Cornucopia of fun Cornucopia of fun - Almaden Times

Page 20 � Nov. 2–Nov. 8, 2007 � Almaden Times Weekly
Times Local News
Just a little over a week before the public gets to eat at the newest Sonoma Chicken Coop in Almaden where McAbee Road meets Almaden Expressway. At left, the owners Jeffrey
Starbeck, left, and Bob Ray, show off their indoor/outdoor bar. There’s plenty of room for customers to sit down and eat, center, with 225 seats inside and 151 outside. The new
fountain, right, leads diners into both the “Coop’s” entrances. At the left is the entrance to the new, extended patio. Not shown are special parking spaces—far right—leading to
the take out section of the restaurant. Photos by Dan Miranda
The wait is over
Sonoma
Chicken Coop
to open Nov. 11
By Carol Rosen
Editor
It’s been a long wait, but well worth
it, as the new Sonoma Chicken Coop
on Almaden Expressway at McAbee
plans to open on Sunday, Nov. 11.
The newest “coop” is a far cry from
the McDonalds Restaurant it replaces.
The entire inside and outside were
redone, a bar added and the patio
extended to provide dinning when the
weather allows—typically most of the
year unless it rains. There’s a new fountain
in front, along with new planters,
benches and plants inside.
One of the most innovative actions is
the bar, which has been designed to
serve customers both inside and outside.
Large paned windows, which can
be securely locked, open out when
guests feel like being outside during the
day or at night. And there are two plasma
televisions within the bar—one for
those inside to watch and another for
the outside customers.
Two other 50-inch plasma televisions
are also part of the décor along with
rich paneling. The kitchen has two
cooking lines to expedite food prep during
especially busy times and for
Saturday and Sunday brunch, which
the owners will begin in the near future.
The restaurant also features a take out
area for those who want to order food
and take it home. The owners, Jeff
Starbeck and Bob Ray, designed the take
out portion with its own parking area to
make it easier to pick up food.
The Almaden restaurant will feature
the same menu as the Campbell and
downtown venues, but is 11,000 square
feet compared with 8,500 downtown
and 15,000 square feet in Campbell.
The other new “coop,” at Sky Port will
offer 14,000 square feet when it opens
in several months.
There is enough seating available—in
and outdoors—to accommodate nearly
400 people; 151 outside, 225 inside
including 25 inside at the bar and “a lot
outside,” said Ray.
“The city has been very helpful to
us,” he added, noting the opening has
been delayed because of designs, engineering
and permits. The staff, some of
which will come from Campbell and
downtown, currently are training.
During the opening, three chefs—all
with culinary school degrees—will be
doing the cooking; one from each of the
other restaurants and the executive
chef.
“We’re really excited about opening,”
said Starbeck, “and we can’t wait to
start serving Almaden.”