PROFILE

MacArthur Park... the idea was to move the "outdoors indoors", a restaurant that represents a translation of an emotion into a visual concept and renders a living environment. Wherever you sit, you are looking at trees, flowers, and people. The original motto of this restaurant in 1981 was "each bud each leaf each flower each tree each sound each touch each taste each other," and it still remains engraved in every window front today. As one of the originators once stated, "MacArthur Park is a dedication to healthful, superbly prepared foods served in a living environment."

Housed in a historical landmark of great charm and character, MacArthur Park is ideal for private entertaining. The restaurant's private dining facilities are wonderfully suitable for parties, cocktail receptions, business meetings, anniversaries, weddings and rehearsal dinners. In addition to offering a wide selection of menu options, MacArthur Park can arrange all the "extras" that make an event successful. Off-site catering is also available for any occasion.

The menu at MacArthur Park gained a reputation for its fine American cuisine and Oakwood-smoked baby back ribs, which were voted "Best BBQ in the Bay Area" for nine consecutive years by the readers of San Francisco Focus Magazine. Other favorites include mesquite-grilled fish and chicken, juicy New York steaks, seasonal salads, and tempting desserts. To compliment the menu, MacArthur Park provides an extensive California wine list and a full bar featuring American whiskey and microbrewery beers on tap.

And don't forget about MacArthur Park's Barbeque Sauce. In 1988, in response to repeated requests from the customers of MacArthur Park, the barbeque sauce was made available for sale in individual bottles. Today, MacArthur Park Barbeque Sauce can be found in select fine stores throughout the Bay Area.

MacArthur Park opened in 1981 and is located just outside the gates of Stanford University. The building itself is a California historical landmark, a restored former World War I YWCA Hostess House. Julia Morgan, architect of the Hearst Castle, was the original designer for the building, and the structure was used at Camp Fremont from May to October in 1918. The YWCA then gave the building to the City of Palo Alto, charging them $1.00 for legality reasons.

The building's previous focal points were the brick fireplaces at each end, nestled cozily under overhanging balconies. On each side of the hall were wings divided into lofts. Today, MacArthur Park retains much of Julia Morgan's original design, including open beam ceilings, clerestory windows, and a large common room that can be viewed from overhead balconies.

The restaurant features five separate and exceptional dining areas, all named with respect to the history of the building. The spacious main dining room exemplifies Julia Morgan's grand yet comfortable architectural style. The vaulted ceilings with exposed whitewashed beams and abundance of windows create an airy setting. The four other rooms all have their own special qualities that may appeal to different customers for different occasions. To find out more about these specialty rooms, click here.

MacArthur Park is open for lunch on weekdays and dinner nightly. Reservations are recommended. Most menu items are available "To Go" and a fax-in order service is available.