November 1, 2007

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 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. Photos by Dan Miranda

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 new fountain 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.

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.”