Posted by Not a lady who lunches, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Feb 2, 2007 at 5:18 pm

Allied Arts restaurant is the best place to take visiting relatives of a certain age, if you know what I mean.

It's not too noisy, it has lovely grounds for strolling, and the inept but dilligent volunteer waitresses are so sweet.

I had lunch there last week, and the food was quite good, th service was uneven but attentive, and everyone had a good time. I'm sad that it's ending, and I hope that a replacement is found that will have the same old fashioned charm.

Posted by jpA8Q, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Feb 5, 2007 at 6:30 am

Allied Arts has many memories for me over 3 decades of taking and joining relatives and friends from out of town to lunch. The shops and strolls through the lovely gardens among charming historical, and now properly refurbished and restored buildings is a step into another time and space. I think the experience could be appreciated by even those of not "a certain age", re previous contributor. With the correct PR to beckon stressed and very busy younger adults, this could become a go- to oasis of calm and beauty. I agree with the previous contributor about the food, service, and attentiveness of well-meaning volunteers. The restaurant has a special charm, and I hope that is not lost in a transition away from being run by volunteers.