A JOSH HINES What’s the most memorable meal you’ve had? My first French fine dining dinner in New York, at Chanterelle. Everything from the handwritten menus to the floral arrangements was perfect. The food was amazing. It made me realize how much a really good dinner can wow all of the senses. What subject has been occupying your mind lately? The fall of the Roman Empire. Can you share something that always surprises people to learn about you? I never went to culinary school. Are there any foods that remind you of your childhood? Watermelon with salt and pepper. Where do you find the best oysters? Maine. Always. Who’s the best B-list celebrity you’ve cooked for? Chuck Norris. At the time, my chef friends and I had a running competition of who had the best B-list celebs (A-list is boring). I hands-down won with Chuck! What was your childhood dream job? Architect. How do you feel about being a chef? Being a chef is the worst job you’ll ever love. The chef and veteran oyster-shucker at Clark’s Oyster Bar in Menlo Park opens up about celebrity diners, sauté station stressors and the best mollusk you’ll ever eat.
Photo by Christina Alegre
KEYKO PINTZ | KPINTZ@THEAGENCYRE.COM | 650.224.9815 | LIC. #02011298 MONICA HANOVER | MHANOVER@THEAGENCYRE.COM | 650.660.0594 | LIC. #02221560 ©2025 UMRO Realty Corp., dba The Agency. Registered service marks; all rights reserved. The Agency fully supports the Equal Housing Opportunity laws. The Agency, its affiliates, subsidiaries, and franchises make no representations, warranties, or guaranties as to the accuracy of the information contained herein, including square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition, suitability or features of the property. All material is intended for informational purposes only and has been obtained from public records, MLS, or other sources believed to be reliable, but not verified. You should conduct a careful, independent investigation of the information and property, and consult with appropriate professionals, such as appraisers, architects, civil engineers, etc. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. We do not intend to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. CalDRE #01904054. 5 BED 6 BATH 5,900 SQ.FT. 20,037 SQ.FT. LOT Luxurious and Spacious MENLO PARK, CA KEYKOANDMONICA.COM PRICE UPON REQUEST
PROFILE good for the goose words by JENNIFER JORY • photography by ANNIE BARNETT PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 23 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE
24 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} At the Dutch Goose, the floors are covered in peanut shells and the walls with carved initials. This long-running hangout in West Menlo Park has welcomed the neighborhood for nearly 60 years. They’re still serving deviled eggs made from the same recipe that’s been on the menu since 1966. The locals like it that way. This unassuming family-owned eatery serves as a backdrop for Silicon Valley lore, from its many famous patrons to the test launch of Pong, the first commercially successful video game. While the deviled egg recipe remains a secret, perhaps the real secret sauce is the connection people feel when they take a seat at “the Goose.” “You can come into the Dutch Goose alone and you will see buddies or you’ll meet buddies,” owner Greg Stern promises. “You have this community when you are at the Dutch Goose. Everybody comes together and gets along,” he says. Greg believes the restaurant’s camaraderie is its staying power, in contrast to other burger purveyors that are moving to automated ordering. “At Shake Shack or McDonald’s, you’re met with a kiosk or a QR code menu,” Greg laments. “That sense of community is lost.” The Goose is a local fixture with history—its logo was made by the same designer who created the Grateful Dead’s. A Menlo Park native, Greg seized on the opportunity to buy the Dutch Goose during a career pivot that took him from stockbroker to restauranteur. “It was the year 2000 and I was working at Morgan Stanley, while the market was crashing,” he recalls. “I was having a burger with my dad and I told him I was miserable.” The conversation turned to talk that the Dutch Goose might close down or be demolished and Greg pondered rescuing the time-honored watering hole. “I feel like these
1661 UNIVERSITY AVE, PALO ALTO 4 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 2 HALF BATHS | 4,527 SF LIVING | 15,000 SF LOT Nestled on a gorgeous and private lot in one of Palo Alto’s most coveted neighborhoods, this luxurious Crescent Park home offers exceptional design, impeccable craftsmanship, and resort-like living. A spectacular great room boasts beamed & vaulted ceilings, 10 skylights, a stunning fireplace, and a Chef’s kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Formal rooms include an elegant dining room and a handsome living room with coved ceiling and fireplace. The primary bedroom suite wows with vaulted high ceilings, double doors to the central courtyard with fire pit, and custom metal barn doors to the beautiful spa-like bathroom and grand walk-in closet. The first floor also holds a second en suite bedroom and an elegant half bath. The second floor has two generous carpeted bedrooms and two bathrooms; one bedroom is en suite with two walk-in closets. The large professionally landscaped lot is both peaceful and exhilarating, offering multiple spaces for outdoor activities such as a custom regulation-size bocce court, pool and hot tub with waterfall and a wonderful Ipe lounging deck, and outdoor kitchen and al fresco dining in the incredible pavilion that includes a fireplace, radiant heat, TV and half bath. Additional features include a mudroom, a fabulous laundry room, a charming breakfast nook with built-ins, and an oversized 2-car attached garage. A stellar location close to vibrant downtown and Stanford University, and exceptional public schools (Duveneck Elementary, Greene Middle, Palo Alto High) complete the appeal of this magnificent gem. brianchancellor.com | 650.303.5511 brianc@sereno.com | DRE 01174998 The information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources deemed reliable but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno has not and will not verify the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should verify and investigate all information to Buyer’s satisfaction. If your home is currently listed with another agent, please disregard this marketing material. 1661UNIVERSITY.COM SERENO OFFERED AT $8,395,000 | 1661UNIVERSITY.COM | BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM mom-and-pop restaurants are a dying breed,” he says. A business entrepreneurship graduate from the University of Southern California, Greg worked on a deal that took several years to complete. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. “You don’t go into the restaurant industry because you think you’re going to make a lot of money,” Greg explains. “But what you do get is that sense of community that I had never really experienced before. When you’re part of this community, it is better than any financial gain I’ve ever received. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” From contractors and students {punchline} to venture capitalists and Little League teams, the Goose’s customer base is diverse and loyal. Patrons have celebrated milestones at the Goose, from their first baseball team win in the 1970s to their 40-year high school reunion. Stanford Business School hosts regular meetings at the Dutch Goose. For many years, Stanford University’s bus had a regular stop at the restaurant. “We are so fortunate, with 20 schools in a two-mile radius of us,” Greg points out. “We host a lot of reunions.” The Goose also features a trivia night on Thursdays and a chalk board where customers can write the name of a friend for whom they have bought a drink in advance. Greg is as local as it gets. He graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School and is raising his three young boys in his hometown with his wife Angela, a restaurant veteran herself. Naturally, they enjoy engaging with the community. “We’ve been going through T-ball and all the way up through Little League,” explains Greg. “We’ll sponsor a team, and then they’ll come in and have a team party.” Along with supporting local youth sports, the Dutch Goose helps provide hundreds of college sponsorships and mentoring programs through the Peninsula College Fund. When it comes to well-known customers, the Dutch Goose touts a long list that includes former Vice President Al Gore, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and the San Francisco Giants’ J.T. Snow. Greg cites former Stanford quarterback and Super Bowl champion Jim Plunkett as one of the restaurant’s most esteemed regulars. “Jim Plunkett is a staple at the Goose,” he says. “He is among the most humble guys I have ever met. His daughters were both bartenders at the Goose.” One of Greg’s most mem-
Exhibition Extended! May 30 - Aug 31, 2025
28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} hours every morning.” Greg recently introduced milkshakes for the first time. “You have to do this slowly,” he notes. “The neighborhood tells you when you are going off the rails.” At the Dutch Goose, no one is rushing you out the door. “In the restaurant industry, you want to turn tables, that’s how you make money,” says Greg. “But that is not the case at the Goose. You want to come in, hang out and enjoy everyone’s company.” In fact, plenty of local customers consider the restaurant a second home. “It is like going to church,” Greg reflects. “You know what to expect and it’s one of the few things in life that doesn’t change.” orable moments includes a visit from Seal Team 6 members who stopped in at the Goose for burgers shortly after their successful take-down of Osama bin Laden. “That was the most star-struck I have ever been,” beams Greg. “They were pretty remarkable and first secured the location before stepping in the door.” Customers come for the firstrate burgers and beer, ample draft selections and an outdoor bar called the Duck Blind. Those who dine on the patio will find a wall display called the “Beer Tap Graveyard,” which features all the tap tags of dearly departed brews that have been retired. Over the years, Greg’s menu has expanded to include healthier options like salads, cauliflowercrust pizza and garden burgers. He stresses that changing the menu is not something done lightly. “People want their hometown watering hole to be the same and don’t like change,” he says. “You make a change and customers tell you immediately. When we switched the potato chips to french fries, people told me I was making a big mistake.” The spicy deviled eggs remain the most labor-intensive item on the menu. “Someone calls every year to get the recipe and we tell them it is just the original chicken,” he laughs. “It’s a lot of time cracking eggs and making the batter. It takes about two golden goose dutchgoose.net
3 OAK FOREST COURT | PORTOLA VALLEY Architecturally significant home on approximately 1.351 gated acres Two levels with 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths Approximately 7,275 total square feet Beautiful hardwood floors on the main level; new carpet upstairs Impressive customized wine cellar preceded by a tasting room and lounge Pool and separate spa plus built-in barbecue Protected vegetable garden, many fruit trees, and small vineyard Attached 2-car garage with direct access plus second attached 2-car garage with outside access Cul de sac street with just 5 homes Excellent Portola Valley schools OFFERED AT $5,495,000 | 3OAKFOREST.COM Architectural Elegance in a Beautiful Setting The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2025 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. CalRE #01908304. Over $3.5 Billion in Sales #1 Coldwell Banker Agent, San Francisco Peninsula #7 Coldwell Banker Agent, United States #111 Agent in the United States, RealTrends 2025 & ASSOCIATES Christina Hengehold 415.722.6402 christina.hengehold@cbrealty.com DRE# 02210414 christinahengehold.com Hugh Cornish 650.619.6461 hcornish@cbnorcal.com DRE# 00912143 hughcornish.com
30 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} PERFECT SHOT birds can’t read A rebellious osprey ignores a “Keep Out” sign while building its nest near the San Mateo Bridge. “Ninety-nine percent of an osprey’s diet is live fish,” notes wildlife photographer Michael Pagano. “They prefer shallow water when hunting for food, since they are unable to dive deeper than three feet.” This is the second year these birds of prey have made their home in the marina channel, he says. “Last year, they successfully raised two offspring.” Image by Michael Pagano / @paganografx
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 31 Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication. calling all shutterbugs
32 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} calling all dogs If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to tell, email hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH. My name is Oreo, but save for a few darker spots in my pale coat, I’m all filling and no cookie. I’m a five-year-old shorkie (half shih tzu, half Yorkshire terrier) with a crooked smile and a super-charged social battery. I was June’s daughter’s dog, but only until I met June. I attached myself to her like Velcro and wouldn’t budge (and I don’t mean that purely metaphorically—I often use her arm as my personal oreo DIARY OF A DOG as told to MARGARET KOENIG • photography by ROBB MOST paw rest, even when she’s driving). Now I live with June in Burlingame. I love visiting my four-legged friends in the neighborhood and if they don’t come out to play, I’ll sit in front of their homes until I’m physically carried away. Human visitors are equally exciting, especially the piano teacher, who allows me to sit nearby and listen. When I’m not socializing, I’m out exploring, although many of my adventures end with me being rescued from the tight spaces I get stuck in. Other hobbies include walking the Bay Trail (and watching ducks, planes and everything in between), rolling in the dirt (preferably right after getting groomed) and attending attitude classes so I’ll stop barking at big dogs. (Progress has been made!) Oh, and I have a special talent: I can sniff out ice cream in my sleep. The sound of ice cream being removed from the freezer will wake me up from the deepest of slumbers. I’ll be there in seconds to ask for a teaspoon before returning to bed. An action-packed schedule, plenty of friends and an occasional spoonful of ice cream—what more could a dog want?
AVA I L A B L E ATHERTON | 99James.com | $11,595,000 ATHERTON | 269Stockbridge.com | $19,750,000 ATHERTON | MENLO PARK | WOODSIDE | SAN CARLOS | PALO ALTO | LOS ALTOS DELIVERING DREAMS BUILDING RELATI NSHIPS
For showing appointment, contact Judy judy@judycitron.com Judy Citron 650.400.8424 judy@judycitron.com DRE 01825569 Talia Citron Knapp 650.400.8424 talia@taliacitron.com DRE 01987761 #3 Small Team SILICON VALLEY, 2025 #11 Small Team CALIFORNIA, 2025 $3B+ SOLD The Finest Real Estate Representation in ALL PRICE RANGES in Atherton, Menlo Park, Woodside, Portola Valley, Palo Alto,Los Altos Hills and Surrounding Cities For everything real estate, scan the QR code. JUDYCITR N.COM
LABOR DAY WEEKEND Aug 30, 31 & Sept 1 10 am – 5 pm Kids’ activities Food & beverages 13889 Skyline Blvd. Woodside, CA kingsmountainartfair.org
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 37 GETAWAY head for the hills {due west} words by ANDREA GEMMET TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT PLACER
38 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT PLACER / VISIT RANCHO CORDOVA I’m not sure if the inhabitants of California’s Gold Country are unusually friendly or if the exquisite peaches from Twin Peaks Orchards should get all the credit. It might be a little of both. Early into our four-day road trip through Rancho Cordova, Auburn, Nevada City and Grass Valley, my husband and I come away from a tour of Twin Peaks’ organic farm with a large box of perfectly ripe peaches, plus a dozen heirloom apricots. We can’t possibly eat all {due west} of them ourselves so, like a couple of Johnny Appleseeds, we hand out peaches to people we meet along the way. It proves to be an excellent ice-breaker. Our first stop is Rancho Cordova. We stroll around Soil Born Farm, a sprawling urban agriculture project hosting a weekly farmers market, lively outdoor cafe and community hub. It’s a great way to start off a lazy Saturday but our visit happens to coincide with the annual California Mermaid Convention, just across the street at Hagan Park’s community pool. The convention is one of the most joyfully eccentric scenes I’ve ever encountered. Colorful tails are laid out along the pool deck like fileted fish while their owners take a break and talk shop with fellow merfolk. In the sunlit water, several sirens glide beneath the surface while another sits halfsubmerged on a step, strumming a ukulele and singing sweetly while fluttering her tail. Back on the road, we pass through Rancho Cordova’s Barrel District, stopping at cool, cavernous Movement Brewing Co. for a frosty fruited sour. Dinnertime finds us in Auburn at Restaurant Josephine, the perfect intro to what becomes a culinary theme to this trip: creative farm-to-table cuisine, adeptly prepared and absolutely delicious.
TIMELESS ELEGANCE IN OLD PALO ALTO The information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources deemed reliable but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno has not and will not verify the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. Buyer should verify and investigate all information to Buyer’s satisfaction. If your home is currently listed with another agent, please disregard this marketing material. Kathleen Pasin, REALTOR®, SRES® 650.450.1912 | kathleenpasin@sereno.com | www.kathleenpasin.com | DRE 01396779 2025 RealTrends Verified Top 1.5% of REALTORS® Nationwide 1404 Bryant Street, Palo Alto 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 3,450 SF Living | 15,000 SF Lot Nestled in the heart of Old Palo Alto, this beautifully preserved home showcases the elegance of early 20th-century architecture blended seamlessly with thoughtful modern updates. Originally constructed in 1915, this home stands as a rare and refined example of classic design in one of Silicon Valley’s most desirable neighborhoods. The main house features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs, with a half-bath on the ground floor. A separate detached den with a full bathroom provides a versatile space for guests, a home office, or a creative studio. The formal dining room features a Venetian chandelier and built-in china cabinet. Enjoy quiet moments in the sunroom/library area, lined with built-in bookcases and large windows that overlook the serene backyard. Huge 2-car garage. With one of the largest lots (15,000 sf) in prestigious Old Palo Alto, this elegant home boasts a rare and generous backyard perfect for entertaining and everyday enjoyment. A safety-covered pool, hot tub, heated deck, lawn, and bocce court make it an entertainer’s paradise. In addition to a spacious 2-car garage, the property offers a backyard cottage with full bathroom and kitchenette, providing options for a guest suite, home office, or rental opportunity. Also on the property is the original carriage house, which can be used for a workshop, studio, or storage. New Roof & Solar. Gleaming Hardwood Floors. Updated bathrooms & kitchen. Close to top Palo Alto Schools, Parks, Stanford University and Hospital. Offered at $ $7,988,000
40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT PLACER Old Town Auburn offers an abundance of Gold Rush history, from the rustic Joss House Museum’s Chinese artifacts to the Placer County Museum located in the 1890s courthouse. At The Pour Choice, a three-story craft coffee bar and tap room, the rosemary ham & cheese sandwiches are a gourmet treat—thinly sliced porchetta on house-made focaccia with mornay sauce and a zippy Fresno chili-spiked apple relish. Box of peaches in hand, we hit the Placer Wine Trail, chatting with Pamela and Zane Dobson, owners of PaZa Estate Winery, while sipping 2021 Cotes du Placer in their rusticchic tasting shed. At Vina Josephine has a destinationrestaurant menu but the friendly atmosphere of a neighborhood hangout. The combination is pure Gold Country. After a relaxing night at the Hotel Sierra Vista in a sleek, spacious room with a view of the majestic mountain range, we’re off to Twin Peaks Orchards’ farmstand in nearby Newcastle to talk with Camelia Enriquez Miller about the region’s rich agricultural history. She and husband Justin are the fourth generation to farm this hilly land. First cultivated in 1912, now certified organic and producing an array of heirloom fruits, Twin Peaks is among the first farms to win recognition from the global Slow Food movement. {due west}
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 41 Castellano, we retreat into the cave-like tasting room to sample Spanish varietals like tempranillo and verdejo as well as Abuelita, a blend of cabernet franc and syrah. The affordable tasting flights and easygoing vibe of Placer County’s wine region, which dates back to the mid-1800s, reminds me of Sonoma County 25 years ago. Next stop, Nevada City. The 16-acre downtown historic district looks like a movie set—and it once was. Hallmark’s The Christmas Card was filmed here during its annual Victorian Christmas fair. With so many shops selling housewares and western gear, the front window of Solstice stands out with its explosion of sequins, Day-Glo and feather boas. Once I learn there’s a sizable contingent of Burning Man enthusiasts in town, the eye-popping secondhand attire makes perfect sense. The thriving local art scene in this part of Gold Country is deeply rooted. The twin cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City comprise one of California’s 14 Cultural Districts, a well-earned honor. Along with art galleries, the small towns boast an outsized number of entertainment venues and a packed calendar of live music, theater and dance performances, including the two-day KMVR Celtic Festival held in Grass Valley each May. One great place to tap into this creative spirit is Wolf Craft School and Collective, where you can try your hand at making all kinds of things, from jewelry and ceramics to sandals and textiles. For art and cultural exhibits, visit the ‘Uba Seo Gallery. Run by the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, it offers a thought-provoking counterpoint to the typical Gold Rush narrative of scrappy miners and wily entrepreneurs. Nevada City’s historic downtown is so compact that, PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT PLACER / HALEY WRIGHT ABOVE: (clockwise from top left) The pastry case at The Baker and the Cakemaker in Auburn; a pair of fairies pose at Grass Valley’s Celtic Festival; Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Company in Nevada City.
42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM go for gold visitranchocordova.com visitplacer.com gonevadacounty.com {due west} when looking for breakfast, we accidentally walk into the stillclosed Heartwood Eatery before realizing our destination—Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Company—is right next door. Back at Heartwood for lunch, I peruse the chalkboard’s list of local farms that supply the restaurant and note that the decadent toast menu features breads from The Baker and the Cakemaker in Auburn. Locals are obsessed with the bakery’s Meyer lemon-rosemary sourdough and I can see why. The twin cities each boast a lovingly refurbished historic hotel—the Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley and Shopping District with several blocks of picture-perfect shops. “People in Grass Valley are very friendly, they go out of their way to help you,” declares Robin GalvanDavies, head of the Chamber of Commerce. From what I’ve seen on this trip, that’s true all over this part of Gold Country. GO OUTSIDE Nevada City’s Tribute Trail along Deer Creek offers historical insights from its indigenous inhabitants—plus a bouncy suspension bridge over the creek. A short drive from the twin cities, walk across the South Yuba River on the 1862 Bridgeport Covered Bridge. Outdoor recreation on the South Yuba includes fishing, swimming, biking, horseback riding and hiking, but be mindful—snowmelt can cause hazardous water conditions into mid-summer. Dig into Gold Rush history at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley. For a day on the water, the Sacramento State Aquatic Center in Gold River (near Rancho Cordova) offers classes and water sports rentals at Lake Natoma. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: HALEY WRIGHT / KAT ALVES - HOLBROOKE HOTEL / HALEY WRIGHT - HEARTWOOD EATERY Nevada City’s National Exchange Hotel. We thoroughly enjoy a dinner at each hotel’s elegant restaurant, where local wines pair with wellcrafted farm-to-table fare. Our room at the National Exchange had high ceilings, a private patio and a tastefully eclectic array of antique furnishings, including a wooden pew that could easily seat 10. Grass Valley is also home to the annual Cornish Christmas street fair and several pasty shops, a nod to the many gold miners who came from Cornwall, and the pedestrian-only Mill Street
Gloria Young Lic. #01895672 +1 650.380.9918 Gloria@YoungPlatinumGroup.com YoungPlatinumGroup.com John Young Lic. #02036387 +1 650.862.2122 John@YoungPlatinumGroup.com YoungPlatinumGroup.com © 2025 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity. YoungPlatinumGroup.com Custom 2010 Mediterranean Masterpiece YOUNG PLATINUM GROUP Y 1630 Portola Avenue, Palo Alto 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms ±2,917 Sq. Ft. | ±5,250 Sq. Ft. Lot Offered at $5,388,000 1630Portola.com
44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} GAMBLE GARDEN – PALO ALTO As Gamble Garden so succinctly says on its website, “Life is simply better in a garden.” A lovely location in any season, this place flourishes from the first blush of spring flowers to the fiery flush of fall leaves. Keep in mind that there are only two picnic tables (first-come, firstserved), but plenty of places to spread out a blanket. As you hunt for the right locale, crunch down the garden’s gravel paths where special sections are devoted to roses, lavender, wisteria, herbs, California natives and more. Hoping someone else will plan the menu for you? Attend one of the monthly luncheons on the Carriage House patio. After you’ve eaten your fill, wander the grounds some more or snap a few photos over at the gazebo. Even if you’ve been here Have you truly embraced summer if you haven’t gone on a picnic? Dining al fresco, breathing in the smell of freshly cut grass, feeling the gentle warmth of the sun on your skin—these are life’s little pleasures. So select a destination, pack a wicker basket with your favorite finger foods and immerse yourself in this pleasurable pastime. OUTDOORS prime picnics words by JOHANNA HARLOW before, you can learn something new by taking a self-guided tree walk. Find the route mapped out on Gamble Garden website (gamblegarden.org), and follow along for an introduction to the garden’s splendid array of trees, from its crabapples and crape myrtles to its Japanese maples and magnolias. HUDDART PARK – WOODSIDE Grassy meadows, forest slopes and second-growth redwoods await at Huddart Park in welcoming Woodside. With ample picnicking areas to choose from, you’ll find many tables shaded by trees, pergolas or roofed awnings. Some have horseshoe pits and volleyball poles nearby. This over 900-acre park can easily handle larger groups, though you’ll need to make reservations for parties of 25 or more. PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBB MOST
650.361.1414 | info@masterpiecegarden.com | masterpiecegarden.com Interlocking pavers | BBQ units and outdoor fireplaces | Ponds and waterfalls Indoor plant installation & care | Beautiful plantings | Custom outdoor lighting | Horticulturist on staff Offering weekly, monthly, and quarterly maintenance programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties We go beyond the lawn providing the expertise of complete landscape design
46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} several gardens. Feed hungry koi at the Japanese garden, and embrace whimsy by admiring the tiny, decorated homes at the fairy garden. Then stroll through the rose garden and marvel at its 100 varieties with playful names like Lady of Shalott, Good as Gold and Scentimental. SAN GREGORIO STATE BEACH – SAN GREGORIO Recognized as one of the state’s cleanest beaches (according to Heal the Bay), San Gregorio is a pocket beach bordered by dramatic bluffs just south of Half Moon Bay. A smattering of tables on the edge of the bluffs offer breathtaking views of the waves, basking beachgoers and the nearby bridge over San Gregorio Creek, which flows under Highway 1 and spills out onto the sand. As you savor the last bites of your meal, watch seagulls surf the skies, while sea rocket, beach bur and California sagebrush shiver gently in the PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBB MOST / JOHANNA HARLOW Walk off your meal on one of Huddart’s many shaded trails. For something less than a mile in length, opt for a gentle jaunt on the Skyline Trail through madrone trees, sword ferns and huckleberry or the mostly-level Chickadee Nature Trail through redwoods and chaparral. Meanwhile, hardcore hikers can take the nearly five-mile Crystal Springs and Dean trails loop, one of the park’s most popular routes. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for black-tailed deer tiptoeing through the brush. CENTRAL PARK – SAN MATEO If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of packing your own lunch, San Mateo Central Park is conveniently located blocks away from the city’s thriving downtown. Order takeout, then scout out this park’s plentitude of perfect picnicking spots. Choose to unfurl your blanket across the sprawling lawn, settle at the tables by the playground or dine on a bench in the shadow of Leon, the park’s towering giraffe sculpture. After lunch, explore the park’s
SOLD FOR MORE IN LOS ALTOS HILLS John sold this home for $2,873 per square foot versus the 2024 average of $1,623 across Los Altos Hills sales with other listing agents. John sold this newly built home for $2,873 per square foot— outperforming the average of $1,858 per square foot for homes zero to five years old. That’s an impressive $1,015 more per square foot, delivering over $4,250,000 in additional value to his client at close. Curious what your home might command in today’s market? Call John today for a no obligation consultation of your home to see what he did differently to get these results for his clients. Discover the difference a tailored strategy makes. Compass is the brand name used for services provided by one or more of the Compass group of subsidiary companies. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. John Forsyth James 650.218.4337 john@johnforsythjames.com johnforsythjames.com DRE 01138400
48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} breeze. Don’t leave without a walk in the golden sand and a quick peek inside the cave tucked into the cliffs. For those seeking to unleash their inner architect, collect armfuls of the driftwood that washes up on this beach and build a fantastical fort. SHARON PARK – MENLO PARK Load up your picnic basket with sandwiches and watermelon slices, then set out for this peaceful park at the heart of Sharon Heights. With a koistocked pond, wooded area and charming walking path, it’s an idyllic setting. Though there are only a few tables, it makes a great picnic blanket locale. As you lunch, watch turtles sunning their shells on the water’s edge, while ducks bob for pondweed. If you’re lucky, you might even spy a stately snowy egret stalking on long legs through the shallows. PHOTOGRAPHY: ROBB MOST A PLETHORA OF PICNIC PLACES: + Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo) + Edgewood Park (Redwood City) + Flood Park (Menlo Park) + Foothills Nature Preserve (Los Altos Hills) + Pulgas Water Temple (Redwood City) + San Pedro Valley Park (Pacifica) + Shoreline Park (Mountain View) + Memorial County Park (Loma Mar) + Point San Bruno Park (South San Francisco)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==