Update on what’s happening next-door to Bistro Vida

We dined recently at Bistro Vida and caught up with owner Ali El Safy about the transformation of the Harvest furniture store next-door into a bar he is calling Loretta (window is shown above).

He’s hoping for an opening sometime in March with the hours extending to 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Longtime residents will remember Magoo’s Pizza Parlor in that location where the Grateful Dead got their start (pictured). Given  that history, Ali plans to have Dead night on Wednesdays.

Here’s a great history of local Dead appearances written by Dead historian Corry Arnold.

Loretta’s isn’t the only new bar opening in Menlo Park. Somm Cellars, a wine bar, will be opening at the former La Boulanger which closed at the end of November.

Photo of Loretta flower by Linda Hubbard (c) 2024