New Lexington House Restaurant Opens in Los Gatos

The much anticipated Lexington House restaurant at the corner of the old Domus location on North Santa Cruz Avenue officially opened to the public Tuesday evening with an enthusiastic crowd of foodies and cocktailers.


Owner Stephen Shelton was busy greeting his new customers, while co-owner James Marino was behind a fancy bar making drinks for thirsty customers.

Shelton said the restaurant had a few practice dinners for friends and family, but Tuesday was the official soft opening. On Monday, he said the restaurant hosted a cocktail party for its investors and supporters.

"It was a celebration," Shelton said, while standing inside the small and quaint dining space that pays homage to community, small farmers, wineries and beer producers offering seasonal local food with an exciting menu.

"It will be something new and fresh every day," Shelton said. "That's the idea behind it."

The restaurant's cuisine is described by Shelton as modern, vegetable-driven and having a comfort feel to it.

Shelton worked as a bartender manager at renowned Cin-Cin Restaurant and Wine Bar in Los Gatos for more than three years, from 2009 until 2012.

He explained he had worked during the past year and half getting the new restaurant ready, completely rebuilding the suite he's occupying at the location, which is one of five spaces at 40 No. Santa Cruz Ave.

Shelton expressed gratitude to Los Gatos government officials who, in September of 2012, gave the business a conditional-use permit to convert a retail space into a restaurant, which is discouraged by a town ordinance.

The restaurant has about 16 employees, 22 seats, but can hold up to 50 people inside, Shelton said.

Its hours of operation are 5:30-10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It's closed on Sunday.

Cooking at Lexington House is Chef Philippe Breneman and Sous Chef Jennifer Pender. Breneman previously cooked at Michelin-starred Dio Deka.

"It's been my dream for 20 years," Shelton said of opening the restaurant. "I've been a bartender, a bar manager, a general manager, bus boy and server. I love people and I saw the need in Los Gatos."

Shelton said his restaurant would fill a void in Los Gatos for the so-called "food and drink culture."

"It's about people. It's about giving people a comfortable place to go to so they feel like they're eating at a farmers' market, eating food and drink and having a sense of place," he said.

Items on the menu are priced following the average standard with entrees and appetizers costing between $10 and $30. "It's modern food that's super seasonal, super fresh and super local."

The most popular item on the menu Tuesday evening was the Chanterelle Mushrooms, the marble potatoes and the salmon basted in brown butter, served with English peas, corn pudding and red pepper.

Shelton said he will be bartending and managing the restaurant with Marino, who was busy making a pisco sour, the national drink of Peru made with Encanto pisco.

Customers Susan Moore-Brown and Christine Kennedy emerged from Lexington House with happy taste buds.
 
"I loved it. I had a really nice cocktail tonight, which was herbal and delicious and the atmosphere and the crowd were great," Moore-Brown said.

Added Kennedy: "The service was excellent. Very prompt, polite and the menu was great, although we just had drinks."

Other customers were raving about the decor and predicted Lexington House will be a huge success in town. "It's a little bit more modern than the other restaurants in town," Kennedy said. "There's more of a focus on cocktails than wine."