SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA OCTOBER 25 Breezy Jaunt Yountville Calls Set & Spike Path to Gold Dining Darling Creative Korean Spectacular Autumn Trails for Every Hiker Bubbelah Elevates Noshing to New Heights PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Boootiful
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8 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} Peninsula Culture 23 Path to Gold 30 Perfect Shot 34 Diary of a Dog: Athena {due west} Travel & Wellness 37 Yountville Jaunt 44 Exploring the Foothills IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Editor’s Note 14 Sloane Citron 17 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / COURTESY OF: FAR NIENTE WINERY / KIRK LOUGHEED / THOMAS KUOH {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 65 Dining Darling 70 Newish Noshing 76 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 81 Retro Revival 88 Shaping a Second Act {punchout} Features 100 Nature Calls {landmark} 106 St. John’s Cemetery {october 2025} contents 37 65 44 81
10 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” —F. SCOTT FITZGERALD 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 Sharon McDonnell Loureen Murphy Sheryl Nonnenberg Elaine Wu 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 Senior Editor Johanna Harlow is back from Yountville with ideas for spending a laid-back long weekend in this sophisticated small town. (Page 37) Darling. Honey. Sweetheart. By some cosmic coincidence, two new restaurants creating a stir in Menlo Park are both named for the word “sweetie.” There’s the repetitiously titled Yeobo, Darling (yeobo is a Korean endearment), where husbandwife chefs Michael and Meichih Kim offer a menu that marries favorite dishes from their heritage cuisines with fine-dining finesse. (Page 65) Then there’s Bubbelah from Che Fico’s David Nayfield. The chef tapped his love of Jewish foods for a colorful culinary tour of the diaspora. His casual eatery is named for a Yiddish word that means—you guessed it—darling. (Page 70) Then, see how designer Jennifer Wundrow updated a 1930s Mediterranean house in Hillsborough to be familyfriendly without losing its Old World charm. (Page 81) Next stop, Portola Valley, where Lee Middleman shares his journey from patent-holding physicist to artful potter. (Page 88) Paralympics gold medalist Katie Holloway Bridge has been throwing herself into the action since preschool, despite being born without a femur in one leg. Find out what keeps her competitive fire stoked. (Page 23) Maybe you don’t need nudging to escape an autumn rut and do something new in October. But if this finds you at home, torn between heading for the sofa or the front door, I hope these pages inspire you to embrace everything this fall has to offer! Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} watching whales or browsing art galleries. Maybe I’ll snag a spot on an after-dark hike. Signing up in advance just might be the motivation I need to get out the door. While I really enjoy a solitary hike, I can forget how much fun it is to go with a group. This spring, my friend Sue invited me on a tour of Jasper Ridge, Stanford University’s beautiful biological preserve. The free guided walks are the only way the public can access it. As our docent led us over the top of Searsville Dam and the infamous lake it created, I wished I’d braved the mildly daunting reservation system sooner. Recently, I did a little field work for my story on exquisite autumn hiking routes. It was a great reminder of the incredible resource we have in the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Not only does it keep over two dozen preserves accessible, it also hosts a full calendar of free events. All it took to join a short hike in Windy Hill led by delightful docents Olga and Tony was to show up at the parking lot at the appointed time. For my trouble, I was fed blackberries, chatted with lovely people and got a demonstration of the very British game of conkers. To whittle down the long list of tempting trails on the Peninsula and Coastside, three insightful rangers shared their insider tips for fabulous fall hikes. With routes ranging from shortand-easy to strenuous, there’s something for nearly everyone. (Page 100) October is a great month for a getaway, before those holiday obligations start filling your calendar. You don’t have to go far to enjoy a little slice of wine country. Take a scenic drive through the Cupertino and Saratoga foothills and stop off for winetastings or activities like fishing, archery and disc golf. (Page 44) But if you want the real deal, Now that acorn-kicking season is underway, I can admit that I look forward to autumn with equal parts anticipation and dread. Crisp air, football season and holiday gatherings are on the plus side. Cold feet, shorter days and—let’s face it—all those holiday gatherings (So much stress, so much to do!) are on the other side. The instinct to hunker down at home when the darkness comes early can be hard to resist. This year, I’m resolved to fight my fall hibernation instinct by getting out of the house as often as I can. So what’s on my short list of things to do this season? Catch a double-feature at the Stanford Theatre, go to an author talk at Kepler’s, hang out with friends at a wine bar, spend an afternoon on the Coastside
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14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} pronounced, though we could still do most everything we would normally do, and Mike was still working with his son to manage the company. But over the last year, as is inevitable, things have gone downward. Mike is still there but he repeats thoughts, calls me up the next day after we have talked to tell me the same things we discussed the day before and was gently removed from any management duties at the company. I don’t know the details of his dementia diagnosis, but it’s real, whatever it is. Fortunately, there was an old home, not used for much of anything, attached to their printing company. After some minor renovation and a good cleaning, the house was the perfect place for Mike, since he enjoys wandering around the printing plant and kidding around with the employees, who all love him. Mike had always been there when I needed a friend. Goodness begets goodness, and now it was my turn. On my latest trip, I hosted a dinner party in his honor—not just to celebrate him, but to surround him with the people who mattered most in his life, and to remind them of how deeply they still matter to him now. The night was alive with laughter and stories, and for a few precious hours, the weight of his illness lifted. Mike was happy. And that was everything. I love Mike, and it tears at me to see how cruelly this disease is stealing from him. But love calls us to act. As it’s said, helping one person may not change the whole world, but for that one person, it can mean the world. For Mike, for those we love, we must keep showing up—with our time, our presence, our hearts. Because in the end, that is how we honor both friendship and life itself. E ach summer, my brother Dan and I meet in Denver, where he lives and practices medicine, and from there we drive to Amarillo, Texas, where we grew up. We stay with a dear family friend who now has the ramshackle cabin that her parents built in the Palo Duro Club. An offshoot of the Palo Duro Canyon, it’s in one the most beautiful places in America, and also one of the least-known. After the Grand Canyon, it is the second largest such canyon in our country. While Dan relaxes at the cabin—hiking, swimming, wildlife watching and hunting for arrowheads—I spend a good portion of my time hanging out with the same kids I grew up with. There’s Julie, my kindergarten girlfriend, Scotty, my first friend who lived three houses down from me, Susan, my grade school gal. And at the top of the list is Mike, one of my closest and dearest friends in Amarillo, or anywhere, for that matter. I left for prep school at Andover following middle school at Austin Junior High, and I was mostly miserable 3,000 miles from home, where I was slow to adapt and slower still to make friends. Whenever I flew back for vacations, my father would pick me up at the airport and take me to our family home. Every time—and how he always knew I still don’t understand— sitting in his car waiting for me was Mike. You couldn’t ask for a more loyal pal. I have gone back to Amarillo once a year throughout my entire adulthood, first to visit my dad, and after he died, to visit my friends. As time passed, I realized that those visits helped me understand who I am. They allowed me to enjoy an environment totally different from the frantic pace of the Peninsula. It is a lovely city, with beautiful 1940s homes, brick streets and kind, friendly people. And every visit included spending time with Mike, playing golf, hanging around his family’s printing company, reminiscing about the outrageous things we did as kids. Mike has done something that few can achieve: he inherited a medium-sized family company, grew it and successfully handed it off to his highly capable son, Jake, who is now powering the firm forward. Two years ago, while on my annual visit, I noticed that Mike seemed a tad bit off. We were out at the dusty country club we grew up at ($5,000 to join today!) and he had a hard time introducing me to people and making decisions. I didn’t think much of it, since recalling names is at the bottom of my own skillset. But then, during our regular phone calls, I noticed more challenges and difficulties. I called his daughter, Kacie, and she told me that Mike had been diagnosed with early onset dementia. It knocked me for a loop. Last year, during my visit, the changes were a bit more a forever friend
Pacific Trust Real Estate is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 02014153. 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. Nick Granoski | 650-269-8556 nick@pactrustrealestate.com DRE 00994196 David Weil | 650-823-3855 david@pactrustrealestate.com DRE 01400271 We’ve got this. On the Peninsula Right Now. Scan to learn more about these listings. 389 Avenue Granada | El Granada Offered at $1,848,000 5 BD | 3 BA | 2,770 SQ.FT. 812 Burns Court | Pacifica Offered at $1,488,000 3 BD | 2 BA | 1,315 SQ.FT. 447 North 2nd Street | San Jose Offered at $1,798,000 4 BD | 2 BA | 2,660 SQ.FT.
Dining, Movies & More! Century Theatre Chipotle Mexican Grill Con Azucar Café NOW OPEN! Dignity Health GoHealth Urgent Care Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center NOW OPEN! Five Guys Burgers and Fries Happy Lemon Hella Mediterranean Limón Restaurante Peruano NOW OPEN! Marufuku Ramen Pizza My Heart Powerhouse Gym Elite Sola Salon Teriyaki Madness NOW OPEN! Timber & Salt Vitality Bowls Ocean Oyster Bar & Grill NOW OPEN! Across from Courthouse Square, Redwood City. Savor the flavors in one of the many delicious restaurants at Shops On Broadway. With twelve exciting restaurants and eateries, along with Century Theatre, it’s the place to dine or take in the latest blockbuster. Shops On Broadway is also the place for a great workout, pampering spa treatment and more! We’ve Added New Flavors! Now Open, Limón Restaurante Peruano, Ocean Oyster Bar & Grill, Teriyaki Madness and Con Azucar Café. Dining, Movies & More! Across from Courthouse Square, Redwood City. 2107 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 www.shopsonbroadway.com
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 17 OCTOBER 2025 + 31 DAYS + B O O ! + OUR 87TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + Pack up the family and head out for some autumn leaf-kicking this October. + Watch for a brilliantly bright lunar display this Harvest Moon on October 6. + Game One of the World Series begins on October 24. Let’s hope for no snow. + Make the kids happy with full-sized candy bars this Halloween, October 31. Venture Out + SOAK in the eco-ethereal art of Steven Spazuk at Studio Shop Gallery. Opening night October 10 and exhibited through November 22. + GALLOP on over to Woodside for the Day of the Horse, October 11 and 12. + OGLE giant gourds at the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, October 18-19. Our summer was a mild one, though we almost always get a late heat wave just as we’re hoping for cooler days. Still, the calendar marches on, and here we are in one of the most exciting months of the year. Football dominates our screens, baseball playoffs wrap up (without the Giants—again!) and every store is brimming with Halloween candy, decorations and inflatable monsters. It all builds toward the Night of the Great Pumpkin, when children don their sweetest costumes and set out to earn a well-deserved haul of sweets. “I have been younger in October than in all the months of spring.” —W.S. MERWIN welcome back
18 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Coming into the Country by John McPhee—Unforgettable account of Alaska, showcasing its unique citizens and leaders. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano—The sole survivor of a plane crash finds hope with the help of his community. Coming-of-age story meets life after loss. Architectural Digest—Still one of the most consummate interior design magazines published—architecturaldigest.com WHO KNEW? In 1776, Spanish explorers camped by a creek on the San Francisco Peninsula and named it San Mateo in honor of Saint Matthew. Seventy years later in 1846, William Davis Merry Howard purchased Rancho San Mateo—which included about half of present-day San Mateo, as well as all of Burlingame, Hillsborough and the Spring Valley lakes (now Crystal Springs Reservoir and San Andreas Lake)—for $25,000 (roughly $1 million today). He then spent an equal sum just to build a fence around all that property. Well Read Unscramble O L AMC CESEEMITER Finally, some half-baked advice: Never use your favorite song as an alarm. You’ll start to hate it. Carpe Diem + HARVEST your own pumpkins at Bianchi Flowers & Pumpkins in Pescadero or Bob’s Vegetable Stand and Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay. Why settle for a pre-picked gourd to decorate your doorstep when you can cut your own right off the vine? Bianchi, a fifthgeneration family farm, also lets visitors gather their own sunflowers, while Bob’s Pumpkin Farm has pens of cute pigs and goats, haystacks and a farm stand. + SPLIT your sides at Grapes and Giggles, a comedy show at Domenico Winery in San Carlos. This event features not only some of the Peninsula’s best stand-up comedians but also cocktails, bar bites and award-winning wines. If you arrive a few hours before the wit and wine start to flow, dine at Dominico’s Osteria, a playful eatery that draws inspiration from post-war Italy. Shows are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month and doors open at 7:45PM. Tickets at linktr.ee/gigglessancarlos. Dash to Dine + PRIME BBQ—Asian-style barbecue with yakitori skewers and a flurry of paper lanterns—33 West 25th Avenue, San Mateo + MENLO BBQ—Korean and American barbecue fare at this neighborhood fave. Great for pickup. Try the garlic fries—555 Willow Road, Menlo Park + WAGON WHEEL BBQ—Traditional joint with exceptional tri-tip, ribs and brisket. Terrific service—861 Leong, Mountain View
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Numbers 01527235, 01527365, 01991628. 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.
20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Just how many balls can you keep in the air? My record is nine balls, and I regularly perform up to seven balls in my act. The world record is 14 balls, which is mind-boggling. So when did the juggling start? After watching the Flying Karamazov Brothers on TV, I taught myself to juggle when I was about 10 years old. I really started juggling when I bought Charlie Dancey’s Encyclopaedia of Ball Juggling at age 27 and set a goal to learn every trick in the book. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve juggled? Lawn chairs backstage on the America’s Got Talent set. Where are some of the places juggling has taken you? England, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Scotland, Canada, Netherlands, Mexico, Denmark as well as all over the U.S. What’s a tricky travel situation you can laugh about now? Realizing that rupees were not exchangeable outside of India. It meant I had to spend three days living in Bangkok Airport because I had no money. Can you tell us why you love juggling conventions? I cannot recommend these events highly enough. They happen all over the world and come in all shapes and sizes. Locally, may I humbly recommend Game of Throws, hosted by the Gunn High School Juggling Club? It happens in late January with about 500 attendees, and is free for all. What’s the dumbest way you’ve been hurt? Stitches on my forehead from a failed front flip, trying to impress a girl in high school. Not my finest hour. THE Q & A MATT HALL Where did you learn Japanese? When I was a first-year student at the University of Notre Dame. (Go Irish!) I was chosen to spend my sophomore year in Tokyo at Sophia University. Later on, I spent three years teaching on the JET Program in Fukuoka and another two years working for the Japanese Consulate in Chicago. What drew you to the Japanese language? I read Shōgun when I was 14 years old and all I wanted to do was become a ninja. My high school did not offer Japanese so I took French instead, but when I got to college, it was all Japanese, all the time. Do you have a favorite city in Japan? Tokyo, in my opinion, is probably the best city on the planet. Sorry, New York. What is your most cherished possession? I would say my two cats—Sammy and Black Fuzzy—but they are definitely not possessions, but rather members of our family with full voting privileges. If anything, they own me. Did you have a dream job as a child? When we took an occupational test in junior high, my scores in adventure and new experiences were almost off the chart. Raiders of the Lost Ark had just come out and I wanted to be Indiana Jones. What’s something that makes you grateful? I am so lucky to say that I found a hobby, and got good enough at it that it has provided 20-plus years of free travel around the world, in addition to meeting hundreds of great folks. The juggling Japanese teacher discusses hosting Gunn High School’s Game of Throws, his ninja phase and the strangest thing he’s thrown in the air.
Come explore Jupiter & Main in the heart of Main Street, Half Moon Bay. Shop iconic clothing brands like Double RL and Filson, alongside barware, cast iron, homewares, and apothecary essentials for men and women. Stop by and discover what makes us Half Moon Bay’s most unique shopping experience. Live a life less ordinary. Come visit us at 432B Main Street, Half Moon Bay / www.jupiterandmain.com / @jupiterandmain Taylor Stitch / The Crawford Sweater in Coffee Twist
*Per RealTrends, 2025 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Numbers 01527235, 01527365, 01991628. 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. Let's Create Your Legacy. 5 Bed | 6 Bath | 8,855 Sq Ft | 6.5 Acres Offered at $14,500,000 31453HighwayOne.com 31453 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands 4 Bed | 6 Bath | 6,923 Sq Ft | 6 Acres Offered for $9,000,000 31475HighwayOne.com 31475 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands 3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,135 Sq Ft | .63 Acres Offered at $4,475,000 226HighwayOne.com 226 Highway 1, Carmel Highlands Honored to be ranked: #1 Compass Agent in Monterey County #4 Overall in Monterey County in the 2025 RealTrends Agent Rankings. REALTOR® | DRE 01916757 | 831.238.7420 jonathanspencerproperties.com Jonathan Spencer
ATHLETE path to gold words by JOHANNA HARLOW PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 23 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: WORLD PARAVOLLEY
24 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} worked harder than me? That you deserve this more than me and my teammates?’… I play with a chip on my shoulder.” From the start, the six-foot-three athlete fought for her place on the roster. Born without a fibula in her right leg, Katie underwent amputation as a toddler. While that didn’t keep her from playing sports (trying basketball, T-ball and soccer at the age of four), she wasn’t as fast as the other children. “I was cut from a lot of sports teams growing up and just felt like I always had to prove myself,” Katie says. And the other kids weren’t always kind. “I was the tallest girl, I had one leg—you name it, I was ‘the other,’” observes Katie. Middle school girls could be particularly mean, especially behind the closed doors of the locker room. Katie took to hiding her prosthetic with tall socks and long pants. “I got out of high school swimming when I was a freshman because I was terrified of taking my leg off and being in front of people.” But competition is in her blood. Katie’s father played football for Central Washington University, When Katie Holloway Bridge lists off her sports injuries, she does so with the casual air of one who recognizes this comes with being a professional athlete. “I’ve had dislocated pinkies. I broke this bone in my eye and I’ve broken my right hand,” says the sitting volleyball athlete and five-time Paralympian. She shrugs off a torn hip. “It’s not something I take time off for. It’s just going to be there.” When Katie takes to the court, her inner warrior awakes. “It’s not me at all!” she promises. But “when I get angry, I play better. I’m like, ‘How dare you think that you’ve PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: USA VOLLEYBALL
26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM her professional golfer cousins took to the green and her sister sank baskets at Seattle University. Katie’s persistence paid off, earning her a spot on the basketball team at California State University, Northridge. Though she didn’t know it at the time, Katie was the first female amputee to compete at the NCAA Division I level. “I just want to be treated like everyone else,” she says with a shrug. Looking back, the professional athlete notes, “College basketball was … a lot.” Katie makes an expression somewhere between a grin and a {punchline} that time of my life.” That doesn’t mean sitting volleyball didn’t take some getting used to. Accustomed to toughlove coaching, Katie didn’t know what to make of all the positive reinforcement. During basketball practices, “We would miss a shot and we’d run … you’d be half effort and we’d run. I am haunted by the word baseline.” Volleyball on the other hand? “It’s like, ‘Out of those 10 balls, you did eight well. What did you do right?’” she describes with a chuckle. “That was hard to get used to!” But adjust she did. Five Paralympic games later, Katie is at the pinnacle of her sport. “In the first part of my career, we were chasing down gold and we were the underdogs. I’ve always been an underdog, so I feel like that’s a really good place for me to be mentally,” she notes. After winning silver medals at both grimace. “I’m very proud of playing at the D1 level, but also, every day, hated it.” She pulled through thanks to daily calls to her family. “I also walked away with lifelong friendships and knowing how much I could withstand,” she reflects. It was also at Northridge where Katie fell in love with an entirely different sport involving a court and a net. The U.S. sitting volleyball team only spent a brief stint training on Katie’s college campus, but it was just long enough for her to get hooked. “It found me,” Katie says of Paralympic sports. “There were women like myself who were amputees who loved exactly who they were … it transformed my life.” Thoughtfully, she adds that it happened at just the right moment. “I was very moldable in PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE / KATIE HOLLOWAY BRIDGE {punchline}
585 Cherry Ave Los Altos 5 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 3,743 SF | 9,412 SF Lot Including 2 Bed + 2 Bath ADU Offered at $7,088,000 Located on one of the most desirable streets in Los Altos, this all-electric, solar-powered new home offers thoughtfully designed luxury with every modern convenience, including an attached ADU. Completed with exceptional attention to detail, the entire property showcases designer selections, custom craftsmanship, and a flexible floor plan ideal for a variety of lifestyle needs. The main home features expansive open living areas with soaring ceilings, engineered 9.5-inch oak plank floors, and dramatic sliding glass doors that open to covered and open-air terraces. The kitchen is a true centerpiece with striking quartzite countertops, custom cabinetry, and a full suite of Miele appliances. Upstairs, the luxurious primary suite features a cathedral ceiling, skylit walk-in closet, and spa-inspired bath. Two additional upstairs bedrooms, each with an en suite bath, offer comfort and privacy. A spacious attached main-level ADU, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, has both private and interior access, creating a variety of options for guests, multigenerational living, or rental income. Outside, the professionally landscaped grounds offer a built-in barbecue center, vast lawn, and multiple areas for entertaining. Additional features include a 2-car garage with EV charging, 10kW solar system with 25 panels, custom closets throughout, and a metal roof. All of this, and just one mile from the Village and with access to acclaimed Los Altos schools. 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 PENDING SALE
28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} the Beijing and London Paralympics, Katie’s team took gold at the following three games. After winning in Rio, there was more pressure to be perfect, she notes. “In Tokyo and then in Paris, we were who people were going after. All the eyeballs are on you.” The best countermeasure? “Trust the process and trust your teammates,” Katie says. “Trust you’ve done everything you can—and just play the game.” After the glamour of the games fades away, it’s back to business as usual. Katie trains at the Riekes Center in Menlo Park, a multipurpose space with athletic facilities and recording studios that supports veteran and adaptive sports. “Whatever you need, we’re here for you,” they told Katie when she first moved to the area. “And that’s been true ever since,” she says. “They’ve been my center and my rock!” The center even lent her a studio to record Inside Parasport, a podcast Katie hosted with Paralympic swimmer and cyclist Kelly Crowley. What does Katie wish more people knew about Paralympians? “We’re elite athletes, and it’s not just about our sob story,” she declares. “We operate at the highest level in our sport with a very unequal amount of resources so we often have fulltime jobs.” But the persistence of these Paralympians pays off when they’re proudly standing before the world. Nothing beats that charged moment of walking into the opening ceremonies at your very first Paralympic Games, says Katie. “The lights come on you and you walk out of the tunnel and it’s just this wall of sound. All you can hear is ‘U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!’ It gives you goosebumps.” PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: TEAM USA / WORLD PARAVOLLEY / SWEET WILD PHOTOGRAPHY ABOVE (bottom right): Katie poses for a family photo with her daughter, Claire, and husband, Ryan Bridge. Ryan is director of operations and head brewer at Strike Brewing Company in San Jose. The couple’s first date started with a tour of his brewery, followed by a Stanford women’s volleyball game. Invented in the 1950s in the Netherlands, sitting volleyball was first introduced as a Paralympic event for women in 2004. Played on a smaller court with a lower net, athletes must remain seated at all times.
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30 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} PERFECT SHOT looking for lunch While out for a hike near Crystal Springs Reservoir, Michael Pagano crossed paths with this wily coyote on the hunt for a little lunch in the tall grass. We’re not sure if this stealthy stalker was successful, but Michael certainly caught a captivating moment. Image by Michael Pagano / @paganogafx
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
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34 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. I’m Athena, and while I’m living the good life in Menlo Park now, I spent my first seven years in a laboratory, subjected to experiments seeking cures for tickborne diseases that affect cattle. Beagles like me are known to be docile, trusting and loyal. I was bred specifically for experimentation but thanks to a lucky break, my life has become so much more than that! I was rescued by the Beagle Freedom Project, and after being fostered briefly in Los Angeles, I started my new chapter with John and Kate in Menlo Park. They named me Athena, after the Greek goddess of wisdom and strength, a athena DIARY OF A DOG as told to MARGARET KOENIG • photography by ROBB MOST nod to their grandson’s interest in mythology. My name proved very apt. Let’s just say that I’ve had some medical issues, and I’ve conquered them all, sometimes against daunting odds. A year ago, my oncologist estimated that I had only a few weeks to live, and yet here I am, turning 12 this month and still thriving! No one can explain it. Just call me a little miracle. I happily occupy my days sunbathing, napping on any soft surface and soliciting belly rubs. I crave constant affection, and with my big brown eyes and sweet demeanor, John and Kate find me hard to refuse. I like to stretch my legs on long walks, and recently started bringing along my favorite toy, a stuffed lemur. As for the lab where I spent my formative years? It’s now an animal sanctuary called Freedom Fields. My happy ending may have been a long time coming, but thanks to John and Kate, it was worth the wait.
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PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 37 GETAWAY yountville jaunt {due west} words by JOHANNA HARLOW TRAVEL & WELLNESS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN
38 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: DAVID ESCALANTE - RO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE A weekend in Yountville isn’t meant to be action-packed. With one main street bordered by restaurants, tasting rooms, boutique hotels, spas, a Panama hat shop and not much else, this is the kind of destination best savored at a slower pace. Wine, dine and expect the sublime in one of America’s most sophisticated small towns. {due west} CYCLE OR STROLL As you roll into town, get the lay of the land with a quick stroll. It’s only a breezy 20-minute walk from one end of tree-lined Washington Street to the other. As you scope things out, appreciate Yountville’s abundance of sculptures by taking the free self-guided art walk available online at townofyountville. com/238/art-walk. Prefer cycling to strolling? Pick up a cruiser or e-bike at Napa Valley Bike Tours & Rentals or, if you’re checking into North Block Hotel, commandeer one of its complimentary bicycles to coast through downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. For a more rustic route, take Yount Mill Road out of town and zip along verdant vineyards, the Napa River and surrounding hillsides dotted with grazing cows. REMARKABLE RESTAURANTS Ready for the town’s renowned restaurant scene? We’re sure you’ve already heard of a little place called The French Laundry, but the area is overflowing with outstanding options. Beyond his legendary three-Michelin-star restaurant, Chef Thomas Keller has opened several more eateries around town, including RO Restaurant & Lounge, a partnership with his chef de cuisine, Jeffery Hayashi. This Asian-inspired dining destination delights in bringing the artful and unexpected to your table. Take the creamy uni on fresh brioche from the bakery down the road. Or the wagyu flat iron steak with shio koji marinade and cherry tomatoes, a sweet and savory synergy with bright acidity. Or caviar on ice cream. It shouldn’t work, but it does, the light saltiness of the cheesecakelike ice cream harmonizing with the miso caramel and pop of royal-grade caviar. My favorite meal comes from Bottega Napa Valley, an Italian spot with an inviting interior in shades of amber and copper and
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40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: EMMA KRUCH / KELLY PULEIO / BOTTEGA NAPA VALLEY Early Girl tomatoes and basil at The Restaurant at North Block. If you want to let the chef show off, opt for the Valley to Coast Tasting Menu. For those staying at North Block, slip into siesta mode back in your room, laze by the pool or curl up on patio furniture at the hotel’s European-style central courtyard. With contemporary décor of warm earthy tones, plus a patio or balcony in every room, and stellar staff, it’s easy to see how North Block earned its two Michelin keys. CUE THE CABERNET What’s wine country without a tasting or two? Expect high-caliber wines across the board at Stewart Cellars, which received recognition for three of its offerings in Wine Spectator’s Best of the Best list of California cabernets this year. There’s something for everyone, from the bold GSM blend with brambleberry notes and elegant tannins to the bright sauvignon blanc with characteristics of lemon and lime. Winemaker Blair Guthrie admits that he avoided working a big sunny patio. Lunch starts strong with pesce crudo, the fish of the day stunningly presented atop a block of pink Himalayan salt and crowned with flowers and microgreens. Another highlight: the Sophia Loren pasta, celebrating the icon’s 80th birthday. It comes with tomatoes prepared {due west} three ways, including a robust sauce reduced down with chicken bones to impart a remarkable depth of flavor. “I describe the sauce like Sophia Loren herself— timeless, bold and full of character,” describes Chef Alex Espinoza. Drawn to all that glitters? Make your reservations at RH Restaurant, a wonderland of chandeliers in a greenhouse-like space brimming with olive trees. Seekers of all things cozy should head to Ciccio for wood-fired pizzas, rustic charm and rigatoni. Meanwhile, admirers of seafood will savor vermilion rockfish highlighted by aromatic laksa soup or lobster tail and chitarra pasta adorned with
42 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM of bowing trees ushers you to the tasting area. Your table, idyllically situated beside a pond and a pergola, seems straight from a Thomas Kinkade painting. “We let the weather be the expression,” our steward Scott Cook says as he pours a ruby red cabernet and pinpoints 2016, 2018 and 2021 as exceptional years for the varietal. At its sister property, Nickel & Nickel, let the cabernet have its say with a tasting exploring five variations of one varietal. You’ll learn what gives each its distinct character on a porch overlooking the mountains or in the historic Gleason Barn. The barn dates back to 1770 and was transported from New Hampshire before being rebuilt piece-by-piece. It’s one of the oldest (if not the oldest) buildings in California, and you can feel the weight of history in its hand-hewn beams. MUSEUM MEANDERINGS Just outside of town, you’ll also find the Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture. Opened earlier this year, The MAC is currently still showing its interactive inaugural exhibition Julia Child: A Recipe for Life through March 8, 2026. Dedicated to the chef, author and TV personality who adapted hundreds of complex French recipes for American home cooks, the exhibit embraces all the senses. You’ll walk among huge pictures from Julia’s life, open pots to catch a whiff of her most popular recipes and peek into kitchen cabinets to watch clips from Julia’s cooking shows, her voice’s distinctive warble greeting you like an old friend. Windows in the gallery’s wall allow you to watch a class at the teaching kitchen of Under-Study café next door. If Julia’s journey inspires you, tie on an apron and join them. But if that sounds like too much fuss, don’t worry. In laid-back Yountville, slowing down and savoring your stay is always on the menu. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: JOHANNA HARLOW / FAR NIENTE / NICKEL & NICKEL {due west} with this white wine since his country of origin, New Zealand, is drowning in the stuff—but Sonoma County’s approach to the varietal won him over. “I’m trying to express the California sunshine so you get those more tropical notes on it,” he says. “But I very much picked this wine early to also try and express those beautiful herbaceous notes that you get in New Zealand sauvignon blanc.” Prefer to be in view of the vines? A 10-minute drive to nearby Oakville will take you to historic Far Niente. As you turn off the main road, a corridor small-town stay yountville.com
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44 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} It’s a crisp fall afternoon and you’re headed to a concert at Saratoga’s Mountain Winery. As you drive through the wooded Saratoga and Cupertino foothills, a series of enticing adventures bid you pull over. On Highway 9, your route wraps around the shimmering Stevens Creek Reservoir and winds along the nearby creek. Opt for a meandering route along Skyline Boulevard and Big Basin Way, and you’ll whisk by boutique vineyards promising enchanting tasting rooms and signs pointing to county parks. Every branch off the main road murmurs of possibilities. The discerning DAY TRIP exploring the foothills words by JOHANNA HARLOW explorer will heed the call and return to the region when there’s time to spare. WINNING WINES Where to start? You’d do well to prioritize the region’s pride and joy: its boutique wineries. Not only do the vines flourish with temperature fluctuations from fog and elevation, but you’ll also stumble across stellar views everywhere you turn. House Family Vineyards makes for a great start. With shaded couches flanking the hilltop’s crest, you’ll sip wine while scoping out neighboring vineyards as hawks coast on the air currents overhead. The tasting menu is excellent—ranging from blanc de noir with hints of white nectarine and a honeydew finish to cabernet sauvignon with black fruits and a touch of spice—but it’s the well-aged wines that truly sing. “Merlot is a crooner, the Sinatra of wines,” reflects winemaker Jim Cargill as I sip a 2012 vintage. “It can be velvety smooth. However, it often needs some back-up singers: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and maybe petite verdot. These other varieties really help shoulder the wine through the palate. They give it the nuance to finish and deliver a complete wine.” This region’s wine history dates back to the mid-1800s when a hunter and trapper by the name of Elisha Stephens arrived after leading the Stephens-TownsendMurphy Party across the Sierra Nevada, the first wagon train to successfully make the crossing (two years before the ill-fated attempt of the Donner Party). After settling in Cupertino, then known as West Side, Elisha planted a vineyard and blackberry patch— and had a slightly misspelled creek named after him. Many more followed suit, including PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: HOUSE FAMILY WINERY / KYLE MACKEY
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46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} well worth the bumpy ride. The view stretches from Moffett Field and Shoreline to Apple Park and downtown San Jose, then gives way to the untamed Santa Cruz Mountains. Settle into a rocking chair on the porch for a highly informative chat about everything from the soil’s geological composition to the harvesting process. And don’t forget to appreciate the ivy that cloaks the adjacent house and creeps along the awnings, its leaves fluttering in the breeze. Its sister winery Domaine Eden, perched on the neighboring mountaintop, is also worth a visit. Note that many of these boutique operations only offer tastings by appointment, so be sure to check winery websites before you jump in your car. GET ACTIVE It’s time to liven things up with an activity or two. First stop: the reservoir at Stevens Creek County Park. While you’re not allowed to dive into this enticing man-made lake, there are plenty of other ways to soak in its splendor. Kayak its waters or hike along its shore on the Tony Look Trail. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS - JASON TINACCI PHOTOGRAPHY / DOMAINE EDEN - KEITH WESTRA PHOTOGRAPHY / ZOE NACHLIS received praise for its cabernet from The New York Times’ chief wine critic Eric Asimov. Further south, sip pinot and ride a palomino (just not at the same time) at Garrod Farms, an estate winery and stables dating to 1893. You have to be willing to work for your tasting at Mount Eden Vineyards, traversing a steep and winding road that turns to dirt toward its destination. But when you stand before the showstopping panoramic views of this untouched paradise, you’ll find it’s several sea captains who decided to drop anchor and put down roots (and vines). French and Italian immigrants propagated grape cuttings after settling along rugged Montebello Ridge. It continues to thrive today with places like Picchetti Winery, with a brick tasting room dating back to the 1880s and plenty of peacocks on its property, Vidovich Vineyards, which welcomes picknickers, and Ridge Vineyards, which ABOVE: (bottom right) A couple enjoy views and vino at Domaine Eden. Clearly popular among lovebirds, the winery’s 2014 pinot noir was served at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
48 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} You’re also welcome to bring your casting rod to hook bluegill and bass (though catch and release is recommended due to the recent discovery of mercury in these fish). Feeling competitive? Bring a few frisbees and try your hand at the Villa Maria Disc Golf Course. Just a few minutes from the reserTAKE A HIKE The hikers among us will be pleased to find the foothills overflowing with trails and lofty outlooks. All are welcome at the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, including horseback riders and cyclists. Check the Midpeninsula Open Space website for docent-led cycling ventures along the popular paths of this preserve (an upcoming one on October 26 has a History on Two Wheels theme). Located on the urban fringe of Santa Clara Valley, the park’s Woodhills Loop Trail leads to stellar citywide views at Hunter’s Point. Over at Saratoga Quarry Park, you’ll discover remnants of a historic quarry and informative plaques about the area’s industrial past, plus well-maintained trails, primo picnic areas and a hidden labyrinth. Last but not least, trek the breathtaking Hickory Oaks Trail at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Follow the path as it rolls gently over the grassy hills, the surrounding mountain ridges and misty forests stretching as far as the eye can see. As the sun turns in for the night, bid the foothills a fond farewell. voir, this woodsy 11-hole course is perfect for a little friendly rivalry. You might also choose to embrace your inner archer by loading your quiver over at the nearby Bowhunters Unlimited Archery Range. Whether you opt for haybale targets spread across a hillside clearing or a walking course winding through the woods, it’s sure to be a major hit. Not yet a Robin Hood on the range? Not a problem. Sign up for a lesson via the Bowhunters Unlimited website and you’ll be striking bullseyes in no time. Speaking of pointy things, consider stopping by Skyline Chestnuts in nearby La Honda for the annual autumn harvest of the world’s spikiest nuts (buckets and suitably thick work gloves provided). PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: KIRK LOUGHEED / SANDIP BHATTACHARYA ABOVE: (top) Breathtaking views from Long Ridge Open Space Preserve; (below) a sunny day at Stevens Creek Reservoir.
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