June 27, 2008

Portola Valley: There’s a New Market in Town

Portola Valley and La Honda residents welcomed the new Robert’s Market to the neighborhood this week, as it took over and remodeled an old storefront at Alpine and Portola roads. Robert’s, the wonderful family owned market in Woodside, has expanded their empire to serve its southern constituents. The Grand Opening of the full-service grocery was on Wednesday, and when I visited on Thursday afternoon, the place was buzzing with activity. Customers, friendly staff, and a great looking store were my first impressions.

The Robert’s family worked long and hard to get this rolling and they have done an impressive job. Beautiful wood floors, a large deli counter with prepared foods, gourmet specialties, and freshly made sandwiches, a larger produce section than the Woodside store and, as always, a really great selection of wines (if you don’t see what you want, just ask). Their butcher shop is completely new, with a beautiful green-tiled back wall, new butcher blocks, and gleaming cases. You might want to check out their special Blackjack Tri-tip. Black in color and full of flavor, it is priced at $11.11 and if you pick the right cut of meat (namely 1.98 pounds) and it prices out at $21 (blackjack, get it?), you get the meat for free. It’s one of my family’s favorites.

The store will serve Portola Valley and La Honda residents, as well as the hundreds of bikers that ride the hills in the area (and are also a constant presence at their Woodside store).

The store can be a bit difficult to recognize from the road, as the town apparently forbids storefronts from having signage on them. There are banners at each corner of the parking lot, facing Alpine Road. So if you are in the area, stop on by and check it out.

If you go this weekend, you can also check out these open houses:

76 Old Spanish Trail, 2/2, 1205 sf, .46 acres, $1,098,000 ($911/sf)
Open Sunday 1:30-4:30

346 Wayside Road, 2/2, 1510 sf, 1.01 acre, $1,249,500 ($827/sf)
Open Sunday 1:30-4:30

185 Shawnee Pass, 4/3.5, 2620 sf, 1 acre, $2,879,000 ($1,099/sf)
Open Sunday 1:30-4:30

30 Bear Gulch Drive, 5/4, 3981 sf, 1,2 acres, $4,250,000 ($1,068/sf)
Open Sunday 1:30-4:30

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